Whispers of my heart

Michael Jackson.. This Is It

2009-06-30T07:13:00.005+07:00

I was getting ready to write my support for my friend Tukang Nggame when a notification came: Michael Jackson died! My first question was: THE Michael Jackson?
I heard that Farrah Fawcett, one of the firsts Charlie's Angels had died after a long brave fighting with anal cancer. But Michael Jackson?

But in seconds everything is crystal-clear: Michael Jackson is gone! The King of Pop is dead. Long Live The King.

He was preparing his last tour "This is it" this mid July. And he had made his press conference -- which turmed out to be the last -- and greeted his fans all over the world. No one know it would be his last "performance" ever. We might had lost the chance to see him performed in stage for the last time. But THIS IS IT!! I guess his works, his legacy will always stay in the heart of people who had known him — by name or personally — and hope the ups and downs of his life will remain well written for the generation to come. Let’s remember him fairly as a human being, with all his good and bad deeds, with all his strength and weaknesses. I hope he will find found the peace of mind he yearned and never had in his life.

Silently I said a little prayer -- quoting his brother Jermaine Jackson farewell words -- for him:

May Allah be with you Michael, always

Hope you will find the happiness you always seek in your life time, Michael.

Life goes on... and so I continue my writing to support a friend of mine Tukang Nggame.

SULUMITS RETSAMBEW IS NOT AN ALLIEN

2009-05-13T07:37:00.005+07:00

Have you heard about Sulumits Retsambew? I heard about these words as I was just finishing my participation in a local SEO Contest Kampanye Damai Pemilu 2009. And guess what? I WON the contest! Yipppieee....

Well, enough about me .. he3x.. Let's back to Sulumits Retsambew. Sounds weird, right? It's just not that.. after several time typing these words, I still make typo over and over again. Well, sounds weird as it is, actually is not a kind of an allien. It's just a SEO Contest conducted by Netbuilder.org. The goal is to win a place in the first, second, or third in Google’s organic SERPs for the targeted keywords “Sulumits Retsambew” and to win $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively. Interesting? If you do, hurry and prepare yourself for a loooong tiring battle lolz.

CALON PRESIDEN INDONESIA

2009-04-30T03:29:00.005+07:00

CALON PRESIDEN REPUBLIK INDONESIA

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyoyno

Megawati Soekarno Putri

Wiranto

Prabowo

Jusuf Kalla

(Sutiyoso.. Rizal Ramli.. etc etc)

CALON WAKIL PRESIDEN REPUBLIK INDONESIA:

TAK ADA
**semua maunya jadi Presiden .. xixixi*

Siapa pun Calon Presiden-nya... siapa pun Calon Wakil Presidennya, yang pasti dalam berkampanye haruslah memperhatikan masalah2 kesopanan dan moral berpolitik.

Salam Damai
Selamat Ber-Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 untuk Pemilihan CaPres/WaPres

IF I HAD MY CHILD TO RAISE OVER AGAIN

2009-04-27T07:44:00.004+07:00

IF I HAD MY CHILD TO RAISE OVER AGAIN

If I had my child to raise over again,

I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.

I'd do less correcting, and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I'd run through more fields, and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd teach less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

Source:
From 100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem & Teach Values by Diana Loomans (c) 2004 New World Library

**PS:

" I'd teach less about the love of power ... And more about the power of love"

Weeks after Pemilu 2009 for Legislative Member, I was watching the news of those Indonesian Politician busy doing coalition, no matter whether they used to be in opposite directions. Is it good or is it bad? Is it for the people or is it for themselves? Is it for the benefit of the people or is it just in the name of struggling for power?? Sorry to say it seems that they "love the power" more rather than "the power of love".

We're only the spectators.. yet at the time, our vote will determine who's going to lead the country.

I just wish they have the political maturity, to support each other no matter who will win the elections on next July.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

INDONESIA POST ELECTION : COUNTING THE NUMBERS

2009-04-22T06:13:00.008+07:00

Indonesians have voted and the Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 (the peaceful campaign) period for legislative elections has somewhat over. Yet it seems we need to continue the campaign as the political atmosphere is a bit "heating up" caused by several factors -- like elections technicalities and political negotiations to name some of them.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) negligence on the voter lists and the slow vote counting, arised some protests both from the parties involved and the people in general. These not only showed the poor performance of the commission but causing uncertainty as well. Leaders of political parties, the national rights body and a number of civil society groups have taken legal action to challenge the April 9 elections’ results. Although the 'negligence' reason is generally understood, if there were indications that these errors were intentional, further investigations and trials will be necessary. Leaders of some political parties even further alleged that many cheating occurred.

Another 'hot topics' are who's going to run as the candidate of President and Vice President on the next Presidential Elections (Pemilu 2009 for Capres dan Wapres)in June. Since there are none of the political parties gained 25 percent of vote, a coalition between parties becomes a must. And this is where the heat arisen. You will be surprised (or maybe you won't .. lolz) how two old time opponents could be friendly united to gain power and fight against the president incumbent who will definitely run for the second period of presidency. I will not go indepth about this, but I think our incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (who's Democratic Party is leading) will be challenged by former President Megawati and probably another candidates couple in the next Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 for President.

Let's wait and see, and hope everything will run peacefully.

Let's hope that the next Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indoenesia 2009 for Presidnet will run peacefully.

Indonesians Vote !

2009-04-09T08:05:00.011+07:00

Today, after a-two-weeks 2009 Indonesian Peacefull Elections Campaign (Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009), starting at 7.00am to 12.00am local time, Indonesians will begin voting for legislative member. This is the 3rd elections after the so-called three decades repressive governing by Gen.Suharto. Opposite to only 3 parties to choose from in Suharto's period, this time there are 38 national parties involved, plus 6 local parties for the special district Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Besides the difference in the amount of the parties involved, there will be also changes in the way people will give their vote ("coblos" vs. "contreng".. let me lookup the words in the dictionary later .. lolzz) and people will have options to choose over the parties or the candidate of legislative members representing the parties , for municipal, provincial and national candidacy.

This "Pemilu 2009" election which will vote for 560 legislative member is quite important since the result will give indications whether Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono -- the incumbent president -- will have a majority support thus excalating his chances to run for a second five-years-term presidency. If his Partai Demokrat (Democratic Party) fail to gain a fifth of the parliament seats - or 25 percent of the popular vote - he will have to seek coalitions from many a.k.a it would be hard for him to run smoothly .

Many pollings showed that Partai Demokrat (Democratic Party) will gain quite a significant numbers of votes in this Pemilu. The Indonesian Survey Institute poll indicated that the Democratic Party would win 26 percent of the popular vote; the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle headed by former President Megawati Sukarnoputri 14 percent; and Golkar 13 percent. The four Islamic-based parties each came in at around 4 percent (to note: quick count indicated that one of the Islamic party, Partai Keadilan Sejahtera, already gained around 8 percent) The survey, based on interviews with 2,486 people, had a margin of error of 2.3 percent. But with around 171 million elegible voters getting smarter and becoming more independent, nothing is certain.

Being a national holiday, up to this moment the situation seems calm and, despite of the technicalities shambles of the Elections Commissions, people are lining up to give their vote.

Whatever the result will be, let's hope this Pemilu 2009 will be as peacefull as the Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 peacefull campaign period.

Let's celebrate Democracy!

LIFE IS SHORT

2009-03-29T17:05:00.021+07:00

I was trapped in a traffic jammed last Thursday because of this long convoy of one party participating in Indonesian Election Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009, when my BlackBerry (not mine lolz) beeping. Feeling bored of doing nothing in the car, I opened the message and found the touching story of of a girl named Katie. I've read these a couple of times before, yet it still moves me everytime I'm reading it:

L I F E - I S - S H O R T

The girl in the picture is Katie Kirkpatrick, she is 21. Next to her, her fiancé, Nick, 23.
The picture was taken shortly before their wedding ceremony, held on January 11, 2005 in the US . Katie has terminal cancer and spend hours a day receiving medication. In the picture, Nick is waiting for her on one of the many sessions of quimo to end.

In spite of all the pain, organ failures, and morphine shots, Katie is going along with her wedding and took care of every detail. The dress had to be adjusted a few times due to her constant weight loss.

An unusual accessory at the party was the oxygen tube that ketie used throughout the ceremony and reception as well. The other couple in the picture are Nick's parents. Excited to see her son marrying his high school sweetheart.

Katie, in her wheelchair with the oxygen tube , listening a song from her husband and friends. At the reception, katie had to take a few rests.The pain do not let her to be standing up for long periods

Katie died five days after her wedding day. Watching a women so ill and weak getting married and with a smile on her face makes us think.....
Happiness is reachable, no matter how long it last. We should stop making our lives complicated.

Life is short
Break the rules
forgive quickly
kiss passionately, love truly
laugh constantly
And never stop smiling
no matter how strange life is
Life is not always the party we expected to be
but as long as we are here, we should smile and be grateful

I guess I should always remember this story every time I feel a bit frustrated and sobber about my life. Like the time when I'm close to giving up with my Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 or undergoing a turbulence in my personal life.
Be brave.
Celebrate life.
And leave the rest to Allah SWT.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Presiden Boleh Pergi, Presiden Boleh Datang

2009-03-11T07:05:00.006+07:00

Karya: Taufiq Ismail

Sebuah orde tenggelam
sebuah orde timbul
tapi selalu saja ada suatu lapisan masyarakat di atas gelombang itu selamat
Mereka tidak mengalami guncangan yang berat
Yang selalu terapung di atas gelombang
Seseorang dianggap tak bersalah sampai dia dibuktikan hukum bersalah
Di negeri kami ungkapan ini begitu indah
Kini simaklah sebuah kisah
Seorang pegawai tinggi gajinya satu setengah juta rupiah
Di garasinya ada Volvo hitam, BMW abu-abu,
Honda metalik, dan Mercedes merah
Anaknya sekolah di Leiden, Montpellier dan Savana
Rumahnya bertebaran di Menteng, Kebayoran dan macam-macam indah
Setiap semester ganjil istri terangnya belanja di Hongkong dan Singapura
Setiap semester genap istri gelapnya liburan di Eropa dan Afrika

Anak-anaknya ….

Anak-anaknya pegang dua pabrik, tiga apotik dan empat biro jasa
Selain sepupu dan kemenakannya buka lima toko onderdil,
lima biro iklan, dan empat pusat belanja.

Ketika rupiah anjlok terperosok, kepeleset macet dan hancur jadi bubur,
dia, hah!
dia ketawa terbahak-bahak karena depositonya dolar Amerika semua
Sesudah matahari dua kali tenggelam di langit Barat,
jumlah rupiahnya melesat sepuluh kali lipat
Krisis makin menjadi-jadi
Di mana-mana orang antri
Maka 100 kotak kantong plastik hitam dia bagi-bagi
Isinya masing-masing:
Lima genggam beras, empat cangkir minyak goreng,
dan tiga bungkus mie cepat jadi.

Peristiwa murah hati ini diliput dua menit di kotak televisi
dan masuk koran halaman lima pagi sekali
Gelombang mau datang,
Datang lagi gelombang setiap bah air pasang
Dia senantiasa terapung di atas banjir bandang
Banyak orang tenggelam toh mampu timbul lagi
lalu ia berkata sambil berdiri:

Yaaa… masing-masing kita kan punya sejeki sendiri-sendiri
Seperti bandul jam bergoyang-goyang kekayaan misterius mau diperiksa
Kekayaan… tidak jadi diperiksa
Kakayaan… mau diperiksa
Kekayaan… tidak jadi diperiksa
Kekayaan… mau diperiksa
Kekayaan… tidak jadi diperiksa
Kekayaan… harus diperiksa
Kekayaan… tidak jadi diperiksa

Diposting dalam rangka Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

My Funny Valentine -- the day after

2009-02-15T09:37:00.016+07:00

What happened around the globe yesterday, on the so called Valentine Day? Let's see.

Actress Salma Hayek wed her longtime partner in a romantic ceremony on Valentine's Day, in Paris, France, after calling off their engagement last July and having a 16-month-old daughter, Valentina (how sweet ). The "First Family" Barack Obama and Michelle Obama had their Valentine's Day dinner at Table Fifty-Two on West Elm Street in Chicago. Lovers exchanged sweet love poems, red roses , boxes of chocolate and had their romantic candle light dinner at the place of their choice. In some Islamic countries, Valentine Day was either banned or discouraged and people were torn between pros and contras. Either way, the Valentine mood had filled the air. So what? He3x

As for me, Valentine Day have never had a special meaning. Myself, my circle of friends and family and "close friend" never took this day seriously. No days of thinking and hunting for Valentine gifts or making reservation at the special place. Nothing religious, for no reason at all, we just never celebrate and consider the day as a special one. February 14 is just like any other day of the year. And yesterday was one of those days. I was sitting in front of my computer, trying out strategy for my participation in the SEO contest Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 (he3x.. what have I done to myself .. I would tell you about this some other time lolz ), and at the end of the day feeling low because of a misunderstanding.

And you know what? Despite what I have been saying about not consider Valentine Day as a special day, I could not help myself hoping this "Valentine Day" would not have been this bad. Funny isn't it? Well.. yeah.... so what. Suddenly I remember this song my mom used to listen to: My Funny Valentine

My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet youre my favourite work of art

Is your figure less than greek
Is your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart?

But dont change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

I listened to each and every words of the song and wished that I were "the lovable sweet comic valentine" and hoped that "each day is valentine day" ..how sweeet.. And hey!... Enough being mellow, get back to optimizing your Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009 .. he3x. I found this sweet "new" version of Rodgers and Hart "My Funny Valentine" by Bon Jovi! Don't miss this, it's cool:

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

We Will Not Go Down (Song for Gaza)

2009-01-15T01:10:00.006+07:00

WE WILL NOT GO DOWN (Song for Gaza)
(Composed by Michael Heart)
Copyright 2009

A blinding flash of white light
Lit up the sky over Gaza tonight
People running for cover
Not knowing whether they’re dead or alive

They came with their tanks and their planes
With ravaging fiery flames
And nothing remains
Just a voice rising up in the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

Women and children alike
Murdered and massacred night after night
While the so-called leaders of countries afar
Debated on who’s wrong or right

But their powerless words were in vain
And the bombs fell down like acid rain
But through the tears and the blood and the pain
You can still hear that voice through the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

source: Michael Heart

Let there be peace around the world
And always support humanity.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Gaza - when humanity stands in silence

2009-01-12T08:51:00.011+07:00

"A picture is worth a thousand words".

I can not think of even a single word to reveal what I feel about what is happening up to this moment in Gaza. So I will let these pictures speak for themselves.
Is it about religion?
Is it about politics?
Is it about power?
Is it about occupation?
Is it about blaming each other?
Is it about giving medical aids, food aids, financial aids?

What I know is ..
It's about stopping the seige, the battle, the war or whatever you may call it.
Let alone counting the dead toll/victims, one killing is too much already!!!

Saying my heartly prayer, trying to give my heartly support within my capabilites, I think now is the time humanity of those people in power take actions.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Love will find a way

2008-09-20T14:31:00.003+07:00

Can one have love?

If we could, love would need to be a thing, a substance that one can have, own, possess.

The truth is, there is no such thing as "love." "Love" is an abstraction, perhaps a goddess or an alien being, although nobody has ever seen this goddess.

In reality, there exists only the act of loving.

To love is a productive activity. It implies caring for, knowing, responding, affirming, enjoying: the person, the tree, the painting, the idea.

It means bringing to life, increasing his/her/its aliveness.
It is a process, self-renewing and self increasing.

-- Erich Fromm

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Have mercy on your spine

2008-09-19T10:14:00.010+07:00

Just a 'lil reminder :

click on the pic for larger image

Well.. sit up right when you are in front of your computer doing looooooong chatting, blogging or browsing

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Experience is ...

2008-09-10T00:14:00.008+07:00

A little note:
Never mind the illustration
Just concentrate on the wording

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Discomgoogolation ... uffff

2008-09-03T09:28:00.015+07:00

DISCOMGOOGOLATION ????
If he ever heard this word, Captain Haddock would have said: "Blistering barnicles, what on earth is that?!!!"

Hope I didn't misspell it :D

I came accross this word " D i s c o m g o o g o l a t i o n" when I visited Yehia's blog last nite. First I thought he was talking in his sleep (alias ngelindur *wakakak*) . Apparently he was not !!

It's a new syndrome, which according to a recent study, affected those who's life have become entirely too dependent to internet. It's is a feeling of distress or anxiety ones suffer when unable to gain immediate information access -- in fact, the condition could up brain activity and blood pressure level.

The terms "Discomgoogolation" comes from "discombobulate" (which means to confuse or frustrate or, acording to Oxford consice dictionary means: disturb, disconcert) and Google (the you know who ).

"The proliferation of broadband has meant that for the first time in history we have entered a culture of 'instant answers' a galaxy of information is just a mouse click away and we have become addicted to the web.

"When unable to get online, 'discomgoogolation' takes over. It was surprising to see the stress this led to in brain activity and blood pressure in participants. It seems to be especially stressful for people when they are out and about. ...................... ," David Lewis, who led the study team, was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying.

So ... if you often feel "lost" and distressed when you cannot get online/ gain access to internet to meet with your friends, or to do browsing or blogging (like some friends I know ) maybe you are suffering "Discomgoogolation syndrome" maybe I am too
But heyyy .... don't worry, you are not alone !!! At least nearly half of Britons, according to the study, suffer this discomgoogolation syndrome too.

Well I'm not going to go any further with this stress-related-syndrome. Sadly I just remembered that once I read in the news that one of the-indonesian-famous-public-figure said proudly that she communicates with her siblings online -- chat thru internet although at the very moment they are under the same roof, only in different rooms. Goshhhh.

"Too much of anything is not good for you". So I think we need to always conciously balance our life between the real world and the "faceless" cyber world -- and will not have to take too much effort in saying and spelling and curing "discomgoogolation".

source: uncle Google, inspired by:Yehia's blog

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Words Women Use

2008-09-02T12:00:00.010+07:00

FINE
This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up

FIVE MINUTES
If she is getting dressed, this is half an hour.
Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house

NOTHING
This is the calm before the storm.
This means “something”. And you should be on your toes. Arguments that begins with “NOTHING” usually ends in “FINE”

GO AHEAD
This is a dare, not permission. Don’t do it !!

LOUD SIGH
This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal-statement often misunderstood by men.
A “LOUD SIGH” means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting time standing here and arguing with you over “NOTHING”

THAT'S OKAY
This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man.
“THAT'S OKAY” means she wants to think long and hard before deciding when and how you will pay for your mistakes

THANKS
A woman is thanking you. Do not question it and faint. Just say you’re welcome

WHATEVER
This is a woman’s way to say @#$% YOU !!!

*email from my old friend*
*Be carefull guys.. listen to her attentively..watch her body languange.. or else you will get the wrong message..lolz*

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Ramadhan Mubbarak

2008-09-02T11:48:00.011+07:00

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

SHUT UP, STOP WHINING AND GET A LIFE !!

2008-08-29T15:16:00.013+07:00

Hey... if the title make you frowning, I must tell you that it's not my line . It's a title of a book I recently bought, written by Larry Winget, author of some best seller motivational books . And read carefully, it's : "Get A Life" , not "Get A Wife" -- coz a wife, so they say, could make you whining endlessly .. kidding. On second thought, you might need a wife so you can stop whining

Firstly, mind you, I'm not trying to do a book review. I'd just like to share with you the book which attracted my attention when I was scanning through piles of book in one of the biggest book store in my town. It's plain white background with shocking red headlines: " SHUT UP, STOP WHINING, AND GET A LIFE-- a kick ass approach to a better life" encouraging me to flipped thru the pages. Immediately I know I would love this book.

It's not the usual 'motivational' book. Larry Winget intentionally made a different approach for this book: to shock all the readers. What I love about this book is it seemed like the whole book content was written for me and for me only . In other words, it talked to my heart. It’s all about changing everything you don’t like about your life. I'm not saying I hate my life, I just feel my life needs recharging -- or maybe I need to make a radical changes in my life??

Larry's words might seem harsh from time to time, but his approach to personal development -combining blunt truth with irreverent humor- conveyed his message crystal clearly.
Life is serious, but that doesn't mean we should always take it so seriously.
It is as simple as: life isn't as complicated as it seems and most people would find more success, and more happiness, in their lives if they'd do a few simple things-take responsibility for their actions, lighten up, and start doing the right things instead of the wrong things. Stop complaining and do something.

If you don't like your job, call it a quit and start doing something you love.

If you dont like you friends, stay away from them and mingle with the ones you are comfortable with.

If you dont like your lover/ spouse, try to make things better, but if you don't succeed, maybe it's time for you to move on with your life by your own.

If you don't like your hairstyle, your appearance, your things, change it, move it, replace it.

Enjoy yourself. Life is too short to being sobber all the time.

I especially love this one : "When it quits being fun - quit."

And that's just the beginning!

And the next..... ?? Well.... I guess I should follow Larry's request in his preface. If you would love to know more, you've got to buy the book. I am not allowed to lend it for you

My only dissapointment was the book I bought was written in Bahasa Indonesia. I don't mean to say I'm an English expert, but somehow I can't feel the soul of the book as it was meant to be.

Now, Im going to Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get A Life

Au revoir !

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

The "First Granddaughter" of The "First Family"

2008-08-23T05:02:00.012+07:00

Not intended to compete with Katie Holmes' "First Daughter" movie , but Almira Tunggadewi Yudhoyono is the First Grandaughter -- or I'd say -- the First Grandchild of The Indonesian First Family.

Born on the Indonesian 63rd Independence Day, the beautiful baby is the first daughter of Agus Harimurty -- son of The President SBY -- and Anissa Larasati Pohan. The baby's name was carefully chosen by the family, as the believe that each name brings good du'a (prayer) and good wishes to the bearer.

Almira, name rooted in Arabic, means noble/aristocratic/exalted. Tunggadewi is taken from the name of Indonesian leading and prominent women, the Queen of Majapahit - the 14th century monarchy. Yudhoyono is the family name.

The baby will be living her first 40 days at The Merdeka Palace with her parents and her Grandparent "the President" to ensure the best post natal treatment, before moving on to live at the army barrack in Karawang -- east of Jakarta, at the suburb-- where her father Captain (Inf) Agus Harimurty was posted. The plan is highly recommended and supported by her Grandfather, as to army barrack milleu would give a good influence in the character building of the family -- to be a strong yet humble person in the future.

May Allah SWT grant her and her family strong iman/ faith and happiness always throughout her life and may her existence brings ample of joys for the family.. Amiin

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

The rainbow after the storm

2008-08-19T14:24:00.009+07:00

How often have I quoted that Life is like riding a roller coaster. But a friend loves to say that Life is just like weather. Life, he quoted, is full of storms and rainbows.

Well. I could agree with that, for me, we just see things from different point of view, but he insisted that his approach is more suitable for humanity.. whatever that means..

No body wants to get caught in the storms, yet one time unwarily trapped in it and they have to face it and somehow do everything to survive. And after the hardest struggle everyone surely hope to see a clear sky -- and if you are lucky -- with a wonderous rainbow in distance. The storm is the unhappiness in our life, and the rainbow is the happiness we always striving for.

I remember he also quoted (I said he must have quoted it from somewhere coz he could not have been that wise he3x he said he forgot where he read it) that many of the storms in our life are the result of our own doing. We can chose not to do it, yet we are doing it after all: a ragefull anger, unreasonable jealousy, split second decisions, sharp words, cruel criticism, arrogancy, selfish acts, all can be unwantedly ending in a sad situation: hurting someone you love, breaking ups with lover, misunderstanding, losing a good job, a wonderfull wife or husband etc etc -- unhappiness for us too.

But everything in life surely would come to an end. Just like a catterpilars change into a beautifull butterfly, for every storm in our life we could hope that at the end we could see a rainbow in a clear blue sky.

In our life, we could make the rainbow back by wiping all the hurts and pains, feeling of betrayal and mistrust we have caused with sincere apologizing or probably a light cheering up will do. Or on the other hand we could stay happy by doing the things we like with the people we love and conciously chose not to pull any trigger that could cause an outburst of unhappiness.

Some hurts would need longer time to heal, but I believe the hope for happiness will help us cope. This time my friend agreed with me

* kalau kata emak gue: habis gelap, terbitlah terang *

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Menjadi Indonesia (2)

2008-08-17T13:57:00.009+07:00

KITA ADALAH
PEMILIK SAH REPUBLIK INI

by: Taufiq Ismail

Tidak ada pilihan lain
Kita harus
Berjalan terus
Karena berhenti atau mundur
Berarti hancur
Apakah akan kita jual keyakinan kita
Dalam pengabdian tanpa harga
Akan maukah kita duduk satu meja
Dengan para pembunuh tahun yang lalu
Dalam setiap kalimat yang berakhiran
"Duli Tuanku ?"

Tidak ada lagi pilihan lain
Kita harus
Berjalan terus
Kita adalah manusia bermata sayu, yang di tepi jalan
Mengacungkan tangan untuk oplet dan bus yang penuh
Kita adalah berpuluh juta yang bertahun hidup sengsara
Dipukul banjir, gunung api, kutuk dan hama
Dan bertanya-tanya inikah yang namanya merdeka
Kita yang tidak punya kepentingan dengan seribu slogan
Dan seribu pengeras suara yang hampa suara
Tidak ada lagi pilihan lain
Kita harus
Berjalan terus.

1966
diambil dari buku Tirani dan Benteng
(Yayasan Ananda, Jakarta, 1993, halaman 113)

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Menjadi Indonesia (1)

2008-08-17T01:29:00.024+07:00

DIRGAHAYU
I N D O N E S I A
63 TAHUN

Commemorating Indonesian 63rd Independence Day, August 17, 2008

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Desiderata

2008-08-12T01:09:00.012+07:00

Last Sunday was like a "yesterday once more" when I heard a friend playing "Desiderata" (a.k.a You are the child of the universe) on the piano. It was an old old song I came to know long after my late father gave me a beautiful poster tittled "Desiderata". I was still in junior high school back then and not yet able to grab the hidden idea behind the writing. As I've become older (for sure) and wiser (hopefully ) I learned that this beautiful poem is about attaining happiness in life. Desiderata means "desired things" (in Latin, plural of desideratum)

D E S I D E R A T A
by: Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorance; they too have their story

Avoid loud and aggressive persons , they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater or lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans

Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is. Many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here, and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be and whatever your labour and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Found in Old St, Paul’s Church, Baltimore 1692**

PS:
For years I considered this poem was "found in Old St.Paul's Church, Baltimore, 1692" since the poster given by my late father was my only source. But yesterday when I was googling for any Desiderata videoclips or mp3 file I found out about the controversies regarding the authorship, copyright and history of this beautiful poem. Here are some notes which I would like to share with you:

- Max Ehrmann, a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana, who lived from 1872 to 1945, was the "real" author. The evidence is explained long and vivid in many sites. Like, among others, this site or this site.
- If you listen to the above Desiderata video clip , you might take the phrase second from the last line as : "Be carefull". But many source chose "Be cheerfull" since it seems more in tune with the rest of the poem, and it appears in a version published by the Indiana Publishing Co. during Mr. Ehrmann's lifetime. I myself feel Be Cheerfull is more "inspiring"

BE CHEERFULL
STRIVE TO BE HAPPY

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

When you wish upon a star

2008-07-22T09:47:00.010+07:00

Tiba-tiba saja nada lagu ini melintas di fikiranku

When You Wish Upon a Star....

** Wishing you were here **

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

My blue, blue day ...

2008-07-13T15:45:00.015+07:00

Lazy Sunday afternoon and I'm feeling so blue...for no apparent reason . Arrrrghhh I hate this feeling.

I know life could be so overwhelming -- overwhelmingly happy or painstakingly sad. And it's like riding on a roller coaster, sometime you're up and the the next time it brings you down. Sometimes it could crash too.

But as I read somewhere

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity

Douuuh.. ngomong apa seeehhhh neeeh
Daripada bersedih let's see what those 'experts' out there say what we can do to make it go away. Here it goes...

Don't stay in bed ( uuh..I love to stay in bed when I feel down), you need to get up and do something, anything !! -- exercise ( hmmmm...), cleaning house (clean already lolz), reading a book ( ok.. I can take it, I love reading), cooking ( naaaahhh.. it will make me more depressed ) , turn on your stereo and listen to the music you love ( aww.. I love this... I'll turn it on at the loudest )

If the above do not suit you best, go out side. Meet with friends ( the best !! ), go watch a movie ( hmmm.. pilem apa ya yang lagi maen...... we have "wanted" , "meet dave", "libur sekolah", "liar" playing at the theatre near me), swimming (aah dah kesorean ), shopping -- indulge yourself with beautiful things ( love this, but I'd rather saving for a trip to Bali, Austria or South Africa )

Try to analyze the situation with a cool mind, and deal with it (this is the hardest part, I guess.. but I would give it a try)

Realize that "you are not alone". There are million others who could be in much much worse condition than you are -- those who lost their loved ones, those who lost their good fortune, those who lost their faith ...

On top of that.. count your blessing !!

Count your gains instead of your losses; count your joys instead of your woes; count your friends instead of your foes; count your courage instead of your fears; count your health instead of your wealth

And remember: THINGS COULD BE WORSE !

I feel good already

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Unfortunately smoking doesn't kill ...

2008-07-10T13:57:00.021+07:00

... doesn't kill INSTANTLY !!

But maybe you'd love to suffer longer

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Do you follow your head or your heart?

2008-05-21T12:23:00.032+07:00

These last few days really were not my days. It seemed everything went to the wrong directions. No wanting to burden myself furthermore with unnecessary problems, I decided to just follow my heart and go with the flow.

"Follow your heart and you'll never go wrong," so the saying goes. Yet my mind is still wandering.

Life presents us with many challenges and opportunities.
It's about taking chances and recognizing risks.
So many crossing roads with all the goods and the bads lies ahead of us.
It could be so confusing.
But maybe it would not be so confusing after all ... if only you use your brain (that is, if I have one.. lols :p )

*Arrrggghh* ... it's so tiring... I think I need some time to rest my case, and do some "googling" for killing my time :D And I came across a seemingly interesting site, it goes like this:

Blogthings - Do you follow your head or your heart?
Are you a super logical person who follows your head? Or do your strong emotions make you follow your heart?

So I took the test, and the result brought smiles to my face. Well... a big laugh, actually .. lolz :D

You Follow Your Head

You're rational, collected, and logical.

Generally, it takes you quite a while to fall in love.

In fact, you've even been accused of being very picky.

While you're cool, you're not ice cold.

You just know what you want, and don't mind waiting to get it.

It really does not sound like me.. lolz :D
Well I guess somehow I need to follow my heart to know if it "feels right" yet at the same (try :D ) to use my head as a compass for my heart to know whether I'm going to the right direction.

May Allah SWT -- The Beneficient, The Mercifull, The All Knowing -- show me the right path to take. Ameen, ameen Ya Rabb

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Only Time Will Tell

2008-05-19T20:38:00.010+07:00

O N L Y T I M E
by: Enya*

Who can say
where the road goes, where the day flows
~ only time ~

And who can say
if your love grows, as your heart chose
~ only time ~

Who can say
why your heart sighs, as your love flies
~ only time ~

And who can say
why your heart cries, when your love lies
~ only time ~

Who can say
when the roads meet, that love might be
in your heart

And who can say
when the day sleeps, if the night keeps
all your heart

Night keeps all your heart

Who can say
if your love grows, as your heart chose
~ only time ~

And who can say
where the road goes, where the day flows
~ only time ~

Who knows
~ only time ~
Who knows
~ only time ~

"Only Time" - by : Enya

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Butterfly Lesson

2008-05-15T16:18:00.006+07:00

I'm sure most of us are familiar with this story.
I myself have read this one hundreds of times..
yet never get bored with it.

Subhanallah.
A struggle paid off.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

H a t e ?

2008-02-27T03:01:00.010+07:00

I use HATE as a weapon to defend my self ;
Had I been strong,
I would never have needed
that kind of weapon
(Khalil Gibran)

When I'm Sixty Four

2008-02-03T06:18:00.003+07:00

The Beatles,
Sgt .Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band,
1967

pLaY tHe viDeO beLoW aNd LeT's SinG aLonG

When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now.
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine.

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

You'll be older too,
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.

I could be handy, mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride,

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

Every summer we can rent a cottage,
In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera ,Chuck & Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away

Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four.

pLaY tHe viDeO aNd LeT's SinG aLonG

When brow wrinkles
and hairs grow gray
Will You Still Love Me

All You Need is Love

2008-02-02T06:45:00.003+07:00

Our Day Will Come

2008-02-02T02:08:00.003+07:00

Innaa Lillaahi Wa innaa Ilaihi Roji'un

Suharto
June 8, 1921 - January27, 2008
Father, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, A retired Army General,
Former President of Republic Of Indonesia
Leaving a mixed legacy to the country

The grim finality of death
Is like a wall of stones
Too late now ..
For any kindness to be shown

7 days had passed
Yet the controversies still heating
But whatever good or bad deeds he had done
Allah is the wisest Judge
And for us to always remember
That sooner or later
OUR DAY WILL COME

Love n Hate

2008-01-21T11:06:00.003+07:00

What do you see in the image above?? I'll bet you would read it as "LOVE".

At least that's what I said when my niece asked me about the lines written on the T-shirt she wore in our family gathering one day. I said : "LOVE" . Then she said : " No.. it's HATE" and she giggled at my perplexed face. And then she said: "Well... it could be LOVE , it could be HATE.. depends from what angle you see it". She then asked me to join her and read the letters again as she stood up in front of a mirror.

It became crystal clear for me. Looking it from a reverse mirror view...

LOVE ( is ) HATE.

Quoted:

“Do you know the old statement: Love moderately, for the person you love today may be the one you hate in future; and hate moderately, for the person you hate today may be your loved one in future.” (Related by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Tabarani).

How true.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

"Laskar Pelangi" Tetralogy

2008-01-19T08:19:00.004+07:00

(The 4th book: Maryamah Karpov would be available soon, Insha Allah)

A must read..

They will make you laugh, they will make you cry, ......

A touching real life story about friendships,

the magic of childhood,

the fruitfull experience of growing up painfully and happily...

About a first love that come sweetly,

so close yet can not be reached

About the struggles of making dreams come true.

And in believing that there is always a light

at the end of the tunnel.

"Laskar Pelangi" (The Rainbow Brigade) tetralogy was authored by Andrea Hirata, a non-writer who out of the blue turned out to be a "celebrity writer". Although a good friend of mine had recommended these books as "a must read", it took me another 2 months to buy it. I put little interest at the beginning, but when I started reading it I was hypnotized and fell in love immediately with all the characters and Andrea's unusual choice of words and innocent writing style

(Let's hope they will be published in other languages

other than Bahasa Indonesia.

Or they have already?? )

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Shed No Tears

2008-01-17T06:53:00.003+07:00

N o man or woman is worth your tears,
and the one who is,
won't make you cry

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

New Year New Hope

2008-01-01T20:44:00.003+07:00

What is a New Year?

For me..... it is just another day in my life ( lolz ).

Because we will have other "new years" celebrations along the way to another "New Year" -- take Islamic New Year (9 days to go) and Chinese New Year (feb 7 ) to name ones.

Yet I always enjoy the festive moods filling the days commencing the New Year's Eve. The fireworks. The noisy sounds from colourful various shaped trumpets in the streets. People sharing beautifull moments with their loved ones.

Some spend the supposed to be joyous moments contemplating, silently remembering the days that has passed while making new resolutions for the coming year. And for those who realized, each days meant as the counting downs of their long journey to the here after.

Nevertheless, no matter how different their approach toward the new year , they have something in common. All those excitement sublimed to one simple hope : things would be better next year.

Personally, for this year, I made no more resolutions.

I just want to be a better person, a better muslimah each and everyday. Ameen

Wish you all a happy new year. New Hope . Stronger Faith.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Happy Mother's Day

2007-12-22T19:18:00.003+07:00

If I had to describe my mom
in words
I will say that she is love,
my strength,
my world's heaven.

If only I could be
half as good as she is

From the many ways people described the word or the meaning of "mother", the lyrics in "IBU" song -- sung and written by an Indonesian famous balad singer Iwan Fals is the one I love
the most;

"... seperti udara kasih yang engkau berikan...

tak mampu ku membalas.. Ibu ... "

( "your love is like the air that i breathed..

I could never repay, mother")

We took for granted the air that we breathed. It's like it was there for us, we never asked for it, we just breathed, never gave much thought about what will we be without it. AllahuAkbar.
And like what the song told us, sometimes we took our Mother (and Father) love and care for granted.

A friend reminded me that celebrating Mother Day is "not Islamic". I could not agree more with this. Yet being a muslimah (trying and learning hard to be a better one everyday), a woman -- and one day a mother to be -- I value and honour the position of a mother in our life (and in the community as well) as what is told to me since childhood :

" A man came to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and said: " O Messenger of Allah who among the people is most deservin my good company?" He said: "Your Mother". He asked: "Then who?" He said: "Your Mother". He asked: "Then who?" He said: "Your Mother". He asked : "Then who?" He said: "Then Your Father" (narrated by Al Bukhaari, 5626, Muslim2548)

So today is our national Mother's Day. My friends reminder is a good reminder for me. Yet in fact, I never really "celebrating" it. There is no clelebration involved. Cause everyday is a Mother's Day for me.... even more, a Parents' Day :D

Dedicating this very one day for Mother does not mean we love her less in other days. It's just another reminder that we have to love, care, respect and honour our parents.
And Mother always comes first.
Happy Mother's Day ( can't love you enough, Bunda :D )

Say ALHAMDULILLAH
Thank You Allah
For My Mother
And let's listen to this beautifull nasyeed written by Yusuf Islam

"My Mother" - Yusuf Islam Nasyeed Song

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

2007-09-09T08:27:00.003+07:00

TU H A N S E M B I L A N S E N T I ***
( 9 c en t i m e t e r s G o d )

By: Taufiq Ismail

"Tuhan Sembilan Senti" ( " 9 centimeters God " ... lolzzz... ) a poem by Taufiq Ismail, famous Indonesian poet. A poem about how cigarettes have become "god" for some people. They can't live without it...in a way, they worship it.

He described how smoking has been part of our daily life.... anytime, everytime, anywhere , everywhere.... you can find the so called happy smokers. They are all around you -- at home, at school, bus station, clinic etc..... And sadly, the word " THEY " includes many of those prominent people who are supposed to set good example for the community.. : teachers, doctors, rich men, poor men.... including the ulamas (sighhhh). They who don't care about their own health.. and what worse is they are jeopardizing other people's health. HIV/AIDS would not be contagious by only sitting nearby those who suffers. But this "9 centimeters God' would. We -- the non smokers ...lolzz -- are the passive smoker, the one who bear the worst consequences.

Worshiping this "9 centimeters God" is very easy ... no need for wudlu or tayamum for purification.. no need to do ruku and sujjud for taqqarub.. all they need is to light it up, and enjoy.

At the end.. the poet prayed:
Rabbana... give us strength to fight this "new God"

Indonesia adalah sorga luar biasa ramah bagi perokok,
tapi tempat siksa tak tertahankan bagi orang yang tak merokok,

Di sawah petani merokok,
di pabrik pekerja merokok,
di kantor pegawai merokok,
di kabinet menteri merokok,
di reses parlemen anggota DPR merokok,
di Mahkamah Agung yang bergaun toga merokok,
hansip-bintara-perwira nongkrong merokok,
di perkebunan pemetik buah kopi merokok,
di perahu nelayan penjaring ikan merokok,
di pabrik petasan pemilik modalnya merokok,
di pekuburan sebelum masuk kubur orang merokok,

Indonesia adalah semacam firdaus-jannatu-na'im sangat ramah bagi perokok,
tapi tempat siksa kubur hidup-hidup bagi orang yang tak merokok,

Di balik pagar SMU murid-murid mencuri-curi merokok,
di ruang kepala sekolah ada guru merokok,
di kampus mahasiswa merokok,
di ruang kuliah dosen merokok,
di rapat POMG orang tua murid merokok,
di perpustakaan kecamatan ada siswa bertanya
apakah ada buku tuntunan cara merokok,
di angkot Kijang penumpang merokok,
di bis kota sumpek yang berdiri yang duduk orang bertanding merokok,
di loket penjualan karcis orang merokok,
di kereta api penuh sesak orang festival merokok,
di kapal penyeberangan antar pulau penumpang merokok,
di andong Yogya kusirnya merokok,
sampai kabarnya kuda andong minta diajari pula merokok,

Negeri kita ini sungguh nirwana kayangan para dewa-dewa bagi perokok,
tapi tempat cobaan sangat berat bagi orang yang tak merokok,

Rokok telah menjadi dewa,
berhala,
tuhan baru,
diam-diam menguasai kita,

Di pasar orang merokok,
di warung Tegal pengunjung merokok,
di restoran di toko buku orang merokok,
di kafe di diskotik para pengunjung merokok,
bercakap-cakap kita jarak setengah meter tak tertahankan abab rokok,
bayangkan isteri-isteri yang bertahun-tahun menderita di kamar tidur
ketika melayani para suami yang bau mulut dan hidungnya mirip asbak rokok,

Duduk kita di tepi tempat tidur ketika dua orang bergumul
saling menularkan HIV-AIDS sesamanya,
tapi kita tidak ketularan penyakitnya.
Duduk kita disebelah orang yang dengan cueknya
mengepulkan asap rokok di kantor atau di stopan bus,
kita ketularan penyakitnya.
Nikotin lebih jahat penularannya ketimbang HIV-AIDS,

Indonesia adalah sorga kultur pengembangbiakan nikotin
paling subur di dunia,
dan kita yang tak langsung menghirup sekali pun asap tembakau itu,
bisa ketularan kena,

Di puskesmas pedesaan orang kampung merokok,
di apotik yang antri obat merokok,
di panti pijat tamu-tamu disilahkan merokok,
di ruang tunggu dokter pasien merokok,
dan ada juga dokter-dokter merokok,

Istirahat main tenis orang merokok,
di pinggir lapangan voli orang merokok,
menyandang raket badminton orang merokok,
pemain bola PSSI sembunyi-sembunyi merokok,
panitia pertandingan balap mobil,
pertandingan bulutangkis, turnamen sepakbola
mengemis-ngemis mencium kaki sponsor perusahaan rokok,

Di kamar kecil 12 meter kubik, sambil 'ek-'ek orang goblok merokok,
di dalam lift gedung 15 tingkat dengan tak acuh orang goblok merokok,
di ruang sidang ber-AC penuh,
dengan cueknya, pakai dasi, orang-orang goblok merokok,

Indonesia adalah
semacam firdaus-jannatu-na'im sangat ramah bagi orang perokok,
tapi tempat siksa kubur hidup-hidup bagi orang yang tak merokok,

Rokok telah menjadi dewa,
berhala,
tuhan baru,
diam-diam menguasai kita,

Di sebuah ruang sidang ber-AC penuh,
duduk sejumlah ulama terhormat merujuk kitab kuning
dan mempersiapkan sejumlah fatwa.
Mereka ulama ahli hisap.
Haasaba, yuhaasibu, hisaaban.
Bukan ahli hisab ilmu falak, tapi ahli hisap rokok.
Di antara jari telunjuk dan jari tengah mereka
terselip berhala-berhala kecil,
sembilan senti panjangnya,
putih warnanya,
ke mana-mana dibawa dengan setia,
satu kantong dengan kalung tasbih 99 butirnya,

Mengintip kita dari balik jendela ruang sidang,
tampak kebanyakan mereka memegang rokok dengan tangan kanan,
cuma sedikit yang memegang dengan tangan kiri.
Inikah gerangan pertanda yang terbanyak kelompok ashabul yamiin
dan yang sedikit golongan ashabus syimaal?

Asap rokok mereka mengepul-ngepul di ruangan AC penuh itu.
Mamnu'ut tadkhiin, ya ustadz.
Laa tasyrabud dukhaan, ya ustadz.
Kyai, ini ruangan ber-AC penuh.
Haadzihi al ghurfati malii'atun bi mukayyafi al hawwa'i.
Kalau tak tahan, di luar itu sajalah merokok.
Laa taqtuluu anfusakum.

Min fadhlik, ya ustadz.
25 penyakit ada dalam khamr. Khamr diharamkan.
15 penyakit ada dalam daging khinzir (babi). Daging khinzir diharamkan.
4000 zat kimia beracun ada pada sebatang rokok.
Patutnya rokok diapakan?

Tak perlu dijawab sekarang, ya ustadz.
Wa yuharrimu 'alayhimul khabaaith.
Mohon ini direnungkan tenang-tenang,
karena pada zaman Rasulullah dahulu,
sudah ada alkohol, sudah ada babi,
tapi belum ada rokok.

Jadi ini PR untuk para ulama.
Tapi jangan karena ustadz ketagihan rokok,
lantas hukumnya jadi dimakruh-makruhkan, jangan,

Para ulama ahli hisap itu terkejut mendengar perbandingan ini.
Banyak yang diam-diam membunuh
tuhan-tuhan kecil yang kepalanya berapi itu,
yaitu ujung rokok mereka.
Kini mereka berfikir. Biarkan mereka berfikir.
Asap rokok di ruangan ber-AC itu makin pengap,
dan ada yang mulai terbatuk-batuk,

Pada saat sajak ini dibacakan malam hari ini,
sejak tadi pagi sudah 120 orang di Indonesia mati karena penyakit rokok.
Korban penyakit rokok lebih dahsyat ketimbang korban kecelakaan lalu lintas,
lebih gawat ketimbang bencana banjir, gempa bumi dan longsor,
cuma setingkat di bawah korban narkoba,

Pada saat sajak ini dibacakan,
berhala-berhala kecil itu sangat berkuasa di negara kita,
jutaan jumlahnya,
bersembunyi di dalam kantong baju dan celana,
dibungkus dalam kertas berwarni dan berwarna,
diiklankandengan indah dan cerdasnya,

Tidak perlu wudhu atau tayammum menyucikan diri,
tidak perlu ruku' dan sujud untuk taqarrub pada tuhan-tuhan ini,
karena orang akan khusyuk dan fana dalam nikmat
lewat upacara menyalakan api dan sesajen asap tuhan-tuhan ini,

Rabbana,
beri kami kekuatan menghadapi berhala-berhala ini.

But for the sake of giving a 'balance opinion",
I'd like to quote former Indonesian Minister of Education Fuad Hassan "famous saying"....
(I dont remember the exact wordings ...but here it goes)
" For those who don't smoke (yet),
never ever try to start smoking.
For those who smoke, dont quit"

And this following "wise words" (lolzzzzzz) was from one of my best friend:
"in the end, smoking or no-smoking, we all will die after all. So why bother?? "

Well.. the choice is yours.
Nevertheless, I'm glad there is now regulation prohibiting the happy smoker not to smoke in public places, except in the smoking area provided.

Viva non smoker ;))

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

2007-07-24T19:24:00.003+07:00

I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You

I do not love you except because I love you;
I go from loving to not loving you,
From waiting to not waiting for you
My heart moves from cold to fire.

I love you only because it's you the one I love;
I hate you deeply, and hating you
Bend to you, and the measure of my changing love for you
Is that I do not see you but love you blindly.

Maybe January light will consume
My heart with its cruel Ray,
stealing my key to true calm.

In this part of the story I am the one who Dies,
the only one, and I will die of love because I love you,
Because I love you,
Love, in fire and blood

by: Pablo Neruda

Pablo Neruda -- Chilean poet, diplomat, and politician who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Neruda was perhaps the most important Latin-American poet of the 20th century, and penned some of the most tender, sensuous, melancholy, erotic and passionate love poetry one will ever read

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

The Munafiq

2007-06-21T10:47:00.002+07:00

(HR Buhari)

With this definition in mind.. I guess we all are "a munafiq" at one time or another..lolz.

Izinkan aku ......

2007-05-27T02:34:00.004+07:00

Izinkan aku berdoa
bukan agar terhindar dari bahaya
melainkan agar aku tiada takut menghadapinya
Izinkan aku memohon
bukan agar penderitaanku hilang
melainkan agar hatiku teguh menghadapinya
Izinkan aku tidak mencari sekutu dalam perjuangan hidupku
melainkan memperoleh kekuatanku sendiri
Izinkan aku tidak memohon keselamatan dengan ketakutan dan kegelisahan
melainkan memiliki harapan dan
bersabar untuk memenangkan kebebasanku
Berkati aku
sehingga aku tidak menjadi pengecut
dengan merasakan kemurahan-Mu
dalam keberhasilanku semata
Tapi biarkan aku menemukan
genggaman tangan-Mu dalam kegagalanku

(translated from: Rabindranath Tagore)

In one important occassion of my life, beside a beautiful du'a, my (late) father read this piece of Tagore's. Thank you so much, Ayah.

**I'm still looking for the English version lolzz....

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

H e a r t

2007-05-19T01:52:00.003+07:00

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

For Daughters and Sons

2007-05-16T13:32:00.003+07:00

"Mengawal" bundaku pada setiap pertemuan rutinnya dengan sesama "Golden Girls" (lolzz) adalah bagian dari keseharianku saat ini. Hanya, gak pernah terbersit dipikiranku, bahwa kehadiranku yang sungguh biasa saja itu , bisa menimbulkan rasa "iri" dalam hati the other "Golden Girls".

One day, one of the Golden Girls whispers silently to my ears: " Gaia, we envied your mother. She's lucky to have you around. We have our chldren's car and driver to drive us, and also some amount of allowance... yet it would feel different if one time they would be willing to spare their time to accompany us.. not necessarily in the monthly gathering coz they have their own life".. she chocked back her tears...
" Once a year, that would make a difference..."

I just hold her hands.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

2007-05-15T08:00:00.004+07:00

IF....

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Poem by Rudyard Kipling

(PS: My late Ayah (father) once read this for me when I was still a kid -- and gosh!!.. in English !!!.. lolzzz. I didnt understand it words by words back then, but Ayah did tell me the core: on being a "Man" --- arrghh..!! A "Woman" to be precise :D. I was glad I came accross this poem yesterday. Dear Ayah, this is for the memory of you. I'm still trying to be one, Ayah.. and will keep on trying)

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

"Seandainya Saya Istri Aa Gym"

2007-04-30T15:07:00.003+07:00

.... if only the writer had chosen another title for this book, maybe I wouldn't even have thought of buying it.

I 'hate' the topic. And am still trying hard to fight the feeling of disappointment toward Aa Gym -- once was one of my favorite da'i. The da'i who become headline in the Time Magazine years ago. The one who talked about simple daily things in life, yet made us be thankful to what we have and learn to praise Allah SWT more day by day. The one who set examples of how to build "a sakinah, mawaddah, warrahmah family"

But somehow the title intrigued me.

"If I were Aa's Gym wife" ... What would I do????

My mind wonder a few days back, the following conversations flashing in my mind:

Saya Abdullah Gymnastiar, suami Teh Ninih, " kata Aa Gym
"Saya istri pertama Abdullah Gymnastiar," kata Teh Ninih.
Hadirin tertawa.
"Abdullah Gymnastiar adalah suami saya, satu-satunya," kata Teh Ninih pula

"I'm Abdullah Gymnastiar, husband of Teh Ninih. " Aa Gym said.
"I am Abdullah Gymnastiar's first wife," Teh Ninih said
The audience laughed.
"Abdullah Gymnastiar is my husband, my one and only,"

I smiled when I read this article. A bitter smile. " How ironic, " sadly I thought.

But there are no sadness shown in Teh Ninih's face. Only sweet smiles and sweet determination to live her life the way she believed in. After a quite long soul-searching period, trying hard to survive the turbulence in their marriage after Aa's Gym decision to undergo the so called 'polygamy', she admitted that she had come to acceptance and surrendered to what is ruled by Allah SWT -- The Most Gracious, The Most Compasionate.

May Allah SWT -- The Most Gracious, The Most Compasionate -- blessed her with stronger iman and happiness in the future and always. (The same du'a goes for Aa Gym :D)

I really don't want to go through the never ending discussion and pros-and-cons about polygamy... there are too much already, done by more authorized and knowledgable scholars around the world.. lolz.

My mother, not wanting to go into a debate also, in her casual but firm way said smilingly:
"If and when you ever had to deal with this kind of thing ... share your sadness and confussion to Allah SWT and ask Him for His Guidance. Maybe you could shed some tears, but you have to brave yourself to think and consider how it will affect every aspects of your life. Then ... make a decision. Accept the condition and go on with your life, or -- may Allah forgive -- ask for a divorce. Dont let yourself torn in between. It would only make you feel miserable for the rest of your life"

I just listened silently, thinking it must be "easier to say than done".
Nevertheless I do believe, ones have the right to choose what's best for them.

Teh Ninih had made the decision.

But If I were Aa Gym's Wife .... What would I do???
(Aa Gym is lucky he doesnot have me as his wife ... lolz)

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Wind Beneath My Wings

2007-04-15T23:52:00.003+07:00

This post is dedicated to my Bunda (mother).
No words would ever be enough to show how much she means to me....

If only I could be half as good as she is.....

Wind Beneath My Wings
by: Bette Midler

It must have been cold there in my shadow
To never have sunlight on your face
You were content to let me shine, that's your way
You always walked a step behind

So I was the one with all the glory
While you were the one with all the strain
A beautiful face without a name for so long
A beautiful smile to hide the pain

Did you ever know that you're my hero
And everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings

It might have appeared to go unnoticed
But I've got it all here in my heart
I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it
I would be nothing without you

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be
I could fly higher than an eagle
For you are the wind beneath my wings
'Cause you are the wind beneath my wings

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings
Fly, fly, fly away
You let me fly so high
Oh, you, you, you
The wind beneath my wings

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky
So high I almost touch the sky
Thank you, thank you
Thank God for you
The wind beneath my wings

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Subhanallah -- The Four Fingered Pianist

2007-03-11T13:16:00.004+07:00

A lazy Sunday afternoon. Nothing to do. Suddenly a message alert ringing on my cellphone. It was from a friend. She wrote: "watch MetroTV now. Hurry"

Lazily I zapped the remote control channel to MetroTV.

A little girl dressed in pink playing a Mozart composition in piano. Nothing unusual. But wait.....

Subhanallah. She was Hee Ah Lee.

"The Four Fingered Pianist" who was performing in Jakarta for a fundraising charity for disabled people in Indonesia several days back. I read the news. But I never expect I would feel this moved seeing her playing.

Hee Ah was born 21 years ago with only 4 fingers.. two on each hand -- some called it "a-lobster-clawed-syndrom" -- and with no legs under her kneecaps.

Throughout the program smiles never leave her sweet face. She greeted the audience with great confidence, conveying the soul of her performance title: "Sharing the Strength Of Love".

"Sharing The Strength Of Love" .. so true.

So for those who missed the news and her performance, here I would like to share with you the excerpts:

She is now a famous person in her country and other countries as well. But mind you, it was not without struggle. Watching her life line, I found her as very inspirational.
"Nothing is impossible if you put your heart and mind to it"
She taught us about patience, hard work, believe in oneself, the power of love, and above all that faith to God Almighty.

Whenever I was down, I always remember this girl dressed in pink. Her name is Hee Ah Lee "The Four Fingered Pianist"

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Count Your Blessings

2007-03-11T13:04:00.005+07:00

Q94 : Surah Ash-Sharh
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
1. Have We not opened your breast for you O Muhammad (Peace be upon him) ?
2. And removed from you your burden,
3. Which weighed down your back?
4. And raised high your fame?
5. So verily, with the hardship, there is relief,
6. Verily, with the hardship, there is relief
7. So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allâh's worship (i.e. stand up for prayer).
8. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your intentions and hopes and) your invocations.

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Stop Violence In The Home

2007-02-08T12:05:00.003+07:00

First of all, this definitely is NOT a promotion of "The Body Shop", although Anita Roddick might be delightfull about it.. lolz.

Just take time to read the message ... and silently ask ourselves whether each and everyone of us has done that in our home..... towards our beloved ones. One might think that violence only refer to physical abusement. Of course, harsh words will not break any bones.. but they do break hearts. And heart wounds, my friend, more often than not is more difficult to heal.

Well... I'm not trying to be philosophical here -- am just thinking outloud :D

Salam Damai.
Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009.

Du'a

2007-01-18T21:14:00.004+07:00

Ya Allah... Jadikanlah aku orang yang mencintai-Mu, mencintai orang yang mencintai-Mu, dan mencintai segala sesuatu yang dapat mendekatkan cintaku kepada-mu. Dan, jadikanlah cintaku kepada-Mu melebihi air sejuk sekalipun...

Semoga selalu ada kedamaian di hati ini. Amiin.

Kampanye Damai Pemilu Indonesia 2009