Life should move on

Do you know STAR WORLD’s TV series "Life" ?

I am kind of addicted to it, but admitted it is just as interesting as other TV series I watched. I cling to the series because it is truly inspiring how a person can survive such horrible life while he was completely not entitle to it.

There were times when I had to undergo dramatic scenes of life, as a Muslim I have a perfect guidance on how to handle the situation. However, sometimes I got lost. A simple advice from a friend saved me through those hard times, "Have a grip on yourself, tomorrow is another day and this one will pass too"

(it works every time to remember the quote, anyway tell me if you don’t get it hehehe)

Anyway, during my so-very-normal life, tons of times I had to face a dull and unmotivated situation. Normally it is due to an interruption, such as a terrible flu plus ear pain like what I just had. Or it could be I am stuck in my way to conquer the technology. Or after an euphoria of a family visit

But again, life should move on. I can’t just sit there on the comfy couch, watching the TV till I feel sick of it, wondering why I am still lying motionless when I have better things to do.

So I get up, pamper myself first with things I love – hot choco milk, fave music, light snacks, then write my blog if I feel like to (doesn’t have to be published, isn’t it?), then start over with my do-able list

So simple, isn’t it? so if you have a gloomy and lazy evening but your mind is cramped with so many things concern you – try hot choco milk or any of your fave drink and put on nice music, have a peek on the work you gotta do, start with an easy one – I bet in no time you’ll make a considerable progress.

…. gee, shall I save this one as a draft or just publish it?

I think I am a nerd :)

Many times in my life I felt that I am sort of a geek. In any situation I hardly could fit in. Well, I’d rather say I am having a chronic self-confidence problem – but history might be able to reveal why was it so.

Since I went to High School, I repeatedly entered a new environment – and bigger than the one before. As usual, this situation might bring a destructive effect to one’s insecurity. I moved from a small town to a Makassar the capital city, enrolled to a school where most of everybody else had their own circle of friends. Later on I found my own circle of buddies, but I retained the feeling of being an alien.

Three years later – still in my teen age – I moved to a bigger city. Bandung, while might not be bigger than Makassar but it has a seemingly more sophisticated air. The same feeling – as when I just stepped my feet on Makassar – returned and trapped me in. I had a disastrous first semester indicated by failures in exams. But I survived – and unlike my high school memory – I am happy to revisit all the things that happened during my Bandung time.

I got another opportunity to feel like a nerd when I was in Germany (lha iya lah…). As if being an Asian whose skin in a darker tone was not enough, being very short and skinny plus wearing headscarf gave plenty of excuses for the people to stare. That was the time when I used to say…. if only looks can kill….

Pretty much the same situation when we were in Houston, but this time instead of staring, people there had enough courage to speak out their astonishment. But that was okay since I also had the courage to reply coz I definitely can speak English. (I never master German which is why I won’t be able to answer if they ever ask)

Afterall, I am still a nerd… sort of, but I am grateful that I met wonderful friends – those who had been the best company despite of my imperfections.

Life is like a roller coaster

I couldn’t agree more… about a month ago I got a sad news about my best buddy’s health problem. I couldn’t help but to think how life is sometimes so unpredictable and so…. unfair?

It’s not even a month yet, when a happy news came… she got a scholarship to Aussie, the one I wanted badly several years ago. Well, I decide to withdraw my last complaint…  maybe life is really fair after all.

I have seen several roller-coasters from different places, ranging from the kid size to the big one in the Six Flags’ or in Disneyland… none of them appealed me to ride, but that’s not the point. What I am trying to say… that one can have a life like a small size roller coaster – with a few bumps and that’s all, while other has to struggle with a bigger and crazier roller coaster.

I don’t have an answer of why it is so, all I can say that the one who lives a bumpy and winding road will usually find more wisdoms in life. He or she gets used to it, hang on and survive it, become a better person each time, and inspire other people – whether they know it or not.

Happy New Year 2008 (about Resolution)

Do you read the "IPTEK" column from Kompas today? It is an interesting article about Resolution in accordance with natural phenomenon.

Anyway, first let me greet you and wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!

I am sure many were disappointed by the rain on the New Year eve. I spent the evening helping Mila to write her 2008 Resolution before we join the neighborhood celebrating the moment with fireworks and "rolling goat" – haha such a funny phrase.

The first day of 2008, I spent some hours finalizing our family’s 2008 Resolution – based on the draft my dear hubby sent the night before.

Well, I am not gonna write here about what we wish for the next year – I would rather tell you why a New Year’s resolution is a must for me and my hubby, and why we introduced it early to Mila.

I bet you already knew about Rhonda Byrne’s famous work – The Secret. One of the secrets revealed was about the law of attraction. Somehow, long before I watched The Secret – I have been putting it into practices but unaware of the power.

I believed that whatever I dream of, I will reach it someday and somehow. My life has been filled with the results of my strong belief…

I finished my undergrad study when I was 23, got a job shortly after, got married at 24, and have two adorable children before 30. Just as I wished.

I dreamt of going abroad and got a scholarship for my grad study… and I got what I want.

When I was in a cold day in North Germany, alone and lonely, I wished I have a chance to live abroad with my family… not in Europe it was way too cold. I was thinking about United States. You bet what I got? A year in Texas, with my family.

And many more… and I am so grateful for everything the Lord has given to me.

A new year’s resolution is our way to keep focus on our family’s targets. We wrote down our dreams there, prepare the plan to make them happen, then look up to the sky and pray….

Diamond – the heartless stone?

Have you read the book "The Heartless Stone" by T. Zoellner? No, I haven’t read it too, but I happened to read his article in Time magazine this morning, while sitting in Mila’s Dentist waiting room.

Well, I am not gonna discuss the content of that book, it sounds interesting though… call it deja vu, but I remember I once read similar writing about the full of blood origin’s of diamond. And it strengthen my personal rejection of owning one though I must admit it is stunningly beautiful. I simply don’t like it because it is too expensive and it doesn’t feel right to have one while so many people are dying hungry.

Once, my mom wanted to give me a diamond ring, as she gave one to each of her daughters. Somehow, she misplaced it before handed it to me. My mom felt terrible and I was sorry she was unhappy. However, I felt relieved since I’ve got no chance to misplace it myself – a habit I’ve developed since I was a kid. Plus, I can stay diamond-free

Hmm, perhaps it is not only about diamond, there are many other nice-to-have things I would prefer not to have. In order to stay that way, I have to remind myself about Mbak Jasih and her 3 sons, pak Marno, someone begging for money at the traffic light, and so many unfortunate people.

On being part of minority group

A recent article in the newspaper had hit the nail directly to my head. I am feeling sorry to those people but at the same time I am feeling sorry to myself. With all my due respect to the victims, I could not see why the newspaper editor should pick the story among others. To my eyes, the only immediate reaction the article provokes to the readers would be anger toward Moslem community. This is not something new though, several times before there were equally provoking articles.

Experiencing differential treatment is the cost one usually pays as a member of a minority group. When I was in Germany I didn’t give a damn on it, especially since I’ve got the advantage of not understanding the language. But here, in the land of freedom (as what they usually be proud of) – to my surprise they are less tolerant to others who decided to follow different beliefs. Or perhaps, their freedom imposes their right to say anything despite of the fact it causes intimidation to other.

Anyway, that is just my personal judgment… which I believe I am free to speak it out

One more thing, I could not help but thinking of what my friends and colleagues (who are not part of religious majority in Indonesia) might feel about being subordinate. I really hope they are not feeling the way I feel right now, I hope they are not disadvantaged despite of their status. I wish they live happily and free from different treatment. After all, a peaceful and synergic community can happen only when each member respects each other.