P.R.E.W.E.D.D.I.N.G. P.H.O.T.O.

Hello People!

It is nice to be back to this blog again. It had been sometimes that I ignored this blog due to other things that are going on in my life. Now only I have a petite of time to be spent here :).

To recall, I am happy that preparation to my wedding celebration is almost done! I and hubbie, to be, have completed one of the main tasks of modern couples need to do before their wedding day. 

P.R.E.W.E.D.D.I.N.G.  P.H.O.T.O.

We shot pre-wedding photos at two countries by different photographers and bridals! One was done at Jakarta, my hubbie's hometown, and the other one was held at Singapore, a city of lion where we met and knew each other. 

In Jakarta, it was fun with the help of my mom and brother in law. The bride and groom, being very obedient to the photographer, had to run down and cross the road full of cars, motorcycles and bajajs, to fulfill the desire to take photo with a huge white Dutch colonial building as background. Precisely, it was the building of Bank Indonesia. And aheemmm.. Being a low profile Indonesian couple, we enjoyed ourselves eating at roadside soto stall, full with our heavy make up and bridal gown. And of course, we became the main attention of foreign tourists who passed by. They pictured us while we were enjoying our soto.

Meanwhile, photo shooting at Singapore offered us a different angle of experience. A full day was spent to have the outdoor photo session, and another half day was used for the indoor photo session. Happy and tired at the same time. I still remembered how were my two legs turned into octopus' arms look like due to tiredness of walking on the outdoor photo session day. However, it was paid with the happiness we felt as most of people who passed us would say 'Congratulations!' or 'Happily ever after' or 'It is a happy day!' with a big big smile. Well, those were simple sentence and gesture yet transferred a bright and sunny meaning for us.

Here is one unedited photo for sneak preview, the rests.. you need to wait until the big day :).

Credit to Fame Photography

Thanks to Fame Photography & Bridal for the photo shooting in Jakarta.
Thanks to MES Valentin for the photo shooting in Singapore.

See you at next post

With Love,

No Imagination, No Expectation

Readers,

It has been a while for not sharing my stories to you. I have been busy with things that I could not imagine and expect before. But they happened, passed by and left the memories in my mind.

On November 2011, ama passed away..

The image of being in the funeral home is still clear in my mind. All family from my mother's side were there to support each other.

Just 10 days ago, on April 2012, bobo passed away..

This time, I feel emptiness. This physical body is so uncertain. Really nothing. I am reminded again that life is impermanent!

Readers, it is really true that things come and go in our life. They stay for a while, make memories and when the right time ripens, they will go. However, what we need to do as the one who are left, is to let go and live our life as good as possible in their memories.

Thank you ama and bobo :). I am today because of all of you.

May all beings be well and happy always! :)
XOXO

Ice Cream Sundae, a Beautiful Moment :)

Readers,

Sekarang saya berada di McD, Clementi hohoho!! Sambil menikmati ice cream sundae, sambil melihat jalanan yang penuh dengan mobil berjalan, sambil ngobrol sama Helmi dan sambil menulis blog ini. Bingung ga tuh ya? Bagaimana bisa seorang perempuan biasa seperti diriku melakukan semua hal bersamaan? Huahaha!

Kenyataannya... Saya melakukan semuanya satu per satu. Ketika satu hal dilakukan, hal lainnya tidak bisa dilakukan, karena biasanya fokus terpecah dan hasil menjadi tidak baik. Fokus seperti sekarang ini sungguhlah menyenangkan, suara orang-orang dan musik di belakang hanya seperti background yang menghiasi keramaian suasana ini. Klo boleh jujur, saat ini sunggu nikmat :) :) :)

Readers, hari ini saya belajar tentang pelajaran kehidupan dari managerku, Agnes ;).

Agnes merupakan seorang wanita, Singaporean, sudah berumur sekitar 50+.. Di mataku Agnes adalah seorang guru :). Ia berbeda dengan kebanyakan orang kantoran yang seumuran dengannya. Menurutku, biasanya karena telah memiliki pengalaman dan kemampuan lebih daripada yang lain, orang-orang senior kantor itu akan merasa hebat dan berkuasa.

Agnes tidak termasuk salah satu dari orang-orang tersebut.

Hari ini saya baru saja belajar darinya..

Walaupun kita sudah mencapai posisi tinggi, janganlah merasa sombong, dan tetaplah semangat untuk belajar dari siapapun. Siapapun disini termasuk orang-orang yang masih junior, yang umurnya masih lebih kecil dari kita, yang pengalamannya jauh belum sepadat pengalaman yang telah kita dapatkan.

Anyway, readers, belum pernah saya menulis sambil dibaca oleh orang lain hehe! Kali ini berbeda ;)

Karena ditemani Helmi di McD, dia membaca apa yang kutulis disini sebelum saya post hehe!

Hemm.. readers, I enjoy this very moment! Love it! :) :)

It's worth it to be at this moment and go with the flow when time moves on ~ ~ ~

Gratitude - Feel it inside your heart

Hello readers ;),

I have not update this blog quite sometimes hoho! Being busy with works and other things, plus lazy to write haha!

Anyway, I would like to extend my gratitude to friends: Helmi, Edy, Andy, Vicky, Hung Kwo and Charlie for their contribution to help me to do Indonesian Service - a Buddhist gathering for Indonesians in Singapore. They played the drama very well. Well done friends! :) :) :).

In my opinion, the event with theme "Filial Piety" yesterday was meaningful and I was happy seeing others enjoyed the session. While being the host of the session, I also learned a lot of things.

• During the session, I could change my "panic mode", because things worked not as what I had planned before, to "relax and laugh mode". For this, I learned that panic does not help, it only makes you stress and worry about the future.
• Adult friends are still human beings. I was worry that due to age difference, I would bring my childishness into the session. However, I felt that happiness can be shared. I was happy bringing the session, and I felt it too from the participants.
• Be confidence on yourself! Nothing to worry about the past nor future. Just being in the present moment, enjoy our presence, is one of my powerful experience being a host of the session.

Besides that, yesterday night when I reached home, I read the paper which had been written by participants about their wishes or gratitude to their own parents. I was touched with what they had expressed on those papers. Honestly, I put expectation that I would see words about love and thank you. However, when I read those papers one by one, I realized that every one has their own unique experience with parents. They even taught me an old lesson ...

"When time still allows us to meet with our beloved people, show love to them, forgive them for whatever they had done wrong to us."

A lot of times, regret comes only after we are unable to meet the person anymore. Since we are able to change, why don't we change it? Forgive them because it is actually our ego who does not want to forgive their mistakes. Love them because deep down in your heart, you are a being who can love others purely.

Thank you everyone! :)

Pass Away?

I just read a clear explanation about "kamma" from Dhamma Musings

In the past, I thought, I need to put kamma as a reason behind every events that happened to me, to every beings. However, through the post created by Bhante Dhammika above, I understand the true meaning of kamma! Not everything depends on kamma, there are other reasons behind.

Now after knowing this, I am going to fix the way I used to think before :)

Ohh yaa and just to be shared with you..

Yesterday during briefing time, my friend said to me that after I leave the place, I am considered pass away. My other friends who heard his statement were angry at him and asked him not to speak something bad! Honestly, after I heard his statement, I had no anger at all, because I am surely going to die one day, so I have no point to argue with him. But a minute later, when I saw my friends scolded him, I began to ask myself, "Am I sure that I am okay with the word PASS AWAY?"

Although I did not scold the person, but the query to myself stuck in my mind for quite sometime. I think he shouted out the word PASS AWAY, because he wants me to stay in the place. For several times, he had asked me to stay in the place, but I cannot help him, I need to move on.

I thought to be able to meet this kind of friend is due to kamma. However after I have a clear understanding about kamma, I can say that kamma is not purely the reason behind it. It was my effort to go there and eventually meet that friend. The kamma, I believe, happens when I started to think, talk, and act towards the person. Kamma is in my hand, and I can determine whether I want to have bad or good kamma :)

To close this post, I would like to write the story that was sent by my beautiful friend last night:

A chief is talking to his tribe about two dogs inside his mind: one is a white dog that is good and courageous, the one is a black dog that is vengeful and angry. Both dogs are fighting to death.

A young brave man unable to wait for the end of the story asks, "Which one will win?"

The chief responds, "The one I feed"

May all beings be well and happy always :)

Bola Api Kemarahan

Bagi saya kemarahan itu seperti bola api yang membara di dalam tubuh ini. Pantas saja ya, Buddha berkata, kemarahan hanyalah membuat dirimu sendiri menderita! Bagai memegang batu bara panas yang akan kita lemparkan pada suatu object, tetapi sebelum kamu melemparnya, kamu hanya akan melukai tanganmu sendiri.

Kemarin baru saja saya merasakan bola api ini lagi, kali ini saya benar-benar melihat nya. Jujur, ketika bola itu pertama kali muncul saya tidak mengetahui nya, object saya lebih tertumpu pada orang yang membuat saya marah. Tapi setelah bola itu terasa semakin membesar, barulah saya sadar.. Lho ini saya marah ya? Dan seketika itu pula bola itu berhenti mengembang, seperti terdiam karena malu terpergok.

Dari hasil buka-buka blog orang, saya baru tahu kalau marah itu sebenarnya adalah salah satu respond "fight or flight" kita sebagai manusia, jadi memang tidak ada yang salah jika kemarahan itu muncul. Namun, kita harus ingat, apa yang penting adalah tindakan kita setelah amarah itu muncul. Apakah kita akan meneruskan amarah ini? Atau melepaskannya dan memaafkan object yang membuat kita marah?

Pagi ini saya menemukan satu artikel tentang "kemarahan" oleh Thich Nhat Hanh. Bagus!

Ada beberapa kalimat yang saya suka dari artikel ini:

Pada saat kamu menjadi marah, kamu cenderung percaya bahwa kesengsaraanmu telah disebabkan oleh orang lain.

Kamu menyalahkan dia atas semua penderitaanmu. Banyak orang lain, yang dihadapkan pada situasi yang sama, tidak akan menjadi marah seperti dirimu. Mereka mendengar kata-2 yang sama, mereka melihat situasi yang sama, namun mereka mampu tetap tenang dan tidak terbawa. Kenapa kamu menjadi marah dengan begitu mudah?

Ketika kita mulai mengembangkan energi perhatian penuh kesadaran, pengertian pertama yang akan kita dapatkan adalah bahwa penyebab utama dari penderitaan kita, kesengsaraan kita, bukanlah orang lain - ia adalah benih kemarahan dalam diri kita sendiri.

Pada saat itu kita akan berhenti menuding orang lain sebagai penyebab semua penderitaan. Kita sadar bahwa dia hanyalah suatu penyebab sekunder. Kamu mendapat banyak kelegaan ketika kamu memiliki pengertian ini, dan kamu mulai merasa lebih baik.

Buddha tidak pernah menasehati kita untuk menekan kemarahan kita, beliau mengajarkan kita untuk kembali ke diri sendiri dan merawatnya dengan baik.

Seperti organ-2 kita, kemarahan kita juga merupakan bagian dari diri kita. Ketika kita marah, kita harus kembali pada diri kita sendiri dan merawat kemarahan kita dengan baik. Kita tidak bisa berkata :" Pergilah kemarahan, kamu harus pergi. Aku tidak menginginkanmu"

Latihan perhatian penuh kesadaran menghasilkan konsentrasi dan pengertian.

Pengertian adalah hasil dari latihan yang bisa membantu kita untuk memaafkan, untuk mencintai.

Nahh teman, tantangan sekarang ada pada diri anda masing-masing. Lihat dan buktikan! :)

-Semoga semua makhluk berbahagia dan damai selalu :)

Seorang Perempuan

Apakah yang ada di pikiran anda ketika mendengar kata "perempuan"?

Bagi saya yang merupakan kaum wanita, saya bahagia dan bangga menjadi seorang perempuan! Saya terinspirasi untuk menulis tentang perempuan disini, karena ternyata di dunia luar sana, masihlah banyak perempuan yang masih ditindas! Ada seorang teman laki-laki yang berkata, "Perempuan tidak boleh marah dan membalas ketika suaminya memarahi atau memukulnya." Spontan saja mendengar kalimat ini saya langsung silat lidah. Perempuan juga lah seorang manusia, bukan begitu? Mengapa harus menunduk pada kekasaran laki-laki?

Jujur saja, selama ini saya mengira bahwa emansipasi wanita sudah berjalan dengan mulus di berbagai pelosok dunia. Tapi tak disangka, ternyata saya menemukan sendiri bahwasanya masih ada saja kaum pria yang menganggap wanita tidak memiliki derajat yang sama dengan mereka.

Tambahan kekagetan saya adalah ketika teman laki-laki saya berkata bahwa lelaki itu boleh memiliki banyak perempuan, sedangkan bagi perempuan itu adalah sesuatu yang tabu.

HARH??? Bukannya ketidaksetiaan itu sesuatu yang menyakitkan baik bagi perempuan dan laki-laki? Ada pula ya orang di dunia ini yang masih percaya bahwa lelaki boleh ini dan itu, sedangkan perempuan melakukan ini dan itu adalah tabu.

Well, saya tahu tidak semua lelaki seperti teman saya di atas yang mengagung-agungkan dirinya sebagai seorang lelaki. Hanya pesan saja bagi para kaum pria, hormatilah perempuan, karena tanpa perempuan, dirimu tidak akan ada di dunia ini. Sakit dan bahagia yang kamu rasakan, juga dirasakan oleh kaum wanita, karena kita semua adalah manusia :)

Dan pesan bagi para kaum wanita, walaupun saya mengkritik laki-laki yang menganggap perempuan itu tidak berharga, tapi kita sebagai seorang perempuan juga harus menghormati kaum pria. Hormati mereka karena kita sama-sama manusia dengan akal dan budi! Ketika mereka memukul dan menghina kita sebagai perempuan, mungkin hal terbaik adalah putus hubungan dengan mereka dan mencari perlindungan. 

Saya masih berpegang pada prinsip bahwa orang lain itu susah untuk diubah, yang bisa kita lakukan hanyalah mengubah diri kita sendiri.

Kebetulan juga hari ini mendapatkan artikel berikut:

The Buddha's attitude towards women can be seen when the news of the birth of a daughter was brought to his friend, King Kosala. The King was displeased at the news as he expected a son, but the Buddha, unlike any other religious teacher, paid a glowing tribute to women and mentioned certain characteristics that adorn a woman in the following words:

"Some women are indeed better (than men). Bring her up, O Lord of men. There are women who are wise, virtuous, who have high regard for mothers-in-law, and who are chaste. To such a noble wife may be born a valiant son, a Lord of Realms, who will rule a kingdom."

Semoga bermanfaat :)

DREAM

I have a dream to be ...

As a kid, I did not have a big dream! I remembered I only wanted to make my parents happy and became a good sister to my siblings :).

As a teenager, I had not have big dreams! But because of riot happened in our country, I remembered I wanted to be rich one day and brought my family to stay outside of our country.

As a pre-university student, I had a dream.. to enter Monash University and study science, because science is always an interesting subject for me. And I love to try something new and different (for me, studying science in English was a very challenging issue since my mother language is not English).

As a university student, I was happy to be able to study in Monash University :). Studying time was an exciting time, but not for the exam time ~ This time I dreamed to work in Malaysia.

As I am sitting and writing this blog NOW, I am asking myself "What actually is my dream?"
I think environment and people around you determine the dreams you are going to have.

In my case, working in Malaysia was a dream of the past. My working pass was rejected by Malaysian government because of salary issue, so I end up landing in Singapore now. Searching job and submitting resume are the main tasks, and these tasks, honestly, sometimes make me to think a lot and doubt about myself. In my part time job, I met a friendly Indonesian woman who is surprisingly, has the same interests with me. What she shared to me about her vision in life has made me to re-consider my future, and shape my dream.

Being someone who is able to educate people..

Being someone who is not that noble, but able to inspire people to act compassionately...

Being someone who can communicate well to others...

And most important, being myself :)

For sure, DREAMS are achievable for everyone! But the way to get them depends on each individual :)

Miracle

Do you believe in miracle?

"There can be miracles when you believe, though hope is frail it's hard to kill"

That song by Mariah Carey is ringing in my head while I am writing down these words here.

Today, I experienced what I call a miracle :). Simple yet fantastic to happen.

Wat Ananda Metyarama Temple

I had no plan to go to Wat Ananda Metyarama Temple for doing "Lunch Dana", but somewhere inside my heart, there was a sound that asking me to do Lunch Dana.  I sent message to Edy, one of my Kalayana mitra in Singapore, and he said Bhante usually start to chant at 11 a.m. WOW!! and that time was 9.30 a.m. so I only had a little time to prepare myself to go (FYI: it takes 40 minutes from my house to reach temple by bus, 20 minutes by MRT and taxi). 

At 10.00 a.m. I finished showering, then contacted Yanti, another great Kalayana mitra in Singapore, to ask her whether she wanted to join the "Lunch Dana" but she could not do it this time. Suddenly I remembered I had not done my mom's request. She asked me to search the room rate of a hotel in Penang. So, I sat again and searched, called my mom and told her about the price. My mom does not like the price, so she told me to search other hotel's room rate. Honestly, at that time when I talked to mom, my mind was not there, thinking of I would be late to go to temple! I noticed something happened inside me, a gizzy gruggle, feeling I had something to do and mom asked me to do something else. Finally, I told her, "I will do it after I reach home from temple, because I am late now". She understood me, and she just said, "Be careful!"

Feeling guilty of course, so I sent message to mom saying sorry and I promised to do what she wants me to do after I reach home. Nahh, miracle is starting here...

I almost cancelled my plan to go for Lunch Dana because it seemed to be a dream to reach temple on time!! Again, there was a voice inside me saying, "Mind is the chief of everything. You still have time to reach the temple on time." With that support, I took my shoes and went.

First Miracle

I could not find any food stall who was selling mee hoon!!! Until I saw 'Nasi Lemak' food stall and thinking of buying eggs and vegetables instead of mee hoon to be given to Bhantes on Lunch Dana. To my surprise, the 'Nasi Lemak' stall was selling mee hoon!! :) :) :). So, I bought three packets of it.

Second Miracle

My watch showed 10.35 a.m. plus when I walked out from the food stall. I rushed, run a little bit, to reach MRT station. I saw one MRT approached and stopped. MRT usually stops only for few minutes at each station, but this MRT is a special one. It stopped until I could get inside it!! :) :) :)

Can you imagine? If this MRT was not there, I would need to wait 5 more minutes for other MRT to come.

Third Miracle

While I was on MRT, I thought... "Woww!! Mind is indeed the chief of everything. Few minutes before, I was doubting myself whether I could do this, and now I am inside the MRT. I think the time will be just nice when I reach temple. Mee hoon and MRT are miracles for me! Next, I am going to go to temple by taxi. Will there be any miracle again?" I smiled while thinking of the possibilities. "Perhaps I will not need to wait for taxi"

On Outram Park MRT Station, I run as fast as I could to the taxi stand. No one was there and taxis were on the line! MIRACLE!! :) :) :)

But I thought, "Wahh the first taxi is a big taxi, I think I need to pay extra if I use this taxi. But no choice, and anyway it has been a miracle already, to find no one lining up for taxi at the taxi stand"

I took the big taxi and told the uncle driver to send me to the temple. Again, to my surprise, this taxi driver told me that he used to go to this temple before. That was my second time to meet taxi driver who said that he used to go to this temple before :). Anyway, we talked inside the taxi. He asked me, "Is there any event today? Why do you want to go to temple?" I answered him, "No event :). But today I am going to do Lunch Dana". I am glad that this uncle even asked me about the time of doing the Dana for Breakfast and Lunch! He said he wants to do it in the future :).

MIRACLE happened when I reached the temple. Uncle said,"You don't need to pay :). Just put $2 for me inside the donation box."

"Harh? No uncle. It's not nice for not paying the ride". He said, "It's okay. Just put $2 for me and please be careful, you still have time to prepare the food :)"

I only could say, "Thank you" from the bottom of my heart to this uncle :) :) :). While walking to the dining room, I still could not believe what had happened to me during the entire journey to reach the temple!

"Is it the power of mind? Or perhaps Bhante knows that I will come to temple?" Hahaha!! I believe the first one is the reason behind this. And again, inside the temple, MIRACLE happened!! I met one auntie, she is Thailanese but able to speak Mandarin fluently!! She introduced me to the founder of Wat Ananda temple :). She treated me so nice! All of us had a great lunch! Before I went home, the auntie gave me grapes and longan.

I am tremendously grateful for what I have done and experienced today :)

Sometimes thing happens outside of our expectation, but do believe that miracle happens!!! :)

May you be well and happy always :)

Ajahn Cattamalo's gift

Readers,

Yesterday I attended double Dhamma talks by the same teacher, Ajahn Cattamalo. I think I am fortunate enough to be able to attend his Dhamma talk and ask some doubts that appeared in my mind.

Yes, the first Dhamma talk was about "Giving with Joy". Honestly, when I first saw this topic, I thought "Hhmmm.. I think I know what is giving with joy, so should I attend this Dhamma talk?" However, my second thought came and it said "Well, why not giving it a try? Since I have never listened to Ajahn Cattamalo, maybe he has different view about giving with joy". So.. there I was at 9.30 a.m. in Wat Ananda Metyarama temple, Jalan Bukit Merah.

To my surprise! He seemed to be able to read my mind hohoho!! In his Dhamma talk, he mentioned that when we assume that we know something, that is when we stop to investigate (those words are indeed not related to the topic), but he did mention them! Hahaha! So, that is one of my lessons. Do not assume that you know something because it will only stop you to grow further.

And then, now I understand that when you are giving something to others, do not ever expect something in return. In my experience, because I understand that the Dhamma is good, so I spread the news to my friends whenever and wherever Dhamma talk will be held. However, I was ignorant not to know that I had expectation when I gave the news to them. Therefore, when those friends did not respond well, I would be sad!! Nahh you see, I give but at the end I let myself to suffer because of my own expectation. Giving without expectation is indeed the greatest gift you can give to others :) :)

The giver, the gift, and the receiver

Besides that, Ajahn Cattamalo taught that the essence of giving is found on the giver, the gift, and the receiver. If the giver can give with pure heart and intention, it is indeed beneficial to the giver. He enjoys the joy of giving. If the gift is correct, it will bring happiness to the giver as he can help correctly, and the receiver as he can earn something that is useful for him. If the receiver receives the gift at the right time and place, this in fact brings joy to both giver and receiver.

So, the power of giving is great, isn't it? Try yourself, and you will know it! I still remember the feeling of joy and happiness when I gave my time and money for Sis. Teresa Hsu and friends :)

Second Dhamma talk was about "Learning to Listen". I had no plan to attend this Dhamma talk, but due to lots of time and nothing to do at home, so finally I decided to attend it :). Ajahn told us to listen to something good and brings benefit to our mind, avoid listening to gossips or harsh speech, as it will only destroy the peace of mind. Ajahn also taught us the formula of if this is not, that is not; if this increases, that increases (confused?).. In simple words, the formula is the same as the law of cause and effect.

Not related to the topic, I asked him "Is meditation one kind of attachment?". He said "Yes, it is. But it is a good attachment. Eating is also one kind of attachment, isn't it? But you must eat in order to live, so the same goes for meditation. You need to meditate to feed your heart. It is a spiritual food for you."

Ajahn Cattamalo

Indeed, yesterday was one day with a lot of important lessons to live my life happily :). Thank you Ajahn Cattamalo! May you be well and happy always :)

A meaningful beginning of 2011

Readers,

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 :) :) :)

May all of us grow into a better and wiser people!

May all beings be well and happy always!

I am grateful to have a meaningful celebration of welcoming the year of 2011. Although there were some confusions about which way I should go to celebrate the New Year, finally, I decided to follow my heart :).

It started with an overnight chanting in Wat Ananda Youth temple, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Before I went to the temple, I was doubting myself and asking it, "Can I stay awake for the chanting?"

But to my surprise, I could do it :). And this is my very first time of not having enough sleep (or maybe not sleeping for the whole night), yet feeling great! Usually if I don't have enough sleep, I will become a zombie, can't think and do things properly. But not this time. Chanting is one of meditation.. and I think, it proves that healthy mind creates a healthy body.

Coincidentally, I met with my dear friend's sister in the temple. Well, she sat besides me for the first chanting.. however, I got to know who she is after the overnight chanting was over haha! And still in coincident matter, I met my friend who was joining the chanting as well :). Now I know why do people say that the world is such a small world.

The chanting, in fact, makes a meaningful opening of year 2011 for me :) :)

On the afternoon of this very first day of 2011, I had my Cookie Monster in Earle Swensen's, Changi Airport Terminal 3 with Sis. Teresa Hsu, Bro. Sharana, and bunches of lovely friends :). I got lessons again from Sis. Teresa :).. She will be 114 years old this year, but her heart is still full of happiness and spirit to help others who are helpless.

Food for the heart:

We are still young and have the ability to do good for others. Don't wait and feel that you are not rich enough or good enough to help others. After all it's not the matter of how big the amount of money you give, but it's more to the purity of your heart, the willingness to do it for the sake of helping those who are in need :)

Plus be kind to yourself, think positively and stand still, when the wave of life moves toward you.. This is indeed the secret of Sis. Teresa's happiness and long life :)

Ohhh and I was touching when she kept the word "Aku cinta kamu/ kalian" inside her heart. She keeps the tissue which I used to write those words. She said she will never forget those Indonesian words that were taught by us. It is a great gift for me! The value of kindness and gratitude are indeed far far away more than that of money :)

Thank you Sis. Teresa and Bro. Sharana!
Thank you friends!
Thank you all beings for without all of you, I would not have a chance to experience all of this :)

May all beings be well and happy always!

With Love,

Christmas Day 2010 :)

Readers,

I had a great and warm Christmas this year :). Starting with a special moment I had in Sis. Teresa's home followed by Tzu Chi - Year End Blessings in Kreta Ayer Theatre, and then today's Dhamma Talk in temple plus a little time that I spent with the speaker. All of those activities are meaningful and precious for me. I wish my resolutions for year of 2011 is going to make me to be a better and wiser person :)

To begin with, I and some friends spent our Christmas Day by visiting Sis. Teresa Hsu at her home. It was a warm moment :)

Despite of her age that is reaching 114 years old next year, she is still a great woman! Intelligent! Lots of love and compassion! I still remember her words, "I know the feeling of being hungry. Therefore I don't want to see others in hungry. I begged money so that others who were hungry could eat."

Those words made me to reflect of things that I have done to others, and in fact inspiring me to be a better person than I was before. Those words have made her to stand out for people who are helpless. Her compassion and effort do not stop although she is on the age of more than 100 years old! What a great woman she is! :)

Sis. Teresa Hsu :)

COMPASSION - THERE IS NO 'YOU' NOR 'I'. THERE IS ONLY 'WE'

On the evening, with different friends we went to the Year End Blessing. I was touched by Tzu Chi's actions, throughout year 2010, to help helpless people as well as the world. They do their best without differentiating race, religion, age, etc. They do all of good deeds for making this world as pure as the Pureland, teaching people to do good deeds - avoid evils - and purify our mind/ intention. They inspire me to help others  and universe abundantly and thankful with whatever things I have. (P.S. I am going to join the recycling point every 2nd Sunday of each month, does anyone want to join me as well? You're welcome to do so ;p)

A handmade New Year's card from Tzu Chi :)

Can someone help me to read this? hohoho!! Thank you! ;)

Master Cheng Yen gave the cards to members and they glued the dried paddy on the card :)

For me, it was a coincident that the Dhamma talk this morning was about making resolutions for the new year which is about to come. Making a resolution, not only as per se looking at the physically aims, but also spiritually/ emotional aims. By looking at all impermanence of things (disaster, nature of body - old age, sick, and death, feeling, thinking), we should remind ourselves not to cling to an object. Letting go is the keyword. 

So, readers, have you ready with you resolutions?

World Buddhist Conference (25 - 26 Sept 2010) - 1

A friend's request has inspired me to share what I get from World Buddhist Conference 2010.

Living in Harmony when Things Fall Apart

Yeah, "Living harmony when things fall apart" was the theme for the World Buddhist Conference 2010. Ven. Thich Nhath Hanh was the keynote speaker during the conference. However, due to his health condition, he only appeared on first day of the conference. Yet few hours of his appearance had made a great opening and gave food for thought for me and maybe the other audience as well.

He taught us about orange tree in which our speech, action, and thought are the condition that can determine the orange fruit. If there is enough sunlight, water, fertilizer.. the orange tree will grow well and have a lot of great oranges. The same goes for us, our karma fruit depends on our speech, action, and thought. If you do more goodness, mindful with your speech, action, and thought .. the nice karma fruit will be enjoyed. However, if you do more evil things with your speech, action, and thought.. the bad/ not nice karma fruit will be the result of it.

One of his story that I love and keep in my heart is about our hands "left and right hand". Have you ever thought why we have left and right hand? They are there, indeed, for helping each other. Imagine when you have nail and hammer, both hands are working together to help you to hold the nail and hammer at the same time. Then ask yourself, why do we can't be like our hands? Helping each other instead of jealous and quarrel with others. Amazing isn't it? We can learn something from our body! It's a great insight for me hehe ;)

Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh also told us that a Sangha life is possible everywhere, when you plant and grow the seed of brotherhood and sisterhood inside the community. For this, my opinion is try it! :). Since we can't change others, why don't we change ourselves first by planting and growing the seed of brother- and sisterhood to our family members, friends, neighbours, and colleagues?

Nothing

Readers,

I have just read a good novel "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini (Thanks to Venny for giving me this novel! ). But I have not read it until the last chapter..

The very first 5 chapters have described the 'game' of discrimination happened (happens?) in Afghanistan. I stopped my reading because I was so curious with what they call as Hazara people, so I opened my notebook and google it.

To my surprise! They are handsome and beautiful people!! Why then, they were (are?) seen lower than others??

In fact, discrimination is always a hot issue in this world. In my home country, I had experienced the feeling of being discriminated and somehow, I was taught to discriminate those who were discriminated me (Hahahaha!! Double discrimination, isn't it?). 

I think, all of these discrimination things can happen because people within one ethnic see themselves superior as compared to people from different ethnic. People see themselves as superior beings mainly because they are in the first rank in term of population number in an area. Secondly, they think that they are in high caste (smarter, more beautiful, etc) than others. Discrimination occurs not only within human beings.. Have you ever thought that some human beings also differentiate their rank with animals? Thus, those people abuse animals as if those animals are useless beings.

Based on my observation (correct me if I am wrong), discrimination takes its very place due to self-centered mind. We believe that there is 'I' within ourselves, and because of the I, we kill others to be the winner. Isn't it a sad thing to sacrifice others just to make this body stands up? Remember that this body is only a mixture of soil, water, heat, and gasses. It is nothing, really nothing.

This universe, in fact, is interdependent. We are interdependent, not a separate special beings who need to be said as higher than others. 

Hey, friends..

Why do not we:

working together instead of creating war?

playing together instead of teasing each other?

praising the good of others instead of jealous and hating them?

sharing things with others instead of keeping them just for this rotten body?

Interdependent, indeed, is the nature of everything.

See the "I", watch the "I", and let go of the "I"

May you be well and happy always :)

Life is impermanent

Readers,

Thinking back for a moment, my life is such a wonderful life! I can meet the Dhamma and even, sometimes, I am able to understand the Dhamma itself from my own life experiences. I also meet a lot of great people on the way to reach my goal. They remind me again and again that I am such a lucky person whenever I forgot because I indulged too much with the sense of worldly pleasure.

Today, for example, I went to temple, listened to a great Dhamma talk about meditation, and discussed the meaning of Dhamma with Indonesian Buddhist fellows. 

I remember the speaker for the Dhamma talk mentioned about moving mountain. Can you believe that a mountain is capable to move? We always think that mountain and maybe some things in this world are not moving, they are static.. But are they?

Look at ourselves, some of us may think that life is static. We never realize that mountain of sickness, old age, and death are moving toward us. They can reach us with no time! But for some of us, it is so much more important to think bad about this self, worry the past or future, blame others, grasp things that are pleasant or even not pleasant ones..

Without any notice, my friend's mom just passed away today..(May she be well and happy always life after life!)

Realizing that life is impermanent, let us strive to seek the Truth.. See things as they really are ~~~

To be an Indonesian..

Hi Readers!! :)

When you started to find me writing a lot in blog, it is a sign that I have MORE free time heeee!! ^^

I am writing this post with a cup of hot milo beside my left hand. Aaaahhh.. What a wonderful moment I have right now! :)

Basically, this moment I have no idea what I should pour on this blank page. Inside my head, there is a confusion about a thing, whether I should take the opportunity and then go to the other part of the world or just say thank you and ignore it. Also, despite of my phobia to return and stay in Indonesia due to some traumatic events few years ago, I am happy for Indonesia, my home country.. I found a blog written by 'bule' who is working and staying in Jakarta, Indonesia. He is happy to be there. He said safety in Jakarta is almost the same as in Singapore. He admires the friendliness of people over there. He even gives some beautiful facts and advices for foreigners who are going to work in Indonesia. It is a WOW!! for me. It tickled me to write and ask to that 'bule' as I am a foreigner to my home country, but I won't do it hehe! ;p

Honestly, before I found that blog and read those nice comments of Indonesia from foreigners, I never thought that Indonesia is a good place to stay (Don't trust me if you haven't visit Indonesia!). Well, perhaps it is because of my phobia that the same things will happen again in the future haha! 

After all, I need to say to myself that I am happy to be an Indonesian :) :) :). It is not important to think about how the country and people treat you, because we might find bad treatment in other countries as well. It is more about contentment, to be happy to be who you are right now. I can't change the past, and erase my bad memories straight away, but there is always a way for me to change my view and attitudes towards my native people and country.

And here you go.. as my hot milo had just finished, this post would be ended here.

Berikan SENYUM mu :)

Hello, readers!! c:

Hari ini saya ingin menceritakan pengalaman yang saya dapatkan kemarin :). Ini adalah pengalaman yang menghangatkan jiwa karena ternyata orang yang tidak kita kenal sekalipun dapat berbuat baik kepada kita...

Kemarin siang tiba-tiba saya mendapatkan phone call untuk pergi interview di daerah yang saya sama sekali tidak kenal. Pukul 3 p.m. saya berangkat dari rumah, dan perjalanan hampir 1 jam saya tempuh untuk mencapai MRT station terdekat (menurut prediksi dari internet). Pukul 4.30 p.m. adalah waktu yang telah ditetapkan untuk interview, jadi saya hanya memiliki sekitar 20 menit untuk bisa tiba di perusahaan tepat waktu. Benar-benar mencekam hati!! Setelah tiba di MRT station, saya mencari bus yang menurut prediksi dari internet (lagi!!) bisa mengantar saya sampai tempat tujuan. Jangan tanya bagaimana saya harus berputar kiri dan kanan untuk menemukan bus stop yang cocok. Putar kiri ternyata bus yang saya butuhkan tidak berhenti disana, putar kanan ternyata route bus yang saya butuhkan sudah bukan ke tempat yang dituju..

Di tengah kegalauan hati, hanya satu yang bisa saya pikirkan.. Segera ambil taxi! Tapi saya benar-benar tidak tahu dimana taxi stop hahaha!! Sampai akhirnya saya putuskan untuk menyeberang jalan dan sungguh beruntung saya karena akhirnya bisa menemukan taxi stop. Kali ini waktu sudah menunjukkan pukul 4.15 p.m. (waktu menurut jam tangan saya, yang kata teman-teman sebenarnya kelebihan 5 menit haha) dan tidak ada taxi sama sekali di taxi stop!!! Setelah beberapa menit menunggu, ada 1 taxi yang tulisan atasnya HIRED tapi ketika dipanggil menghampiri saya.. Saya cepat-cepat bertanya apakah uncle tahu alamat yang dimaksudkan, dan dia mengangguk. Wahh, langsung saya lompat ke dalam taxi dengan hati tidak tenang karena waktu hampir mencapai 4.30 p.m.

Di dalam taxi, si uncle mengajak berbicara dengan bahasa Mandarin.. Yahh seperti yang kalian tahu, Mandarin saya tidak sebegitu hebat jadi saya jawab tanpa peduli grammar Mandarin hancur hahaha! Dan si uncle pikir saya orang Malaysia.. Selama berbicara dengan uncle, attention saya agak sedikit teralih dari dag dig dug hampir telat haha!! Sesampainya di depan perusahaan, uncle masih berkata GOOD LUCK dengan senyumnya yang lebar :) :) :)

Nahh di sinilah saya merasakan bahwa kata-kata semangat dan SENYUM sangatlah bermanfaat walaupun itu datang dari seorang asing. Saya dengan percaya diri pun bisa memasuki ruang interview :), walaopun entah bagaimana hasil interview itu (tiba di ruang interview pukul 4.28 p.m.)... Jika berhasil sungguhlah berbahagia, jika tidak berhasil itu adalah suatu pengalaman berharga :)

Teman-teman, satu pelajaran yang bisa diambil disini adalah BERIKAN SENYUM mu walaupun mereka bukanlah orang yang kita kenal, karena kita tidak mengetahui apa dampak sebuah SENYUM pada hati mereka :)

Semoga bermanfaat!! May all beings be well and happy always :)

Bertindak Bijaksana

Hello semuanya!! Maaf lama tak meng-update blog hehe!!

Anyway, sekarang saya di Singapore dalam pencarian kerja haha!! Banyak hal yang sudah terjadi, dan satu hal yang ingin diceritakan disini adalah pengalaman saya mencari kerja :)

Bukanlah sesuatu yang mudah memang untuk mencari kerja, apalagi buat kita-kita yang baru saja lulus dari university. Kita menuntut diri kita untuk cepat mendapatkan kerja, menuntut diri kita untuk tidak kalah saing dengan orang lain yang sama-sama baru lulus dalam mendapatkan kerja, dan masih banyak tuntutan lainnya. Namun tahukah kita bahwa sebenarnya tuntutan-tuntutan itu diri kita sendirilah yang membuat dan akhirnya meledakkan emosi kita?
Saya sendiri pun tak bisa memungkiri kalau dalam beberapa minggu yang lalu, saya adalah manusia yang penuh dengan tekanan, bingung, dan hanya berpikir untuk *DAPATKAN KERJAAN SESEGERA MUNGKIN*!! hahaha. Sampai saya melakukan hal-hal yang mungkin tidak bisa diterima secara logis haha.


Bisa dibilang saya cukup beruntung karena saya kembali ditemukan pada ajaran Buddha yang menyadarkan saya akan semua ini. Terimakasih kepada teman-teman yang sudah berkontribusi banyak dalam penyadaran ini haha!! Kepada Mr. Ng yang hanya pernah ketemu dengan saya sekali, tapi benar-benar mengajarkan banyak wisdom kepada saya lewat email-emailnya. Tak lupa juga buat Rifin dan Ko Ju yang menyadarkan saya dari nasehat-nasehatnya. Juga Lia dan Jimmy karena sudah menemani saya jalan-jalan dan meng-explore Singapore selama beberapa hari ini.

Saya kembali sadar bahwa disinilah apa yang dikatakan Sang Buddha adalah benar "The Middle Way", "This moment is the reality". Karena selama ini saya stress menekan diri untuk cepat dapat kerjaan padahal tak banyak yang bisa saya lakukan selain mengirim resume rajin-rajin dan menanti telepon untuk interview. Selama ini pula saya berpikiran ke depan, bagaimana kalau sampai tidak diterima kerja di Singapore padahal sudah habisin uang ortu tinggal di Singapore gini? Nahh, sebenarnya semua itu hanyalah ilusi dari pikiran. Apakah memang benar ortu merasa tidak bahagia karena saya berada di Singapore? Itu suatu hal yang tidak benar karena jika diingat ortu sangat mendukung ketika saya tiba-tiba kembali bersemangat buat mencari kerja di luar Indonesia setelah tidak mendapatkan visa di Malaysia. Mereka bisa dikatakan langsung  menyiapkan apa yang bisa mereka persiapkan agar saya bisa hidup dan mencari kerja di Singapore. Satu hal yang ingin ditegaskan disini adalah ortu hanya berharap kebahagiaan kepada anak-anaknya, dan kita sebagai anak jangan malahan membuat diri kita sendiri tidak bahagia karena pikiran-pikiran jelek kita.

Bertindak bijaksana adalah suatu hal yang perlu dilakukan dalam masa-masa seperti ini. Janganlah menjadi stress karena dikelabuhi oleh pikiran sendiri. Tenangkan pikiran dan mulai melihat segala sesuatu sesuai kenyataan. Dalam waktu penantian ini, kenapa tidak kita menikmati apa yang ada? Mungkin nanti setelah kerja, kita ga bakal bisa jalan santai-santai dan tertawa hahaha hihihi dengan teman dan keluarga.


Cheers,
Carol
P.S. Thanks buat Nicky, anjing owner, yang selalu menemani dan kuajak ngomong hahaha!! Btw, anjing bole dikasih makan roti ga sih? Setiap kali saya beli roti healthy oatmeal, dia minta terus.. jadi kukasih 1/4 hahaha!

Life moves on

Finally I finished my exam :)

Well, the time is moving fast

Now it is the time for the oldies to return to their home, and the new flowers to arise

And separation is happening

With happiness, let us face it

Life moves on ~

P.S. For Andy in Toy Story 3: "You have done such a great thing, to let go of Woody and friends for someone else and let them to be happy with their new family."

Thanks, Toy Story 3 :)

Come and Go

I have changed my layout again :)

This time I feel that this color suits me!

There is one good sentence for me today:

"Do not dwell in the past or lose yourself in the future, for the past no longer exists and the future is not yet here"

I feel good every time I read the sentence during this kind of feeling. It reminds me to be mindful of this moment. Happy, sadness, expected, unexpected results are part of life and instead of seeing them as our objects, let us see them as a process of life. 

Come and go ~