LIDWINA LEARNED FROM TIME AWAY

Sometimes it takes going away to make you feel more at home.

That's what Frida Lidwina experienced during her four years studying in the U.S.

The Jakarta native decided early on that she wanted to be a journalist, as a child watching the American television series "Murphy Brown" about a fictional anchorwoman.

"I probably didn't know what she did, but I know I wanted to be like her," says Lidwina.

It was while attending the University of California-Berkeley when she felt the strong ties to her home country.

"When I was in America I felt a lot more Indonesian than when I'm home. I guess it's something we all want to hang onto," she says. "And here I feel more international."

There were no other Indonesians in her journalism program at the time, so Lidwina learned to depend on herself. "It was lonely... just me," she recalled. "I learned to survive on my own."

Now she spends her free time around friends, either mall-hopping, seeing movies or dining out. "I love Japanese food. And junk food!" she laughs.

Her long-range goal is simple. "I would love to be a good mother, and balance my career and personal life."

24.12.2009. 12:05

THE NEWEST CHALLENGE FOR TANONAKA

He's been involved in start-ups before, but Dalton Tanonaka says "Indonesia Now" is his biggest challenge.

"To me, there's more than just starting a new program at stake here. It's about shining important light on critical issues," says the veteran news anchor who's helped launch similar projects in Tokyo and Hong Kong.

The perception of an Islam versus the West battle is played out in the media throughout the world. But often than not, Tanonaka believes, it's an unbalanced view that the public sees.

"We will report in an unbiased, complete manner from the home of the world's biggest Muslim population," he promises.

Journalistic goals aside, Tanonaka says living for the first time in Southeast Asia has been a pleasant adventure. "I'm enjoying the people, who are Indonesia's best resource. And there so many fascinating places to visit, some where time seems to have stopped.

"And if you want an unbelievable foot massage, this is the place."

24.12.2009. 11:58

“Taste of Indonesia” with Vindex Tengker

A new segment focusing on Indonesia’s diverse cuisine debuted April 5. “Taste of Indonesia” features Four Seasons Hotel Executive Chef Vindex Tengker cooking dishes from throughout the archipelago. “He puts his special ‘Vindex Twist’ on each dish as well,” says segment host Dalton Tanonaka. The segment is part of the program’s regular “Destination Indonesia” feature, and runs the first week of each month. For each segment recipe, click here.

24.12.2009. 11:38