Exploring The Gorgeous Mount Merbabu

by: Hana Elleonora

exploring your adventure in nature

Everybody loves nature, right? The peaceful sound of bird chirp playing in your head releases all your stress. The breathtaking scenery along the way will make you amazed the God's creation. One of the way to enjoy your adventure in nature is by climbing the mountain.

Climbing mount Merbabu is somewhat treacherous. From the distance it looks very easy and not steep at all to climb up. There are three official route to climb the mount Merbabu. I choose Wekas route to hike up and Selo route as the way back. Where Wekas is located in Wekas village, Magelang and the other one is in Boyolali, both located in East Java. It takes about eight hours to reach the top of Merbabu through the shortest ' yet toughest and steepest- track called the Wekas route.

As Selo village is also the starting point for climbing mount Merapi, my team had a big deal to climb mount Merapi just after we had enough rest after all the exhausting days to climb mount Merbabu.

At the first glance it looks also as the path now would be wider, but it's not. It's continuously covered with weed and still wetting the pants. Crossing a reed field one comes out to a small plain where it's possible to walk for a short distance easily. That's followed by a first very steep slope. Steps are made in the clayground. The Merapi is to see again in it's full glory.

After reaching the first peak, one realizes that it's not the final one, but it's continuing over another short plain. Behind that there is another very steep slope, leading to another peak. That is a dangerous way up, for the steepness and the fact, that there is nothing to hold on. A wrong step or slippery could easily cause a long downfall for dozens of meters. That's advanced difficulty level. Later, on the way back I found out that there is another, much easier and far less dangerous way to go up.

Well, one is thinking now, that this peak is finally the last and highest one, but it's still not. After making it up there another plain appears, a few smaller peaks to the right and now, in the very background, the final, main peak of Mount Merbabu. Surprisingly still much, much higher to climb, still far away. So, one walks over the plain and passes a small forest of a kind of mountain trees I have never seen before.

After a final, very steep climb upwards one reaches finally the real peak of Mount Merbabu. It's a great view from here over parts of cental Java, like out of a plane. Neighbouring Mount Merapi looks small from here. Merbabu (3142 m) is 231 meters higher than it's smoking neighbour. Besides there are several more mountains to see around, some of them are active volcanos, other non-active former volcanos. That's what Java really shaped.

the gorgeous mount Merbabu

Thus, exploring your adventure in nature especially climbing mount Merbabu is extremely magnificent experience you will never forget in your lifetime because you can release your stress by enjoying the beauty of nature.

[Mid-Term] Hana Elleonora - The Conqueror (short story)

By: Hana Elleonora

It was at the summer breeze fondling my eyes to keep opened. I can’t even blink at once, keep staring at the beauty scenery up here. With no words spoken. The shining sun, the clear sky, the blooming flowers, the tiring breathe, the wet sweat, oh, how could I not care with such peace.

As we rest for a while and drink, she lays her head on my shoulder and whispers softly to my ear “there is no mountain I can not conquer”. I tighten my shoe and jumped out,  “never stop then. I will always here to support you, Al”. “I do love you, Andre” she smiles. Then, we start to continue our trip to climb the mount Argopuro with the energetic stride.

We’ve been carrying our heavy carrier and walking by foot for 2 days and 8 hours. It’s exhausting and treacherous, yet pleasing at once.

Right between a small river and a big tree,  I command my team to split into two. Some build a tent there, and some others cook our meal. I help my friends to build the tent.

I think we’ve been starving and really need our mealtime, and of course an enough sleep to rest our tired limb.

Alya belongs to them whose responsible to cook our meal. She has to take some water at the river. As she carries the empty bottles and run through the river, she steps on a hole and falls down. She screams like worst “aaaaa something has bite my leg!!!”

My friends and I panic at the moment and I quickly take the first aid kit to help her. The blood scattered on her leg. As I clean it to take care of her, the scars shown. It still bleeds and her skin softly turned into blue. It scares me, really.

Terribly, the ‘something’ was a snake. Alya’s leg was biten by a snake. She stares at me with her browny beautiful eyes and start crying. My friends get her a rope and tie it tightly on Alya’s leg. She cries to me “Andre, it really hurts. I can’t stand this anymore”

“No, Alya! I can’t let you sick like this. Be patient baby, you’ll be okay, just tell me you’re alright”

She stops crying and slowly silent.

Been 4 hours stuck like this. I’m worrying Alya. I can’t think clearly. I am nearly insane.

“Just cut the rope now! I can carry her myself!”

“Easy, friend. We won’t hurt your girlfriend.”

Just after the rope has been cut, Alya’s browny eye turns into white and her body turns cold. I can’t feel her anymore. She has gone forever.

[Mid-term] Hana Elleonora - Ode to the Night Sky (poem)

by: Hana Elleonora

The sky is so tragically beautiful;
A graveyard of stars.

Sleep now, my love,

for all the night
Slumbers soft until the light

Warms your heart and warms your mind
and teaches you wisdom, to love and be kind

Deep in the silence, with nary a sound,

just me and the starlight, and joy all around.

Sleep now, my love,
for all the stars

Shimmer, watching from afar,

And angels will watch you and smile with delight

As you sleep all through the night.

Watching the view in the heavenly sky.

Deep in the silence, the night time goes by.

Text Messages

by: Hana Elleonora

It all started on the fourteenth night of March, the night of my parents’ 20th wedding anniversary.

It was a wonderful, sunny day, if memory serves. Surprisingly warm for before the beginning of spring. The beautiful weather was perfect for the atmosphere of the day – being married for twenty years is obviously a momentous occasion, so my parents had booked a table at our favourite Italian restaurant.

Of course, this was a formal occasion, so I had my best suit on. It was 5:33, and I was just straightening my tie when my phone went off – I’d received a message. That’s strange, I thought, that never happens. I checked the message: it was from my mum. It was quite a jumble of numbers and letters, but through the vocabulary stew I could make out one legible phrase: “Please help me.” It should go without saying that this worried me greatly, so I immediately replied, “Are you okay?” Just as instantly, I got another text which read, “Oops. Pocket text!” I sighed with all the relief I had and continued to prepare myself.

A few minutes later, I received yet another message, this time from my dad. I checked the text, and once again it was a massive mixture of letters and numbers, with the phrase “Please help me” concealed within. Creepy though this was, my dad was always a joker, so I presumed he was just joking around, until I was sent another text saying, “Oops. Pocket text!” Now this sparked panic. Pure, unmistakable panic. Exactly half a minute passed when I received the exact same two messages from my sister. This could not be coincidental. It just couldn’t.

In a state of sheer anxiety, I started to run to the restaurant. I made it about a quarter of the way before I was stopped by a police officer. “Main road’s closed,” he said, “Huge car crash.” This was the exact moment I realized just what had happened. I demanded to see the wreckage, a request which I was surprised was allowed. When I got there, it wasn’t the remnants of the car that caught my eye, nor the flames billowing from the destroyed vehicle. No. I was horrified to see the lifeless corpses of my mother, father and sister. I asked for the estimated time of their deaths – all three of them were killed instantly by the collision, at 5:32.

A minute before the very first text.

Drama: "Please Help Me"

Please Help

By: Hana Elleonora

Park Hyatt Apartment, Hickson Rd, Sydney, March, 14th 2000 – 08:28 am

Sunny day in the beginning of spring at Edward’s apartment

[funny music played – sound of bird’s tweet]

[music fading to silent after message received ringtone played, Edward immediately opens and replies the message]

[From:MOM, SENT= 14-03-2000 08:28am

Edward, do not forget this evening we’ll have a fine dining at our favourite Italian restaurant]

[message sent ringtone played]

[From:EDWARD, SENT= 14-03-2000 08:28am

Of course mom, how can I forget my lovely parent’s momentous occasion for their 20th wedding anniversary?]

[message received ringtone played, Edward immediately opens and replies the message]

[From:MOM, SENT= 14-03-2000 08:29am

Good then. I want to see your best look in this formal occasion, so you have to had your best suit on]

[message sent ringtone played]

[From:EDWARD, SENT= 14-03-2000 08:29am

Will do, mom]

***

05:33 pm

[Edward is straightening his tie, preparing for his best suit]

[frightening music played – fading from silent]

[message received ringtone played, Edward immediately opens the message]

[From:MOM, SENT= 14-03-2000 05:33pm

[a jumble of numbers and letters, but through the vocabulary stew it could make out one legible phrase]

[“Please help me”]

[lighting darken]

[Edward shocked and worried– staring at his phone for a second then reply]

[From:EDWARD, SENT= 14-03-2000 05:34pm

[Are you okay?]

[message received ringtone played, Edward immediately opens the message]

[From:MOM, SENT= 14-03-2000 05:34pm

Oops. Pocket text!]

[music end]

[lighting brighten]

EDWARD: [sighed with all the relief he had and continued to prepare himself]

05:36 pm

[frightening music played – fading from silent]

[message received ringtone played, Edward immediately opens the message]

[From:DAD, SENT= 14-03-2000 05:34pm

[a massive mixture of letters and numbers, with the phrase]

[“Please help me”]

[From:EDWARD, SENT= 14-03-2000 05:34pm

[Edward’s dad was always a joker, so Edward presumed his dad was just joking around – continue reply text message]

[Oops. Pocket text!]

[music end]

[frightening music played – fading from silent]

[Exactly half a minute passed when Edward received the exact same two messages from his sister]

[From:EMILY, SENT= 14-03-2000 05:34pm

[a massive mixture of letters and numbers, with the phrase]

[“Please help me”]

[music louder]

EDWARD: [sparked panic] This could not be coincidental. It just couldn’t

[frightening music still on]

[In a state of sheer anxiety, Edward started to run to the restaurant. He made it about a quarter of the way before he was stopped by a police officer]

Cunningham St, Haymarket, Sydney 05:50pm

[music fading— end]

POLICE OFFICER: Main road’s closed – Huge car crash

06:15 pm

EDWARD: [horrified to see the lifeless corpses of his mother, father and sister] Please tell me the estimated time of their deaths

POLICE OFFICER: All three of them were killed instantly by the collision, at 5:32.

EDWARD: [Shocked, instantly check his inbox and just realized it was a minute before the very first text]

97

by: Hana Elleonora

My high school life was really fun and enjoyable. I was a clever girl who never failed any subject. I study hard and try my best to get the best score. Even though, I had a friend – a very special one, he is more than just a best friend – named Lee.

It is always a great feeling when you have a best friend. To talk to, to care for you, and to grow with. But sadly, there is always the common circumstance of losing that best friend. That's just life and it is very possible to go your separate ways. Yes, it might not happen, but there's still always the fear of losing a close friend that you hold, dear.

About five years ago, I met my best friend. Lee and I were inseparable. We were a duo. As we got older, we got more distant, but that doesn't mean we aren't best friends. We argue, but that doesn't mean we aren't best friends. Just because we have other friends doesn't mean we aren't best friends. It's kind of a cycle, if you think about it. Organized chaos. Some friends come, some friends go. Some stay, some don't. It's all a matter of chance.

Everybody has a different life, a different family, and different responsibilities and that is respected. Lee and I have gone through tough times. We have matured together, cried together, laughed together. Every day, there are so many different ways it could start and so many different ways it could end. It all depends on who's starting and ending that day.

It was a windy summer when I want to visit Lee’s house and I got shocked by the commercial plank tacked right at his door. His house was on sale. Lee was leaving at our last semester on high school – Fukuoka, 1997 – Lee failed in exam. He did not come to the graduation day. Since we never meet each other, he just disappeared.

As I was saying, loving and losing is very common in a lifetime. No matter what, there will be change, but change is not always bad. The next five years, I went to Sapporo for some business matters. I – at that time was a journalist – want to write about Hokkaido’s economic upswing, so I need to interview the entrepreneurs and president director. One of my interviewee was named Edward Lee.

He did not recognize me at first. Once I asked about his childhood and what did he do in his past, he remember me – Kira, a very best friend in high school. We were having a blissful moment since we have not meet for years. He told me everything. He quit his school and migrated to Hokkaido and began to started his first career as a salesman at his uncle’s company.

He said that when life is getting hard and you can not control, just look around and step forward to the other one. Everybody’s has his/her own success. Everything stays right where you left it. Everything stays, but it still changes. Every so slightly, daily and nightly. In little ways, everything stays.

A Fox and A Goat

by: Hana Elleonora

Once a fox was roaming around in the dark. Unfortunately, he fell into a well. He tried his level best to come out but all in vain. So, he had no other alternative but to remain there till the next morning. The next day, a goat came that way. She peeped into the well and saw the fox there. The goat asked “what are you doing there, Mr. Fox?”

The sly fox replied, “I came here to drink water. It is the best I have ever tasted. Come and see for yourself.” Without thinking even for a while, the goat jumped into the well, quenched her thirst and looked for a way to get out. But just like the fox, she also found herself helpless to come out.

Then the fox said, “I have an idea. You stand on your hind legs. I’ll climb on your head and get out. Then I shall help you come out too.” The goat was innocent enough to understand the shrewdness of the fox and did as the fox said and helped him get out of the well.

While walking away, the fox said, “Had you been intelligent enough, you would never have got in without seeing how to get out.”

A Flower and A Weed

by: Hana Elleonora

Mother nurture gives all chances for survival,

Weeds and flowers, none are discriminated .

Weeds can be turned into flowers, but ain't no flower can become a weed.

It all depends on one's perspective.

Who am I to choose my surrounding? 

To determine who shall be a flower or a weed?

What I can do is to choose how my life would be.

Though flowers and weeds struggle for survival,

What's evident is that all are a creation.

Both have purposes to fulfill.

Tell me, what is your desire?

To be the flower or the weed?

The Anthem of A Dream

by: Hana Elleonora

Like a supple autumn leaf

It land on me

On my poorness life

I may be wrong but your brilliance is my darkness

You had me convinced that together we could fly

Like a fervent bird fly through the blue sky

It bellows me a permanently hope

To think about a scope

A shiny comfort globe