Today, Last Year

Last year. The first time celebrating birthday alone in Natuna, the westernmost island of Indonesia. That moment began with sort of working-journey accompanied the former Pengajar Muda(s) to reach their one-year life experience as a teacher. As those planning to spend a week on Ranai, the capital district of Natuna, apparently ended-up with many adventurous situation, about which I couldn't even forget it

I'd just awaken, and planned to take a walk through the coastal beach near hotel, taking a picture of beautiful sunrise. It would be one of the greatest gift God gave to me on my more-half-century birthday. A click-ringtone heard by mobile-phone. Lots of happy birthday messages. I was blessed by many resemble warms brought by nature. Thank you.

Long after it, a friend of mine called when my phone still busy receiving messages. We organized to visit Alif Stone Park, one of the most precious natural painted stones in Natuna. Riding along new long-roads, seen mixed blue-turquoise ocean mirroring with wide horizon, it should be one of the best trip of the year. But then, something happened to the motorcycle. One of the motorcycle wire was broken. What a surprise! In the middle of nowhere, it hardly lived any people, also rarely did any vehicles crossed this road, I voluntarily got out from the ride. As motorcycle was being driven to the nearest village was the best choice, I decided to walk over the side of the road, waiting for other vehicle with a nice person inside to hitchhike. It is said to be the only God knew when he/she would come to save my day. Finally, there was a car with an old man inside stopped by and took me in. I thought an angel was being compassionate to me. I was glad to be a birthday girl at that time.

After any longer and challenging journey, we therefore arrived at Alif Stone Park. As we arrived, I got a sweet surprise. Three-pieces of cupcakes which bought from the most popular cakeshop in Ranai (but, I forget the name, unfortunately). Those were made me glistened fully. What I felt was a little surpise always meant to be whatever it is. Even though you were away from people you love, the universe always cover you with happiness.

Candles had been blown and the sun closed the day beautifully. Since then, I believe that next days might not be the same as many before. As just reaching the hotel, I started to pray ; God, please give me Your blessing to attempt many ways to get my dreams come true, becoming a valuable person for humanity. Don't let me to easily tempting by sort of temporal blissful of life.

Today, twenty-eight year is not just a celebration of happy birthday as children wish for. It, however, is deeper as a life-changing-reflection. To few experiences that I have done last year, I decided to emphasise myself by means of studying more about environmental based development sector. To go through, I have to steep from the ground as beginner, both working and struggling to be accepted in several universities. I imagine that someday in five years later, I'll become an academician as well as a lecturer and a reseacher, sharing and discussing sphere of knowledges and experiences to young generation of being local-champion(s) in their hometown to be developed by a good manner on environment and socio-culture. Hence, after graduation, they will return back home, empowering local people to strengthen their potencies to meet sustainable self-sufficient finance especially in agriculture based environment. As a result, it will help reducing urbanisation chain, to which become one of the biggest problems in Indonesia. 

Hope to see the right path closer to seize that plan. Because, to dream higher is never hurt anybody, so just keep passing own tracks lightened by goals, with a bunch of respects and grateful minds through its process. As Paulo Coelho said, the universe will conspire in helping you to achieve it. I heart it, I trust on. 

IF ONLY

November - December 2016. The rainy season has come throughout Indonesia. As many big cities don't have appropriate water canal (or it used to be in past period, but it being covered with sort of infrastructure materials), so the flood has swamped residential areas that stimulating people to blame on the government. Why is the flood problems always happen annually? Asked the majority of people.

But then, there was a revolution changing Jakarta situation with controversial actions. The local government has solved these problems by dredging the river over Jakarta. As a result, a lot of illegal shacks should be displaced to housing units. While achieving the aim of its project, however, the number of people have refused it as many reasons were shouted at. Did the governor engaged them immediately? As I remember, it occured by the staffs, nor himself. Apparently, without intensively personal touch communication, it has hurted the grassroot.

Unfortunately, something happened in early October. The governor spoke faulty about Holy Qur'an, Al-Maidah : 51. This video has been virally shared in social media. Nevertheless, people has alleged him of blasphemy action. The majority of moslem alliances has shouted at him then massively congregated at Bundaran Hotel Indonesia on November 4th, which has become the starting point of others agenda, mostly about political issues. Aggravating potential treason assault, the demonstration has been guarded by millitary to continue on December 2nd, with the name of a peaceful rally (Aksi Damai 212 ; Aksi Bela Islam) inviting millions of people from west to east. The purpose of its rally is the same as before, imprisoning Ahok because of his derogatory verbal spoken of Holy Qur'an. They hope this rally would be influenced the government to do sentence to Ahok. 

In my subjective opinion, as Indonesian, we all have the same right to aspire our arguments to the government. So do we, nowadays. I agree to that peaceful rally of Ahok whereas in my perception, the purpose of rally is too shallow. I think, to forced the imprisonment is less fair due to presumption to innocence before judgement. We don't have right to judge Ahok or every offender even the worst of violences, for instance, a murder or an assassination. Yet, it might be more essential to disclose the uttermost ingrained problems affecting financial gap, a lack of public wealth, illegal logging, climate change, environmental damage, and human rights. For example, the corruption, human rights violences (Munir's premeditated murder : who's the mercenary on his case?), repetitive flood and any disasters caused by massive land convertions, multinational companies acquitition, oil & gas exploitation from other nations (Freeport unlimited cooperation agreement : how long have we been kept silence?), and also the terrorism from radical groups of people. 

If only we have a choice to be more objective, not to emphasise a mere religious view, I think racism should not be ignited over mass media. Others' provocative demonstration should not be occured due to all coverage purposes thoroughly. If it happens, the name of Aksi Bela Islam (Islamic Defence) will be vanished to Aksi Damai (Peaceful Rally) itself representing all religious worshippers, moslems were doing Shalat Jumat while others praying as theirs.

Hence, I appreciate to all the mass who have orderly and well behave toward its event. I wish it will become long-lasting unity to live on. Also, I hope we can truly open our eyes to resolve some major issues above. Let us be more excellent to analyse sort of information and be better to pick most priority concerns to discuss than racism agenda. 

PS : I've just wondered, how will happen if another minority religion is presumably blasphemed? Should the adherence(s) will plan a rally?