한국어수업좋아해요

It's been three weeks I join a Korean class with my husband. Seneng banget akhirnya setelah hampir setahun (to be precise this September 11, 2012) aku tinggal di Cheongju menemani suamiku yang sedang tholabul 'ilmi, aku bisa mengerti sedikit demi sedikit bahasa Korea. Sebenarnya aku tidak butuh menjadi novelis Korea yang handal meramu kata menjadi karya sastra, asalkan bisa survive saja bila ditanya ajumma/ajossi sini itu sudah sangaaattt membanggakan bagi ku! Aku ingin bisa menjawab pertanyaan mereka mengapa di musim panas yang panasnya minta ampun ini (jujur di minggu awal Ramadhan, sekitar awal Juli, aku sampai menangis gara-gara kepanasan) koq memakai pakaian yang serba tertutup. Cuma itu, aku ingin bisa menjawab pertanyaan itu, aku ingin bisa menerangkan kalau Islam menjaga kehormatan wanita dengan jilbab dengan tidak mengenal musim. Mungkin suatu saat aku bisa menjawabnya ya, kira-kita jika aku sudah mencapai level 10 kelas Korea, hehe. atau sudah bisa dapat sertifikat TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) tingkat 4, wis mancaps. aamin ya robbal'alamin.
Untuk sementara ini aku masih ada di level...1. yups baru level satu. Baru belajar nama buah-buahan, sayuran, nama-nama tempat, kata kerja, grammarnya pun baru "Ini buku" "Itu ibu Budi". Tapi sungguh, meski mungkin jika dibandingkan teman-teman setanah air yang sudah tinggal lama disini atau tinggal sebentar namun bicara bahasa Korea nya sudah cas cis cus, aku sangat bahagia dan merasa paling beruntung karena bisa belajar bahasa asing langsung dari native speakernya. Selain itu, aku juga merasa beruntung dibanding teman-teman yang sekolah disini dan kebetulan mendapatkan Prof yang killer, karena guru bahasa Korea ku sungguh baik, penyayang, dan perhatian. Maklum masih muda, cara mengajarnya masih sangat fresh dengan teknik-teknik mengajar bahasa yang khas yang jadi mengingatkan aku ke masa-masa mengajar bahasa Inggris di Lia Bubat satu tahun yang lalu.
Dari pembelajaran bahasa ini, aku akan coba meramu nya menjadi sebuah buku (untuk pribadi khususnya) agar pelajarannya tak lekas hilang dan lupa.

친구 와 선생님

Trimester Pertama Yang Memesona

Waktu itu hari Ahad, 6 Mei 2012 setelah bangun dari tidur, aku meraih test pack pemberian tetanggaku plus sahabatku di Cheongju ini yang sangat baik, Adinda. Dari artikel yang aku baca, lebih akurat jika memeriksakan air seni dengan test pack itu tepat setelah bangun tidur alias air seni pertama kita di hari itu. Katanya konsentrasinya dan kandungan HCG-nya masih sangat tinggi. Jadilah aku nurut sama anjuran itu, padahal aku sudah memegang test packnya dari siang hari sebelumnya. Tapi ketepatan hasil lebih aku pilih. 
Aku begitu bahagia tak terkira ketika melihat hasil test pack menunjukkan dua strip warna pink langsung loh tanpa menunggu hingga beberapa menit, mungkin cuma sepersekian detik. Dzikir tak berhenti mengalir dari mulutku, aku langsung ambil air wudlu lalu sujud syukur dan solat subuh.
Yang pertama kali mengetahui kabar gembira ini ternyata bukan suamiku, karena dia masih berada di Turki, waktu itu ia berangkat 29 Juni 2012 dan sampai kembali ke rumah kami tercinta keesokan harinya yaitu tanggal 7 Mei 2012. Jadi yang pertama aku kabari adalah Adinda, karena dia juga sudah tidak sabar menunggu hasilnya, lalu aku kabari orang rumah di Bandung, eh mereka juga sedang tidak online, ada jadwal pengajian tiap Ahad di kompleks kami. 
Sahabatku, Adinda, sebelumnya menyarankanku untuk mengabarkan kabar sangat baik ini kepada suamiku dengan cara unik yang mengejutkannya alias surprising. Aku langsung memutar otak, lalu jatuhlah pilihanku pada amplop CBNU alias amplop resmi dari kampus suamiku. Aku akan berpura-pura kalau ada surat di amplop itu dari kampus dan tertulis confidential atau rahasia yang hanya boleh dibuka oleh suamiku saja. Siang itu ia masih bisa online, dan ku kabari perihal amplop itu, iya meyakini isi amplop itu tentang hasil ujiannya yang agak mengecewakan, hihihi aku hanya bisa cekikikan merasa berhasil mengawali surprising news tentang kehamilan anak pertama kami.
Lalu tibalah keesokan hari saat ia pulang, aku menyambutnya dengan senyum terhangatku, tapi apa daya pikirannya kini hanya tertuju pada amplop yang aku kabari kemarin siang. Ia meraih amplop yang aku sengaja simpan di atas laptop, ia membukanya lalu melihat selebar kertas bertuliskan bahasa Korea (sebenernya itu instruksi penggunaan test pack, hehe), ia mengernyitkan keningnya, "apaan ini?" lalu ia mengeluarkan si test pack nya, aku cuma mesam mesem, berharap ia juga sebahagia aku mengetahui pertama kali hasil test pack nya positif. "oh test pack" cuma itu tanggapannya lalu ia meletakkan kembali amplop beserta test pack nya. Hiks. Dia terlalu capek sampai-sampai malas bertanya apa hasilnya, aku sempat sedih karena harapanku reaksinya akan sangat sumringah ternyata sangat kebalikannya alias cuek bebek. "koq nggak nanya apa hasilnya?" "apa?" "alhamdulillah positif" "ya syukurlah" sambil lalu merebahkan badannya yang lelah. It was a totally failed mission! Mission UNACCHOMPLISHED! #sobbing.
Namun hari berikutnya aku tahu kenapa reaksinya seperti itu, ia begitu lelah memikirkan dan meyakini kalau isi amplop itu adalah hasil ujiannya yang mengecewakan atau ada surat peringatan dari kampus. Hehe. Kini aku yang merasa bersalah. Anyway, masa-masa pengabaran tentang kehamilanku sudah berakhir kini waktunya untuk move on to the next level which was a check-up.
Pemeriksaaan pertama kehamilanku ini terjadi hari Jum'at pagi tanggal 18 Mei 2012 bersama dengan Adinda karena kebetulan dia tidak bisa ditemani oleh suaminya dan suamiku juga kebetulan hari Jum'at pagi masih sibuk dengan kerjaannya di kampus. Aku akhirnya memilih dokter laki-laki yang sama dengan yang dipilih Adinda dikarenakan hanya dia yang mahir berbahasa Inggris. 
Pertama kali itu aku mendengar detak jantung buah hatiku, dag dig dug, subhanalloh, alhamdulillah, laailaahaillalloh, allohuakbar...usianya saat itu sudah beranjak 7 minggu, jelas saja ia sudah dikaruniai ruh. It was perfectly AMAZING! Terima kasih ya Alloh...
Trimester pertama yang aku rasakan sungguh indah, damai, dan sangat bahagia terlepas dari sleep disorder dimana tidur malamku yang sering terganggu di awal-awal trimester ini dan belakangan hari ini. Aku tidak mengalami morning sickness, nausea, mual, muntah dll. Alhamdulillah aku hanya mengalami nose bleed setiap kali bangun tidur, itu pun tidak parah. Hidungku pun tidak mengalami sensitivitas tinggi terhadap bau-bauan menyengat seperti bau makanan, alhamdulillah aku masih masak dan malah jadi ketergantungan dengan asyiknya memasak, aku belakangan sering masak masakan yang unik lalu mengabadikannya dengan kamera dan mengunggahnya di FB meski hanya untuk konsumsiku sendiri dan ditag ke adikku, neng Cuked. Aku jadi merasa seperti a sexy chef a'la Farah Queen. Hehe.
Kini hari ini, Rabu 20 Juni 2012, usia janinku genap 12 minggu atau kurang lebih tepat 3 bulan. Trimester pertama sudah terlalui dengan selamat dan bahagia semua tidak lain hanya karena kasih sayang Alloh SWT semata. Semoga Alloh senantiasa menganugerahi aku, suamiku, buah hati kami kesehatan, kebahagiaan, ketawakalan, keluasan serta kelancaran dalam menjalankan proses yang sungguh memesona ini. Aamiin ya mujibuddu'a...

The Solitude

It has been 6 days since he left for Turkey in the reason of attending and joining a conference along with his fellow student. 
Last Thursday, April 26th 2012, in the morning I came along with him to campus in order to capture our moments before he left me alone aboard in a foreign home. We took some pictures with various stunning backgrounds of a wonderful campus. Flowers were still blooming and spreading their nice fragrance. 

us with the purple and red rhododendron

sight seeing a fish pond

the watef fall

I never thought it would be this though; spending every second without him. Maybe I am just not accostumed to it.
The first day he left, at night I could not sleep a wink so I decided to make some snack made of fish I bought that afternoon in the traditional market. It occured to me to remember what my neighbor has made which was Tekwan. Then I made it by following the procedure and the ingredients from internet. After a couple of minutes, it was done. I did it. It was delicious combined with Miyok or seaweed I bought that afternoon too. I ate it that mid night since it was a sleepless night.
The second day, my friend asked me to have a picnic in down town. We equipped ourselves with meal for lunch. We took a bus, then arrived in a super market with clothing sale. Then we took sometime to stop by, look for some cute clothes and buy it. After an hour, we headed to the park for having a picnic. It was such a shiny day that we ate our lunch, had a chit chat, and took some pictures slowly. We savored every minute there until I got home and felt the loneliness again.
The third day, my friend, who is the tutor of UT Korea too, and I went to Seoul, same place as our previous TTMs (Tutorial Tatap Muka). The schedule was for proctoring an exam try out. We finished our responsibility at 4.30 pm. We directly took a bus, subway, and a bus to our home town in Cheongju. We finally got home around 8.30 pm. It was totally exshausting until I realized I was alone at home, it become devastating. 
The fourth day, I woke up so late that I did not conduct a sunnah fasting. I lay down on a matrass for so long, until I had a desire to go jogging. Then I jogged and did some exercise in a small valley that has a few gymnastic equipments. It was a perfect afternoon to do some exercise; the wind blew often, a summer breeze, and the birds tweeted beautifully. Not to mention the trees danced and their dried leaves created a natural music for this solitude. That perfection still could not sweep away my misery.
The fifth day, I heard some noise from the school beside my house. It reminded me of my neighbor's son, who was gonna join that competition in that school. Then I went there looking for them, but I did not make it. I then decided to go to campus bank to pay the gas bill. My Good Lord, the bank was closed maybe because of the labour day that day, yes it was May 1st 2012. I went back home then decided to take some water from the free of charge water taps (I actually do not know how to call this publice service properly). I also offered my neighbor some help to take water for her family. I was tired, but my heart felt more. He did not go online lately, maybe too busy in the conference. I always pray for his best. 
Well, today is the sixth day. I went back to the bank and thanks God it was available. 
How long will I remain strong? Let's just count the day then.

The Beauty of 한복 (Hanbok)

If you're a big fan of Korean Drama, especially the classic one like Dong Yi, I bet you're familiar with Korean female traditional outfit called 한복 (read Hanbok). Well, in a wonderful time in Fall, I once took a strool and had a window shopping in Hanbok store. Not only was I allowed to take a picture of each Hanbok, but also I was allowed to put on a marvellous hanbok! It was awesome since not everyone has that kinda lucky chance. Here are some photographs of Hanbok in that store:

And if you feel like to buy one of those 한복, let me know by contacting me through my email: tira_sari30@yahoo.com. Have a nice dreaming of having one of marvellous Hanboks!

Korea Selatan Di Mata Si Katro

Bagi seseorang yang ditakdirkan menjadi warga negara maju seperti banyak negara di benua Eropa atau beberapa negara di benua Asia, seperti Jepang dan Korea Selatan, hal-hal yang mereka lalui tiap harinya mungkin tidak dianggap sesuatu yang "ajaib". Namun bagi saya seorang yang lahir dan besar di negara berkembang seperti Indonesia, tinggal untuk beberapa bulan di negara maju seperti Korea Selatan, melewati hari-hari yang dipenuhi dengan "kemajuan dan keberadaban" yang ditawarkan warga dan pemerintah di negara ini adalah suatu "keajaiban". 
Meminjam istilah host sekaligus komedian Tukul Arwana, panggillah saya katro atau ndeso atau kampungan. Namun banyak hal yang menurut warga asli sini biasa saja tapi tidak bagi saya; bagi saya hal-hal tersebut adalah suatu keajaiban sampai saya berfikir "koq bisa ada orang yang bikin ini atau itu, ngelakuin ini atau itu dll". Pokoknya semua serba menakjubkan bagi saya yang lahir dan besar di negara yang teman saya sebut sebagai "Planet of the apes" sangking hampir semua warganya tidak pernah bertindak layaknya seorang "manusia" yang memiliki akal bertindak, ya ambillah contoh kecil yaitu mengantri. Di negara kita tercinta, mengantri bukanlah berbaris dari depan ke belakang akan tetapi dari samping kanan dan kiri. Weirdo? Indeed. Sampai-sampai dosen saya yang pernah tinggal lama di Autralia pernah menjadi "korban" antrian yang aneh namun biasa ini karena ia telah terbiasa mengantri dengan normal yaitu berbaris dari depan ke belakang. Walhasil, pengantri yang taat seperi dia akan dikalahkan oleh semua warga yang mengantri dengan brutal. Di Indonesia susah kalau mau taat, karena kita harus melawan jutaan orang yang tak taat. Alhasil, dari pada kita jadi korban seperti dosen saya tadi, mending ikutan aturan main mereka yang dominannya tidak taat. Mau gimana lagi? #deep sigh.

Banyak hal-hal yang ajaib bagi saya si katro dari Indoensia ini, diantaranya adalah:

• Mesin Jualan: mesin jajanan, minuman, sampai kebutuhan perempuan seperti sstttt pembalut. Mesin ini bisa di temukan diantaranya di sudut gedung kampus dan sudut dekat toilet subway station. Buat saya semua ini ajaib, karena selain di Bandung tidak pernah ditemukan satu pun mesin jajanan seperti itu, mesin-mesin ini juga menawarkan keefektifan dan kenyamanan instant shopping. Efektif karena kita bisa langsung memilih jajanan atau minuman yang kita ingin di satu display dan efektif karena uang yang disisipkan ke dalam mesin akan langsung "memberikan" kembalian kita dalam beberapa detik. How quick! Nyaman sebab kita tidak usah merasa khawatir dengan cashier (kalau cashier-nya anak muda sih biasanya ramah-ramah, tapi kalau cashier-nya ajumma alias ibu-ibu itu loh yang juteekk ny minta ampun kalo kita lama nongkrongin milih-milih barang belanjaan) yang menunggu kita membayar atau paling tidak nyaman ketika kita tidak jadi membeli. Kita cuma mau liat-liat barang yang di pampang di display aja juga boleh. No body cares! and the most important thing is no body gets mad when you decide not to buy anything!
• Water dispenser: di Negeri Ginseng ini pemerintahnya tidak pelit sama air minum. Yups! Kita bisa banyak menemukan water dispenser di beberapa tempat umum, dan gratis tis tis. Di gedung kampus, biasanya dekat toilet, di super market, bisanya dekat elevator. Dan uniknya lagi, gelas buat minumnya pun di sediakan dan lagi-lagi gratis. Anehnya gelas gratis ini tidak seperti gelas yang biasa kita temukan di Bandung dan sekitarnya, gelas ini terbuat dari kertas. Yeah, seperti kertas buat nulis, dilipat-lipat dan menjadi bentuk seperti ini: 

gelas kertas kampus CBNU

• Kran air minum gratis: lagi-lagi air minum adalah hal yang penting di Korea Selatan. Pemerintahnya sangatlah concerned tentang ketersediaan air minum bersih bagi warganya, mungkin karena air minum adalah hal yang vital bagi manusia selain mungkin bagi negara maju ini, air minum adalah hal yang murah jadi pemerintah membagikannya dengan cuma-cuma. Dan perkiraan saya yang lain adalah mungkin karena orang sini terutama orang tua seperti ajossi dan ajumma nya paling doyan jogging, running, exercising dan hiking. Hmmm aneh ya, yang hobi olah raga itu orang tua loh! Katanya anak muda nya lebih suka minum-minum soju dari pada olah raga. Coba bandingkan sama warga kita, orang tua olah raga? sangat bisa dihitung jari, anak muda olah raga? lumayan lah kalau kita pergi ke beberapa tempat pusat olah raga, seperti gelora bung karno di Jakarta, atau gasibu di bandung, tapi mereka lebih berolahraga untuk rekreasi. Ya kan? Itu sih pengalaman saya. hehe. Saya lebih suka pergi ke pusat olah raga untuk jajan-jajan dan window shopping! Olah raga yang aneehh. Kalau pun olah raga sesungguhnya, saya pernah rutin senam aerobik di dekat rumah di Bandung. Seru, berkeringat, dan bersemangat karena dentuman dangdut koplo yang di pilih teh Iis sang intruktur. hihi.

Kran air minum (lagi-lagi) gratis

• Seperangkat alat gym gratis di lapangan olah raga: seperti yang telah tadi saya singgung, orang sini terutama orang tuanya sangat hobi olah raga. Jadi tidak salah pemerintahnya menyediakan seperangkat alat olah raga yang disebut K-Power (perhatian, bukan K-Pop ya) ini di beberapa lapangan olah raga atau malah di atas bukit sekalipun kita bisa menemukan alat-alat gym ini.

gaya dulu ah, bukan olah raga dulu ah.

• Subway alias kereta bawah tanah yang canggih: sejak kecil saya sudah suka nonton film Hollywood dimana ceritanya kadang ada setting subwaynya. Dulu sampai sekarang sebenarnya saya masih takjub dengan negara maju yang peradabannya sangat jauuuuh di depan negara berkembang seperti negara kita. Bagaimana ya orang bisa bangun stasion kereta bawah tanah yang begitu luas, lebar, dan dengan kualitas kereta yang diatas rata-rata kereta patas kita. Dan bersihnya itu loh nggak ketulungan, nggak ada satu sampah pun berserakan di lantai stasion kereta bawah tanah di Korea Selatan ini. Mantaps.

Salah satu elevator stasion kereta bawah tanah yang curam

Ajumma yang tertidur di kursi khusus lansia, ibu hamil, ibu menyusui, dan ataupun disable people

Monitor pengumuman datangnya kereta 

Suasana di dalam kereta bawah tanah

• Pasar tradisional/ 시장 (sijang) yang bersih: nggak usah malu atau takut muntah-muntah kalau kita mau berbelanja sayur, ikan dkk di pasar tradisional sini karena ngebayangin pasar induk Gede Bage atau pasar Ujung Berung yang bau dan bentuknya bikin mata dan hidung kita trauma. Di sini pasar tradisional benar-benar ditata sedemikian rupa sehingga tidak ada bau tidak sedap atau tanah yang becek kotor sehabis hujan. Yang bisa kita cium hanyalah wangi daging yang dipanggang, wangi berbagai jenis gorengan yang dijajakan, wangi  두부  (dubu) atau tahu yang baru diangkat dari mesin cetaknya, juga wangi sayur mayur dan buah-buahan yang segar. Berbelanja menjadi menyenangkan tidak kalah dengan berbelanja di super market.

Lapak seafood beserta sang model eh sang empunya

Beragam ikan teri dan kim/rumput laut kering

Sayur mayur ala Korea

Pasar yang kinclong 

Well, I guess that's all for now. Mungkin segitu dulu yang sekarang saya ingat hal-hal di Korea Selatan terutama di tempat saya sekarang tinggal bersama suami yang bikin saya takjub. Once again, I must admit that I am a Katro person who admires all seems-to-be magical things in this so-called developed country. Hope oneday Indonesia can be like this too, aamiin.

Manjadda wajadda is the key to success

An inspiring novel especially for pesantren graduates like me

If you do not feel like watching domestic ordinary movies most of them telling about teenage lovers, family conflict, (sorry to say) sex comedy, or horror yet vulgar casts, you might not want to miss this hilariously inspiring movie telling about the power of determination and perseverance; Negeri 5 Menara (five towers land). You will feel no regret watching this movie since there is a myriad of advantages you could take after moments of shedding tears, lauging out loud, feeling touched, getting motivated and especially for me and those who used to study in an Islamic boarding school will be having heartfelt and vivid memories of spending precious adolescent times in pesantren.

This movie is one of a kind considering the setting is pondok pesantren called Pondok Madani (abbreviated as PM). I think most Indonesian movie lovers are not that familiar with Islamic boarding school because there is only a few of producers or directors who are interested in making that kind of movie (before this movie was released, there are some pesantren setting movies such as Sang Pencerah and Dalam Mihrab Cinta). Fortunately, for other alumnus of Islamic boarding school, this movie really represents their deepest thought about making the wildest dreams come true including going to a prominent university and going abroad regardless people’s assumption concerning the flaws they had because of studying Islamic values inpesantren would hinder them to get that dream. 

The battle of exhibiting who can pursue the greatest dream to study in ITB (Institut Teknologi Bandung) between Alif and his best pal, Randai, had dragged him to fight with his parents’ decision of sending him to PM. Randai, other people, even Alif himself thought it was impossible for a pesantren graduate to pursue such dream in the result of pesantren lack of science knowledge and social subjects. Alif assumed it would be a very ordinary dream if he finished studying from PM and later he ended up as a religion teacher or a preacher.  That is why he and his best buddies, Raja, Said, Dulmajid, Atang and Baso, called Sohibul Menara decided to have extraordinary dreams instead. Besides it occured to them to have special talents and he similarly was gifted a linguitic potential that led him to be an excellent journalist one day.

Alif’s parents were portrayed as wise and attentive parents. Eventhough he was againts his parents’ decision of sending him to PM, their parents were able to tame his stubborness by making him understand of their hope that PM could make him good at Islamic values and a decent muslim. This disagreement was overcome with tender, caring and love communication between parents and their son, especially his father. They were able to go through it withoung getting into a fight and hating each other due to the proper communication; his father told him exactly what their dream about him was, what kind of person that they expected him to become, and eventually he could comprehend it and granted what his parents wished. This kind of parental guidance and communication that every child needs; to be understood what goal and dream he or she wants to achieve and to understand what his or her parents wish them to achieve in life. By having an open communication, their either slight or bold distintive vision will eventually meet in a solution agreed by both sides like what happened to Alif and his parents. 

Vividly, the values were taught to him and other santri in PM, made them realize that they must live their life to the fullest. There is a value says that the greatest man is someone who gives most beneficial things to others. This makes them always willing to help one another. They did not mind lending money when their friends need it. Nor did they mind sharing foods with roomates. Even when it came to someone’s biggest problem such as deciding to quit the study because he must take care of his sick grandmother, they cared for him and tried to find another alternative to choose though he finally had to quit it. This kind of solid friendship or what-so-called brotherhood is probably merely found in pesantren surroundings since the living togetherness in pesantren forms its own warmest athmosphere among its residents. This movie obviously depicts that people who spent their youth in pesantren were thought to be the kindest man not the one that our media recently exposed them in a very deceptive way; telling our society that they are terorrists. 

Spending youth in PM was not as horrible as Alif imagined before. The strict rules, stern teachers, disciplined and tight schedule always frightened him and made him unwilling to settel down. Only his accidental fraternity with Sohibul Menara that motivated him to bear and fit in PM and all its regulations. Along with his best friends, Alif learned how to live independently; doing chores by himself, being responsible for all decisions, studying all nights to pass the exam, coping the situation of being broke (running out of allowance) and many of others. Being independent does not mean that they did not help each other out during hard times. It is because they also were taught that the best human being is the one who gives more benefits to others. They shared the predicament they faced, they helped finding out the solution, they helped each other lending some money to those who more needy, as yougsters they even helped each other violating the school rules. The memorable moments Alif spent with his best friends in PM are delighfully  described in the movie; the fun, the amusing events, the jokes, and so on. 

Religious, decent, devout and inspiring teachers (usually called Ustad, arabic term) had turned Alif and all of his friends to have faith that santri (pesantren students) like themselves had the same capability and opportunity as modern students did. They spreaded the magical and charming principle of manjadda wajadda (those who are determined will surely succeed). This saying was injected everyday to the santri(students). They were on fire to do all school works not only because of their responsibility to the school but also as the worship they did to Lord. Every deed they conducted was based on lillahita’ala (seeking Lord’s willing). Many Islamic principles were taught to them in the hope that they would become both a great muslim and a great dream pursuer. In other words, they were expected not only to succeed in life but also succeed in afterlife. 

Finally, this movie is absolutely worth watching for everyone especially those who desire to get something more than a joy and entertaiment, something is a invaluable life lesson. This movie offers beyong that, to be precise, it gives us the spirit of perseverance and dreams. Keeping faith in God’s Greatness and believing in ourselves as well as having our parents’ and friends’ supports also prayers are most likely the menu for our success.  And for me this movie is so special for it brings back my memory to my precious moments spending my adolescence to study in pesantren.

A Heavenly Waffle

Today is Monday, April 16th 2012, when I tasted the most scrumptious waffle on earth \^.^/. I will never let this memory go of my mind since it blew my mind instead. Good Lord...is every word my friend, Witha, and I murmured while enjoying the waffle.
This afternoon was supposed to be the day we hunted for some blossoming cherry blossom flowers, but rather we found it disappointing that some of their petals were gone by the wind. It was not that perfect timing to capture near those kinds of fallen flower trees. Thus, we decided just to take a stroll by the side of the road and look for some well-known Korean snacks, one of them is Odeng. Then we let ourselves have some, actually I only ate one Odeng and my friend had more than one, Odengs. When we nearly finished our Odeng, her Odengs actually again, kkkkk, it just crossed my mind about waffle, my favourite dessert, even though not so many waffles I have ever tasted, I asked if she also knew about the waffle shop or whatsoever near the vicinity. And she said that she has her own favourite waffle vendor which is absolutely incredibly yummy. Well, since I still remember that the waffle shop I once had a crush on when I took a walk with my hubby is near the Odeng vendor, then I firstly showed her where it was. Voila! She finally remembered that IT is also the waffle cafe that she adores. My my, what a coincidence! Since she had been there before with her buddies, she really recommended that we turn our failed-cherry blossom-hunting to enjoying the waffle in that cafe. I was broke at that time so that I couldn't risk the budget for the rest of this month over some bites of what-so-called yummy waffle. Then she offered a help to lend me some money, yes I agreed then.
Finally, we ended up in a front corner of the elegant, retro, trendy, jazzy, cozy, naturalist cafe, which unfortunately I forgot its name.

time flies so fast when you sit there

She directly ordered ice cream waffle vanilla and strawberry flavour. The waiter, which is also the owner of the cafe, we realized it because of his face sticker sticked on the cover of the menu, it is so neat!, said " 여덟 분" means eight minutes to wait for the waffle.

Yes, we waited for no waste. In fact, it was a heavenly waffle that we waited for  여덟 분 . Due to its tantalizing appearance, we grabbed our camera to shoot its perfect shape. Here is one of our most memorable waffle we ever eat...

left angle

right angle

my name is Heavenly Waffle

just like heaven

After taking some pictures of it, we passionately grabbed the fork and stabbed the waffle and hopped it into our wildly drooling mouth. WOW! It was just like heaven. We looked at each other and laughed. We grabbed some of it over and over again while laughing. We ridiculously knew what we laugh about, it was just too perfect not to have a big laugh. It simply showed that we really do adore this waffle. Gosh! We enjoyed every little bite of it. We were truly blessed this afternoon. We were overwhelmed with gratitude and bliss. Subhanalloh, Alhamdulillah, Laailaahaillalloh, Allohuakbar.
And after finishing our last bite of Heavenly Waffle, she came to the cashier that was again the owner of the cafe. He indeed has multitalents. Another good thing about this cafe was he could speak "Selamat pagi, selamat siang". Wow! Isn't that awesome? My friend who happens to be able to speak Korean well, asked him how he knew Bahasa. He said that back then he had had an Indonesian chingu and they were pretty close. Atta boy! Not only he is good looking but also multitalented as well as is able to speak a little Bahasa.
Then when we left and said goodbye, he again spoke Bahasa "Selamat malam". So adorable he is.
In brief, this cafe is highly recommended if one day you have a chance to go to Cheongju. And would you mind telling me if you decided to hang out in this cafe? For I do not mind escorting you go there and having some free-charged heavenly waffle :).

Spring Cheongju

On Tuesday, April 10 2012, I was totally excited to witness the perfect symphony of Lord's creatures. There were birds singing, tweeting, and bees were buzzing, sucking each 벚꽃 (potcot, cherry blossom flower), and  벚꽃 petals were dancing, falling down from its tree. For others, it might not be that special, yet for me it was one of spectacular moments in my life. And it would be very greedy if I merely kept the pictures of its perfection all by myself. The following days, I spent a peaceful yet alone bike trip to the vicinity near sijang (traditional market) and a small river. Well, enjoy the picturesque moments!

Magnolia Stellata

me and her

just white and pure

fallen 벚꽃 petals

Magnolia Soulangeana Nigra

me and 벚꽃

river view

sunset 벚꽃

mid day 벚꽃

morning 벚꽃 

feeding frenzy in a pristine pond

a pristine pond 

what a beauty

just perfect

white 벚꽃

Geulis in action

close up 벚꽃

벚꽃 tree in front of Physics building

Big Magnolia Stellata 

Korean Rhododenron

벚꽃 in action

Helping Angels

My life has always been filled with joys but somehow I sometimes find it difficult settling down and getting rid of the boredom. It is six months since I got married, being a housewife, taking care of my husband, managing our finance, managing the house, running some errands, and for entertaining myself I downloaded many movies including a very long episode of Desperate Housewives. 

just can't stop watchin it! 

In last few weeks, I have felt my life was a bit rough. I just could not stand listening to his whining about how hard it was to go through the monetary crisis that happens to us lately. It seems that I am a burden. I am desperate literally. I keep asking myself the following questions, would it be better if I go back to my home country and let him face the predicament all by himself? I have been listening to his story in coping with the tough time in lab, in lectures, in writing a paper. Can I just walk away and pretend that I do not take his venting into consideration? Will I do that even he himself asks me to do so? Will I be strong to be apart from him? 
In a blizzard of confusion deciding what to choose, staying or leaving, I happened to chat with my lil siter. It was yesterday when I finally told her all my feelings and thoughts about being lonely all day long so that I wish to call it a day and go home for a little while. On the other hand, I can't help thinking what I would do if I am away from him while no one is taking care of him; making his fave meals or snacks, rubbing his back while feeling pain, serving a hot cup of tea while having a flatulence and many of others.
This deep yet humble discussion made me realize that she would support whatever my decision would be; going home with all consequences or hanging on my recent circumstance with all its conqesuences also. Then we came to a final conclusion that it would be way too complicated if I were away from him, since he is now my home whereas as Sponge Bob said there is no place like home.
What a such relieving result that finally came up to my mind. And it always Alloh sends me a helping angel; this time transformed as my sister.
The following night, while waiting for him to come home, it occured to me that I had a quite long conversation with a college buddy whom I actually had never talked to then but considering about some assignment we had had that time. She initiated the talk asking about the job I had before getting married. Afterwards, we exchanged information about it. Until I happened to compliment her achievement of graduating from Master Degree. Unexpectedly, she did not take it as a compliment but rather she started to sound envious about me and those who had a working experience compared to her unexperience in working at any institutions nor companies. 
Immediately, she talked about her anxiety (read Galauness) about it and her strong feeling about marriage. She wished that she would find a job and a man to marry too in no time. She said she always had feeling of restlessness thinking about her problems. I tried to comfort her by saying that everyone and  I had the exact experience facing the crisis time. I then shared the way I overcome it by having a distracted activities such as doing hobbies; knitting, movie watching, excercising, taking care a pet and so on. Until one day when I was contented doing those activities, Alloh decided that it was the time for me to move on to the next level in my life, which is a marriage. 
In a few seconds later, I was fully aware that my recent anxiety about staying or going back to my home country, or about the financial crisis, or my regret of having not taken a Master Degree, is not worth whining at all. I now realize that there are many of my friends are not yet married, nor worked, nor even had a chance to go abroad accompanying a spouse. Once again, Alloh has always sent me a helping angel; now is transformed as an old friend.
So, no matter how hard this life you face, remember that a helping angel sent to you anywhere, what you have to do is take a close and good look in order to find your helping angel.

On the second thought....

He told our friend what happened to us, what our cirsumstance was. And it changed his mind, on the second thought I had to heed the rule only for once then I would quit afterwards. Well, it looked like I had no other options but to do what I was told. It takes four meetings away after all. No hard feeling. After that I shall block all of their accounts. That's it. Farewell. 

Let's fight, witch!

Last night I passed out, meaning I was terribly sleepy, then I slept while watching Sponge Bob. After a couple of hours, I was awaken by the ring from YM. It was him. He told me that I've got a call from the witch. Yups, you know the witch we encountered last sunday, it should've been a wonderful day somehow she turned it into a disastrous day. What a wicked witch!
I woke up reluctantly, then I decided not to do what the witch wished me to. 
He was too concerned that I did not do what she commanded, in fact that I did not, he came home half an hour later. He insisted me on replying her furious sms. You know what, she asked me to as soon as possible join the meeting on Skype with three exclamation marks!!! Who the *ell she thinks she is? By the hope that he would be relieved I replied her *itch sms. Just to tell her the truth that I was asleep. Then she replied back telling that many Ss complained me about my teaching. Do I look like a give a *amn? I pretended to replied her back, but no way I would respond her insane and disrespectful utterances. 
A minute later she sms again, telling that next meeting I had to join. You bet I would NOT! Considering the way she treated me horribly badly, a big no way for her request. 
Theh her last sms popped up, telling that I should have not given the Ss a recording tutorial, since it was not appropriate. It is a broadcasting not a recording type of tutorial. Can she just leave me alone? I mean it this time, she is way too irritating like TOMCAT! 
I am actually a very responsible kind of person. But I worried that he would insist me to do what the witch told. Then in the morning, the miracle happened. He decided that I must do it on my way. Yippieee. I am now officially having his total back up. He told me that I must have a self defence of doing it my way. I have an entire rights to do it on my way. If the witch cannot accept it, she'd better be ready to watch me leaving and never coming back to ask for something in return; I'll be willing to have my pride back than to lose it by having my rights in return. 
Oooh I can't wait to see her being insane and furious because of my violating what-so-called her rules. I am the one who rules my life, *itch! If you keep standing in my way, let us fight, witch!

What a pathetic witch!

I never experienced this kind of irritating horrible moment in my entire life. It all started when my hubby and I went to Seoul on Sunday, March 25 2012. I was not in the good mood to witness this irksome situation since we got lost, came late, and were totally tired due to a long journey of Cheongju-Seoul. 
We headed to KAIST College of Business at 7 am. Picked up a taxi. Then bought two tickets to Nambu Bus Terminal. When we arrived, we straightforwardly got to  subway to meet our friend guiding us to take the right track of subway to our destination.
Unfortunately, we once took such a wrong track that we had to take several subway tracks to be in the right one. It was 10 o'clock while it was still half way to go. It meant that we would be there one hour away. I decided that my class was taken over by my fella teacher likewise my close friend as well as my neighbor. 
No sooner after did we arrive in Yaksu, the last subway of our destination, we looked for the bus 273 that would lead us to the teaching venue. It took only a couple of minutes to get there by the bus when suddenly my hubby took a glance of something familiar which was College of Business KAIST. This was it! we finally ended up in the right place, our very dearest and furthest destination. Too bad, that we could not stop the bus anytime we wished to stop, it should pull over in the right bus stop. It caused me to take several meters of strolling down the side of the road to get to the place.
It was such a thrilling moment when we at last stood in the gate of that place. There was a quite tall stairs to get to the building. We took the stairs joyfully until she, the witch, stole our beautiful morning glory. She is the ugliest thing I've ever met. The horrible creature made without a soul and apparently a slightful smile. Such a pity pity pathetic witch! She used to be my hubby's friend. Once she got hurt by him not on purpose of course. But she denied to forgive him. She haunted us with her curse. My hubby kept trying to greet her, she just pretended that he was a hollow man. What? the one that I love and respect most was discarded by nothing but pathetic witch. There is no way for me not to curse her back. Watch your step, witch! You'll just deserve any devastating part in your pathetic life.

New Role in Life

I've dreamed of studying overseas. Aussie would be my favourite country to be a destination. In fact, the Ruler of this universe always hears our whisper. Somehow, I ended up living abroad to get my husband a company. I enjoy conducting my chores, running my errands, trying out new recepies (even though not all of them called a success), managing my tantrum over something that irks me, compromising about something that urges us, negotiating our distintive desires, and on top of that sharing the stories of our new leaf.
I now get another chance to add my role; sharing something I already know or spreading profound knowledge. I'll be a tutor, not only for myself but also to others who might need it. Moreover, I'll be able to contribute to get us a little more settlement. I'm just in need to be fruitful especially to the one I inevitably care for, I irresistably love, and I accordingly spend the rest of my life with. 
Playing more than one role means we have onus to be burdened. It's not that hard-won thing to carry out as long as we are told the job desripction. How to act as a friend, a wife, a mother, a neighbor, a resident, a human-being, a child, a sister, a foreigner, a tutor, etc,. Simply the best way to savor the old and new leaf in life is to live with it passionately. Feeling free of anxiety and cherish every moment in life.
Having a new role equals to complementing the joy in life.

Kasihan deh orang yang suka dengki

‎"JIKA"

Jika ada orang bicara mengenai kita di belakang, itu adalah tanda bahwa kita sudah ada DI DEPAN...

Saat orang bicara merendahkan diri kita,
itu adalah tanda bahwa kita sudah berada di tempat yg LEBIH TINGGI...

Dan saat orang bicara dengan nada iri mengenai kita, itu adalah tanda bahwa kita sudah jauh LEBIH BAIK dari mereka...

Bukankah saat orang bicara buruk mengenai kita, padahal kita tidak pernah mengusik kehidupan mereka itu adalah tanda bahwa kehidupan kita sebenarnya LEBIH INDAH dari mereka ?
posted by Bu Senny Suzan Alwasilah


Sabar, sabar, sabar. Ketika seseorang selalu ingin berkompetisi dengan kita padahal kita tidak merasa sedang berkompetisi dengan mereka. Orang seperti ini kadang datang dari kalangan yang dekat silsilahnya dengan kita, katakanlah sepupu atau teman lama yang sudah bersama-sama dari jaman SMP. Mereka selalu ingin tampil terdepan, jauh lebih modern dan lebih maju dari kita. Maju dalam hal semuanya; harta, tahta, pasangan hidup, penampilan, pekerjaan, anak-anak, pendidikan, sampai hanya sekedar kerudung yang kita pakai. Begitulah orang dengki yang mengharapkan hilangnya kenikmatan yang dimiliki orang lain; baik dalam ilmu, harta benda ataupun ibadah, serta hal-hal lain yang membawa kebahagiaan pada orang yang tersebut. 

Kita memang tidak boleh menuduh seseorang berpenyakit hati ini (dengki/hasud), namun perilaku dan perkataannya dapat menjadi tanda-tanda. 

Perkataan orang hasud selalu meliputi sekitar kehidupan orang lain. 

• Ketika ada seseorang perempuan yang dianggap solehah karena tidak pacaran, orang yang dengki akan mengatakan perempuan itu bukan solehah melainkan memang tidak ada seorang pria yang tertarik padanya.
• Jika ada seseorang yang diterima bekerja di sebuah perusahaan yang lumayan ternama, orang hasud akan mengatakan bahwa itu hanya perusahaan kecil yang tidak akan ada jaminan kesejahteraan bagi pegawainya.
• Apabila orang hasud ini melihat seorang yang belum menikah diusia yang sudah matang alias tua (24 tahun bagi orang hasud adalah usia yang sangat tua jika kamu belum menikah, dianggapnya perawan tua. Mungkin dia aja yang otaknya ketuaan, haha)
• Orang hasud juga suka mencari kekurangan dari pasangan muda yang belum dianugerahi momongan. Tiap bertemu yang ditanyakan cuma satu "udah isi?" yang jawab aja bosen, apa dia nggak bosen ya? atau sebenarnya dia tidak punya topik pembicaraan lain dikarenakan wawasannya yang sangat sempit? Ya maklum orang cuma lulusan SMA. Hobi dia dari kecil pacaran, ya wajar kalau topik yang dia tahu hanya sekedar pacaran, nikah, dan punya anak. KASIHAN. Polos atau bodoh ketika ia melanjutkan pertanyaannya yang membosankan dengan mengatakan kalau pasangan yang belum hamil tersebut KALAH oleh adiknya yang baru menikah. Siapa sih yang mengakdirkan seseorang hamil atau belum hamil? Alloh SWT. Jadi siapa yang ia cap kalah? Sepertinya bukan polos ya, tapi benar-benar bodoh dan tolol.
• Jika ada seseorang yang sukses dalam pendidikannya hingga ia mendapat beasiswa untuk belajar di luar negeri, orang hasud malah akan menjadikannya guyonan dengan bertanya "ngapain di luar negeri? jualan baso y?" begitulah orang hasud sebenarnya terlihat sangat tolol jika sedang beraksi menunjukkan kehasudannya.
• Orang hasud sampai kiamat akan selalu mencari kekurangan dari orang lain, ketika orang yang selalu ia harapkan hilang kebahagiannya lambat laun mendapatkan pekerjaan yang menjamin kesejateraanny, menikah tanpa pacaran, mendapatkan suami dengan kualitas diatas rata-rata (pekerjaan dll). Namun belum dianugerahi anak, maka itu lah yang jadi mangsanya. Ketika ia memutuskan untuk menjadi ibu rumah tangga saja tanpa bekerja, itulah mangsa utamanya. Begitulah orang hasud yang sibuk mengurusi kehidupan orang lain karena kotornya hati, lemahnya iman, sempitnya cara berfikir dan minimnya pekerjaa yang diurusi alias kurang kerjaan.

Semoga kita terhindar dari penyakit hati yang satu ini dan penyakit hati lainnya. Dan semoga kita dilindungi dari orang-orang berpenyakit dengki. Sabar selalu dalam menghadapi orang yang kurang kerjaan dan IQ-nya jongkok ini ya karena kita harus mengasihaninya, selain penyakit ini bisa menggerogoti amal-amal solehnya, juga kesehatan jiwa dan raganya, disamping dosa yang juga mengikutinya setiap kali ia merasa Alloh tidak adil menganugerahi orang lain hal-hal yang jauh lebih indah dari yang ia terima. Begitulah, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.