Dah Syat

That's "awesome" in Bahasa Indonesia. It also happens to be the title of one of my favourite Indonesian shows (Yeah, another proof of my cultural craziness!).

Dah Syat is shown everyday on RCTI (Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia) at 9 am Jakarta time (10 am Singapore/Manila and 12 noon Sydney). It's hosted by the lovely Luna Maya and the rather animated Raffi Ahmad. Watch it to find out more. In fact, watch it here:

Okay, so maybe it's just another music show. Yeah, I have to admit that it's like watching something on MTV only on Red Bull and in Bahasa Indonesia. But that's the thing. It's in Bahasa Indonesia! I'm curious to find out just what kind of music they've been churning out out there. I'm curious to hear their language so close to mine but yet quite far. I'm curious to the point of actually satisfying this urge to learn more about culture by watching Indonesian TV!

I know. You don't get it. And I don't expect you to. I don't really expect everyone to rant about say, how breezy Radiodrome by August (They're a Thai band) is. Nor do I expect everyone to argue with me on which is the best Jean-Paul Jeunet film is. I know not everyone is as...world crazy as me. And I'm pretty okay with that, I guess. I, however, am okay with sharing this globally curious side of me with others. Well, except for two people.

My parents have always been the society types. They are those people who know every cut of gemstone and tell you never to mix gold jewelry with silver ones. They're the types who know which food goes with which wine. They're the types who know the difference between cream and ecru (which I sort of know). Yeah, they are pretty much into appearances. Add to that the fact that they stare at me every time I, say, rant about the significance of the colour yellow in Thai culture and you get why I just can't tell them. How could I tell them that I find street vendors very lovely? How could I explain to them that I love traffic jams because it makes me observe people on the street and analyse their stories? How could I tell my rather uppity parents that their daughter is a world culture geek who squeals every time she hears another language being spoken?

But it happened. One day sitting down for lunch on a DahSyat high, I happened to be asked by my mum about what I think of this certain outfit (forgot what). I, not thinking who I was talking to, told her it was really "dahsyat" and she replied with "Beg your pardon?" In an instant, I realised my slip up and attempted for a retraction. I was going through my head for words to explain myself but found zilch. So I said the only thing I could --- the truth. I braced myself for another stare down or another eye roll that without words says "OMG! What's wrong with you". I winced and prepared myself to hear...

"Dahsayt? It's some Indoenesian show...okay!"

What? No lecture about us keeping our appearances? No lecture about me getting into yet another crackers artsy-fartsy things? No lecture about me being too engrossed about another culture's face but not fixing my own? That was truly unexpected! But oh...wait! There's more!

The next morning, Mum asked me to help her pick some clothes out. She offered me that i can watch any TV show I want. And by that, she meant anything. Cautiously, I told her that I wanted to watch DahSyat. She then looked up, laughed and told me "Haha1 Okay. I'll watch to find out".

And guess what. She liked it! She liked it so much she was asking me questions about Indonesia, their culture, their music, Luna Maya and everything related to that archipelago I was and still am fascinated with observing. The whole thing just made me realise something.

Admit it or not, there is always something about the people we love that irritates us. Whether it's the way he loves to procrastinate or the way she drones on and on about herself, there is some spec of dust in those diamonds of your heart. But does it stop you from loving them? No. Because really, love is loving despite of, not loving because of.

And if there's someone who knows most about love, it's Him. In fact, He is love. He truly loves us no matter how broken/imperfect/culture geek we are.

And this is partly why He is dah syat!