PADANG: Epic Moments!

This year, our family spent Christmas on a mission trip in Mentawai. But before that, we'll spend 3 nights holiday in Padang. The first 2 nights kita di Bukit Tinggi, kaya Puncak nya Jakarta. 

Nasi Padang di Padang!

Banyak banget kelucuan yang terjadi hari ini. Levin calls it "epic fail!"

So here goes our 5 Epic Moments!

1. 

Dijalan ujan deres. Mama nunjuk keluar bilang, "aduh kasian banget polisi ujan2an"

Gw sangat tersentuh. Polisi itu cuma bediri tegap tanpa bergeming ditengah hujan yg super lebat. Dia bener2 gigih menjalankan tugasnya. Gue ngebatin "ooh apa polisi di Padang segini setia bekerjanya yah" dan gw melirih "iiih kasiaan"

Terus levin dengan polosnya, "kak itu kan patung!"

...

Satu mobil ngakak.

Sial, gw ditipu mama -___-

2. 

Kita turun di pinggir air terjun buat foto2. Pas balik mau masuk mobil, levin salah buka pintu! Dia masuk ke mobil orang! Terus lgsg teriak kaget "eh salah!"  terus senyum2 malu dan bilang "hehehe maaaap". Di depan mobil ada yg punya senyum2 geli ke Levin. Yes! Pembalasan abis tadi diketawain Levin soal patung.

3. 

Dipadang kita sewa mobil. Tapi pintu blakang susah dibuka. Jadinya pas sampe hotel, susah banget nurunin 5koper ples kardus2, lewat pintu tengah terus ngambilnya nungging2 gitu.

Meanwhile papa berusaha buka terus, kuncinya dimasukin, diputer, baru sambil kunci kecantol, pintunya berusaha ditarik2, dan .. ahirnya berhasil!

Pas pintu kebuka 

...

Udah kosong.

Semua koper dan kardus udah keluar -__- siasia banget. Hahaha

Gw sm Levin ngakak2 kok hari ini Epic banget sih.

"dek hari ini sih ud ada 3 epic moments loh! Coba apa aja sebutin!"

levin, "kok ka nia kaya guru sih, emangnya pelajaran suru sebutin satu2!" protes dia, hahaha. 

Sambil ngomong gw liat peta hotelnya..

4. 

Nia: "ma!hotelnya keren yah!ini kayanya nyambung sama pantai deh!keren banget!"

Mama (dengan nada ga nyantai nanya ke orang hotel): "mas!emang ini nyambung sama laut???" 

Mas-mas (berusaha sopan): "hehehe enggak kok buuu"

Mama (dengan penuh kemenangan): "ya iyalah!masa ada pantai orang kita ini diatas gunung!"

Nia (dalam hati) "eh?iya juga..."

Levin... Ngetawain gw dengan puasnya. 

5. 

Mau tidur dan Levin ganti baju bagus.

Nia "dek baju bagus kok buat tidur sih?"

dan gw sadar itu baju bawahnya udah bercak2 darah banyak gitu

Nia "ooh makanya buat tidur yah, kok bisa berdarah2 gitu?"

Levin "hehehe (nyengir2 malu) bekas ngelap jerawat kak.."

Gw mau foto buat pamer ke orang2 betapa aib nya dedek gue tp ga boleh sm dia hahaha :p

Well, sebenernya liburan ke Padang ga ada apa2 sih disini.. tapi simple moments like these, spent with loved ones, that makes the holiday special :D

The Death of Dreams

Twitter, Facebook, any mass media – you name it, are bustling with the hot topic of Christopher Melky Tanujaya, who was stabbed on the neck just 3 days ago.

He’s a scholar. I’m a scholar too. He led a similar life as mine – makes it easier for me to imagine how to walk in his shoes.

Here, in Singapore, we don’t just dilly-dally and waste our parents’ money. No. We study. And we study hard – sometimes with tears, sweat, and frustration. We build our dreams, and work hard for it. We carry the hopes and expectations of our parents on our shoulder too.

As scholars, the hostel safe keeps our passports, and there are periods where we can’t go back to our home country.  Even during school holidays, most of the time it is filled with compulsory extra classes for scholars, or Community Involvement Project (CIP), and other Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) matters. Yeap,for students in Singapore Government schools, holiday = school without teachers. Whenever we want to go back, the parents have to send emails or fax to the hostel. We need to fill in a leave application form to be signed by the principal, teacher mentor, boarding master. We need to notify them at least 2 weeks in advance. There’s no “I wanna go back coz I feel like it”.

So the chance to go back to Indonesia is really a breath of fresh air! Freedom! I imagine him, after the year has come to an end, walking with joyful anticipation, and such excitement to go back to his home country.

Heaven – that’s how it feels like, to be back to Indonesia. Surrounded by family, friends, and… good good food! It will be a time to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge ourselves before another tough year ahead in Singapore.

But then… it happened.

I think about how his parents feel. His friends: fellow Indonesian scholars, Singaporean classmates, his friends in Indonesia, and all the loved ones he left behind. I think about his twitter and facebook, a part of him that will stay on forever. I think about how it happened. Did he fight back? How unbearable was the hurt? When he was left on the street, did anyone bother? What’s on his mind? What was his last thought? Did his parents’ face flash his mind? Or was it like a tornado of thousands vivid memories recalled? Or did he whisper a prayer? What and how exactly is his last moment like?

But what I think about the most is… his dreams. When a person dies, all the dreams, hopes and future, and all the possibilities of what could happen, die with him too. All that his parents have in their hearts of what this child will be… dies.

He could have had such a bright future, such a promising kid. He could have built something, do something that could better our country. He could impact other’s lives in so many ways. All the ‘could haves’ revolve in my minds.

It’s not the first one. Will it be the last one? When will my country improve? I’m safe and sound in Singapore, just watching from afar. But it saddens me to see news after news about all sorts of negative things going on in Indonesia.

Someone has got to do something.

I pray that someday, somehow, I will play a part too.

I've met a Proverbs Woman other than my mom

“She gets up while it is still dark, she provides food for her family..”

“Cici kerja yaaah!” she bids goodbye to the 2 young ladies in her room, still half asleep. Later when everyone in the house wake up, breakfast would have been ready in the living room. “Cipuuuut! wow bgt brekpesnyaaaa!ayo micel bangun kita makan!” “Nia ko napsu banget sih.. eh iya ciput ini kaya di hotel!” lari ambil hape dan langsung ngetweet.  Jason masih setengah tidur makan sambil merem2, “enak yaaah” dan kita bertiga duduk anteng di sofa..

Once it was a ham and cheese wrap. Then there was a platter with a healthy mix of salad, scramble egg and nuggets. Some other time we even had waffles with a smiley face! Each morning is bursting with excitement. Other women would spend her morning beautifying themselves, but she.. beautifies our morning.

“She works with eager hands, her arms are strong for her tasks”

Sometimes her job is demanding. Sometimes it’s brain squeezing. Sometimes it’s full of uncertainties. Yet never have I seen even the slightest hint of despair, nor discouragement. Not a single one. And what a multitasker she is! Master of Civil Engineering, Leader of Kids morning service, and Mother of GuaFA. What an achiever!

“She opens her arms and extends her hands to the needy..”

“Ayok bobo rumah cici” An open invitation.

“Nia kamu jangan galau lagi, semangka!” Words of encouragement.

“Kamu tiap hari mesti 1 tugas selesai, jadi pas pulang bebas bisa liburan” “Kalo abis pipis ‘mbok ya cuci tangan, itu kan flush nya bekas smua orang, jorok”  Takes on a motherly role.

 “Nia, kalo masuk angin minum tolak angin” “sini cici pijetin”  “nia kamu bawa payung cici aja yah, kan ujan” “nia itu bacang nya kamu bawa pulang ntar diangetin di microwave yah” “nia makan rumah cici aja, ada bumbu pecel loh” And the many little gestures to show that she cares.

Her house is always open for everyone to come, eat, laugh, and find a little piece of home. Her time is always there for everyone to talk, tell their many, many, random stories.. She knows if one is heartbroken, going trough hurtful breakdowns, and if the other is secretly homesick. She knows who is going to Australia, UK, Paris, USA, and the dates they are going. She knows who is having a presentation tomorrow, and who is having exams. She makes us feel remembered.

“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tounge..”

“Eh lupa matiin lampu kamar mandi!cepet sebelom diomelin ciput!” “Hayo sendok bekas makan buat ambil lauk, ntar ciput marah loh” “Lupa cuci piring!gmana nih ga enak sama ciput” Si Micel pecahin piring, tapi ini sih ga takut, ga gaenak, malah dia yang omelin ciput, ngebully ciput :p

Ciput nyuci, nyapu, ngepel, masak, and has all the instructions on how to keep things in the right state. This is how you lock the door, this is how you sweep the floor.. Ayo makan, ayo mandi, ayo berberes, ayo bangun. She has it all under control.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”

“Ciput itu kalo mandi mesti 2 lagu pujian dulu baru kelar” “Ciput udah telat nih, mandi nya ga boleh pake nyanyi yah” Yes. She praises God whenever, wherever.

And she is always the one to initiate a prayer together. Saturday mornings: a quiet time with God. Pray before a meal, pray after a meal. Pray before she goes to church, and before work. Pray. Pray. Pray. And fast. Setting an example for us all.

“She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness”

Every night, we would all be there, in her room. Just chitchatting, idling, spending time together.. “Jason ambil gitar!” “hmm hmm nyanyi lagu apa yahh” “ci tapi aku ga apal liriknya leh” “nia kamu yang pimpin” “gamau cici aja” “kamu aja” “cici” “yaudaaah” Then we would worship, and just sing our hearts out, pray for each other like family.

Despite the weariness of a day of work, she would still entertain us, and that’s when all scenarios unfold, all stories are told..

“kok malem2 laper yah” “makan indomi kayanya enak” “ntar gendut ciii” “eh ada eskrim kitkat!” “aduh kok enak aku nambah ah” “hayooo nia gendut, kalah deh”

“ niaaa, cici isiin botol minum kamu!..tapi penyok..” “dasar cici pasti bales dendam karna aku putusin sendal jepit cici!” “weee cipuuut, aku tweet ah!”

Every moment, even the simplest one, is a treasure.

She brings good,not harm, all the days of her life..”

“Ciput kaya mama kita” I recall that phrase repeated for several times during our christmas dinner. Well, a motherly figure she is.

What an atmosphere! what a sweet, wonderful family. And we’re not even family! Yet things are this wonderful. No wonder, God is the author of these stories.. He weaves it so intricately – the right people, the right place, at the right moment.

 “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise..”

Yes. The reward is on its way.

I'm a Rafflesian

It takes hard work to be able to make that statement.

It is even more harder after

But a year has passed and the fog has lifted

I am grateful. I am proud.

I'm a Rafflesian

Deciphering Me

Took an online test about getting to know myself better. The result is surprisingly accurate!

Your view on yourself:

You are down-to-earth and people like you because you are so straightforward. You are an efficient problem solver because you will listen to both sides of an argument before making a decision that usually appeals to both parties.

The type of girlfriend/boyfriend you are looking for:

You are a true romantic. When you are in love, you will do anything and everything to keep your love true.

Your readiness to commit to a relationship:

You are ready to commit as soon as you meet the right person. And you believe you will pretty much know as soon as you might that person.

The seriousness of your love:

You are very serious about relationships and aren't interested in wasting time with people you don't really like. If you meet the right person, you will fall deeply and beautifully in love.

Your views on education

Education is very important in life. You want to study hard and learn as much as you can.

The right job for you:

You have plenty of dream jobs but have little chance of doing any of them if you don't focus on something in particular. You need to choose something and go for it to be happy and achieve success.

How do you view success:

You are confident that you will be successful in your chosen career and nothing will stop you from trying.

What are you most afraid of:

You are concerned about your image and the way others see you. This means that you try very hard to be accepted by other people. It's time for you to believe in who you are, not what you wear.

Who is your true self:

You are mature, reasonable, honest and give good advice. People ask for your comments on all sorts of different issues. Sometimes you might find yourself in a dilemma when trapped with a problem, which your heart rather than your head needs to solve.

mother/daughter

Sore hari. Gw ke kamar mama abis mandi udah keramas seger.

“hey non”

Mama di kasur ternyata.

“ga mandi ma?”

“maleeeeeeesshh”

Tumben, pikir gue. “pantes, skarang aku tau levin itu nurun siapa hahahahaa”

“aku capeeeee abis nyetiiiir” suaranya manja ples males2an.

“ntar kalo mandi jadi seger” lanjutnya.

Gw bingung. “loh ma? Justru itu! Emang mandi biar seger!?” nada gw gatau menegaskan atau jadi mempertanyakan, emang mandi biar apa kalo ga seger?

Kok si mama aneh ya. Udah meringkuk di kasur cape justru harusnya mandi biar seger malah ga mau mandi supaya ga seger. Terus gw becandain gw lemparin guling.

“aku aja udah keramas ma!hehehehe” dengan nada pamer bangga

“sana gih bawa cookie (anjing gw) lari. Biar kering rambutmu”

Buset. Gw bingung lagi. Si mama eror nih? “kering? Keringet iya kali ma”

Fine. Nyerah deh. Gw kluar aja, lagi bersemangat pengen nulis di taman juga.

“ya udah deh ma, dadaa”

Udah ga ada gw, mama bolak-balik badan di kasur, sambil meluk gulingnya “aaahh bobo aaahhh enak-enyaaaaaakkk”

Dan gw cuma bisa ngakak, “buset ini mana yang mama mana yang anak sih?”

pasukan kecil

michelle and bella

Udah 3 hari ada anak-anak kecil di kompleks pada main ke rumah gue. Awal mulanya, gue yang sangat health-conscious mulai berasa guilty feeling gara2 kebanyakan makan di indo. Ahirnya satu sore gue ajak cookie, anjing gue lari2. Eh, di jalan, ketemu anak kecil lagi main sepeda! Pada tertarik sama cookie. Gue ajak kenalan dan gw ajak main ke rumah!

Masuk ke taman di rumah gw, mereka berdecak kagum “waaaahh kakak rumahnya ada taman nya guede bangeeeet!” “aku ga pernah tau ada rumah segede ini disini!” gw yang mendengarnya cuma tersenyum simpul aja.

Terus gw ajak mereka liat binatang2 peliharaan yang ada di rumah. “yang bener kak? Ada bebek sama ayam di rumah kakak? KEREN BANGET!” yang lain nyeletuk “ih kakak rumahnya kayak tempat wisata deh!” “iyaiyaaaa kayak tempat wisata digabung taman bunga digabung restoran!” sementara itu gue cuma nyengir2 aja.

“kok aku ga pernah liat kakak sih? Eh emang kakak lagi libur yaa kok bisa sore2 main?”

“ Aku emang lagi libur kan aku sekolahnya di Singapur”

“ooh beasiswa gitu ya kak?”

“iya”

“ya ampuuuun kakak hebat banget! Aku aja belom pernah ke singapur!”

Seneng rasanya dibuntutin anak2 kecil seolah gue lah sumber pengetahuan dan segalanya. Ibarat induk bebek dan anak2nya yang mengekori membentuk satu barisa. Kepala mereka manggut2 lucu atas setiap apa yang gw bilang ke mereka. Mereka berebutan mau crita ke gue sampe teriak2 dan kalo mo ngomong pada angkat tangan dulu “giliran ku kak! Giliran ku!”

Gw jadi mikir. Pertama, kadang kita ga pernah berasa seberapa beruntungnya kita sampe ada orang lain yang melihat apa yang kita punya lalu berdecak kagum. Gw ngerasa banget. Semua respon mereka atas apa yang gw milikin bikin gw bener2 bersyukur sama apa yang Tuhan udah kasih gw. Kalo gw jadi mereka, mungkin gw juga akan ber’wow-wow’ atas yang si ‘Kakak Nia’ punyain. Tapi, menjadi diri gw sendiri, rasanya yaaa biasa aja. Malah kadang kita sebagai manusia ingin jadi orang lain. Intinya, gw mulai put myself in people’s shoes dan mulailah menyadari dengan sepenuhnya betapa beruntungnya gw. And i guess we all should do that, too

Kedua, gw jadi mikir, betapa ‘sibuknya’ gw sekarang sampe gw ‘lupa’ ada kebahagiaan yang begitu mendalam yang timbul di hati, seakan meluap dari memori lama akan masa kecil gw yang begitu riang, seperti anak2 kecil ini. Dan gw seakan menemukan kebahagiaan masa kecil gw itu kembali, saat gw spend time sama anak2 ini. Seriusan, hepi banget. Gw bisa nyengir2 sendiri, heboh sendiri, and i find myself jumping running shouting happily, ga inget umur.

Jam6. Mereka udah harus pulang. “kakak! Besok main lagi yaaa! Jam4 yaaa! Soalnya besok aku ga ada les. Laoshi ku mau nikah jadi les nya libur. Main ya kaaaak!” “iya kak! Iyaa! Aku juga ga ada peer! Main ya kak, ntar kakak umpetin telor2 di taman trus kita cari ya kak!”

Besoknya, gw mau jalan sama Jo, sahabat gw. Dan jam4 gw akan pulang. gw bakal bawa dia ke rumah untuk gw kenalin sama Pasukan Kecil gue ini :)

what do you want to be?

I had a psychotest today. So much talking about my future and what i wanna be these days. It has something to do with me choosing the right college. Well, it gets me wondering, why people always talk about what they want to be, instead to just be? Right here right now. Just be.

Instead of merely pursuing your future, why dont you just be? live your moment. After all, its “the journey, not the destination” that matters right? I want to just make full use of what i am responsible right now, everyday making small goals and achieving them.

What do i want to be in the future? Cant really label myself – doctor, teacher, scientist, businesswoman? i want to be me. I dont want to be just another doctor, another teacher, you name it. I want to be me. The more mature version of me.

Another thing, when people ask about the future, what do you want to be? Why do people always refer it to career? If you ask me, what do i think of my future? Well, career is just a part of it. Quite integral, but not necessarily central.

I want to find a loving husband. Have little children that’ll brighten my day. Raise them up and be responsible of them. I want to be a mother. I want to have enough money so i can help people. I want to impact – with what i say and do.

Well, i guess for me, its more of the “how” instead of the “what”. But there are different kinds of people, i realized. And lucky for them who know – crystal clear - what they want to be in the future.

I guess i’ll have to start finding one. Meanwhile, i’ll just live my life to the fullest and see what doors of opportunity will be opened for me :)