A Touchstone of Faith

2018 the Year of Faith

Getting prepared for snorkelling in Abang Island, Batam, Indonesia

Dear readers, 

I believe you may face troubles and difficulties to be solved several times in life. For me 2018 is so special, lets say one of the important phase in my life. I believe 2018, is a moment where life gives me a test, a foundation to shape me to be the current me now.

Here what I learned through out this 2018. 

Put a Minimum Standard for the Future Spouse

Rarely I share about this kind of writing but yeah, it's almost time I just write everything pops in mind. I never put certain standard in meeting a significant other (SO). Nor his profession, his wealthy, his face, education background, etc. I am so simple, as long we have same faith in Jesus Christ, then anything is possible.

However something happened in 2017, where I add this specific standard : "RESPECT". It is no love if you have no respect to your spouse, including how to treat your spouse's family. Respect includes ability to say sorry if you might hurt someone you love. 

Love is an action. Sometimes, when we fall in love, we might not see our SO weakness/fault and just accept him the way he is. Love is accepting but it shall improve us to be a better person. 

By 2018, situation put me and that (was) SO together, whatever how close we were and how much effort he made trying to make up his fault, I am so sorry, it is not enough. There is a line he should never cross. When he crossed it, an apologise is what I needed. I do not need fake laugh, smile, and taking picture together like there was no problem at all. I never accept his apologise until now but yeah I am praying at least he will never do it to other people. 

So there, I have a faith where I should put a minimum standard for any SO : he has to RESPECT me. There is no tolerance at all. Once he crosses the line, that's the end. I don't ask much, do I? :)

When You Said It, You Mean It

I grew up with enormous readings about chivalry, kindness, good side always win over the bad side and they influenced my character. I am a person who believe in doing good deeds, and nothing to be worried about in life as long as you do the right thing.

This faith is not only for me but also I retold this to my family member and my students in Timika, Papua. Meanwhile, there was a situation where I know EXACTLY in front of my face was not right. I was trying my best to make a positive change and reported everything by hierarchy. The result was NOTHING. I did my best for 5 years, and still believing until the end, I am proud to be me who work with integrity and honesty. I mean it. 

I could not work in circumstance which is not right and broke my faith in life : the good side shall win over the bad side. Money could not buy me. I work professionally, I sell my skill but not my soul. It was a difficult situation where I took the decision by faith : God will provide. And yes God provides! :)

God the Provider

I resigned from my previous job without knowing where is my next job. I had farewell statement in last days at school without knowing where should I work next. I just had a faith, it was intolerable and that's the END. 

I sold my furniture at Timika home to my besties and let them decided the price : air conditioner, gas and its stove, cupboard and motorcycle. Moreover, I shared my kitchen utensils, desk, washing machine and never think to convert everything into money. 

What did I get later on? Everything returned just perfect. I moved to a boarding house provided by my school in Batam and everything is full-furnished. Everything! Including the plates and kitchen utensils, air conditioner, washing machine, plus wifi connection as a bonus! God is so good! :*

God Always Knows the Best for You

It has been months when I decided to move out from Papua, I was so troubled. How my heart wanted to stay in Papua but my logic said how come if you have no job to feed you there? I kept praying anyplace I shall go, is what God think the best for me. When the result of my prayer is Batam, what could I do but believe it's part of God's plan.

First months in Batam was not really difficult since I knew I was going return to Papua in September 2018. However, after returning from Papua everything becomes worse. I have no more reason to return to Papua. At all. 

First, something really evil happened in Timika so that I even could not see them anymore. I could not describe it here as a matter of privacy. But it was so EVIL. Let God deal with them. I worked in Papua with good will, made my best effort there and working professionally. God blessings are always there for me. What do you think could happened if the contrast thing occurred there? It is not my portion to answer it, but lets conclude it this way : you reap what you sow :)

Second, my last connection to Papua which is our community library, closed. Before, I made commitment to submit a teaching material once in a week for our community library in Timika, Papua. We were only three, by my time moving to Batam, only 2 left. Hence, one of the team moved to Jayapura, and only 1 person left in our library community. That person could not managed the community library alone and so yeah, unfortunately it is closed.

Amazingly, staying in Batam opens my eyes to reach a lot opportunities to learn new things and return to explore my old flame in watery life hahaha. By 6 months living in Batam, I went overseas twice for a workshop and conference. I am connected to full service of internet and I am able to improve my ability in writing. I had my IELTS Preparation course. I do snorkelling again and schedule my diving lessons. I have delicacies and comfort in life (back to the city life) : Gojek, Gofood, mozzarella pizza, Movie Theatre (CGV, XXI), and so much more :)

Could not wait for God's best plan in my life.

Friendship is about Quality not Quantity

I am a person who love to explore new things including meeting new friends. It is not difficult for me to build communication and friendship with strangers. However, by 2018, I am convinced that friendship is not talking about numbers but quality.

I learned a real friend is someone who brave to scold you when you are wrong (in a good manner). They would not believe in issues but to check on you first. They open about themselves, who they are, what problems they are facing, and listen to your side. 

To find a high quality friendship I mentioned above is not that easy. In my five years in Timika, Papua, I realise from those number of people who usually show up in my facebook, not everyone is a real friend. 

I am grateful to God, in my final time in Timika, Papua, God showed me who're my real friends. Moreover, it's true that they are my real friends because until now we still have good communication. So that, here in Batam, I take my time just relax and do not force myself to attend any regular meet up if I do not feel I want to go there. 

I learned my lesson to build friendship by quality and prefer to know other people carefully first. If I am sure enough a person can be trusted, then he/she would have the privilege to know the deepest side of me. 

A Million Dreams

Just like my previous post in A Million Dreams, staying in Batam opens my eyes for opportunities to improve myself. Including to set up those million dreams I have and challenges I have to conquer. It would not easy, need effort and faith that I am able to complete those questions of life. Those dreams are my energy and focus for life. 

That's how I reflected the whole 2018 and prepared for what the 2019 shall bring : a prosperous life ahead. Life is a never ending learning journey. Have a faith...

Bintan, 30 December 2018

A Million Dreams

A World That's Waiting up for Me

Tiny me :)

Who knows how chaotic life would be there and here for this tiny little me? My pastel world changed into mixed colour canvas. In one side it might be folded, cut, burned, or erased but still I think a big part of the pastel colour stayed in me.

For me, writing is a calling which healed me. When I felt alone, none understand me, or no one trusted enough to share the story with, I will write. Just recently I decided to put writing into serious effort, to build Pustakawan Mendunia and join this Blogger Perempuan Network Challenge. I took the risk to be known to the world that Friska Notes belongs to me, and might be read by anyone, both by people who know me or not (yet).

A Million Dreams are Keeping Me Awake

When I stayed in Papua for 5 years, my mind and focus went to my job and voluntary actions for education. I rarely see what could I do for myself improvements, including writing. I was so busy, and had a full agenda schedule for a week. It was very rare to see me staying at home only because I had meetings and preparation for teaching in our voluntary actions. I almost forgotten the inside me needs an advancement to learn.

By this July 2018, God sent me to moved out from Papua to Batam. I learned my lesson to be selective building friendship and have more time to write and set up mind for my vision of life. In Batam, I am connected to the internet frequently, broaden my knowledge and networking to many aspects of life. I'm thirst of learning.

Do you think it is easy to move to other place after those 5 years spectacular journey of life in Papua? My vision of life and dreams are the ones who keep me sober and survive by 6 months working and staying in new place Batam. I have a faith that God send me to Batam for a reason, and I would find the purpose why I moved to Batam. The same way I understand when it was my time to leave Papua.

I managed to use my time wisely in Batam, especially to advance my dull skills in writing, awake my courage to travel further, with a fruitful purpose, open my mind boarder into Asian / the world view. It seems like God blessed me with beautiful things I once sacrificed while my 5 years working in Papua.

I wrote several posts about this vision and purpose of life in The Rebirth of Mobile Library Concepts, Do or not to Do?, The Traveller of Thoughts, Explore. Dream. Discover., Outside of the Cocoon, Are You Ready to Go Further?, Darwin's Laboratory : The Galapagos Islands, Happy Birthday to Me!, The Vision.

Live in The World that We Design

In my opinion only 3 things we human could not capable to decide : when and how you were born also your family, to whom you fall in love, when and how you are going to die. Other than that, I believe, as human, we are created with a free will. Nothing could stop you but you.

If that something you working on is bringing positive influences to people, trust me : God is working together with us :) Have courage to pave our way to reach the millions dream we have. Part of my dream is excel on of my talent in writing. I wish to share good news through my writings to inspire people who read it. Just like me who always get pumped and full charged after reading good readings written by Paulo Coelho, etc.

Pustakawan Mendunia, writing the evoking children books, publish articles in Library and Information Scientific Journal, are in my hustling and occupied mind. I wish through my writings, experience I had as a librarian, literacy activist, and as a growth deep thinking person, I could answer a little part why I am here, born in this world. I am not wasting my one chance of terrific life given by God.

Writing in blog is helping me to build a pavement to these dream. I would continue to share my life experiences, struggle I have, and how to overcome them through this blog. I am a human after all :)

This is not the End

Today is the last day of Blogger Perempuan Network Challenge, we reached the 30th day and 30th posts in my blog. I succeed to fight over my lively schedule, tiredness, and sometimes sleepy head came in between hahaha. Lets put a pause to cheer myself for a while, but hey this is not the end :)

Furthermore, our last topic today is about my blogging target in 2019, and no words could describe it better than paving my way to reach a millions dreams I have. Moreover I would like to say my gratitude to P!nk who sang "A Million Dreams" with her daughter, Willow. It is so heart throbbing for me to see the tomboy Pink could have a compassion motherhood to her daughter. Their love is so pure and innocent. You may see it here.

This youtube video remind me, we could have a millions dreams but won't it be exciting to share and reach these beautiful dreams together with someone we dearly love? Thank you P!nk and Little Willow, Besos por todas :*

I will have mine, share and reach our million dreams together :)



Batam, 19 December 2018

Five Basic Tools of Productive Writing

Into the Writings

Dear readers, by the time I am working on Blogger Perempuan Network (BPN) Challenge, I just realized that I enjoy writing. I admit answering this full month, 30 days writing put pain, challenges, and happy feelings for me. 

Pain, to force myself keep checking if there is any grammar error in my writing. Challenge, today should post at least one writing. Happy, when I see the beautiful posts in my Friska Notes. These mixed up feeling give me more confidence to figure out that probably I'm into writing :)

However, this 29 days spent with lack of sleeping, because of my perfection in grammar writing. I keep checking and rechecking my posts for hours, hahaha. Every thing seems in hurry because I have my deadline to write one post per a day for BPN Challenge. 

Anyway, do not be worry, after this BPN Challenge, you would find me keep writing in Friska Notes and update more posts in Pustakawan Mendunia. Writing has been a part of me and my vision in the future. You would see me around :)

Let me share with you 5 website I frequently use to support my writings in blog.

The Sources of Inspiration

As a writer, sometimes we get inspired by events around us or something which we read or watched. I would like to share the top 5 website which help me to learn surrounding and improve my writing better :

1. Wikipedia

https://www.wikipedia.org/

Almost everything you do not understand, you always can ask Wikipedia. As a librarian, I know the sources of Wikipedia is not 100% reliable. Wikipedia is a source where anyone could submit, add, or edit any information inside, whatever that person capacity is. Wikipedia contents authority is not clear, if we see it from Library and Information Studies perspective.

However, one strength that I admire from Wikipedia is the their simplify text written. Several times while I was looking for a "scientific based" explanation about a term, the official resources provided the "heavy" description. Vice versa, Wikipedia able to explain it smoothly using common words and direct to the point.

Let me promote Wikipedia as a warm up reading to help us understand some ideas, and I suggest you the develop those ideas more through the official website resources :)

2. Ted Talk

https://www.ted.com/

I seldom watch TV. I only watch TV for Mata Najwa in Trans7 every Wednesday night. Just in case in the other day I watch TV, I will put it into music channel. I have no time to watch TV and btw I hate watch news. You do not mistakenly read this, yes I hate watch news. I found there is no good news in television, since people in media believe bad news is a good news.

So that watching Ted Talk is really entertaining and inspiring for me. What is Ted Talk? It's channel where you could meet and share ideas in communities around the world. People sharing wisdom channel, that's for the brief explanation of it. 

Ted Talk's theme contents are various and so wide, from social to science, from psychology to Extraterrestrial life. The speakers come from many nations who work on their passions with no tirelessly, they still continue to make miracles thorough their life for others. 

For the whole world they might be no one, but for people around them, they are the world to make a change. Watching videos in Ted Talk will put you into positive vibe, and motivate us to think what we could do to be a part of making human, human.

Kindness, love, and hope are still exist in this world :)

3. Thesaurus https://www.thesaurus.com/

Tesaurus http://tesaurus.kemdikbud.go.id/tematis/

Yippee, we got into my favourite part, it is thesaurus. First time I know thesaurus is when I was in junior high school. I really like to see how beautiful vocabulary words we have. Both working for Thesaurus in English and Bahasa Indonesia. They enrich my words in writings :)

4. Dictionary https://www.dictionary.com/

Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia Daring https://kbbi.kemdikbud.go.id/

Dictionary is essentials for us, writers, to make sure we understand the definition of a new term or given by thesaurus previously. Furthermore, Dictionary.com has an application available in android and they provide us a word of a day. If you read and remember this word, for sure after 365 days you would add new 365 words.

Everyday Dictionary.com choose a fancy word and share us the history of that word, and a quote made by that words. If you like to read and playing words like me, you might have fun with it :)

5. Google Translate 

https://translate.google.com/

Our savior in knowledge! Google Translate was launched on 28 April 2006 as a machine translation and even they improved it as a "tap" mode. If you read a not English website, this tap will show up on your screen. All you have to do is: tap and choose language translation you prefer from 130+ choices. 

Most important thing is: it's FREE. 

God bless you full, the most Larry Page, Sergey Brin, and Google Team! You make us able to access knowledge in the world for free :)

Share the Enthusiasm

People said a good writer is a good reader, but does it implement vice versa? These five essentials website I mentioned above, been there for years, but not everyone 'lucky' enough to write. Writing is a calling.

I would love to share the encouragement of writing through my Friska Notes and Pustakawan Mendunia. If by the time you reach this page, I would be very happy if you happen to be a writer also. Please do not hesitate to leave comment and share your blog address.

Batam, 18 December 2018

Now Everyone Can Fly Abroad

The Majestic Tagline

2010 first time flew with Air Asia to Johor Bahru

Dear readers, you might ever heard this "Now Everyone Can Fly" tagline from Air Asia owned by Tony Fernandez. I once wrote about this in Cheap Airflight in Indonesia, inspiring!!! and Budget Airlines All Over the World in 2010 supporting to these tagline :)

My friends and I bought free seats flight ticket from Air Asia with the base fare only for Rp 0,- to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Yes, you do not mistakenly read that. It's Rp 0 :) Since then, my mind opened that flying abroad is something possible for everyone. At first, I think we could only go anywhere based on Air Asia's route, hahaha. Later on, I'll show you that we have more choices than Air Asia.

However, by the time, the website Air Asia is so crowded in the peak time of free seats fare. It is more difficult to get into the website in the peak time. Furthermore, I stayed in Papua for 5 years, where I found I have to add more cost for my flight Timika-Jakarta and estimate 2 more days to have Timika-Jakarta round ticket. That's why, I am not into the free seats fare anymore and rarely see any promotional fare flight ticket.

Have a Kiss of Life

Thanks to Batam that located very close to Singapore (only 45 minutes by ferry), it opens my eyes. I AM in Batam! Hello! I have 2 options now whether to choose overseas flight base from Jakarta or Singapore, with many options available. If you think Air Asia is the only one who provided the cheapest ticket, you are wrong, babe :)

I'll share you flight website where you surprisingly could find best price for travelling abroad, except for Air Asia. However since at the moment this post written our Indonesia Rupiah is at low level, I'll use SGD currency. Just to make us feel at ease read the price in a smaller amount, or you can always buy the free seats Jakarta-Singapore first, then continue your flight from Singapore :)

There are 5 airlines website which I recommended to buy affordable flight ticket abroad :

1. Scoot 

Where to check the promo flight ticket fare:

https://www.flyscoot.com/en/travel-deals

Scoot is a Singapore based flight company. You could check directly on their travel-deals link above and could update any next destination based on your departure city. I bought my Scoot ticket on November, for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Singapore for only SGD 20. Are you preparing to go to Europe? FYI, Scoot also provide flight from Singapore to Athen, Greece only costs us around SGD 250 for a way. 

You could reach these destinations through Scoot : Nanchang, Berlin, Honolulu, Harbin, Kuantan, Kuching, Singapore, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Athens, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Ipoh, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Macau, Kaohsiung, Taipei, Osaka, Sapporo (Hokkaido), Tokyo, Seoul, Amritsar, Chennai, Hangzhou, Dalian, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Shenyang, Tiajin, Haikou, Shenzen, Ningbo, Xi'an, Jinan, Nanning, Quanzhou, Wuzi, Zhengzhou. 

Stay tune in Scoot :)

2. Jetstar

Where to check the promo flight ticket fare:

https://www.jetstar.com/sg/en/deals

Jetstar is a Melbourne, Australia and Singapore based flight company. I bought my flight ticket from Jakarta - Singapore with only cost me SGD 30 with Jetstar in 2017. They offered a lot of options to fly to cities in Australia, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, USA, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam with affordable price. 

If you have a plan to visit cities in Australia and New Zealand, Jetstar would be a perfect place for you. They provides flight to these cities: 

Australia

Australian Capital Territory:
Canberra, New South Wales, Byron Bay, Newcastle, Sydney 

Northern Territory: 
Uluru Ayers Rock 
Darwin 

Queensland: 
Brisbane 
Cairns 
Gold Coast 
Hamilton Island 
Hayman Island 
Mackay Sunshine Coast 
Townsville 
Whitsunday Coast 

South Australia: 
Adelaide 

Tasmania: 
Hobart 
Launceston 

Victoria: 
Melbourne 
Melbourne - Avalon 

Western Australia: 
Perth

New Zealand

North Island 
Auckland 
Napier 
New Plymouth
Palmerston North 
Wellington 

South Island 
Christchurch 
Dunedin 
Nelson 
Queenstown

3. Cebu Pacific

Where to check the promo flight ticket fare:

https://www.cebupacificair.com/en-sg/pages/seat-sale-promo

2011. Otw home from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) to Jakarta (CGK) with Cebu Pacific

This is a Manila, Phillipines based flight airlines. I flew for my Jakarta-Manila Cebu Pacific only cost me 6 SGD in 2011. Regularly they offers promo flight tickets in special occasion, such as Phillippines National Day or their Heroes Day. They provides flight to destinations in Philippines, China, Dubai, Guam, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

If you would like to explore Phillipines with affordable flight ticket, Cebu Pacific is your best option : Bohol, Boracay (Caticlan), Cebu, Coron (Busuanga), Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Manila, Palawan, and Siargao.

3. Garuda Indonesia

Where to check the promo flight ticket fare:

https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/sg/en/special-offers/selected-best-fare.page?

2010. Just arrived in Ahmad Yani International Airport, Semarang, Indonesia

You might be surprised, but yes Garuda Indonesia offers a very competitive price for their Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair period. I bought my aunt flight ticket Singapore-Jakarta for our 2014 New Year events only for 50 SGD. I noticed also Jakarta - London round ticket only for SGD 1,038. 

If you prefer to have comfort while flying but do not mind to pay bit pricy, Garuda Indonesia Airlines is an excellent choice. Garuda Indonesia got awarded for 5 star airline Skytrax for recent years, and I am proud to be a member of Garuda Frequent Flyer.

Garuda Indonesia provides every flight to big cities in Indonesia, and for other destinations in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Netherlands.

5. Singapore Airlines

Where to check the promo flight ticket fare:

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/special-offers/flight-from-Singapore/

Never be sceptical about Singapore Airlines (SQ) luxury image, if you haven't try to check their website first. Recently I do window shopping-traveling between airlines company websites to look for my next travelling inspiration. I surprised to see that Singapore offers a very interesting fare deals, Singapore to Seattle round ticket only for SGD 988.

SQ offers more interesting round ticket flights fare to Europe, such as Johannesburg (SGD 908), Istanbul (SGD 918), Dusseldorf (SGD 978), Copenhagen (SGD 1,008), Rome, Zurich, Milan, Barcelona (1,018), Munich (1,038). If you have a plan to visit USA or Europe, please make sure to check SQ flight fare first. Who knows they might have better options :)

Prepare for the AHA Moment

Prepare Your Passport

As my tips, you could put these website address as your bookmark in your Chrome, Safari, or Opera and open it every morning. Put your next year calendar beside your computer, and estimate how many days left for your annual leave.

All you need to do is :

1. Prepare your passport, 
2. Saving money, and 
3. The right moment these airlines offer the flight ticket matched with your dream destination, you could just book and issue the ticket.

Definitely now everyone can fly abroad. Lets pray so that we have stronger Indonesian Rupiah currency rate in the future :)

Batam, 17 December 2018

Love Never Fails

The Happiness

I had written a post about Happiness in Simple Life previously. However, the Blogger Perempuan Network Challenge asked us to write about 5 simple things which happiness in our life. So that I would modify my previous post into this new post :)

In my opinion, love never fails to bring happiness and joyful excitement in our life. Let me share the 5 simple things I do which bring joyful spirit throughout my days.

1. Pray and Have Reflection

Wake up in morning and pray is always a good way to charge my battery of life. 

How lucky we able to live another day as God's grace. Moreover, I reflected what good things I could do today and how I could manage my time wisely to reach my purpose of life. 

2. Sing Your Theme Song 

If you read my previous post Soundtrack of the Revival Life, you would find the top 10 I used as my soundtrack of life. I usually play the song while taking the bath in the morning, and sing along with it. Singing the today's theme song always pump my energy and motivates me that there's still positive hope for the future.

3. Call / Get a Call from Your Favourites

Get someone special to call you, or vice versa, is another simple thing to make me joyful. 

It could be our family, best friends, or the significant other candidate :)

4. Share Kindness to Anyone, Anytime Possible

Nothing brings me more joy than the happy tingling thing when I know a little help from me could brighten someone's day. As easy as helping open a door for someone, lift heavy grocery shopping, lend a pen, smiling. Remember, your smile is contagious. So much more we could do to brighten our days and others...

5. Someone Helped Me Just in the Right Time

It always happens. I am a person who rarely asked for someone's help. I tried my best to solve my problem alone. Sometimes, I face difficult time and do not know how to answer the challenge of life. However, always, always, I am saved just in time.

Spread the Love

Happiness in life never comes from having possession for things. "The world" might teach us about being materialistic, buying luxuries, or having lavish lifestyle. However, at the end of the day, we know those do not answer our happiness in life.

You could be the richest person in the world but you have none to share your happiness with. You are with many people at a precise moment but you feel alone. People know you as the coolest person in the world but when you arrive home you feel empty.

When you understand that you are loved and you able to love others, just love with nothing attached. Then, yes, you have found the source of the never end joyful and happiness' energy. Just in case, none tell this (yet) to you today, I would love to say this to you, "You are loved."

Spread the love and believe me, love never fails :)



Batam, 16 December 2018

Beauty Begins

How does it Begin?

I think this quote is perfectly describe about beauty : "Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself" Thank you to Ms Coco Chanel :)

If you read my previous post in this blog, you will know I wrote "beauty" as a topic several times. This post shared about my disappointment in life, where people tend to appreciate others based on the look only. Furthermore, you will also read about my enlightenment I got while I was reading "How to be a Lady". Read more about it here.

Moreover, Bible also support to know and love ourself first through Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

'Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself'

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.' 

So it is impossible to realise how beautiful you are; if you do not be real, to be yourself. Why am I so confident about this? Because I am a living survivor of it. After you have this enlightenment and be at peace with yourself, the beauty you will appear and you just need to keep up to maintain the physical treatment.

Identify Yourself

2012. By the end of my 6 months project in Surabaya

The key of your physical treatment is to identify yourself. Learned how to understand your skin type and the surroundings. FYI I never had a pimple until my 20s. Before, I only washed my face with water, and there was NONE pimple on my face.

After my 20s, in the time when I worked on my theses, I did not know whether it's caused by hormone or stress, my pimples were there. You may read my previous post about it here. Thanks to the high pollution city and traffic jam forever Jakarta, I NEVER be at home by 5 pm hahaha. I usually arrive in Jakarta home after 10 pm, and do not sleep right away. So that I lack of quality sleeping hours. And yeah, the pimples were there.

By the time I moved to Surabaya in 2012, I had a good lifestyle. I arrived home early, the latest by 5 pm I should arrived at home. If I went outside on weekends, usually I arrived at home before 10 pm. Since my dormitory house's will be locked by 10 pm. Thank you Ibu Cipto :*

Six months after stayed in Surabaya, my skin was recovered, and NONE pimples at all. Yippee.. I was so happy. So that I keep in mind that I found sensitive skincare is the a perfect match for my skin.

Identify Your Surroundings

2013. Almost at the end of China Journey, I was in Langmusi

By 2013, I began my adventure to China for 55 days. You may read about it here. I continued to have my sensitive skincare at that time. However, it didn't work! I traveled in China from Southern to Northern, and from West to the East, where the climate change was extreme. From a desert to coldest temperature 5°C where my skin became stressful and dull.

I did not understand at that time. I thought there should be no more problems since I use my perfect match skincare for sensitive skin. Later on I found out, the problem should be the water I was using to wash my face. I used tap water to wash my face, and we never know whether it was clean enough or not, and the temperature of the water was various. If I visited the cold temperature place, the water was extremely cold, vice versa.

From this lesson I learned to wash my face using mineral water bottle when I traveled.

2014. Timika, Papua, Indonesia

However, when I moved to Timika in 2013, my skin was in trouble for years since I did not understand about the surroundings (yet). At the first three years I still wash my face using tap water and just walked around without using hat or umbrella. FYI the heat in Timika, Papua is that worse! The sun rays are very hot, no sunblock brand could ever function well.

I always go outside using sunscreen but nothing works. Later on I learned that we have to cover ourselves from direct sunlight. At the beginning I only used cap and later on I used umbrella. You might see it ridiculous, seeing me use pink umbrella in the middle of daylight. However, I saw the result already, my skin recovered very fast within my fifth years in Timika and it was improved also with help of the suitable sensitive skincare products.
 
Sensitive Skincare Products

I never use any beauty products until my 20s and that's why I became paranoid with chemical in beauty products. I do not want to have white skin, just be healthy and brighter as my natural skin colour underneath. Moreover, I am into natural products and found sensitive skincare products are the least product which use chemical. Here is 5 sensitive skincare I currently use to maintain my skin :

1. Red A Tea Tree Oil and Triclosan

I use this as the first step cleaning my face. Put the cleanser on the cotton and wipe it on my face. This face cleanser is all in one type, so that we do not need to use any toner after used it. Unfortunately it is difficult to find this in Batam.

2. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

After used the Red A cleanser, I will use Cetaphil with water. 

3. Sebamed Moisturizing Cream

After use the Cetaphil, I use this Sebamed Moisturizing cream as my base cream. If I am going to go outdoor, I exchange it with sunscreen

4. Viva Loose Powder

The Viva loose powder refill only cost us Rp 3.000,- ! It is that cheap but the most important thing is it's perfect for my sensitive skin. I used it for years and whatever new brands offered me, I would refused. Why I have to take another risk trying something new when I found the true love of my sensitive skin: Viva Loose Powder :*

5. Natural Cucumber Mask

2018. I used cucumber mask in Timika, Papua, Indonesia

This is the last treasure I found in 2018. A recipe of natural cucumber mask. Grate the a cucumber and mix it with a sachet of full cream milk (do not use the chocolate milk). Storage the mixture into your refrigerator and put it on your face daily. So, you have to spare your time to do it. I know it takes your time, but natural beauty never go wrong.

I used the mask for the whole month, it truly expand my skin glowing and restored my face skin. The acne scars were removed.

Being Old Gracefully 

2018. Christmas Celebration in Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia

In conclusion, be at peace with yourself, learned to know what is your skin type, identify your surroundings, and what skincare suitable with you. Moreover, please pay attention for nutrients intake you have and do exercise regularly. Beauty and health are our savings for the future.

Would not it great to spent our old time healthy, able to walk around, swim, travel, and hike together with the (future) grandchildren. I have this vision to be old gracefully, and lets have this beauty begins everyday :)



Batam, 15 December 2018

The Paradox of being a Bataknese

The Golden Time

I almost forget most of memory from my childhood. I don't know which one erased that, whether my conscious or the unconscious mind hahaha. I remember memory from my childhood at home briefly. However, the strongest impression I had in my childhood is when I confronted with my culture, Bataknese.

I was born and raised in Jakarta, from a 100% Batak blood family heritage. Lucky me, stayed in Jakarta helped me to build fondness in reading. Once in a month my family used to visit a bookstore in Blok M and my father would buy a book for me.

Furthermore, I read a lot of storybook, folktales, and bible stories which boosted my honour of chivalry, honour, and honesty. My readings, knowledge, and this courage sharpen me as a child who think first. I would ask so many questions until I got the point, and finally willing to accept it or not. My childhood is the first foundation where I learned and questioned many aspects in life, and it grows until now.

The little me and the adult me still until this moment, cannot accept a forced (one) way to communicate thoughts. It will never work. Including to understand my culture, Bataknese.

What is Bataknese?

So, what is Bataknese tribe? Just in case maybe you do not know yet or you are not Indonesian. Our Bataknese ancestors lived nearby Toba Lake in North Sumatera and our family line is forwarded through male domination (patriarchy). Even though I am the eldest between my brothers and sisters, seniority doesn't work by age in Bataknese family. You have to be male and voila you are the king of the house.

The little me, found out how my parents treated me differently to my brother. My brother could refuse to do something, and said no. Meanwhile there was NO negotiation for me. A request asked by my parents was an order. "Because I said so." maybe this is the perfect phrase to give you a way to picture this conventional Bataknese lifestyle.

One major power from Bataknese is our philosophy of life : Hamoraon (prosperity), Hagabeon (honour/respectfulness), Hasangapon (having descendants/son). Bataknese believe that we can fulfilled this mission of life by doing this "Anakkon Hi Do Hamoraon di Au". This phrase means my children are my treasure. We have the song also, btw.. You may check it here.

Based on this strong philosophy of life, Bataknese parents would do everything in power to have their children get best education in life. Their children is the family treasure! You might visit a Bataknese family house and found they have humble house in contrast with the elders' proud story about their children. If you have a time to stay longer, you might ask them. This is what commonly happened in Bataknese family, including mine.

The Paradox

The bright side from our Bataknese philosophy, the parents give the same chance to both daughter and son to pursue higher education. Compare to other tribes in Indonesia who doesn't give the same chance to get education for both genders, we Bataknese women are quite lucky in this side.

However, I found this is quite thrilling.

We are educated to understand things around us, to have wisdom of life so that we can pursue a 'proper' life and be a blessing to others. Furthermore, we, Bataknese are nurtured to be able speak up our mind. This combination later on could turn out to be outrageous when we learned that not everything taught by our parents and our culture is suitable with current world.

What will happen next, if you speak out your mind? As a little child I had NONE voice to tell my opinion. Parents are always right. But, as an adult woman, I have power to say "No" and stand to defend my causes.

These are several things I found troubled as a Bataknese who view it from gender equality. My apologise if you are happened to be a Bataknese also. You might want to give comment, this should be the conventional Bataknese ways. However, I am there for years, since my childhood. I was born and raised in the capital city of Indonesia, Jakarta. Moreover I worked in Timika, Papua for 5 years and these situations frequently remain:

1. Blood line up and heritage are came from male line (patriarchy)
   NOTHING can be changed about it. You have to accept that.
2. Bataknese man is strongly suggested to marry a Bataknese spouse, vice versa. Even in several conventional Bataknese families, it's a MUST.
3. A Bataknese wedding should produce a son, more sons will be better. But a son is a MUST. You have no son yet? Try harder (or again). In worst case scenario, the husband could divorce the wife to marry with other woman for this purpose.
4. Whatever, however knowledeable a woman is, she could not make decision. The husband would do, he is the king in the house. His will should be her command.
5. The women place is in the kitchen. If we have a Bataknese community gathering or else, women should stand by in the kitchen, coordinate the man's gathering and fulfilled with numbers of snacks and coffee
6. The boys could have fun with their playstation, meanwhile the girls have to be stand by in the kitchen
7. Sons would be the most valuable treasure in the house and they might be free from domestic works at home : cooking, cleaning, or washing. If you find a Bataknese man who can cook, you meet a rare gem :)
8. The one who made decision in family is father. If the father had passed away, this role would be replaced by the first son. Daughters have no voice to be considered.
9. Ompung (grandparents) could stay in their children's house but he they have to stay longer in the first son's house. He is the leader of the family.

The Choices We Have

In my childhood, I felt mistreated differently compare to my brother and it shaped me to be the current me. I choose not to give up and defeated by conditions I had. Furthermore, I learned to appreciate others, be more perceptive about gender equality, and observe how Bataknese culture bump into it.

It is not easy to stand forward and tell your opinion to others, as a woman. Not every one can accept the fact that woman can be as smart as man. Be brave and confident to be yourself, break that border called, "... because I am a woman". Do something or not, based on your thoughts and consideration by logic. Do something because of the you, you.

If you prefer to remain silent, then be with it, but do not regret or grumble later on. Whatever people might say, their opinion never get off throughout our life. You are not people pleaser, or get blindfolded. Moreover, your always have these three reactions to answer life problem :

1. be an optimistic (you can do EVERYTHING), 
2. be a realist (you can do MOST of the things with consideration and risk taken) 
3. be a pessimist (NOTHING you can do)

This is what makes life more interesting. I choose to be a realist! I am a Bataknese and it is a fact. Whatever who am I and what I do in life is made by my decision. I respect Bataknese culture but I open to modern advancement where the role of marriage should be a partnership between husband and wife.

Do not expect me to obey everything the (future) husband said without any strong reasons or logic. Do not expect me (only) to do the domestic house works without a help from (future) husband.

If all you need is a woman who is white (fair skin), looks good, can cook or cleaning the house, marry your rice cooker or hire a maid. You do not need a wife :)

The future family my (future) husband and me will have is: we will treat the (future) children equally. Sons might help cooking in kitchen, and daugthers could go outside the house to play football.

Do not force me to labour more than 4 children only to make sure we have son. I am human, not a 🐱

Really wish to have husband who is conscious that marriage is a lifetime commitment, respect, and work from both side : husband and wife.

This is an example how I made decision about my future life to overcome the chain of Bataknese culture. However, I am not exclusively criticise for Bataknese or other tribes culture. What I learn is to take positive lesson from your culture and improved the lack side of it. Your culture might shape you, but it's you who decide who you are, and what are you going to be.

Batam, 14 December 2018

Do or not to Do?

To Do or not to Do?

Life is a never ending journey to learn and offers us innumerable choices. If we discuss about things I haven't done in life, the result will be tremendous. My mind is fulfilled with prosperous vision between faith, personal growth, family, Pustakawan Mendunia, and the questions of life.

If you are following my posts in this blog, you should realise I had explained them numerously here. So that, I would choose other 5 goals I haven't done, and not shared (yet) in this blog :

1. Excellent in the Table Manner

Every culture in the world has unique table manner as the first way to respect the food provider and culture tradition in dining. As a person who is interested in cultures, I learned table manner by doing or reading books about it. I am very lucky to have various friends and acquaintances' culture background. By experience, I learned how to eat in proper ways : Indonesia (with accustomed ways depend on the tribes), Japan, Korea, and India.

However, I find myself lacking in learning European formal table manner. I had the experience to have fine dining and read about it in advance. Even though I survived through these dining, I am still not really sure whether my European table manner is excellent or not. Since in college time, I really wish I could spare my time to have table manner course.

You might find it funny, but there is a table manner course. In my opinion, we need to learn it as appreciation and respectful to the invitee. Who knows we could be invited to attend a gala dinner hold by HRH Prince William or President Joko Widodo. Furthermore, we could invite people to have fine dining in our house, so that at least we know how is the 'proper' way to serve formal dinner place setting for our invitations.

By the time I was so busy, and what can you expect from Timika, to provide a table manner course? Lets see if I could find a way to learn it in Batam :)

2. Master to Drive a Car

Before, I never think to learn driving car (including to get the driving license). I counted already the expenses spend to have taxi is cheaper than having car and maintain it. However, after I decided to begin Pustakawan Mendunia, driving skills becomes necessary. To read it more, please read it here. 

I already had the driving course lesson in Batam and contacted them this last November. Hopefully I could registered to continue the course this January :)

3. Write an Evoking Children Book

Ah, this is a long time dream I have not done (yet). I love children, and I wish I could write something useful, to gain children's confidence inside them. I would like to make an out of the box subject, such as what R.J. Palacio did. His "Wonder" book told us about Auggie has one eye but learned to be confident to be himself, and realise that his speciality what makes him Auggie. Furthermore, "Wonder" was beautifully written and very recommended for children and teenagers. Please read more about it here.

In order to reach this, I know I have to practice writing as what I am doing now hahaha. Moreover, I have to be discipline to put schedule in writing and get an editor who can help me. Still need a hard work for this, and hopefully my writing skills grow better by the time :)

4. Go over the World's Biggest (Favourite) Library

I think every librarian in the world must dream about this place : The Library of Congress (LC), in Washington D.C., United States of America. It was build in 1800 biggest library in the world in both shelf space and number of books. The Library of Congress is the official research library of the United States Congress. 

Furthermore, New York Public Library (NYPL) also noted as the third of the biggest library of the world. I found NYPL is very active in social media and they have full of activities in the library. The whole concept library as a community centre to learn, is really implemented in NYPL.

So if by time I could visit USA, for sure I would put these visit to both Library of Congress and New York Public Library as a priority. However, please do not think my purpose only want to take picture in front of and inside the library reading room. I really wish if I could contact the librarian, so that I could make appointment to learn about the advancement the library made for people in USA.

These inspiration should be spread to many people who desperately need a pump inspiration for our literacy movement. My fingers are crossed, lets have a savings :*

To read more about this, you may open it here.

5. Challenge the Sky

Purposely put this in the last as a question to myself, whether should I do sky diving or not? I love challenge, and I believe positive challenge always drive us to door of life enlightenment. This (probably) once in a lifetime experience will change the way we see life and future. 

Before do skydiving, after paid these amount of money (and it's not that cheap :p), you will submit a letter said that this action is decided by you and I think there is no insurance will cover this, hahaha. So, it is supposed to be said, that you paid lump sump of money, only to deliver your life, into someone's else (your skydiving operator tandem). 

Moreover, Dubai is recommended by many website as the number one / best place to do skydiving. Lets see if I got a chance to visit Dubai or anywhere else bring me closer to the sky...

To read more about recommendation for sky diving, you can read it here. Moreover, if you would like to know what to prepare and what will happen while skydiving, you may read it here.

Ready or not, Here I come

To do or not to do, that is the question, hahaha. However, a dream is still a dream except you wake up and trying to make it happen. Hopefully my time in Batam can be spend wisely and fruitful within my life. Amen...

Batam, 13 December 2018