a bunch i'd like to call family

On the eve of 4th April 2009, JDF (Jogja Debating Forum celebrated it's now annual 3rd JDF Awards. A small background, JDF was established in the midst of 2003-2004, formed as a union to unite debaters in Jogja, Indonesia, together. At the time Jogja teams felt the need to be one in competitions. It usually has it's weekly gatherings on Saturdays, late evening (although lately it has been dying out a little in terms of its weekly thing). We travel to competitions together, we eat out together at times, and we produce t-shirts at times, to show our identity. It's been home since day 1 i joined them, and things haven't changed much from that day.

3 years ago, a co-founder that calls by the name of Iponk initiated that we need something more, the people in JDF has given the union a lot, and its time for JDF to return the favor. JDF Award is where members gather, inviting along as many nubies as they have to socialize them, then grant awards to debaters (rookie of the year, team of the year, debater of the year, etc), then finally elect the president.

It's a good thing that JDF can manage to cling on into this "tradition" for 3 years now, remembering that we have issues of people not being so active anymore in the JDF gatherings. This fact is sad, and the new president must address this, this is simply a problem of organizational culture.

Besides that the 3rd awards this year was fun; it was held in our frat house, we kinda turned the middle hall to an improvised dance floor (which peopla ended up sitting in --"), invited an exotic cart that contains food and drinks and stuff. As alcohol and the sort would cause too much problems with the neighbourhood we stuck to simple good ol' Indonesian delicacy like tofus, soybean cakes, rice, ginger tea, etc (like an "exotic" version of a free flowing bar laaah:D).

We also had live music that played around 20-25 songs in accoustic, which was pretty nice. For most the party ended at 10-11, for some others who went on, lasted till 2-3 in the morning hahaha.. it was good! :)

I was dripping with sweat at the time having to help monitor the event for Agung (ex-President), so when the guys hit it off for the late session i was close to faint and decided to call it a night, that it until at 3 one of the guys woke me up and dared me by taunting i didnt have the balls to play "Counter Strike" over the local network. So, in order to prevent my pride and modesty, I came online and played with them till 8 in the morning. It was quite a blast (a little geeky, i know, but we're very proud of it hahaha)

I just hope JDF can maintain this rythm, i hope it doesnt die down simply to the low animo of the members. Like the cosa nostra of Italy, we've grown quite close to each other, and when my actual family is quite far away, it's nice to have a home to come to even though we're not blood related.. JDF Rocks!