Special Need Children Are Special

A couple weeks back, I had a special chance having close contact and interacted, play with and teaching children under 5 years old in one of prestigious school in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia (I’m not sure, I’m allowed to mention the school name but it’s a great school with a great school programs and I’m glad I had that chance). They all are healthy, adorable, smart and beautiful children with slightly different personalities and attitudes, unique in their own way. Although it just for three days, but it was a wonderful opportunities that I can play, teach, sing and learn with all of them. 

Among the children in two classes that I was in, there is one child in every class that has special needs among nine other regular children. In the morning class, there was this boy, let’s call him Ray (not his real name) and in the afternoon class there was Dan (also not his real name). Ray is an autistic boy and he have other problem that I forget, what the name was called when one of his teacher told me and Dan is a down syndrome boy with a lot of smile on his face. I’m not an expert with special needs kids, in fact that was my first experience getting to know them, play with them, learn with them and also observed them on my own way. 

Ray is very difficult to get close with; he doesn’t like to be touch, uncomfortable when we invading his space, doesn’t like crowd and he screamed out loud if we try to take his hand and ask him to play and learn with other kids. From the conversation that I had with his teacher, Ray doesn’t live with his parents, only his grandma and the helper to assist her and his parents work in other town and only have occasional contact with him. So with Ray, it was like having one step forward and two steps backward in teaching him, always a challenge. On the other hand Dan was all smiley although sometimes a little bit shy, easy to trust new people, understand orders, he can share, play and learn with other kids in harmony although we need to teach and guide him with extra care but it’s manageable.

I saw Dan interact with his parents after school hours or before the school started, how his parents shown their tender loving care to their son and treat him wisely and patiently although they know his not normal like his other friends, they know that they have special son and he need extra care from his parents especially, sometimes helps from the peoples around him and his surroundings. Then something hit me, it was enlighten me, what made Dan more advance and easier to approach and teach than Ray although they both are special needs kids is because Dan is never lack in TLC (Tender Loving Care) department from his parents and peoples around him, unlike Ray, he only have his old, over tired grandma to turn into and sometimes his parents come and go. Unlike Ray, Dan is a happy child, he knows that he is loved and it made him confident, approachable and easier to adapt. I’m not saying that Ray parents doesn’t love him they way he should but I thought they don’t show him enough and his grandma shouldn’t have that burden all by herself in her old age.

Children are God gift to their parents. Through children, parents can get happiness, they can learns a lot more of life lessons, and although probably our children is not as perfect or healthy like others children, maybe its God ways to give the special needs children parents special points to get reward in heaven when the time comes to all of us to meet God. Because the special needs children need special and extra care from their parents and it’s not an easy task to do and God never give problems that cannot be solved by the peoples. It’s not easy to be different like Ray or Dan and more over to be their parents, lots of hard work, patience, loves and understanding to handle all things. I’m sure God will give them special guidance and assistance to through it all plus give them special place in heaven for their efforts because special needs children are truly special, more over in God eyes.

I admire and respect parents like Dan's parents, I hope most of parents in the world like them, patience, full loves and support for their children, so their children will grow to the best of their ability with their guidance. The world will be a better place to live in with lots of happy children than unhappy children with a stream of tears in their cheeks. Show your TLC to your children parents, because they need it, in fact we all need some TLC. Love your children and your children will love you unconditionally.

The Shades of Fifty Shades

You all know that I love reading, reading is indeed one of the window of the world, made you understand about a lot of things, give you knowledge and with knowledge you’ll get power, because knowledge is power. With reading we can also dream without sleeping. I read a lots of books, that I can not mention one by one and it varied from almost every genre, depend on my mood at the time, but I’m very rare reading the ‘it’ book of the month in the ‘it’ time (I can read before ‘it’ or after ‘it’ and rarely during it), I’m almost do anything in my own pace, except for anything that is attach as my obligations, like in work or else.

So, when the commotion of these interesting books by E.L James are in the air, like a couple years back, I’m not move to buy or read the books, oh I am curious because the talk about it, among friends, on social media and even celebrity are talking about it, heat it up and it seems the books will steamed and make you blushed a lot while you read it but I survived the temptation.

 Well, here I am finally just finished reading the last piece of fifty shades, Fifty Shades of Freed. I had stocked the books long ago but finally managed a month time framed and plucked the courage to finished E.L James eyes popping and mind blowing trilogy books. Why courage? Because I need to convinced myself that it’s OK to read this kind of book, I’m adult not an adolescent and hopefully God would forgive me because beside fascinated with the books, I’m kind a enjoying myself reading it. I’m not abandoning my tasks while I was drown myself in the books almost in every spare times I’ve got, but it was hard to focused on tasks when your mind cocooned in the book somewhere. Oh fifty…fifty… you almost got me in trouble but I’m survived and glad that I made time to read E.L James, Fifty Shades trilogy.

 ‘Fifty shades of Grey’ is open a new window into a world of BDSM that I never knew about before, for the time being that I read the books my mind daunted by singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the handsome, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey and the unworldly student, Anastasia Steele the girl that turn his world upside down, their sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably.

After read the first book, you want to move to the second, ‘Fifty Shades Darker’, because you don’t want it ended like that and you getting more curious of what could possibly happen to Christian and Ana plus you want to know, what shapes his character and made Christian the way he is, can he change? Can Ana change him or she submits to him? What kind of plot that made the already grey story becomes darker? Hmm…the e-mail that they sent to each other are refreshing, intriguing and witty, the bitter sweet relationship between them is alluring; I was drawn in the book deeper, until I was freed by the ending of the book in ‘Fifty Shades of Freed’ that I loved and made my day ^_^.

The words like, dominant, master, submissive, flog, spank, whip, caning, paddling, bondage, butt plug, nipple clamps, genital clamps, spreader bars, etc are made my head buzzing and overwhelmed at first, more over E.L James is very detail in describing their ‘kinky fuckery’. Well, E.L James sure know how to attract women heart in Fifty Shades Trilogy books.

Every women would love men like Christian Grey for them self, handsome, have a to die for body, powerful, smart, he earn about US $ 100.000 per hour (Gee… how to spend all those money, ha-ha...), generous, and love his woman very much plus it shown and known by the peoples around them, although he have deep issues, women would bear any ‘hurdles or torn’ in their love one if they knew that they been loved so much, because we strong.

I’m not sure, I’m going to like the movie version that will hit theaters on next Valentine day, because sometimes movies not like what we imagine when we reads the books and I like it the way it is. Well, if you haven’t read the trilogy of Fifty Shades by E.L James, go grab the books in the nearest book store around you or purchase it on line or buy the e-book version, I’m sure that these books will made your day. Happy reading everyone.

LEBARAN

       Wow, the third week of August is already passed bye, how's the time flies. For me this past three week was like a pack of hectic and a long list full of schedule that need my full attention, I felt grateful that I had a week of tranquility and recharging my energy. After fasting in Ramadhan Muslims around the world including me celebrate Idul Fitri, more commonly referred to in Indonesia as Lebaran, is the celebration that comes at the end of the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadhan. The Arabic meaning of Idul Fitri is “becoming holy again”. It's special religious observance is the Eid holiday, in Indonesia, this is the time when Muslims visit their family and friends to ask for forgiveness for any wrongs they have committed in the previous year. They express this wish in the phrase “Mohon Maaf Lahir Batin” which means "forgive me from the bottom of my heart/soul for my wrongdoings in the past year". A traditional Arabic (Muslim) greeting for the Eid celebrations is also commonly used in Indonesia "Minal Aidin Wal Fa Idzin", which is expressed upon meeting friends and family during the festive days. Traditional foods are consumed, family and friends gather to ask forgiveness and exchange greetings, new clothing is worn, children receive gifts of money and visits are made to recreational parks -- all to celebrate the successful completion of the fasting month.

       My Lebaran Holidays was festive enough and I had a blast meeting and gathering with the extended family members and all relatives, more over the place where our big family stayed at my grandpa and one of my aunt place are near at the foot at one of the mountain in west Java, Indonesia, where the air more fresh and not as polluted as Jakarta, the peoples are more friendly and the traffic, well it's Lebaran holidays, so it was expected to see traffic jams everywhere. But that was a week of recharging my spirit and energy, cleansing my mind from all the stressing things and relaxing my body from the hectic rhythm, I felt tranquilized & refreshed. So, still in the Lebaran occasion and the spirit of forgiveness still in the air, I want to say "Mohon Maaf Lahir Batin" to each and everyone of you, maybe without I'm realizing, I hurt you through my actions, speech or through my writing, I didn't mean to hurt anyone, but if I did, please open your heart to forgive me.

       Lebaran holidays was a blessing and an eventful holiday in Indonesia and Muslims around the World, reconnecting the 'smear dot' of our bond with our family, relatives, friends and everyone that matters to us. Let's try to buried all out hatchet and turning a new leaf with the spirit to be a better person, to our self, to our love one, family and friends. Let's make other months like Ramadhan, good deeds after good deeds and do that because it's simply made us lighter, happier, better and you know that in your heart that you'll make other peoples happy too and God will double, triple, and so on whatever we feel, it's a blessed in every layers. I'm still hoping and praying hard that the war would end, soon and every one can see eye to eye that we all are human, brothers, sisters and we all the same in God eyes, what made the difference in God eyes are our good deeds. Let's do whatever we can to make a difference, a good difference, one step at a time. Keep doing what you are doing with the spice of good deeds every here and there, one step at a time and we all good to go, refreshed and reinvigorated. Last but not least I want to say happy belated Lebaran day for everyone.

Stand In Wife & Mom?

       Since I was a kid, peoples know me as a tomboyish little girl. Riding my 2 wheels bike since I was three years old with the neighborhood boys, refused to wear a skirt even when my mom promised me to buy me a delicious ice cream, I was preferred to climb a tree and spit from the top than play acting chef or play with dolls with others little girls of my age.
I remembered accompanied my Dad watching World Cup football matches in the middle of the night when I was still in elementary school and I play Power Rangers with the neighborhood boys but I declined to be the Pink Ranger although I'm the only girl available and insist to be the Black Ranger. What did that say about me?

       Growing up, I still love football, finally emerged from Power Rangers or other super heroes struck syndrome and want it or not, must learn to wear a skirt because that's the school uniform for girls and I'd had wore skirt for 12 years during school, from elementary school until high school (what an achievement for a girl like me). But since childhood until I reach adulthood, I'm still despised cooking, unless I have to, I'm avoid cooking like plaque. Oh, don't get me wrong, I can cook basic foods that I like plus I can do a survival kind of foods and I know in my heart that if I want to learn advanced cooking and cook special and complicated food like Rendang, Opor Ayam or Soto santen Daging Sapi, I can, because I'm a fast learner and dedicated lady (Oezil, I hope you reading this ^_^). I just not into cooking but I love making cookies and cakes, it's more fun and challenging.

    When this Ramadhan my Mom is 'kidnapped' by one of my sister, whose around four months ago gave birth to my second niece and she really need my Mom expert hand with babies. So, my sister held my Mom from Monday to Friday, Mom only home on weekend, it was chaos at first, because whose gonna cook for Sahur and prepare foods,etc to break our fast during Ramadhan? (Ok, foods to break our fasting is easy to find, from kurma, kolak pisang, lontong, bihun, gorengan, etc. It's everywhere if you want to buy). The problem is meal for Sahur time, my Mom is very good at cooking, so it's only natural if my Dad and youngest sister went haywire when my Mom absent cooking Sahur during Ramadhan (We can't have delivery foods, because sahur time is between 3 am until 4.30 am, so you need to cook or eat junk foods every Sahur time, tough choice hah?).

World Cup Left Over & World Peace

       Around this time last Sunday, I was rooting for Germany for World Cup 2014 Final while my sister wished Messi could do miraculous  for Argentina. That was an incredible final, really sugar coated icing on a beautiful 'World Cup Cake', worth to watched and really pumped your adrenaline and make you keep wondering until one of the contender made a once in a lifetime kind of goal and made their nation pride, and Mario Goetze, Germany substitute player for Miroslav Klose on second half made that spectacular goal for Germany on extra time. It was already great final between Germany versus Argentina, almost all of their top national football players were on the pitch and they were play it all out, but I keep wondering that if Khedira (Germany) and Angel Di Maria was (Argentina) on the pitch that night and on their best ability instead wounded and injured, the battle will be even better, Messi won't be the sole problem for Germany defenders and Khedira will make Argentina defenders work even harder than what they already done (their really deserved a round of applause including  the goalkeeper for their hard work that night, fantastic).

        Well, my favorite team for World Cup 2014, Germany is the best contender and they really deserved it, they play wonderfully and never give up to gave their best ability on every matches since the tournament started until finished, well done Germany, you make your nation and your fans around the World proud and happy, including me ^_^. But I can't be that happy like I wanted to be, I thought about Palestine during the game and my heart bleeds. Why won't the war stop? How many lives should be taken? How much more damaged that their aims?, so the 'Bastard' country whose blind sided with what they said to 'crushed' Hamas Organization but what they did all this time is killing innocent children, women and civilians, the victims are keep piling up to more than 500 peoples since their started their attacked again on early July (that's peoples Israeli, not cattle! How can you live whit that? You already surpassed the Nazi on genocide field, are you happy, proud or need an award on that score?). How shame, you could be known for maybe most educated country or high achieving country in sport or maybe (a very BIG maybe) as most kind and very valued human rights country, but instead the World known you as the cruelest and savaged country in the World, congratulations your the 'Villain' of the World, maybe it's the award your looking for. If you do try embrace your humanity and stop being a 'BULLY' country, maybe the World will take it as a joke and you will get the title as the best April Mop country ever made. Whatever, you made my favorite team, Germany won the World Cup 2014 feel sour and tearful for me, because how can I be happy while you keep killing innocent peoples and shredding their country apart.

        I wished for world peace but another sad news came, civilian airplane, Malaysian Airlines was crashed and burned down because a rocket was shoot at it when the plane crossed Ukrainian sky area and almost 200 peoples killed instantly because of it. I know there is an ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine there, but that was cruel and plain savaged to gun down civilian airplane and made innocent peoples lost their valuable lives and made their family and friends in great sorrow for losing their love ones.

       My deepest condolences for the victims family and friends, may God give you strength and patience overcome your sorrow and pains. The War, whatever the reason are is NOT and NEVER do you any good, war only leave you with a great sorrow, painful and a lifetime scars for either side. Please stop the war now and make your heart, mind, body and soul at peace state, so there will be no more sad tears left unshod and only happy tears for all humankind around the world. Come peoples, we are all human and we want to live our lives peacefully and with a happy smile in our faces everyday. Let's make our world, a worth living space not war zone. May peace be upon the world we live in and may the leaders of the world, do their jobs right and aim for world peace.    

A Peace Mind for Israel and Palestine

      I want to say Yeayyy... today is the third place match of World Cup 2014, but of course I can't! How can you joyous about some kind of sport, no matters how big and rule out the peoples of the World minds the sport are, when you saw hundreds of bombs been drops to Gaza, humans drop dead like flies, it's already more than a hundred civilian lost their lives.
My heart aching for the innocent peoples there, how can a bright and intelligent human being that God created, so easily rising their guns and drop bombs to another human being, when you are not even capable of creating even a little ant.

        I can't even enjoy talking about second Semi-final match with family, friends or anybody else because how can I ? When at the same time, my thoughts goes to Palestinians children, women and elderly, who can not even out from their houses without guns and other artillery aiming their head like all the time (if the Israeli troops didn't already smashed their houses into pieces by an air strikes). When we dealing with daily trivial things like, work, school, tax, traffic jams, foods, sport or movies, their daily are tears, bloods, bombs, hospitals, friends and relatives burial. Should we watch this over and over again without doing anything, can you sleep peacefully at night when you know these things? It's not right to stand on the sidelines when you know you can save a child from being hit by a truck.

       There this so called leader of the World said that 'we should put our self in their shoes' (he talked about Israel-Palestine conflict). Well Mr. 'Leader', if you are on their shoes, you probably already dead by an air strike or loose all your families and now you wait foods and water from the UN, who can't even act right about this conflicts, or maybe you'll be the one whose dropping bombs from air or give them funds to gain more bombs, take a pick Mister, which shoes you so badly want it?. I says, Stop talking, writing, put hash-tag on your tweets (your hash-tag won't stop Israel doing those evil things) or other surreal things.

       Put your words into actions, if you knew your country where you live in, help Israel doing those horrible things happen to Palestinians, you have an obligation to act and prevent it, make petitions to your government, protests, etc. It also wrong and shameful, if we know that our beloved country use our tax money to funds Israel or other bully country to buy or provide Israel with military artilery that kills hundreds of peoples (the money that made us work very hard and lessen our times to be with our family, friends and love one), the money that you hope to make all useful things that will make sure you and your family live easier, better and secured in your country hand, instead your country miss use it to drawn bloods in other peoples country and make your hands stain with bloods even without you realizing it. It's disgraceful and hurtful to do nothing about it. It's your money, you have a right to act on it, make your government STOP to act as a BULLY SPONSOR.

       Dear Arabic country in the Middle East, why don't you act as one and help your suffering neighbor, Palestine to make the 'Bully' go away and let Palestinians live peacefully in their homeland. You know all those peace talks 'bullshits' won't work, it never works for years now and you knew you CAN'T hope the UN to do something about it because they have the puppets master who play their strings and you know very well whose their puppets master is. Stop being ignorance and open your eyes, heart and mind. Do what's right not what other 'Leaders' told you to. You know by heart that you can do better and make it right, why don't you just do that?

      

     

        For other countries and peoples around the World (that's including me and my beloved country), let's do something what we can, let's donates to rebuild, medicines, foods supplies, waters, send medical staff or send troops if you want to. What really important is ACT not stand to watch from the sidelines. Sometimes I wonder, do all Israeli born without their hearts? and their brain partially dead, so they can easily kills innocent children and women without any remorse and burden in their heart and mind at all. Or maybe they all born with a purpose or goal in their mind to destroyed and dismantled Palestine? Israeli wake up and washed your tainted hearts, minds and hands from bloods. STOP destroying anything on your reach, be a compassion country. Embrace your humanity and start thinking about peace and made your heart and soul at ease. 

      Dear Palestinians, I can't imagine,how hard it must be for all of you, while here's we can do fasting in Ramadhan peacefully, you must struggle to stay alive and saw everything around you destroyed. Please stay strong, protects your children, women and everyone that need to be protected, stand tall in your homeland, fight with all your might, don't let the 'BIG BULLY' cast you away from your home country, may God help you in every way. My thoughts, heart, tears and prayers goes to you. Peoples of the World, let's ACT, ACT NOW with what we can. Let be peace upon all of us, say NO to WAR and TERRORISM. 

The 5 Stars Definitely NOT Better than 3 Stars

      Today Indonesia have an election day for president, and Indonesians have a day off, so they can vote for their future president. From the bottom of my heart I really wish the best president that really care and love Indonesia will emerged as a winner, the new president will do his best in his power to make Indonesia prosper, better, and peaceful. Whatever the result, I hope Indonesians knows that we are one, although we have different preferences and different choices, but we still stood together hand in hand as one nation and eventually we build our nation together and we will defend our country together, because we are Indonesians. For the elected president, whomever you might be, congratulations but please remember heavy duty and responsibility are awaits for you. May peace and prosperity be upon Indonesia.

       It was a peaceful and sunny morning to vote, usually everyday the streets of Jakarta are full and traffic jam are everywhere, but not today, the peoples take their time because today is special day off to vote and most of them are still dose off try to shake their sleepy head because already wide awake since wee hour to watch Semi-final football World Cup match and sahur, very early breakfast before we (Muslims) fasting from morning twilight (Fajr Prayer) to the evening twilight (Maghreb Prayer) on this holly Ramadhan.

       Talking about the World Cup Semi-final match between the host nation, Brazil against Germany this early morning, that was like out of body experienced, unbelievably stunning. Germany play very effective, accurate and flawless especially their middle players, their everywhere, not giving Brazil national team to develop their game. Brazil defenders players hardly even breath to reorganize their defense, goal after goal from Germany players keep coming to Julio Cesar's net, the first half still fifteen minutes away, but Germany already leads with five goals from Muller, Klose (last night he becomes all-time World Cup scoring leader--surpassing Brazil great Ronaldo), Toni Kroos (twice in one minute) and Sami Khedira. That was fantastic and awesome night for Germany but it was humiliating, devastating and the worst loss in the history of Brazil team.

       Brazil is not my favorite on this World Cup but when Andre Schurrle was replacing Miroslav Klose, I've got this feeling that he will make goal tonight, and when he did scored the six goals for Germany, I want to screamed, please stop, that's enough but instead I was screamed in delight (sorry Brazil, but Germany is my favorite on this World Cup, old habits is really die hard ^_^). But I can't Imagine if the situation in reversed, I was the one with eyes full of tears and face with undeniable sadness (thank you God, I'm not). It was the night that broke a nation's heart for Brazil. At least after Andre Schurrle made his second goals that night, the goals number seven for Germany, Oscar made a consolation goal for Brazil in the 90 minutes, before the matched end. It's 7-1 for the Germans victory.

    

     When almost everybody thought the match will be tight and neck to neck until the end and the host nation will be hard to beat in front of their thousands of home supporters, Germany proved that they are simply can play it better than Brazil. It doesn't matter that Brazil have five stars above their badge after their fifth World Cup in 2002 and Germany only have three stars above their badge after their third World Cup in 1990, on the stadium last night, they proved it that 5 stars definitely NOT better than 3 stars. Maybe the pressure from the supporters and as the host nation was really to much to handle for Brazil team or maybe the Brazilian players were on psychological meltdown, I don't know, but what I do know that Brazil team was disorganized, they skills looked useless that night and they didn't know how to defend from the Germans player, it just didn't work out for Brazil. So, congratulations Germany, you were fantastic, let's wait your final opponent tonight, who you want it to be? Netherlands or Argentina?.  

 

World Cup Fantastic Four!

       Wow, it's seem that I can't get American Authors song, 'Best Day of My Life' out from my head, my lip moving even without I'm noticing, singing or humming the ear catchy lyrics. Why not? Last weekend and these past days was fantastic, everything I planned and envision, Alhamdulillah ran smoothly and accordingly, brighten my days and made me hard to not grinning all day plus it's still Ramadhan, the month full touches of blessing. The BIG Four has arrived on World Cup 2014 Semi-final, including my favorite team, wonderful ^_^. Whatever results from the Semi-final matches, you've got a very BIG MATCH, between best of the best football national team in the World on Final, ladies and gentle mans, place your bet (Astagfirullah, I'm not betting God, just mentioning, please forgive me). 

       World Cup 2014 frenzy is still bombarded our media, papers, electronic, internet, every media that available on earth, all covered World Cup 2014 in Brazil stories dissecting from all side. The matches, the players, the team managers, the tidbits of the World Cup 2014, the WAGs (wife and girlfriends of the players), etc. The football four years event, as the most watched sport event in World's history got every attention from those media. It's like every others sport doesn't exist during the World Cup fever, although they still there but their news worthy became smaller. Tennis French Open, Badminton Indonesia Open, F1, Tennis Wimbledon and others big sport event that held at the same time with the World Cup event, can't soar above World Cup, it's sad but that's the fact.

       Even the super rookie from motoGP, Marc Marquez, the Spanish speedster who won his eighth consecutive race of the season to set another high-water mark in MotoGP, even with his win in the DutchTT, and Marquez can now claim to be the world’s fastest man on two wheels, the news about him is drown with the World Cup 2014 euphoria. I'm glad I still can watched his Catalunya Grand Prix race, that was amazing race, Marquez, Rossi, Pedrosa and Lorenzo (the fantastic four of MotoGP speedster) were neck to neck until the last lap, it was super ^_^. But the World Cup hectic, made Marc Marquez achievements not big enough comparing with what's happening on World Cup. That's how big football really is, almost everybody around the globe love it. 

       Now back to the World Cup Fantastic Four, from 32 respective and the best nations in football, down to the BIG four, and all four of them are fantastic, with their own track record, it's a dream Semi-finalists team, they are Brazil (five times World Cup winners, eight times Copa America winners), Germany (three times World Cup winners, three European Championship winners and the specialist of World Cup semi-finalist, it's their four consecutive semi-final, since World Cup 2002), Argentina (two times World Cup winners, thirteen times Copa America winners), and Netherlands (three times World Cup Runners-up and 1988 European Championship winner). Their simply the best nations you can dream of to battle on the Semi-finals round in 2014 World Cup, the World class players that play in biggest and richest football club in the World such as Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona, Bayern Muenchen, Arsenal, Ajax Amsterdam, etc.  is there. 

       I can't wait to see Germany World Class footballer such as Klose, Mueller, Oezil, Hummels, Lahm, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Klose, Neur, etc. class with Brazil best players like, Neymar, Hulk, David Luiz, Fred, Oscar, Dani Alves, Julio Cesar, etc. when Germany meet Brazil on World Cup Semi-Final tonight, too bad Brazilian captain Thiago Silva and Brazilian star Neymar could not play tonight, because of yellow card accumulation and back injured. It will be better and bigger if every best players are on field, hopefully Germany will play more attractive football tonight, open play and not defensive when they already lead, like when they met France on Quarter-Final. Remember best defense is a good offense, Mr. Joachim Loew (Oh, why am I try to advice the expert, he had been coaching Germany football national team since 2006, forget it Mr. Loew, just make your team do their best).

       The other Semi-final will be exciting to watch too, it's Orange versus light Blue, Netherlands versus Argentina. Imagine BIG name in football like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria, Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Sneijder, Jan Klass Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt, De Vrij, etc. all in one field, one important match to gain the Final ticket and eventually gain the World Cup Trophy. It's gonna be awesome, Netherlands so far already collecting 12 goals in 5 matches from open play (plus 4 more if the goals from penalty shout out against Costa Rica was included), and their Argentina got 8 goals from 5 matches, they are productive team and hopefully on Semi-Final tomorrow, they play more openly and aggressive, so there be lots of goals. Argentina have the lively Alejandro Sabella as their team manager, while on the other end, Netherlands have the mastermind on tactic Louis van Gaal (I can't wait to see him work as Manchester United this season, I'm hoping MU will back on the right track and lift a lots trophy ^_^).

       Well, the Fantastic Four on World Cup 2014 are ready to show their best ability on Semi-finals matches, Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Netherlands are aim to be the best national football team in the World and make their country very proud. Stock up your popcorn (Krupuk, for me ^_*) and soft drink (Ice Coffee for me) and enjoy the Semi-Final match, starting tonight (early morning in Indonesia). Brazil vs Germany and Argentina vs Netherlands, have the floor (field) and fair play please. Referee please be fair and not biased. Happy watching guys and girls.

Objective, Not Biased & Independence

       Indonesia Presidential Election 2014 only four days away. In four days Indonesian peoples will make a moral choice, in election like no others, with a single piercing of a ballot paper, Indonesians will be required to determine the future of Indonesia. What kind of leader that Indonesians want? We have two solid Presidential candidates, each candidate in the presidential election has qualities in his declared platform. They have been dissected at length the past three weeks. And voters will sway one way or another based on it.  From the bottom of my heart, I hope the peoples Indonesian will choose very carefully, think and rethink before you pierce that ballot paper, because it's a choice on the fate of the nation, our beloved country and our future.

       All this time I keep quiet and try to swallow and processing every aspects of this presidential election, I'm quiet enjoying the process of presidential/vice president candidates about crucial issues that fundamental to our nation, such as economic, national defense, development, environment, etc. Four times of national debating that's help to educated and warm us as an Indonesian, because the two presidential candidates Mr. Prabowo Subianto and Mr.Joko Widodo (Jokowi, still Governor of Jakarta) and their respective vice president candidates seem very care and have lots of BIG PLANS for Indonesia that can make our nation bigger and better. I really do hope they are all sincere loving their country so much, so they will executes all their BIG PLANS if they become the 'ONE' and make our future as a nation, a very happy one.

      All Indonesian peoples are very enthusiast and excited about this presidential election, because the candidates are very respectable and 'BIG' in their own unique way, the peoples divided in two side according their own preferences, the two presidential candidates are neck to neck on various voters survey. That is fine by me, it's natural and acceptable, but what I can't stand the most is, when we watching the news on several TV stations or read some newspapers, they become so obvious taking their side, riding or even endorsing one of  the presidential candidate. They are so biased, not objective, and it seem somebody is stirring them to rise one candidate and smash down the other candidate, through their media, they using their media as an object to manipulate the peoples minds, so they become adoring one particular candidate than the other. I don't need to point out which stations TV endorsing who or which newspaper endorsing who? If we are educated enough, we know for sure and if we have a strong will power and mind, those annoying 'campaign' won't made any different to us. But what about the unfortunate peoples, who need guidance and media education to help them decide their choice, that's a hell of lots misguidance and disabuse of power.

 

       What happen to the journalism ethics? Don't you feel ashamed and disgrace to manipulate the peoples minds like that? You like Superman who use their power in crime, not fighting it. A journalist has to respect, cultivate and defend the right to information of all people; for these reasons he researches and diffuses every piece of information that he considers of public interest in observance of truth and with a wide accuracy of it.

A journalist researches and spreads news of public interest in spite of the obstacles which can arise in his work; he makes every effort to guarantee people knowledge and control of all public documents. 

      A journalist's responsibility towards people always prevails over any other thing. A journalist can never subordinate his responsibility to other people's interest and particularly to the publishers' interest, government's interest or the interst of the other organizations of the state. A journalist has to respect people, their dignity and right to secrecy and never discriminate against anyone due to his race, his religion, his sex, his mental and physical condition, his political views. Just don't say you are a journalists if you don't know journalism ethics and disobey the journalist principles, back to school and have a long cold shower to wake up your principles and be a responsible journalist, always objective and not biased.

      To my beloved fellow of Indonesians from Sabang to Marauke, don't let the media frenzy and circus cloud our judgement, be independence. Lets use our voice by voting the right president for our country future. Indonesia future is in our hand, use your right mind and heart to guide you deciding the best candidate for Indonesia. Your voice is valuable and your choice decide the fate of our beloved nation. So on July 9th 2014, don't forget to vote for our future president. Vote for candidate that can make our Indonesia prosper, bigger and better. VOTE, VOTE, VOTE.

Waiting 4 Super Quarter-Finals

       God please forgive me, it's Ramadhan and when the best things I should do in the middle of the night or wee hours are raise my hands in supplication to You, Shalat sunnah, or read the holly Qur'an, instead I'm watching World Cup football matches. I'm sorry God, I'll do my best with all my heart, not to neglecting all my obligations as a Muslim and as a person.

     It's another blessing from many countless blessing from God that half of the World Cup matches is during Ramadhan time,so while we prepare/cook for sahur and eat our sahur meals before we start fasting, we can watch quality football matches, World Cup class, very entertaining and refreshing (if you love football like me ^_^).

      Although I can't watched all the World Cup 2014 1/8 finals matches but I manage to catch up from internet (thank God, for all the technology to make life more easy and convenient for human ^_^), all the matches were really, great to watched, NO team had an easy won, they all really meet their match, except maybe for Colombia whose scored goals under 50 minutes of the match against Uruguay, the others Nations like Brazil, Netherlands, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Argentina and Belgium had to struggle and work really hard to earn their Goals and won the match, so they all can through to Quarter Final phase.

      The Orange team Netherlands almost lost from Mexico. Mexico lead first by Dos Santos Goal in the 48th minutes. Almost all the Netherlands attacks to scored goals had been denied by Mexico goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, he's super, I lost count of how many saves that he made on that match because the match run in high tempo and they won't stop attacking each other, to bad for Mexico, 2 minutes before they can claimed their victory, Wesley Sneijder made the goal for Netherlands plus Huntelaar penalty at the end of the match snatched the victory away from Mexico (Robben, it's not right to trick with diving like that, did you proud of yourself?).

       Almost all the second round matches had to through the 30 minutes of extra time, even the home Nation Brazil vs Chile and Costa Rica vs Greece had to face the penalty shoot out to break the dead lock after extra time to decide who earn the Quarter-final tickets, I can't imagine how exhausting that must be for all the players on the field. Who could imagine that Algeria made the 3 times World Cup winner and 3 times European Cup winner, Germany had to struggle very much to earn victory. Oh Germany were great at that match but Algeria were extraordinary, 9 out of 10, it was a solid match and both teams deserve a standing ovation for their performance, finally Germany won 2-1, after the goal from Oezil in the 120 minutes sealed the victory.

       Argentina (Tango team) too had difficulties conquering Switzerland, team Tango had difficulties developed their game along the match and Switzerland team have a solid defense that hard to penetrate plus they succeed in suppressing  'the power' of Lionel Messi, Argentina star player. But Messi being Messi, he overcame the boundaries and made the essential passing that lead to the most important goal for Argentina by Di Maria, 2 minutes before the extra time is over, Argentina in and Switzerland out.

       One thing that really blown me away is the goalkeepers performances on the second round, they all are incredible and the real heroes, their saving are eyed popping. Julio Cesar, the Brazilian goalkeeper even made 2 penalty kick saved. Manuel Neuer, Germany goalkeeper heroic action, out from his nest and sweep the ball from Algerian dangerous counter attack, before the Germany defenders can help him. Did you count how many great saves that Tim Howard, USA goalkeeper made during the match against Belgium? 16! That's a lot of saves for the team that finally had to admitted that their opponent is better than they are. From the bottom of my heart, I salute you all goalkeepers, great play, great saves! 

       With all of the passing matches on the second round and all of the above, make me very much anticipating for the Quarter-finals matches, I'm sure all the team will do their best to be the Semi-finalist team and the matches will be even better, super. Brazil vs Colombia, France vs Germany, Netherlands vs Costa Rica and Argentina vs Belgium. The Quarter-final is on in several more hours, after Taraweh pray, hopefully I can watch peacefully, come on friends, let's Taraweh first and watch the match later. May the best of the best team win and may my favorite team survive until the end ^_^. Last but not least, may all Muslims around the World have a beautiful Ramadhan, all their wishes granted by God Almighty, Allah. Insya Allah, amin.

        
 

Marhaban Ya RAMADHAN

    

   Awesome, Ramadhan is here! For all Muslims around the World, Ramadhan is a very special month. Ramadhan is the ninth month of Islamic calender. It is the month during which Muslims observe fasting from morning twilight (Fajr Prayer) to the evening twilight (Maghreb Prayer). Ramadhan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Fasting is prescribed in this month. It is a month in which the holy Qur’an was revealed [2:185]. It was in this month that the Prophet of Islam was infirmed of being a Prophet. The Night of al-Qadr which is better than one thousand months and therein every matter of ordainments is decreed.

       Ramadhan also known as fasting month for all Muslims around the Globe. Fasting is an obligation in Islam not an option. It is one of the five pillars on which Islam is built. The benefits of fasting are manifold. Fasting has personal, social, hygienic and best of all spiritual benefits. Although fasting has some social benefits, this is not the main purpose of fasting. Thus, fasting is obligatory both on the poor and the rich. The main purpose of fasting is to gain self-restraint. None is needless of self-restraint. Even the Prophet of Islam and the pure Imams (s.a) needed to maintain their high standards of piety by the virtue of fasting. Thus, fasting is mandatory for all Muslims. Fasting, like praying and pilgrimage to Hajj, is worshipping God. I Love Ramadhan, a month full of endless blessing.

       Since I was a kid, I always cherish this month. I was still unawares what the full meaning of this holly month. What I know was, hungry & thirst during the day, no bad talking or bad behave, a lots of prays, especially during the nights time (Mom said it's a practice for all of us, to be a good and a better Muslims, so we always closer to God applied all in others month too). I was just nod my head at that time, all I know after a full day fasting, Mom will made us good foods, including special tasty ice (varied from day to day), in the night, after Taraweh pray in a Mosque with my family and friends, I can play firecrackers and fireworks and school also not as hard as every other months. After a full month of fasting, my parents will gave us extra money on Idul Fitri day, and so is others older family members and relatives plus we've got a several set of new wardrobe. What's not to like from Ramadhan?

       Now, I'm getting more in love with Ramadhan, God give us a chance to redeem our self to be a better human being, inside and out, clean our self after months drawn in the World full of temptation, busy with every other things that sometimes made us stray from God, neglect our obligations including our spiritual obligations. We clean our self in this holly month, hopefully we can washed or banished our sins, we seek Allah's forgiveness with the most sincere worshipping to Allah. Worshipping God is like a perfume kept in its container. Once the lid is opened the fragrance flies and only its tasteless liquid remains. The best worshipping is the most secret of all. Once its seal is broken it may be spoiled by showing off. All other types of worshipping are prone to show off. Salat, which is meant to be offered in a group for its public nature is prone to showing off and hence can be easily void. Pilgrimage to hajj is even more prone to showing off. Fasting, however, is the only worshipping of Allah that none other than God would really know if you are fasting. Fasting is an inner worshipping and hence it can be the most sincere worshipping. 

       Muslims around the Globe, let's use this holly Ramadhan with all our might to be a better person, a better Muslims. Let's hungered for a little while and be satisfied for long ^_^. Hopefully after Ramadhan we can enhanced and strengthen our faith in Allah and all the worshipping, self restrains and good things we've done during Ramadhan will continue to the other months. May Almighty Allah blessed us, forgave our previous sins and accepted our repentance. Marhaban ya Ramadhan, with all my heart, I welcome the holly month, Ramadhan. Fellow Muslims, happy fasting ^_^.