ISAP 2012

International Forum For SUstainable Asia and Pacific : ISAP 2102

       This seminar hold on July 24th-25th in Pacifico Yokohama, Japan orginized by: Institut for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and United Nations Universiity Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS). Collaborated with: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Economic and Social Comission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), and Asian Development Bank (ADB). Supported by: Ministry of the Environment, Japan; Kanagawa Perfectural Government; Hyogo Prefectural Government; City of Kitakyushu; City of Yokohama; Kawasaki City; Global Cooperation Institute of Sustainable Cities; Yokohama City University; Graduate School of Media and Governance; Keio University; Yokohama National University; National Institute for Environmental Sudies (NIES); The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI); Nikken Inc.; and Nikken BP Cleantech Institue.
      By attending this seminar, we could get many informations and knowledge about sustainable development. There are so many parallel sessions hold in different rooms at different times. One of my favorite session was about "East Asia Knowledge Platform for Low Carbon Growth - Knowledge in Action for Policy and Investment" Basically, it discussed about low-carbon societies in asian countries where majority are developing country. By creating a strong bond and cooperations among the Asian countries, we can succed to make an investment towards low-carbon societies in an intensive manner. As an example, the cooperation between Kitakyushu City, Japan and Surabaya City, Indonesia in building and International Environmental Cooperation as the Green City Model in Asia.
       The 3 pilars of the International Environmental Strategies for Sustainable Future are:
1. Secure Poeple's Health and Safety through Global Environmental Conservation.
2. Create Sustainable Economic Development through International Environmental Bussiness.
3. Share Experiences Internationally with the Aim of Creating a Better Society.
     As a common problem these days, climate change had given many impacts to the global world. "Climate change impact already in Japan" said Dr. Shuzo Nishioka (Secretary General, International Research Network for Low Carbon Societies (LCS-RNet)/ Senior Research Advisor, IGES). "Maybe climate change is a game for us to play" said Prof. Jiang Kejun from China. But, if we link back to the problem level. There'll be local level and global level at the same time. As what Prof. Rajendra had explained that the benefit of local level are huge, not only in global level. And when it comes to environmental protection, there's nothing equivalent.

Marhaban Yaa Ramadhan 1433 H

Marhaban Yaa Ramadhan.

Let's be happy to welcome this Holy Month.

     This year seems a bit different for me. Ramadhan 1433 H. Since now I'm living in a foreign country, Japan, I need to get accostumed to the Ramadhan life here. As a matter of fact, Japanese Muslims are minority. So, I need to struggle harder than years before. Seeking for the right information about when exactly Ramadhan 1st is, where to pray Tarawih, where to pray at Eid Fitri, and so on. Beside, none of Muslims are living around my neighborhood. Just then, it wasn't like any particular things people do when it comes to Ramadhan.

      It's early summer here now. My biggest trouble is about the weather, to be honest. It's pretty unstable because sometimes it could be really hot or freezing cold. Sometimes rain's pouring but sometimes the sun is exactly above the head. Well, in my motherland, Indonesia, it's actually hot. Since I get used to live in tropical countries, therefore my body kind of react to the subtropical atmosphere.

      Now, I'm still a high school student. You know, that'd be lots of things to do when you're at this age. Club activities, courses, or simply hanging out with friends. Summer vacation in my school last in about 40 days. Probably, the longest school holiday I've ever had. The most plenty homeworks I would've to work on it. Outdoor activities, such as camp, voluntary activities, representative things, and etc. By not knowing about what exactly Ramadhan is, many of these people questioned me about when, why, and how I'm going to do Ramadhan here. The most complicated thing is that I have to always ensure them about my health. Like seriously, it's nothing like suicidal things. It's a holy thing to do and I'm happy for it. They explained about how Japan's weather is so humid. That there are many disease might spreading. So dangerous as it could cause death.

      As on their mind about religion is a part of a culture, they respect me anyway. Somehow, I know they just care for me and I'm deeply thankful for that. I don't wanna looked so strict. Not trying to be rigid, but just hold on to the belief, lesson I've been learning since I was little. Cause no matter where I'm at this quote remain in me "Think globally, Act locally" which actually I found out written on the backside of a friend's T-shirt. Sounds a little bit silly how it figured a new point of view.

      But, the most important thing I wanna say here is about how standing your ground when it's worth to do, then just go for it. When people think it's impossible, then you can make it even more possible. Nothing beats strong will and faith. The world is a better place when you cause someone who doesn't understand, understands; someone who never know, know;, someone who doesn't believe, believes.

Source : islamicfinder.org

Above is my Ramadhan schedule for this year. It starts erlier and ends later than I used to have. Good luck for me cause Allah. SWT is always with me. I Believe.

2 Amazing Weeks With The American Besties

Here they are whom I'm going to Introduce!  My American besties who had me a beautiful 2 weeks experience together. Welcome to Japan!

 

Cat (15) from Alaska, USA.

Krissy (15) from New Hampshire, USA

Marly (16) from New Hampshire, USA

Altogether at The Welcome Party for Kumon Kokusai Gakuen 's Exchange Students, July 3th 2012.

        From left to right : Marly, Risa, Krissy, Minori, (Me), and Yuka. This photo was taken just before we started to play some interesting games at the Welcome Party. I love balloon!

 

          

 Me as a Hachiko or whatever. It's actually the mascot for Softbank, the Japanese mobile phone.

                                        

 The Sushi Party on July 6th 2012. Just a day after my birthday <3

 

There! The Maki Sushi (top) and Inari Sushi (bottom) that me and my group had made. You should try! (how?) 

The Japanese calligraphy! Shodou （書道)　which actually what we did was just a Shuuji (習字)　since we're all just a beginner. There Takaki sensei with the kanji of his name (Takaki), Marly (Sora = sky), Krissy (Oo Ame = Heavy Rain), Me (Nakajima Yuuto = one of the personil at Hey! Say! Jump!), Cat (Yomu = to read), Hyun (Ai = Love).

It wasn't the end of our cultural journey yet! The picture in the right was taken after we all tried the traditional Tea Ceremony at school with the teachers and friends.

I could hardly believe 2 weeks flown rapidly. This was taken at the Farewell Party on July 13th 2012.

Let's EAAAAAAT! The Carrot Cake we made!

         TIME TO ROCK THE PARTY OUT! LET'S GET CRAZY!

 Hang out time for the last time :(( But we had so much fun trying the Purikura, instant photo box in Japan. The 7 of us could hardly breath inside lol. Thanks guys! You made my day <3

LOVE LOVE LOVE JAPAN! 日本愛してるんだ！ <3

Tanabata Matsuri "The Star Festival" in Hiratsuka, Japan.

七夕まつり　（Ｓｔａｒ　Ｆｅｓｔｉｖａｌ）

One of the gate to the Tanabata Matsuri in Hiratsuka city, Japan.

          The Star Festival originates from Chinese legend of the two bright stars, Altair and Vega. Vega, a weaving girl, and Altair, a cowherd boy, loved each other. They had so much fun being together that they stopped working hard. The king got angry and separated them by the big river of Milky Way. He allowed them to meet once a year across the Milky Way only on the night of July 7th. On that day, people decorate bamboo branches with paper strips and ornaments to celebrate their reunion. It is believed that a wish comes true when you write a wish on the paper stris and hang them on the bamboo.



Decorations at Tanamata Matsuri on both sides of the street hang on bamboes.

                      Decorations in many kids favorite characters such as Ultraman and Disney.

They also presented the Japanese culture such as Origami (Folding Paper) in the form of the decoration.

SWEET 17 - Japan, July 5 2012

Chocholate Bday Cake <3 It says on the choco "Bibi-chan Otanjyoubi Omedetou!" in Japanese which means "Bibi-chan Happy Birthday!"

 in English.

Presents from the host families. Those cards are handmade by host sister and host mom. That one book was one they bought from Netherlands at Vincent Van Gogh Museum. (I couldn't breath at first lol)

This is when I blew my candles on my sweet 17 cake :)

It seems so simple that I didn't have any luxurious party. But surrounding myself with people whom I love and I knew they did it from their hearts. That's my birthday dream.