Ketika JENESYS Kembali Memberi Harapan

Saya ingin berbagi cerita tentang pengalaman mengikuti seleksi JENESYS (Japan-East Asia of Exchange for Youth and Student) minggu lalu.  Agar jejak perjuangan ke Jepang tak hanya tersimpan di pikiran, tergerak lah hati dan jemari saya untuk menuliskan pengalaman ini di blog (setelah sekian lama vakum. Hehe). Bukan untuk niatan untuk showing-off, tapi saya berharap dengan pengalaman yang saya bagikan ini akan bermanfaat bagi siapa saja yang membaca. Terutama bagi yang berminat keluar negeri, especially going to Japan.

Sambil menulis ini, ya saya sebenarnya harap-harap cemas, karena pengumuman hasil interview JENESYS belum keluar. Hehe. Semoga dengan menulis ini, bisa mengalihkan kegelisahan hati saya menunggu hasil akhinya..

Well, informasi ini sebenarnya saya dapati pertama kali dari senior Fakultas Pertanian Unsyiah. Yang saya tahu, beliau adalah mahasiswa berprestasi di kampus dan pernah mengikuti exchange student di Jepang. Jadi, saya memang sudah tahu tentang program ini dari dulu. Hanya saja saya belum tergerak hati untuk mengetahui lebih lanjut.

Cerita ini bermula dari informasi yang tersebar dari salah satu group whatsapp. Karena JENESYS mengingatkan saya akan kenangan yang berhubungan Jepang (cieehh), makanya saya langsung mencari tahu dan bertanya lebih lanjut dengan beliau. Huwoo, ternyata deadline pendaftaran program ini hanya SATU HARI! Persyaratannya memang tidak susah. 3 buah esai dengan pertanyaan yang berbeda, scan paspor, dan CV. Awalnya saya masih bimbang untuk apply. Alasannya karena saya harus menulis esai dalam bahasa inggris dalam waktu sehari. OMG! Tahu diri sih sebenarnya. Karena saya paling tidak bisa bekerja dikejar waktu apalagi dalam keadaan mepet. Biasanya ide menulis saya hilang. Menguap entah kemana. Tapi setelah berkonsultasi dengan orangtua (ibu saya sangat menyemangati), akhirnya saya bertekad keras untuk segera menulis. Paspor sudah ada ditangan, tinggal menulis saja kan? Bisa. Pasti bisa! Motivasi dari orangtua saya lah yang semakin menguatkan niat saya. Senior saya juga bilang kalau “kepepet itu indah”. Haha.

Kepepet itu Indah

Setelah berkonsultasi dengan dua orang senior DETaK, dan mempertimbangkan ide menulis dari ayah saya, akhirnya ide datang juga. Tahun ini JENESYS memberikan tema program “Peace Building” (awalnya saya gak ngerti maksud tema ini apa). Saya pun memutar keras ide dikepala untuk mendapatkan ide tulisan yang cemerlang dan cerdas.

Dengan bantuan editor sekaligus translator terbaik saya (senior di kampus), akhirnya semua berkas berhasil dibereskan pada menit-menit terakhir, pukul 00.00 WIB. Benar-benar mepet! Setelah mengalami kesusahan dan kepanikan saat submit aplikasi, akhirnya semua berkas berhasil terkirim. Submitted! Lega, senang dan bersyukur. Akhirnya jadi submit juga.

Keesokan harinya saya mendapatkan informasi kalau deadline program ini berlangsung dua hari. Wah, berarti saya salah informasi dong ya. Bukan salah, tapi saya tidak mencari informasi lebih lanjut. Disatu sisi saya senang sudah submit, tapi disatu sisi lainnya, saya takut esai yang dikirim tidak bagus. Merasa tidak optimal karena dibuat dalam keadaan kepepet.

Refresh Your Brain!

What is your feeling when you are depressed? Do have high appetite? Singing by yourself or watching some movies?  Alright, I am used to having exercise like jogging to make my brain to be fresh again. Browsing and writing will make me better than before.

In fact, we will be depressed if we do not get what we want. Hopeless is the crucial thing that can make us to be unstable facing on all the problems. Some people do not take the positive side of depression. They make many negative things that very unuseful for their body and soul. Eating to much is one of the easiest example. And eventually their weight will increase. What then? They will be regret, they will feel guilty why they do not take care for their weight.

My special adviced me that if I am getting depressed for something, I have to make my brain to be fresh with jogging, going around and doing all my hobbies. I absolutely realize it. So that if I get some problems, I will solve it one by one and take a break to refresh my brain. Actually it is not all about my brain but also for my body and soul. I think having a simple exercise such as jogging or walking around is  the best way to refresh my brain. it is better than eat soft drink or fast food, isn’t it? Thanks my special.

Well, this amazing photos was taken at Krueng Aceh. I stopped riding motorcycle and immadiatelly took this landscape. My friend said, the blue sky is always relaxing. Exactly! I hope I can face on all my problems soon. Do the best!

Optimize The Third Asharah of Ramadhan

Now we have been in the last 10 day of Ramadhan. The last 10 day of Ramadhan or the third asharah is usually called The Days of freedom From The Hellfire. Allah is so fond toward humans because He divided 10 days of Ramadhan with its each advantages. This is a notice that Allah gave "gifts" to anyone who truly understand and perform the essence of Ramadhan. If it is a gift, so who does not want to?

For several days, I am fasting in Banda Aceh. I habitually do shalat tarawih at Masjid Al-Makmur Masjid or commonly called Masjid Oman. There is a "feel" when shalat in that masjid. Not only because of the beautiful architecture style of masjid, but also the atmosphere when we do pray. It was very soothing! Imam who was directly brought from  Arab read the letters of AlQur-an softly. I felt more peaceful  and calm when heard it.

Masjid Al-Makmur Lamprit, Banda Aceh

Along with my dearest, after tarawih prayers, we usually read AlQur-an despite of only just about 30 minutes. I had planned about ODOJ (One Day One Juz), but it is still very far behind the reading target. The "natural" period of woman turns to leave my Reading AlQur-an habitual. But I'm sure, where there is will, there must be a way. Even if my target during Ramadan is far from the fact, but I still do it as I can. The target has to stay awake.

Sharing is Caring

Of course we’ve all known about The Third Asharah of Ramadan’s virtue. It is to be a gift of Allah which have to be fought because not all of us can survive it.

Phenomena in society seen that closer to Eid time, the more they enjoy shopping center. They are being busy with mode and prestige. Masjid is becoming forgotten by them. How poor..

While gifts Allah has clear meaning, many people do not pay it attention. Actually time keeps rolling all the time. Time constantly keeps running without being able to go back again. This is what I feel in Ramadan this year. I wasted Ramadan last year. That is why I want to maximize my fast and hope in Allah ridha.

Charity For Palestine

Caring with Palestine will be useless if we do nothing for it. Many people think that helping Palestine is very hard because in reality they have to be a volunteer to fight againt Israel’s attacks. So, what are your contributions to support people over there? Have you been ready to fight them? I absolutely sure some of you have not been ready yet! Piteous and horrible pictures which shared via social media extremerely built your fear. But you only just update Palestine’s info from media then broadcast it on bbm, share it on facebook, twitter, and give more attention through instagram. Unfortunately, some of you share it without read it’s caption. Our feeling is just “pitiful”, and “anger”. We just do nothing!

Okay, sharing information about Palestine’s is good idea to make other people care with, but it will be better if we can do the real action even though it is not a significant action for helping. That is charity.

The best attention for them that we can give is charity. Yap, solidarity by fund raising. I think it is just the easiest thing we can do for them. I did it along with friends at Simpang Lima the day after yesterday (July 15^th 2014). That was my fascinating experience I have ever done. Truly, it was my second experience walking on and accrossing the road at traffic light! We did it! Haha. I did not why I took that risk. Everybody might be shy standing on the road while holding a box for asking “Rupiah”. Yet I just enjoyed it! I really did not care with anyone who had stopped at traffic light. I did not care to dust or crowded situation on that afternoon. Occasionally I had to keep smile if a driver teased me. Huwoo! >.<

The True Winner

If I ask you who your favorite football players are, maybe some of you will mention Lionel Messi,  Christiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Zidane, Rooney, Robin Van Persie, Fabregas or the other players. Besides, I am sure that you have a favorite football squad. You definitely have a favorite player because this is a great time for football mania. FIFA World Cup 2014!

Yap. Football is the most favorite and famous sport in the world. Football is universal sport which can unite various of regions, coutries, and ethnics. World Cup is special moment which is every country fights for victory, fight to get a world cup. Therefore, It is truly not easy to fight. Every player has to obey the coach’s and FIFA’s  rules itself.

Alhamdulillah, Ramadhan is coming. France, Aljazair, and Germany are countries which have most muslim players. Bacary Sagna, Mesut Oezil, Yaya Toure, Karim Benzema are most high profile muslim players still in World Cup. We have to be proud with Karim Benzema, Tolo Toure and Madjid Bougerra (Captain Team of Algerian) who still fast during tournament. Bougerra said, “Some players will postpone their fast for another time, but depending on my physical  condition, I think I will do it”.
Even though observance fasting World Cup during Ramadhan is a risk challenge for them, Demba Ba, Chealsea Stiker also said to BBC that “My religion is the most important in my life. Islam is the most important than football.”. So will Ramadhan affect World Cup’s muslim player? Fasting during World Cup is not a big deal. Even it has many risks, FIFA studied this case with positive results, “If you do it intelligently, you can adapt perfectly”.

Ramadhan’s Victory

For one month, Muslim around the world will abstain eating and drinking during daylight. Fasting is an act that cleans one’s mind, body and soul from the spiritual and physical impurity of this world. It is one of five pillars of Islam, thus it is obligatory upon every Muslim, male, female who is healthy, sane, and pass the age of puberty.

Well, similar with Wold Cup, Ramadhan is also has purposes.  Both Hungry and thirsty are men’s lowest point against their bad desires. It is not easy to get a victory. Ramadhan can be physical, mental, and spiritual challenge for any human being. The only key to get it is to face Ramadhan with right attitude and prepare for the challenge ahead.

Many thing can we do during this holy month. Besides discipline to abstain eating, drinking, Ibadah is also the most important. Such as contact with Quran, Taraweh, Zakat, I’tikaf, Du’a, Giving and so on. Victory of Ramadhan is doing those Ibadah and avoid the habit breakers.

Ramadhan and World Cup. Which One You Concern?
Are you sincere to stay up all night to watch your favorite squad’s match? I think many people were very cheerful to wait and enjoy World Cup but only some of them thanks to Ramadhan coming. In fact, Ramadhan is the most awaited month which brings all sort of happiness, goodness and merci of Allah. Ramadhan is the way to get the true victory.

The great World Cup match is very interesting but we have to more concern about Ramadhan. However, World Cup is just a game! Do not pawn the wonderful gift of Allah with a game. Do not trapped with World Cup joyful. That is people’s mistake when fast. They happy watching match but they do not do Ibadah at all. They do not keep contact on reading The Holy Qur-an. They choose to watch a game than head out Taraweh.

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion…” (Al-Baqarah : 185)

Truly, success is making the hereafter (Akhirat) to be a final goal. People who fight to do all the the good things (controling desires) during Ramadhan are the true winners. The true cup is sincerity to keep struggle and try to do the best efforts during Ramadhan. Not Dutch, Argentina, or Germany squad. It’s just a game in the world.

On this great moment. We have to concern that fasting is a primarly thing. Ibadah is secondary and watching the World Cup at night after Taraweeh or Sahur is a tertiary thing. Watching World Cup is just get the cheerful during world Cup. But if we fast well, we get the blissful of Allah in our life. We have to draw closer to Him and earn His paradise through worship in this month.

So, What Are You Targets?
Spending Ramadhan has to be prepared to maintain the spirit. Like mangos are pressed fot its juice, I have targets during Ramadhan also. It is for having my most Ramadhan successful ever. The most my important target are to be a sincere woman (not girl), a thankful woman, and a woman who always remember Allah.

I hope I become a productive muslim even after Ramadhan. I will keep contact with Qur’an  and get “Khatam”. Last Ramadhan I could not do this Ibadah well. So I have strong will to read at least one juz per day at this moment. To make it easy, I divide it on 30 days. I divide it on 3 time a day. I read 4 pages after Subuh, Before Dzuhur, and after Ashar. Alhamdulillah, right now I am in fourth juz.

I wish I can write at least 4 articles for one month on my blog. Ya of course, caring to my blog is the important thing. Through this target I can push myself to be more productive in writing. Additionally, because I have to finish my research proposal soon, I will do my best effort for it. Reading some journals, articles and books. Going to campus to discuss my research along my lectures, learning TOEFL, and also gathering with my communities.  The last but not the least, I absolutely want to send my article to media such as magazine and newspaper. Even it does not published, I will try to send it. I have Ramadhan Action Plan 2014 which was downloaded from internet. It makes me easier to checklist my plans each day on Ramadhan.

So guys, what about your targets? What will you do during Ramadhan? Just watching football match? That is really not good choice! Remember, do not consider that Ramadhan this year is a small thing. Be grateful!
Who want to be  a true winner? You? Not only you. I want become a true winner too. May Allah make this Ramadhan beneficial, productive and rejuvenating for our body and soul. May He answer our prays, accept our deeds, keep us steadfast and intellectually and spiritually revive until the next Ramadhan. Amin ^_^

Gampong Pande, The Most Historical Site in Banda Aceh

On Tuesday (April 22 2014), My community Turun Tangan, attended to Napak Tilas History of Banda Aceh. The theme was “Wisata Titik Nol Gampong Pande”. This tour was not only followed by a communities in Banda Aceh, but also followed by senior high school students and the prominent people in goverment. It had begun in the morning and finished in noon.

The Program which was sponsored by Disbudpar and KNPI Aceh was held to celebrate 809 anniversary of Banda Aceh city. There were many other communities which also supported this program such as Agam Inong Banda Aceh, BEM Teknik Serambi Mekkah, Diwana Institute, HMI, and Mapesa (Masyarakat Peduli Sejarah).  Actually, this program was the second time after goverment had held it last year. Despite of second time, society was still enthusiastic to attend it.

Honestly, I have never visited Gampong Pande before. My friends too. I have known about this historical site since horrendous discovery of 3000 dirham (gold coins) last year. News in media said that Gampong Pande was the center of Banda Aceh where empire of Aceh built. For that reason, I thought going to Gampong Pande was great chance to know more about history of Banda Aceh.

My friends and I arrived at 9.00 WIB at Gampong Pande. We were rather confused because there were no many visitors there. But, several minutes later, they came. Many of them were students and civil servants. For the first agenda, among the others, we went to Tuanku Dikandang tomb. Tuanku Dikandang was one of the evidences in the past. Gampong Pande has been ever  became a center of Islamic empire. He was a in charge in that era.

Based on the informations I got, Gampong Pande was a the original name of Banda Aceh. Many Sultan tombs were found there. These were the evidences that Islamic Empire had ever stayed at Gampong Pande. Why did it call as Pande (Acehnese language: Clever)? Was that place inhabited by clever (expert) people on that time? Obviously, not only there were many Sultan and Lakseumana tombs were found there but also it was the place where the expert goldsmiths lived. The handicrafts they made were sold to Turkey, Malaysia, French, and UK. HencHHence, it called as Gampong Pande. Base on these discoveries, Banda Aceh had become the oldest city in South-East Asia. Aceh Empire was very famous when it was in leadership era of  Iskandar Muda and also in others Sultan era.

Illiza Sa’aduddin Djamal, who has responsible for government in Banda Aceh city said that for celebrate this 809 Kota Banda Aceh anniversary, there were 2 things that we have to do. First, we must have a good “Acehnese” manners. The manners were how to  “peumulia jamee”, how to dress-well as a moslem, and so on. Second, we must keep our cultural heritage due to it was our precious thing. Gampong Pande is one of the most historical site which we have to keep. So who will keep our cultural heritage if we do not?

After we had listened and discussed with Aceh Historian, we had luch and talked to each others. I was glad  to attend this historical tourism. I think this progam was very useful, especially for youth. Gampong Pande is not the only one historical site in Banda Aceh, but also there are Putroe Phang Park, Keumala Hayati Harbor and many others site. We have to know more about our historical site. The most quote which makes me impressed is “Mate Aneuk Meupat Jeurat, Gadoh Adat pat Tamita”. I hope we can learn everything about Aceh’s heritage and know how to keep our heritage well.