Think and Share
'just some thought I want to share'
18.12.16
3.7.15
First Karaoke Time in United States
After been living for more than two years in United States, finally I have a chance to do one of my favorite thing that I regularly do when I was in Indonesia.
KARAOKE!!!
There were some differences though between karaoke places in Indonesia and in United States
The first thing that obvious of course the song lists.
I mean, duh....of course they don't have any Indonesian song here.
Although they do have a Malay category and some singers from Indonesia, the songs are English songs.
I'm pretty impressed that Dewa 19, Inka Christy, Broery Marantika, and some other singers made it to the list.
Of course Anggun and Agnes are there as well.
Another difference is that the Chinese/Mandarin songs that they have don't have any PinYin text here.
So, sadly I have to say good by to Andy Lau, F4, and my other must have singer when doing karaoke in Indonesia.
The other thing that I notice is the food and beverage price here is more reasonable than in Indonesia's karaoke places
I remember that me and my friends used to have sneaked in some water bottles and snacks in our bags so we didn't have to buy any food or drink when we were karaoke-ing.
Anyway, despite all those differences, both places have a lot of things in common.
Different rates at different times (or Happy Hours as they call it), musical instruments that they provided, microphone covers for hygiene purpose, the lighting, etc.
All of which that lead us to one word: FUN....
Do you karaoke?
KARAOKE!!!
There were some differences though between karaoke places in Indonesia and in United States
The first thing that obvious of course the song lists.
I mean, duh....of course they don't have any Indonesian song here.
Although they do have a Malay category and some singers from Indonesia, the songs are English songs.
I'm pretty impressed that Dewa 19, Inka Christy, Broery Marantika, and some other singers made it to the list.
Of course Anggun and Agnes are there as well.
Another difference is that the Chinese/Mandarin songs that they have don't have any PinYin text here.
So, sadly I have to say good by to Andy Lau, F4, and my other must have singer when doing karaoke in Indonesia.
The other thing that I notice is the food and beverage price here is more reasonable than in Indonesia's karaoke places
I remember that me and my friends used to have sneaked in some water bottles and snacks in our bags so we didn't have to buy any food or drink when we were karaoke-ing.
Anyway, despite all those differences, both places have a lot of things in common.
Different rates at different times (or Happy Hours as they call it), musical instruments that they provided, microphone covers for hygiene purpose, the lighting, etc.
All of which that lead us to one word: FUN....
Do you karaoke?
24.3.14
Photo Book
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22.11.13
Photo Book
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19.6.13
Forgiven but Not Forgotten
It's almost been a year since my feet stepped at SFO Airport
It means that it's been over than two years since all 'dramas' that happened in my life
Believe it or not, I've forgive them
I didn't have any more hatred nor hurt feeling for them
Yet....
I cannot lie
I cannot say that I've forgot what they've did to me
I cannot dismiss all the emotion I experienced caused by them
It's been buried deep down in my unconscious mind
And sometimes it appeared
On my dream...
Often...
I guess, it won't be buried forever
It means that it's been over than two years since all 'dramas' that happened in my life
Believe it or not, I've forgive them
I didn't have any more hatred nor hurt feeling for them
Yet....
I cannot lie
I cannot say that I've forgot what they've did to me
I cannot dismiss all the emotion I experienced caused by them
It's been buried deep down in my unconscious mind
And sometimes it appeared
On my dream...
Often...
I guess, it won't be buried forever
18.5.13
My Father, My English Teacher, and My Former Director: A Glimpse of My Life
No man is an island. That is a clichéd
but meaningful proverb. People cannot live alone. Peoples’ lives are
continuously being influenced and influencing others including me. There are a lot
of people who came into my life and made my life different. Among those many
people, my father, my English teacher, and my former director are the people
who significantly influenced my life in different ways. My father influenced me
to be independent, protective, and introverted; my English teacher affected my
interest in English and nourished my self-esteem; and my former director
inspired me to study abroad and get my degree in the education field.
As
an oldest daughter, I have a stronger relationship with my father. He is the
person who influences my character and personality the most. I became what I am
now -independent, protective, and introverted- mostly because of him. My father
is 59 years old and he was born in Indonesia. His father, who is my
grandfather, was born in China and migrated to Indonesia. He left China because
there was a war and the economic situation was deteriorating. After he settled
in Indonesia, my grandfather helped my grandmother and their three children
migrate to Indonesia too. Few years later, my father was born. Even though my
father was born in Indonesia and already became Indonesian citizen for many
years, he still has a strong and deep feeling for China. He is very proud of
China and until now our family is still practicing various Chinese traditions;
one of them is celebrating Chinese New Year. I guess the reason of my father’s
strong feeling about China is because when he was a child, Indonesian
government discriminated Chinese descendants and treated them unfairly. My father
told me a story that he had to stop going to school because the government shut
down his school. It was a school where all Chinese descendants go and they learn
mostly in Chinese language. During 1965, Indonesian government shut down all
places related to any Chinese practices including the school. Long story short,
my father did not finish his elementary school and had to start working when he
was 10 years old. He helped his big sister who owns a bicycle shop and learned
how to repair bicycle. Now he owns his
own bicycle shop which he manages together with my mother. He already being
independent since he was ten and it encouraged me to be independent as early as
I can. Moreover, Chinese people are known as people who prioritize their family
and so does my father. He always tells me to take care of my siblings -my three
younger sisters and one younger brother. I remember his words which says,
“There is ex-husband and ex-wife, but there isn’t any ex-sister, ex-brother, or
ex-parents.” which also remind me to one of English proverb that says, “Blood
is thicker than water”. Those words that my father constantly says to me shape
me on being a protective person especially to my siblings. Since I am the
oldest, I feel that I have all responsibilities to protect my sisters and my
brother. My protective side also influences my independency because in order to
be able to protect my siblings, I have to be independent too. Furthermore, my
father also contributes to the introvert side of me. He is a person who doesn’t
express his feeling much. He never says “I love you” but he has done many
things to show that he loves his family. He just doesn’t express his feeling
verbally and express it more through his act. Most of the times, he will cook
delicious meals for us and doesn’t mind to go to traditional market because my
mother has to take care of my siblings. I always feel loved when my father
prepares me the meal. Anyway, because my father does not express his feeling
verbally, I grew up being an introvert person; I rarely express my feeling
verbally and feel awkward if I have to do so. I prefer to express it
non-verbally, by write it down or act it out. My beloved father truly influences
me in my personality and character growth.
Entering
the next phase of my life after childhood, my father still impacts my life.
Yet, the biggest impact during my early adolescence was made not by him but by
my English teacher in my Junior High School. I actually already interested in
learning English since I was 10 years old but at that time I did not have much
confidence to speak in English especially in front of public. Mostly I learned
English passively by watching movies, listening to songs, and reading books. My
English teacher, Mr. Alfons, had built my self-confident to speak English in
front of public. I will always remember the time when he encouraged and
inspired me. One time he gave us an assignment to write our own speech. The
topic is about saving the environment and something about recycling. I was an
average student at that time and did not get much attention from my teachers. I
was just a mediocre one. So I wrote my speech and I thought it was a good speech
I did lots of research before I wrote it and it was also my favorite topic.
Usually, my other teachers will ask students to present their assignments voluntary.
At that time I was a student who obviously would not volunteer to speak in
front of many people; I was an introvert student and I preferred to be
anonymous. Apparently, Mr. Alfons is different from my other teachers. I did
not know what was in his mind at that time; he called me and asked me to
present my speech in front of the class. Having no choice, I came forward and
nervously read my speech with soft voice. Sweating and having thrill voice, I
finally finished reading my speech. After I was done with my speech, I quickly
walked back to my chair and sat down there with my head down. I just felt very
uncomfortable and nervous. But then, I heard he says “Very good. It is a great
speech. You’ve done a good job.” The moment he said that words was the moment
when I felt so happy, proud, and excited. All positive feeling was just mixed
up. I continuously became more confident and eagerly learned how to do public
speaking. Mr. Alfons kept on giving me chances to speak and gave me suggestions
to improve my English. He definitely had nourished my self-esteem and
influenced my personality.
In
my third phase of life, which was adulthood, I was influenced by many people -my
best friends, Susi and Edward, my younger sister, Triana, and my former
director, Ms. Anita. Among those people, Ms. Anita is the one who impacts my
life the most. Graduated from Senior High School, I entered Petra Christian University
in Surabaya, Indonesia and enrolled to a Civil Engineering program. Even though
I did not take Literature or English program, my interest for English, which
was being nourished by Mr. Alfons, still exists. I am continuously learning
English autodidact and keep on seeking any chance to improve my English. During
the last year in the university, I had no class to take and only did my thesis.
I surely have a lot of spare time. Trying to find something to do, I end up in
working as a part-time English teacher for children. The reason is simple, I
like children and I like English. Unfortunately, I had to stop teaching because
after having my BA on Engineering, I got a full time job in a contractor
company. Sadly, I leaved my students. I enjoyed working in that company but two
years later I had to resign because of my health condition which not allowed me
to work outdoor on the field for a long period of time. So, I was thinking of
getting another job and I automatically thought about my experience when I
taught children. I decided to go back to the English course where I used to
teach part time. I was very excited and grateful because they still need
teachers and accept me in pleased. The director of that English course, Ms.
Anita, is a very independent woman and quite famous among education
practitioner in Indonesia. She got her master and doctoral degree in the education
field from Baylor University, Texas. She is a professor in one of prestigious
university in Indonesia and teaches mostly students in master programs. Last
two years ago, on August 2011, she became a guest lecturer at Berkeley
University, California. She also owned two English courses for children; one of
it is the place where I used to teach at. She definitely is a person that I
admire and my role model. The most impressive experience which influences me is
when she told me and my colleagues a story when she was studying in United
States. When she told the story, I felt very inspired and had a mental picture
of myself studying in America. She told the struggles that she faced, balancing
her life among taking care of her husband and daughter, working part time, and
doing assignments. I was very inspired by her story and being determined to be
able to study in America. Until now, when I finally go to United States and
study here, I still keep in touch with her. She often asks about my classes and
I also often chat with her. She continuously gives advices to me, not only on
my education life but also to my personal life. The relationship that we have
surely affects me and makes me survive in America.
I always believe that everything in
this world happens for reasons and God already plans different scenarios for
each person. My father, Mr. Alfons, and Ms. Anita are three persons among many
people that God has used to worked His plan on me. I will never stop thank on Him
for sending me all those people who make me become who I am now. I owe my
father for my independent, protective, and introverted personality. I owe Mr.
Alfons for my interest in English and self-confident in speaking in front of
public. I owe Ms. Anita for my determination to pursue my degree in the education
field in United States. Most of all, I am grateful for having them in my life.
16.5.13
How Nature and Nurture Shaped Me
Either it is a myth or scientifically proven that birth order
plays an important role in people’s personality and character. When I was
taking my Child Development class, my professor mentioned the influence of
birth order on how children’s personalities develop. For some reasons, the
first child in a family will likely to be more independent than the second or
third child. On the contrary, the youngest child will likely to be more
rebellious than the oldest child. In addition, a child who has siblings will
also have different personalities than a child who has no sibling. The theory
says that the only child is “accustomed to being the center of attention”
(Walcutt, Diana.L) and it could make the only child to be more egocentric than
other. Birth order is one of the natural factors and it influences people’s
personality and character.
Furthermore, another professor in my Child, Family, and Community
class explained that child development is influenced both by nature and
nurture. Some theorist on Early Childhood Development, such as Erik Erikson,
Jean Piaget, Vygotsky, and John B. Watson believe that children developments
are significantly influence by their environment. Therefore, every child is
unique and even twins could have different personalities and characters. I agree
with both of my professors and I believe that I have become what I am now -my
father’s daughter, independent, and protective- because of both nature and
nurture.
I am the oldest in the family and I am close to my father by
nature. I read some books and articles which explain that usually a daughter,
especially the first daughter, will likely to have closer relationship to her
father rather than to her mother; I think that’s what had happened to me. Nature
makes me become “my father’s daughter”. I am my father’s daughter and I admit
that loud and proud. I always listen to him and remember his advises. I always
consider his opinion when I need to make any decision. I often talk about him
to my friends and I always consider myself as his ‘little girl’.
Many times, my mother says that I am my father’s daughter; she
often says “Eka’s father” instead of “my husband” when she tells stories about
my father to her friends and relatives. I remember a time when my mother was
chatting with her sister and I showed up in front of them, my mother told her
sister not to talk about my father because I will protest them. Well, it’s
absolutely correct that I will protest them because I never want them to talk
negatively about my father. Not only will I protest them, I will argue back,
telling them that those things are not true and then tell my mother not to say
any negative thing about my father. It is clear that I am my father’s daughter
because I am the oldest and I do respect and admire him.
I have four siblings: three younger sisters and one younger
brother. Being the oldest in the family is not easy yet not difficult. It is
just different. I often hear my friends say that they prefer to be the youngest
or the middle child, but for me each position has its own advantages and
challenges. Being the oldest, I had more attention from my parents before my
siblings were born. My parents had more preparation for my “arrival” into this
world. It is obvious because I am their first child. Moreover, having four
siblings in my environment makes me independent because I am their role model. I
need to be qualified to become someone who can be looked up to. In addition, it
also makes me become an independent person. I get used to doing everything on
my own; sometimes I even reject other people’s help. Yet, it makes me become
someone who is not easy to express feelings. Because I need to be strong and tough,
there is no room for being weak. It is pretty strange though because actually I
am a sensitive person. I get mellow easily but I just don’t or can’t show it to
everyone. I am easily touched by sad stories in movies or books I read and get
tears in my eyes, but it only happens when I am alone in my bedroom. The role
of being a big sister makes me more independent and strong.
Another environmental influence that I face is that I tend to be
more protective of my siblings. I want to help them in anything they need to do
and I need to make sure that my siblings are protected and doing okay. I do not
want to make my father get worried or upset because of something that my
siblings might do. I feel obligated to take care of them and be their role
model, the one who they can look up to.
One example of how protective I am is when one of my sisters
entered her senior year of high school and I stayed with her in her boarding
house in another city for a week, just to make sure that she did everything
well and adapted to the environment. Until now I still try to keep in touch
with my siblings even though we live in different countries, I live in United
States and they live in Indonesia. My brother will just send me messages on
Facebook or Yahoo Messenger to tell me that my sister is having problems and he
wants me to help her. Then I will chat with my sister through Skype, either
just to say hi or discussing her thesis, work, or her relationships. Those
things are to make sure that my siblings are doing okay and also it is a part
of my responsibilities as the oldest in the family. I still enjoy that role and
nothing wrong by being protective to your loved ones.
From all stories above, it is clear that the birth order, which is
the nature factor, plays an important role in my character development. I might
not be as close as I am now to my father if I am not the first child. Or if I
was born as a boy, I am sure that my relationship with my father will be
different. I might be closer to my mother than to my father. On the other hand,
the nurture factor, which is environment, also influenced my personality. If I was
not raised in a big family environment, I might not have become as independent
and protective as I am now. If I only have one sister or one brother, I might
have been more casual and not too protective to my siblings. I also might not
feel having as much responsibilities as I have now. Thus, the reality that I have four siblings
and I am their big sister shapes my personality and character to become my
father’s daughter who is independent and protective.
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