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 ^_^.

Nothing Always As It Seems

       My friends asking me why I keep silent  and not fuss about Indonesia current it, the campaign for Indonesia's President election, the candidates debates about national issues or hot topic, even the the third debate became World wide trending topic on twitter. Well, here's my answers dear friends : Not talking, comment, arguing, blogging, agreeing or disagreeing about something or someone it doesn't mean that I'm totally blind to the obvious or I don't care about my beloved country political issues. I love and care Indonesia so much, it hurt. 

       It hurt to see my country being rob by greedy politician hands, hurts by ongoing lies and betrayal by the dirty politician, so they can keep their high position and control everything while their greedy hand and mind plotting to enriched them selves. It hurt to see Indonesian peoples seems struggle a lot to find a decent jobs so they can live and survive, while the expatriate or the foreigners seems so easy to get a job here with the payment way so much more than the locals. Do you know the Indonesian teachers salary is no more than five millions Rupiah a month, while the foreigners teacher in Indonesia can earn minimum ten times than that (that's applied in different kind of jobs, all over Indonesia). It look like, every one want something from Indonesia and do they give something to Indonesia too?

       So, when my friends pinning me to name my favorite President candidate for Indonesia, I'm torn, one candidate seems low profile but he failed to finish his job and obligations and always aiming for higher position and because certain people tell him to do so. The other candidate have strong military background and seems determined to change Indonesia, but I felt like 'de javu' , been there, done that and he have greyish area about human rights issues in the past. Tough choice, right? What do you think? 

       It's doesn't mean that I won't vote when the time is come to vote, it's just mean that I'll think and think all over again carefully, what best for me and my beloved country. For Indonesia President, I just want people, who know what to do to make Indonesia, better, save, prosper and other country will respect Indonesia, as it is. Somebody who really love Indonesia and want to do anything in his power to protect and serve to Indonesia and Indonesian peoples. Willing to give without expect anything back, in the name of love. Isn't that hard to find? Well, I won't stop hoping and prayed.

       I'm not advertise every single thoughts that I have, it may not always what it seems. You know what else that not appear as it seems? The World Cup 2014 results so far. Who would thought that European football giants, like Spain, Italy, England, Croatia, Portugal & Russia  are out early in group stage? It never occur to me that the 'Hell Group' (Group D) almost full with former World Cup winners like Italy, Uruguay and England except for Costa Rica, had a shocking result. Costa Rica won against Uruguay and Italy, draw  against England, so Costa Rica is the group D winner and move to the next round with Uruguay (with the help of the 'Vampire' Suarez, with his mighty bite to Italian beck Chiellini).

       What about Germany hard time against Ghana, it's end up with equal score 2-2, after so superior when they beat Portugal 4-0 and last night against USA, they a bit shaky although they finally won the match with 1-0. It won't cross your mind that the country like Algeria would move to the next round, leaving Russia and South Korea behind (both country have football players scattered around the best league in Europe, beside they have their own respective good domestic football league. On the other hand Algeria is new to World Cup and we almost never heard about Algerian football team). Nevertheles, Algeria made their mark on this World Cup. 

       Not like what I have in mind, doesn't mean the World Cup is boring and unattractive, it's the other way around, so much fun, not knowing what gonna happen next is exciting and the anticipation is thrilling, World Cup 2014 is getting better and better, at least my favorite team is still there, I wish they will last until the end and rise the World Cup trophy. Anyway, congratulations for Brazil, Mexico, Netherlands, Chile, Colombia, Greece, Costa Rica, Uruguay, France, Switzerland, Argentina, Nigeria, Germany, USA, Belgium and Algeria for the big sixteen round. Play with all your might on the next round but keep it fair play guys. May the best team survive and won.

        For Indonesia President candidates, may the best candidate with the purest intention, heart and love for Indonesia won, so they can build and rebuild Indonesia as a better country in all aspects. No black campaign please, keep Indonesia clean. Majulah Indonesiaku, Sejahteralah Bangsaku, Ayo Kita Bangun Indonesia sama-sama.

NOTHING IS CERTAIN IN FOOTBALL

       World Cup it's the current it, everybody talking, watching, comments, cheering or arguing about it, so am I. Surprise...surprise... the reigning World Cup & European Cup, Spain is officially out from the World Cup 2014 competition or it's not so surprise? Well, it's still too early to bow out for Spain, but after the tragic defeat from Holland by 5-1 in the opening group match, the Spain seems hard to back on track, the second defeat from Chile said it all. The champion, Spain knocked up after goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz, the defending champion failed miserably in it's attempt to win a second successive World Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Chile, adios Spain.

     Shocking, but Spain not the only defending World Cup champion country that have to packed their bag early in group stage in the tournament, France, Brazil & Italy are done that before Spain, but Spain is the only country with such great defeat in the first two matches. The World Cup so far is full of wonderful surprises for me, like how German defeat Portugal 4-0, although Portugal have brilliant football players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Pepe, Coentrao, etc but German players made goal after goal like a walk in the park especially the first player who made hat-trick in 2014 World Cup, Thomas Muller, he scored 3 beautiful goals on that match, fabulous. Everybody thought the match between German and Portugal will be tight in every corner until the end but it's turn out, Portugal made German team looks too superior for them. Football is not a one man show, it's a collective play and need all the support from all players from a goal keeper, defenders, midfielders and strikers, they need to work together harmoniously to produce a goal, which is a team victory. So, it's a bad idea if the team made one particular star player as their life belt, like Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal or Samuel Eto'o in Cameroon, as we know, the results wouldn't end well.

      In football, the ball is round and have no edge, we'll never know what the results of the matches until the game is really over, although the statistic said one team is better than the other but in the field, it's a whole other different story, like Brazil the most favorite country in this World Cup to gain the trophy, Brazil had a hard time in their second match against Mexico, their every attempt to made goals is denied and blocked by Mexico defenders and the Goal keeper, it was a good match but Brazil have to satisfied with 0-0 score. Argentina and Belgium also having difficulties to beat their opponents Bosnia Herzegovina and Algeria, the inferiors made the superiors team exhausted and work extra hard to won the match, luckily Argentina and Belgium won their match.
      A lot of football experts thought the Netherlands will be beating Australia easily in their second match after they successful first match against the upper class team than Australia, but Australia really gave their best on that match and the Orange team really struggle to won that tight and high tension match, the first goal for Netherlands by Robben only a minute apart from Australia first goal by Tim Cahill, even the goal scorers Tim Cahill (Australia) & Van Persie got their second yellow card on that tournament and they have to miss their country next match. Finally the Netherlands won 3-2 to Australia, it was a great match.
        Football it's not a math, you don't have the certain and exact answer. Nothing is certain in a football match, you just have to sit back, enjoy the match or cheering or cursing along the match, and pray for the best for your favorite team, but in the end you'll never what will happen until the referee blew his whistle in the end of second half time (the last 45 minutes from 90 minutes of the set time of the match). Every second is count on the beautiful, exciting and fabulous game of football. Nothing is certain in football but for Australia, Spain, Cameroon and England, World Cup is certainly end for them, they have to make an early exit from Brazil, because they loose in their 2 first matches. For the girls or guys? who thinks football is suck, wasting time and just a bunch of guys whose fighting over one ball on the field, think it over, because beyond the free kicks, penalties, goals and sending off the Brazilian World Cup might just have a little something more on offer for all of you. Look at the picture bellow you, football is always have a little something in every corner of the field, isn't it football fun to watch ? ^_^.

The Mighty Orange That Crushed the Champion

     I know it, you know it that I love Orange, not the fruit but the color, it's refreshing,eye catching and never fail to lighten my days. That's why I named this blog base on that color and even the address is dynamic Orange, but Netherlands a.k.a Holland National Football Team yesterday took Orange to another level (They known as Team Orange, because they use Orange color as their National Team Custom, Unique & Eye catchy), Team Orange succeed crushing the defending World Cup 2010 Champion & defending Euro Cup 2012 Champion, Spain with convincing scores 5 - 1.

       They made Spain fans around the World heart breaks, the Orange Team is so mighty, they didn't gave the Matador team (Spain) to developed their game and made them work so hard to defend and attacking the Orange back. It's like the Mighty Orange, Holland teach the Matador how to play football, you would wonder, is it Really this Spain the World Cup defending champion? Yes, they are the same Spain that won against Holland in the World Cup Final 2010 four years ago.

       Truth to be told, as long as I live, I never support and make the Orange team as my favorite team in every World Cup events that been held before and not even now. It's the past history between my beloved country, Indonesia and Netherlands as the aggressor whom made my dear country Indonesia suppressed and suffered for more than 350 years. That is part of the reason among several others things that made me reluctant to even considering Netherlands as World Cup contender, no matter how tempting those Orange jerseys look on the great Holland football players.

       But the Mighty Orange team against Spain yesterday is really getting to my nerve, they are incredible, fast, accurate, efficient yet attractive at the same time and they made playing high tension and high class football match against defending World Cup Champion Spain like breathing, effortless. Goal after goal from World class players such as Van Persie, Robben and Vrij blown you away, did you see Van Persie's flying heading goal? It's World Class goal! He and Robben made 2 goals on that match. It was really fantastic game, the Spain fans around the World was devastated but the Holland fans was ecstatic and screamed in delight. The Mighty Orange was really crushed the World Cup 2010 Champion.
       The Orange until now known as the Champion without the title because they made to the World Cup final 5 times, but they always failed to attained the World Cup trophy. Could it be 2014 is their time to get The World Cup title? Van Gaal, their coach is the mastermind behind their brilliant performances so far, but let wait and see, there still a lot of stages they must over come before the final stage in World Cup 2014, cross your fingers the Orange fans.

       Well so far the World Cup matches are great, lots of surprises had happened, like the defeat of the Spain, Uruguay and England, the former World Cup winners. But England is another story, it seem that after they got the World Cup title back in the sixties, they always had a hard time in the World Cup competition, although their domestic football premiere league is widely known as the best in the world but it doesn't gave much contribution to the England national football team.

       Like on this morning (Indonesia time) match against 4 times World Cup winner Italy, the Cattenacio ala Italy made them hard to gained more goals, so they had to swallowed the bitter end, lost 1-2 from Italy, but I have to give both teams thumbs up for play such a great and entertaining match, it's really enjoyable. So far World Cup 2014 football matches are excelled my expectation. Thank you Worlds best national football teams, I'm looking forward your next matches.

Biggest, Coolest & Greatest Football Competition

   World Cup is here!!! Yeayyy, The biggest, coolest & greatest football competition in the world is here, Brazil is the nation host in World Cup 2014, indulge yourself in extraordinary, high quality and world class football matches, a month full! It's football fans party around the world, the event that only available in every 4 years. The World Cup is among the world's most widely viewed sporting events; an estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match of the 2006 FIFA [Federation International Football Association] World Cup held in Germany.

       After the Opening Ceremony yesterday 24 hours ago [Indonesia time], They continued with the opening match between Brazil, the host nation and 5 times World Cup Champion, against Croatia, 1998 World Cup 3rd place as a new country at that time. The match was high tension and worth to watch, attacking each other and made me screamed in delight or cursed every here and there, it was sublimed. I'm not gonna fuss about technicality here, but I wished the referees can be objective, fair and honest, so there will be no participants country got the 'cold shoulder' from referees. I'm not denied that Brazil is a great football country with a long great history to prove it, but re-watch the match and see if there is something wrong with the referee, you smart, you be the judge. Come on Brazil you already have a great team there and you are the house nation, you don't need referee to take side right?

       During the Opening Ceremony, my mind keep wondering, how do you feel to have a national football team that so great and you never feel worry for your national football team, because they always be there as World Cup finals contender every 4 years. You have the right to brag about your national team, wearing the national football jersey, giving them your blessing and cheers them because they never let you down and bring the nation pride along with them. You can watch every football match in stadium without worried about the riot before, during or after the match because you now the fans are all content and happy. Never worry about financial problem for the national football team, because there's no greedy people in the national football association, every fund is wisely used according needs, no corrupt attempt from the staff because they all works for the love of football and national team, they will always give their best. Well it's an utopia for Indonesia National Football team because all of the above is the opposite of Indonesia. But lets not loose hope here, let me dream that one day Indonesia will be all of the above and I can watch Indonesia National Team in World Cup Finals someday before I die.

       Lets watch, indulge and enjoy ourselves in the biggest, coolest & greatest Football competition in the World. Welcome World Cup 2014, I long for great World Class Football matches, fair play in every matches and say no to racism because we are the citizens of the World. God, please... please... please... let my favorite team win 2014 World Cup [I have favorite team but I don't want to tell you yet because I don't want to jinx it, I'll tell you later whether they success or fail, but God always definitely knows everything, so help me God]. Let's Enjoy World Cup citizens of the World (^_^).

Please DON"T Take Us Dead With You, Reckless Driver!

     A little girl of 8 years old, riding her bike from school, only one block away from her beloved home but before she safely home, a car hit her bike from back and flown her several feet from her bike. She's unconscious and never open her eyes again. It turns out the driver of the car that hit that girl is on the fault, she didn't see the little girl because she's busy with her cellphone while driving. A moment of ignorance took an innocent little girl life away.
 
     Sunday morning, several peoples walking leisurely on a side walk to the nearest bus stop, there are a handful of peoples already waiting their bus to come, but out of nowhere a high speed car come and hit those peoples on a side walk and hit peoples who stood on a bus stop also. On this accident 9 peoples dead (from range of age 2,5 years old until age of 51) and 5 peoples badly injured. Guess what, the stupid driver who hit them is alive and she's driving under influence of drugs after partying with her friends.

      Have u had enough? How about this, 'heartless' truck driver hit a car that contain a future bride & groom on their way home, and the bride to be never be the bride again because the 'heartless' driver kill her instantly in that car crash. Why I call him 'heartless'? because he access porn on his cellphone while he drive his truck and kill innocent people over it.
      And there is this stupid dad, let his immature son (age not even 13 years old, not even have his own driver license) drive his car and take his girlfriend home and in a highway on the way home, he can't control the car, so the car is flipped over and hit the car on the opposite side and 7 peoples dead because of him.
       All of the above are not just story tale and it will not go away when morning come and the rain will not wipe away the bitter ends. Those are real stories from the real events and real peoples are involved. Imagine the little girl is your daughter, niece or sister and the other victims are your relatives or your love one, how would you feel about it? what will you say or do?

       Those stupid, immature, heartless, irresponsible and reckless drivers need to be shaken up to the core so they will sober up, punished until they never do that again, if they lucky enough to live (if you can call living with a conscience that you kill innocent peoples because your reckless behavior, is lucky). Reckless drivers, that accidents is not an unfortunate events, it's your own making, you can avoid that ghastly accidents, stop being stupid, immature, heartless, irresponsible and reckless. It's fine by me if the only victim of your recklessness is your own life because you have a death wish or something, but don't drag along other peoples to die with you. Life is precious, valuable and worth every second of it.

 

      It was one thing to mind your own business, and another to turn your back in a mess you helped make. Make it up. Make it Right. Don't let anyone suffer for your actions, don't drive drunk and don't drive recklessly, every life's counts and precious including yours. So, please DON"T take us dead along with you reckless drivers. Be responsible, think before you act and don't wrecks other peoples lives! 

Back to X-Men Movie

       When the 'X-Men : Days of Future Past' hit theaters, I was eager to watch the movie too. I don't have special budget every month to enjoy movies in theater, but I'll make allowance to epic/grande and action movies, so I can get the full effect. I almost never missed X-men movies, because they offer all kind of super heroes and villains with interesting plot that make watching movie is worth your R & R time.

      So before I plan to watch the latest X-Men movie, I asked my sister (She already watched the movie with her friend a week ago) " Is it OK to watch the movie without watching, X-Men : The First Class?." She look shocked to hear my question. "How can u not watched that? Of course the movie is related, is easier to understand the movie if you watch X-Men : First Class and then X-Men : Days of Future Past." (She made me felt, I'm such a wimp for missed out the X-Men).

       Well, instead of going to the cinema on my spare time and watch 'X-Men : Days of Future Past' that got good review and top in box office rank, I have to satisfied watched 'X-Men : The First Class' in DVD, my sister collection. X-Men movie where Charles Xavier hairs still intact and Magneto not so obnoxious plus they all still young, agile and handsome, what a treat. First Class is like others X-Men franchise movie, fullfilling fantasy, interesting plot and super cool actions in every corner of movie with great special effect, to sum up it's entertaining.

       I'm still looking forward to watch 'X-Men : Days of Future Past', although it seems they don't need my ticket money anymore because the movie already prove a big hit in theaters around the world and lots of movie expert predict the movie will surpass 'Avatar' movie as all time biggest movie income in the world. Well, my sister said that I can see lots of Wolverine in Days of Future Past (He's my favorite character, in First Class I just saw a glimpse of him with one line only, ha ha..) and there are twisting plus surprising plot. So, I hope the movie is still in theater when I have a chance to watch it. Happy watching.