Holiday like this

Summer holiday this year is so different. Last year, once I got the announcement of my grade I flew back home right  away, but this year I choose to stay for awhile. This is my last long after semester holiday. I only have one semester left. Besides, I have to do a research next semester which is huge.. at least it is huge for me. Therefore, I need to prepare everything to face that big challenge. In between my preparation, I actually try and experience great things this semester. There are some highlights I really appreciate having this time.

They are;

1. Celebrating friendships

Once the storm of assignments and exams was through, my Indonesian friends and I were organizing a party. It is not necessarily the party like you think a "party" would be. When we say a party it actually means, lots and lots of food and laugh and jokes and stories. It's so Indonesian.. So.. very Indonesian... ;p

We also the kind of people who share information about everything good. When we say good, it means fun and free. So we went to this free concert of great indie band from Indonesia. They are White Shoes and the couples company. 

2. Camping and road trip

I also had great time last couple of weeks because I went on a short road trip south to camping in a very calm place. On the way before and after the site of the camping, my friends and I stopped by some great places like national parks, lavender field and vineyard. We had great time setting up the camps and having so many good foods and laughs. We live the life at its best!

 

3. Bush walking and hiking

I have been living here in Brisbane for almost 1,5 year now, but never been to Mt Cootha until last November because my friend and I needed to accompany our friend to go around the city. It is an amazing place everyone should visit once arrives in Brisbane. You can see the view of the city from up above. The view is breathtaking and it is so close from the CBD. One time I went down the hill and the other time I went hiking up the hill and ending up star gazing with friends.

4. Walking miles away all alone
I have a post about this. Check this out http://cutmon.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/lighhouses-and-love.html

5. Wall climbing

This one is my favorite. I went wall climbing for the first time and I loved it. Definitely gonna do it again.

6. Dealing with feelings
This one was truly a mystery for me at first. i didn't really know what it was, until I figured out that I didn't hurt at all. I was just perfectly okay. I was fine and and will always be fine. It's not love, not even a crush.. It was just feeling, and I did it. It's just illusion..

This summer shines bright and I loooove it,,

What makes holiday abroad different..

It's Christmas time now. I don't celebrate it, but the atmosphere is something that can hardly be denied. As the minority here, I can actually understand now. Holiday is just holiday. If you are a muslim in a muslim-majority country, the Ied day(s), they are two Ied days every year around, feel so amazing. Everyone and families are out gathering, shopping, and eating out to welcome the days. I had no idea how my non-muslim brothers and sisters felt about our Ied days, until I am here in Australia. I don't celebrate Christmas, but the grace feeling is everywhere around the places and cities. I felt it how every family is in joyful in waiting it. I feel it how overwhelming the feeling is to be with your loved ones in the big days like this. And.. I feel it.. I feel the Christmas day for my fellow humans..

No matter who you are and what you believe. The place where you belong really defines who you are. I was born in Indonesia as a muslim and I am so grateful of being one. I celebrate Ied day and all this time I respect my friends' holidays, no matter what it is, but I didn't really know how it felt.

Today, I actually understand that God makes my life like today to actually see the world in a better way. And that is to respect and understand and live in differences.

I kept listening to John Lennon's Imagine for he last couple days. I sang it and tried to get the real meaning of it. I don't really know if he believed in God or practiced a particular religion. First, when I listen to music, I just listen it and try to interpret it my way. Second, I am not a big fan of him. Therefore, when he wrote that lyrics, I believe that he did't really mean that world would be a better place when people live without borders and limits like "countries", "religions" or "possessions". I believe that he actually meant that when we interact with people we should set aside our differences and live the bonds without limits. We should celebrate love and friendships.

People can believe two different things and live in peace.

Today, the world becomes more and more confusing. There will always be people with dark mind who try to set a war and arguments. But at the end, we can always choose. And choosing peace, love, and brotherhood are always right. Every faith and way of life is always promoting sincerity and love.

Therefore,

Happy holiday my dear friends who celebrate Christmas.
I hope you have a great Christmas celebration this year.
May the world be a better place for us to live together in peace and harmony.


Your muslim fellow..
Brisbane, 13 December 2015

Lighhouses and Love

Just last night, I was awake in my sleep and checked my phone. There were lines from my beautiful niece. A set of sad lines saying how sad she was for me. How terrible she felt for me after reading a post in this blog. I felt overwhelmed.. By the care she showed to me.. By her concern she showed and honesty that she revealed. I felt guilty at the same time. It turned out that I post more real details on melancholic stories in this blog, but when it comes to happy stories, I used to posting vague stuff. Rarely did I post "happy stories". So.. here is one of that cherish lines,, for you my beautiful-heart niece. You are always be my favorite.

So... Three days ago, I was about to join my friend on a trip to 2-hour-by train and ferry up north Brisbane city, North Stradbroke Island for the third time if I made it that day. In fact, I didn't. I had to meet my supervisor to fix some stuff with my ethical clearance for my-next-semester research. I did it. I me my kind supervisor. He was so kind I felt guilty not trying hard enough for my own good. He is a real teacher who support his students. One of the best teachers I have in life.

Though I didn't go to the island, we did make another plan. I had suggested my friends to leave early from the island so we could go to the other site nearby the station, a lighthouse. Yes... a lighthouse.

This kind of building,.. I don't know exactly when it started, but I know for sure now.. I am so much in love with lighthouses. For me, it is like a mother to drifters. Whenever a wandering ships kind of lost on the sea, the beam of light from lighthouses is such a blessed-sign for the ships to dock to the land. It's a magical building that keeps land and sea connects in a magical way that I can't describe clearly. Besides, lighthouses are obvious buildings everywhere they stand. They will appear to be so clear with the background of clear blue sky in a sunny day. It gives hope in a gray dark sky in a stormy days.


I took a train and prepared the map and plan for everyone, so we could meet up at certain point then we could walk together to the lighthouse. Alas.. my friends missed the bus. I arrived at Cleveland station while they were still in the point look out at North Stradbroke island. That means, I had to wait for at least two hour until they arrive on ferry terminal in Cleveland. No way.. First, they would be so tired to walk 2,4 km one way to the lighthouse. Second, there would be chances that they would refuse to go and that means my trip that day was a messed-up plan. Then I decided to walk there by myself. One of my best decisions ever.. like ever..


I took a bus and asked the bus driver. He was so kind, just like most of bus drivers in Queensland I have met. Hey.. have I ever mentioned this before? I will definitely post something about their kindness.. ;)

Anyway.. he dropped me at the nearest road, not the real bust stop, so I could start walking to the site. Down the road I walked. I started to find clam and peaceful environment. The houses by the sea, the park.. benches and the ocean wind flew softly to my face. I can definitely remember how I couldn't stop smiling while walking. Benches and pathways.. The waves and lovebirds.. I bumped into historical buildings and trees.. Yup trees..




After 30 minutes, I finally arrived there on that site. The lighthouse was not as I expected. It is not as tall as I had imagined before. It is not as mesmerizing as I thought. However, I was so happy... that I could manage it to be there, all by myself by walking. Though it is not tall.. its simplicity shows grace. Its shape shows history. I was staying there taking some pictures and couldn't stop myself from smiling and sometimes jumping from happiness. I never knew it could feel so good..

I had a very long walk after that.. Twice as much as when I went to the site. There was a miss communication with my friends. I was walking to the ferry terminal thinking I will wait them and go home together. My bad.. They were already in the station. It means I have to another 45 minutes if I wanted to take bust to the station. No way. I checked the map and it said it only takes 28 minutes from the ferry terminal to station by walking. Whatever.. I have walked more than 5 km.. that would be not as much as what I had been through. There I go.. walking.. to the station. I finally arrived to the station and the joy I felt was so obvious to my friends. Isn't it like a journey of life Dinda?

Sometimes, you plan to be somewhere with your friends, but for some circumstances you end up taking different road that ends up to different places. You should never feel sorry for that. At the end, happiness is your own state. NO matter what you decide, what your goals are. as long as you are happy with that, you will be alright.

Everybody was happy that day,.. I think.

And I hope you are too my niece...

Be grateful for what you have. Do not walk the road that people decide for you. You own your own. You decide your own... Love you as always.

Your Alot..
Cut Monalisa

Wina dan rasa yang terlambat (cerpen kedua)

Jacaranda terakhir itu berguguran dan mungkin akan jadi saat terakhirku 

"Dan mungkin takkan bisa, kulupakan hingga akhir nanti. Kulepaskan cinta (rasa) ini. Kurela berkorban. Tak mengapa namun kau harus bahagia" (Sammy Simorangir, Kau harus bahagia)

Tergesa-gesa, Wina berlari mengejar bus yang sudah terlihat di perempatan jalan. Celakanya, celana yang dipakainya hari itu berkibar dan membuat nya tersandung dan terguling di tengah jalan raya. Ia berusaha bangkit berdiri namun usahanya terasa sulit dengan beban tas yang berat dan perih.. Lututnya terasa begitu perih. Seorang wanita paruh baya membantunya berdiri. "Oh dear.. are you okay?", tanyanya. Wina menoleh ke arah bus yang masih berhenti dan jelas ia masih sanggup mengejarnya, namun perih di lututnya semakin menjadi saat ia mulai berjalan. Ia pun mendesis menahan sakit. Bukan hari keberuntungannya. Bus itu melaju meninggalkan Wina. Wina melengos. Si ibu paruh baya mulai menanyakan apakah ada luka. Wina mulai menyibak lengan bajunya. Oh Tuhan.. luka dan darah. Wina kembali menyibak celananya dan ada luka besar di lututnya. "Oh dear.. poor girl.. oh dear...", ucap si wanita paruh baya berulang kali. "Let me help you" katanya sambil membantu Wina duduk di bus stop. Beberapa pengendara mobil yang melihat kejadian itu berhenti menanyakan keadaan Wina dan menawarkannya tumpangan. Wina menolak. Si wanita paruh baya yang kebetulan mempunyai plester dalam tasnya mengenakan plester ke atas luka Wina. "Dengar.. aku dulunya perawat. Untuk sementara pakailah ini. Nanti kamu harus bersihkan lukamu dan ganti plesternya.", katanya dengan dahi mengernyit menyesali apa yang terjadi pada Wina di pagi Senin yang sibuk itu.

Wina benci Senin, pagi, dan statistik, belum lagi dengan kecelakaan tadi pagi. Dia berjalan pelan seperti pincang. Tingkat ketidaknyamanan dan kepenatan yang sudah di ujung tanduk. Ugh!! mau pulang jelas tak bisa, karena dia punya presentasi hari itu. Dan.. ini adalah satu-satunya kesempatan dalam seminggu dimana Wina bisa berjumpa dia. 

Malaikat penolong Wina, sejak semula.. Jimminy Cricket bagi Pinokio dungu seperti Wina. Saat semua orang membuang wajahnya dari Wina, dia disana menawarkan pertolongan. Saat Wina tak pernah mengingatnya, dia menyapa dengan segala bentuk sapaan yang bisa dia lakukan. Dia selalu menawarkan dukungan, bahkan saat dia dalam masa terdesak. Menawarkan dirinya sebagai penghibur saat beban akademis sudah bertumpuk dan Wina selalu merasa hendak berlari pulang. Maka Senin-Senin ini akan aku selesaikan, tekatnya. Telah terlewat beberapa semester dan Wina terbiasa dengan semua kebaikannya. Kadang Wina merasa.. ia jatuh hati.. hanya jatuh hati, bukan cinta.. Akan kebaikannya.. perhatiannya.. bantuan dan dukungannya, cara hidupnya yang sederhana, kegigihannya, senyumnya.. Maka sebelum semua ini hilang karena dia akan pergi, dan Wina tetap disini, maka Wina akan terus hadir saat ia akan beranjak.

Wina bukanlah remaja tanggung yang tak bisa membaca kemungkinan-kemungkinan. Dan Wina cukup sadar, Jimminy Cricket-nya terlalu jauh dari capaian. Terlalu berbeda. Terlalu jauh dari semua probabilitas yang ada. Tidak ada probalbilitas dan semua pendekatan untuk mengsignifikan kan segala prediksi tak akan bisa diterapkan diantara mereka berdua. Kecuali ada kasus-kasus "outliers" dan itu cuma Tuhan saja yang bisa. Maka setiap rasa itu hadir, Wina selalu berhasil pergi dari sana. Kembali ke kekosongan rasa. Berjumpa, rasa itu ada.. saat pergi rasa itu hilang.. 

Dan sial.. saat-saat terakhir direkamnya. Saat nanti tak akan ada lagi Jiminy cricket nya. Justru di saat-saat terakhir itu penolong Wina memberi nya kenangan-kenangan terindah. Wina jatuh lagi ke lubang-lubang dasar hatinya dan lagi-lagi menduga-duga. Wina menduga-duga dan merasa bersalah pada dirinya sendiri. Dia tak mungkin sebodoh ini. Wina pernah disini.. Wina pernah sebodoh ini. Wina gagal menangani rasanya.. Rasa yang datang terlambat.. Dan kini rasa yang datang terlambat itu tetap disana. Menyiksanya pelan.

Fin

Epilogue

Hari itu, semua orang berkumpul merayakan kemenangan atas perjuangan keras mereka. Malam-malam lelah terbayar, usaha-usaha berbuah manis. Semua orang merayakan kelulusannya. Wina tak hendak datang, karena beranjak naik dari dasar rasa yang menyiksanya bukan hal yang mudah. Namun dia harus datang karena hari kelulusan itu tepat dengan kelulusan teman-temannya yang lain. Di sana Wina kembali melihatnya, setelah beberapa minggu terlewati. Wina lelah.. dia kira rasa yang datang terlambat itu telah pergi. Ternyata ia datang lagi. Wina benci telah mengartikan kebaikan orang lain sepicik itu. Ini salahku, pikirnya, aku terlalu mengambil hati setiap kebaikan orang. Aku terlalu mengartikan senyum dan keramahan itu sebagai hal yang tak biasa. Aku terlalu naif dalam menerjemahkan laku dan tingkah, pikirnya. 

Saat semua perhelatan selesai. Wina kira dia sudah berhasil pergi dan menghindar. Saat tiba-tiba dia melakukannya lagi, seperti saat itu dia datang dan Wina tak menyadari kehadirannya. Tiba-tiba muncul disampingnya berbisik "Hi Wina.. How are you?". Wina terperanjat berbalik. Dan dia disana.. Jimminy Cricket, penolong pinokio dungu Wina.. Senyum itu terpaksa ditariknya.. "I'm good..good"....Mereka hanya saling menatap, Wina tak tahu harus mengucap apa.. Dia pun hanya berdiri disana..terdiam, Kasihan ia, batin WIna.. Dia tidak tahu kesalahan apa yang telah ia perbuat pada Wina. Dan Wina seolah menghukumnya tanpa berkata apa-apa. Wina terdiam.. 

"Winaaaa...ayoook...", teriakan teman-temannya meyadarkan Wina pada kenyataan. Wina harus pergi dengan teman-temannya. Wina harus kembali kepada kenyataan. Kenyataan kali ini, kenyataan yang bisa membuat Wina tidur. Yah.. Wina sering berucap, dalam delusi-delusi bodohnya "Aku tak akan tidur malam ini, karena kenyataan hari ini, kenyataan yang lebih indah dari mimpi" di hari-hari saat dia berjumpa penolongnya itu. 

Namun kakinya telah berpijak di tanah yang telah terpisah oleh samudera samudera luas yang membuat perbedaan saat jelas terasa antara mereka. Wina menunduk, air mata itu menetes, ia tak sanggup lagi menahannya. "Good... good bye", sambil menghapus air matanya.. Wina berlari ke arah teman-temannya. Berlari mengarah pada kenyataan yang sebenarnya.. Dan Wina tak menyesali sedikitpun semua yang telah terjadi. Dan jika memang jalannya telah begini.. maka beginilah akhirnya.. Dan rasa itu.. tak kan pernah jatuh lebih dalam lagi. Karena ia tak kan pernah punya muka pada hatinya, pada Jiminy cricket. Wina dan rasa hati yang sedikit terlambat, akan terlewatkan oleh waktu yang terus berputar... 

Waktu yang akan selalu mengobati...

(Ditulis Senin, 9 November 2015, namun urung dipublikasikan sampai hari ini)

So So Sad and tired.. I wanna go home

Dear Mom..

Here is your youngest daughter, far far away from you. I need to across the ocean and continent to meet you. In fact we live apart in different continent. Here I am being avoided by people. Is it Karma?

Mom.. I have lived for almost 30 years now. Not that I don't get it when people don't like me; I actually feel it and aware of it. When some do not want to be looked together with me. And some points, I feel like I don't know...

People are just so disappointing Mom. I just want you.. I wanna cry while embracing you hard so hard.

Mom.. You know, I work now. I clean every Thursday in a house. I used to work together with a friend before. Until she decided to quit, and another friend replacing her. This friend just stayed for a couple weeks before he quit too. And I worked alone in that house for two weeks now. 

That Thursday Mom. I woke up late. Real late. It was raining outside and I don't have umbrella. I did ask my friend to borrow hers, but she said she wanted to use it too. I just could recall how my ex housemate would give it to me, even though she wanted to use it. People are just different in some ways and another. ANd.. her reason made sense thou. I was just expecting too much.

I kept moving tough. I was wet all the way until I found this small store and bought the most expensive umbrella in my life. But I needed to buy it, I still needed to walk. Once I arrived at the house, I was welcomed by my employer's parents ant pets. She felt sorry looking at how wet I was.I think Mom.. I think, Being in that house was the best thing for me for that day. The rest.. The rest even until today, Sunday.. was.. was pushing me so hard to the edge. The old lady even offered to take me home after working. They were so nice. And the pets too.. Sebastian, Scotch, and Fish were also sooo friendly. I just love them. 

Then.. I went home. I finished earlier that day.

Unlike what I did before, I took bus that day till city, so I could take another bus right to my place. But unfortunately.. My unfortunate events started. I took the wrong bus. Until that last stop, I was at that time where I finally realized that this bus driver was just so rude. He is not nice to me Mom. He talked to me like I was a piece of shit. he used the meanest word he could think of. Instead of saying "I will drop you at this street", He said "I will kick you out at this street". I still have that positive mind Mom. I still managed to do so. Remember the last time a stupid man tried to burn my scarf, I stupidly still managed to smile, but some people are just so mean Mom. I still thought that maybe it was just my bad English. Until I felt it Mom. I felt it that he didn't like me at all, Stop by stop he kept saying that I could stop and wait another bus, in fact I could just stay in that bus and stop at the nearest street to my house and walk a bit. But it seemed that he didn't like me Mom. I got off Mom. and I sat there on that bus stop. I was upset that I even missed the next bus. It was raining slightly. I looked up the sky and thought.."Oh God.. why did people become so mean and rude?". Then I looked down, and my tears started to stream down my face. I couldn't control myself. I kept crying until the ext bus coming. Mom... I really wanted it to stop but I couldn't. I kept calling your name and God.. I kept calling you. Mom... I really miss you. I felt like shit. I felt like I am worthless. I felt like I was not human. I kept crying that it was so hard for me to stop. When there was another bus coming, I said hello even it was hard for me to say it.

Once i arrived home, I cried again. MOM.. I am a crybaby. I waited until my friend home at that night. I was about to tell her everything. But she was just so cold that night. Like avoiding me in front of everyone was not enough. I was standing there and stoned. Mom.. I need someone to talk too. I couldn't help it. I then decide to call home. to call you. Once I listened your voice, everything evaporated... I was about to explode but I couldn't let you know and just let me cry to sister instead. Mom... That night after I called you I made another mistake. Just like that day wasn't bad enough. I transferred the money that supposed to be for you to a wrong swift code. Oh God. That morning.. I felt my body sore and hurt. But life needs to flow. The bank fixed everything though I got charged. Mom... I still need someone to talk to. I went practice that night. But what happened there was another shit. I asked people things and they responded like I complaining things. And what was that look? What was that? What did I say wrong?

Mom.. I missed you.. I feel worn out.. I feel unworthy.. I feel used. I feel dumped. 

I remember one of my friends said "Mbak... don't be too good to people. They will end up using you"
Now I know what she mean Mom...

Mom.. I miss you.. I am tired.. I am so so sad...

Now.. every time I look back at me crying on that bus stop all alone, I feel like I wanna hug myself..

Mom... Please pray for me to be strong.

Mom.. 

Brisbane, 19 September 2015

9.38 pm

Week 6 and I get that burning feeling again. Alhamdulillah

Alhamdulillah..

What can I ask more. I am more than enough as a person. I have everything I need as a person. As a post-grad student, I get full support of my country. As a daughter, I have always been loved and prayed in every breath my parents. As a sister, as an aunt, as a friend.. as people of the world, I live fully with all it takes to live. I am just a lucky kid.

However, in this post-grad life sometimes pushes everyone to the limit. Not to mention if you live away from home where at most of the time you will feel lonely. Only assignments and computer, books and Facebook that are always there with you. I was on my down time the last 5 weeks. I felt what it is being demotivated. I felt I lost interest in finishing my study and run home. For what? For nothing. I was soooo lost that I was stuck not knowing what to do next, or even first. I feel like I was being pulled down to the earth. I was being hit to the ground and slap in the harshest way possible. I just can't describe how empty I felt and how freezing my brain was.

But then...

I read this line somewhere in the social media that says "You don't really have done everything until you wake up in the middle of night and pray"

That was.. the kindest yet the bitterest reminder I have to take for sure. I am a muslim and I should have known what to do from the first place. there's no such thing as lost and lost, I should have known earlier that it was a sign of a sickened-heart. I just need my heart to be soften by the midnight prayers. And that's it... Allah helps.. Allah always helps..

And now I do understand what assignment really is for. It is for students to get that willing again to study deeper and more...

Now.. Let's do that proposal!!!

Yehaaaaaa

Lost

What is the purpose of this hardship? Are you really in this road by your own decision? Or is it the world that conspired that lead you to this point in life? Once you think it is great to pursue and live your dream, but then out of the blue life is becoming so flat that lose its sparks. At that point in life you think that you want to take a break.

It is not about having holiday at beaches and getting some vitamin Sea; It is truly not having me-time and getting your self secluded from the whole world; It is not being ungrateful or being a piece of living-shit that doesn't know how to thank the stars how great your life today. It is simply you just want to stop the time, not because it is boring, or too hectic.. or just because you don't like it. It is just a matter of self-reflection whether you are now in the right path that leads you to the right way. It is simply a mater whether time will reveal the secrets of life to you, and you just so impatient in waiting any longer.

I thought I miss spring, but here I am in the gate of this flowery season. But I do not feel the bliss. I thought I need to be alone, but here I am all by myself. But I keep missing people and places and moments. I thought I want chores and sweat to drain from me, but darn it... that doesn't feel like the old days. I lose my appetite over even the tastiest food for my thick tongue. I thought I am all okay, but DAMN It! DAMN IT.. I miss home so much!!

This is the life I dreamed about in the past with books, articles, and computer to work with for academic eureka.. Being a erudite woman that can at least initiate change for her family with her writing. But dude.. I even get sucks in writing more and more. I even think that I start losing my ability in academic. This is degradation of self actualization. I lose my excitement in involving in any social activity and event. I lose my excitement in reading more and more books. I lose friends and the will of getting that bond with people. The more I get to know people, the more I learn that I have a huge trust issue. I am becoming someone I was not. I am someone who get lost on my way to reach that fulfillment of life. I am lost in me.. Or

Or it is just life is in its own default.. It is just how it is and everyone has to walk through it...

Be grateful and count our bless..
Someone out there may really want to live your life, so live it at the fullest.
Slap your face even more..


Duhig Tower, UQ St Lucia,
10 August 2015

Nothing but a silent cry

There is time in life when you just don't know what is wrong. Everything is just right how it should be. Everything seems to be find.You just can not explain how that annoying feeling comes strikes in a very unexpected way possible.

It just doesn't feel right but you don't know what it is. And..this shit moment and time what I need most is a warm and tight hug from a woman who sends me to this unpredictable world of shit.
I miss her so bad..

Early this evening after finishing my class, I walked by the lake at the uni. The weather was just perfect. I heard a man playing his guitar in the dark. he was all alone. And I know he must feel it the same way, but he plays guitar instead of crying under the dark sky of August.

I stopped for no reason and took a a sit in a sudden stream of tears that fell on the ground. I recall my life in the past months Remembering all the decisions I have made and wondering how it may end up. Thinking..thinking.. and I thought I should go closer to that man who played guitar under the dark sky by the lake. Then I sat there, silently, listening to every slow pitch he played in silent cry of August. I looked up at the wide open sky. I screamed in silent and turning myself down. How I could I be so ungrateful?? It is all so perfectly designed, but I cried?

I then wiped it all. I took a deep hard breath and stood.. I walked those path down again heading to Duhig. How I love this building. How it turns any feeling into academically organized.

No matter how scattered my feelings and my days are, in this place, I feel warm.. Literally warm and comfort. So many nights and I don't bother counting.

And so many nights it becomes a place where me.. and nothing... turns into a silent cry... 

Melbourne Day 1.. Sincerity and Truthfulness (April 2015)

Saya ke Melbourne bulan April saat sedang Midbreak semester ganjil 2015. Saya akhirnya berhasil melakukan perjalan sendiri.

Tiba di Melbourne saya, naik SkyBus ke pusat kota, saya turun di Southern Cross Station. Look at the WhiteHouse.. Hahahahah...
Mawar jemput saya di sana, karena Skybus mangkalnya disana. So.. Dari sana kita ke Flinders Station yang terkenal itu... huhuhuhu

Yeeee.... Tiba di Federation Square. Ada SBS, Gereja St.Paul's Cathedral, dan Flinders Statiom tentu saja. Di Federation Square ada atraksi setiap week ends, dan atraksi dilakukan oleh artis jalanan yang disebut "buskers". Tidak sembarang buskers boleh mem-busking di sekitaran Central Bussiness District kota Melbourne. mereka di audisi dan punya jadwal yang sudah disusun. 

Yang paling menarik dari perjalan saya ke Melbourne kali ini adalah, hadiah lukisan crayon indah yang dibuat oleh seorang teman. Titou namanya. Lukisan seorang anak gadis Aceh berbaju merah yang sangat kentara ke-Aceh-an nya.. SAya? Bahagia... 

Saya, Mawar (Ya.. sebut saja namanya Mawar, karena namanya memsang Mawar), dan Titou, duduk disana sekitar satu jam untuk menyaksikan pertunjunkan si bapak yang sangat kocak dan menarik. Setiap penonton diajak terlibat dalam pertunjukan tersebut. Sangat menarik!

Berikut adalah photo yang tidak sengaja saya ambil di dalam gereja sebelum saya membaca tanda "Tidak boleh mengambil gambar". Gereja ini sangat megah, hari itu adalah hari Minggu dan akan ada misa, maka banyak jamat yang sudah tiba untuk mendengarkan kutbah. Sangat terasa suasana religius di dalam gedung ini. 
Setiap ada yang ingin mengambil photo secara profesional diwajibkan melapor kepada pihak yang berwenang  mengelola gereja.

                                   

 Ini depan gereja!                                Ini dalam gereja                           Ini pintu samping nya... :)                      

Dari sana kami bertolak ke tempat-tempat yang patut untuk dikunjungi.

Gambar disamping adalah monumen 

Captain Matthew Flinders R.N

(Jangan tanya dia siapa... google sendiri.. )

Hehehehhehehehe... :p

  Berikut merupakan gambar saya di depan pustaka besar Melbourne (City Library of Melbourne)

Itu buku semua .... Aaaarrgh...

Pustaka bersambung dengan galery...

Dari sana kita ke jalan-jalan kecil yang difungsinkan jadi pusat pertokoan kecil yang "super fancy" tempat seniman, pengrajin, dan bakers, menjual daganganya. Everything's authentic, original. fancy and super worth it.. (mahal juga tentunya. 

DI lorong-lorong di tengah kota ini, pemerinatah kota memfungsikan nya sebagai tempat idmana seniman jalanan yang senang grafiti untuk berkarya. Setiap grafiti akan diperbaruii sekiranya tidak begitu bertahan. Namun ada beberapa yang sangat menarik, sehingga grafiti tersebut terus dperbaharui setiap waktunya

Ini Mawar dan Titou.. :)

              

Setiap tempat pasti punya cerita cinta bagi beberapa orang.

Flinders Street Station

Sydney.. Joy and decisions (November 2014)

Liburan yang direncanakan jauh-jauh hari..
Perjalanan yang sangan menyenangkan ditemani dua pemudi luar biasa cerdas dan penuh semangat hidup. Penerbangan yang nyaman dan kami mulai dengan santap nasi padang di Kingsford. Menangis haru karena makanan yang benar-benar rasa daerah dan murah. Alhamdulillah..

Perjalanan kami lanjutkan ke Waverley Cemetery yang berlokasi di perbukitan sepanjang pantai. Pemakaman paling indah yang pernah saya kunjungi. Saya akan datng lagi kesana, inshaAllah. Banyak pelajaran yang bisa dipelajari dari kematian... Dan diantara semua janji yang pasti. Kematian adalah kepastian yang jelas akan datang.

courtesy of: http://philosophy.wisc.edu/forster/Sydney/Coogee%20Beach.JPG

Dari situ kami bergeral ke Congee Beach yang tak seberapa jauh dari pemakaman bersejarah tersebut.

Dari pantai kami pun menyudahi perjalanan hari itu. Maka hari pertama pun selesai.








Hari kedua, kami pusatkan di Darling Harbour. Kami mengunjungi Madame Tussauds, Sydney Sealife, dan Wildlife.

Terlalu banyak photo yang saya ambil, namun tak banyak yang bersisa karena kecerobohan saya sendiri.. Hahahahaha..

Lessons learned dan dari situ saya harus belajar bahwa ceroboh itu berakibat buruk.

 

 
Malamnya kita lanjutkan ke Sydney Eye Tower..

Hari yang melelahkan,..

Keesokan harinya perjalanan kami lanjutkan ke Manly Beach, Sydney Opera House, Museum di sekitar Opera House dan museum-museum kecil di kota tua dekat Sydney Harbour Bridge dan University of Sydney.
Hari itu adalah hari dimana saya berpikir panjang dan memutuskan harus segera pulang ke kampung halaman karena suatu dan lain hal.
Perjalanan ini murni perjalan yang membuat saya berpikir banyak tentang keluarga, pertemanan, dunia, akhirat dan pendidikan.. Bahwa setiap perjalanan mesti berujung dan harus ada nilai.

 I definitely will come again and rejoice the memory I had these beautiful smart women I call friends.. <3 nbsp="" p="">

 

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Hari yang panjang dan saya belajar bahwa setiap perjalanan haruslah punya hikmah dan mereka mengajarkan saya banyak hal berharga.

Ega adalah orang pertama yang selalu ada saat saya membutuhkan. Orang pertama yang mengenalkan saya banyak hal di Australia. Orang pertama yang percaya pada saya dengan segala kekurangan yang saya punya. Walau pun kadang kita saling punya satu dua hal yang tidak disukai, tapi semoga pertemanan ini memberi kami pelajaran hidup yang berharga. Terimakasih teman...


 Hari ini berakhir dan kami pun pulang untuk beristirahat. melihat ke belakang untuk belajar dan merenung boleh, dan mengenang semua kebaikan orang-orang yang sempat hadir disana meringankan segala hal yang tentunya tak mudah kita hadapi seorang diri.


Cut Mon.. She is growing up.. She still likes to cry though.. But she has learned a lot. She gets to know herself more and more in every journey..


Alhamdulillah..






The last day is Blue Mountain journey... And The End..