Woke up this morning to be greeted by the surprise. Water has raised and flooded the road in our residential area.

So far the house is safe. But I’m not sure how long it will last as the flood kept on raising from time to time. Just see the comparison of the above pictures. Only one hour and I can see the difference already.

The first bad flood that I experienced in this town was on end of 2007, where the water level outside the house has reached over my knee. Definitely not safe for those in prom dresses to go out the house, unless the party theme is trash-and-wet something like that.

Let’s see what surprise we’ll get this time.

After landing from Sibu to LCCT, I went to International arrival hall and waited for my Mum and brother. They came in a group along with other new students and the education agent (that handled their university registration). The immigration process took hours as they were new students. As I was waiting, I saw the university’s representative coming as well. In black attire, easy to reckon.

Thirty minutes after that, a few aunties went out with trolley fulls of huge luggage. Aha, must be the student’s parent. Two of them sat on each of my side, although auntie A can actually sit together with Auntie B. Then they started talking about catering, what to cook after the sons go overseas study, blablabla. And there I was, in the middle of them, like being forced to listen to aunties’ type of conversation.

Picture is for illustration purpose only

Once they paused, I quickly asked if their children are going to this {insert name} university, which is the same with my brother. The answer is yes, I learnt that their sons are going to take Graphic design course and they are from smaller town (same town with my good friend’s) and not Medan.

Auntie A says something like this : “We have our own shop and I actually asked him to take business management, but he didn’t want to. He has more interest in design. Forcing him to study what he doesn’t want will be useless.”

Auntie B with the one and only son also said something like that; of not pushing and forcing the kids to take what they don’t like or have no interest in it. If he want to take gmat prep, let him be, else take others.

It hits me, of how parent is quite open minded nowadays, as in 1) they let their children to choose and 2) can accept design as a reliable field.

I mean, back in 2003 when I wanted to take Graphic design, people’s mindset was like: “Oh, it’s not architecture building the house type of design right? Can you make a living from design? Seriously?”

Another thinking was: “Ain’t design is a course for people who can’t study?” You know, science class students will most probably take medical course, engineering, IT, architecture. Not graphic design, multimedia, game design, fashion, etc.

Up until now, there is still some parent who control their kids’ education and life. Like what happen to my relative recently, she wanted to take A course for like years ago. But her father pushed her to take B course and say something like: “You will most likely not gonna work in that A field after graduation. So just pick anything will do. Just like me, I took {insert name} but ended up I have to take care of the family business.” I’m speechless.

I’m not a parent yet and not in the right position to judge or advice them. But my brother and I are lucky enough cause the parent let us choose the path that we want. Of course they did insert advice here and there, but they never force. It’s the life that we are living after all, not them. And, they obviously want their children to be happy instead of being their robot and fulfill their dream.

Homepage of Google’s Indonesia

Back to topic of the day. Yeap, it’s the 65th independence day for beloved country, Indonesia. Despite the corruption, the frequency of earthquake, the constant power failure in my hometown, the traffic jam, the pollution, whatever bad thing that you can think of, I am still proud for being an Indonesian. Seriously.

Although the education’s curriculum keeps on changing from year to year, but at least we are consistent with using Indonesian language for all the text book, whether it’s private or government school, unlike the neighborhood country Malaysia which focus on Melayu language for a while and English on next.

Thanks to the consistency, we (include Chinese) are pretty fluent in using Indonesian language. Writing medical resume in full Indonesian language shouldn’t be a problem. Compare to Malaysia (sorry), some of the Chinese don’t even know how to speak in Melayu, okay probably the basic words. To those who can speak/read/listen, kudos for you! I mean, as a citizen, we should be able to speak/read/listen/understand our country’s national language, regardless our race.

Just some thought from my small brain.

Dirgahayu Indonesia-ku! Daripada ikutan debat politik nga tentu, lebih baek berjuang sebaik2nya di bidang masing2 biar bisa mengharumkan nama negara di kancah internasional.

My Sunday is: eating Dahfa fried fish fillet (hubby’s fave) while watching/listening to Taiwanese drama Calling Big Star / Hu Jiao Da Ming Xing on MySoju and working on a blog design. Also browsing around online shop, hunting for sweaters and dresses.

Hubby is out of town for work purpose until next Wednesday. I’ll be a single fighter in our home office tomorrow. Oh wait, I still have an intern to accompany me.

First, comes from my good friend back in my hometown Medan. “It’s been ages since we last chat online and why you didn’t update your blog for such a long time? Am waiting for your news.”

iye
uda luamaaaaa skaleeeeeee
uda lama ga update blog u jg
wkwkwkwkwk
daku di sini mnuggu kabar dirimu
yg ada malah asik update status KANASAI

Oh well, to avoid distraction, I don’t turn on my chatting application when working. When I have free leisure time, I’ll check out wedding blogs (showering myself with the creative invitations, letterpress, photography, gown, frugal planning, etc) or spend time with my boy. Having your spouse as your working partner doesn’t guarantee a quality time together. Quantity time, yes.

Second, comes from my dearest Mom. An sms to remind me that I haven’t call back home (especially to my Dad) for quite some time. “Please spare time”. It hits me so hard.

Both happens in one day. I’m glad to know that I am loved and cared.

Lesson of the day: no matter how busy you are, do spare some time for your love one, be it your spouse, family or friends. Don’t let distance kills the communication part.