#2 December this year

[ there must be some faith within… ]

Learning is a process. It takes time. Therefore, teachers should remember that instant result is not the real goal.

Learning is a process of change; from knowing nothing into something. It is a growth.

Sometimes it is discouraging to see and know that some students haven’t changed far from where they start, though we think we have done all effort that we are able to do.

Then sometimes these questions come:

·         Why don’t the students study?

·         Why can’t the students pay attention to the lesson?

·         Why do the students get attached more to FB, gossip,  etc?

·         Why do the students cheating?

·         Why are the students lack of confidence?

And more questions…

Back to my school time, I was so engaged to study [except for some periods of time]. I know that studying was my passion. The best effort I always tried to do. This attitude was grown inside because my parents have trained me so. I remember a sticker that my Dad put on my cupboard door: bermain boleh saja, belajar nomor satu. I enjoyed my study, I loved it.

In short, I got the motivation; both from myself and outside.

This is what I see so far, many students don’t have motivation to study. Maybe, they don’t know why do they need to study and go to school. And then why?? There are reasons.

With this fact, teachers know that they have a harder work: to motivate them to find their own motivation.

Feeling discouraged? Yes, sometimes and it’s normal, human nature, I guess. The important thing is to put away the discouragement and put on a little faith:

Education is a long term achievement. Therefore, the workers, the teachers are doing investment for future; 10 years, 25 years or even 50 years from now. The teachers must be sure that what they invest are the precious seeds. In time they are ready for harvest, they would bear sweet and good fruits.

Lets’ refresh our motivation again and again, we would ripe what we sow

Enjoy your December.

Draw me closer to YOU.

#1 December this year

[where there's hope..]

December has come. I found the excitement of it; mostly from FACEBOOK status. Well, glad anyway to know that many people are still expecting something. It means there’s still a HOPE. A hope during December is always close to CHRISTMAS.

I caught Christmas atmosphere as I entered a fancy store near my working place. I dropped by there after work with a friend to buy something. The owner, who was my college mate, was there together with the staff. There was a Christmas tree across the front door. The Christmas song was in the air. Oh, how I loved this kind of melody! The accessories for Christmas were around, too.

In the middle of our ‘lil shopping, there was an incident. A little girl in the age of about 5 was in the shop with a middle aged woman; not sure whether she was her mom or her untie or even grandma. She was looking for something maybe. Suddenly the little girl dropped a ball that was hung on a small Christmas tree in front of her. In short, the ball was broken. The shopkeeper said it has to be paid. Additionally, the balls were sold in a package of three. So, the woman should pay twenty five thousand rupiah. In the beginning she tried to bargain to take one broken ball only, but finally she agreed. That’s not the point. Everybody knows that: pecah berarti membeli – break it pay for it.

After the ball fell down, the woman was angry to the girl. The common phrase that I use to hear; “kamu nakal, sudah dibilangin jangan pegang-pegang, tuh sekarang jatuh, pecah, harus dibeli” with sort of tone that no kid would like. The little girl was silent with no words until I heard some voice of crying. I didn’t know what did she do, pulling her ears or something else maybe, but she did something. The other customers noticed it. I felt too pity to look at them. 

• I hope there won’t be more case like this. I know the kid was guilty. Yet, I don’t think it is necessary for adult to add another guilty feeling and public embarrassment.

• I hope the woman would explain to the girl why on earth she did that.

• I hope the little would be fine with her experience today.

• I hope those three balls will ‘do’ something in their family this Christmas time.

Put some HOPE along with you for HE is the GOD of HOPE.

Enjoy your December.

Draw me closer to YOU.

The English Teachers of the English Teacher

Last Thursday I met one of my junior high school’s English teacher. I think he was my 2^nd English teacher. He replaced my previous English teacher because of maternity thing. From his appearance maybe people would easily consider him to be a funny teacher. He always has a smiling face.

I am impressed with him because of the comments and pictures that he used to put on our test paper. A simple thing but memorable and I think is worth to do. [ Well, I can’t draw well, so I do another thing, anyway ^^v]

When I told him that I often see him lately around the schools, I found out that he delivers his only daughter to school. At first I thought his daughter was an elementary school’s student. In fact, she is a student in my school and I know her, a calm girl with a medium straight black hair.

Ow… I have a student that used to be my mom’s student and now a student who is my teacher’s child ^^v

On the next day I also met my another English teacher. She taught me at the third year. In my memory she was an energetic teacher, and is still ^^v. At that time she was still a new teacher, maybe just like me now ^^v. Well, after I work here, I have met her few times; when we accompanied our students in competitions, when we attended a wedding party of our friend, or just when we met on our way home from school like that time.

We talked about some random thing along Kartini street until Kaloka – yes we were in the same public transportation, mostly of course about teaching. And in the end she paid me the fare --- ah thank you, Ma’am ^^v. She was with her two daughters, one with the same uniform that I used to have – from my junior high and the other one was --- if I’m not mistaken in the 4^th grade of elementary school.  Sometimes she chatted with them in the middle of our speaking. What a mother!

I was not closed to both of them when I was a student. I was sort of calm student anyway. Yet, as teachers I can say that they are friendly and inspiring… ^^ Thank you Sir, thank you Ma’am. I’ve forgotten the things you’ve taught me, yet your personal being as a teacher is what I’d always remember.

It’s been about ten years since my junior high. What will be in ten year time from now on? Let’s see.

"A daughter prayer" 

Dear God,
Thank you for guiding my dad until his 52nd years. 
I pray for my dad tonight.
Please bless him with good health.
Please bless him with his job.


I'm sure he is continuing to grow as a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a principal; a man of Yours..
 

Keep walking beside him in everyway he has to go through;
in everyway that he has to develop;
in all ways to please You.

I ask for wisdom and courage that You may grant him with, to equip him.

I believe he is safe in Your mighty hands.
In Your name I pray,
amen.

Tidy up the messy day

Went down from my bed later that I used to, it was 5.30 a.m.

Delivered to school by my brother as he always does faithfully

Friday morning walk with colleagues and students with less words, more in silence with the breeze, sunlight, and fresh air..

The students triggered smiles. Their enthusiasm, students’ being less noisy as they use to. Their greetings, jokes and smiles; couldn’t keep my lips from smiling. They have the sense more than the imagined one..

Went to the wrong building. DPU has been moved, and I didn’t notice it. At least I met a kind person telling me that I was wrong.

Thank God for this  is Friday. A short day work. Went home earlier with some public transports. Some patience needed, not too long in fact.

Coming home as the 1^st person—rarely happen. Met my baby cousin, lying on bed smiling and moving his body joyfully. What a pleasure!

Opened the door.. straightly rushed to my room.

I slept from 1 to 4. It’s great, no one disturbed, not my bro, nor my mom, not the others even they entered my room.

Took some time at bed..then had shower with cold water..

Didn’t have lunch, straightly dinner. It was one of my fav. Food, sayur adas made by my mom. Couldn’t taste as delicious as I use to, but it was still nice. Thanks mom..

Opened my laptop, connected to the internet, browsed.. Loaded winamp, put on my headphone… www.christianwoman.com , how can I keep from singing Your name – Chros Tomlin, Skillet piano tribute: Say GoodBye, Better than Drug, chatted…

Messy I was, but got tidy up some…

Few I spoke, more I listened..

Cheos happens, but still under control..

Thanks God for taking care of me..

what a friend means: in my description

you’re priceless

cannot be bought

you’re special

cannot be replaced

you’re unique

cannot be imitated

you’re alive

cannot be killed

you’re developing

cannot be stopped

you’re indispensable

cannot be abandoned

you’re infinite

cannot be described sufficiently

can anyone add the list?

SUN WITH LOVE

the power is down

the light is vanished

getting dark

and limp

and cold

only turbulence

covering

lost

trapped

exhausted

the sun

the vigour

the radiance

the glowing of warmth

gently

definitely

HE is the SUN

SUN with LOVE

[NA]

An e-mail from a friend

Hi Ke, how’s everything?

You know, your last question has pushed my brain to work harder than usual ^_^. I have been thinking about that term so called “being successful as a human being” for several days and this night I’m coming to share my idea. Then, all you have to do is just sit and read all the words written on the screen!!!! ;p

OK! Let’s start. If I have to describe that term in one word, I’ll choose the word BALANCE. Yup, that’s the key word.

There is an illustration I got from my lecturer and I think it would describe balance deeper. You know that there are some different shapes of triangle (please remember your math ^_^), such as scalene triangle, equilateral triangle, isosceles triangle and right angle triangle. Now, let’s consider the equilateral triangle. We know that its three sides are in the same length as well as its angles (sixty degrees each). OK! Let’s insert our topic there. Being successful as a human being is “being an equilateral triangle-person.” What does it mean?

There are three major parts of human life, i.e., himself/herself, other people and God. When we are able to put those three parts in balance, we are actually successful in life. Remember that those three parts are inseparable, aren’t they? Put yourselves on one angle, God on the other and other people on the rest. If we can put them on the equilateral triangle, we would have harmony (BALANCE) in our relationship (look at the same length of the sides). One thing to add, did you notice that equilateral triangles are choose to support bridges? The reason is because of its strength-related to its shape-. The same with us, when we can be “equilateral triangle-people,” we’ll acquire a strong character as well.

Still want to continue . . . . . .

I still have some words to say.

Success is like a journey, as life itself is a journey (isn’t it?). We won’t tell that we are a successful student only by holding a university certificate, right? Success is not only determined by the achievement or the goal, but how we reach it. It means the process of reaching the destination. And again, I will say BALANCE. In what way? How we balance our perspective towards our past, present and future. No present without past, and no future without present (agree?). What is called present today will be called past tomorrow. In other words, we need to appreciate our first step and our endeavor (which may full of struggle, pain, tears, and laughter) that have brought us into what we are today. On the other hand, since there is no term of STOP in success, we have to open our mind, appreciate what we get today and keep working for a better future by exploring our talents. Don’t forget to dream.

BTW, I still have an additional thing to add [hope you’re not getting bored ;)]

BALANCE again. In this case, the balance of IQ and EQ, the balance of left and right hemisphere of the brain. This harmony will lead us to be successful as a human being (again -_-). I have a quote from Swami Sivananda, “Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest act. This is the secret of success.” Get it? Yup, I think heart and soul refer to EQ, while mind and intellect refer to IQ (please correct me if I’m wrong).

He..he..he..he... I think I’ve shared much (I hope not too much). Ups, before I forget -- of course it is not easy to reach such kind of balance in our life. Therefore, it depends on us to deal with that condition.

Okay Ke, I think that’s all I can share. I hope it will be helpful for your paper (keep on working!!). Anyway, how about others? Do they have different opinions? How about yourselves? Don’t forget to tell me later in your e-mail.

See you soon.

GBU!

Lv,

R’

To “someone” out there I dedicated this post

[I have learnt to see everything wider]

Seiring bergantinya lembar buku harianku

Seiring pula bertambahnya kumpulan puisiku

Dan kian panjangnya rambut di kepalaku

Aku akan belajar memahami

Mencoba mengerti

Tentang dinamika hidup

Seiring sejalannya waktu

Do you remember those lines? Well, maybe you don’t. As some of my poems reflect my hopes, so does this one.

I’ll tell you one positive ‘function’ of my diary. It’s not only a history book of my life, but as I reread it I can see how far I have improved my self. I can see the people who have helped to shape me.

Lately, I tell you, I have learnt about ‘life’ more than I used to [well, I know everybody learns].

May I tell you some good news? The word “down” is not my favorite anymore. Instead, as I learn more about gratefulness, HE guides me how to be a standing-still woman, how to be tough, up…up…up!!!

Then, I’ve proven “the theory of changing the world with the heart as the starting point.” I have learnt that my perspective will form the world I see. You know, I think I smile more than I used to; even I laugh more :D I life with smile [and laughter] for Jesus, for others, also.. for you :)

Are you happy to hear that? Those are not easy, though. Take time. I’m still learning, you know. There are times when I fail-sometimes even hurt. But, I try to wake up again and again…

I always wanted to tell you this and another thing as I used to, but I don’t know how. Whether I like it or not and whether you want to talk about it or not, I have to accept that “some things” are matter in this world. That’s one reason I couldn’t figure out how should I tell you.

As what my eyes see, you do change in some ways. But, I know that you are “still the same” in some parts. You are still care, as you always be. Though you don’t speak it in words, I know how gentle you heart is actually.

So, as you told me long time ago, I tell you all through this post that I won’t regret someday coz I miss the chance.

From the deepest of my heart, I’d like to thank you. You are part of my “spectators” who help me to grow and shape me into who I am now.

So, wherever LIFE brings us now and then, I hope there’s one thing that would stay still: this TRUST, the trust of our friendship.

I have learnt how to relax my grips more so that other people [including you] as well as me myself, can improve and meet what God has compassionately planned. I pray that each of us can meet the foreordained destiny HE has made over our life.

Miss You, guys!

To dearest friends I used to have [and I hope I still have :)] I send this message. How are you there [everywhere you are]? I do really miss you, anyway.

No one can ever replace your part in my heart, coz each of you has done a difference in my life. Each of you is such a precious gift to me.

I miss the time we used to spent together, the stories we used to share, the places we used to visit, the laughters and tears we used to shared. I miss all those things we ever had.

Though we are now apart [in literal meaning and in other meaning], I’ll never forget you all. Our togetherness has left deep traces that are too hard to remove.

So, if one of you accidentally comes across to this page and reads this message, I just wanna say, “I do miss you, I do love you.”

Thanks for all memory we have!!

To my Dear God,

Dear God,

I’d like to say thank you for the understanding You’ve put in my life latey.

You know, You are such an extra-patient God.

The way You’ve dealt with my stubborn heart is so merciful.

You let me to go through the path, step by step,

until finally I realized one astonishing thing;

it is the way You’ve chosen to deliver Your message.

Well, You are a creative God,

You understand me at all,

That’s why You’ve chosen a way that suits my character perfectly.

Thank you, God, for that.

The Little Prince

“Bagi setiap manusia, bintang-bintang memiliki makna berbeda-beda. Bagi orang-orang tertentu—para pengembara—bintang-bintang adalah pemandu bagi mereka. Bagi yang lain, bintang-bintang adalah cahaya kecil di langit. Bagi orang lain lagi—para ilmuwan—bintang-bintang adalah persoalan yang harus dipecahkan. Bagi pengusahaku, mereka berarti emas. Tetapi bagi semua orang ini, bintang-bintang itu diam. Sedangkan kau, kau akan memiliki bintang-bintang itu yang tak pernah dimiliki orang lain.” (p. 99-100)

That’s one of my favorite parts of the book originally written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Though it’s merely a fiction, there’s something deeper within.

It tells a story about a pilot who meets a ‘little boy’ in Sahara desert. This ‘little prince’ comes from another planet, which is associated with a small asteroid. He has three ‘mountains’ and a flower there. In short, he then takes a journey to another planet. Only one person occupies each planet visited, except Earth. The first is occupied by a king; second by an overconfident man; third by a drinker; fourth by a businessperson; fifth by a lamp lighter; sixth by a geographer; and the last one is Earth.

Throughout the story, the writer inserts some moral principles, criticisms and idealisms in such an interesting way. It is actually recommended especially for children. Still, we will loose nothing taking a little time reading this full-illustrated book.

There are two major issues discussed. First, it tells about how ‘odd’ adults are, according to the writer’s opinion. Second, it talks about the idea of a relationship. A relationship would be meaningful if there is a strong tie between the participants. It requires patience and consistency. Thus, inevitably, it would leave an unforgettable trace within. Have you ever experienced one? I have :)

Thanks for allowing me to be the first reader of this book, Anie!!!

Understanding

A good friend must have this. One can gain it through a constant exposure, so that he/she knows what his/her friend like or dislike; what makes his/her friend upset or happy; also knows the timing.

I’d like to thank a friend of mine, Iték, for her understanding. For your concerns on the right time to keep the news, I say, “Thank you.” For your thoughtful consideration on the effect that it might bring to me, I say, “Thank you.” Also, for our investigation-messaging, that had forced you to wake up from your pleasant sleep, I say, “Thank you.”

Problem v.s. Response

There were times when I felt like crazy, so puzzled

When I got trapped inside the box

When I couldn’t think outside

As if I wasn’t able to find a way out

There were times when I was controlled under the circumstances

The lesson I get as what the fact has told me: don’t let myself to be long-lasted controlled by the condition and see what influences it would bring.

It’s not the problem of what and how the problem is; it is a matter of choice, on how I response.

On my own

sharing is a wonderful thing to do
that's what i usually do;
telling the others my ups and downs, my dreams and hopes
or:
listening to the others;
knowing their stories, their feelings..

but...
sometimes, i just wanna keep something for myself
for a reason

well, i've decided to keep something for myself
it's a dream that i feel so strong about,
but, maybe not for others ^_^
i'll keep it for myself!!!