Well, last week I have chicken pox. Yes, you read it right. CHICKEN POX!!!

Since I was sick, I have to cancelled some of my plans I made for long weekend 18/5 - 20/5. The cancellation that made my heart broken so much was I couldn't watch movie called "I Am".

Note: I love this song because of the lyrics. I'm not and never be a Twilight fan hehehe.

Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this

One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

One step closer
One step closer

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

Have you ever explore the city you live??? To the historical sites in your place, know your own culture??? In my case, it's a long time ago.

I don't know when the last time I went to museum. It's been ages, I think hehehe. Yesterday I have the opportunity to explore museum again. Well thanks to Chris Poulson and his partner Michelle for this opportunity hehehe. Last week, me and Mbak Lusy arranged a trip to museum for the Poulsons. We decided to take them to Taman Mini first.

With a rental car, we went to Taman Mini Indonesia Indah around 0930 WIB. Once we got inside, both Michelle and Chris got excited saw the traditional houses. After go around once, we decided to go to Anjungan Sumatra Barat (West Sumatera). The reason why we chose this is because Michelle was impressed with the color of the house. She's got more impressed when she saw the traditional wedding dress. I told her about the sunting and how they put it on the bride's head (according to my cousin's wedding hehehe). I also talked a bit about the culture as well.

After West Sumatera, we  went to Anjungan Sumatera Utara (North Sumatera). We talked about the culture as well. I'm not Batak, but having Batak friends made know a little about them. I talked about the family names, the difference between Batak Karo and Batak Toba, also the patriarch system in Batak. Wow, those mingling years is finally worth it hehehe.

The funny thing is, there's a bunch of tourists, I think from China. Since I learned Mandarin, I knew a little of their conversation!!! One of the tourist asked about where is Jakarta on the big map of Sumatera. I told Mbak Lusy about what they're talking. I even know that one of the seller tried to sell a gasing in expensive price!!! Wow, those courses finally paid off hehehe.

Next we went to a cable car. That way, we can saw whole area of Taman Mini. We took a lot of pictures up there. Michelle loves how the trees. I talked a bit the history of Taman Mini. How controversial it was and now everyday lots of tourist came here.

We left Taman Mini and continue our journey to Museum Nasional.  The reason why Michelle wanted to go there is because she wanted to see the statue of  Prajna Paramita. She read about this statue in Jakarta Post article and she wanted to see it badly. When I read the article on the newspaper she brought, the statue of Prajna Paramita was identified as Gayatri Rajapatni, the women behind Majapahit's golden age. Hmmm reminds me of history lesson back in school. Can't wait to see it too.

When we arrived there, I asked about the statue whereabouts, and it's in second floor. Before we go there, we explore other parts of museum. From the entrance, we turned right and there's 3 big maps of Indonesia. Unfortunately, it's still old map. Why? Because they still use 27 provinces and not 33 provinces. The most important thing is the map still using "Irian Jaya" instead of "Papua". So yeah, it's still old maps. Michelle and Chris really excited about how big our country is. Took a pictures then moved to prehistoric section.

In this section they have replica of prehistoric human. Took several pictures and move to second floor. In this section, they have lots of tools for tradings, communication, transportation etc,. They also have few inscriptions, that once again, mesmerized Michelle. She kept saying it's beautiful. We went back to first floor and headed to the entrance. In our right, there are a hall full of statues.

These statues are from Hindu and Buddhist temples all around Indonesia. What made me amazed, these statues made out of stones by sculptor that time. Heavy stones. With simple tools, they can produced masterpiece,,, They build the temples, decorated with these heavy statues. WOW!!!

Finally, we're going to see Prajna Paramita statue. We went to second floor near the entrance. There are two sections of Treasure Room. If you took the left stairs, the Prajna Paramita statue is on the left side. That statue welcomed us when we went into the room. Michelle really excited. She finally saw the statue. She admired the work and kept saying, "She's beautiful." referring to the statue itself.

When I saw the statue itself, I couldn't help myself to fell in love with it. That statue is indeed beautiful, literally. I've seen lots of statues, but this statue is the perfect one. A statue of a woman sitting on top of lotus while meditating,,, PERFECT!!! You should see it for yourself.

I read the information. All this time, lots of people believe that this statue was made as a tribute to Ken Dedes from Singosari. But a historian Earl Drake said in his book Gayatri Rajapatni: Perempuan di balik Kejayaan Majapahit (Gayatri Rajapatni: The Woman Behind the Glory of Majapahit) that this statue is Gayatri Rajapatni. He spent his time researched about this figure and believe that this statue indeed Gayatri.

Satisfied with the statue, now we know why it is called Treasure Room and no one allowed to take a picture. Every tools, weapons, jewelry and crown we saw is pure gold! I'm about to faint every time I remember it. The next section of Treasure Room also filled with the same thing. Lots of blings hehehe.

Totally worth it to see the museum. As a matter of fact, I do want to go to the museum again. any

Yesterday is National Education Day. Working in educational institution made me realize, that until this day lots of children didn't get a proper education. I have the example here.

His name is Saepul. He came from Pandeglang to attended SSB Selection Test, and in the end he was granted with Student Financing from Koperasi Siswa Bangsa. I still remember his first day came to SSB for matriculation program. He just arrived from Pandeglang with big bag. I can see his spirit to learn from the very beginning. So he's kinda like my little brother, considering he called me "Teteh" (big sister in Sunda language).

But coming here, totally a great deal for him. His English not too good, made him being put in "High Risk Student" category since we use English in teaching. I also told the lecturers about Saepul. Every lunch time, they sometimes talked about how they taught Saepul slowly from the basic. But they all loves Saepul attitude. Everyday after class, he always asked their time to consultation. This is his way to understand the topic better. He actively joined mentoring program, both for Business and English subjects.

Each day, Saepul showed many progress. His grades slowly getting better and by the end of first semester, he got GPA 2,49. While some of his friends got lower than him. When I recapitulated his grades, I felt like a proud sister. Considering the struggle he must faced at the beginning, this is good achievement. All lecturers also satisfied with his hard work.

Saepul once said that he didn't get much from his school, in terms of teaching quality and facilities. This is the reality of our education. Always an issue each year. But we found kids like Saepul, a boy that never surrender to such condition. He found a way so he can continue his study,,,

Need to be more determined person myself,,, and I learn it from Saepul,,,