Until You're Sure

Until this moment, I don't know how to start my writing. Until I began with the word "until." Until I found the right time how to write and speak to people without confusing them. Until I'm sure what I'm writing is worth to read. Until this common word comes into my mind, the happiness. Until when will we question about happiness? Until when you consider a moment as a happiness. Until someone told me "It's not happiness when you try to think what it is" and "you should know what's the difference between joy and happiness." Until I sighed on my own chair, being restless. Until people could just think of something way simpler. Until people could just speak right to the point. Until then, maybe we would've known what exactly happiness is.

We live life in circle. We go running in line or cross the line. We choose, we do. We keep telling ourselves, we know what we're doing. We keep ignoring, cause we think we'd better alone. We go for a ride, but stop in the middle of the journey. We fight to get what we want, but forgetting gratitude when we caught it already. We know we're happy, but people might not feel the same way or even worse. We make friends in hope that we're gonna have fun together, but sometimes it ends up with just greetings for formality. We wish to know someone better, but we don't really recognize Who-Am-I. We're tired but we don't wanna loose. We're giving but keep asking more.

Sure, you can always eat the food you love, If you're sure your body needs them. Sure, you can manage things well, If you sure you know how to. Sure, you can see what you want to see, If you're sure your eyes worth to see them. Sure, you can always make friends, If you know what it feels to have nobody. Sure, you can always make people happy, If you know how to make yourself to. Sure, you can write your dreams, If you put on goals on how to reach them. Sure, you can be happy, If you're sure you are. Until You're Sure.

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1433 H (Happy Ied Mubarak 1433 H)

       This year is my very first Eid Fitri in foreign country. I used to worry about how will I welcome this special day without my natural family. But that was before this day has come :) I'm so thankful for Allah SWT for all the gifts in life given to me. That I've done my fasting in Ramadhan until the day for welcoming "The Day of Victory" - Eid Fitri.

       Last night of Ramadhan, I could see some of my family on social networking updating their statues about going back hometown and how happy they are welcoming the Eid Fitri. Some of them tried to annoy me as I'm the only one who will be absent, in a joking way. And how I overcome that situation is just stay positive. I'm young and new. I didn't even know if I could figure things out. Simply like where to pray on Eid Fitri and how to get there. Eid Fitri praying is so early in the morning here in Japan. At about 8.00 am for the first round and 9.00 am for the second round. But then, I found out many informations all of sudden. Text messages, postings on social media, websites about all I need to know on how to celebrate the Eid Fitri in Japan.

        From my city, I need to go to the central of Tokyo for about an hour by bus and train. So, I left home around 6.30 am because I'd reach the nearest station by bus in 30 minutes. Luckily, in the station I met many other muslims and to one surprised, they are also from Indonesia. About 20 or more people under the nursing program exchange. They welcomed me warmly as they invited me to reach the place together. I felt so lucky cause I only know how to get to the praying place until the last station. I didn't know whether to take a bus or just take a walk to get there. So, we all rode the same train, changed train at one station and finally arrived at the last station. A little trouble happened to me. My charge for the e-ticket card wasn't enough. Therefore, I needed to stand in line to re-charge at the charge machine which was long as the normal train station's morning life. Not enough for that, I found another common problem. I got out of the station and tried my best to ask people's around depict the fact we-don't-know-each-other. I was speaking in Bahasa as I heard them speaking in Bahasa in among them. So, I took a local bus where they rode. Which bus stop should I get off? Never mind. I was already with people who were going for the same purpose. I hang up myself to them, please God direct me wherever I go. At a moment, some of them began to get off of the bus. I got off to. Then, we took a walk for 5 to 10 minutes and finally I found a symbol of Burung Garuda accompanied by "Balai Indonesia" which is Sekolah Republik Indonesia - a school for Indonesian in Tokyo. My heart was pound. I've never been this happy to find a place to pray before.

         Minutes before praying, I suddenly recognized a face who seem so familiar to me. My senior at school. I met her there. We had a mini-talk just like Minal Aidin Wal Faidzin and asking for each other's condition. After the praying, I met her again and she asked me If I would like to go with her and her friends to the Indonesian Embassy. They held an open house from 10.30 am where we can eat the Eid Fitri special menu for free and meet other Indonesian muslims in Japan. Of course, I didn't want to pass this special day without the special menu. We went there on foot for like 15 to 20 minutes. The line was so long. So many people came there from different cities in Japan. It was so crowded. But that's Eid Fitri. When people are gathering together, asking for apologies whether they know each other or not. We went home at around 11 am. I was so tired that I got wrong taking the train bound. I took the one for Tokyo while I need to take the opposite bound. When I got on the local bus already, I was even half asleep. But that was a relief when I got home already.

        Tonight after dinner, my host family offered me to phone my natural family as today is our special day. So glad to hear my parents, my grandparents, my aunties, and my uncle's voice. My host father even talked to my dad in English. But, I didn't have much time because the International call fare is so expensive here. Even so, I'm still feeling gratitude for today and the days before today. Hope tomorrow always be better. Happy Eid Mubarak to all muslims all around the world! :) 

   

Visit Highlight Spot in Tokyo in One Day

Mid summer is the best time to travel around this country and see cool and famous places. It's absolutely not enough time to visit all around Tokyo in just one day. But I'd like to recommend you the TOP 3 must see places in Tokyo according to my version.

1. Tokyo Sky Tree (東京スカイツリー)

     Tokyo Sky Tree is now the tallest tower in all over Japan and Tokyo. And even it's said to be the tallest broadcasting tower in the world.The highest point is 634 meters on the ground. It is divided in 2 parts. In the height of 450 meters there's an observation deck where you can see all over Tokyo city view. It takes you about 50 seconds to the first deck . A ticket to the first deck cots ￥2,000 (Japanese yen) and ￥3,000 (Japanese yen) to the top deck.
For more information, visit this official website http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp

Beautiful spot inside the Tokyo Solomachi Shopping Center with a roof glass where
we can see the top of Tokyo Sky Tree and relaxing sitting and have a talk.

Tokyo Sky Tree taken from inside the Tokyo Solomachi shopping center.

2. Roponggi, Tokyo (東京、六本木)

        Roponggi is famous for its arts spot. Therefore, we can see many art galleries and amazing architectural buildings like shopping center. One of the best spot where you can shopping, or just relaxing walking in the green park or visit some art galleries, Tokyo Midtown!

Tokyo Midtown Shopping Center

Outdoor view where you can have lunch with a take-out food or just having
talk with parterns and relaxing.

Me and my friends Kaho (Japan) and Hyon (South Korea) were relaxing in the
Tokyo Midtown's park.

       As I mentioned before, Roponggi is famous for its arts so here are some beautiful art spot in Roponggi :)

Kokuritsu Shin Bijutsukan (国立新美術館)

In this Art Gallery we can see not only from the Japanese articians but also worlwide articians arts.

-The Roponggi Hills-



Roponggi Hills is a MUST SEE place in Roponggi. Because it has many spot to visit and even another beautiful view of Tokyo.



THE AMAZING TOKYO TOWER

 For more details and official info visit the website http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/



Tokyo Tower view from the Roponggi Hills.



Giant Spider - one of the art spot in the Roponggi Hills



Tokyo Tower view from the Tokyo City View in the
Roponggi Hills

Tokyo City View - Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower

3. Ginza, Tokyo (東京、銀座)
    Ginza is a shopping paradise where you can find many shops there!

Ginza City Traffic Center

GIORGIO ARMANI

Tiffany&Co.

PRADA

HERMES

Other shops like ZARA, GAP, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Burberry and etc. are also spreading along the street. Friendly shops like Forever 21, H&M, UNIQLO, and etc are also there.
Have fun for your Tour In Tokyo! :)
   
   

FUJI SUMMER CAMP 2012

Meet New Friends During The Beautiful Summer Vacation :)

       Woaaaaahhh! Finally, this is what I called summer vacation. On August 5-8 2012 my sending program, AFS, held an amazing event called Fuji Summer Camp 2012. It was held in Gotenba-shi, Shizuoka-ken, Japan.
       I'm so glad that I have a chance to join this worthwhile activity with 9 other exchange students, 50 Japanese students, and 18 student volunteers. To be honest, 4 days and 3 nights was too short for us. But I'm so thankful that God presents me these kind-hearted friends who still keep in touch each other eventhough the event is already over.

In Yokohama Train Station with Domi (Hungary), Chloe (France),
Hedy (China), and Moe (student volunteers from Japan)

On our way to Gotenba, Shizuoka, Japan. With Akari (Japan), Nomin (Mongolia)
Milli (Findland), Chloe (France), and Stephanie (USA).

FUJI SUMMER CAMP 2012!

With my silly best team Group 1 (One Peace). Left to right : Mei (group leader, Japan),
Kento (Japan), Asato (Japan), Noi (group leader, Japan), Haruna (group leader, Japan), Me (Indonesia)
Mao (Japan), Mayuko (Japan), Jyona (Japan), Tone (Japan), Anna (Japan), Nanami (Japan), and the silly Carlos at front (Chile).



with Shimada Mao

with Harita Mayuko

The Amazing 3776 m Fuji Mountain.

With Runa and Satomi from Japan.



with Noi (Japan) one of my cutest group leader.



with Mei (group leader, Japan), Carlos (Chile), and Chloe (France)

The 4 Silly exchange students from Kanagawa chapter wearing I <3 JAPAN T-shirts
Hedy (China), Non (Thailand), Me (Indonesia), and Domi (Hungary).

At Gotenba train station waiting for the train to go back home.
Front left to right : Me (Indonesia), Domi (Hungary), Non (Thailand), Ing (Thailand), Nomin (Mongolia)
Back left to right : Hedy (China), Milli (Findland), Chloe (France), Carlos (Chile), Stephanie (USA), Akari (Japan).

Firework Festival

The 27th Kanagawa Shinbun Hanabi Matsuri

Just wanna post some of my shots at the Firework festival held by Kanagawa Shinbun - a perfectural newspaper in Kanagawa-ken, Japan, which were in Minato Mirai, Yokohama-shi on August 1st at 7pm. Enjoy! :)