my dad is a free thinker

That is the term I used, when I tried to explain my dad's religious view to my Singaporean friend.

Yes, it is the term that most of Singaporean familiar with. Actually, the term is not only popular in Singapore, but also other developed countries like United States and European countries, I reckon.

They use the term "free thinker" to explain someone who is regarded as an atheist in Indonesia.

Someone who does not hold any religion, simply because he or she does not believe in God.

This post is not to highlight my dad's religious point of view.

By contrast, this post wants to highlight one point.

A point which explains how a country, through its society, should be more careful in using any term, that might create negative stereotype towards anyone.

Yeah, that is a point I want to achieve.

Question would be, why a term "free thinker" is better then a term "atheist" ?

It conveys the same message. Why is using term should be something important?

Believe me, in this modern world, we try to do our best not to offend people.

Using a right term might be one way to achieve it.

Again, in this modern era, people are more sophisticated.

They are clustered into many divisions, of economy, education, social status, religion, and many else. They have developed different way of thinking methods and all.

If we want to stay a little longer in this kind of world, we need to respect others.

There is no other way to maintain a relationship, than by starting with respect.

Using a right term, or better term, will show respect to one's belief.

Although Indonesia is a "negara beragama", it does not necessarily mean that we all should have one religion. If we should, then it means we are forcing someone to stay in a bogus faith, which is pointless.

It will be better, in my humble opinion, to respect one's decision not to have faith.

And do not look at them as they are criminals.

I said that because I know several people who think that way.

Now, do you get the point why using the term "free thinker" is better?

It is because you see someone as free, he or she is not binded with rules and regulations, in which they chose to do so.

The term atheist somehow pinpoint the idea of emphasizing that theist is the one and only way to live, which is not.

What do you think?

to be thankful is not that hard

I find today very wonderful :)

I finally had the chance to go to church, to meet God, to pray, to have communion, to go to a place where everyone praises the same Lord,

the same Almighty.

To sing, to praise your God, to talk heart to heart, to share everything with Him, after a long time I haven't done so, it's just an amazing feeling.

I found it very peaceful and overwhelming, like I couldn't stop thanking Him, for giving me such wonderful life with completely wonderful gifts.

The fact that I am here now, for a great opportunity to study, is one of His wonderful gifts. And the rest, are just too many to tell one by one. I just want to thank Him again and again, for giving me this life, for giving me all of nice people to be around, for everything.

The other wonderful thing is that I finally had the chance to meet both of my high school friends, Dinda and Ika. Both of them are now living in Singapore. Dinda is here for her study in NAFA while Ika is here for her internship - a very wonderful experience for each of them. I missed them so so much for such a long time, and unbelievably they are here!! (or I should say, I am here!! finally!! hehehehe)

We went for Orchard Road's Shopping Malls. We entered some stores, fell in love with the products, ended up chatting like crazy @ ion Food Opera or something. We talked a lot about many things, but the most interesting thing was when we talked about future.

Yes, it's always an interesting subject, but one thing distinguished the usual talk about it : we realized that we are grown up now. We weren't the same kids we used to be in high schools, busy talking about boys or stuffs. We are now a new generation of the world where we have the responsibilty to do something, to contribute to ourselves, our future, our family, and our world.

And the images are getting even clearer for Ika is going to graduate THIS SEMESTER. She will be graduating next June, the earliest among all, I think. She has to think more on her future, than the rest of us. She should find a job. FOR REAL.

The problem is that we haven't found what we are looking for. We haven't found our deep passion upon something. Dinda is quite sure about "branding" while me and Ika : we have no idea. Like me, I am still not sure about Public Relations. I am not sure about working in office from 9 to 5, sitting behind my desk. I really want to teach, join Indonesia Mengajar, but then the question would me, will my parents allow me to do that? They will always support us for everything we do, but will they be proud of us when we do something not ordinary?

After Dinda went home, Ika and I had her dinner. We continued the conversation and it got even better time to time. We were chatting about relationship, marriage, God, family, many things! The bottom line of the story was we were just so thankful to be here, in Singapore, where we can actually realize how precious life, family, and best friends are.

I want to thank Him even more.

I already miss the conversation we had.

Manda is true, we need to get out from our comfort zone, from Indonesia, and see a beautiful world outside.

Friendssss, thank you so much for the wonderful evening. I love you both :*

And I love you, Manda :)

I miss you all, best friends.

God, thank you for everything.

Thank you.

I am so thankful to have You.

jalan terus!

Rasa-rasanya, setiap kali mau menulis, pasti saja ada yang membuat saya enggan.

Dulu, saya tak pernah tahu apa itu.

Hari ini rasanya saya tahu.

Saya selalu belajar dari manusia.

Kalau kebanyakan orang belajar melalui buku, yang sebenarnya adalah perwujudan manusia di dalam kertas, saya lebih senang belajar langsung. Lewat pembicaraan yang menghadirkan fisik manusia di dalamnya.

Tapi, yang namanya teknologi selalu berkembang. Tak perlu lagi lah bertemu untuk sekadar belajar, baca saja blog orang tersebut, maka Anda akan dapat banyak pelajaran.

Lantas, apa hubungannya belajar dari blog dengan enggan menulis?

Ya, sekilas, keduanya memang seperti garis yang sejajar, tak memiliki titik temu.

Tetapi, bagi saya, jelas keduanya berhubungan.

Saya banyak melihat dan membaca blog orang-orang. Mulai dari teman terdekat sampai orang-orang terkenal dan terkemuka di mancanegara. Dari sanalah saya mulai terinspirasi untuk melakukan banyak hal. Terinspirasi juga untuk menulis.

Anehnya, saya justru jarang sekali menulis setelah saya melihat blog-blog tersebut.

Mengapa begitu?

Malu.

Kok rasanya orang-orang amat pandai ya menulis? Mengapa saya tidak?

Nah ya,

rasa-rasa semacam ini kemudian muncul.

Malu, rendah diri, pengecut.

Payah!

Sudah bukan saatnya saya merasa begitu.

Hari ini saya berefleksi,

justru dengan enggan menulis, kemampuan saya untuk menulis tidak bertambah.

Malah bertambah buruk karena kemampuannya sudah terlampau berkarat.

Jadi, sudah benar ketika inspirasi itu datang.

Dan ketika sebuah inspirasi datang, harus langsung dibawa ke meja eksekusi.

Supaya tak berkarat dan tak usang.

Justru kalau sudah begitu, pantang lah mundur.

Jalan terus!!

- river hongbao, cnye

HAVE A HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR, PEOPLE!
HAVE GREAT HOLIDAYS AND ANG PAO TOO :)

my new room :p

Tan Min Er.

Everyone calls her Min Er.

Me? I am her roomate.

We have been together for 2 weeks now.

Nevertheless, we are so close than ever!

At first, I thought I wouldn't be this close with her.

Apparently, reality shows the opposite.

The fact that she is very nice, especially to me, makes me adore her so much :)

Not only nice, but also clever : she posseses many abilities, from languages, computers, and many more.

Can you imagine, she teaches me computer stuffs to tips and trick getting a good boyfriend.

Now you know how clever and nice she is.....

With a great personality, here is the picture of me and Min Er..

The things I like the most on the first day I arrived in Singapore is the fact that I have my own room! Well, not exactly my own, cause I still need to share it with my roomate hehe but I have my own bed, I have my own desk!, and ... wait for it... my own wardrobe!!

No one will steal my clothes anymoreee!! Yippie!!!!!

:) :) :)

So here are some photos from my room ...

best best besties :)

Amanda Dwyniaputeri

Yovita Ayu Liwanuru

Lidya Trilestari Kosasih

Petra Pattiwael

Keempat perempuan inilah yang setia menemani saya sepanjang hari, di teriknya 18 Januari 2011.

Berbincang dan bertamasya serasa dunia milik kami semua.

Tertawa bahagia tanpa menengok hari esok.

Tanpa disadari, ada perjuangan berat untuk mendapatkan itu semua.

Amanda, naik bus transjakarta dari Kuningan sampai Ragunan, selepasnya naik angkutan umum panas dan melelahkan.

Petra, juga naik angkutan umum dari kediaman neneknya, untuk bertemu kami.

Yovita, memutar otak dengan keras untuk dapat mengendarai mobilnya ke daerah tempat aku tinggal, melalui jalan berlika-liku dari Meruya, Jakarta Barat, padahal hari itu dirinya sedang tak enak badan.

Lidya, ditemani sang pacar mengendarai kendaraannya juga ke tempat yang sama, dengan taraf lelah yang sama setelah kerja kelompok di kampusnya di TB Simatupang.

Tak mudah usaha kami semua untuk bisa ada di sana,

namun akhirnya takdirlah yang menyatukan semuanya.

Indahnya hari itu, karena di hari itulah Lidya menumpahkan segalanya. Petuah-petuah kehidupan yang sampai saat itu tidak pernah saya dengar. Selama ini dia penuh dengan canda tawa, jarang sekali serius, apalagi memberi nasehat untuk masalah yang signifikan, no offense.

Tapi hari itu, tak disangka dan tak dinyana, dia benar-benar memberikan petuah. Dia membuat saya sadar akan artinya sahabat. Dia membuat saya sadar betapa indahnya hidup saya, betapa saya harus bersyukur atas semuanya.

Terima kasih Lidya.

Kamu mungkin tak akan tahu betapa saya menyayangi kamu, menghormati kamu, dan menaruh respek yang sangat besar untuk pesanmu di hari itu.

Sekali lagi terima kasih.

Indahnya hari itu, karena di hari itulah juga Petra memberikan beberapa nasehat, untuk menjaga diri saya. Untuk tidak lagi menengok ke belakang. Untuk terus melihat ke depan. Untuk terus berjuang dengan penuh semangat.

Terima kasih Petra.

Saya sangat menghargai nasehatmu itu.

Sekali lagi, terima kasih.

Indahnya hari itu, karena di hari itulah kedua sahabat, Amanda dan Yovita, sudi menginap di rumah saya, dan mengantar saya ke bandar udara keesokan harinya.

Bersama kedua sahabat inilah, saya menghabiskan malam yang begitu indah dan penuh makna. Malam yang tak akan pernah saya lupakan. Karena di malam itulah hati kami bertemu dan mengikat janji, bahwa persahabatan seperti ini adalah persahabatan yang perlu kami jaga selamanya.

Malam yang tak akan pernah saya lupakan. Karena di malam itulah kami membuka diri kami untuk mengakui kesalahan, dan berusaha untuk tidak mengulangi kesalahan yang sama.

Saling mendukung dan menerima kekurangan satu sama lain, membuat hati saya semakin tenang, karena ternyata di dunia yang kejam ini, saya masih memiliki sahabat-sahabat yang tidak hanya cantik, tetapi juga memiliki hati bagaikan emas.

Terima kasih Amanda dan Yovita, kalian adalah yang terbaik. Saya amat bangga dengan kalian berdua. Terima kasih banyak untuk usaha yang sudah kalian lakukan bagi saya. Saya sangat terharu, sampai-sampai saya tak mampu mendeskripsikan itu semua dengan kata-kata.

Sekali lagi, terima kasih.

Hanya terima kasih yang dapat saya ucapkan saat ini. Saya berutang budi pada kalian semua. Saya mau melakukan yang terbaik dan berubah menjadi lebih baik.

Saya harap kalian semua juga begitu adanya.

if only

well, you know who you are.
I just need to hope that you read this and you realize for whom I dedicate this post.
yeah, it's for you.

you, the one with camera, and have created great pictures with it.
I am so proud of you.
I really think that you have that 'gift' being with your camera.
seriously, your pictures are wonderful.
you just need it to upload more on your flickr.
no need to be afraid.

you, the one whom I cared about these whole time, but never cared me back.
yes, you. you don't even ask how I am doing at the moment, knowing I have moved to someplace new and will live there for quite long time - for the first time in my life.

you, the one I miss - but can't miss me back because of your sweetheart.
that's fine.
I just miss you now, and I really hope that I can see all of your albums, cause I admire them.

goodluck for everything, dude.