USA.. I'm Coming.. (part 2)

There are a lot of preparations needed before leaving Indonesia. Passport, gifts, traditional clothes, school, permissions, and many things. Besides, I had to prepare myself physically and mentally. It was quite fantastic and I really enjoyed it yet this was the biggest dream of mine. I never exhausted to thankfully blessed my life. I knew Allah Swt was all behind this. I knew it : If we have DREAM, just BELIEVE that WE CAN ACHIEVE it, then our mind will BRINGS it TO REALITY. I always remembered I've said many times that someday I will go overseas. I always said it in front of my Mom and my brother the most. They are the ones who I wanna make proud of. And now, my dream comes true.

March 17th, 2011
I left Pontianak to approach Jakarta. At that day, all people that I love were there, in the airport. Cleptoners, that's how we named us (my best friends in university) gave me an early birthday present: a book that I can only open if I'm heading to United States in the airplane. I tried so hard to hold my tears. They were all crying over me, especially My Mom. It was the first time I separated from her for a quite long time, 2 months.

I met my other 17 Indonesian friends in Jakarta Airport Hotel; Rizma (Purwokerto), Widia (Cirebon), Abi (Balikpapan), Mira (Jambi), Fiqih (Tegal), Suci (Depok), Uun (Banyuwangi), Tika (Bangka), Zake (NTB), Fandi (Jombang), Sueb (Malang), Yunia (Palembang), Kiki (Pekalongan), Andre (Samarinda), Fery (Tulungagung), Ria (Salatiga), and Hadi (Banjarmasin). I was proud to be the representative from Pontianak, of course. ^^

We all have created the greatest memories in our lovely campus, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY. Besides, we are said to be the 18 first grantees of IELSP who studied there. They are like my brothers and sisters. I love you guys!

The routes of my departure --> Jakarta - Singapore - Hongkong - Chicago - Phoenix - Mesa (Arizona, USA)

It was a very looooooonnngg flight. We were accompanied by Bunda Wiati Rahayu from IIEF, she was really kind and mother- like. That's why we call her "Bunda" which means mother.

The first time I stepped on Singapore I felt like wanna screaming and yelling to the world, that "I'm in abroad!" (I know that sounds crazy and villagers- alike. Hahh! Whatever :p)

We spent 6 hours in Singapore, 2 hours in Hongkong, and 4 hours in Chicago before finally arrived in Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona. Since I was in Singapore until I reached United States, I was mesmerized by the TECHNOLOGY and the RESTROOMS.

TECHNOLOGY
They have a very sophisticated technology far different compared to Indonesia. In Singapore International Airport, there is an authomatic foot massager which allowed us to have a relaxation after our long trip. What we have to do is just sit on it and let the machine works. It was very comfortable. So as the water fountain which I found almost everywhere. Especially in Singapore, we only have to step on the certain part of the floor and the water will come by itself without pushing anything. It was really fresh. Then in every airport we found the flat escalator which named as "moving sidewalks or moving walkways" made us feel like walking on the rollerblade without worrying about "falling down".

RESTROOMS
First impression: CLEAN. Honestly, it was really awkward for me to use the dry toilet. For me, Indonesian, water is everything. Therefore, you have to give up on it if you're in abroad. You have to get used to with the dry toilet, translated ---> toilet paper. But later on, I realize that dry toilet is much healthier than the wet one. It keeps the restroom clean and comfortable. Besides, there is always a tap that we can adjust based on our need; hot, warm, or cold water. So after we use the toilet, we are obligated to wash our hands. And there's always the soap and the tissue. On the other hand, that's one of reasons why United States and other developed countries are responsible for the global warming. Imagine the trees for the toilet papers, tissue and napkins.

USA.. I'm Coming.. (part 1)

November 26th, 2010
It was the most beautiful day in my life. That day was the last day of my examination in university. I remembered exactly it was "Translation" examination. It was pretty easy and I with my friends (Rainy. Yuni, Nemi) went to the carboot sale soon afterwards. There's one thing called as "inkling" at that day. In the morning I decided to use my Dad's cellphone because I knew I had a problem with my cellphone, its speaker, so everytime I got a phone call, they couldn't hear my voice at all. But, something in my mind said that day I had to use my Dad's cellphone. It's kinda ridiculous because I was sure that I would get an important phone call from someone.

That day my biggest prayer was answered by Allah Swt.

When we were choosing some clothes, I checked my phone and there was one missed call. I saw the three first numbers were 021. My hands began shaking, I got a cold feet and my heart was beating faster than usual. I waited, waited, and a few minutes later, that number called again. I picked it up, I heard the voice of a woman,


"Is this Sistia Dinita?"

"Yes, it's me"

"I'm Vera from IIEF wants to say congratulations since you are chosen as one of IELSP grantees."

...............
"Really?"

"Yes! Congratulations, Sistia!"

........... "You're pulling my leg."

"I'm not kidding you. You're going to United States around February- March next year. Have you got your passport?"

Aa....
"No" (I must be dreaming, right? UNITED STATES????^%%#&%&%#^%#^&%)

"OK, tonight please check your email because we're gonna give you the instructions of what you should do next."

Aa.... (What the hell is happening here?)
"OK, Thank you so much.."

"Your passport must be ready before or on the day of December 6th. One thing you should remember, we will cover all the costs except for the passport. Are you sure you can afford this?"

"Yes, Miss. I know about that. I can afford this" (Passport????&^#&^#&^@&%&) ==> start being insane.

"OK, once again, congratulations Sistia. Don't forget to check your email. Do you have any other questions?"

"No, I don't know what to say, Thank you, Miss Vera."

"Assalamu'alaikum" "

"Wa'alaikumsalam"

My friends, who were standing next to me heard all those things. They suddenly hugged me crying, and screaming, as what I did. We didn't care about everything around us, just wanted to express How HAPPY I AM. I planned to tell my Mom soon after I reached home. The woman who sells the clothes and her husband gave me a present, a beautiful clothes which dazzled me since the first time I saw it, FOR FREE. They said, "Today is your day."

Thank you Allah Swt, Thank you my beloved Mom (who always prays for me), my brother (my handsome motivator), my sister in law (thank you for loving my handsome brother), my Dad (I love you so much), my boyfriend (thanks for loving me), and all my friends who support me a lot.

I LOVE YOU ALL

Good to see this!

Right now, I have some interesting information to be shared with you, if you are interested to read, click http://apakabardunia.com/post/hijaukan_duniamu/10-teknologi-yang-dapat-mencegah-bumi-dari-kehancuran.
And I want to suggest you to watch a movie entitled "One Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore. Athough it has been released for years ago, but it represents the real condition of our earth nowadays. For those who have watched this movie, you are lucky. For those who haven't, then watch it.
Below is the trailer,

Tens of Islands have been underwater

In Indonesia, at least there are 23 uninhabited islands have been underwater in the lasts 10 years because of global warming.
What a worrying condition!
Right now Indonesia has 17.560 islands, part of them are inhabited. One of the indications of GW is the sea- level rise. Maybe that is why this situation happened. Maladewa island in India, Vanwatu and some other islands feared they will get the similar destiny. From that experience, Indonesia still has enough time to anticipate it by doing reboisation.
One person, one tree.
That will be very helpful..
:)

Human excretion can reduce global warming

Can you imagine if the human excretion can help us to reduce the global warming?
If you can, then it means you have a really interesting imagination.
If you can't, then it means you have to.
In fact, the human excretion really can have a great advantage for us to reduce GW itself.
Based on the what has been said by the founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organization, Bindeshwar Pathak, an organization that is dedicated to make a sanitation, he said that he has been developing a toilet with a system to change human excretion becomes biogas organically. After that, it will be changed into electricity or fuel to cook. For the urine, it will also be changed into fertilizers. He claimed that he has successfully implemented this eco- friendly toilets in Kabul, Afghanistan.
What an interesting real imagination! :)

What is Acid Rain?

Have you ever heard about acid rain? So, what does it mean? Is it about the rain that has the taste just like soursoup? We don't think so.
Naturally, rain has degree acidity of pH about 5,6 pH because of the carbondioxide in the atmosphere. Then if it is less than 5,6 pH, moreover, if it has 5,1 pH, means will bring a negative effect and damage many things:
- Acid rain is corrosive, it can damage material and building like properties, monument/ statue, metal like car, or car components.
- It is deadly for plants and animals.
- It can hamper the growing of food crops and vegetables.
- Causes breath respiratory disease.
- For pregnant woman, may cause premature babies.
- Influence the quality of the surface water.
- Can dissolve the heavy metals in the ground so it can affect the quality of the ground water and surface water.

And as we know, the cause why the carbondioxide has been decreasing for amount of these lately years is because of the global warming.
So, what are you waiting for?
Do something for our earth...

Bike to Work

Talking about global warming seems very easy. But, talking about reducing global warming seems very difficult to do. Why? Because we can't change our way of life so easily. As we know, nowadays people are used to make life becomes simpler, easier, more flexible and more things like that. Everything can be done in a shorter time. The most miserable thing I watch right now is how people being enjoy too much on their vehicle. They almost don't pay attention on how much they have to pay to change the fuel itself. To be quiet honest, I also can't ignore this kind of situation. Maybe I have been being one of them. However, I really hope the government realize about this situation. It doesn't mean we don't need to use airplane as our transportation. At least, they can start to carry out the term "Bike To Work" to people? "Bike To Work" program has many advantages, like:
- Makes our body healthier
- Saves our money, because we don't need to pay for the fuel
- Doesn't damage the environment because there will be no pollution
Besides that, by riding bike, we can practice discipline.
So, let's ride our bike. It will be fun! Trust me.