Thea October 30th, 2008
A release I read from kompas.com this morning informed that Barack Obama gains a preliminary victory over McCain, winning 53 % of the overall ballots. This is of course a great movement for Obama and Biden, along with their team and their supporters.
John McCain probably should be grateful that this election isn’t open for the citizen of world. Compared to Obama, he’s definitely much less popular. He’s conceived as the representation and supporter of status quo, while Obama is the one who brings and promises the change. The change not only for America but also for the world, in sense his opposition against the Iraq occupancy by the American soldiers. Unlike McCain, Obama prefers to forge a more friendly approach toward the so-called terrorist country. He chooses a diplomatic approach rather than deploying more armies to the battle field.
Next week, Americans will vote, deciding their commander in chief. I read many comments putting doubt in Obama’s victory in this election. They are questioning about American readiness to be led by the first Afro-American president. Asides his competency, skill, and expertise, after all Obama stays not a pure white citizen. HOwever, world-wide, Obama is seen as one of the citizen’s world. undoubtedly, his experience with world-wide cultural experience is kinda “a gimmick” for him to win all people’s heart. He has Kenyan blood, was born at Hawai, ever grew at Indonesia. He seems just one of us.
Will Obama win? We’ll see in the coming week if he really can realize his “change” mission toward a much better the “promising country”.
Thea October 29th, 2008
Rainy season is underway. It has come since several days a go. It’s been leaving its mark on the muddy land, on the wet street, in the splash of water.
Rainy season this time is pretty much different with that last year. My time to arrive at home is longer. First because it’s farther. Then, when it rains, I prefer to go home by taking busway. Within my way home, I was so upset finding that the busway route was occupied by cars, buses and motorbikes. It took more than one hour to get to Jatipadang shelter, the nearest one with my home.
This is my first rainy season at new home, with a husband:). Last weekend, the ceiling was leaking. Thus, we had to deal with anything to prevent the water going everywhere in our room. I never had such problem before and suprised when it really happened to my house. Previously, I had my father to take care everything. This time, I have to fix it with my husband.
The temperature is getting chiller. When the time has passed its peak, the cool is getting lower. When raining, I have to gather more courage to get up early, conquering my lazyness to remain under warm blanket and wake up my husband.
I love this rainy season anyway because it’s just like a perfect time to sip hot jasmine tea. It’s very nice to have a cup of cappucino and enjoy it, only both of us or just stay under blanket while watching tv cable or reading interesting books.
I love this rainy season, just like its way. Welcome cool-wet rainy season.
Thea October 23rd, 2008
After discussing some considerations, finally we have a new channel at our home. My hubby, a football geek, can’t live without watching premiere league:p. And now, we’re one of Aora TV subscriber, though it only has several good channels.
Happy watching hun:)
Thea October 19th, 2008
Visiting Menara Karya last friday for taking my new key BCA, I found a “special” facility provided by that building. Even in Wisma Mulia, the building where my office settling, and is said as one of the most expensive building in Jakarta, I don’t find one.
The special facility is rest room. What is special about that? The one I call special is because it’s dedicated for people with special needs (PSN), such as people with wheel chair. The rest room is much larger than typical rest room so the wheel chair can get in to the room and necessary movement can be done there.
In Jakarta, I assume only small numbers of building which are built with such feature. Unlike developed countries, which almost all public facilities are designed so people with special need can access, in developing countries rarely I found that. Yeah, maybe there are still a lot of things considered more urgent in Indonesia than raising awareness of equal access for PSNs.
Once becoming volunteer for YAKKUM Rehabilitation Center several years ago, I met persons who were very eager to campaign of equal access for people with PSNs. They urged to the local authority in order to imply the aspiration of PSN in every policy issued. Not only appealing the authority, they also did things, which probably considered simple things, yet very useful for the PSNs such as modifying vehicle so the PSN can ride on it or giving vocational skill so they can have special skill to be self-sufficient. It was a very happy moment when we could do something to them.
Thea October 15th, 2008
I should salute Riri Riza and Mira Lesmana along with their team for presenting a qualified show for us. Their last-produced movie, Laskar Pelangi, is an oasis in the drought of qualified Indonesian movies nowadays.
It should be admitted that the novel of Laskar Pelangi has a cinematographic potent as a movie. Riri and Mira just made a correct option of making it as movie. Please understand my position that I am never that in to Indonesian movies. The themes such as fool-romantic love story or ridiculous horror genre don’t appeal me whatsoever. Such themes grow mushrooming and it just makes me fed up and wonder if any good movie will show up.
Laskar Pelangi the movie is definitely the answer of my curiosity. It speaks about the real condition of Indonesian education. The figures in the movie never dare to dream, yet what they are dreaming isn’t bullshit. It’s every body’s dream that they want to be knowledgeable and have a good life ahead. However, the economic condition and poor education system confine their dream.
Lintang, one of the main stars, is the smartest student. Sadly, he has to end his dreaming to further his study. Upon his father’s death, shortly he replaces the position of breadwinner. Lintang is actually not alone. Many aged-school children face similar problem. According to the Komnas Perlindungan Anak, there are approximately 11.7 million children discontinue school in 2007. The number is predicted soaring to 15 million in the 2008 (source: www.koranpendidikan.com).
And also my sadness goes to the much-less-than-proper condition of school infrastructure. Often we hear that inferior quality of school building affects to the learning-studying process. It’s equal to violation toward the children’s right to obtain education. Will the increment of education budget to 20 % of national budget help?
Thea October 11th, 2008
Everybody knows what mothers in the world go through when they deliver baby. More or less nine months before, mothers struggle to raise the baby in their comfortable womb, feeding them through nutritious food. Once delivering us to the world, it isn’t painless. It’s believed they are close with the death. However, my mum said that her hurt gone when seeing the little baby close to hear and feeling my heartbeat.
The story of a mother then goes to nurturing the sweet little baby. Children are always nice when they below five. “See when they grow up after five. They can turn to little rascals who provoke your emotion.” It’s my mum’s confession. Is what she said an “empirical-based experience” when she faced the naughty me and my younger bro??…Hhmmm could be:D
No matter how the children can grow as “b*****d, mum will always their savior. Their lovely-caring nature is an oasis where we can always rest. For their children’s sake, they become unbelievable heroine. In my home at Jogja, we employ a local as helper. Her name is Lik Sus. She’s a widow with two, the youngest one is at third grade, elementary school. Lik Sus said to my grandma that she always supplies one egg for her children at least once a day. For that, she’s more than willing to eat only with sambel (chili sauce). She wants her children get nutritious food. In the mid day, she picks her youngest with bicycle from school, regardless the hot sun exposure.
A story of Woo Kap Sun who never stops encouraging and being extraordinary companion of her daughter maybe inspiring for us. Her children, Hee Ah Lee, was born with congenital deformity. Since the very beginning, Woo Kap Sun rejected the idea of giving her baby to orphanage. Instead, she took care of her baby with love. She poured care and passion to the little daughter. Ah Lee, for her, is magnificent gift God gives to her. When Ah Lee went six, Kap Sun taught her to play piano. It took extra patience to teach a daughter who only has two fingers at each hand. Kap Sun’s patience is fruitful. Ah Lee becomes a pianist with a great performance. She’s now a famous-talented pianist with world-class quality. What can Kap Sun say more other than thanking God for giving such gift?
There are lot of story about great mothers, and I am sure you have your own story. A mum….an angel God sends to the world.
Dedicated to my lovely mother who celebrates her birthday on Oct 12, 2008. I love u always Mum:-*
Thea October 6th, 2008
Ever since I live apart from my family, going home is my favorite activity, especially when it comes to ramadhan then continues to Eidl Fitr. In Eidl Fitr, everything turns more special as all of familiy members gather and it’s the moment when we can meet each other and forgive each other. Being at home with family is a priceless moment, especially for me. I am used to live apart from my family since several years a go. I live at Jakarta, my mum is signed at Cirebon, previously at Semarang, and my dad is at Bandung, before he’s at Yogyakarta. My grandma and my younger brother stay at Yogya. Thus, I couldn’t say there’s anything more precious than having them near with me. I am more than sure that it’s also why poeple do “mudik” every year.
A missing feeling of a place to call home. It’s the ground of that action. Mudik isn’t merely a ritual or an activity done year by year. It’s a time when poeple going home and finding their true life after going to the battlehill, earning cent by cent to survive life. City is the place where they look for material, and going home is their sanctuary where they find the divine spirit.
It also drives people more than willing to stand in queue for hours to get ticket. It’s also why people put their life at risk by clinging only to a part of locomotive(which is very far from safe). And it’s also why people don’t mind drowned in crowd of economy-class passengers or sleep at train station, wishing they can get one or two available seats the day after. Every body just wants to be home.
My dad didn’t mind at all to drive from Cirebon since the 5 AM until 4 PM to arrive safely at Jogja. Though he knew i took much longer than usual trip. Neither did my Mum. As for me, I never counted the price I should pay for seeing them at our lovely home. I could meet my family and my new family, accordingly my husband and his big family.
We’re united at one, at place called home.
And they are too….people who miss their home badly:)
ps: for us who are in struggle to build our own home- sweet-home:). Jiayou!!!