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