Here is one of my pictures when I was enjoying summer time in Washington DC.
Friday, July 29, 2005
The very thing that we may wish to overcome or wish would go away can often be the source of growth and renewal. The reason for this is that very often we don’t know what the best is for us. Moreover, we are preoccupied with eating the fruit and fail to give adequate attention to the root from which good things grow. We see loneliness as a problem. We don’t see it as a root from which good things can spring. We simply feel the emotional pain of being alone. We undermine our sense of self-worth as a result of it. And so we throw ourselves into relationships, merge into the crowd, demand to be loved, compulsively form friendships, fill our agendas, and crowd our own space only to discover what we really need to be alone. Sadly, we often discover what we really need only after we have become satiated with its opposite. Loneliness should be a place where we can discover our true self. It is a gift that ought to be cherished , because it not only separates us far from the crowd, but it also helps us to find that inner security from which we can make our friendships, build our relationships, and engage in life’s pursuits without that compulsive drive that finally destroys rather than builds. Henry Nouwen, an outstanding writter in spiritual life tells us that "way of life doesn't take away our loneliness; it protects and cherishes it as a precious gift". His life is very inspiring!
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
What is the most important in our life? Many people think happines is the most important thing. But the next question is what kind of happines they think about. Honestly, some people say money will make us happy. That is why they work hard everyday in order to have a lot of money. We can do almost everything by money. But is money really make us happy? Happines in my opinion is not a calculation of our pleasure or a feeling if everything is OK according to our order and will. Happines is more than a feeling. It is a result of our capacity to give value toward the events in our lives. We know that our lives are not simple but full of events either something good or bad. Negative experience such as suffering, loneliness, depression, distraction are part of our lives. We even cannot avoid that experience. So we are challenged to survive in the midst of precariousness and wilderness of lives. Neither giving up to face the problem nor escaping from the main problems can solve the problems. So the key is how we give a value toward our experience and learn from it. In this proces we find ourselves are strong then we ever thought before. I think reflection is one way to do that. By reflection we withdraw ourselves from our busyness and find solitude. Money is not a quarantee to be happy.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
I think it's better for me to share someting important, what I have been doing and feeling until now. I met so many people with different story, history and way of thinking. In Phila where there is a significant number of immigrants from Indonesia, it is interesting to investigate how they relate and communicate each other. If we are stranger, live in the place far away from our hometown and we are struggling in our lives therefore sense of community and solidarity grows better. Here I find that many people still keep their traditions, doing the same thing just as they did in Indonesia. Sometimes I am amazed with their spirit and eagerness to struggle in the difficult situation. I can't imagine how they can survive in the USA without knowing English well. Their deficiency in English is not a big deal because they believe that strong will is going overcome every obstacle they face. Sociologically, I can say that the need of identity is going to be clear when we are in the midst of crowd. Who are we? Indonesian community is an appropriate name this group of people. I never thought about Indonesia when I was in Indonesia but now "indonesia" is not merely a common name. It becomes a significant word for me. For example, first time I arrived here I went to "Indonesian Store". I was thinking about Indonesian product and everything about Indonesia. The word "Indonesia" attracted me. After that the first question I heard was "When did you come? and Where you live? Apparently, my face is very indonesian also my slang when I am speaking. A lot of people really appreciate my presence here. They invite me to have dinner, to go browsing, to go to their home. They know that I am a stranger and they have experienced how to be a stranger. I learn manythings here to be a good listener, to pay attention toward everything I see. I don't know if I am doing well. I just think to do the best in my life!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Thank God for your providence in my life. I spent three days to have R and R.Tante Nina and Om JO brought me to the east part of New Jersey to enjoy the beach. I could go to Ocean City and Wildwood city. Ehm...it was a nice trip. Ocean City is a really tremendous place for sunbathing or swimming in the sea. I saw a lot of people there, most of them were white. So, we took many pictures and enjoyed the summer time. It was extremely hot and we are not accustomed to having this kind of heat. Meanwhile, Wildwood is one hour away from Ocean City. It is very similar with Ocean City but I think it is more attractive especially for kids. We came back at 05.00 and headed to Philadelphia. We asked some people for direction because none of us knew the direction. Fortunately at 07.300 we got home. For supper we went to Dynasti Buffe and enjoyed our meals. Really I had a nice moment to meet and share with many people. Thanks for Tante Nina, Om JO, Tatiana, and P. Godlif for their kindness. My trip didn't finished yet because yesterday I went to Washington DC, the capital of the United State. I went there just to accompany P.Godlif as well as to know the most important city in the USA. Actually, Washington DC is not big city compared to Chicago or Philadelphia. But....everything is so organized and we will meet police almost at every corner of the city. Apparently they are vigilant everytime to protect the capital from the terrorists. I went to JFK cemetery, Lincoln Memorial building, National Shrine. But unfortunately, I couldn't go to the white house because of difficulty to find parking lot. Anyway everything was so great.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
I've been in Philadelphia for ten days. It has been a nice moment for me at least I am able to learn many thing. But unfortunately I can write down all my experience. It takes time and I don't have enaough time to do that. First of all the society of the USA. Most of the time I spent to go around to know the real-life here. I can say every state has different rules and laws. Phila has long history and becomes the most important city in the USA. The independent day was proclaimed in Phila by George Washington. So we can find a lot of historical sites here. the city itself is so crowded. When I came here for first time, I felt it lok like in Jakarta Indonesia. I'm still thinking what I will do for next time here.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Today is the independence day of the USA so a lot of people travel to the beach and recreation place. Two days ago was great for me because I was able to watch the Live concert of many stars in the USA. there were Bon Jovi, Josh Groban, Alicia keys, Stevi wonder, Destiny's Child etc. This was one of the greatest concert in the world. So in the morning with three Indonesian guys I headed to the concert by walked around the city. I think more than two millions people attended this concert, so it was really crowded. We could't even stand close to the main stage. Last night also was great for me. I was lucky there was Indonesian lady who brought me to Atlantic City where a lot of people spend their time to gamble. I entered the big building belongs to Donald Trump and tried to play...ehm just for fun man! OK....it's enough for me to enjoy my life. I need to work man!
I left Chicago on Wednesday June 29. P. Pascal drove us to the bus station. It was a hot day when we left the windy city headed to Philadelphia. Alejandro and I tried to figure out how to find the gate. At 03.15 the bus was heading to Philadelphia. How I can summerize my trip. Firs of all my trip itself was not very nice. It was really terrible. When we got the next station apparently the driver had run the bus too slowly so we missed the bus connection when we arrived at Indianapolis. We had to wait for the next bus around four hours. It was really stupid. Nobody is perfect, but it was really crazy. At 11.45 we fund the bus to the next station. Shortly, the trip was terrible. But..until three days after, I found something interesting in my experience. In the USA there are many people who struggle in their lives. They took the bus because they didn't have enough money. Most of them were african american and hispanic. In the bus I heard very often how they expressed themselves by saying "bad words". By taking the bus at least I know the lowest class in the society in the USA. Until now I am surrounded by middle and upper class. I have attended many invitations where everybody wears nice suit. Now I know the reality that outside there many people are struggling to survive in the wilderness of life. Anyway we arrived at Philadelphia at 06.30 on thursday. We called someone in Philadelphia to pick us up. Taborelli greeted us and explained to us what kind of work we should do. I will work with Indonesian community in Philadelphia. There more than 5000 Indonesian immigrants in Philadelphia. I'm gonna see what I can do for next time!