2010 ; the end

been ages, Blogspot!

and 2010 has come to its end. Damn, what have I achieved???

Well if I have to wrap 2010 in one word it would be BEYOND.

Why so?

Simply because everything that has happened to me through out this year is indeed beyond my thought and comprehension. God has shown his works in my life for sure.

I Started the year with a very risky decision.

Yes, I spent the only money I had in my bank account to go on a Fukuoka trip. I shopped, I ate good food, I had a good time, while my tuition remained unpaid.

Crazy? Desperate more likely.

I tried my best to save up but I just didnt earn enough money so a glimpse of thought slipped to my mind 'maybe God wants me to come back to Indonesia'.

But, I got the scholarship! Right on time to pay my tuition as I wrote on my previous post.

So long story short, my 2010 started with a beyond belief miracle that teared me out.

Then I failed to go to London but I got the internship in Panasonic Indonesia instead.

Back in February, I couldnt figure out why it seemed like God wants me to go back to Indonesia.

But just as my 7th semester started and my batch mates started to get drowned in their job hunting activities, I got a job offer from Panasonic Indonesia.

AS SIMPLE AS THAT. No need for interview, no need for cv submission. I just need to submit my graduation certificate and I can work there.

Once again God has eventually revealed what was behind His plan.

The next thing that happened out of my plan; I got a boyfriend.

I was already over those i-wanna-look-for-a-boyfriend-phase and I was determined to focus more on my uni activities which led me to this event called Heart for Haiti, where we met.

Long story short, I'm dating this very nice guy.

A Christian.

A drummer.

A singer.

A guitarist.

A bassist.

A chef.

A comedian.

A family man.

A smart ass.

A loving person

A boyfriend of mine :)

It's funny how this huge thing happened when I expected it the least.

Thank God.

Then the miracles go on.

I applied for Kumon Camp which offered me an opportunity to earn approx. $ 1,800 in 3 weeks but I failed. boo.

Then I applied for another program in Okinawa which also paid well but I failed, again.

Instead, God led me to this voluntary English Mission Camp in Korea.

It got me questioning why voluntary while He knows I need the money?

But as I participated in the program, I realized how much I learned and experienced in one month time.

And right this very moment, I am applying for a scholarship which requires certificates of my extra curricular activities and this program has been one of the highlights of my CV along with the required certificate.

Lesson learned: Seek first the Kingdom of God and everything will be added upon you.

Another thing that opened my eyes to see how God has indeed planned everything for me from the very beginning.

I've been participated in exchange programs with high school students all over Japan where I teach English and introduce my culture for the past two years. Out of a very casual conversation with the director, he suddenly offered me a job to work with an HR consultant in Tokyo.

I was amazed. Not that I got the job already, but still... while other people have to race neck and neck to get a job, I got two offers before even looking for the job.

Even though I still don't know for sure about what I would do after my graduation, I still thank God for the opportunities and hope.

And through 2010, I have realized that as long as we commit everything we do in God's hand, He will show us the way.

And even though it didnt seem to be the one we want at first, but in the end He alone will open our eyes that those things happen for a bigger reason. The best possible for us.

I simply learned how big HE is compared to my thoughts.

"..too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard..

who can grasp Your infinite wisdom

who can fathom the depth of Your love

You are beautiful beyond description,

majesty and throned above"

Let's start 2011 with these amazing verses:

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you..plans to proser you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

and Jeremiah 32: 27

Iam the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?

So, HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

Have a blessed one! :)

twenty four

It's been an hour and half since I stepped out of Hong Kong International airport on my flight transit from Fukuoka to Kuala Lumpur so I had 24 hours to explore the country.

It was pretty nerve wrecking at first since I didnt speak the local language and the only clue I had was to meet my native Hong Kong friend in Tsim Sha Tsui later that day. So i asked around until I finally got my bus ticket.

I waited on the line along with the familiar faces speaking the language I know by heart. Yes, a bunch of Indonesian workers who just landed to try their luck in Hong Kong as domestic helpers.

After a while my double decker bus came so I hopped in with full excitement. I chose to sit on the most front sit on the upper part of the bus so that I would be able to see the whole scenery clearly.

The view was great. Neatly done bridges, ships sailing in and out the waterway, traffic signs written in Chinese characters, constructions in progress, and the bright blue sky which made the view even more mesmerizing.

Then after around 30 minutes driving, the bus started to enter the main part of the city. The view became more amusing. Hustle bustle of the city, people from different ethnic groups strolling around the street brushing shoulders one to another, not-so-clean flats, alleys fully packed with stores and pedestrians, and the colorful banners that added the magical effect on the district.

I managed to get off at Tsim Sha Tsui which turned out to be located in Kowloon island and still had 4.5 hours until I met my friend who was still at work so I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood.

The stores were awesome. They sell many different kind of stuffs, from typical Hong Kong merchandises, knock-off of high end branded bags, to chinese traditional medicine. There was also a wide range of clothing brand as well as rows of restaurants from chinese food to mongolian buffet which was utterly mouth watering.

After getting too exhausted, I sat for a bit at the nearby city park waiting for my friend. Once we met, he took my to a local chinese restaurant which served awesome food. After the late dinner, we went to the famous Hong Kong Port. It was really beautiful to see the city lights from the building on the main island of Hong Kong.

We could actually take ferry to cross the bay and get to the main island of Hong Kong but since I had no time so we just spent a bit of our time there. And my camera was kinda crappy so I couldnt take proper picture of the amazing view.

It was pretty late when we finally walked to the bus stop. I had to catch the last bus to go back to the airport where I would be sleeping and wait for my connecting flight the next morning.

It was a short yet amazing visit to Hong Kong and I do wish for another chance to come back any time soon.

(.)

ini euphoria hampa
sisa-sisa rasa
tak beralas
tak berbalas

hati ambil bagian
asa racuni pikiran
rajut, rajut impian
tinggalkan heran

stimulan rindu
seberkas sendu
obsesi semu

kamu

heart calls

There you were through a glance
In awe I lost balance
Dancing fingers on those strings
Oh What a shiver u bring

Through the melodic harmony
You turn all the agony,
To an ecstatic rhapsody
You indeed are the remedy

Star, star, my heart calls
Catch, catch, i fall

God is Good

I've intended to post this 'testimony' from 2 weeks ago but been postponing due to the exam week.

So.. I've figured out what God has planned me.

1. I didn't get enough sponsorship for the One Young World Conference in London

but He provides me with an internship opportunity in Panasonic Indonesia instead.

2. I GOT THE DAIKIN SCHOLARSHIP.

I cried indeed when the result came up. It was a pure miracle since I know how I screwed the interview and all I could say was just Thank you Lord for loving me this much.

The result came up 2 weeks before my tuition payment deadline. I had 0 Yen in my bank account, I hadn't asked any money from my parents, I was just praying and there are 2 verses that always keep me struggling no matter how many people say it's hard, or it's impossible since I know 'I can do all things through Him who strengthens me' because 'the One who lives in me is greater than the one who lives in this world'.

Now I've seen another miracle in my life that has proven God's help is never late and never limit His power for you'll see how everything is indeed possible when you're with Him.

3. I didn't get the Kyushu Oil scholarship

But He gave me a peace of mind. I wasn't disappointed not even moan about it. I know if I don't get it, He has another plan, bigger and better for me.

So here I am, staying up all night waiting for the early morning bus that will take me to the airport and off I go, back to Indonesia, will be home altogether with the whole family.

God is good, aint He? :)

TIME

Just got back from my friday fellowship, which I regularly attend every friday, such an oasis where I can be with the group of youth, praising, worshipping, sharing thoughts, and growing in faith together. I've learned a lot from this awesome family and so have I today.

The theme for today's message was CELEBRATION IN TIME. It emphasizes on how God has planned everything for us and makes them happen in His own time. Yes, His very own time which is beyond my limited intelligence and understanding of what's good and what's not.

I have personally experienced how God has not let me get what I wanted and how hard it was to face failures yet later on my eyes were also opened to see how God has replaced it with something bigger and better which I never thought of before. By rooting to this principle of He makes everything beautiful in His time, I've never been let down by failures because I know they all happen for reasons, for the better.

The first 3 months of this semester, I had been complaining that I barely got my turn in McDonalds, where I've been working for the past months, because new people are coming so they need to divide the available time equally, which means, less turn for me to work and automatically, less monthly income. I worried a lot, and I did cry wondering how I would be able to save up and pay my tuition fee.

Before the christmas break, I also struggled to find another part time job yet I found none.

In my lowest point, I was reminded of how I had been dragged away from God. I started to listen to online sermons and God did speak to me through those messages. I realized how I had changed. I forgot that whatever happens in my life, is a part of God's plan. I had been busy moaning about the little hole and forgot to sit back, relax, and enjoy the whole picture.

I went back to Him and found how He opened the ways for me to earn money. I applied for two scholarships and passed both of the 1st screenings. I couldn't find part time job to do during the Christmas break because God wanted me to enjoy the break and let me go for a little getaway to another city, well He even provided enough money for me to shop and live a proper living up to this very moment even though I have less part time job schedule. And I have more time to study during the weekend.

Now that I look back, I see how what I thought were failures unexpectedly turned out to be blessings I couldn't recognize back then. So I am thankful that He has brought me back to Him and here I am, healthy, prosper, and with many hopes I've pinned on Him looking to be made come true, or to be replaced with something better.

Yes, I am crossing finger for the sponsorship result that will decide whether I'll go to London or not this February, and 2 scholarships result that will provide me enough money to pay my tuition fee, monthly living cost for the whole year, even my trip back home ;)

A lot to hope indeed yet I know, I put those hopes on the right hands.

"..Then You know that I am the Lord; those who hope in ME will not be dissapointed.."

Isaiah 49:23

2010

ive decided to write down my resolutions and dreams. so by the end of the year I can see what I've done, and how my dreams come true, or are replaced by some other plans God has prepared for the better.

Here goes the list.

Resolution:

- no sleeping in class

- no more job cancellation, skipping church and fellowship for unnecessary excuses

- read the subject materials before class

- fast every Monday and Thursday

- FINISH THE BIBLE!

- browse for internship

- no more bible reading on the bus. it must be AT HOME before school

- night devotion is compulsory

- less complaining

- go back to taiko practices

- learn Spanish and French

- more social work

Wishes:

- daikin, kyushu oil, and honor scholarship *huge AMEN for these*

- academic merit awards (which also means 4 GPA)

- indonesia in February, Europe in summer break

- internship at British Council London

- perfect health for my family and the best university for my sister

- one piece from each of these: complex geometries, chloe sevigny for opening ceremony, junya watanaba for garcons, alexander wang, and well I basically wont resist anything from Oaknyc and reform :)

神様今年もお願いいたします。。