A Week Is a Long Time in Politics



Hey, Pals!

This time I want to share my thought that was actually my inner conflict. This has something to do with politics. To be honest, I hated politics, and I didn’t want to involve in it. That is why I didn’t take International Relation as my major although part of me wanted to. All this time, from my point of view politics is about corruption, clean hands, and dirty tricks. I used to think that politics is not important. Well, that is a childish thought of me.

Now, as I looked around, and be more critical to surrounding issues, I’ve changed my mind. I am aware that no aspect of my life can be spared from politics. Although politics still can’t be spared from dirty tricks, I now agree that politics is important. I don’t mind being the part of it. In fact, I want to be the part of it by joining Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hope Allah grants my wishes. Amiin. Mucha suerte para mi :))

It is funny how things change in a few months. Well, in politics it’s natural. An idiom says a week is a long time in politics, which means that in politics, many changes can happen in a short space of time. Now, I try not to be indifferent about politics. Let alone I am a university student now, which means I need to be more sensitive with such issues. I realize that my mind doesn’t magically think critically about it in a blink of eyes. That is why I’ve been reading many political articles lately. In addition, I join a student press activity, which demands my critical thinking. You can see I’m working on my mind right now.

This is just something that popped up in my head months ago, but I just got time to write now. Unfortunately, just as I reconsider politics, big (yet again, full of tricks) occurrences in politics field are happening. No, no, I’m not holding back my words. The other way around, it’s kind of intriguing to follow.  I hope this will be the milestone for more-mature me.
Please wish me luck ;)

Punctuality is So Me!

Photo by Nala

Have you ever waited for someone for so long, because you come on time but they don’t? Or is it you who is barely on time?

I want to tell a brief story that just happened today. This day is a special day for I had a kind of reunion with my friends, after months being apart. We decided to meet at 9 am somewhere. I had estimated the time I need to get ready and get there. I would’ve been on time if I didn’t drop by the gas station. As a result, I got there 4 minutes late. Can you guess what happened? Yep, no one was there. Later I knew that some of them had got there, but they went somewhere first. Oh, so I was the latest, I thought. Apparently not, my other friends hadn’t even left home yet! They finally came an hour later.

That story is only one of so-and-so much other cases. It happens a lot, in any kind of situation. On account of how common it is, no one seems to mind their late coming (in informal dates). They knew that there would be someone coming late, so in case it happens, they deliberately set the time earlier. For instance, they will have an activity at 11. They tell others to come at 9 or 10, so even if someone is late, they will still be able to hold the event punctually. Everyone knows that old yet common trick. Unfortunately, as everyone knows this, they will have the same thought. They will say, “I bet people will come late. It’s better to be off an hour after the settled time.” In the end, no one comes at 9 or 10.
Yes, punctuality. It is rarely performed by people around me. In my area in Indonesia, it is no secret that punctuality is a scarce thing. Not always, though, but usually. Even the phrase “jam karet” (literally means rubbery hour) is so common. That is what I know. I know it since I’ve got many experiences regarding punctuality. So far, most people around me still set aside punctuality. I’m worried if it becomes a trait.

Luckily, punctuality has always been my priority. I always manage my time by having a sort of timetable in my head. Thanks God, latecomer has never been my label. The sad thing to be punctual, while your friends are not, is that you always come first, and are lonely for a couple of minutes. Yeah, that is my experience, which often happened. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t take it as a disadvantage. I keep telling myself that being on time will not give me any loss.

Nevertheless, guys, let’s remind ourselves to be punctual in any occasion. Don’t just follow your friends whose habit is coming late! Assure yourself that punctuality is so you! It is better if you can make them on time just like you. Finally, good luck with your self-improvement! :))

Mother's Merits are Beyond Compare


¡¡¡Hola!!!

Pardon my long hiatus. I was a bit busy, and barely had a chance to compose an article. Now, I’m on a semester break, so I have plenty of time to write. This time, I’m writing about mother. I know, it’s not Mother’s Day, but there’s no mistake in writing about a mother, is there? Besides, Mother’s Day is supposed to be every day since her merits are beyond compare. Mothers need to be respected and appreciated every single day.

I’m sure we all know how great mothers are. In Islam, mother should be honoured three times more than that a father. It’s due to the difficult tasks a mother does for her children, even since they are still in the womb. Here is the hadith.
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “A man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, who among the people is most deserving of 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-Bukhari, 5626; Muslim, 2548)
Al- Hafiz ibn Hajar said: “Ibn Battaal said: what this means is that the mother should be honoured three times more than the father. He said, that is because of the difficulties of pregnancy, then giving birth, then breastfeeding."

Moreover, when mother gave birth to us, she is in between the death and life. No wonder Allah makes a mother died due to delivering baby a syuhada, the same level with those who died in a war defending Allah’s religion. Subhanallah.

Guys, don’t hurt her even just a slight. The chastisement for hurting mother will be very hard. In one hand, doing good deeds to mother will be given marvellous rewards. So, as long as your mother is still by your side, please her. I’m not as lucky as you whose mother is still there for you, but I still can show my obedience by sending her prayers every day. You know what? I listened to a song by Maher Zain titled The Number One for Me, and it slapped me so hard that I cried. Have a look at the piece of the lyric.

I was a foolish little child, crazy things I used to do, and all the pain I put you through, Mama now I’m here for you. For all the times I made you cry, the days I told you lies, now it’s  time for you to rise, for all the things you sacrificed. Oh, if I could turn back time rewind, if I could make it undone, I swear that I would, I would make it up to you. Mum I’m all grown up now, it’s a brand new day, I’d like to put a smile on your face everyday

My heart was aching when I was listening to this song. I know I didn’t do much for my mom back then, but I wish I had. I didn’t think that my mom would go that soon. I had been given over 16 years to be with my mother, and it should’ve been enough to please her and be obedient to her. However, I didn’t use my time efficiently. Now that I’ve lost her, I wish I didn’t do those foolish things that put her though pain. All I can do now is be a salihah (agreeable, pious) daughter and pray for her.

Pals, I’ve shared how I regret my inadequate obedience to my mother when she was still around. I hope after you read this, you will treat your mom well if she is still here. Read another writing about mother here to get motivated. If your mom has been by God’s side, then be a good kid for her, and send her prayers every day. Don’t worry, we still have the chance to make up our mistakes in many ways, insyaallah! ;)

What's Behind Those Superstitions?

Hey, everyone! I hope you are doing great.
 
This time, I want to share some information about my ethnic group, Java. For you who don’t know Java, it’s an ethnic group in Central Java (a province in Indonesia). You might associate Java with Borobudur Temple or Yogyakarta. Yes, both of them are parts of Java, where the Javanese live, although Yogyakarta is a different province. 
 
Sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu, Borobudur. Photo by Nala

Java is quiet well-known. You can find much information about it. Their hospitality, batik motif, traditional dance, traditional music, and any other kinds of art have been exposed widely. I’m sure some of you are familiar with those. However, those are not what I want to write about. Let me give you little information about superstitions in Java.

I don’t know why I’ve been interested in Javanese superstitions. As a Javanese, I’ve already known plenty of superstitions exist around me, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. Only lately, I’ve been thinking about those superstitions. Now that I think of them, it seems to me that Javanese elders liked making up superstitions. Well, we know that superstitions sound funny, ridiculous, or eerie sometimes. I mean, they will make you frown or laugh once you hear them, regardless of whether you believe them or not.

Now, let me introduce some Javanese superstitions to you.

1. Girls shouldn’t eat in the doorway, or else it will be difficult to find their couple.
Hm, how should I say about this? It’s clear that eating in the doorway is a big no. It’s not a proper place to eat, and will only block the way. Certainly, it’s impolite and annoying. As for the consequence, well, they seem to be unrelated. However, it makes sense, since men wouldn’t be pleased to see such impolite girls. Only, I’m clueless why this superstition is only for girls.

2. Children are not allowed to eat brutu (chicken’s butt), so that they won’t be forgetful.
Chicken’s butt is full of fat, but it’s delicious. Maybe, the elders made this myth for good in order to prevent children from consuming excessive fat. It’s true that fat in excessive amount will be bad for our health. But hey, could it be because the parents liked the delicious brutu and didn’t want to share? We can only guess.

3. Leave no leftover when you eat, or else your chicken will die.
This one teaches to be grateful and responsible. We’d better eat all our meals up, to avoid throwing away the foods. There are many people who can’t eat like us out there, so it’s somewhat ironic to throw away foods. Just... how come our chicken die because of this? Plus, not everyone has chicken.

4. Don’t wake up late, if you do, your livelihood will be pecked by chicken.
It encourages us not to be lazy. I have no idea how and why chicken will peck someone’s livelihood, but I think, it simply means that we have to be industrious to get more living. You know, waking up late might cause trouble to your day; late for work, for instance. So, wake up early, sleepyhead!

5. Don’t sit on a pillow, or else you will get boil. Iew, this one is a bit gross. Still, it teaches us about politeness. Pillow is meant for heads, so it’s improper to place your butt on a pillow. It doesn’t make sense that you will get a boil after sitting on a pillow. But, as all those superstitions, this consequence was probably made up to make people obey the advice.

6. Don’t pretend to cry, or else your mother will die.
This superstition made me cry for real when I was a kid. I heard it first from my friend, and it was frightening for me. I was anxious and afraid that my mom would die. Maybe it’s aimed for telling children not to lie. Pretend to cry means deceiving. For the consequence, yeah, it’s true that everyone will eventually die. So, actually this superstition is right. Only, we don’t know when someone will die. In addition, this superstition will be no longer applied on one whose mother has gone.

7. Children shouldn’t be out when the sun sets, or else they will be kidnapped by ghosts.
Other version says that it’s not only for children, but also for everybody, and the consequence might vary (other bad occurences will happen). This one teaches us to be descipline, in my opinion. By issuing this one, children will stay in the house and do good deeds; praying, or studying, other than wandering around without clear reason. Interestingly, there is a hadith in Islam that states prohibition for children to come out at dusk. So, among all those superstitions above, this one is the most believable, since a hadith supports it. This superstition's called Candik Ala. I have a video project on this, just watch here if you’re curious.

Those are just some examples of Javanese superstitions. There are many out there, but I can’t write them all. Those seven are the ones that I heard often, and are still believed until now, although nowadays they're rarely said. Those are usually said by parents to their children, as advices. Can I say that Javanese parents are creative in giving advice? You might believe them or not, but it's one of the forms of culture that should be reserved.
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