The Dreamers: Riza's Birthday

20 Januari 2013-  yang bertepatan dengan hari Minggu, Eka dan Dita datang ke rumah Tia. Kita hari itu punya rencana untuk bikin surprise buat Riza di hari ultahnya yang ke- 22 yang jatuh pada tanggal 25 Januari 2013. Pada saat itu Riza lagi di Pare buat kursus Bahasa Inggris, makanya kita jadi lebih leluasa buat nyiapin Birthday surprise.  So, hari itu kita ceritanya syuting buat film “Beranak Dalam Kamar”. Ups bercanda, jadi kita itu mau syuting buat ngucapin Met Birthday ke Riza yang terdiri atas:

1. Slide foto- foto selama bareng Riza.
2. Ucapan selamat ulang tahun dalam 3 bahasa (Indonesia, Inggris dan Korea campur Ketapang).
3. Kesan dan pesan selama kenal Riza.
4. Harapan buat Riza.
5. Tia’s performance (main gitar diiringi dua pengiring)

Setelah itu semua file- file video dan slide presentation digabung di satu format DVD biar bisa ditonton langsung sama Riza di Pare. Tia waktu itu ngiriminnya 3 hari sebelum hari H dan walaupun telat sehari nyampenya, respon dari Riza buat kita puas dan bangga karena ternyata dia senang dan terharu banget. Alhamdulillah.

26 Januari 2013- Riza nelponin kita satu- satu ngasitahu kalo dia udah nerima DVD nya dan dia senang banget. Kita yang ngedengerin responnya juga senang lah secara syuting film “Beranak Dalam Kamar” itu berhasil. Loh kok itu lagi? Iya sebenarnya kenapa dari tadi Tia muter- muter di judul “Beranak Dalam Kamar” dikarenakan pas syuting itu kondisi kamar Tia panasnya minta ampun, kita semua udah berasa kayak Emak- emak yang mau melahirkan tapi anaknya gak mau keluar. Asli frustasi banget. Tapi hasilnya memuaskan kok karena akhirnya kami ternyata gak jadi brojol. Endingnya, bisa bikin Riza senang dan syuting “Beranak Dalam Kamar” hanya terjadi di imajinasi Tia aja. Happy Birthday ya Riza.

The Dreamers : Holiday to Mandor

23 Desember 2012- Eka, Riza, Tia main ke Mandor buat ngisi liburan. Waktu itu Dita gak bisa ikutan karena dia ada acara keluarga. Semenjak kita ninggalin Mandor habis KKN, ini pertama kalinya kita pergi lagi buat ngunjungin Mandor. Sebelumnya banyak banget yang udah nge- request kami buat datang ke Mandor, baik itu dari warga yang tinggal sekitar camp kami, maupun murid- murid. Maklum, kita juga nyadar sih kalo muka imut- imut kita itu ngangenin banget. 

Selain itu, kita juga pengen ketemu sama Desi yang baru ngelahirin anaknya yang ke-dua. Sumpah anaknya lucu banget. Jadi kita waktu itu ketemu sama Nek Undeng dan mengunjungi tetangga- tetangga sekitar. Tapi kita nginapnya di rumah Bu Herman. Disitu kita bener- bener dijamu dan dilayani dengan sangat baik. Iya, semenjak KKN Bu Herman udah baik banget sama kita. Alhamdulillah bersyukur banget bisa kenal sama beliau. Kita disana kesampaian manen rambutan, jambu, kelapa dan durian. Asik. Asik. Asik.

Selain itu kami juga main lagi ke Makam Mandor, jogging and poto- poto pastinya. Walaupun suasananya selalu menyeramkan, tapi tempat ini selalu menarik dan ngangenin banget. Disini dulu tempat kami jalan- jalan rame- rame sama anak- anak se- camp. Iyak, intinya bukan hanya makamnya, tapi segala sesuatu yang ada di Mandor itu ngangenin, karena disanalah awal persahabatan kami dimulai. 

Breaking the Stereotype

　　　　When first time got to America, some people thought they would need longer time to recover with something called as cultural shock. It was wondering how Americans would treat people due to the stereotype of their individualism. Americans never mind others’ business and will do whatever they want. In fact, what was told and heard in home country was just the prejudice of people that only see America from the outside, not from the inside. It was revealed in the story of Indonesia group of IELSP at Arizona State University, United States. It was very glad when the first day of the departure in America the Indonesian group got a huge welcome from all people that involved in IELSP program such as Chris Cassucio, the program officer of IIE, Jim Carter, the person who arranged the homestay, Mark Rentz, the director of AECP, Adam, the one who helped Mark for all things related to Indonesian group (although now he is already resigned from his job) and all the host parents with each of their host children name written in pieces of white papers. It was a very impressive welcome. AECP is an intensive English Program in Arizona State University that has carved the most unforgettable memory for myself and all grantees of IELSP Cohort 8 this spring in creating friendship, togetherness, cooperation and better personality.

America has brought me to a consciousness of how to respect and appreciate people truly, especially people with disabilities. For instance, in public transportation, they have a special door for people with wheelchair. The driver will give the most priority for them instead of common people. Besides that, in every single corner of the door, there is a special button to open the door for disabilities. It makes me realize how huge their respect for every single person no matter how they look. It drives me to come at the sense of equality in all aspects of life, creates understanding that all people have the same right to live their lives. Although we’re the minority in this country but Americans never underestimated or intimidated us. In contrast, they are really interested to know and learn about other cultures. The further we get to know each other, the more we are eager to learn. Everytime we make mistake, there is no such a thing as blaming, complaining and making fun of. Also, in here I learned that Americans really appreciate people’s decision. As a result, people in America usually feel free to express their opinion and talents because no one will judge them and give destructive critic. 

Living in the host country of the target language is very helpful to improve my language ability especially listening and speaking ability. While learning their language, naturally we also will learn their culture. I got involved in many activities both school activities and family events. For the school activities that I enjoyed the most in improving my language was the Conversation Club. In this activity, people talked while enjoying the cookies, tea, coffee in a beautiful evening at Arizona State University. In addition, we did not only talk with international students but also the real Americans which are ASU students. Besides that, there was an activity called Reading Theatre that enabled us to watch movie while learning the conversations of the actor and actress. Especially for family activities, I and my house mate had a blast living in a single lady’s house named Julie. She was a very nice and humorous woman that always involved us in her important events like celebrating Easter and Mother’s Day. Within our interaction, we learned some slanks in America like “slakers” which means “lazy person” and “chicks” (informal expression: the way she used to call us) which means “girls”. In addition, if we make mistakes in our spoken we may get the corrections right away by the native speakers.

This program has a lot of excitement and education which gives Indonesians the real experience of living in America. It is true that living in the host country to study language for two months is much more precious than just learn it theoritically in years. The pluses of this program are the management of the activity and the interaction between the grantees and the program officers which are really tight. The communication between both participants are applied really friendly. 

This program is already great by itself. I hope the alumnus after this program and those that involved still can keep in touch until no time. As a program in improving English, IELSP is very appropriate for students who want to learn American English and culture.

"Who are they?"

Who are they?
Technically, they are students from over 17 different universities in Indonesia (I’ve never been in any of their universities).
Basically, about more than a year ago, they were strangers (I’ve never met them before).
However, destiny brought us together in an unforgettable voyage with a gorgeous ship named “IELSP” to a wondrous desert island, Arizona, USA.
Then, who are they? Here is a brief explanation about them:
Widia (Cirebon) : My beloved house- mate which is a master of vocabularies. Ask her whatever words in English, and she’ll give you the answer correctly. A huge fan of Rachel Ray, she’s really kind somehow and quite fussy toward me. Yeah, cos I’m a slacker. (No, WE are slackers!) :P. I spent most of my time in AZ with her and the best parts of it, especially the ones with Julie and Carrie. :)
Rizma (Purwokerto) : An attractive humorous girl which is really smart and creative. She’s interested in design and she’s the one who designed our blazer :D. She’s open- minded, wise and a really good listener. I miss you! :* (Long last with Mas Anis mu yah!) wkwk
Mira (Jambi) : She’s kind and mother- alike. She laughes easily and it sounds really funny for whatever jokes it is! :D Her English is very good and she lives near my house in Mesa. Once we slept over at each other’s house and it was a blast! We also call her “Mami Elvi”.
Suci (Bogor) : Used to be my back-up buddy. But, I’ll always remember her as “the master of food.” Yeah, in line with her major which is Nutrition and Food Security, she’s really doing her job, especially in the airplane! She’s the one who is pleased with any kinds of food (except porks and such kind of things) when others just eat them on purpose of their stomach!
Yunia (Palembang) : An innocent young woman who has an interesting hobby; “disappear”. I don’t have any idea why she likes to do that, but she’s really good in getting us worried. But, her home-made empek2 was fantastic, when I really miss that food in US, she could heal it, although just for the sauce. -__- (your host Mom had eaten all of them right before I came).
Fiqih (Tegal) : Seriously, she has a really nice voice. I recorded her once when I slept over at her house and I still keep it up until now :P. She really concerns about us, if Sueb is like our father, she’s just like our mother. Wkwk (ampun mbak!)
Tika (Bangka) : If you ask me who got a date in US, I’ll definitely point it out at her! Her date was a faithful Korean man with glasses who always stayed with Tika wherever she went. (kidding, Tika’s boyfriend, please don’t get angry :)). Indeed, because she’s really kind. She’ll do whatever it takes to help her friends, as well as the Korean. :P
Uun (Banyuwangi) : “You are the dancing queen, young and sweet only seventeen..” -Abba, Dancing Queen- Yes, she is our dancing queen, an adorable and funny Javanese girl. She has a strong accent of her traditional language and it sounds hilarious. I and her are alike in some ways, especially weight and height. :D
Kiki (Pekalongan) : proudly present…. our “Bu NYAI…” Why we call her so? Because she’s really religious and likes to give us a good advice. Don’t know what’s gonna happen to us in US without her if we lose control.
Ria (Salatiga) : If you ask me who got the
Location Love—> “Cinlok” in AZ, she’s the best candidate for it. I don’t have to mention, everyone knows. Huaahaahaa. Ria is endearing, patient, and likes to give praise and spread smile. She’s like an angel :)
Abi (Balikpapan) : oh man. Who is he? He’s a French guy wanna be. But I admit it, he can speak French very good. And I think he has more passion in studying in Paris than in US! He can’t live without sunglasses, even when it creates two spots in his eyes because of the heat. But, he’s easy- going and fun.
Zake (Lombok) : I like to watch him dancing. He’s really good at it. (although he’s a male!). This young man who never puts off his hat and wears glasses is very responsible, smart and wise. As a woman, I feel like he’s always there to protect us, the women.
Sueb (Malang) : He’s the captain of the ship as well as our keeper. Hehe (Piss, Romo!) He takes the responsibility to take care all of the crews and make sure we are safe, especially in the airports. He’s an optimist, brilliant and broad- minded person as well as a great debater. Do not ever try to argue him, trust me.
Fandi (Jombang) : Yeah, I made his name right below Sueb because I know they can’t be separated. I still wonder about their relationship. Do they really have an affair? But Fandi is a smart guy either. His English is good and he liked to talk about himself, especially when he got homesick. It was really frustated for him. He, Sueb, Hadi, Feri, and Fiqih created a small army called “The Oyoh”. I don’t know what that means.
Hadi (Banjarmasin) : This is our Ahong. I don’t know deep down inside his heart he likes to be Chinese or Indonesian, because his face is really Chinese. He liked to talk about Max, his host parents’ dog. And I don’t know why everytime I looked at him, I remembered Max. (ampuun Hadi T.T) Otherwise, he is very very kind in helping out his friends, especially his soulmate; Feri.
Feri (Tulungagung) : Feri, (his name reminds me of my ex. T.T) as far as I know he’s a funny and a very kind man. As I mentioned before, he’s the soulmate of Hadi. They’re always together. Like Fandi and Sueb, they are like people in love. wkwk (Peace out, bro!) ;)
Andre (Samarinda) : Among all of us, I guess he’s the richest child which got the most luxurious facilities from his homestay parents in AZ. He’s always lucky. I heard soon he’s going to continue his study to Australia. Congrats man! :)
So, who are they? They are who they are.
They have created one of the most memorable experiences in my life. Thanks for all the cheers, laughters, and lessons. xoxoxo
Who am I? That’s one secret I’ll never tell. Huahaahaa
Hope to see you guys again someday! :D

People With Terminal Illness (Part 2)

People with terminal illness are dealing with mentality depression in their mind which will constantly affect their personality and behavior. It is caused by both the treatment of people around them. It is described that five emotional stages involved in coming to an acceptance of the terminal situation, they are denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance. (Davis, Cowley, & Ryland, 1995). Some of them may past those process and come to an acceptance, some of them may lose their self- confidence and stuck in depressed. 

　　　　
The personality of terminally ill people also may change as the time goes by because they are treated differently. Once they are given up then it will be a very difficult problem. It is the responsibility of the family and friends to support them in a proper way. Besides that, there is a name of treatment for those who suffered terminal illness. It is called the hospice care. “Hospice care is intended for people who are nearing the end of life. Hospice care services are provided by a team of health care professionals who maximize comfort for a terminally ill person by reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs”. (Mayo Clinic). 

　　　　
Terminally ill people may have better personality once they realize that their life is worth it. In this case they will do many efforts to make each second counts by developing their ideas in  positive ways. There was a true story about this:

A Japanese girl who suffered a spinocerebellar degeneration disease had disabled her to walk, speak, write and eat for the rest of her life as the time she was 15 years old. As she was suffering and getting worse, she wrote a diary about her disease to let people know that she still could do something in her last days. Soon after her decease, the book was published and  it got a huge feedback from people around them because her story had inspired both common people and other disabled people. (Wiki Drama)

　　　　
It is clear that for terminally ill people life can become very precious and they will really appreciate everything around. The disease they suffer can overcome the spirit to be stronger and more thankful to what they have while they exist. 

　　　　
On the other hand, some terminally ill people decide to end their life earlier like doing euthanasia because of too long pain and suffering. “Euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit.” (NRLC). Euthanasia is believed as the merciful way to end the suffering of terminally ill people because they have the right to decide whether they have to die or not. 

　　　　

Works Cited Page

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010, April 16). Hospice care: comforting the terminally ill. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hospice-care/HQ00860 

Powell, Robert. (2006, February). Protecting against the legalizing of direct killing. Retrieved from http://www.nrlc.org/euthanasia/index.html

1 litre no namida. (2010, February 15). Retrieved from http://wiki.d-addicts.com/1_Litre_no_Namida 

Davis, Bryn D, Cowley, Sarah A, & Ryland, Richard K. (1995). The effects of terminal illness on patients and their carers. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 23.

People With Terminal Illness (Part 1)

　　　　Once people have been told that they got a terminal illness, the first time that across to their mind must be the medication. The medication for terminal illness is not a matter of simple thing, it is related to a lot of amounts of money unlike other common illness in which need only once or twice medication and the effects can be seen right away. It is agreed that terminal illness must affect people financially. “According to information released by the National Cancer Institute in January 2009, 10 years worth of treatments for breast cancer (which may be intermittent) cost an average of $21,000, while prostate and lung cancer hovered around $40,000”. (eHow)

　　　　Terminal illness needs a special treatment both physically and phsychologically. Especially physically, it has to do with particular fees, for instance if people suffer cancer, then they will be suggested to have the chemotheraphy. Chemotheraphy may be not the only way to cure cancers, but at least it is the best way for the patients to help them less suffer with their illness. Besides that, terminal illness affects not only the patients who don’t have the ability to be productive and earn money by themselves, but also affects people around them especially family who feels responsible in taking care of terminally ill people. “A survey has shown that people suffering from cancer and surviving from cancer related problems were more complex than any other disease related problems. The cost of the treatment was believed to be the major reason for all the patients.” (Chemotheraphy Treatments). “

　　　　“According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 percent of cancer patients younger than 65 delay or refuse treatment due to the high associated cost”. (Live Strong). It is obvious that people without any medication will end up faster than people with a regular treatment and medication.   

　　　　Therefore, not all of terminally ill people will decide to have a medication. For those who trust the existence of God may be thinking another way. In this case, they will have a strong faith that everything that causes pain may bring peaceful at the end. They will give up their life and accept everything as their destiny. Even there is a special treatment in a religious way which is provided for those who want to increase their spiritual belief to heal their illness. 

Lacoma, Tyler. (1999). The average cost of chemotherapy. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5591219_average-cost-chemotherapy.html 

Cost of chemotherapy. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.chemotherapytreatments.org/articles/cost-of-chemotherapy.htm 

Ghosh, Ritwik. (2011, March 31). The average cost for cancer chemotherapy treatment. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/153376-the-average-cost-for-cancer-chemotherapy-treatment/ 

"Dairy Queen and the Fake Butt"

Ini namanya “Peanut Buster Parfait”, lagi kangen banget makan ini. Es krim favorit Julie yang akhirnya jadi favorit saya juga. Hanya dijual di Dairy Queen.

 
Dairy Queen itu udah kayak istana impian saya waktu di AZ, sebuah rumah pondokan kecil yang gak terlalu mewah tapi yang dijual es krim semua. Aduh, ngangenin banget.
Tiap ke Dairy Queen saya dan Widia selalu barengan ama Julie and Carrie. Carrie itu temen akrabnya Julie. Beliau baik dan humoris banget. Jadi ingat satu kenangan memorable waktu perayaan ultah kami (Tia and Widia ultahnya deketan, jadi perayaannya dijadiin satu, waktu itu ngerayain ultah Mira yang kebetulan sleep over di rumah kami).
Di suatu sore kami lagi bakar marshmallow sama hotdog (bukan anjing panas ya, ini cuma sebutan buat makanan sejenis sosis yang dimakan sama roti), tiba- tiba kaget ngeliat Carrie turun dari rumah, celananya melorot n sorry, butt- nya keliatan.
Kontan aja saya panik, tapi mungkin karena masih naluri orang Indonesia, gak enak mau bilang langsung takut dia tersinggung. Terus saya noleh kanan kiri, Julie belum nyadar kayaknya, si Mira sama Widia lagi sibuk bakar hotdog. Duh, sumpah waktu itu bingung banget. Akhirnya setelah beberapa detik terpaku, saya bilang juga akhirnya,
"Eem, Carrie, sorry, but your pants didn’t fit well.."
"Oh, you mean this..?" (pointing at her butt, stared at Julie and together holding laugh)
"Carrie, your butt.."
Then Mira and Widia realized and started staring at Carrie either.
And then they laughed spontaneously!
"What happened? I don’t get it."
Julie answered, “Tia, this is a fake butt. She wanted to tease you. We bought it for fun. I also have one.”
And I couldn’t hold my laugh. We all laughed together until our stomach hurted.
Itu namanya fake- butt. Sumpah mirip banget sama butt beneran. Sore itu Carrie pake’ sengaja buat nunjukin ke kita (dalam hati mikir, gini- gini amat ya mainan orang Amerika).
Pada malam harinya Carrie ngasi kami kado ultah dan itu so sweet banget. Bukan sekedar so sweet tapi emang sweet karena kami dikasi cemilan2 yang sweet. Ada cokelat, permen, n yang paling sweet kartu Dairy Queen berharga $5 yang artinya bisa dipake buat ngembat es krim disana gratis. Itu. Sesuatu. :’)
Thanks Carrie and Julie! I’m missing you so bad right now.