tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23504150441529138522024-03-14T08:30:37.378-07:00Lone WandererNotes of self-exploration and reflection about my life and issues around the worldLone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-43369608856003763172014-03-02T03:22:00.001-08:002014-03-02T03:22:15.551-08:00Autumn Days in NZ<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kZN_ZIMrbdI/UxMUDbOzrSI/AAAAAAAAAQM/MsYJ2c07-1k/s1600-h/20130504_105734%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="20130504_105734" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="20130504_105734" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wt-2TSdPFHQ/UxMURQBQ9bI/AAAAAAAAAQU/L1m33CkViKE/20130504_105734_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="132"></a> <p>That was a bright and cool day in autumn <p>When the sky was clear and the air is dry <p>Cracked my skin but not my heart <p>Tramping on hills, gazing on southern seas <p>Facing against the wind as it brought dust <p>Onto my face, into my heart and memories <p> <p>That was a wet and windy day in autumn <p>When the air was cold and the rain fell heavily <p>Walking on wet paths, struggling against the wind <p>As I endured to watch your covered beauty <p>Deep behind the shroud of mist <p>Never did I regret though I only saw a little <p> <p>That was a cloudy day in the end of autumn <p>When drizzle fell often upon a city <p>Surrounded by lake, hills and flatland <p>There I climbed on your hill, looking at your beauty <p>And down on me, humbled and excited <p> <p>That was a shiny day in early winter <p>As I wandered upon you <p>As if that was the last day <p>Sad that I should leave as I yearn for more <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4-CAT-B_3Ec/UxMUXzv7PqI/AAAAAAAAAQc/jj40iqEbWxg/s1600-h/20130601_120045%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="20130601_120045" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="20130601_120045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gqldHwkYyzM/UxMUZDO1FyI/AAAAAAAAAQk/FOhtN39hhCI/20130601_120045_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="122"></a> <p>___________________________ <p>Note: It’s my first English poem. Yes, I know it’s awful, please bear with it. Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-69783782679654955292014-02-10T09:56:00.001-08:002014-02-10T09:56:51.529-08:00Looking Back on Four Years and More in PPI-UM (I)<p> </p> <p align="justify"><img title="PPI Universiti Malaya" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PPIUM" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EJE9bb_UwfE/UvkS0fmtasI/AAAAAAAAAPg/Sujo2c3LwtM/logo_med1%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" height="244">I don’t realize that it has been like months since I left Malaysia. I moved there since late January 2009 thanks to the late Governor of Prov. of Bangka Belitung Island, Eko Maulana Ali,’s initiative to sponsor a few students to study there. The first year was confusing with all culture shock, Malay-Indonesia language confusion, stomachache and diarrhea of some spicy cuisine (Indian’s, if I’m not mistaken), etc. With years passing, the country, the university and its people has affected me as a person. I started to like <em>nasi lemak</em>,<em> roti canai</em> and that diabetes-inducing-ultra-sweet <em>teh tarik. </em>Well at least, I got a bit of their accent. Every semester then I would return to Bangka to report to the Provincial Government office and (of course) and back to my family. It was a good time, I should admit. By September 2013, I returned to Indonesia for good suddenly because I had to attend my younger brother’s convocation. I have completed my bachelor and waiting for my master convocation (Insya Allah) by that time.</p> <p align="justify">Anyway, there’s one organization that greeted me since my first week of arrival and helped me to adjust with environment there. It’s PPI-UM (Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia Universiti Malaya /Indonesian Student Association of University of Malaya), an unacknowledged campus organization which comprises of Indonesians studying there (obviously). In my campus life, my extracurricular activities mostly went around the organization. Though I didn’t really compete for higher position in the organization, yet I insisted to myself to get involved in PPI-UM activities if I could. Though, my mark on PPI-UM did not run high but the organization has affect me somehow. We (me and my scholarship-mates) were introduced to Mas Samsuri in Kompleks Perdana Siswa. A calm and friendly person, he introduced us to PPI-UM. Some of us were really interested, some not and that was the beginning of our activities with PPI-UM.</p> <p align="justify"><img title="PPI EVENT" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="event1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YeqbiYhrOr0/UvkS1csLcwI/AAAAAAAAAPo/NvKtKCHMHrY/6730_1153802658099_5141966_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></p> <p align="center">Yes, I’m the thin one with serious look there</p> <p align="center"><img title="hari raya" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="event 2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pmPMh3qtp8g/UvkS2spoxJI/AAAAAAAAAPw/rIBWEHw1SMs/7520_1045662878573_4421949_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></p> <p align="center">Eid al-Fitr Gathering in October 2009 </p> <p align="justify">The first year under Mas Sam’s leadership was the best year with PPI-UM, I think. Being a friendly and committed leader, he’s the last to go home in every PPI-UM event and befriended postgrad and undergrad student alike. Even if event preparation went on into late night we’re happy to do it as our leader was there and cheered us up when we started to get bored or else. If you’re wandering, PPI-UM activities were mostly seminars and conference, sport gathering, culture and culinary fair and so on. It was, of course, done in such small-scale due to limited fund. It was also the first time I celebrate Indonesian Independence day abroad and it’s moving. I almost cried when the national hymn was sung as the ceremony went. I felt like I was in Indonesian even for a while. For such ceremony that we take for granted every week or even evade, this is so different in so many level.</p> <p align="justify"><img title="Independence day ceremony in embassy" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PPI 3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m77XEUnBzKA/UvkS31Vi3rI/AAAAAAAAAP4/nOR_UzZ6MHk/5769_137269346263_1469163_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></p> <p align="center">me (the smiling one who almost got covered by passing stranger) with Mr. Dai Bachtiar, Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia at that time</p> <p align="justify">His position was then taken by Rahmat Hidayat, my senior from economy faculty. He’s a good leader unfortunately internal conflict happened right in his tenure. It started after a seminar event went awry. The event was heavily criticized by the author that we invited to talk and the event leader vented out her anger to us with harsh comment on everybody’s mistake. Some could not accept and withdrew from the organization, and they’re my scholarship-mates. The failed event was actually the last straw after what my friends had to endure when they saw few of their seniors did not really work in former events event though the seniors got important position. It was a neglect of duty and we felt like being used. Once I thought to abandoned the sinking ship, but one of our dedicated seniors beg me otherwise (it was you, kak Monik)</p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><em>“Kak, I felt like I want to quit PPI-UM”</em></p> <p align="justify"><em>“I can understand that this is because of some of negligent seniors, but please consider it again. If not us then who will work for PPI-UM? Yes it’s tiring and annoying to see them enjoying our hard work, but think that all of what you’ve done now will eventually help you in your future. Perhaps in your career or something. This is why I stick with this organization”</em></p></blockquote> <p align="justify">and so I stay…….</p> <p align="justify">(continued)</p> Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-40462929937996068462014-02-03T08:28:00.001-08:002014-02-03T08:35:40.583-08:00Pengalaman Mengikuti Tes CPNS Kemlu (II): Usaha dan (banyak) Berdoa<p> </p> <p align="justify"><em>Well</em>, maaf kalau <em>posting </em>lanjutannya lama banget. Ada yang lupa dimasukin di pos yang kemarin untuk jurusan PDK, Kemlu biasanya menyiapkan jatah lima orang dari total jumlah CPNS PDK yang diterima untuk peserta Indonesia bagian Timur (untuk merepresentasikan keragaman Indonesia) melalui jalur khusus. Jadi jumlah CPNS PDK yang diterima yang awalnya 71 jadi 66 orang saja.</p> <p align="justify"><strong>5. Seleksi Final</strong></p> <p align="justify">Seleksi final terbagi menjadi empat tahap: tes psikotes, wawancara psikologi, wawancara substansi dan tes kesehatan. Semuanya dilakukan secara berurutan dengan hari giliran peserta ditentukan berdasar pada daerah asal peserta (biasanya).</p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><strong>5.1. Tes Psikotes</strong></p></blockquote> <p align="justify">Untuk tes psikotes dan wawancara psikologi, Kemlu bekerja sama dengan Dinas Psikologi Angkatan Darat. Jadi kedua tes beserta riwayat hidup kita (yang akan kita buat sesaat sebelum ujian psikotes) akan digunakan untuk membuat profil psikologi kita masing-masing. Tes psikotes isinya sama dengan tes-tes yang ada di buku panduan psikotes jadi banyak-banyak aja latihan. Yang perlu diperhatikan tentu saja waktu yang sedikit banget. Perasaan kemaren aja ada beberapa soal yang saya isi saja (tanpa DIPIKIR-PIKIR) karena waktu yang mepet. Selain itu ada juga tes menggambar pohon dan Wartegg (yang meneruskan gambar itu). Saya yakin teman-teman sudah tahu tips dan trik dalam kedua tes menggambar ini (yang sudah banyak dibahas di buku panduan psikotes). Sesi tes psikotes diadakan seharian penuh, jadi jangan lupa sarapan. Makan siang ditanggung Kemlu (nasi kotak), karena sesi rehatnya sendiri hanya 30 menit (termasuk sholat zuhur!). Sesi ini diakhiri dengan tes Pauline atau tes koran (karena lembar soalnya yang gede banget). Tipsnya ya sering-sering latihan dengan <em>timer</em> jadi terbiasa dikejar waktu, dan menemukan posisi yang pas saat mengerjakan soal yang benar-benar menguras stamina ini. Usahakan angka yang dijumlah benar dan selalu berhenti pada poin yang sama pada setiap interval tes. Saya sendiri (dan kebanyakan) hanya dapat mengisi satu setengah halaman, sedangkan yang lain sudah minta lembar kedua. </p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><strong>5.2. </strong> <strong>Wawancara Psikologi</strong></p></blockquote> <p align="justify">Untuk tes ini kita akan diwawancarai oleh satu psikolog yang akan menanyakan soal motivasi, riwayat hidup, integritas, apa yang akan disumbangkan untuk Kemlu dan hal-hal lain. Perhatikan etika wawancara kita, seperti kontak mata {pada saat tes kemaren, yang mewancarai saya matanya kedutan (maaf ya) jadi lebih mudah menjaga kontak mata} dan bahasa tubuh. Tonjolkan masa-masa yang menunjukkan integritas dan kepemimpinan dalam riwayat hidup anda (yang seringkali akan diungkit-ungkit pewawancara) dengan sedikit bumbu tentunya <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-devil" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Devil" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CNXJBuUVMKU/Uu_DkeVtbjI/AAAAAAAAAPI/U0N8DYsclME/wlEmoticon-devil%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800">. Anehnya, kebanyakan waktu wawancara saya saat itu dihabiskan dengan membahas apa yang akan saya kembangkan di Kemlu (projek, rencana, dll) dan psikolog yang siap sedia mengkritik dan menanyakan ide saya lebih jauh. Saat itu saya terlintas proyek Diaspora Indonesia-nya pak Dino Patti Djalal dan membahas rencana memfasilitasi pulangnya pelajar dan pakar Indonesia di luar negeri untuk kembali ke dan berkarya di tanah air (dengan mengatasi hambatan seperti akreditasi ijazah luar negeri dll.) Jadi serasa wawancara substansi <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-confusedsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Confused smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BKIMJHEqQTI/Uu_DlMll7kI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/ms9nXxD3fL8/wlEmoticon-confusedsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800">.</p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><strong>5.3. Wawancara Substansi</strong></p></blockquote> <p align="justify">Ini yang paling bikin deg-degan. Pewawancara terdiri dari tiga orang, dua dari Kemlu dan satu pakar/akademisi. Semuanya tentu saja ramah tapi pertanyaan mereka yang bikin susah. Kebanyakan bertanya tentang kiprah Indonesia dalam hubungan internasional (ASEAN, PBB dll.), motivasi, dan opini kita tentang isu internasional yang menyangkut Indonesia yang lagi “tren”. Saya kemaren ditanya tentang isu intelijen Australia yang memata-matai Indonesia (yang lagi panas-panasnya), hubungan Indonesia-Malaysia (karena latar belakang saya dengan pendidikan di negeri jiran) dan kiprah Indonesia di PBB serta kemungkinannya menjadi salah satu anggota dewan keamanan tetap PBB. Semua hal boleh ditanyakan, jadi harus banyak baca-baca koran dan situs Kemlu seperti saat tes substansial. Wawancara juga dilakukan dalam bahasa Inggris dan Indonesia. Latar belakang pendidikan juga berpengaruh terhadap soal yang akan ditanyakan. Karena saya sendiri mengambil HI di Malaysia, <em>dus </em>soal yang ditanyakan kebanyakan tentang HI dan hubungan Indonesia-Malaysia.</p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><strong>5.4. Tes Kesehatan</strong></p></blockquote> <p align="justify">Tes kesehatan dilakukan di RSPAD Gatot Subroto, gratis dan satu hari (atau beberapa jam saja, tergantung seberapa cepat tes dilakukan). Tesnya terdiri dari tes sampel urin dan darah, tes MMPI (kejiwaan), x-ray dada, rekam jantung dan penyakit dalam oleh internis. </p> <p align="justify">Setelah melakukan semua tes di atas, tibalah masa galau menunggu keputusan akhir Kemlu. Untuk tes tahun 2013 yang saya ikuti, masa-masa galau ini berlangsung dari 28 November-31 Desember 2013 (masukkan lagu “Gantung” oleh Melly G. di sini). Jadi, kira-kira satu bulan lebih. Semoga untuk tahun depan, masa galaunya lebih pendek.</p> <p align="justify"><strong><u>Doa dan restu keluarga</u></strong></p> <p align="justify">adalah hal penting dalam menjalani tes CPNS Kemlu, masa galau menunggu keputusan dan kehidupan pada umumnya. Minta restu orang tuamu dan minta didoakan. Entah sudah berapa puluhan ribu zikir yang bapak-ibu saya ucapkan dan berapa ratus rakaat sholat malam didirikan demi kelancaran dan kelulusan tes yang saya jalani. Saya sendiri sholat wajib masih bolong-bolong dan sholat malam hanya saat dekat tes dan pengumuman saja. Alhamdulillah, tidak ada halangan berarti yang saya temukan saat tes dan rasa cemas berkurang pada saat wawancara. </p> <p align="justify"><strong><u>Hal-hal yang boleh membantu</u></strong></p> <p align="justify">Selain blog saya, masih banyak blog lain yang menyediakan tips dan berbagi pengalaman seperti di <a href="http://dianardhini.blogspot.com/2013/02/mau-masuk-kemlu-begini-caranya.html" target="_blank">sini</a>, <a href="http://kamar-kata.blogspot.com/2010/09/pengalaman-tes-substansi-cpns-kemenlu.html" target="_blank">sini</a>, <a href="http://awx19.blogdetik.com/2012/08/19/an-unofficial-guide-to-kemlu%E2%80%99s-first-test/" target="_blank">sini</a> dan <a href="http://aryanst.blogspot.com/2009/01/1162-pengalaman-ujian-deplu.html" target="_blank">sini</a> (untuk yang punya blog, silakan hubungi saya jika tidak berkenan blognya dishare tanpa izin oleh saya; saya mohon maaf dan <em>embed link</em> akan saya hapus dengan segera). Seperti yang teman-teman simak dari setiap blog, tes CPNS Kemlu terus berubah setiap tahun sehingga tes untuk tahun depan mungkin lebih susah atau mudah dari yang sekarang.</p> <p align="justify">Para pengguna Kaskus juga punya forum untuk peserta tes CPNS Kemlu di <a href="http://www.kaskus.co.id/thread/000000000000000008183106/yang-kerja-di-deplu-sekarang-kemenlu-share-yuk/" target="_blank">sini</a>. Saya sendiri hanya menjadi <em>lurker/silent reader</em> di sana (maaf ya). Situs e-cpns Kemlu juga mengeluarkan pengumuman/berita yang mungkin boleh memberikan teman-teman gambaran tentang format dan bentuk ujian di <a href="https://e-cpns.kemlu.go.id/recruitment/berita/" target="_blank">sini</a>.</p> <p align="justify">Demikian, semoga membantu dan semoga sukses.</p> Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-38878175229632915062014-01-18T01:51:00.000-08:002014-01-18T02:57:04.685-08:00Pengalaman Mengikuti Tes CPNS Kemlu 2013 (I): Test, Test dan Test lagi....<br />
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(<i>As this article is aimed to share my experience and help Indonesians aspiring to join the prestigious institution to undergo the tests, the article will be written in Bahasa Indonesia</i>)<br />
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Jadi… ini artikel berbahasa Indonesia pertama saya, semoga yang saya tulis bisa membantu.</div>
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Alhamdulillah, malam tahun baru kemarin dapat hadiah akhir tahun yang indah. Situs e-cpns Kemlu yang biasanya saya cek tiap hari untuk berita/pengumuman hasil tes final akhirnya mengepos berita yang ditunggu-tunggu. Setelah mengikuti seri tes-tes Kemlu dari bulan September (kalau yang seleksi administrasi dihitung) sampai Desember (dengan masa PHP yang lama banget) akhirnya berhasil juga.</div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pi_hlFU-owg/UtpT1cYEXnI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ZduuItzQOZA/s1600-h/1528757_10201226596047113_979632960_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kemlu 1" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0yw3U1KV-18/UtpUOPuWLnI/AAAAAAAAAO4/uHEStB4KHOM/1528757_10201226596047113_979632960_n_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="502" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Alhamdulillah" width="302" /></a></div>
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Dibanding dengan penerimaan CPNS instansi pemerintahan lain, tes CPNS Kemlu tergolong yang bersih. Dari awal sampai akhir, saya tidak mengeluarkan biaya apa-apa kok, kecuali biaya transportasi ke tempat ujian (bolak-balik Bangka-Jakarta, terus rumah keluarga-tempat ujian). Status saya sekarang masih menunggu panggilan diklat, jadi sendirinya belum tahu isi Kemlu itu bagaimana tapi masih nekad tulis sekarang karena takut lupa.</div>
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Jadi, sebelum benar-benar berniat ingin masuk Kemlu pastikan niat teman-teman dahulu. Untuk tahu sistem karier di Kemlu, boleh membaca majalah internal-nya Kemlu di <a href="http://www.kemlu.go.id/Documents/QuAs/Quas%204.pdf" target="_blank">sini</a>. Selebihnya silakan tanya saudara atau teman yang sudah di sana ya. Sudah pasti? oke, mari kita jabar satu-satu tesnya</div>
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<b>Tes-Tes di CPNS Kemlu 2013</b> </div>
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Tes CPNS Kemlu 2013 ada lima tahap (kalau administrasi ikut dihitung), dimulai dari akhir September sampai akhir Desember 2013 (pengumuman hasil tes akhir). </div>
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<b>1. Seleksi Administrasi</b></div>
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Untuk tes administrasi, saran saya lengkapkan berkas sesuai dengan yang diminta di dalam situs e-cpns kemlu di <a href="https://e-cpns.kemlu.go.id/" target="_blank">sini</a> (sebagai situs pendaftaran dan yang wajib dicek terus selama ujian) dan kirim berkas lamaran ke Panitia. Untuk formasi CPNS Pejabat Diplomatik dan Konsuler/PDK (yang saya ikuti) ada 12.125 orang yang melamar dan 6.248 yang mengirimkan berkas. Yang diterima hanya 4.874 orang saja. Kalau sudah diterima, <i>print</i> kartu tanda ujian peserta-mu, kalau boleh rangkap dua, takut yang satunya rusak. Oh ya di sini juga ditanyakan tentang kemampuan bahasa kita dan bahasa apa yang akan kita ajukan untuk dites, jadi ajukan yang kita paling mahir saja (Bahasa yang dites untuk tahun 2013: Inggris, arab, mandarin, jerman, perancis, rusia, spanyol, jepang dan korea). Kalau merasa tingkat bahasa asingnya masih kurang, jangan coba-coba deh diajukan.</div>
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<b>2. Seleksi Tes Kompetensi Dasar (TKD)</b></div>
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Tahapan TKD Kemlu dilakukan dengan MenPan-RB, untuk yang tahun 2013 ujian sudah berbentuk CAT (<i>computer-assisted test</i>). Jadi tesnya dilakukan dengan komputer. Soal akan muncul di layar dan kita jawab dengan meng-klik pilihan jawaban dst. Kalau tidak salah, ada 90 soal yang harus dijawab dalam satu jam, dengan materi soal berupa TWK (tes wawasan kebangsaan), TIU (tes intelejensia umum) dan TKP (tes karakteristik pribadi). Setelah selesai menjawab dan men<i>-submit</i> jawaban kita, nilai akan langsung keluar di layar (<i>deg-degan</i> banget). Di luar ruang ujian, panitia menyiapkan layar LCD yang akan menampilakan daftar nilai peserta ujian dan rangking peserta ujian di ruangan tersebut sesaat setelah ujian selesai (tambah <i>deg-degan</i>).Untuk tes TKD, harus latihan soal-soal CPNS yang banyak dijual di toko buku atau kalau mau lebih dalam, pelajari kembali pendidikan kewarganegaraan, sejarah dan matematika tingkat SMP karena soal TWK dan TIU banyak keluar dari sana. <i>Passing Grade </i>TKD ditentukan oleh MenPan-RB (jadi masa menunggu pengumuman hasil bakalan lama) yang kali ini ditetapkan sebesar 250 (70 TWK, 75 TIU dan 105 TKP) yang berdasarkan nilai rata-rata peserta ujian. Dari 3.923 orang PDK yang ikut, hanya 1.450 peserta yang lulus.</div>
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<b>3. Seleksi Tes Kompetensi Bidang (TKB)</b></div>
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Untuk tahun 2013, TKB berbentuk pilihan ganda dan essay (95 pilgan dan 2 essay berbahasa Inggris, CMIIW) untuk peserta dengan pendidikan S1. Soalannya dalam bahasa Indonesia dan Inggris, kebanyakan tentang kebijakan dan politik luar negeri Indonesia, isu internasional serta diplomasi secara umum. Banyak-banyak baca koran Jakarta Post dan Jakarta Globe, juga artikel-artikel di situs Kemlu itu sendiri, pemahaman makroekonomi dasar juga saya rasa perlu karena untuk TKB yang saya ikuti ada beberapa yang keluar. Tesnya diadakan di aula yang gede di arena Pekan Raya Jakarta, Kemayoran dan menjawab di LJK, jadi siap-siap bawa papan LJK dan pensil 2B serta penghapus. Perasaan waktunya dua jam, jadi kerjakan mana yang dianggap mudah dulu di pilgan dan sisakan sekurangnya setengah jam untuk soal essay. Untuk soal essay, pertanyaanya tentang apa yang boleh dilakukan Indonesia dalam penyelesaian kasus konflik di Suriah dan prospek serta tantangan yang akan dihadapi Indonesia pada tahun 2014. Dari 1.386 peserta PDK yang ikut, 714 peserta yang maju ke tahap selanjutnya.</div>
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<b>4. Seleksi Bahasa Asing</b></div>
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Seleksi bahasa asing ditentukan sesuai bahasa yang kita pilih pada saat pendaftaran. Untuk yang bahasa Inggris, Kemlu bekerja sama dengan LIA, sehingga tesnya dilakukan di LIA Pramuka. Soalnya berbentuk TOEFL <i>paper-based test</i>, dengan struktur soal dibagi tiga: <i>listening, structure </i>dan <i>reading.</i> Bagi yang merasa kemampuan bahasa Inggrisnya cukup mumpuni, jangan ge-er dulu, karena soal di bagian <i>structure</i> cukup susah dan waktunya sedikit. Banyak <i>grammar </i>dan struktur kalimat yang jarang saya jumpai keluar. Trik dalam soalan ini sekali lagi banyak-banyak latihan dan simulasi soal TOEFL terutama bagian <i>listening</i> baik dengan <i>tape</i> atau <i>software</i> sehingga tidak kagok saat tes mulai. Tidak ada <i>interview</i> dan <i>writing</i>. Jadi peserta PDK yang udah ciut 707 (yang hadir) disaring lagi menjadi 232 peserta. Jika ingin mundur dari seleksi CPNS Kemlu (mungkin karena dapat pekerjaan di tempat lain atau lain hal) maka lakukan sekarang juga. Ini karena bila lulus dan ikut tes akhir terus berhasil diterima sebagai CPNS Kemlu, proses pengunduran diri akan memakan biaya dua puluh juta rupiah. </div>
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(<i>berlanjut)</i></div>
Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-77668607788719563622014-01-16T05:13:00.000-08:002014-01-18T00:35:05.722-08:00Internship and Travelling in Christchurch, New Zealand<div align="justify">
Well, as mentioned in earlier post, I did visited New Zealand (NZ) and stayed there for two months in purpose of internship which was required as one of qualification to complete my master studies in Malaysia. It began in late April to late June 2013. Yeah, it’s been too late to post but I still think it is still worth sharing. Why New Zealand? because the center wherein I interned received me with open arms when I sent my application letter. Otherwise, I would have my internship in Thailand or Singapore (closer to home and cheaper living cost).<br />
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After they confirmed my internship there and the contract has been signed, then I had to deal with visa, ticket and accommodation. Since the NZ embassy in Malaysia did not offer visa processing service then I had to send it via courier to Singapore and the cost was quite highly (both the courier and visa fee). Alhamdulillah, there was no problem with visa application (which was rumored difficult) though they left me worried due to no news about my application for a week. I got Qantas return ticket for about 1,000 USD from Jakarta-Christchurch. The institution wherein I interned has provided a list of hotels and guesthouses around the university, so I just picked the cheapest. The flight journey was fine (my first intercontinental flight!) though I was suspicious of racial-profiling in Sydney Airport (for transit) when the security officer scurried me to a tube-of-glass-wall-like metal scanner (which most travellers did not have to pass through). </div>
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So there I arrived at Christchurch on mid-Autumn 2013, then immediately reported to the Institution to start internship. I will omit you the details of my work there and share what interest both you and me, travelling. Christchurch is located on the main South Island of NZ, surrounded by hills and close to the sea. You might have recalled the city due to its shocking earthquake news in 2011-2012 (if I’m not mistaken). The city was still in recovery when I visited with the city center’s still cordoned off. Nevertheless, the city is still a beautiful place to visit which was the first impression I got when I came. The second one was quiet, very quiet. For those of you who has visited lively city such as Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta, the contrast would be felt greatly as in autumn most shops close around 5 p.m. and night life was scarce (maybe due to the earthquake?). The surrounding hills and beaches are stunningly beautiful and if you’re a nature lover or looking for nice photography hot spot, Christchurch is the right place. Here’s a few photos I captured there</div>
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<img alt="Christchurch" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xyGzWXFdZhI/Utf-EJiWM9I/AAAAAAAAANo/DkrIY3Bnur4/page%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cashmere, Brighton, ReStart and Lyttelton" width="244" /></div>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-65kcxtmq4xY/Utf-Fu0YrsI/AAAAAAAAANw/f-DeHkGLsTk/s1600-h/page2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chirstchurch2" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u8vFt8dCUPc/Utf-G486ZsI/AAAAAAAAAN4/dCdlZ9rmht4/page2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Avon river, Mona Vale and Port Hill" width="244" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sqvQ1mBSqcI/Utf-JPJO3OI/AAAAAAAAAOA/ouAy5g-ECHk/s1600-h/page3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christchurch 3" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qEV9gc85kdE/Utf-LMxMr-I/AAAAAAAAAOI/-jVsDhTl46Q/page3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="City ruins and cherishing posters" width="244" /></a><br />
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Luckily, the Queen’s birthday holiday gave us (me and my intern friends) extended weekend which we used to visit Queenstown, an amazing resort town in the south west of NZ’s south island. Unfortunately, it rained in most of the days we spent there. Not willing to waste what possibly once in a lifetime experience, I insisted to go around the city when it rained all day long heavily and later found out my wet passport due to rainwater leaked into my bag (which cost me a hundred of NZ dollar to replace <img alt="Sad smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5o92b5THHdw/Utf-MDHr2gI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/R6wr45n0Kmc/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> ). On the way back to Christchurch, our journey was interrupted by snow blocking the road. The driver from Queenstown who supposed to wait for oncoming bus from Christchurch refused t do so since it was unclear when the road would be safe to go anymore (they sort of exchanging their buses so that driver from Christchurch would return to Christchurch and vice versa). So, we are sort of stranded at Lake Tekapo, with options: taking another bus going to Christchurch (more money), taking the same bus on next day or hitchhiking. With pressure from my friends, we resorted to hitchhike (I preferred waiting for another bus). After a half hour waiting at the road side, a Korean lady kindly offered a ride. On the bright side, she stopped the car to let us enjoy the snow.</div>
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<img alt="Queenstown 1" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bcInWiFnMbA/Utf-NRxVODI/AAAAAAAAAOY/lTJYBVl0Kkw/page4%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Queenstown Hill and Arrow River" width="244" /> </div>
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<img alt="Queenstown5" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZIqOoIEDe6Q/Utf-OgacRhI/AAAAAAAAAOg/xal-uCtGAp4/page5%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hitchhike" width="244" /></div>
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It was also the first time I tried Vegemite (I can only say I truly wonder how Australians and New Zealanders enjoy eating it). If there’re any drawbacks of staying in NZ, they will be difficulties to find halal food for Muslim (like me), expensive internet fee and unpredictable weather.We're lucky that we had a kind and friendly Malaysian couple who helped us through our stay in NZ greatly (thanks Bang Rafiel and Kak Faridah).<br />
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For full album of my NZ journey, you can visit my Facebook album through this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4778855109442.1073741826.1237573477&type=1&l=7550a5fa40">link</a>. </div>
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Allah, I miss NZ…. </div>
Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-9341770898436508172014-01-14T09:50:00.003-08:002014-01-18T00:25:51.671-08:00An Update After Years Past<div style="text-align: justify;">
So it has been like almost three years since my last post in this blog, the readers (if any) must have abandoned the blog and even spam messages stopped coming to my chat box widget. This long pause was not because of me not having time to spare to my blog, it's just that I was easily distracted whenever I wanted to write a post. Once I sat facing my laptop, time was spent on finishing my assignments, watching videos on YouTube, compulsively reading random articles on Internet, checking my Facebook, etc. Hence no post since October 2011.</div>
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Enough with self-defending already, let me recap what happened in my life since then. Instead of chronological description of events in my life (Facebook Timeline does it better than me), I'll just point out important ones. Here they are:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtoqJibYl0RJgzxUFfmnN2NfNr-oAQp0ZkCrkhFZUgjvAqu65mNtxIHrfRC0FTsG8wVY0tSvFM1_gm87Sk2istapl7rdiZYqtlsKStBKTU5Ogd7xdHsr-_iBwsArMTgFWE6dffSmc6Nv3/s1600/page2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Finishing my undergraduate project paper and graduate (finally :) ) </b>I finished the paper on time only to knew that the deadline was delayed due to others still worked their papers. No intention to brag but if only I knew the delay beforehand I would have sent the draft to any editing service and had it corrected (so my teachers would not critique on my "common" English writing). Anyway, the paper scored nice and I finally graduated</li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEQRSNQO-TXMqrAaB6y8Enb70uR17JK-SYhbjIp2KjS1i7FJqy8b7QzoBSN-aobMudpwZvbcd4PlJMv8XzaBUIC5p_uJRWKLOvstL1UUBuowJrTpHz0HNeK3A-GpMXOaaeJBPWbNOD2TA/s1600/page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEQRSNQO-TXMqrAaB6y8Enb70uR17JK-SYhbjIp2KjS1i7FJqy8b7QzoBSN-aobMudpwZvbcd4PlJMv8XzaBUIC5p_uJRWKLOvstL1UUBuowJrTpHz0HNeK3A-GpMXOaaeJBPWbNOD2TA/s320/page.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, my paper and father</td></tr>
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<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Visit to Japan and New Zealand </b>(easily one of the best moments in my life). To visit Japan was like a dream come true for manga-lover like me. Thanks to Zakaria-sensei and friends from East Asian studies, I could go to Tokyo and stay there for two weeks. It was something like study tour and to collect enough money to fund it we spend almost one year selling <i>nasi lemak</i> and other snacks (plus some fund from sponsor). And we did it. Days in Japan were filled with fun and nice memories (though <i>halal</i> food was scarce and everything was expensive). Visit to New Zealand is for my postgraduate internship and.... traveling (only in weekends and holidays, but that's what always in my mind during weekdays). Those were the days when I mostly traveled alone in a nearly-perfect country with tolerant people and amazing landscapes. I stayed for two months in Christchurch and few days in Queenstown (an amazing resort town) wherein my passport got soaked in rain when I insisted to goes around the town in a very wet day. (still many stories to tell, maybe I'll leave it for another day).</li>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtoqJibYl0RJgzxUFfmnN2NfNr-oAQp0ZkCrkhFZUgjvAqu65mNtxIHrfRC0FTsG8wVY0tSvFM1_gm87Sk2istapl7rdiZYqtlsKStBKTU5Ogd7xdHsr-_iBwsArMTgFWE6dffSmc6Nv3/s1600/page2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtoqJibYl0RJgzxUFfmnN2NfNr-oAQp0ZkCrkhFZUgjvAqu65mNtxIHrfRC0FTsG8wVY0tSvFM1_gm87Sk2istapl7rdiZYqtlsKStBKTU5Ogd7xdHsr-_iBwsArMTgFWE6dffSmc6Nv3/s320/page2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pardon the narcissistic author </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQvxMtRqkFEKvztYGRoSLpl_r5njHhlcSIipNW8xUz9UQ1zeaiYBS1618AWWKNAi2Eqk286I2TxTuV4NFnXBJkyHRrOcEYT3ERZqcVQS3N6B0JLZYDeiMZj3AZsOeuL8HJATIyEqFLDWE/s1600/page3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQvxMtRqkFEKvztYGRoSLpl_r5njHhlcSIipNW8xUz9UQ1zeaiYBS1618AWWKNAi2Eqk286I2TxTuV4NFnXBJkyHRrOcEYT3ERZqcVQS3N6B0JLZYDeiMZj3AZsOeuL8HJATIyEqFLDWE/s320/page3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In NZ, around autumn-winter 2013</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li> <b>Continuing my studies to postgraduate degree (Master) and land a job (finally) </b>right after my undergraduate program was completed (not yet graduated) I directly continued to postgraduate program still in the same university. The master program was quite short, only lasted one year but God it was so packed, the daily class schedule was full from morning to evening not to mention the tasks and assignments. Alhamdulillah it was offered in full scholarship and provided a chance to go abroad for internship (isn't that sweet?) which sent me to NZ. Later I realized that I have to face another project paper (again for Master program qualification to graduate). After some sleepless nights, episodes of tired eyes, liters of tea and hours of reading, eventually I finished writing the paper and submitted it around September 2013. Right at that moment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Indonesia opened a few vacancies which I immediately applied. Long story short, after four months of following the MFA's series of tests I got accepted (another stories for another post).</li>
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Of course, my life was not always rosy back then. I fell sick due to Malaria and Dengue Fever (which happened in the same time, with sore throat in the beginning) right before my master studies program started, the governor who supported my scholarship passed away and me being useless (in M'sia) during my family's difficult moments (in Indonesia). Anyway life's a b****, if you have it easy then you're doing it wrong. <br />
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Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-59381197481676502252011-10-14T07:57:00.001-07:002014-01-18T00:26:16.453-08:00Hunting Books at UPM<br />
Hi All,<br />
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Last Wednesday, I, Nanda, Nada and Amira went to a book fair called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/bbwbooks" target="_blank">Big Bad Wolf</a>, a warehouse book sales with so OMG I can’t believe it so cheap price (5-12 rm and more for thick and good-looking books). The event is at MAEPS (Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang) near UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia). It will end this Sunday. For book lovers out there, beware of get lost in piles of books and unaware of time.</div>
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Enough for promotion, UPM is quite far from UM (Universiti Malaya) especially if you go by public transport. From UM, we went by KTM (<strike>Keretapi Taktentu Masa,</strike> Keretapi Tanah Melayu), from MidValley Station to Serdang Station. Everything went well until we look for taxi to reach MAEPS from KTM Serdang station. The taxi coupon counter set the fee for RM 24 from KTM Serdang to MAEPS (why so expensive?) Fortunately, we got cheaper price outside.</div>
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After arrived at MAEPS, we were amazed by the amounts of books there (and hundreds of book hunters, people even queue in front of cashiers row). We then parted to look for our preferred books genre locations. After looking into “politic”, “history”, “reference” and other genres. I just realized that most of books were in “cooking” and children” sections. Considering the book fair was a warehouse sale, “cooking” and “children” genre should be the least bought ones in previous bookstores. It is sad to know that people starts to eat outside than cook for themselves (that explains why tons of cooking books was there) and leave their children to television and other digital stuffs rather than read fairytale stories for their children (that explains why those glittery and fancy kids books made nearly a third of book piles there). Interestingly, Amira found that many comic books that wouldn’t be in Malaysia (because of its obscene picture or controversial genres) was there.</div>
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At 7 pm, we’re done buying books there, I bought 10 books for RM 88 although others bought more (looking from their bulky bags and boxes). Now, how the hell could we go home?, MAEPS was deprived from taxis at night and nearest bus stop was 3-4 km away (told by laughing security officer, perhaps because of pitying us). And…. yes… we walked for 3 KILOMETERS, the street was dark and UPM was so damn HUGE (Thanks God, UM was so small that it would not hurt your legs if you’re an avid walker). After long walk, we reached the bus stop and immediately stop a taxi in fear of missing the last KTM train to MidValley).</div>
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Okay, enough for rambling story. Enjoy the pictures <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eQ3e13_8DRU/TphLc19zyzI/AAAAAAAAAF8/PDY0u-44SQg/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3PsgB_9lA2M/TphLjzlOOxI/AAAAAAAAAGE/fMdC-lwKdIs/s1600-h/Photo0556%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo0556" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rQhQL7coglo/TphLuSqcT7I/AAAAAAAAAGM/QZqQ8QMhVbg/Photo0556_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="180" style="display: inline;" title="Photo0556" width="240" /></a></div>
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Me. Nanda and Amira at the book fair</div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wBgNbZ5bdQI/TphL18fCctI/AAAAAAAAAGU/c5jyN4SAoco/s1600-h/Photo0557%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo0557" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cK9OUfC7kJc/TphMILuYzQI/AAAAAAAAAGc/vovx5_ZvNRA/Photo0557_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="131" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo0557" width="451" /></a></div>
Panorama view of the book fair<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pe4fYTY0dx8/TphNQt7qDII/AAAAAAAAAGk/LIkExjtd1ik/s1600-h/Photo0561%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo0561" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--dSze5ORphc/TphNXb_0nTI/AAAAAAAAAGs/71mRKwxcQ9s/Photo0561_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo0561" width="244" /></a><br />
Book bought, quite many right?<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yMUvbnH0yrc/TphNiujMKAI/AAAAAAAAAG0/F83NiOJw0Po/s1600-h/Photo0560%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Photo0560" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OxwH9-NI3PQ/TphNuPeOH2I/AAAAAAAAAG8/-J6ka5TO_Cs/Photo0560_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Photo0560" width="184" /></a><br />
Me and “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” (at RM 8)<br />
That’s all. The book fair is open until this Sunday, just go there if you have time.Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-49445873674510695052011-09-23T11:12:00.001-07:002014-01-18T00:26:39.857-08:00After a Long Hiatus<div align="justify">
Hi all, it has been a while since my last post. You should have thought that I have deserted this blog. Be assured that I have not and I will continue rambling in this blog. Please wait (again) for a while when I clean my blog from spider webs and piles of dust here and there (as if it is really there)</div>
<div align="justify">
……………</div>
<div align="justify">
Okay, where should I start? I have been busy these months with organizations and campus activities (and other things that I’ve already forgotten or ashamed to tell). Let me tell you what happened in those months that made me had no mood in posting anything here.</div>
<div align="justify">
<b>May</b></div>
<div align="justify">
May, emmmm It was exam month so I needed to focus most of my time to study in preparation for seven subjects tests. Thanks god, I did it successfully although the courses departments tended to pair the exams with each other resulting on some days with two exams a day. Last half month was spent to register for short semester, seek cheap foreign language course and try to join any NGOs.</div>
<div align="justify">
<b>June-July</b></div>
<div align="justify">
I spent these two months by taking short semester (while other had nearly 4 months-long holiday), French course and joining a NGO. FYI, at first my course department obliged me and my friends to register for short semester as the course offered in that semester won’t be offered again in next year. Later, it was revealed that the course would be offered next year and we were trapped in that course with third-year student (that also “trapped” there as they failed that course last year, so they had to take it in short semester in order to graduate). Despite all these trap stuffs, I still felt my choice of taking short semester was a right one as it let me to take French course (one of my “new year resolution”) and join a great NGO. </div>
<div align="justify">
<b>August</b></div>
<div align="justify">
In August, I’ve been back to Indonesia already and had a full Ramadhan there. I have longed for a long time to spend Ramadhan in my home since taking courses in KL (as in that month I felt home sick the most). Weirdly, after I was there, I experienced nothing special compared in KL (except extra daily chores and weight gain). It was unfortunate that after spending many Ied days in KL, I started to lost track of my old Indonesian friends there. So after visiting close relatives and others, I spent the rest of Ied days home, washing dishes and emptying cracker and cookie jars (that would last for weeks after Ied without my help…. hey that explained the weight gain).</div>
<div align="justify">
That’s all I think…. For this September, I have started to date with the horrible thesis (I’m final year student already), until now our relations is still so good, although a bit bumpy here and there. Wish me luck T_T.</div>
Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-55630773472406689062011-04-07T01:56:00.001-07:002014-01-18T00:27:45.942-08:00Embarrassing Moment<br />
<div align="justify">
I recalled when I took English course for international student in my university, I was ordered to write narrative essay on embarrassing moment.</div>
<div align="justify">
That time, I tried to remember any of my embarrassing moment I’ve experienced so far. A half hour and no vivid memories came into my mind, unfortunately (or fortunately) I have made myself to forget any of those miserable moments from my life. Really, there’s no use in keeping those memories, there’s no fun in being laughed by others except you’re comedian. Frustrated, I made up one embarrassing story out of my childhood memories with a bit spices here and there (no wonder she gave me B or C+ for that essay)</div>
<div align="justify">
But to be honest, some embarrassing moments do linger in my mind. Let say, to remind me of how careless and clumsy I am (you should also read my earlier post, titled Look into More Detail). One of those was happened when my mother told me to buy things (mainly her personal care stuff) as she would go for official duty in few days.</div>
<div align="justify">
Mind you, my mother is a very picky person. Her toiletries are a list of specially selected personal care products (that shouldn’t be expensive but should pass her strict criterions). So, go shopping for her stuffs seems like go for a quest in RPG when we should acquire the right items to finish the mission. Then there I went, to forest of shops and supermarket forts to seek the wanted items. Pity me, the level of quest was so high that I only found the last item a man would buy in supermarket, the female pad (i.e. Kotex, Maxi-pad and their kind).</div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aovZ1dByfGs/TZ18N7SkgpI/AAAAAAAAADU/23TVKYQACGo/s1600-h/KC-Kotex-web%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aovZ1dByfGs/TZ18OZrZoHI/AAAAAAAAADY/hYdd_pSxx_s/KC-Kotex-web_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="141" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kotex female pad" width="244" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
something like that</div>
<div align="justify">
Determined that I should have brought something since I’ve already gone this far. I went straight to a female cashier only to pay that female pad. She smiled and laughed a bit. Damn, I should have never done this, my pride as a man was hurt deeply. I tried to justify my action by saying it was my mother order, but she kept smiling, tried hard not to laugh. That was really embarrassing, thanks god, there was no queue waiting behind me. </div>
<div align="justify">
______________</div>
<div align="justify">
ps. Actually, my mother asked for another female stuff, a panty liner, so my quest was a total failure. My father then went to buy her item and FYI he’s a pro in this kind of quest, I guessed he would check every shops on the street to accomplish the mission, good luck, <i>Pak.</i></div>
<div align="justify">
<i>(Any pictures published above belong to their respective owner, source: Google.com)</i></div>
Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-80421124175181744192011-03-28T09:08:00.001-07:002014-01-18T00:27:56.218-08:00Earth Hour 2011; Let there be darkness<p> </p> <p>26 March 2011, 08.30 pm.</p> <p>(Switching off the light)</p> <p>“Let there be darkness”</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_aovZ1dByfGs/TZCyd2QO46I/AAAAAAAAADA/a_W223Z_3YU/s1600-h/Photo0366%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo0366" border="0" alt="Photo0366" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aovZ1dByfGs/TZCygpsVqxI/AAAAAAAAADE/BnvFc1DTAPg/Photo0366_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="282"></a></p> <p align="justify">pic above was taken while earth hour was happening. That building is my residential college. Okay, some rooms were naughty to not switch off the light, not to mention ground floor that kept the light on. At least, we put effort on it. T_T</p> <p align="justify">That was kind of scary though, mind you, my college is the oldest in my university and they switch off all the light in corridor to my room. That reminded me some scene in horror movies when monster, ghost, psycho and other scary stuff were waiting in the darkness at the end of the corridor.</p> <p align="justify">Put that thought aside, this year earth hour was not so cool. There’s no environmental event like two years ago (in my campus), when we shared free apples to visitors, lighted candles and put them to form big 360 or 60 like this (UM Earth Hour 2009)</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aovZ1dByfGs/TZCyh_ZUxUI/AAAAAAAAADI/nEQGbZDZs4I/s1600-h/n1237573477_30239298_6159849%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="n1237573477_30239298_6159849" border="0" alt="n1237573477_30239298_6159849" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_aovZ1dByfGs/TZCyjAYuAzI/AAAAAAAAADM/5JGXbudeB2A/n1237573477_30239298_6159849_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="219" height="196"></a></p> <p>Instead, I just surfed internet with laptop in darkness.</p> <p align="justify">To me, earth hour should be a reminder for us to pay more attention to our beloved earth. Sorry if that sounds so full of environmental jargon (I’m actually taking "Sustainable Development” recently in my assignment), but we should take more actions. One way is “to reduce”. FYI, our high consumption on energy and resources is dangerous to our environment (overfishing, extensive farming etc.). Use anything in moderation, believe me, using anything excessively will only bring harm. Eat excessively brings obesity, spend money recklessly brings financial problem and so on. Our world is more than enough for everyone in this world but won’t be enough for one greedy person.</p> <p>So, reduce NOW to have more in FUTURE <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aovZ1dByfGs/TZCykoEV7bI/AAAAAAAAADQ/XtKZEE5-rHs/wlEmoticon-smile%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800"></p> Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-58207727020588578712011-03-22T10:27:00.000-07:002014-01-18T00:27:56.214-08:00Random Thought Today<b>Student's veeeery limited budget</b><br />
<br />
While walking in Jusco and Carrefour<br />
<br />
Me : Di, that's a very nice stuff. (@ male garment section)<br />
Hadi : and here, delicious food and meals lie (@Japanese food section)<br />
(both looking at the price tag)<br />
Me: Forget it, all of these are illusions, merely faint illusion. <br />
Hadi : Yeah, When will we able buy all these things without worrying about our money?<br />
Me : T_T, when will that moment come?...<br />
<br />
As a student, particularly a college student, we should compromise with our strictly limited budget. Unable to work fully yet have to learn to be independent in our finance are really damn difficult.Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-44145328608704401492011-03-07T01:41:00.000-08:002014-01-18T00:27:56.206-08:00Long Time No Write, Too Lazy to PostHi readers,<br />
<br />
Long time no new post, right? even I did not post anything on February, my bad. Lazy mood was on rampage. Furthermore, I had some presentations to prepare for my tutorial.<br />
Lately, I had two presentations in a row a day. To make it worse, I had them with the same tutor. She took pity on me and said<br />
<br />
"Wahyu, if only you plan this well, you won't get this kind of problem. So, for all of you, you should plan your presentation turn well, this is one way to apply strategy theory that you have learn this far (this semester, we learn "The Development of Modern Strategy ")."<br />
<br />
The class was in an awkward silence as the students reflected on their own presentation plan and took a pity on me as failure example.<br />
<br />
However, their plan may end up as mine. To think about this planning further, I take seven courses in this semester that last for 16 weeks. As two first weeks were add and drop weeks and one week off for mid-term holiday, this semester actually has active 13 weeks. So how we plan seven presentations (let we assume all students are taking seven courses) in only 13 weeks?.<br />
<br />
The chances are<br />
<ul><li>Seven weeks of presentation in a row and six free weeks</li>
<li> One presentation per two weeks plus another presentation week</li>
<li>Some presentation in some weeks and free weeks in between and after</li>
</ul>To tell you, the odd of having the first and second options is actually very small. Due to some circumstances (sick tutor or lecturer, delayed tutorial, etc) they will end up having the third options. I even heard some students have three presentations in a week (and I'm waiting for someone to break the record with four or more presentations in a week). So, why bother to plan? just face them with all your might (and be prepared for sleepless night).<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
_________________________________<br />
<br />
FYI, for next week, I still have to present two topics in a row on Thursday.Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-23391050428810143282011-01-24T07:06:00.000-08:002014-01-18T00:27:56.201-08:00Some Pics This Weeks<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Forest of Lights </div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I forgot to tell you that recently I've gone to I-City few days ago. It has beautiful light-themed park, I mean park of LED trees, animals and stuffs. FYI, it maybe another park that only opens and looks beautiful at night (after amusement park).</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I-city is located in Shah ALam, Selangor. It takes half hour or less (depends on traffic jam) from Kuala Lumpur to go there by car. It charges 2 RM/person (about 0.65 USD) to enter the park and another 2 RM for some special parks there. If you go by car, then it'll be 10 RM per car. For me, 2 RM is worth it, but another 2 RM for special parks (that has slight difference from usual one) is a little bit too much. I-city itself is a shopping complex with outdoor cinema (beside the light park). It should have an indoor snow park in future, as written in its advertisement (when I went there, it's not opened yet hm.... I don't know for sure).</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Btw, It's not my attention to promote it (although I did promote it), It's just beautiful place to see for once or twice (in third visit you'll lose the excitement of seeing this light forest, except if you date with your girlfriend/boyfriend here, it would be nice :P).</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well, enjoy the pics that captured by my phone, samsung wave s350 (oh noo, another promotion, my bad :P it's not really as nice as digital camera though) </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji_qB-_DnYQnB3rMP6JrdoBWlPWMj249ergYbmv-an5n3K6AMVQpgU8_8jzJma6R3muKkOCQTieQq_hXSRLVpByTmXdP2eJvsPaPp8ijMeQAL4n4Y1WWx0iL_WUPxSMs6s2HxKfwpUSEp/s1600/Photo0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji_qB-_DnYQnB3rMP6JrdoBWlPWMj249ergYbmv-an5n3K6AMVQpgU8_8jzJma6R3muKkOCQTieQq_hXSRLVpByTmXdP2eJvsPaPp8ijMeQAL4n4Y1WWx0iL_WUPxSMs6s2HxKfwpUSEp/s320/Photo0137.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A light orange trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XksFZ9WMKXunWrz6pm3R0jiY04NuEv0RMbpBSTmaQrmDXBEDROsAH7k1mfnbfUETRjc4C9JAb-tq9qOtb2OKXW_Ib_FFHwct-8ntKLH8IBPF8fdk_qd6LgFd73Mer5z1DQ9y8oYLhXSX/s1600/Photo0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XksFZ9WMKXunWrz6pm3R0jiY04NuEv0RMbpBSTmaQrmDXBEDROsAH7k1mfnbfUETRjc4C9JAb-tq9qOtb2OKXW_Ib_FFHwct-8ntKLH8IBPF8fdk_qd6LgFd73Mer5z1DQ9y8oYLhXSX/s320/Photo0142.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The forest of light, linearly</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH9MXoYsfQW9VmWNq_WJA-aueNqCVOpxxBmL6KdPi117G8fxB7oeLdq3Cwb4Xn08sS819JNdW6HHO3RNEDptXtRRMWqANV3Qkg_qYJEePTiV6aJy-KeFpj3yE2XhVs3dM2tfZz_Nw-730/s1600/Photo0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH9MXoYsfQW9VmWNq_WJA-aueNqCVOpxxBmL6KdPi117G8fxB7oeLdq3Cwb4Xn08sS819JNdW6HHO3RNEDptXtRRMWqANV3Qkg_qYJEePTiV6aJy-KeFpj3yE2XhVs3dM2tfZz_Nw-730/s320/Photo0143.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the trees are pine trees, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGpr8rraOcWY9mseEAm54eaQUhryqkHIWrKlEs2SKjGQlCR8k8vMX31Oql-_bgW9FHP2MNx5qIPbGjW1Ij9SUGPqgnDKDq4eoDUCCDS88S368Y3JKJ_eetJdBrEDm3uumfT74NKhhp1Rf/s1600/Photo0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGpr8rraOcWY9mseEAm54eaQUhryqkHIWrKlEs2SKjGQlCR8k8vMX31Oql-_bgW9FHP2MNx5qIPbGjW1Ij9SUGPqgnDKDq4eoDUCCDS88S368Y3JKJ_eetJdBrEDm3uumfT74NKhhp1Rf/s320/Photo0146.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and Amir (thanks for the ride ^_^)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8DYEzbVtxQCtjOQ4aI6b1cJMocWSnoNIWCO5zfBs1iJse6uKY68jZfbRAR0Fre5PZPXsh91rfLGbFVH6Qi_NoshZSJJsGIvAuUXqR0UvXNrXepJwnjOOkeIHqbLSM8K7ci0ZVuMMkHNo/s1600/Photo0148E001E001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8DYEzbVtxQCtjOQ4aI6b1cJMocWSnoNIWCO5zfBs1iJse6uKY68jZfbRAR0Fre5PZPXsh91rfLGbFVH6Qi_NoshZSJJsGIvAuUXqR0UvXNrXepJwnjOOkeIHqbLSM8K7ci0ZVuMMkHNo/s320/Photo0148E001E001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and white Christmas light tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5ntdtLEoJOiwPs_brNqGaS9EOrfyvPuA_41RxjnDthj6ZV3UHGuoPkFo4Rxa44RDF2pe8UTWZo0Sn72loDzTWI1is0hBQ8TaRuozoxQKsnTEkauxvTKzDmBBfe7I7v1F4ezpGIEEmjNi/s1600/Photo0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5ntdtLEoJOiwPs_brNqGaS9EOrfyvPuA_41RxjnDthj6ZV3UHGuoPkFo4Rxa44RDF2pe8UTWZo0Sn72loDzTWI1is0hBQ8TaRuozoxQKsnTEkauxvTKzDmBBfe7I7v1F4ezpGIEEmjNi/s320/Photo0154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">other pine trees, it would be nice if they make sakura/peach blossom trees right?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>That's it, you can see my album in Facebook if you wanna see more or simply google it.Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-67413398970970940892011-01-21T00:11:00.000-08:002014-01-18T00:30:17.371-08:00Human and NatureRealize it or not, since our beginning, we/human is all about struggle with nature.<br />
<br />
Our ancestors, had already begun the struggle, they challenged every mother nature threats and barriers and in some case, obliterated them completely. We, human are responsible for extinction of saber-toothed tiger, mammoths and many more creatures. We redefine earth by building cities, dams, canals even artificial lands. It is as if we already won the war, Is that really true?<br />
<br />
Since our beginning too, we have been victims of mother nature's furies. Drought, tsunami, earthquake and volcanic eruption have killed and erased many civilizations. Diseases and plagues reduced our populations, and emptied kingdoms and countries of its citizen. We fought and struggled, new medicine founds and methods were invented to protect us from disasters. Yet, we still find ourselves powerless in might of mother nature. Once new medicine are found, new disease appeared and every methods we invented will never protect us completely. To make it worse, mother nature uses our wrongdoings to bring our doom (i.e. global warming). It is as if, however strong our effort is, we still submit to nature will.<br />
<br />
In other hand, since the beginning of human being, we have fought with our own nature. A self-interested, egoistic, and power-seeking nature of us have brought so many destruction to ourselves and our world. We have fought countless war and slaved our brethren and sisters. As if it isn't enough, we have created the most destructive weapon, nuclear bomb, to bring utter and complete destruction of our world. No matter how many treaties, charters, and conventions we signs, states keep fight each other. No matter how strong we hold norms, values, and religious beliefs, we keep get in conflict and murder each other.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, I feel there is no hope to reach a peaceful ending in our struggle with the two natures we face. We may exploit mother nature and used it for our interest even if it brings our doom. We may kill each other and eventually end human history. Will we compromise with Earth? will we put aside our own egoistic interests for humanity and common good?<br />
<br />
I know that having such a idyllic hope may disappoint me but having no hope at all will let me in despair. Hope is the most dangerous thing to lose, and I still hope we, human will reach the peaceful ending in these struggles.Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-15594124619310536692011-01-12T05:35:00.000-08:002014-01-18T00:29:21.483-08:00Saying Happy Birthday in different perspectives<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">My friend just had her birthday last few days, then I'd like to post her my mediocre happy birthday post (happy Birthday, wish U all the best :)) in Facebook. Her wall was full of "happy birthday" posts, but one got my attention</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> “Happy Birthday, A. You have just spent one year of your lifespan again."</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> Although, this kind of post seems rude and pessimistic, it reminds us how short our life is. But for me, it is kind a weird one, We congratulate her for just able to reach one year more and hope for better life for this year while the other had passed away, this post remind us that we are drawing near to the end of our life, one step closer to our ancestors. For me, an optimistic one will be like this</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> "Happy birthday, A. Wish you a full year of happiness and success. God bless you."</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">Then if we follow the former one, I would like to add his post like this</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> "Happy Birthday A, now you're closing to your own death, how far have you gone? How much have you achieved? Think it well; you may end up in your coffin next year."</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">Okay, I maybe a bit exaggerate it. Whether it is pessimistic or optimistic way to say happy birthday, both are right. We can't be thankful for years that we don't even know we're still alive to live it or not. In the other hand, every year we have passed showed how God is merciful while we pray for better life this year. But we should be wary of our short and precious life, time flies quickly, every second counts, and we won't notice that we're already at the end of this journey. Then, we’ll be sorry for days that won’t come back (Heaven forbid).</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">Hmm, perhaps next time I’ll post this.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> “Happy Birthday, A. Now, a year has been passed in our lifetime, I believe you have used it well. Then for this year, I hope you a full year of happiness, luck and success. :)"</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">How that sounds?</div>Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-26508174434906993412011-01-10T05:26:00.000-08:002014-01-18T00:33:47.887-08:00How to be not scared so much when watching scary moviesHave you ever watched scary movies but didn't know how the story goes because in most of the movies you closed your eyes closely?<br />
or... scream to your heart desire and surprised people who sat next to you (lucky, they didn't get heart attack or had their eardrum exploded)<br />
Worry no more, I'll tell you how to tackle this issue. My friends always ask me why I never startled or surprised and so calm when watching movies in cinema, and let me tell you my little secrets.<br />
<ul><li>Know what genre (to be exact, from where) of horror movies you watch, every region has its own taste of horror and they are reflected from their own horror movies. An American or western horror movie has grotesque and extrovert monster/ghost or any apparition, the movies usually focus on gory scene and how the protagonists are chased by the monster (watch any zombie movies, House of Wax, Halloween etc.). Japanese movies has introvert and mostly beautiful yet scary ghost (if not monster), they are so shy and wander around the protagonist like ninja, you can see only them in seconds. Japanese movies usually has complicated and unique plot, so you may miss or not understand the story. Now, the last genre the south-east Asia horror movies (Thailand), the monster/ghost are neither extrovert nor introvert, they wander around the place and surprise the protagonists (include you) so often.</li>
<li>Expect most (if not all) characters to die. The question is where, when and how. The monster may eat, slash, hack, gore or any possible way to kill the characters (especially in final destination, the monster is the grim reaper of course). Be pessimistic, expect none survives (or two, if you want a happy ending). Don't be scared by gory scene, trust me, the real version is much more scary that you can't forget for a week (if you insist, then you may see the gory pics in any shock websites and compare it).</li>
<li>Know what fear the movie use to scare you, is it fear of powerless against so many monsters (like in zombie movies), fear of blood and gory animation (like SAW), fear of very ugly and scary yet strong and invincible monster (alien), or fear of unknowing threats.</li>
<li>Be prepare for some special scenes that surprise you. We can know them by special sound effect, a zoom in to special places, or when you suddenly see the protagonists from the monster point of view and watch how they are helpless and ready to be the monster's meal.</li>
<li>At last, they are not real. You can still look at the mirror and the reflection is still mimicking you after watching "The Mirror" and zombies in real life will be decayed and soon return to soil as natural fertilizer in months. Still scared? read funny stories and comics, don't ever think about the psycho that hack and cut the unlucky character's head off in hockey mask, forget him and let him sleep well in that lake for eternity.</li>
</ul>I hope these tips will help you watch the whole scary movie silently without closing your eyes. What's fun watching the movie this way, you ask? you can watch them full and see how the director struggle to scare you (even after doing this tips, you may freak out if the director is really that good), at least from now on, you can watch them in different perspective, and not be ashamed in that way. :)Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-80711657274468605172011-01-06T20:26:00.000-08:002014-01-18T00:29:21.509-08:00New Year, New You?Haa... it's already 2011 and I just made 3 posts in this blog. To all readers, please forgive me for my laziness. Really, having a college life is a very busy one, right? (eh, no?). After all, those assignments, tasks, projects, and a bit (or large chunks?) of facebook truly made time flew so fast<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIv4WIxGIpfYrQ3wRtCY5_gC3v5sGKWKPKLexuuBDHFuX36USSMU0rGHLI5WtD7fm8zhEi_uxrGs8tA2ttlL3GSEdTfTOJE3U79za5CyHiK-TW5O0tSOFHx9tgTN9TpC-8ge2b6KsobuE/s1600/Photo0101%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIv4WIxGIpfYrQ3wRtCY5_gC3v5sGKWKPKLexuuBDHFuX36USSMU0rGHLI5WtD7fm8zhEi_uxrGs8tA2ttlL3GSEdTfTOJE3U79za5CyHiK-TW5O0tSOFHx9tgTN9TpC-8ge2b6KsobuE/s320/Photo0101%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A view from my room window, not related to this topic eh? then I put this pic to help us reflect our life in 2010<br />
<br />
So? what's your resolutions this year? It wouldn't be the same as 2010, right? for me, I still have some left overs from last year. What is it, you ask? that's kicking my bad habits out.<br />
<ol><li> Sleep late at night, and can't wake up early, oh yes, I got this habit back, after all morning wake-up training from my mum from elementary to senior high school. Being free from your mother scolding has side effects too. </li>
<li>Pray at my wish (when I should pray 5 times a day, according to Muslim belief). To devote 10 minutes of your time to pray 5 times a day shouldn't be so difficult. The problem is one of them is done at dawn, when I can't wake up early enough to catch it, and ...... many other reasons that I would be ashamed to tell. </li>
</ol>And now for this year, I'd like to add some<br />
<ul><li>Learn foreign language, seriously. Any major foreign language is acceptable (but I still prefer Japanese though)</li>
</ul><ul><li>Having an internship whether in NGOs or other institutions. This year 4 months holiday (you read it? 4 MONTHS) shouldn't be a waste.</li>
</ul>What? that's very FEW resolutions. Yes, it is, we'd better speak few and do a lot right? Writing a list of 100 resolutions will also make you bored just by reading this and make this not so popular blog will be not even known of its existence.<br />
How about you? have you made your resolution, have you planned a new "you" for this year? tell me :)Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-47925652391986849872010-09-26T19:24:00.000-07:002014-01-18T00:29:21.492-08:00Look into more detail, WahyuOkay, This was embarrassing (at least for me).<br />
You know, I just ruined my morning today. This was all because one message that came to my Facebook inbox.<br />
<br />
<i>"Glad to inform you that there will be a Legal Briefing that will be held in the time and venue as stated below:<br />
<br />
Date: 27 September 2010<br />
Time: 8.30 pm<br />
Venue: Auditorium Perdanasiswa Complex<br />
<br />
The briefing will be done by Mdm. Thanavathi K. Krishnan from Student Affairs Department."</i> <br />
<br />
Apparently, I missed the part "pm" when I read this message. So, I woke up early, deprived of enough sleep (since last night I slept late at 01.30 am) and walked quickly to auditorium just to find it was in use for another event.<br />
Hey.... It is too late for something such as April fools and too annoying for just a prank. Maybe, they moved to another place, gotta check it on ISC (Int. Student Centre)<br />
Me : "Sir, is there any briefing for international student this morning by Student Affairs Dept?"<br />
ISC staff : "Briefing? no, there's no briefing from ISC or Student Affairs, I think. From who do you know there's a briefing this morning?<br />
Me : " from UMISA (UM Int. Student Association), they sent a message to me via Facebook that telling me about the briefing. Wait a minute, I'll show it to you."<br />
Strangely, there's no wifi in ISC. Thus I couldn't open the message. (Embarrassed no. 1).<br />
Me:" Ah, Sorry Sir, I can't open it now. Maybe later I'll show it to you. So, there's no briefing today right?"<br />
ISC staff:" No, there isn't.<br />
Me:"Thank you" (actually the dialogue was so long, about how I insisted that there's a briefing this morning when ISC staff insisted to denied it. )<br />
(Not far from ISC) I started to doubt myself. Maybe I was wrong. Then I checked the message. Oh God, I missed the "pm" part. I then backed to ISC.<br />
Me:" Sorry, Sir. My bad, I thought the briefing is at 08.30am, but it is actually 8 pm. Is there any briefing at 08.pm?" (embarrassed no. 2)<br />
ISC staff:" Oh yeah, I've just been told by my friend, there is a briefing about law by student affairs dept at 08.00pm. (So, YOU also didn't know there's a briefing today at first?)<br />
<br />
Okay, Wahyu, after this don't read anything quickly that you missed only two important CHARACTERS then end up embarrassing yourself.<br />
________________________<br />
Hufh, I may have embarrassed myself but (take the bright side) at least................ I succeeded to wake up early and dared to clarify the situation.<br />
<br />
<br />
Really....What a day -____-"Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-52035754343788471722010-09-18T21:27:00.000-07:002014-01-18T00:36:15.435-08:00Mudik and Ied Day, Curses and PraisesHi there, it have been long time not writing any post here. Sorry for that. I promise I'll write more hufh... I have been so busy (or lazy?) this year...and... Happy Ied Mubarak for everyone ^_^.<br />
<br />
Speaking of Ied this year, Indonesians usually will go home to celebrate it. "Go home" here really means go to your homeland, to the place where you grew (i.e. your parents' house or grandparents' house). This time I became part of them, part of mass exodus that created terrible congestion in any main streets and double (if not triple) transportation and accommodation tariff (in addition, it makes big cities more into ghost cities as most their citizens go on vacation or back to their rural habitat. However, they (include me) keep do it at least annually, there must be something in Ied that let them do this. For me, it is spirit of togetherness, Ied day is one of the moments where you really want to be with your family and relatives( others should be your wedding day, convocation, and etc right?).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUFnf1ZjR2XKc3QPs4KdpQPQ-OLZK9Ay_ZAL6Nl5IKtVFIa7poBA_LCaNQncNXh3Kcrbs3a-fiP-rCaBSUytCBBxd9z7od3vpc91qGG0b_fPGty3JdDVFjbbtIDgvzUJsZNwXeNH_daRm/s1600/Image202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUFnf1ZjR2XKc3QPs4KdpQPQ-OLZK9Ay_ZAL6Nl5IKtVFIa7poBA_LCaNQncNXh3Kcrbs3a-fiP-rCaBSUytCBBxd9z7od3vpc91qGG0b_fPGty3JdDVFjbbtIDgvzUJsZNwXeNH_daRm/s320/Image202.jpg" /></a></div> My grandparents' graves<br />
I filled this mudik with curses (for congestion and that damn expensive bus and train fares ) and praises (for chance to meet with my relatives). And I thanked God for giving me this long life as when I paid a visit to my grandparents' and uncle's graves (and prayed for them). I recalled when I met them last Ied some years a go. Every Ied we meet new friends and relatives and lost some. Will this be my last Ied? Could I meet them again next year? (after separated by time and space, will we meet for next Ied even if for one day? Wallahualam....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfX7KYM0EdI_aMIsdc9dbKDJOgZ7_7YzVPD1vuL-OE0Eo5Xz8jDinCQ8_j8csalkJE493-FmjASAtC4YzNuzbjFAqabqq66Zk4iAusYHdo7OEN5R7xfyGKKxrN-IhjEji2QCD5QrbZhL1/s1600/Image221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfX7KYM0EdI_aMIsdc9dbKDJOgZ7_7YzVPD1vuL-OE0Eo5Xz8jDinCQ8_j8csalkJE493-FmjASAtC4YzNuzbjFAqabqq66Zk4iAusYHdo7OEN5R7xfyGKKxrN-IhjEji2QCD5QrbZhL1/s320/Image221.jpg" /></a></div> Me in Keraton Yogya complex<br />
One thing that should be thanked to is Ied holiday, haha... this two weeks has been really fun (I really enjoyed visiting Borobudur and Prambanan temples also many more sites). Sadly, It will end this Sunday. Soon I'll be busy again (and maybe let this blog empty again for some weeks again, sorry. I'll try to write more frequently hehehe..). Tasks and assignments are waiting to be finished, and deadlines are drawing closer and closer...<br />
<br />
Oh God, Holiday is (nearly) overLone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-92153223816212797792010-03-31T07:16:00.000-07:002014-01-18T00:29:21.513-08:00Myself... in GeneralHmm.... should I?<br />
<br />
Should I write about myself? -_-"".......... (loading) ... Yes... I should<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Wahyu Prabowo</span>, born on 16th of February 1991 as the third of four children (we're all boys) of Suwoto and Siti Aswati. Having his childhood in Depati Amir airport complex (kind a housing for airport staff and officers), he grew in such a small and tranquil (except the disturbing sounds of plane taking off) village. And yes, I am proud of it. <br />
<br />
He had his kindergarten for only one years and entered elementary school one year earlier than it's used to be (thus explain why I am younger than my classmate). As a child, he was so quiet (Am I still so quiet now?)<br />
and cried easily even for little matters and for a long time (I recalled I ever cried for hours just because of my mother went somewhere, this really troubled my aunt). He was so thin (cries squeeze your body, I thought, especially when you don't have appetite after that) and with big head (a reason why I'm smart, haha.. kidding) so much so his cousin called him 'alien'. This saddened his mother, she then prayed for him to be taller to balance his head (that worked actually, I'm 173 cm in height now, that is tall enough for Asians).<br />
<br />
Then he had his junior high school in SMP 1 Pangkalpinang, an old school with good reputation in his city. Known to be quiet and pious (not really in fact), he followed Rohis (Rohani Islam, an Islamic extracurricular program) and succeeded to be its leader (eventhough not really a good and active leader). He is liked by his teacher for his discipline and smartness (they still don't know how lazy I am). He graduated from SMP N 1 in 2005.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqNYa5nd7VgFLvRnULk9M5uuqW0aNQxWN5sXMFFwSOXF0YZCb8CadsQQIbJdYNXFyl2CnmL0LIY2y9XRLMImZ0_S7MZym4Hk6WDKMVHIIkg8LxdUgrRLVD1SQFAR5ZW1FlCWHdcEne_Rc/s1600/0_351583739l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqNYa5nd7VgFLvRnULk9M5uuqW0aNQxWN5sXMFFwSOXF0YZCb8CadsQQIbJdYNXFyl2CnmL0LIY2y9XRLMImZ0_S7MZym4Hk6WDKMVHIIkg8LxdUgrRLVD1SQFAR5ZW1FlCWHdcEne_Rc/s320/0_351583739l.jpg" /></a></div> His image, maybe after graduated from SMPN1 Pangkalpinang (I don't have older photos, I'll put when I found nice one)<br />
<br />
In his senior high school, his star shone brightly. His fond on biology (Biology, I missed you so much) led him to many national contests, supported by his biology teachers ( Mr. Sunaryo and Mrs. Widyastuti, thank you so much) he reached 59th position in National Biology Olympiad in Surabaya, 2007. (and be a good contestant in Pesta Sains IPB, Biology competition in FKUI, and National Debate competition in Binus, since he got nothing but a 'to-not-let-you-down' participation certificate T_T). But he's passive in any school organizations, and liked to be in that state (hehe..).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDUE3OgGYvZxXDXY2T1ZaPqFFoaduBIbaxbu0D_4ZowNPPQQyh1oOKdY8YpusQX9fquafm3VlhrLIk275uDso1l2Ej6xFLwp-bicI4tV1GoJsMCfJb4ViIlssYCTLpGAhjSTZARS1u599/s1600/1_205286906l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDUE3OgGYvZxXDXY2T1ZaPqFFoaduBIbaxbu0D_4ZowNPPQQyh1oOKdY8YpusQX9fquafm3VlhrLIk275uDso1l2Ej6xFLwp-bicI4tV1GoJsMCfJb4ViIlssYCTLpGAhjSTZARS1u599/s320/1_205286906l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
In National Biology Olympiad, one of his precious moment<br />
<br />
He then graduated in 2008 and continued to pra-university course in Palembang to pass SNMPTN test. SNMPTN is a qualification test for students to be enrolled in state universities. They will compete with other to gain access to their selected course in state universities. As for Wahyu, he chose the difficult-to-get course, a medicine faculty. Nevertheless he spend four months in Palembang and all of his achievements in Biology, he failed....<br />
<br />
In state of confusion, he sought alternatives in private universities but they came with throttling price for decent public servants as his parents. Suddenly, scholarship offer came for him, told by his senior high school teacher. Would he barter his dream to be a doctor for a scholarship?.... (to be continued)<br />
<br />
(Continued.... haha.. kidding)<br />
He finally chose the scholarship that sent him to Malaysia and moved his interest to International Studies (a next-diplomat :) Now, he's still doing his course and sometimes grumbles on how confusing social science is and how he missed biology. After all, he thanked God to sent him here, believed that there should be a reason for that. He's sure that is a good one.Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2350415044152913852.post-57916868118352421912010-03-30T22:16:00.000-07:002010-03-31T06:24:06.350-07:00Testing new blogMoved by my friends who already wrote their blogs, I started this one. As a newbie, I hope you're not confused with any grammatical errors and technical flaws. I am still thinking whether I should continue this blog in English or Indonesian, emm.... maybe depends on my mood.-_-". So, just read it and leave any comment as you wish.Lone Wandererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285310878718420480noreply@blogger.com0