Graduating at Melbourne

Postera Crescam Laude. "I shall grow in the esteem of future generations..." (Horace). 

December 19th, 2014. 

Another dream came true in my life. Another grateful of how good God to me and my life. 

I am now officially graduated from the University of Melbourne. No more sleepless nights. Days with anxiety and stressed with so many readings, research, and paper works. Days of procrastination that made me become a clean-addict. Oh yes! When I feel stressed with my student life and assignments, when I feel useless and dumb, when I feel "that's it! I can't do this anymore...", I stopped and let myself busy cleaning the house and stuff that I just cleaned it a few hours ago. No matter it was on the afternoon or midnight time, I'll just do the cleaning allover the house. Well, that's worked on me! Better than shopping! :)) No more sleepless nights, especially during cold winter time, which sometimes I need to drink a glass of Brandy or wine to help me to get sleep and rest. 

Despite all those difficult days and nights, being a student again, living in Melbourne, are one of the most life changing experiences in my path of life. In this city, in this country, in this situation, I become a new person. For sure, I learned a lot from the academic matters to personal and self development. In this city, I've learnt how to cook for the first time. I've learnt playing and become a Gamelan' musician for the first time which led me to play in several musical concerts in Melbourne. In this city,  I learned more about myself and teach the new me to be stronger than before. In this city, I've learnt to deal with my ego: to be humble, patient, and accept things that beyond my control. Let go things that not belong to me. Forgive the past. Forget things behind me. Learn to keep moving on. I've learnt that it is okay to work as a restaurant's waitress and cleaner in people's house. Well. There was time, especially during the first weeks and months, I keep crying inside when the night comes. I feel so ashamed with myself for doing the job considered as low class category in my culture and country. But hey! In here, that's not a bad job at all. Being a jobless, it is! It turns out that by doing these jobs, it teaches me to value and appreciate life more. 

Melbourne. University of Melbourne. Being one of the Australian Award Scholarship awardee. You've changed my life and the way I think about this world. Always, I thank You, for given me this opportunity, dear God. Now that I have completed and closing the door of this phase of life, my hope and wish are to give it back to my surroundings, community and my country. May God continue to bless and be with me, as always, on the next journey of my life. 

Autumn, March 4th, 2015. 

Random Act of Kindness

Yesterday morning when I was walking toward the Little Collins Street, I saw a man came from the opposite direction of me. Looking to his "empty" and "blank" face, for no reason I just automatically gave him a smile. He stopped, looking directly into my eyes, and softly but genuinely thanking me. "It means a lot", says him. Then he walked away again. I was surprised.  

I don't know what that man struggles in life, but I then realised even just giving a small sounds silly thing, like a smile to a stranger, it might be the only sunshine he sees all day. What happened yesterday morning reminds me again to what I experienced few months back when I was working as a waitress at one most busiest restaurant at the Swanson Street. (Yes, I too worked as waitress!). I've had worked for a long four hour without have a chance to sit and resting even for a while, continuously standing and doing waitressing stuff as the restaurant was super hectic that day. I came to a table to pick up empty and used plates where an older woman sitting. I was so tired and like a robot, I just pick those used plates, bowl, and glass, and cleaned up the table. Just before I left the table, she held my hand, saying "thank you, dear. God bless you". I was stunned and touched. Just a simple short words. It cheers my day. It melted my heart. It makes me feel stronger again. 

When we do and practice just a random act of kindness, to people we love and knows like a surprise call to a long lost friend or family leave far away, just to ask how are they, paying a cup of coffee for someone next behind you when you are about buying your coffee at the cafe, offer your seat while you are on public transport, or just a simple smile to a stranger. We never know it works! Never underestimate those things you do. It could changed someone's life and spirit. In my case, it equally makes me feel good inside. As well as it might changed the recipient, it may also changed us and the way we see life. So let us continue to learn and practice random act of kindness. At least, a small contribution we can made for this world. Why not? 

Autumn, March 3rd, 2015. 

A Decade in the Knot

January 11th, 2005 - January 11th, 2015

A decade in the knot. Today is our 10th years wedding anniversary. We have had many mountains and temptations in our way, and truly, there have been some painful hours and days. But today, we are still standing, stronger than before. We lean on each other's strength. We forgive each other's weaknesses. All in the name of LOVE and RESPECT, and by the blessings of our Father God. 

Seeing the Author of "Disability Rights & Wrongs"

Feeling great to finally I can meet and attend to the lecture given by Professor Tom Shakespeare, the author of Disability Rights and Wrongs Revisited. The lecture was on Model of Disability and it held in my campus, the University of Melbourne. All away from UK, he's coming down here to Melbourne! Professor Shakespeare is one of an inspiring academic whose done many research in disability studies, medical sociology, and in social and ethical aspects of genetics. People with impairment are disabled by society and by their bodies. We need then to ensure that access to health and rehabilitation, not just education and employment. 

(Spring, 2014) 

I Discover Gamelan in Melbourne

(Melbourne Community Gamelan at the Final Gong Gamelan Concert, 26 May 2014)

(The Shadow Puppet & Gamelan Performance at the University of Melbourne) 

In mid February this year, I was invited by an Australian friend to join her musical group here in Melbourne. At the beginning I was not sure as the group is specialized on javanese traditional music: Gamelan. What do I know about Gamelan or Javanese culture? I can't even count one to five in Javanese language. I don't even remember when was the last time I watch or see Gamelan and this including shadow puppet performance? Well, I must see it thru several wedding events that I attend when I was in Indonesia. But I honestly never really pay attention and have an interest on it! Seriously! I know! I am so bad! Shameful, I should as Indonesian whom marry a half Javanese man hehehe

(Helen Pausacker, as the only Female Dalang in Australia)

Anyway, this friend then told me that most of the group are Australians and they need some more Indonesians. I was curious and a bit shocking. Hey! Why these Aussie wanna learn Gamelan??? Well, as a courtesy to the invitation, I then decided to come to their rehearsal located at the surrounding of my uni, the University of Melbourne in Parkville. And I feel more ashamed to myself as I noticed most of the group members have learned Gamelan for years! Some of them told me that they have playing Gamelan for more than 20 years! They can even speak Javanese with the accent, so much better than my husband! Don't ask me how good they are in playing those traditional instruments! So yes, I finally join the group and every Monday evening we have our rehearsal together! I have to be honest at the first few weeks, I feel so frustrated with this Gamelan stuff. I am playing Saron Slendro and Saron Pelog. It's quite hard and confusing at the beginning. I also feel bit uncomfortable knowing that I am the newest and perhaps the most stupid one in playing this instrument. There are some other Indonesians among the group, but they are all Javanese and have been well exposed and familiar with Gamelan or stories of puppet. Unlikely me....poor this half Batak and Palembang girl who grew up in Papua! More, I also feel bit unhappy and disturbed with the attitude of one old member who always seems happy to criticized the way I play and when I made mistakes! This girl (once told me that she is not Indonesian, but speak with so Javanese accent and I am pretty sure that her name is so Indonesian than my name!) is somehow so unfriendly with me since the very beginning I join the group. Many times she spoke with her harsh and loud tone to me, in front of the whole group! Oooh I should enjoy the course, not feeling depressed and stupid! Anyway, it's not me if not willing to fight with the situation and challenge myself. I keen to learn Gamelan and I enjoy the music anyway, so why bother with one snobbish chick and unfriendly people within the group, anyway? hehehe 

Anyway, just three months after I join the group, for the first time in together with the group, Melbourne Community Gamelan (MCG), I have my first gamelan's concert performance. Not bad, huh? :) First it was on Monday, 26 May 2014 at the Final Gong End of Semester Gamelan Concert and on the following Wednesday, 28 May 2014 at the Preston Library. Both in Melbourne, of course. With the shadow puppet performance play by the only female Australian dalang, Helen Pausacker, we play the story of Srikandhi Maguru Manah (Srikhandi Learns Archery). Within an hour, we play non stop about 12 songs. I may not as good as the other members, but I am proud that I can finally play something so Indonesians in Australia :)) And happy to see the excitement and applause from the audiences, mostly are Australians.

Lesson learned: you are not learning, if you don't feel the pain! And wherever you go, you will always find a snobbish Indonesian, whom sometimes talk and act more "western" than the westerns! Just enjoy their performance too :)) 

Autumn in Love

As I live now in Australia and experiencing four different seasons in a year, I feel that Autumn is my most favorite season. Seeing the changing color of the leaves, they fragility when they fell down to the earth...yes, it's sad and so melancholy too, still it's something beautiful, freely given by the nature. 

As quoted from Ernest Hemingway: 

"You are expected to be sad in the Autumn. Part of you died each year when the leaves fell from the trees, and their branches were bare against the wind and the cold, wintery light. But you knew there would always be the Spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen. When the cold rains kept on and killed the Spring, it was a though a young person died for no reason..." 

Ohh! Autumn! Please don't go away too fast from my sight. 

I Wish Simplicity

Two strangers met and chat on a fine afternoon. They shared the chair here at this park. They shared the view of a beautiful and peaceful Yarra River during this chilly Autumn. They too shared the story of their life. 

They, then, said goodbye to each other. No one asking for another meeting, or demand for a commitment to be more than just a stranger. Perhaps, that's how life should be. That's how life goes on. Should be that simple. 

But I know, that's a wish only. My wish.  

(Melbourne in Autumn). 

Be Abled for Disabled

This afternoon I was joining a training facilitated by Vision Australia, an Australian-based NGO work for people with disability (the blind and low vision). I learned how to be a carer and an instructor to guide and train people in needs to walk with cane and help their mobility. Some techniques and tricks how to use the cane were shared, including how to detect our surrounding with "the echo location". We walked together from the busiest train station in Melbourne, the Flinders Street Station, to along the Yarra river at the Federation Square area. It was fun as we tried to walk on the parks cover with sand,  grass, and at the pavement, climbing the wooden bridge and roof top of a car park. It was more fun as this is my first time encountered and walked together with quite large number of blind people and low vision impairment. They are also very nice, friendly and fun people to be with! 

However as I am still very inexperience walking with people using cane and in large number, I accidentally stumble by the cane from one who walked behind me. I fell and hurt both of my left and right knees and hands. I was more shocked than feeling pain when it happened. But I impressed of how those disabled taking care of me, than I take care of them. Oh. How blessed I am to met them! 

Today I learned that it is totally not easy being a blind or having low vision impairment. It is definitely not easy to walk, especially in the crowd with this condition and limitation. Two things that most people are afraid of in their life: become blind and have cancer. But they taught me some lesson today. To be grateful and never gave up for whatever condition we have. Therefore, may we always be grateful if we still have a good vision and have no disability. But part of being grateful is to be helpful for people with disability. With our own way and resources, we can contribute to create a safe and friendly environment for them, and for the aged people as well. 

One of thing that I observe while living here in Australia, almost everyday I see a lot of people with different type of disability walking independently, alone and without carer or companion. I see them everywhere. At the public transport, train station, shopping malls, parks, beach, street and at the cafe whenever they stop to buy coffee just like me. I made friends with some of them. They are all very active and expert on their fields. Some of them are brilliant postgraduate students. Some of them are lecturers, managers, and even police officer. Some of them use wheelchair to commute. While for the blind and have low vision they walk with cane. They can commute easily as the environment, such as public facility (train, tram and bus stations) and buildings are relatively friendly for them, and people here are very supportive. "Give a way" culture is so strong here, not just for pedestrians whom prioritized here, but especially for the disabled.

I dream that similar condition and awareness could also be seen in Indonesia. Similar trainings as I had today could also be given for people in needs, but also for the abled, to let them aware and could participate to help the disabled in their family and community. To let more people be abled for the disabled. Indonesia is also known for having a large population with disability and very poor social awareness and environmental support. How do we, Indonesians, treat people with disability? Majority of us, if not discriminate them, we neglect them. Even our policy excluded their voice, rights and needs. But like what I learned today, with cane and training how to use it, help them to have a better quality of life. Cane helps them navigate and enjoy their surrounding. Cane gives them independence, and to be "seen" within community. Cane makes them able to live their daily life with dignity. 

Today, I fell and injured quite painfully. But today I am happy and feeling blessed, as I learned new things to see the world and to be part of society. 

Caring society, we can make. And this is my dream, for Indonesia. A safe and friendly environment for all ages. I dream for social inclusion for all, but especially for the disabled and vulnerable groups within our society. 

Capturing Sunset

[Photo courtesy by Gindo Sianturi]

What is in your mind when you see the beauty of Sunset? What you usually do when you see it, just stop for a minute to see it, taking photo and go? Will you wait for that moment and let your self amazed with the wonder of the nature? Or you may just ignored the scene, as it becomes your daily view and nothing seen more spectacular by your eyes?

I notice that every of us have different attitudes towards Sunset. I myself never get bored to praise the view, and every time I see Sunset I feel like that's my first time seeing it. Never get boring to enjoy it. Never get boring to take photos of it. Never get boring to even make video of it. As if, I am so afraid that there will be no Sunset can be seen during our lifetime! 

On last Summer, I enjoyed the season by visiting many different beaches surrounding Melbourne. Stayed there till the sun went down. In one of the moment at the Saint Kilda beach, I took a video of Sunset and how different people react towards this  natural beauty. Some couples (just like us) purposely came to see and enjoy the scene. Some just stopped a while to take photo. Whereas the others just walked away and don't even bother to look on it.

Here it is my (ethnographic) video showing the view and what people do when they see Sunset. How I wish that each of us could appreciate Sunset (and the Sunrise, and the Moonlight) as everyday miracles God gave us freely to our lives.

Like A Rainbow

I am not a kind of black and white person. If you visit my house and come over to my closet, you will find colorful things to wear that I have. Yes. I like color. I love color. I remember when I was kid till at my late teenager, I have a yellow bedroom. All in yellow and blue design. I like red. I love purple. And I lately passionate with green and orange.

I am a colorful person. Just like my mood. Just like my live and life. My life is not only black and white. It just like a rainbow hanging up there. Sometimes I feel blue. Sometimes there are dark chapter. I can also be an angel and have my white clean color :D and in another day, I am just as red as blood. But mostly I kind of a cheerful yellow person :D

So what color are you???

I Love You in All Seasons

(winter in Canberra. Photo courtesy by: @kristian hariyono putro)

I still remember the day when we first met. It was in the springtime when we met and fell in love. Everything was so beautiful. The universe seemed so kind and sweet to us. Just like the season, the flowers grow and it starts blooming. So does our hearts and love. It was in spring when we made our commitment. For nothing below the sky that can separate us. I will always be your number one and you will always be mine. For whatever happens in life, we will always stick to each other. How beautiful was the season in springtime. I can see and I can taste all the beautiful colors and sweet fragrances. Even to those that I never see in my life before. It just because I met you, and in spring we hold on to our love. Just like a poem, words can't simply describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring and nothing's more beautiful than the garden of flowers in springtime and two people falling in love.

It was in the summer time when our love grows and it getting stronger. Where the clear sky, the blazing sun and the gentle summer breeze never leave our days and us. The days were long and the joy was always there.  In summer, the song sings itself and we left the footprint of our love in that summer time. Together we explored the world. Together we adventured the ocean. From one island to another beautiful island. Together we experienced many beautiful underwater. Together we were having fun with the waves, the sea creatures and the sea currents. There was no current strong enough to throw us away. Holding hands we walked across the white sandy beaches. Holding hands we witnessed the falling stars when the night comes.  And as I have the sun of my life, I have no longer fear with the darkness.  It was not the darkness that I see during nighttime, but the beautiful shining of the moon and the stars, and they witnessed when two hearts and two souls blended into one. Yes, I still remember every moment we cherished together in the entire summer time that we had. The whole season just belong to ourselves and the stars went off like fireworks for us. In summer time, the story of our love wrote down beautifully and romantically.

If I only know that summer time is never lasting. It will always end, and the autumn starts to come. When the autumn comes, it is the time when the leaves start to change color. When the green can no longer be seen, as it turns to red, yellow and brown. In autumn, the leaves start to fall off the trees.  In autumn, the birds migrate south, moving from their beautiful summer place to another new summer place. In autumn, the sun comes out less and we no longer feel the warmth but the weather starts getting colder. And in autumn, the daylight hours are growing shorter, and the darkness night becomes longer. How I wish that we lived only in spring and summer time. How I wish there will be no autumn and winter in the journey of our love. But it was in autumn when I remember things just were not the same. It was in autumn when the tears of our love start falling down and the broken heart was there. If I only know earlier that everything will never remain the same, for everything has its own season, then I will learn to prepare my heart. I will learn to love the autumn just as I love the spring and the summer. I will learn to accept thing to change, even our commitment. For nothing's eternal. And changes could be as beautiful as the beautiful garden in springtime. A girl can look beautiful not only on her summer dress but also stunning when she bundles up with scarf and coat in winter dress. Now I realized that I should learn to take time to just sit and watch the leaves turn its color, and when it start  falling down to the earth. And let the autumn passes by too in its beautiful way.

It was on the autumn of our love, I realized that I was just as fragile as the broken glasses. It was on the autumn, I remembered I shall not living in grieve, longing for uncertain things, wonder and asking will it belongs to me or will it belongs to other, or to nobody. Chasing the sun that no longer shining up there. It was on the autumn, the universe reminded me of another dream that I once let it hidden as I busy chasing the sun and the waves in my life. It was on the autumn, I finally made a decision. It's time for me to chase that long hidden dream. But it's also time for me to learn to accept changes and to let go what should go. Learn to detach. So here I am standing alone in this wintertime. Separated by thousand miles away from the sun and the light of my life. Here I am sitting alone on long and cold winter days. Trying to understand and accept life just like the changes of the seasons. When it comes, it will come. Nothing can stop. As nothing can stop when it times to go. Season comes season goes. There goes our life. After all, what good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness? So I ask my heart again on this wintertime. How long will these loves last? Will you be the reason, the seasons or the lifetime in my life? Will the end of this season would be the end of the journey of you and I and this love. Or would be in the depth of this winter, as what happen in all winter and autumn, we can feel the bone structure the landscape on the earth, and something wait beneath, to grow and be blossom again. For now, I let it un-answered. For I also do not have the answer. For I also do not want you to answer it. Let us let this winter also passes by. Let the time heals. Let the time proves our love. Will this love last forever in all seasons. And I may hear the song of the birds again, and the sound of longing whispering that: I love you in all seasons.

(Melbourne in cold winter time)

Finding Happiness

Happiness comes from small things. It is when we appreciate small little thing in our daily lives, it is when your heart say nothing than just "thank you". You'll get your happiness. Some of mine are  seeing the smile and laugh from my love one when I cracked a silly joke, or knowing that he excitedly eating the food that I made (despite it may have no taste!hahaha). I find my happiness when we walk together, holding hand along the pathway. A little kiss and hug before leaving and arriving at home. Lying down and just cuddling each other.  

[do not be so corky in finding your happiness, like this meerkat that I met in Melbourne Zoo...:D]  

I always love walking. Here in Melbourne and back when I lived in Jakarta, Indonesia. I also find my happiness when I have my daily walk. Seeing the view, the people, the car and public transport like tram and train here, seeing the beautiful trees and colorful flowers, or just by feeling the gentle wind touching my face and knowing that I am still breathing! I feel grateful that I still can sense all these, my heart and mind are still amazed with those sound simple ordinary things that everyday we see and experience with. Happiness is never expensive. Happiness is within yourself! 

So what is your happiness???

W O M A N

To celebrate International Women's Day, the UN Women Australia facilitated a gender discussion which invite panel members: Julie Bishop (Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade), Tanya Plibersek (Minister for Health), Julie McKay (Ex Director of UN Women Australia) with ABC Presenter, Virginia Hausseger as the Moderator. I watched the discussion thru ABC TV News yesterday. It was interesting, thus entertaining, specially watching the debate between two smart women, Julie Bishop and Tanya Plibersek. I like them both. Julie is always aggressive but she delivered her strong arguments and criticism with her charming style. Whereas Tanya looks so firm, tough and serious, but also we can still see her feminine and sensitivity when she talked about difficulty being a women in politics.  

As much as I enjoyed watching the debate, I also learned on how those women from this developed country defending their arguments and claims, using not only their beauty and speaking skill, but mostly their analytical skills and logic. It is also surprising me knowing that not only women in developing country like Indonesia still struggling with their gender roles, inequity and inequality, but to certain degree, women in Australia today are also still facing similar challenges. So I believe, we, Indonesian women, are not too left behind :) 

I quoted below on Tanya Plibersek's concern about one example on the unfairness made up by our social structure (in both Indonesia and Australia) about women's dual role in both professional and housemother/wife.  

"No man has ever, ever been asked to choose between a satisfying career and a family they love. No man has been asked to explain why they don't have a family, like the Prime Minister, like Julie....Sure life changes but the idea that we have to explain all the why we made a choice or even have this debate is unfair and old fashioned."

If you are a woman, how about your condition today? Are you still struggling the same? 

I have many female girlfriends, they are still single (by their choice) and have good career. Some even have high level position at the company or organization they work. Some of them are the breadwinner for their family. Something that I used to admired about them. But I also see, how we sometimes too focus to see their unmarried status as their weakness and neglect the fact that they do have good career and produce lots of fruitful things for the community and their family. How many of us have contributed to make those women's lives become inconvenient by keep asking them about their choice and decision? In my own story, many of my friends and families are still questioning why I decided not to have my own children. Seeing me and my decision as something weird, intolerable and need to be fix. In contrast, we may see and feel different thing when those decision or situation occurred to our male friends and brothers. We tend to easily accept whatever their decisions on their life: marry or being a happy single-man, without seeing it as they have some significant weakness.

To see Indonesia treats their women fairly might still far to be happening. But I would encourage us to start it by treating more fairly and with respect to the women surrounding you, your wife, your girlfriend, your siblings and relatives,  or your female co-workers. This could be by just doing an easiest thing: accept and don't doubt whatever their condition today. Without digging further, keep asking them, instruct them, and/or confusing them with their status or decision that they've made. Challenge what they've done, but not stressing on what is embedded into their life as a woman.

If you are a man, be a feminist without loosing your masculinity, and support us to achieve many great things in life. If a woman happy, it is the happiness of all at home. A healthy woman at home (physic and mentally), then we will also have a healthy nation. 

Happy women's day for all women, in wherever you are! We are precious!

Mother & Daughter

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and put them on the stove. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first pot she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.

She let them sit and boil and twenty minutes later she turned off the burners.

She removed the carrots and placed them in a bowl.

She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. Her mother asked her to feel the carrots.

She did and noted that they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she smelled the aroma and tasted its rich flavour.

The daughter then asked, “What does it mean?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity, boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water, making it fragrant and giving it flavour.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”

What about you?

When facing a challenge in life are you weakened and feel defeated by the experience?

Or do you become hardened and bitter because of the event?

Or do you see it as an opportunity to influence those around you, to make a positive difference, to leave the situation better than when you started?

It is possible to be the latter, so now’s the time to start working towards it.

 

(taken from http://www.facebook.com/PositivelySistersClub) 

Learn to Step Back

"....It's hard to see you down, 
but sometimes I have to step back 
and let you stand up by yourself...."

(I dedicate this to my lovely teen's niece)

Apa Bedanya?

Kamu....yang selalu memandang hina keimananku...selalu membanggakan tingginya tingkat keimananmu, kesolehanmu....tolong kini katakan padaku....dimana bedanya kita???

Disaat kini kamu terbaring sakit, hatimu merasakan gelisah yang jauh dari rasa ikhlas....dan kita pun masih sama-sama merasakan ketakutan yang sama....takut akan ketidakpastian, takut akan kematian.....

Jika masih ada waktu-mu untuk-ku, sudikah kini kamu dan aku belajar bersama tentang apa itu "iman"? Agar bersama kita dapat berpegangan tangan mengusir rasa yang mengganggu asa....

Sudikah kamu????

[For THS, from my deepest heart, I always pray for you, your good health & truly happiness in life]

Bintang Indrianto

Eleanor Roosevelt said that "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart". 

The same thing occurs when your life cross path with one stranger on the street, whom are just simply smiling with you, but that is what you needed most on that very moment. You will not easily forget whenever unknown people showing their concern and sincerity on most miserable moment in your life. You just feel touched knowing that you were not alone. When it happened you, some people said that God is sending HIS angel upon you, and you'll see a miracle, comfort and strength. 

That was what happened to me about four years ago. Back to 2008. I still remember on one afternoon in June 2008. I was in hospital taking care of my belated father who had been hospitalized for a month. My heart and mind was thorn apart seeing day-by-day my dad became weaker and weaker....and on the same time my hubby need to have his eyes surgery. Life seemed so unfair to me on that moment, and I feel had to carry those burden by myself, alone.  But on that afternoon, there's a man suddenly called me, introducing himself as an elder cousin of my hubby. I honestly never heard his name before, even though I was confused for this sudden call, as we almost never keep in touch with my hubby's family since we were married on 2005 due to this different religion issue, but the voice that I heard over the phone was sound sincere and showing his empathy.  He told me not to be hesitate to contact him whenever I needed help. He comforted me. He made me feel that my hubby and I were not alone. We have a support and love from my hubby's family. So since that day, whenever I heard his name, my heart feels warm and loved. I feel like he was one of the angel from heaven above, and a comforter that God sent to us during our difficult time. Thru him, God sent us a message, that HE will never leave us alone. 

So this early February 2012, I finally can meet our "angel". In bible it said that all of HIS angels have beautiful voice and they are also a great musician. Our angel is also a great musician. He is a bassist player. He plays his music like an angel, beautiful and so much talented. His name is BINTANG INDRIANTO. 

So this is my appreciation to you. You may never know how meaningful the phone call that you made to me last four years ago. But I will always remember it and thank God for sending someone sincere like you! May you will always be like a star in the sky....always shining and bright the nights...

Have A Good Attitude in Life!

"Every man/woman is handsome/beautiful. What makes him/her ugly are only his/her bad attitude and absence of manner..."

Don't you agree with the above statement???

I do! I have met, observed, and talked to many smart, success and good looking men and beautiful women around the globe! I adore some of them, but also dislike some of them!

I do adore those men/women who have empowered themselves and able to show their achievement, but also because they have shown their intellectual ability grow with maturity and empathy to others! Intellectually without empathy will only disturb your surrounding, and by the end, you bring no benefit for your community!

I have a female colleague at the office. She is proud to call herself as "an adviser and expert", but she loves to make people down by her talk and act. I think she need to advise herself more than her clients! I also witness one of professor that I know who has similar attitude! No doubt of her (technical) intellectuality, but for sure she need to develop more on building her behavior and attitude in dealing with others! It's really sad for Indonesia to have a lecture and a mentor with this kind of attitude and it just make our education system become worst! Many more out there, don't you agree?

I just hope, wish and reminding myself. As 'am now trying to go up there, empower myself, to carefully note on this. What I really want, with all the knowledge and skill that I have and will have on the future, may it brings good benefit for people surrounding me, for my society, and not become burden and problem for human lives and my community!

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. For me, this is more important than the past, education, money, circumstances, failures, success, or what people think, say, and do. It is more important than appearance, gift or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home, a relationship. But may we remember that the remarkable thing is we have choice everyday regarding what attitude we will embrace for the day! We may not be able to change our past, or the fact that some people will act in a certain way. We can't change the inevitable! The only think we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude!

I am convinced that life is 10 percents what happens to me, and 90 percents how I react to it. So it is up to us, we are in charge of our attitude!

Welcome 2012!

It's been quite sometime since my last visit to my own blog home! I guess twitter and other buzzling life has destructed me :) yaaach....that's not an excuse!

It's 2012, another fresh new year, another year to live, to banish worry, doubt, and fear!
To love more, to laugh more, and to give more! Let's us all appreciate this opportunity in life that God has given us. Let's sing more joyful songs, do more good things, bring blessings to other, and let yourself be amazed with many new things in life!

...and for my self, to take time to reflect life, write it and post it here :)

Girl Stuff

I was so excited when I saw this book at Border Book Store, Singapore, when I was there two weeks ago. I just remember my loving niece, Christie, and would like her to read and love this book too, as I do ! I wish I would have had this book when I was growing up !

It isn't easy being a girl today, I know it from my experience too though ! :) So I wish that this book could be a friend to the teen's journey of my Christie !

To my Christie, as you are a teenager young girl now, and these coming years might be the most important years of your life. It's your life ! Your time ! Love it and live it ! Grab on to the adventure ! Dream and plan ! Take the good with the bad, and stay true to yourself and be good to others along the way.

I love you, and proud to be part of your life, watch you grow from where I am today. And as you grow into the woman you are meant to be, I hope you are blessed with joy, love, fulfillment, peace and wisdom.

Just celebrate how fantastic it is to be the gender that has so much complexity, and, without a doubt, so much power !