Friends

This past few days, all I have in my surrounding are my friends! Literally. Because I'm still in Malaysia and so far I haven't found any family of mine here. Since I came here on Monday..11th June 2007, guess all I have is just one word. Friend.

Coming here representing Walhi Kalsel, for attending two workshops held by Seacem, I'm feeling really blessed. Yess, blessed! What other word can I say as I apply for two workshops and taken as a participant for both of it!

So, this week has been an adventure for me. Aside from the two workshop, I joine the last day of Fiesta Feminista. A nationwide Malaysian women gathering take place in University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

The workshop trip has enable me to make new friends, to meet face to face with my online friends and to be able to meet again with my old friends! Happyyyyyyyyy....:D

Today, I hang out for quite a long time in a food-stall in Bangsar...right in front of Malaysiakini's office. Come with Intan, my friend the young artist from Shah Alam [I spent three days with her in SA and having great times with her fellow at Art Galeri of Shah Alam. The two of us come and meet again with Amin 'Black' and his pretty girlfriend. Also meet again with Redzuan 'Wantong'. Well, Wantong now has a car!!

Intan, Black and Wantong were in the same mission with me last year. We were the electoral observer of Anfrel for Afghanistan Parliamentary Election. Unfortunately, Erna, Badrul and Abror can't be with us. . Actually there's another former observer I wanna meet. Shriyanie from Srilanka. She's happen to be here at the moment. Myself, Intan and Wantong already came by to the hotel she stayed in. But she's out for dinner as we came. So, tonight we cannot see her, and only been able to send her a note telling her how we miss her.

Future reunioun...with Quang and Massoud from track 1 Asia Source 2!! Already meet Quang at the lobby tonight, but haven't seen Massoud yet...

Unseasonal rain!

I've always love rain shower. Even when it comes not in a perfect place and at a perfect time. Or in other words, unseasonal rain!

Outside..its now raining. No tears from my eyes, cos rain always brings me to happy times I've been through.

As a little girl, I really love to play under the rain. Playing mudfootball with my neighborhood boys. My mother let me, and prepare warm clothing and a cup of sweet warm tea for me. Because although I have the courage to play under a heavy- rain shower, I'm still a little bit afraid of the thunder. Lightning's fine, but a thunder...No way!

Grown up, I still love the rain. Rain shower makes me feel alive. And, simply watching the wet soil after the rain can make me smile. I also love the fresh smell of the rain.

Rain also helps me recover faster... Some bad days a teenager feels better after a contemplation in front of my journal, write down all my uncomfortable feelings as I listen to the sound of the pouring rain...Like Celine Dion once sang 'Let the rain come down and wash away my tears'

Not too good to be shared here...Heavy rain brings bad smell, yet unforgettable memory during Asia Source 2 camp in Sukabumi. I bet all of Track 1 participant still can recall the smell *giggle*..And, actually it's not only the rain's fault...guess it's due to some silly cats pee on the carpet. Yikkh...

Now, this unseasonal rain is an indication of climate change. Still, I love it somehow.

Another year passed in my journey towards integrity. In fact this year is the year I found the word INTEGRITY and intend to make it part of my identity. Many things to cherish, new friends I made, and unforgettable things have fulfilled my journey...

The life-changing point was when I joined a Training of Trainers for Environmentalist Training in Surabaya, June 2006. I was really inspired by the facilitator. I learned many new things from the training. And finally able to put vision into my life, to be a great person that makes a great facilitator. A person with integrity, whose integrity can vibe the surroundings.

Then, I almost drown into journalism. As I really enjoy writing and really passionate in being able to make great narration and trying to be good at investigative reporting when I was a journalist learner at KBN Antara biro Banjarmasin. Especially after I participate in Mining workshops for Journalist held by Pantau Foundation and Intitute of Policy Dialogue (IPD) in Balikpapan East Kalimantan, September 2006.

No longer as a learning-journalist in KBN Antara coz I choose to focus on my NGO life and the facilitation sessions I have with Walhi Kalsel and its Green Student Movement. But still keeping in touch with my journalism mentors. Love writing, and will keep on writing till...I don't know till when, till death perhaps.

The biggest event I joined this year is Asia Source 2 in Sukabumi, January 2007. I meet more than a hundred great people from different parts of the world, make friends with them and still connected through the camp's mailing list.

The latest, I made another bond to people shares the same interest. Not too many. Only with the participants, the organizers and the facilitators of resource mobilization training and the links caused by the training. Including Ika and her ideas and DJ Cirdec (as Ika invited us to his 'show' at Ruang Rupa), Togi and his designs, and Nia with her loving community.

Meet new friends and make a new connections though never meet on real world -Pak Bondan, Om Adi, Bang Man.. and stay in touch.

The chance I get wouldn't be this real if I don't have the most supportive family on earth!! Mama and Abah who truly believes in me, and the proud eyes of my little brother. Nini, my Granma that keep reminds me to stay on track...sometimes with really annoying tones but true ones.

Last but should have come first, the friends who have been with me through this journey. Almost always..both in good and bad times of my life. All the names I keep mentions under the huge family of Kompas Borneo Unlam, school and college best-friends and Rangga (despite the fact that we never meet since my last day at the facility in Mataram and it was almost three years ago)

Asia Source 2

I'm a participant of Asia Source II !!! So happy to finally tell all my blog reader I'm part of that big event. :D

Well, I've got a chance to introduce three elements of creative writing followed by some short exercises and discussions in the afternooon session of the camp. Together with Carmela N. Bona, I'll be in practical creative writing session.

Tomorrow morning I'm leaving to Jakarta. Spent one night there and the next day going to Sukabumi.. Though Indonesia is my home country, I've never been to Sukabumi before. So, I'm eager to be there.