Finding a Pleasure in an Authentic Place

Finding a Pleasure in an Authentic Place

The wind blew and filled the room as I opened the windows in the dawn, while Adzan Subuh reverberated. I let the coldness stabbed my bones and covered my body until the sun came into the sky. Then I moved my feet to the grassy field. It was cold and wet, tickled the sole of my feet. The dew on the grassy field brought a clean redolence to my nose. I stayed still and closed my eyes, felt the warmness of the sun. Then I took a deep breath and let the pure air filled my lungs. Ah, my morning was always perfect at my grandparents’ home. 

Located in Kepanjen regency, Malang, the home of my grandparents is very peaceful. Entering the gate, the freshness of Kananga flowers and the sweetness of jasmine greet everyone who comes. Those smells mixed perfectly in the air and gave positive energy. Besides the grassy field, a glossy yellow hibiscus and red roses which planted side by side invariably captured attention. A purple orchid made the view more beautiful.

As well as flowers, many kinds of herbs and fruits also cultivated there. The biggest one that caught an eye is the four meters high of rambutan tree. The bloody red rambutans hanged attractively when it’s fructify and enacted people to take it. Close to the rambutan tree, a good smell came from a shorter tree but bigger fruit. It was jackfruit and its unbeatable strong yet sweet smell. Near the jackfruit tree, there was a fence that kept little herbs such as chili, ginger, galangal, tomato, and lime. Those seemed colorful as it’s grew, mixed beautifully with the green of the fresh grass. Therefore, the fertile soil made everything grew adequately there, so cooking was the best activity since whatever’s needed is available. 

At the back of the house, there was a little farm covered with a pebble ground. The roosters and ducks called each other; produced a beautiful melodious every single morning. The little splash of water heard from catfish pool as I stepped further. Moreover, there was a barn from bamboo, built for the hens and the quails that incubate their eggs. Completed with neon light at night, the barn seemed very warm yet unique to be seen. 

I believe that living in the village is more beautiful, and sometimes easier rather than in the city. The fresh and clean air provides the best oxygen for the lungs. The chilly atmospheres will always serene my mind and soul. Similarly, it overflows to boost my mood and energy. The fertile soil grows everything’s planted. If the saturated and exhausted of the glamorous of the city attack me, visiting village can be the main option to refresh and recover myself.

-Nugrahani-

Living as a Volunteer: Born to Work beyond Money

Living as a Volunteer: Born to Work beyond Money
By Annisa Dewi Nugrahani

“Your life and mine should be valued, not by what we take but by what we give” – Edgar Allen.

Permata Dewi Andanti, on her graduation day

It is such an amazement when hearing Permata Dewi Andanti’s story, a fresh-graduate from University of Indonesia, who help others without being paid. The idea ‘volunteering is cool’ brought her to the first voluntary work in college 3 years ago.

“I volunteered for UI Peduli, an activity of helping flood survivor in North Jakarta. It was my first timeand I enjoyed it,” said the 22 years old girl.

Danti believes that it is very awesome to spend the times, not just the leisure times, for life of others. She thinks that it is worth to try and actually is a must.

“At first, Ifelt embarrassed of myself who didn’t use the time really well. I usually spent them for something meaningless,” she admitted. “Until I inspired by my generous friends who gave a lot of their time to help those in need.So, yeah, I think it was nice to join voluntary work.”

After realizing that times have to be spend for something useful, the incapability of government in seeing problems and solutions also motivate her to do more voluntary work.

“The incapability of government to see the problem and the most effective solution is for people to work hand by hand in this collective action also make me more excited to be a volunteer. I figured that the people have more power than representatives,” she added to imply that the best way is not just mocking or criticizing the government but contribute ourselves into an action.

It is never about money since she never gets material for being a volunteer. It is the sense of being useful to people even has to sacrifice her happiness. Moreover, she gets to meet a lot of new people. In addition, she gains many positive values of being a volunteer.

“Meet new amazing people and learn much about stuffs I didn’t know before is another benefits of volunteering. It is beyond money,” she added.

Now, this girl with Psychology Bachelor Degree is one of the volunteers for Safe House, a secret house to helpwomen who become victims of trafficking, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and also gender base assault.

“Let’s go back into our society. Old saying said we need a town to raise a child but we often forget who raise a town. It’s us. Stop taking it as a granted. Why I mention about society because volunteer work is aimed to help society, to enrich a community and society. And that’s the history.”

[Mid-term] Annisa Dewi Nugrahani - My Inspiration (Short Story)

Cake, candle, balloon

Cheering up in the air

Happiness paints lots of smile

Yes, it’s not for me…

I never feel happy when my birthday is coming. I hate it. Because at the same time my mom passed away, sacrificing her life to let me in into this cruel world. I remember nothing about her. Only the picture of her that I always kept wherever I go.

My dad is the only one who took care of me, who replaced a mother role in my life. He taught me how to survive in this wild world, how to be strong even the storm always comes. One of his line that I always remember – if you fall 9 times, you must stand up 10 times no matter what – makes me alive until today. Fourteen years after my mom’s dead, he opened his heart to a Chinese woman. Then they got married. I was happy about that since I understand his struggle to raise me by himself. Two years later my stepmother gave birth to a twin girl and we moved to Bangkok. And my story begins here…

March 23^rd 2016.

I stand up at the place where my real life began, where I found the hardest time of my life, where I met one of the most important people for me. Sriwitayapaknam High School’s board is welcoming me. I see a little tiny boy with messy hair standing in front of the class. I think he gets punished by the old woman with a blue scarf who stands beside him. He reminds me about little me and I see myself there.

“Wake up, Ricky! This is not your home!” said Mrs. Sarah loudly while hit my back. I was forced to open my eyes and saw others eyes on me. Mrs. Sarah gave me a gesture to stand I front of the class. I fell asleep at the class, again. I have to stand here until the class was over. Twenty minutes later the bell was ringing.

“Ouch! Thank God, I’m not standing here too long,” I said to myself while stretched my body. Then I packed my book and ready to go home.

“Ricky, can you please come to my office?” Mrs. Sarah said.

“Sorry Miss, but I...”

“I need to talk to you, now!” she was not giving me a chance to speak, I just followed her to the office then.

She opened the door and let me sit in front of her.

“I know who you truly are, Ricky. You are one of my favorite students. You were active, enthusiastic, and smart. You are on senior year; you are going to graduate less than six months. But what happen with you now, Rick?” she said.

I kept quiet for a moment and had a long sighs then began my story…

“In the last semester of second year of, my father business went down. He had to afford quite much debt to the bank. Until he decided to sell our home then we moved to the smaller one. I also tried to fulfill my personal needs by working at Mr. Jerry’s restaurant. Then my whole life was start changing.”

“The restaurant opened on Tuesday until Sunday from 10 am until 10 pm. I started to work after the school was over, at 1 pm, and then I ran about 2 kilos to get to Mr. Jerry’s restaurant. The restaurant always crowded especially at lunch or dinner time. People kept comes and goes, I often had no time to change my uniform. I did whatever I can; delivered the meals, cleaned the desk and floor, and washed the dishes. If I was lucky, the restaurant closed earlier so I could study. If I was not, I kept working sometimes until midnight. At a couple of months I survived and saved my scores up, but the rest?”

“I used too much energy at the restaurant. I had not much time to study. I also often slept at the class or came late to school because I had lack of sleep. And my score decreased significantly.”

After hearing my condition Mrs. Sarah kept her eyes on me, expressed an upset look.

“I know you’re a good boy. I know you will face the obstacles,” she said with a smile a moment later.

“I’m going to visit your mom and dad tomorrow and talk about your academic,” she added before let me left the office.

The next day, Mrs. Sarah came to my home and talked to my parents. She offered to give me an extra time to study after the class finished. They were thankful about that. Unfortunately, she suggested me to leave Mr. Jerry’s restaurant since I had to focus on my study. So I agreed with that and had extra study with Mrs. Sarah until 3 pm.

On the other hand, I still looked for money. I tried to find a job and chose to be coffee shop attendant. I only worked from Wednesday until Sunday at 4 until 9 pm; it was much easier rather than at the restaurant.

“Thank God, she’s still healthy,” I say thankfully while seeing the woman. “Ah, that scarf…” I can’t continue my words.

March 23^rd 2005, Sunday afternoon.

Another bad thing happened in my life. I was going to leave the coffee shop around 9 pm. Then my boss asked me to deliver a mini box to someone named Mr. Andy at train station. “Mr. Andy is waiting at platform 3. He wears black tuxedo and blue tie. Don’t talk to him, just give it,” he stated.  

I agreed since it was near my home and walked in hurry, didn’t want Mr. Andy waited for me. Arrived there, I recognize someone whose looks exactly same with my boss’s description. When I took out the box from my bag, the station’s security approached me. At the same time, the train was coming and I saw Mr. Andy went in.

“Wait Mr. Andy, this is yours. HEI!” I shouted but he didn’t look at me.

“I’m sorry kid, can I see your box?” asked the security.

“Yeah, sure. Actually this belongs to someone, but he just left.” I said innocently.

After checking the box, the security made a call through his handy talkie. Several minutes later, the police came to us and brought me to the police station without asking. As we arrived, the police told me that the box is full of drugs. Shocking, I couldn’t say a word. They suspected me as drug smuggler. I explained every single truth but they didn’t believe it; they thought I was lying and slapped me on the face, not only once nor twice… Then they asked me to call my parents, but I called Mrs. Sarah. I didn’t want my parents knew about this.

A moment later, Mrs. Sarah arrived. Realizing the blood on my cheek, she put her scarf on me then explained everything to the police. After an hour of explaining, the police released me.

Once again, Mrs. Sarah was helping me.

Three months after that accident, the final examination was held. I did my best on it and the result released a month later.

“CONGRATULATIONS! YOU PASSED THE EXAM AND ACCEPT AT BANGKOK UNIVERSITY IN BUSINESS MAJOR.” It was written in the enveloped that labeled with my name, Ricky Klahan. I was too excited then ran to Mrs. Sarah.

“I did it Miss! I passed the test! I’m a college student now!” I said it loudly with a bright smile. She said nothing but smile and swept her hand over my hair and shoulder.

I come with my successful story and tell it to some students at that school. Their eyes look into mine brightly, full of spirit. I see a woman with blue scarf smiling at me from the distance, Mrs. Sarah. I stop the story session and come to her.

“There’s no word to describe how thankful to know you, Mrs., thank you. I just…”

“Don’t mind about that Ricky, your successful is because yourself, you’ve work really hard, you’ve pass the obstacles. I’m the one who want to thank to you, for helping the renovation of our school after that earthquake year ago,” she says and holds my hand.

Yes, I’m that Ricky who suffered so much on my teen age. And I come here to pick Mrs. Sarah up, I ask for one more help from her.

After graduating from college, I opened coffee shops around Bangkok and until today I successfully own 23 shops. I also the founder of Ricky’s Care, a foundation which help children education.

Today, March 23^rd 2016.

My 9^th school is officially open by Mrs. Sarah. My life saver. My angel. My inspiration.

Cake, candle, balloon

Cheering up in the air

Happiness paints lots of smile

Thank God, it finally belongs to me,

as my greatest birthday present…

[Mid-term] Annisa Dewi Nugrahani - Intransitive (Poem)

I walk through the path,
but I cannot find you.
I walk through the path,
but I cannot see you.


Is that you?

The man standing behind the blue?

Is that you?

The one I see in the afternoon at two?

I still walk through my path,
and live my own life
Still with myself.
Still without you.

Intransitive..

Midterm Test - Poem

-  Nugrahani -

Drama: The Necklace

She was one of those pretty and charming girls born, named Mrs. Loisel, as though fate had blundered over her, into a family of artisans. She had no marriage portion, no expectations, no means of getting known, understood, loved, and wedded by a man of wealth and distinction; and she let herself be married off to a little clerk in the Ministry of Education.

Sunday morning, in a dining room.

Mrs. Loisel stands behind a dining table and cleans it.

Mr. Loisel       : (entering the dining room with an envelope on his hand? Hey, look dear, (a bit screaming) we got an invitation.

Mrs. Loisel     : (make a cup of tea, without looking at her husband) are you sure? Is the address correct?

Mr. Loisel       : yeah, here! (come closer to his wife and give the envelop)

Mrs. Loisel     : (receive, open and read it in silence together with her husband)

Mr. Loisel       : oh my… I can’t believe it (take a seat and slurp his coffee) (to his wife) Madame Ramponneau invites us! Unbelievable! It’s gonna be the day after tomorrow.

Instead of being delighted, as her husband hoped, Mrs. Loisel flung the invitation petulantly across the table.

Mrs. Loisel     : (murmuring) what do you want me to do with this? (throw her apron and leave the table to the bedroom)

Mr. Loisel       : (confuse) I thought you'd be pleased. (follow her wife) You never go out, and this is a great occasion. I had tremendous trouble to get it. Everyone wants one; it's very select, and very few go to the clerks. You'll see all the really big people there.

Mrs. Loisel     : (sit in front of the mirror) I rather stay home… I don’t wanna go there.

Mr. Loisel       : (stammered) what happen, honey? 

Mrs. Loisel     : (low voice) I only have a beautiful dress. No accessories. (starts to cry) No jewelers.

Mr. Loisel said no words. The room full of silence. He stopped, stupefied and utterly at a loss when he saw that his wife was beginning to cry. Two large tears ran slowly down from the corners of her eyes towards the corners of her mouth.

Mrs. Loisel     : (overcame her grief and replied in a calm voice, wiping her wet cheeks) Give your invitation to some friend of yours whose wife will be turned out better than I shall.

Mr. Loisel       : (take a long sigh) (think for a minute) aha! (his voice turn higher) Darling! (to his wife with bright smile) let’s ask Madame Foreistier’s help!

Mr. Loisel tells her wife to borrow Madame Foreistier’s jewel. Then both of them leave to her house and get a beautiful pearl necklace.  Mr. and Mrs. Loisel finally enjoy the party at Madame Ramponneau’s. Mrs. Loisel becomes the most attractive woman at that night. Mr. Loisel looks really proud about his beautiful woman and some of his colleagues talk about her beauties. Time goes by until the dawn is coming. Both are drunk then go home with happiness.

They wake up in the middle of the day on their room. Mrs. Loisel wakes up first, touching her beautiful face, dress, and necklace. But she can’t find it.

Mrs. Loisel     : (panic) darling, my husband! Wake up my dear, hurry! (look around her) The necklace is gone! Oh my God! It must be fall somewhere here.

Mr. Loisel wakes up and doesn’t believe that it’s gone. Both are looking for it all over the home, but they can’t find it. Then they go back to Madame Romponneau and also find nothing. No matter what happen, they have to give it back to the owner so they decide to buy the new. As they arrive at jewel’s store, they are so surprise. The necklace is thirty-four thousand francs and they have to afford it even they can’t. They borrow money from everyone they know. They change their flat and take a garret under the roof. And finally they bring the new necklace back to the owner.

10 years past. The Loisel experience their hardest time of life. They become very poor and suffer for the last decade to pay for the debt.

-Annisa Dewi Nugrahani- 

My Inspiration

By Nugrahani

Cake, candle, balloon

Cheering up in the air

Happiness paints lots of smile

Yes, it’s not for me…

I never feel happy when my birthday is coming. I hate it. Because at the same time my mom passed away, sacrificing her life to let me in into this cruel world. I remember nothing about her. Only the picture of her that I always kept wherever I go.

My dad is the only one who took care of me, who replaced a mother role in my life. He taught me how to survive in this wild world, how to be strong even the storm always comes. One of his line that I always remember – if you fall 9 times, you must stand up 10 times no matter what – makes me alive until today. Fourteen years after my mom’s dead, he opened his heart to a Chinese woman. Then they got married. I was happy about that since I understand his struggle to raise me by himself. Two years later my stepmother gave birth to a twin girl and we moved to Bangkok. And my story begins here…

March 23^rd 2016.

I stand up at the place where my real life began, where I found the hardest time of my life, where I met one of the most important people for me. Sriwitayapaknam High School’s board is welcoming me. I see a little tiny boy with messy hair standing in front of the class. I think he gets punished by the old woman with a blue scarf who stands beside him. He reminds me about little me and I see myself there.

“Wake up, Ricky! This is not your home!” said Mrs. Sarah loudly while hit my back. I was forced to open my eyes and saw others eyes on me. Mrs. Sarah gave me a gesture to stand I front of the class. I fell asleep at the class, again. I have to stand here until the class was over. Twenty minutes later the bell was ringing.

“Ouch! Thank God, I’m not standing here too long,” I said to myself while stretched my body. Then I packed my book and ready to go home.

“Ricky, can you please come to my office?” Mrs. Sarah said.

“Sorry Miss, but I...”

“I need to talk to you, now!” she was not giving me a chance to speak, I just followed her to the office then.

She opened the door and let me sit in front of her.

“I know who you truly are, Ricky. You are one of my favorite students. You were active, enthusiastic, and smart. You are on senior year; you are going to graduate less than six months. But what happen with you now, Rick?” she said.

I kept quiet for a moment and had a long sighs then began my story…

“In the last semester of second year of, my father business went down. He had to afford quite much debt to the bank. Until he decided to sell our home then we moved to the smaller one. I also tried to fulfill my personal needs by working at Mr. Jerry’s restaurant. Then my whole life was start changing.”

“The restaurant opened on Tuesday until Sunday from 10 am until 10 pm. I started to work after the school was over, at 1 pm, and then I ran about 2 kilos to get to Mr. Jerry’s restaurant. The restaurant always crowded especially at lunch or dinner time. People kept comes and goes, I often had no time to change my uniform. I did whatever I can; delivered the meals, cleaned the desk and floor, and washed the dishes. If I was lucky, the restaurant closed earlier so I could study. If I was not, I kept working sometimes until midnight. At a couple of months I survived and saved my scores up, but the rest?”

“I used too much energy at the restaurant. I had not much time to study. I also often slept at the class or came late to school because I had lack of sleep. And my score decreased significantly.”

After hearing my condition Mrs. Sarah kept her eyes on me, expressed an upset look.

“I know you’re a good boy. I know you will face the obstacles,” she said with a smile a moment later.

“I’m going to visit your mom and dad tomorrow and talk about your academic,” she added before let me left the office.

The next day, Mrs. Sarah came to my home and talked to my parents. She offered to give me an extra time to study after the class finished. They were thankful about that. Unfortunately, she suggested me to leave Mr. Jerry’s restaurant since I had to focus on my study. So I agreed with that and had extra study with Mrs. Sarah until 3 pm.

On the other hand, I still looked for money. I tried to find a job and chose to be coffee shop attendant. I only worked from Wednesday until Sunday at 4 until 9 pm; it was much easier rather than at the restaurant.

“Thank God, she’s still healthy,” I say thankfully while seeing the woman. “Ah, that scarf…” I can’t continue my words.

March 23^rd 2005, Sunday afternoon.

Another bad thing happened in my life. I was going to leave the coffee shop around 9 pm. Then my boss asked me to deliver a mini box to someone named Mr. Andy at train station. “Mr. Andy is waiting at platform 3. He wears black tuxedo and blue tie. Don’t talk to him, just give it,” he stated.  

I agreed since it was near my home and walked in hurry, didn’t want Mr. Andy waited for me. Arrived there, I recognize someone whose looks exactly same with my boss’s description. When I took out the box from my bag, the station’s security approached me. At the same time, the train was coming and I saw Mr. Andy went in.

“Wait Mr. Andy, this is yours. HEI!” I shouted but he didn’t look at me.

“I’m sorry kid, can I see your box?” asked the security.

“Yeah, sure. Actually this belongs to someone, but he just left.” I said innocently.

After checking the box, the security made a call through his handy talkie. Several minutes later, the police came to us and brought me to the police station without asking. As we arrived, the police told me that the box is full of drugs. Shocking, I couldn’t say a word. They suspected me as drug smuggler. I explained every single truth but they didn’t believe it; they thought I was lying and slapped me on the face, not only once nor twice… Then they asked me to call my parents, but I called Mrs. Sarah. I didn’t want my parents knew about this.

A moment later, Mrs. Sarah arrived. Realizing the blood on my cheek, she put her scarf on me then explained everything to the police. After an hour of explaining, the police released me.

Once again, Mrs. Sarah was helping me.

Three months after that accident, the final examination was held. I did my best on it and the result released a month later.

“CONGRATULATIONS! YOU PASSED THE EXAM AND ACCEPT AT BANGKOK UNIVERSITY IN BUSINESS MAJOR.” It was written in the enveloped that labeled with my name, Ricky Klahan. I was too excited then ran to Mrs. Sarah.

“I did it Miss! I passed the test! I’m a college student now!” I said it loudly with a bright smile. She said nothing but smile and swept her hand over my hair and shoulder.

I come with my successful story and tell it to some students at that school. Their eyes look into mine brightly, full of spirit. I see a woman with blue scarf smiling at me from the distance, Mrs. Sarah. I stop the story session and come to her.

“There’s no word to describe how thankful to know you, Mrs., thank you. I just…”

“Don’t mind about that Ricky, your successful is because yourself, you’ve work really hard, you’ve pass the obstacles. I’m the one who want to thank to you, for helping the renovation of our school after that earthquake year ago,” she says and holds my hand.

Yes, I’m that Ricky who suffered so much on my teen age. And I come here to pick Mrs. Sarah up, I ask for one more help from her.

After graduating from college, I opened coffee shops around Bangkok and until today I successfully own 23 shops. I also the founder of Ricky’s Care, a foundation which help children education.

Today, March 23^rd 2016.

My 9^th school is officially open by Mrs. Sarah. My life saver. My angel. My inspiration.

Cake, candle, balloon

Cheering up in the air

Happiness paints lots of smile

Thank God, it finally belongs to me,

as my greatest birthday present…

The Tortoise, the Hare, and the Magic Lake

In a hot summer day, groups of animal gathered in the middle of forest while eats their lunch. “I have never been beaten yet,” said a Hare opened a conversation. “I challenge any one here to race with me,” he continued with a high confidence. 

The tortoise replied quietly, “I accept your challenge”.

“This is a great joke,” said the Hare, “I could dance round you all the way.”

So the race was started. Other animals cheered so loudly for the Tortoise and the Hare. The Tortoise walked really slowly, while the Hare moved as fast as a flash. Near the finish line, there was a magic ice cream cookies lake…

“Ah, the Tortoise will take forever to reach me,” then he decided to stop and enjoyed it until his belly satisfied. Then, he fell asleep.

After walking and walking, the Tortoise saw the Hare was sleeping and the delicious ice cream cookies lake. Feeling thirsty and exhausted, the Tortoise tested it. Then, he fell asleep.

An hour later, other animals in the finish line was wondering why the Tortoise and the Hare have not arrived. Until they remember about the magic lake…

The lake was cursed by the elders of the forest. The more they eat, the longer they sleep. Nobody could wake them up and they decided to go home.

The next an hour, the Tortoise and the Hare woke up and realized the effect of eating from the magic lake.

“I’m sorry for underestimating you. I should not have done it,” said the Hare.

Finally, they decided to not continue the race and became a friend. There was no other animal wanted to taste the ice cream cookies lake ever. 

-  Nugrahani -

-Annisa Dewi Nurahani-

Someone I used to know

I used to know you

Who’s hard as a stone

Who’s strong as a storm

Who’s cold as an ice

I walk through the path

And see someone in the distance

Is that you?

The man standing behind the blue?

Is that you?

The one I see in the afternoon at two?

I know nothing,

and still wondering,

but I’m leaving.

N u g r a h a n i 

Jealousy

Leaves fall accompany your step,

with your little feet covered by an ugly shoes.

Wind blows as you move,

blows into your messy hair and dirty face.

But I’m a blue

When I see you walk

When I see you run

When I see your move

When I see your feet and...

the ugly shoes.

I just wanna be like you.

But I can’t.

Cause we belong to different fate.

-  Nugrahani -

N u g r a h a n i