17 Days Left: Full of Thanks

Daily Journal

17 Days Left: Full of Thanks

Saturday, 30 November 2013 --- "Do not worry with what you eat, what you drink and what you wear. If a little bird is taken care by God; moreover, us." These words are my grip. Even lately, I got closer to the real of this world, to what the world out there treated me, as I got closer too to my God. I did believe that He would not leave me alone. I was His best creature that was equipped with instinct, intellect, and wisdom. He would provide what I needed. If He cared of a little bird, more He would care about me. I gave thanks for His love and care.

Today, I met Mr. Arlan Setiawan at the foodcourt of City Hall Shopping Mall in Singapore. He came to Singapore for 2 days for business and would continue to Kuala Lumpur for a day. He was the Ambassador of Toastmaster Club in Indonesia. What a privilege meeting! He was like my father's or maybe older because his first son was at the same with me. So, I was his daughter. This afternoon, he treated me lunch while we talked about many things. He shared about how he could continue his study a year ago and why University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK was. Apparently, he was interested to learn on the environment entrepreneurship. So 1,5 years ago, he searched from google universities that taught about this. And finally he found that University of Strathclyde was the first university in the world taught about environment entrepreneurship, or may be the only university. It was a great time for him to get it and then register in it. Exactly a year ago, he already started his study in Glasgow. He was to oldest student in the class but was so brilliant. He said that from 12 students, there were only 7 who passed. Two students were given the distinguished title, and he was one of them. I was so proud of meeting him. Thank you Pak Arlan for your time meeting me here in Singapore.

Mr. Arlan Setiawan

Mr. Arlan and Me

After that meeting, I went sightseeing by myself in Raffles City Mall, City Link Mall, up to the Esplanade Theater. It was heavy raining so better for me to wait inside the mall until 4 P.M. to have choir practice in church. When the time showed at almost 3, I went down from Esplanade Theater to the MRT Esplanade to go to church. However, in the hall of Esplanade basement, I met a western woman who suddenly stopped me and asked me whether I could replace her watching the T.H.E. Dance Company by Mr. Sign. I was so shocked. I did not know her but she pleaded me with showing and giving me the ticket which she already bought. She could  not attend because she had to help her housemaid who came that afternoon. I thought, this would be my precious moment also spending my time here this exclusive theater in Esplanade. In spite of forfeited the theater ticket, which the price was not cheap, S$ 35, I accepted her begging. She showed me the way to the theater studio and she went home. I was so happy to have this change. It was a great contemporary dance performance. So skillful dancers with amazing Korean choreographer. I enjoyed this free performance in an hour. I did thank to God. He really took care of me and even in my loneliness, He gave me time to spend it in a WOW theater. I was full of thanks.

Free Ticket

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

Prayer for Strength

Dear God, thank You for the sun, the moon, and the stars, which You have given to Your servant here and also the whole family in this world as it is. 

You have also given me strength through all of these: being far from family, learning to achieve expectations, bringing the always heavy default in the back and hands, and trying not to be lonely. 

Let my ordeal just to get me closer to You. 

Please console Your grieving servant, Lord.

In the Name of Jesus, my strength and my Lord ...
I pray this prayer.

Amien ...


Be blessed and be blessing.

Blessed,
Natalia C.

18 Days Left: A Lifelong Learning

Daily Journal

18 Days Left:
A Lifelong learning

Friday, 29 November 2013 --- Today was my off day. I felt that God still loved me. He reminded me to take care of my healthy and body. This morning, I was sick. I did not go to campus because I got backache, shoulders pain, and pain in swallowing. I thought I got fever. After having lunch, I drank a medicine and vitamin C, even it was too late. I took a rest, afterwards. Not bad, after two (2) hours resting, I prepared to go to PW West at Mr. Handy's apartment at Bukit Gombak. PW stands for Persekutuan Wilayah or Fellowship Area and that was my last fellowship with this group. I would be missing them so much.

Today, I replied an email to my student, K, that I told about him in my previous journal. It was hard to arrange what I had to tell to him about my decision towards his final examination. He was a scholarship student at Universitas Ciputra (UC). What made him being afraid was that if his GPA (Grade Point Average) would be below 3, so, he would not get the scholarship anymore. Well then, if it happened, he probably would not continue studying at UC because his father, who stopped working at Ciputra Group, was palsied. What I could help was that to let him present on the competition day. Meaning that his final examination score was still given to him. However, from total grade 'E', the English subject became 'D' because his total score was 53. In other words, K still failed on this subject even by looking at the score, it can help his GPA rather than got 'E'. Then, I closed my email by giving him some advices (to support him to have better study life in the future):
1. Always concerned with actively learning to subject his took. 
2. Therefore, the subject was very important and valuable to him, then increased his participation in the class with an active presence in class, active in every question asked by the lecturer, and actively asked (if still confused/less in accordance with his understanding) on his closest friends/on his lecturer.
3. More payed attention around him with a clear look at the announcement. It would help if he were always present in the First Week of lectures on new semester because that was where all the lecturers would explain the course overview and syllabus for the subjects they taught. At that time that the lecture contract was determined the classes and all students and the lecturer himself should know and follow it with great interest. If not clear, asked the lecturer.
4. Student Study Card (SSC) could be taken a week before the exam; however it was not only taken but needed to be checked and well researched. If necessary marked/highlighted with different colors. If he knew of any irregularities/inquiries, directed and immediately asked to the academic support/lecturer concerned.
5. Keep the spirit, K.

After mentioning what I could help for him, by respecting his effort to keep coming on the competition day, I kept him presence in UAS. Even he was still failed but with a higher score from 'E' became 'D' it would effect his GPA. I tried to not make him down by motivating him with some advices for his better life in the future. I thought this was I called a lifelong learning given by a lecturer as a mentor to his/her student.

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

19 Days Left: Teach Me To Be Wise and Strong, O Lord

Daily Journal

19 Days Left :
Teach Me To Be Wise and Strong, O Lord

Thursday, 28 November 2013 --- Today, when I counted down my days in Singapore, I realized that it came to the teen numbers. I did not know whether I was happy or sad. I tried to do what I had to do. However, sometimes I felt that I could not have energy to do it anymore. I messed up with many things happened lately. People saw that I was fine and I was indeed but they did not know what was inside me. What I did need from my dear God was to be wise and strong. I would try to face the news well: the relieved news, the conscience news, the condolences and the sad news.

I was so relieved knowing that my daughters, 6.5 and 3.5 years old, are cleverer day by day. Kakak Audrey (the eldest sister) was always study hard by herself and never forget to read a book. While Adik Betrice (the youngest sister) always wanted to try everything by herself. This week, she succeeded buttoning her own shirt. This morning, when I called home, she said that she could play small guitar, ukulele...and sang "Jesus loves me yes I know." Thank you Lord for taking care of my daughters.

The conscience news came from a psychology student from my university that wrote me a long reflection letter about himself and about the reason why he did not come last week at the Business English Competition held for all students as their final examination participation. I also had reasons why I could not let him pass this subject. I asked God's wisdom for me before answering my student. I did want the best for him in the future and would love to help him when I would be back in campus. Surely, he needed to be supported to teach how and what he had to do in facing English subject, his friends, and also his lecturer. He could not walk alone if he needed help.

Again, today I got condolences news coming from my first supervisor, Prof.  Yudi. My deepest condolences for my supervisor at State University of Malang, Prof. Bambang Yudi Cahyono. May God forgave all his wife's sins and accepted all her good deeds. May God bring him and family the greatest patience, steadfast and understanding heart throughout this difficult times.

Last but not least, on this late afternoon, I got a bad news where it made so so sad. I did cry alone in the library because I was here and I could not do anything instead of sending message to Malang, my campus. They said that because I got the Sandwich-Like scholarship, so then I would not get the last term of my Graduate Program Scholarship (BPPS : Beasiswa Program Pascasarjana) to support my study in Malang. It was not fair. There was no relationship between getting Sandwich-Like scholarship and BPPS. Who wanted to be far from family (far from my beautiful girls and great husband), learn every day at the campus, bring heavy backpack everyday (I felt sick on my back and shoulders), and try not to be lonely...who wanted to be like that if it was not because of God's grace, the Sandwich=Like scholarship would not be enough for me too. So now, I did not get my BPPS. How could I pay my tuition this January? O Lord, please give me Your strength to get through on it. I was not a person who easily gave up. I prayed and I tried to find the justice. I would be helped by Bu Indah, HRD legalin my workplace - Universitas Ciputra, who would go to Director General of Higher Education (DIKTI) in Jakarta, Indonesia in this coming Monday for UC legal stuff and would bring my case to them. She would help me ask about the rights of Sandwich-Like scholarship student in details and its relationship with BPPS. I did hope God would give me His answer and way out.

Be blessed and be blessing.

Try to cheer up,
Natalia C.

20 Days Left: Be Self-Confidence

Daily Journal

20 Days Left:
Be Self-Confidence

Wednesday, 27 November 2013 --- This morning was my last morning to be together with Khasdo (Pdt. Persang's son) and cook for him. The menu was Indonesian food, as always, i.e. Sayur Asem (Vegetable Tamarind) and Empal Goreng (Jerked Fried). They looked delicious, and so the taste, I hoped. I was happy because Khasdo liked my cooking. Was it , Khasdo? Hehe. The important lessons from these three days with Khasdo were that I learned to be self-confidence in cooking and I learned to have a good plan in preparing the food. Not bad. In these days, I counted that I could prepare all the food in one hour. Was that great?

Another lesson of being self-confidence was that knowing my capability to negotiate a tender which related with money. Today, my translation center got a good project. I was asked to translate about 380 pages in a week from a department in my institution which the payment was also good. I made negotiation with that department and we agreed in a deal amount of money. I was so happy I could add more income for my center. In addition, even I was in Singapore, my staff there were so fast catching this opportunity. Thank you for being there with me in doing this job.

Next, probably this was my too self-confidence. I was waited by all staff in my workplace to go back home to Surabaya, Indonesia soon. Apparently, they asked me to become headman to wed Herman and Yani. Both of these staff who always sat side by side, they always quarreled. If I were there, I always made a joke by matching them together. That was why, all staff who knew about me treated these man and woman requested me to be back soon. I told them that I would handle from far away first and if Herman was so brave taking the chance...I would...again, I would go back even only two days this weekend to bless their marriage. Both of you were so weird. If you had feeling, please did not stop anything to mention it. All the best for Herman and Yani :D :D :D .
I miss you all, Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Humanities (FEH) staff at Universitas Ciputra, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.

My Colleagues, Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Humanities (FEH) at Universitas Ciputra Surabaya

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

21 Days Left

Daily Journal 

21 Days Left

Tuesday, 26 November 2013 --- I woke up this morning with a great bless from God. I could open my eyes, breath the fresh air, and prepare breakfast for Khasdo. I woke up about 5 and cooked breakfast for Khasdo. When everything was already on the table, Khasdo was ready to eat too. After having breakfast, Khasdo took a bath and prepared to go to school. As I seen this morning, he went to school at about 6.45. His school apparently started at 8 A.M.

I never knew what would be happened in my new morning day. I did thankful for the new brand day given to me. I was pleased because of it. In other hand, sometimes I got sad news from friend or colleague whose his or her relative died because of sick. This morning, I got that kind of news coming from Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, from a friend in the office. R.I.P sweet cute small angel, Sasikirana Anindyarini, a daughter of Mrs. Arindha Dimiarni (staff of Administration and Academy Bureau). In her age of six (6) months, she died at the Siloam Hospital in Surabaya at 00:05 because of sick. She had been sick about a month. My deepest condolences for Mrs Arindha and husband. May God bring her and family the greatest patience, steadfast and understanding heart throughout this difficult times.


Sadness and happiness came to me and gave me strength to see that God wanted me to be a tough person. I always believed that He tried to speak to me and admonish me to be a better human. That was why, I prayed for what He had planned and given to me. Because of this faith, I got trust from people around me and love me to pray for them. Elisa Fang, my student, sent me message today saying that she would have her examination for her thesis this coming Friday, 29 November 2013 morning. She wanted me to pray for her. I was so happy to pray for her. I wish the best presentation she would make later. That was Elisa. I had another person who missed me and asked me to go back to Surabaya soon. He was Herman, a staff helper in my workplace. He did not say it directly but he persuaded me with mangoes he brought from his garden. Oooow, that so teased me. He said, "Ma'am, please go home soon so you will get these mangoes." Then, he just shared me the photos of the fruit. Well, as long as he remembered me and asked me to cheer up again the office, I was so released. At least, Herman still missed me. Thank you, Herman.

Harman's Mango.1

Herman's Mango.2

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

22 Days Left

Daily Journal

22 Days Left

Monday, 25 November 2013 --- 25th was always waited by all people in my workplace. Why? Because that date was the day of receiving salary. However, because the 25th of this month was Monday, so we could not receive our salary and moved one day ahead. Why? Because in Mondays, banks do not do any transaction of transferring money for the payroll. Kind of weird but that was the reality. So, keep thanking for what is given by saying I love Monday.

Today until Wednesday, I would accompany Khasdo, Pastor Persang's son, at Bedok, Singapore. He was still in junior high school grade 14. He was staying alone because Pastor Persang went to Jakarta for important things to be handles; while Mrs. Persang was still in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia, because the death of her sister. I was asked by Mr. and Mrs. Persang to stay for two nights and accompany Khasdo. For me, this was a huge responsibility given to me. I would be pleasure to do it. That was why, this morning, I went to campus by already bringing all stuff that I needed for the staying here at Bedok.

When I arrived from campus to Bedok (from West to East), I found Khasdo was already at home. Directly, I went to the kitchen and saw what could I cook for tonight. Khasdo told me that it was up to me and he requested to have not spicy food. He did not like it. The spicy foo could make trouble for his stomach...for sure. I tried to check what the fridge had and cooked it. I knew then it would be better and fast for cooking soup and fried the tofu. So while I was cooking, Khasdo shared everything which happened in his life for last two weeks. Quite interesting and challenging. When you were cooking, there was someone accompanied you with stories. Hehehe. Well, not bad. Finally, the cooking was ready. We ate our dinner together at about 8.30. Before we ate and enjoyed the food, we took some pictures to be uploaded to the facebook. The purpose was intentionally to let Mr. and Mrs. Persang knew what their son's eat for his dinner. Thank you to Khasdo who had become my storry teller and enjoyed the food a lot.

Khasdo and Me

Me and the Food

Smiling Khasdo

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

23 Days Left

Daily Journal

23 Days Left

Sunday, 24 November 2013 --- Even I slept at 2.30 A.M. last night (last night? It was already early morning), I kept waking up at 6.15 A.M. I planned to go to Bukit Batok Presbyterian Church (GPBB) at 9. Because I did not know the exact place of the church, I went to Singapore Bible College (SBC) to visit Mr. Welly and his wife, Mrs. Hartati and went with them to GPBB because every week, they always went there for servicing the youth. Mr. Welly was my coworker in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, who studied at SBC since 2012. They stayed in SBC dormitory at level 4 that was special given to couples who still have not had children. After having about 20 minutes conversation, we then went to go to GPBB by bus.
 

Singapore Bible College

Worship Preparation of Korean Students

Worship Hall with Ancient Piano (only 2 in the world)

Those who ever Donated for SBC Dormitory

SBC

Inside the Lift

Mrs. Hartati & Mr. Welly

Worship Hall at SBC

Unexpectedly, this morning, Pastor Ayub Yahya led the service church and it was his last preaching at GPBB. And for that moment too, I found that there was an opening/warming up scene before the pastor's sermon about what would be talked about. Moreover, the scene was played by a famous Indonesian senior actor, Mr. Henky Solaiman. He was a great truly actor. His acting today showed that he was the real one. He played about giving tithe to the church. His profit in a month was S$ 200,000 but he gave to church was only 3% out of 10%. Well, he tried to give to God but he concealed the other 7%. He kept counting that 10% from S$ 200,000 that was S$ 20,000, it was so big. For the next story could be watched in the recording below; however, it was in Indonesian...in bahasa Indonesia.

Henky Solaiman & Me

Me & Henky Solaiman's Wife

At GPBB Terrace

In front of GPBB

After about 5 minutes of that play, Pastor Ayub continued it in his sermon. He said that giving was not a simple way to do. We felt that what we had was, firstly,  because of our hard working. Why should we give it to church? Secondly, because we felt so pity for what we had. That was why we always counted in details to give or not to give to church. Thirdly, because we always felt not enough. This was called poor mental. For the complete preaching by Pastor Ayub, it was attached below.

I was blessed to come to GPBB today.

To close my writing, I quote these words from a friend's facebook.

= Learn to BE GRATEFUL even though the SHORTAGE... 
= Learn SINCERE though NOT WILLINGLY... 
= Learn to OBEY even WEIGHT ... 
= Learn to UNDERSTAND though NOT ONE ACCORD ... 
= Learn LOYAL despite MANY TEMPTATIONS... 
= Learn to GIVE though NOT HOW ... 
= Learn to LOVE even if you're HURT... 
= Learn CALM while you're RESTLESS... 
= Learn to BELIEVE although DIFFICULT. 

Believe that the Lord Jesus will always give ease to the people who are always thankful and learn to be better. Learn and continue to fight ... as long as you are still living on this earth, then the struggle was not over yet.

Amien....

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

24 Days Left

Daily Journal

24 Days Left

Saturday, 23 November 2013 --- What a day today! I had planned it since last Tuesday because I was so excited on the of Saturday and Sunday. This morning, I woke a little bit late, purposely, because it was Saturday morning and it was okay for me to wake up late. And I knew that my Saturday would be very busy from afternoon till midnight. That was why, I just started to take my shower at 11 A.M. Then, I had a special time to treat my face with bengkoang scrubs. Uuuggghh....it was so nice and cool. My face could take a rest about 20-25 minutes. After that, I washed my face and had my lunch. After that, I prepared to go to church.

This afternoon, at 4.30 - 7.00, there was a fellowship of young families in church. It was a little bit late start but all things run well. The theme was "Pembawa Damai" (peacemaker). We sang the worship songs which were calmed and strengthened all the congregation...all the young families. The words of God delivered by Pastor Chandra Koewoso for. Based on Matthew, Luke and Psalm, he stated that God was the peacemaker and we were the peacekeepers.

How to keep the peace that has been given to us? There were three (3) things what we had to focus on. Firstly, when the Angel said, "Glory to God in the place of the most high. Peace be on earth and in heaven"...we saw at the moment the Angel said and at present time, there was no totally peace seen in some countries in this world. How could the Angel dare to state that? The peace was not seen at our external situation but the peace situation was in our heart. In welcoming the Christmas baby, Jesus Christ, we had to focus on Him. Nowadays, there were no more Christmas cards but Season Greetings. The word of Christmas was changed with X'Mas. What did 'X' stand for and why? The sad one was that we more focused on the Santa Claus than to Jesus Christ. We could memorize the song of Santa Claus is Coming to Town than Emmanuel or Glorify Your Name. What was our focus? Was there Jesus Christ as a focus in our family?

Secondly, there was a step of faith taken and performed by Mary, the mother of Jesus, when answered the Angel words. It launched her life which then, through her family, the whole world would see how
words that supported by deeds would build the peacemakers. Not provoke words. For example, when typhoon attacked Philippines, we talked to our children and said that God was angry with that place. It was not what parents should say and teach to their children. We had to think again that in the middle of the typhoon, there must be the righteous. Who we were so then we judged what happened to others. We should bring peace and keep it with the positive and supportive words.

Lastly, Matthew 5: 9 stated, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Let us have unity to have the Spirit of God ... have the spirit of a peaceful heart ... be a mediator for quarrel families. How beautiful and peaceful this world if we start the peace itself from our family. Let God be our Peacemaker and our beloved family be the peacekeepers.

Merry Christmas :D .

Christmas of Youth Families Fellowship

Pastor Chandra Koewoso

Worship Him through Songs

Testimony

Glorify Your Name

Emmanuel

Singing a Song and Ended It with Hugging the Spouse.

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

25 Days Left

Daily Journal

25 Days Left

Friday, 22 November 2013 --- I was healthier this morning. I started my day in the library at 8.45. I was so glad that I could wake up early this morning and started everything early so then my mind, my body, and my soul were fresh too. It was me who loved to share my happiness to others. Every time I went into the library and walked to my favorite table, I always greeted my best old friends. They were so kind. They were Mr. Tan, Mr. Rahim, and Mr. Song. They always knew if there were so many books on my table and a note there saying that I would use those books again on the next morning day, they would not take them and put into the shelves. I am so blessed meeting them every day, especially every morning. I am so happy...happy because of meeting good people like them. I pray to God for taking a good care of them: their healthiness, families, and lives.

Mr. Tan, Mr. Rahim, and Mr. Song

Mr. Tan is arranging books on the shelves

Mr. Song is checking the books

Mr Tan, Me, & Mr. Rahim

My second happiness was a happy news from my classmate in Malang, Mr. Daniel. He sent the news implicitly in our facebook group of Ph.D. students batch 2011. He just typed:

"Pak Nur Salam, Natalia Christiani Djahi, Mbak Nia Mika, and Eny Kusumawati...happy news."

This is language where people will comprehend and understand when they are in the same content and context. Because Mr. Daniel just only mentioned four of us plus he himself and a 'happy news', so I guessed there must relate with our scholarship which was already transferred to our bank accounts. Our study in Malang is funded by Indonesian government for six semesters since August 2011. From that scholarship, we can pay our tuition every semester, living cost, research, and education stuff. The point was that five of us were very happy because of it. In the beginning of January 2014, we prepare to pay our tuition about Rp 7.000.000,-. Thank You Lord, You have prepared and given it in Your time.

My third happiness came from Lenny, my previous staff in my workplace in Surabaya, East Java. Yesterday evening, she already complained of pain because of her contraction. The baby wanted to see the world. In that situation, she still had time to upload her status in her facebook wall. Lenny was still Lenny who I knew. There were so many comments, spirit and support given to her. She was kind and funny; that was why, there were so many friends gave their supports to her. About 2,5 hours ago (at 9 P.M.), she uploaded her new status saying that:

"Thank God...I could meet my cutie girl... She is so pretty and looks like her daddy. Her name is Kaylenn Grazia Luminto with 2.96 weight and 47 cm height. She was born at 5.39 P.M."

Finally, her struggle to give birth normally succeeded. I am so proud of her. Congratulations Lenny and David for your first baby girl. May God bless both of you to be able to nurture, raise and educate her to be a filial daughter.

David and Lence...ooopsss...I mean, Lenny

Kaylenn Grazia Luminto, 22 Nov 2013

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

26 Days Left

Daily Journal

26 Days Left

Thursday, 21 November 2013 --- I did not know what happened with me today. I could not concentrate well in the library. I felt something wrong with my body and mind, a little bit. Instead of staying too long in the library with only small results (finished reading one yesterday book and made one outline for my paper), I decided to go home earlier, at about 6 P.M. Actually, I had to go home at 7 because I came late this morning, at 10. However, I was happy I had things done.

I got great news from my family, from my husband and my little princesses in Sidoarjo, East Java, Indonesia.They were fine and healthy. I thanked God for them. What made me surprised was that my husband had installed his iOS smart phone with BBM. Sophisticated! I thought it would make our communication smoothly. He used BBM a lot now to chat with me. I knew that BBM is much easier and friendly user than any other smart phones, in my point of view. It was also easier for him to send me the photos of our daughters. This afternoon, when Audrey and Betrice (my princesses' names) had their precious time playing with their friends in the neighborhood, my husband took pictures of them and sent them directly to me via BBM. That was the cleverest way to do it. I could see and enjoy how happy my girls playing with their gang. I liked to see my girls could spend their time socializing with their peers.

Devi, Fitri, Audrey, Gina, Kezia, and Betrice

Betrice said, "Devi...you angry ya."

Surprisingly... and made me proud of my girls (even they are thousand kilometers from here)...was that Audrey sent me a picture of her own drawing. She drew and asked her papa to send to mama. She asked me, "Ayo Mama, what is this?" I answered that it was a beautiful drawing of a Japanese girl. And then she said that I was right. Finally, my husband showed me a photo of my agenda (the one which I used to have meeting in church) where there was a picture of a Japanese family. Apparently, Audrey imitated the pictures and also made some creation of her own.

Audrey's Drawing

Audrey's Drawing and Betrice's Patterning

Knowing how creative and smart my girls drawing Japanese girls, I would like to give something to Audrey to be drawn. When I queued waiting for Bus 199 in the Boon Lay Interchange, I saw on the wall a new advertisement about a drink or something...I did not pay attention on it. But what I liked from the ads was the picture of two Japanese kids. They were so cute. I thought Audrey would be challenged to draw them. Then, I took a picture of it and sent it to my husband. I did hope Audrey would be happy seeing it and then she would be eager to draw it. Let see how the result would be.

 Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

27 Days Left

Daily Journal

27 Days Left

20 November 2013 --- This week has not finished yet but I have got 4 grieves from the good people I know quite well. I started this day by praying those who are grieving and feeling lost. I did ask God for His majesty to bless all the people I know by providing them strong and resilient. I reflected it that I was nothing...I was too small in this world. That was why, I tried to rethink what I had done so far, what I had given to other people who really need, what I tried to achieve in this life. Anyhow, in His time, all of them would also not be taken with me.

In my deepest condolences, I also felt blessed today because even I slept at 1 A.M. last night, I could wake up early, went to campus, and arrived in NIE library at 8.40 A.M. I sat in front of Sally, a good friend from China. She was so busy doing her assignment which the due was today at 5 P.M. So, we were just sitting without any important things to be discussed. Even when it was the time for lunch, she did not move at all. She was really focusing to do that assignment. I was also reading and summarizing a very good book entitled The Balanced Reading Program: Helping All Students Achieve Success by Susan M. Blair-Larsen and Kathryn A. Williams (1999). When the clock was at about 4, she finally finished it. She printed it out and submitted to her professor's mailbox. She asked me to take care her belongings on the table. Not more than 10 minutes, she had returned. Then, she cleaned up all her stuff and prepared to go home. She said goodbye to me which meant that that time was our last meeting. On this Friday, she will fly home to China for holiday with her family, especially with her little 4 year beautiful girl. She will be back to Singapore on January 5th. Yes, we will not meet each other again. We exchanged our phone numbers both in China, Indonesia, and/or Singapore numbers. She promised to come to Indonesia one day and she will contact me. I am so pleased to know it. I do believe that we could contact each other via emails, sms or WA. I will pray the best for her. Next semester will be her last time studying master in NIE, NTU, Singapore. She has plan to continue taking Ph.D. either in NIE, NTU, Singapore or in U.S.A. Hope the best always for Sally.

One bye one is leaving now. Slowly but sure. The time is coming soon for me also to leave this country. 27 more days I am here to feel the love of Singapore and to accomplish my duty too. I would like to end up my writing by believing that when He has given me this opportunity to come and enjoy every moment in Singapore, He will be the One who will allow me to go back to the country that He has prepared for me to cultivate it for the goodness and prosperity of the people around where I work.
Everything has its time.

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

28 Days Left

Daily Journal

28 Days Left

Tuesday, 19 November 2013 --- Just like usual, I started my day with two loaves of chocolate, peanuts, and cheese bread, and of course my lovely hot drink, Milo. In the middle of breakfast, there came Bu Shiane. She stayed a couple block from my place. She kept asking me about attending the Christmas fellowship of Komisi Wanita (Women Commission) at Gereja Presbiterian Orchard, Singapore. Because it was 2 P.M., so I could not join. I had to work with my papers. There were many resources I have not read yet. However, I really thanked for her invitation.

When I arrived in NIE library, I met Mr. Tan. He was my old friend who worked in the library to collect the unread books and put them back into the shelves. He directly gave me snack cracker from his hometown. The last 5 days, Mr. Tan asked permission to not work because he had a family gathering in Kampung Perak, Kampung Melayu, Malaysia. He told me last Wednesday that on Thursday till Monday, he and other families in Singapore would go back home to their hometown for a family gathering. They rented a bus to travel there. I was so happy that he remembered me and sharing with me a special snack which he said that it was only for me. Meaning that the snack contained of pork. I loved it. And now I remember that it is still in my schoolbag. I will eat it tomorrow morning as my breakfast, then.


By having a pile of books to be read, I remembered about the event of Business English (BE) Competition which was held this morning. I kept thinking it and had slightly pulse in my heart. Then, at about 2 P.M. of Singapore time, I got news from Mrs. Shierly, Ms. Mintjie, and Mr. Vincent. They said that the competition was done successfully. Mr. Vincent was very happy because his students won the first and second winner of Presentation Skill in the level of Communicative English. The judges did their great responsibilities too. What made Mrs. Shierly chafed was the other students who were not selected to join this competition knew that the winner got money as the price commented that if they knew it before, they would really give their best presentation. Students! Not bad because each winner of Professional level got IDR 500.000. That was a lot for a student.

Before I ended my day in the library this evening (even I had not finished yet...those books were my warming up), I saw my father was online. Hurray. Then, I chatted with my father who stayed in Magelang, alone with his nephew grandchild. My mother now is in Sidoarjo together with my daughters. My father quite knew a bit about this cyberspace. He asked my blog address because he would like to open and read it too (hope he could understand it too ... because it is in English ... hehehe). On my way home, apparently, I still was able chatting with my father. Unfortunately, he did not know how to open the blog. By my short explanation, finally he succeeded. At least, my father knew what I have read and written. two big thumbs for my father. I miss my parents now. I pray to God for His grace in taking care of my parents even I am far from them. May God bless them and give them good health.


Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.

29 Days Left

Daily Journal

29 Days Left

Monday, 18 November 2013 ---This morning, the sun was so sunny. Today was so bright day. When I arrived at NIE campus, I went directly to the library, my workplace. I greeted my old friends in this library (those who work to collect the books and put them on the shelves back) and sat in my favourite place. What a daily routine that I like. However, today it seemed I had two big tasks that should be accomplished.

I opened my laptop to do the most important thing which should be submitted today before 5 P.M. It was a last task from the course I take here. It was about eLearning Discussion Forum. I had to read chapter 7 relevant to mixed-methods research (Dornyei, 2007). There were nine (9) methods for mixed-methods research (e.g. QUAL+QUAN, QUAN+qual, or QUAL+quan, etc., see page 169-173). I was asked to describe on how I can combine my quantitative proposal (mid-term test assignment) with qualitative proposal (final examination assignment), so they would become a mixed-methods proposal. By writing it not more than 500 words, I stated my research questions (I had 4 questions). I used the type concurrent designs of QUAN+qual mixed-methods research and explained why. I also mentioned about the kinds instruments I used for this research. I felt it was challenging to combine both research methods especially in a dissertation. Now I am thinking about implementing it in my own dissertation. I will discuss further with my beloved supervisors in State University of Malang. Okay, it was my first task which completed and submitted at about 1.30 P.M. Then, I had my (late) lunch.

The second task dealt with my responsibility to my workplace in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. Tomorrow, I will hold a Business English (BE) Competition for my students who this semester take this course. The best student per class will present and be competed in this event. For all the preparations there were helped and done by my best English lecturers, my academic supports, and my colleagues. Even my body is not there, but my mind and soul are given to them and this event too. Today, I did the last important things such as reminding the judges (and thank God, they all had replied me and will come as have scheduled: Mr. David Pranata, Mr. Ronald Sitolang, and Mrs. Mediahna Kusuma), reminding the lecturers (Mrs. Shierly, Ms. Mintjie, Ms. Nophita, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Selamet, Mr. Andi, and Mr. Thomas), checking one-by-one the needs for the auditorium, the consumption (it was very important), the trophies, the vouchers for the juries, the video recording, the laptop for the stage, etc. Many thanks to my Dean (Mr. Johan), my Ass. Dean (Ms. Lili...any vouchers left for me? LoL), and also my academic supports (Mrs. Tantri, Ms. Yani, Mrs. Nuriel, and Mr. Herman) who had helped me preparing everything there. Hope tomorrow morning, you all could start at 9 sharp and finish at 12.30 P.M...and smooth. Congratulations for all the best students who will be competed tomorrow. I am proud of you. And for those who have not had this chance, by participating in this competition as audience tomorrow and giving your biggest support to your friends, hope this could open your minds and thinking that presentation skills could be learned by everybody as long as you practice, practice, and practice a lot.

I was so happy because my two main tasks today had been done. I had tried my best.

Be blessed and be blessing.

Cheers,
Natalia C.