My Diary (7)
December 26th, 2005 15.45 pm.
First Winter in My LIfe
Long time not see you, how are you today Diary? I hope you are all right. Can you feel this cool weather nowdays? I'm freezing now, event I simply can't go out from my room. But it remainds the same whether I go outside or not, because the cold comes from every where.
This winter is a new experience for me, because there is no winter in my country. Indonesia is a tropic country, you already know that, don't you? There are only two seasons, raining and dry reasons. My family from Indonesia inform me that today in my hometown, the rain comes everyday, so the temperature there is little bit cold also, but not like this winter.
Experiencing this new condition, I try to get use to it. I try to go to campus as usual event I should wear double and double dress. In the class, I find it is hard to write event a single word, because all my fingers is frozen. For the first time, I think I'm the only one that feel this way, but then I figure out that event my Indian friends feel the same thing as me. Luckly, until now I still carry on all of this, because I'm being forced to do so if I want to finish my study. I face this thing for 2 weeks after the winter started, and now I can breath more freely because I have a winter holiday for 2 weeks. It means that I don't need to weak up in the morning and go to campus in a frozen weather.
As I new comer in India, this winter gives me a new sensation of life that I have never feel before. You know Diary, I really don't like it for the first time. I don't like to go to bed by wearing double and double dress, it makes me hard to breath, and I don't like to sleep wearing blanket. But now I have to do all of that. Can you imagine that? Because if I don't do it, I can't sleep properly, and I will just become a frozen woman when weak up in the morning.
If you want to know, when the weather is still not so cool as today, I already wear double and double dress. My landlord, Saima, says to me, "Rini, it is not cool! In January, it is more cool than today! That's the really cool." I simply can't imagine what I will do if that condition happen. How poor am I?
Diary, just pray for me okey? I hope I can face all of this. Maybe, for some of you, it is funny, but I really really afraid that I can't stand on this any longer. Just pray for me Diary. Okey Diary, I just want to go home. The weather outside is unfriendly with me. We can meet again next time! See you soon.
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My Diary (6)
December 18th,2005 16.30 pm.
Life Is Only A Matter of Smile
Hello diary, how are you today? Hope you are in a good condition, so you can hear what I want to tell you about my story. Actually this story happened three days ago when I were on my way home from campus.
But I couldn’t tell you immediatley because I were so tired after a long day at campus with a lot of activity also; besides, I had to do something urgen at that day. Today is Satuday, and I have no class. So, I can tell you the story before I forget it.
Daily, I take along trip to reach my campus. Even it is along trip and seesms a tiredsome one, I feel very happy to run it everyday, because I can see many different things everytime.I use oto-rikhshaw to go to campus, and usually I hear my tape-recorder while sometimes singing the songs.
That day, I came from campus at 14.00 pm., after finished all of my subjects. Reached the Nizamuddin street, like usual I listened to my radio-tape and sang a long the way. It was a very crowded time that my oto should ran slowly. Along the road-side, there were so many workers working on repairing the road-side. Some of them were women and small kids. Maybe ther are the workers’ childrents. At the first time, there was nothing special to see them all, but suddently I saw an uncommon picture, I thought myself.
Among the workers, there was a little boy who was hitting the rock of the road-side with a big harmer, and it seemed that the harmer was too big to be hold by him because he needed full power to use it. Besides him, there was a woman sitting near him and did the same action, maybe she was his mother, and not far from him, there was a man with other little boy, more little than he was, still did the same action, and I thought they were his father and brother. They were laughing happily under the sun-shine that shone not so bright that day.
For you maybe this picture is not so speciall, because you can say that it is a common thing that happens nowday in our society. What point that makes it very speciall for me is that because of this, I remember one of my friends when I was at senior high school. Her name is Yati. She used to come to my house just to inform me about her ‘bad days’. Her days will become bad if:
- her boy-friend doesn’t call her
- her mother leaves her alone and go to the shopping-centre
- she cann’t find her ‘beloved’ shoes
- she doesn’t have money to buy her cosmetics
- etc. etc.
If these things happen, she cann’t even smile in a single second.
If I compare to that little boy, I can see the difference between them more clearly. The boy, just named him Son, still can smile even he has to do a hard work helping his parents. Actually, it is not his duty to do that in his age now. It is his time to go to scholl, playing with his friends, doing what he should do in his age, etc. but he is not so lucky to do that. The condition forces him to do something else that maybe not suitable for him. From his smile, I can see that he does not complain about his condition today. Even he does not realise that he has lost his childhood which should be full of joy and happiness, he still face his life with happiness in a different context with another child in common sense. He still can enjoy his life even he should help his parents just to earn more money to continue their life, maybe.
Then, a big question comes to my mind. Why my friend fells that her days turns bad only because of that if... and if....I realise now that my friend and me are still the luckier ones than Son. We still can fulfil all of our needed without doing anything so hard. Our parents still can afford all. On the other hand, Son should work hard only to get extra money to help his parents. Maybe in his mind there is only the thought that he has to get money today, so he and his family have something to eat, for tomorrow he has to find it again.
Now, I consider that as a human being, it’s not an unresponsible deed if I usually complain about my life. How lucky I am if I compare myself with Son. The only thing that I must do is make my life become useful for someone else, so my existenc on this world won’t be useless, and I think we all should do that. And for Son, hope you can find a better life in your feature, and become the ‘real’ man in this cruel world.
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My Diary (5)
December 12th 2005 11.30 am
Surprising Test, but Good Lesson in Nature
Today, I had a morning class at 09.30 am. It was Mr. Gargesh class, applied linguistics. I woke up at 05.15 am. then boling water to take a bath because it was too cool to take a bath without hot water. After taking bath, I had my brekafast with my room-mate, Yunita who also had a morning class today.
Going to campus at 08.45 am. and arriving at my campus at 09.25 am. I still had five minutes to walk to my class. Without knowing what would surprise me, I walked slowly, and figured out that there were nobody in the class. Where were they? I thought myself.
Finding that there was nobody in the class, I decided to go to the computer laboratory. On the way, I met my class-mates. All of them were reading books, and seemed that they are memorizing something. I asked one of them.
"Hallo, Birj. Good morning. How are you?"
"Hi,Rini. Good morning. I'm fine, and you?"
"Very well, thanks! What are you reading about?"
"I am reading my Morphology note for the test."
"Test? What test?"
"Our Morphology test for this semester."
"What? You're kidding on me,aren't you?"
"No. I'm not. You can see others. They are also reading their books."
He was right! What a big surprised 'present' in a cool weather! I read nothing for this test, because I did not know that there would be a test for this subject. Birj continued that Mr. Pradeep informed the test when he made an extra class for his subject, but, unfortunatelym, I did not ettend that class, because I was sick. Luckly, my lecturer that actually should attend the class did not come. So, I still have time for almost one and an half hour to read something.
The test finally began. I felt like entering a fire circle, and had no way to ru away from it. Then, I realised that why should I run away from this test, just faced it and did the best I could, I thought. The test took one and an half hour, and we needed to answer 45 questions.
At last, the test had finished, and I felt very upset, very and very upset, because I only could answer 35 questions from 45 questions without knowing wether they all were right or wrong. But what could I ask for? I only studied a little bit als.
So, friends pray for me, okey? And it is a good lesson for me for not forgetting my lesson, maybe I can do much better if I have studied it before going to bed at that night. See you again! Have a nice day.
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My Diary (4)
December 12th, 2005 10.00 am.
Arriving in New Delhi, India
Hello friends, long time not see you. First of all, I just want to say I am really really sorry to take much time in continuing my diary. Today, I tell you my first experince travelling around New Delhi.
Actually, you had known that I arrived in Delhi on July 17th 2005, and I came here together with my friends and also with the same purpose, to continue our study. Beside us, one of our lecturer also accompanied us, so his native here, in New Delhi, picked us up from the airport. That night, we all slept in his house.
In the morning, some 'new' Indonesian friends, and you know, they are all men came because they would accompany us to register to the university as the major aim. Preparing all, we went out at 10.00 am. First, we went to ICCR office to make report that we were already in Delhi, and just wanted to register to the university. It took so much time because there were many scholars from different part of country like Korea, Thailand, Africa, etc. ect. that also had arrived in Delhi, so we had to wait until afternoon. Considering that the time was not enough to continue our 'journey', we decided to go the next morning.
Next morning, I went to my university, while my friends, Yunita and Fitri, went to their university. We registered in different universities. I was accompanied by one of the scholar also from Medan, Malik Sarumpaet, that already finished his study in Delhi University where I should register myself. It was a tiredsome 'job' to make a registeration in the university, because I should wait for a long time just to a single register, but it is India, my friend said that. I spent three days to make all registartion well prepared, and the rest one that I should do is to prepare my self to join my new course.
This is like a dream that finally I can enter my course in Delhi University on July 28th, 2005. I met new friends, from India of course, Iran, Thailand, Korea, Russian, Mongol, and from Moscow. Later, I will tell you all about them.
Enough for today. I have to go to campus because I have a test class today. Wish me luck okey! See you soon.
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My Diary (3)
December 5th, 2005 14.00 pm.
Achiving The Scholarship: Big 'Miracle' in My Life
As I promise you, I will continue my story now.
After receiving the scholarship form, I felt so happy. I went home and started filling the form. Afraid of making any mistake, I made the duplication of it, and filled the duplication one for the first time. I also completed all the document needed as the requirements of the scholarship.
Before, I had to make my passort first as one of the important documents. My mother accompanied me during this process. Finishing all, I returned the form to the Indian Coucil again, and my waiting time began. I should wait for about half year or six months, from December to May for the result whether my application accepted or rejected.
On May 2005, I forgot the date, but it was maybe in the middle of May, I received an invitation letter from the council to have the second test, and it was a writen test. It surprised me a lot, because my teacher said that there would not be a writen test. The test would be held on June 7th, 2005. I only prepared what I could prepare, and I gave the rest part to my God, Allah SWT, The Almighty.
The test had passed, and I should wait again for two or three days for the announcement. And you know, waiting is tiredsome. Finally, my phone rang. Kring...kring...kring...!!!!! I picked up the phone. "Hello, good morning.". I said:"Good morning.". Then, "Can I speak to Ms.Rini?". "Yes,It's me." "I am Mr. Ndraha speaking." My heart started to run fast. "Yes?". "Can you come to the Indian Council today at 10.00 am?" My heart went faster and faster. "Yes, of course." "Okey. Don't be late. Good morning." I repleid: "Good morning.". I put down my phone and my brain stopped thinking for a while. Then I called my mother.
I went to the council as soon as possible. On the way to the council, I could not stop thinking why they asked me to come today. It was impossible if they already got the result, because it was just one day after the test, so what was going on? Arriving at the council, I saw one of my friend, Fitri who also applied this scolarship had been there first. She hold a paper, and when I came closer to her, she said that she got the scholarship. My heart suddenly ran faster. 'What about me?'. This was the first question that came to my mind. Then, Mr. Ndraha came out, and when he saw me, he handed me a paper.
I read the paper carefully, word by word, sentence by sentence, and then finally,"I got it". I got the scholarship, and they placed me in Department of Linguistics, University of Delhi, India. This is the starting point why I come to India.
Now, I have registered myself as one of the member of the Linguistic Department family of University of Delhi. I still feel it like a 'miracle' for me. Maybe out there, there are many other students like me who have desire to get this opportunity. Today, this miracle may come tome, but someday it will come to you. So, don't be afraid to hope, and do what you like to do without being afraid to make mistake, because making error is human. Don't stop dreaming, because by dreaming you can see what you really want, but don't always be a dreamer, because a dreamer never do anything to change his life.
After this story, I will tell you about my experience during my study here. Not only my study,but also my daily activity, my friends, etc. etc. But it is not today. Just wait, okey! I hope my story can encourage you all, especially for my friends in Medan, maybe to do like what I am doing now. See you soon!
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My Diary (2)
December 4th, 2005 14.30 pm.
Why I Come to India?
Before continuing my adventure in India, I just want to let you all know that I come to India not on my own fee. But you know, I come to India because I get a kind of scholarship from ICCR(Indian Couincil for Cultural Reltations). (Detail information about ICCR also available in this blog)
Getting a scholarship for me is such kind of a big gift from God that I ever had. It is a great opportunity, concerning that I will never be here if I don't get it. It is only because that I will never be here if I use my own money.Do you want to know the reason??
The reason is that I only the daughter of a laborman that earn not 'too' much money for a month salary. The money is only enough for earning our daily needs, but not for continuing my study. But luckly, I still can finish my BA degree in English literature in Islamic University of North Sumatra, Medan, Indonesia even I should work very and very hard for it.
After finishing my BA, I asked one of my previous lecturer, Mr. Purwarno, about studying In India because he had finished his study there, and got MA in English Literature in Jamia Millia Islamia University. He told me that he could go to India because he got scholarship from ICCR. Hearing this, a new hope comes to my mind that I can continue my study to a higher level, getting MA.
Havin a great interest in it, I try to look for information about ICCR by visiting the Indian Council in my home town. For the first time, I am not sure to apply for this scholarship because I am not clever enough to pass the test that may be conducted as a fulfilment. But my lecturers, my friends, and also my parents, support me a lot and they said that I would pass it because I already got the knowledge and why I should be afraid of trying to do a good thing. Realising that, I stand on myself confidence, and start to do it.
I had been interviewed before getting the application of ICCR scholarship. And you know, it was the first time for me to be interviewed in English. You can imagine what happen with me. I was trumbling during the time, but luckly I still could control myself for not becoming a 'stupid idiot student' in front of the interviewer who's name is Mr. Ndraha. After a long conversation, I finally got the application form, and that was the main point.
Sorry friends, I have something to do right now. Tomorrow I will continue this 'miracle' story. Okey?!!
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My Diary (1)
December 3rd, 2005, 22.30 pm.
New Adventure Begins
I am a post-graduate student of Departement of LInguistics, Delhi University, India. I continue my study here under the ICCR scholarship for two years course study. There are another five Indonesian students who also been given this scholarship this year. I arrived in Indiragandhi Airport on July 17th, 2005 at 21.30 pm.
When I arrived here do you know what was the first thing that came to my mind? It is a big question "What I am doing here?". After that I realised that a new adventure had come to my life. and from that moment my adventure begins.
If I make an acount, it is already 5 months I have lived far away from my beloved family and friends. I had left so many things behind, and kept them in my mind as my inner power to continue my life here. You know that to live far away from our family and friends is not as easy as someone can imagine. You have to be a brave and strong man to face the new situation and condition. Being able to adapt the tradition of the region where you stay, get use to the habit, culture, social interaction, etc. etc. And the tough one, you know, I have to be familiar with the educational situation that totally different from mine in my home town.
Because of this, I plan to write this diary just to share my own feeling during my study here. I also want to let you all know the situation that I face concerning my study in New Delhi, India. Hoping that it can help you because one of you, maybe, need it as one of your references whether you have desire to continue your study abroad, especially in New Delhi, India. And I also want to share this with all my friends, especially from my home town Medan, North Sumatra.
It is all that I can write for today. Tomorrow I will meet you againt. God-night, friends!
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