I prefer to be a doctor than an artist: Lula Kamal

Starting her career as the None (Miss) Jakarta winner in 1990, the 30-year-old Lula Kamal is now a familiar face as she appears in ads, hosts TV programs and stars in a televison soap opera sinetron.

She is a physician -- the former head of community health center in Kenari subdistrict in Central Jakarta -- who is now practicing at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) and Grogol mental hospital in West Jakarta. The graduate of Trisakti University now studies psychiatry at the University of Indonesia and has just got married to a physician Ismail Khan last month. She shared bits and pieces about her life with The Jakarta Post's Mohammad Yazid.

Question: You are known as a physician and an artist. If you had a choice, which one would you prefer to be known as?

Answer: If it is possible, I want to be both doctor and artist as long as the two of them run well alongside each other. If my activities as an artist ever disturbs my work as a physician, I will leave it. I prefer to be a doctor than an artist. I consider my profession as an artist to be only a side activity.

Q: What makes you tick?

A: I am an independent woman just like my mother taught me to be. However, since I got married, I share everything with my husband ... I consult everything with him.

Q: Which traits do you most like about yourself?

A: I am a curious person. As a physician, when I see other people having problems, I really want to know what the problem is. Who knows, perhaps I could even help solve it. I am also an open- hearted person. When I talk, I always get to the point. I think these characteristics make me a communicative person.

Q: And deplore?

A: My curiosity often boomerangs. People sometimes misunderstand me. Maybe, I am not a patient woman. For example, if I do something, I want to complete it fast. I know that every job takes time to do and besides, I still feel I have a lot of things to complete which are waiting for me after I finish the next job...

Q: What characteristics do you dislike in others?

A: I don't like liars and those who do not talk straight to the point.

Q: Whom do you admire?

A: I easily admire others, especially when I see good people. Anytime I see good people, I keep wondering whether I can be his or her student. Anyway, as a Muslim, I mostly admire prophet Muhammad. After that, I think my mother, Alawiyah. I admire her because she is a patient woman. She, as a doctor and businesswoman, lives the way she likes. She looks like someone who does not have any problems at all.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Traveling. I have traveled to a lot of places. I have visited almost all the islands in Indonesia except Irian Jaya and difficult places that I can't easily reach such as Aceh.

I've also traveled as far as Europe, the United States but I haven't yet got the chance to visit Japan yet. The most interesting place I have visited is an offshore island in Balikpapan. To be there, I have to take a helicopter and a boat.

Q: What kind of clothes do you like to wear?

A: I like simple clothes which are casual, for example jeans and skirts.

Q: What items do you carry with you at all times?

A: I always carry my praying gear, canvas shoes, sunblock cream along with a cell phone. I never feel I need to carry a laptop computer. It is easy now to find a wartel (telephone kiosk) or warnet (internet kiosk).

Q: What books are you currently reading?

A: Now I am reading two books Quantum Learning and Quantum Teaching. The books are very interesting and topical. The first one is on how to learn correctly and efficiently, and the second one is on how to teach properly. The essence of the books are that whether a person wants to be a student or a teacher, he or she must be active.

Q: What was the last movie you watched?

A: Bedazzled starring Elizabeth Hurley and Brendan Fraser. It is a bad film. Hurley does not show too much character in the movie. I watched it a few weeks ago at Plaza Senayan. I previously watched Autumn in New York. I think it's also bad film. It is far too sentimental. Actually, I like horror, mystery and action movies, especially if the antagonist is played by a good actor. They are usually very interesting.

Q: What's your favorite food?

A: Karedok (raw vegetables mixed with peanut sauce), it is easy to make and uncooked vegetables contains more nutrition than cooked ones. I eat it almost everyday during the fasting month, but not during sahur (predawn meal) time.

Q: Do you have a favorite song?

A: My favorite song is Yang Kutunggu (The One I've Been Waiting For). It's a song by Anggun C. Sasmi.

Q: Your favorite music?

A: I enjoy all kinds of music. But, I am really impressed by Balinese flute music. It sounds almost the same as Sundanese flute music.

Q: What makes you angry?

A: When I am betrayed and considered unimportant. That happened a long time ago. Now, I don't see any use in being angry.

Q: What makes you laugh?

A: Many things can make me laugh. Sometimes, I laugh at myself. For example, this morning when I went to my campus, University of Indonesia, I was trapped in a traffic jam at the toll road ... I couldn't move my car and I was panicking and blowing the horn. Suddenly, I was aware how stupid it was for me to be acting in such a manner, so I laughed.

Q: And cry?

A: When I am really upset and when I have good plans but cannot carry them out, or when other people misunderstand my plans.

For instance when I was about to get married... At that time, we did not have much time to prepare so we had to rush. But it was then I realized that getting married requires plenty of time and energy. It's not easy. I got confused because there were lots of things to get done. Then, I was really upset and cried.

Q: What makes you ashamed?

A: When I insist that I am right but later I learn that I was wrong.

Q: What makes you frightened?

A: Frightened? I don't think anything. I submit myself to fate. For me, the most important thing is to try and do my best. When I fail, I believe that everything has already been arranged by God.

Q: Have you had, or would you ever consider plastic surgery?

A: I am not against plastic surgery. If it is useful, why not?

Q: If you had to go to a desert island for a year, what three items would you take with you?

A: My husband, oases, a tent with a set to cook. So I have a lot of children (laughing)...

Q: How would you like to be remembered?

A: I want to be remembered as Lula Kamal, an ordinary person.