“Ilmu pengetahuan, Tuan-tuan, betapa pun tingginya, dia tidak berpribadi. Sehebat-hebatnya mesin, dibikin oleh sehebat-hebat manusia dia pun tidak berpribadi. Tetapi sesederhana-sederhana cerita yang ditulis, dia mewakili pribadi individu atau malahan bisa juga bangsanya. Kan begitu Tuan Jenderal?"

Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Jejak Langkah

Footprints

"You don't take a photograph, you make it"

-Ansel Adams-

Bali Barat, 2009

Ujung Genteng, Jawa Barat, 2010

Near Pulau Panjang, Banten, 2011

Gunung Papandayan, Garut, Jawa Barat, 2011

Phuket Town, Thailand, 2011

Sungai Cikapundung, Bandung, 2010

Kilang Balikpapan, Kalimantan Timur, 2010

 Gunung Batur, Kintamani, Bali, 2009

Till There Was You

I was not born in an era where The Beatles was on the top of their popularity (but yeah, I was born in an era where some women adored NKOTB's Jordan Knight at that time). As for me, Beatles still be Beatles. I used to listen to their songs since I was a kid. My impressions were still the same, about their music: loveable and sweet, as sweet as a first love. 


And this, one of my favorites. For you who knows The Beatles only for their "Hey Jude", "Here, There, and Everywhere", "Ticket to Ride" or "I Want to Hold Your Hand", here is one of the sweetest.

There were bells on a hill
But I never heard them ringing
No, I never heard them at all
Till there was you

There were birds in the sky
But I never saw them winging
No, I never saw them at all
Till there was you

Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows
Of dawn and dew

There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all
Till there was you

Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows
Of dawn and dew

There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No, I never heard it at all
Till there was you
Till there was you

Oh, man I'm falling in love, again..

23

A day that has always been my favorite day of the year. That day began with a little surprise from a friend at midnight (frankly, it was 15 minutes earlier from 00.00) a simple yet touchy surprise. Flooded with greetings as well as wishes. They wished me all the best luck in remaining years, from health to love life, to accomplish dreams, to be grateful in every circumstance.

Meet some best friends is beautiful way to celebrate your birthday and I did that. I came to Bandung, met some friends of mine, had a birthday lunch, got a surprise, felt the missing atmosphere. They were still the same, our inside jokes were still the same, that's how we spend our togetherness. Some of them are preparing for their thesis and graduation while some (including me) are on our way to reach dreams. 

I don't know exactly why a birthday mostly related with wishes, but I think the idea behind that is probably warn a birthday man that her/his remaining years shrink, her/his time is limited. That's why they have to chase what they dream about. 


If I am allowed to say my wishes, it should be this:


- To be always healthy, blessed, and loved
- Doing my job and gaining experiences as much as possible in my field---ecology or environment for 2 or 3 years ahead
- Continue school for master degree in environmental engineering or any related fields after 2 or 3 years from now (I don't mind if I have to resign from my company)
-Planning to get married, after that.


One of my inspiring best friends, Arkasha Sadhewa said in her post  "They're just dreams, visions, for now, at least. The next step is the planning. And I'm excited. I've never felt this excited about my life in such a long time, it feels surreal. It would be such a cliché to say that I'm so happy right now, but I am. And I really believe things will just get better from now on. I just know."


Yes, I am happy

Would you still be thankful?

I read an article in one of online journal about how grateful the author is for every single circumstance he's in. Once, I had my own writing with (more or less) same issue, to be thankful for every single thing I had, so far. Some friends did the same, grateful for all the happiness came in their life, to say more and more thank yous, to things, to people, to universe, to God.

But, do we need to be thankful only when we get what we want? 

When you got a full paid scholarship?

When you got a high paid job?

When you got in to good school/college/university?

When you can buy luxury things?

When you are born in wealthy family?

The answer should be "no", yes?

What if,

You are born in poor family?

You don't even dare to think how luxury things look like

You don't even dare to think how good education feels like

Would you still be thankful?

The answer should be "yes"?

Of course, since we never experienced it, it'll be difficult to feel it. We can't generalize, we can't easily generalize. To be thankful is necessary, but to be cocky of it, is a different thing. Be grateful, but don't wrapped in vanity. That two contrast situations are good to contemplate. Lucky, if you find yourself not in a poor side.

Thus you can say, "I am grateful for every single circumstance I am in."