Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Another challange!


Yesterday I've got a personal message in my another blog. From a writer again!!! It's really really surprising me!

She is a really famous and kind hearted writer from Jakarta. I adore her from I was teenager! She has been writing for more than 20 years! She already published more than 30 books and hundreds short story, most of them are best seller!

Oh my God. I cannot believe this. My favorite writer email-ed me!

In her email, she said she wanna offer me a project. She already browsed my blogs in here and she thought my writing style will fit in her project.

So, we talked through and I said YES to the project that offered to me! We will begin this book's project at the end of this month, since I'm still having some responsibility to be done.

Yihaaa! Another challange!

Oh, I feel as I cannot breath, I'm so excited! Thanks God...!

Monday, June 04, 2007

I'm getting close to my another dream!


As you read in my blog's description, I'm a big dreamer. For me, life will be so bored when I didn't fill it with a bunch of dreams!

But, dream just will be only a dream if you didn't do something for your dream! You'll just keep yourself daydreaming! So, here I'm, trying to live up my dreams!

One of my big dream is, I'd like to be a writer. Not only in cyberworld, but also in paper book. Since in Indonesia internet is still an expensive media for most of people, especially for who are living outside Java island. Thus..., I'm dreaming to become a book writer! Especially Chicken soup for the soul's kinda book!

For the first time, I need to practice my writing skill. I need to learn how to express my idea fluently and how to touch other people's heart through my writing. I thought, I'm quite successful in doing that in my another blog in here.

So, few months ago, I tried to send some of my writing to one of the famous writer in Jakarta and he likes my writing style. Yippee!

Here I'm now, waiting for our book about cyberworld to be published in October, this year. We've already got the publisher who is willingly want to publish it. This book is written by 9 people and one of them is me, yay!!! I couldn't wait any longer, so curious to know my book's cover!

Wish me luck for my very first book!

Saturday, June 02, 2007

UK's Life [part One]: One of His Miracle for Me!

Why I Come to UK, this country is so expensive, isn't it?

I just want to let you all know that I come to UK not on my own money. I come to UK because I got a scholarship from Ford Foundation, under the program so called: IFP (International Fellowship Program).

Getting a scholarship for me is such kind of a big gift from God that I've ever had. in my life It is a really great opportunity, concerning that I will never be here if I didn't get it. It is only because that I will never be here if I use my own money. Do you want to know the reason?

The reason is that I only the daughter of a laborman that earn not 'too' much money for a month salary. The money is only enough for earning our daily needs, but not for continuing my study. But luckily, I still can finish my BA degree in Islamic Law in Islamic University of Jogjakarta, Indonesia. While I was studying there, I also should work very hard for paying my living allowance.

After finishing my BA, I asked one of my previous lecturer, Mr. Idris, about studying abroad because he had finished his Doctor degre in Canada , He told me that he could go to Canada because he got scholarship from Mc Gill University. Hearing this, a new hope comes to my mind that I can continue my study to a higher level, getting an MA.

Having a great interest in it, I try to look for information about any kind of scholarship through internet. At the very first, I wasn't really sure, what kind of information I look for? Step by step, from time to time, I finally getting know the Beasiswa Milist. It is a miling list I had found by accident via google after I wrote Beasiswa. Beasiswa means scholarship.

After a while, I got the information from Beasiswa milist, that there was a small NGO from Canada was needing a volunteer to be exchange with some volunteer from Canada to learn about Canadian culture if you chosen by them.

For the first time, I was not sure to apply for this 'chance' because I am not clever enough to pass the test that may be conducted as a fulfilment. But my lecturers, and my friends support me a lot and they said that I would pass it because I already got the knowledge and why I should be afraid of trying to do a good thing. Realising that, I stand on myself confidence, and start to do it.

I had been interviewed by some canadian people. And you know, what it was the really first time for me to be interviewed in English. You can imagine what happen with me. I was trumbling during the time, but luckly I still could control myself for not becoming a 'stupid idiot student' in front of the interviewer.

Sorry friends, I have something to do right now. Tomorrow I will continue this 'miracle' story. Okey?!!

Friday, June 01, 2007

I'm Newbie: My Template Has Gone!

Whuaaaaaaaaaah! I was so stressful last midnight. I've been tinkering my blogspot for two days and last night I've found out my new template has gone!


OMG! I almost cry, since I've been working on this from really beginning and spent a lot of time to do this and that! even though I didn't make a totally new template by myself and I just copy paste-ed every single html from other expert, but I did google for so long hours. I also read and tried put things here and there, especially on Google adsense and the stuff!

Suddenly I felt irritated to myself because I already too much spending my time on this and at the end, it just gone! This happen might be just because I wasn't really care enough to the template and html I already made and inserted to my blog by copying them to my notepad and save it! A big mistake!!!

So, this morning I woke up with the mix feeling on myself. I wasn't really happy. Besides, I also feel stress with my another task as I haven't finished working on that! That's why I try to cheer and fresh up myself by doing something new and different. But now, my disappeared template also ruin my day.

But then, I remembered I have a friend who is really expert on this matter. Then I contact him and ask him some question. Apparently he is now not really pay attention to blogspot and already move to wordpress. He just tried to comfort me by asking me to open my template page and recheck again.

So, last two hours I was working on my template and... I've found what was the problem! I think I haven't moved to the new customize blogspot (working with google)! That's probably my problem. It seems that I was working on two templates, one is the old one and the other is the new on! I guess!

I wasn't pretty sure with my conclusion, but I just gave it a try and went to my template and clicked "CHOOSE NEW TEMPLATE" and continued with clicking the new template as I did before! With my clueless mind I saved it! After that, there's a question popped up in front of me: do you want to go to your new template or you would see your old template?

Heh? For a moment I felt like I had no idea what to do next, but then I realize, I could make my new template comeback to me...!

AND................., tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! My 'old' new template is baaaaaaaaacccccccccccckkk!
Wow, I'm so relieved and satisfied now!

Shocking email, it's ruined my backpacking plan!


(My travelogue on 3 August 2005)


Just a day before I began my Europe backpacking, I was shock and stressful because I'd got an email from Interrail Company that I didn't intend to read since I was so busy preparing everything for my very first backpacking:
Dear Ms. Fatimah,
Please can you contact the Ticketing Dept on 08708 302001 as a matter of urgency regarding your Interail order.
We have tried to call you on your contact number several times today but we have been unable to talk to you or to leave a message. We look forward in hearing from you.

Regards
Paula Tanser
Operations Desk
Ticketing Department

Rail Europe Limited.


As they asked me to contact them, I then called and asked them, what was going on earth???

They said my interrail ticket cannot be used in Europe's land since they put the incorrect age of mine. They just realized and checked it a day before I use it. Oh damn it!!!

Of course I was sooo angry to them. How come this had happened??? And now I've gotta go! TODAY! Since I already planned everything ahead and couldn't be cancelled! My booked flights, hostels and etc. that have arranged by me!

They said, there is no other way except I should send back my interrail pass to them and they'll correct it for me!

With my high tempered, I told them to give me the quickest way to fix this problem and of course I totally refused their idea to send back the ticket!!!

After a moment and so many people mumbling around the lady, the lady on the phone said I could buy the new interrail pass today in Sta travel and then I should ask my friend to send the older ticket to them while I begin my traveling. They promise to refund my money!

Oh My God...
I'm speechless...
My plane will leave this city this lunch time and I didn't have plenty of time to think nor refuse their idea.
I have no choice, then I just agreed to do so!

Fortunately, my friend was willing to help me to do what I supposed to do, following all of their instruction. Meanwhile I went to the neareast STA travel and bought the newe Interrail pass, just half an hour before my flight take off!

Oh God! What a day I had!
This was a really really 'good' first impression on Intterail Pass. I don't think I'll gonna use it again!

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Islamic Gathering in Our House

Terakhir kali pengajian di rumahnya Pak Yunardi dan Bu Lili (dua minggu lalu) disepakati kalau rumah yang ditempati selanjutnya adalah rumahku. Itung punya itung, ternyata sudah hampir 6 bulanan rumah kami tidak ketempatan sebagai tuan rumah acara pul kumpulnya PPI (Persatuan Pelajar Indonesia) Leeds. Terakhir ketempatan sebagai tuan rumah pas merayakan Idul Fitri 1425 H tahun kemarin.

Walhasil, sejak Jum'at aku atur strategi untuk persiapan acara masak memasak dengan tim kompakku satu rumah, Mba Nita. Kita bagi tugas deh, dia pilih masak Soto Banyumas-an dan sambal goreng hati plus puding! (He he he, banyak macamnya yak), sementara aku hanya memilih menggrill si ikan Tilapia dan ulek sambel terasi. Soalnya hari itu entah mengapa aku merasa gak begitu mood untuk masak macam2 seperti yang dulu-dulu sering aku lakukan setiap ada acara PPI. Ternyata sumber ketidak mood-an ku berasal dari gak enaknya badanku dan idung yang sebentar-sebentar meler. Hiks hiks... aku mulai flu ternyata sodara-sodara! Duuuh..., padahal Mba Nita musti dibantu juga kan, tuan rumah bersama eui! Akhirnya dengan semangat yang tidak 45 lagi, aku coba kuat-kuatin badan untuk bertahan Jum'at itu.

Siang Jum'at itu aku ngider di city center, belanja beras 10 kg, cabe rawit dkk di Wing Lee Hong (salah satu toko di China town). Dengan memanggul beras dibelakang punggung yang kusimpan dalam ranselku plus dua kresek belanjaan lainnya, setengah berlari aku menuju City market (pasar tradisionalnya Leeds) untuk membeli si Tilapia segar. Kupilih 3 ekor yang besar-besar. Buset dah, habis 7 pounds! (kalikan saja Rp. 17.500). Mahalnya semua jenis ikan2an, udang, cumi dkk disini compare with my beloved Indonesia ;-( Di fish shop-nya sempat ada komentar dari pedagangnya, gara-gara dia berusaha memindah kantung2 belanjaanku dan dia bilang, "You are a very strong woman!" sambil meletakkan belanjaanku kembali. He he he, aku cuma bisa meringis, mau bagaimana lagi!

Sehabis dari city market aku dapat text dari mba Nita kalo dia will be free till 4 PM. Ya udah aku minta tolong dia supaya membelikan tomat untuk lalapan dan soft drinks. Habis berbagi beban belanja aku setengah berlari menuju bus stop dan Alhamdulillahnya disana sudah ada bus yang ngetem! terima kasih Tuhan, kuperlihatkan First term Student cardku ke driver, dia mengangguk dan kuletakkan belanjaanku ditempat khusus yang disediakan. Huuh, lega! Akhirnya bisa duduk tanpa harus memanggul si beras di punggung!

Sampai rumah punggungku serasa patah dan bengkak sekaligus, ternyata aku gak sanggup jadi kuli ya :-( Tulang belikatku serasa memar-memar. Aku seperti berlebihan ya mengekspresikannya, tapi mungkin karena aku memang sedang tidak fit!

Sehabis makan malam, aku dan mba Nita mulai bertempur memasak satu persatu daftar menu yang telah direncanakan, termasuk mengupas dan memotong tipis-tipis si shallot dalam jumlah cukup banyak, karena persediaan bawang goreng kami sudah habis. Ternyata sodara-sodara, tanpa terasa jam sudah menunjukkan angka 1.30 AM alias jelang dinihari. Buset dah, oprek-oprek di dapur dan bertempur dengan bahan masakan dan bumbu membuat kami tak merasakan detak-detak lambat sang waktu. Tahu-tahu sudah sangat larut malam... Akhirnya kami sepakat untuk mensuwir-suwir ayam rebus gorengnya besok pagi saja plus tetek bengek lainnya. Kami membuat kesepakatan mulai kerja lagi jam 8.30 pagi.

Naik ke kamar aku gak bisa langsung tidur, badan sakit semua dan remuk redam... akhirnya kuputuskan untuk minum vitamin yang agak banyakan dan obat flu, dopping maksudnya! Daripada aku ambruk pas hari H-nya pengajian, gak lucu banget kan! Hampir jam 2.30 AM baru terpejam mataku, itupun terasa tak nyenyak hingga ke pagi. O iya, Shubuh di UK sini sekarang sekitar jam 2 pagi dinihari, jadi musti sholat dulu daripada bablas gak terbangun sampe pagi yang terang ;-)

Sabtu paginya bangun sekitar 8.30 AM dengan rasa yang gak nyaman banget plus belikatku yang sakit sekali. Tertatih-tatih ke kamar mandi, cuci muka dan gosok gigi dengan rasa malas yang menggunung tapi musti segera dienyahkan karena banyak yang belum diselesaikan. Turun ke bawah, saling sapa dan mulai sarapan. Selesai breakfast kilat, langsung menuju dapur lagi dan meneruskan perjuangan :-) Mulailah aku gedebak gedebuk dengan Mba Nita sambil sesekali menengok ke jam dinding, "tik tok... tik tok...," sang waktu seperti berkejaran dengan kami! Jam 12 siang musti siap semuanya karena warga PPI akan berdatangan jam 1 dan sebelum itu aku musti 'terbang' menjemput pembicara dari London di coach station. Untungnya malam sebelumnya aku sempat mengarrange si Mas Iwan untuk bantu menjemput pembicara dengan boilnya di coach station, seenggak-enggaknya ini udah meringankan banget. Aku gak perlu lagi menunggu di bus station and kedinginan sesaat kan ;-)

Dengan gedubrakan, selesailah semuanya, termasuk menata guest room dan living room kami yang gak besar-besar amat. Kursi-kursi dikeluarkan semua dan dipindah ke backyard mungil kami. Karpet di basement diambil dan digelar. Mba Nita mulai meng-hoover dan seterusnya bersih-bersih. Alhamdulillahnya lagi, mba Ningrum datang dan membantu menata semuanya didampangi kang Muljana yang ternyata telaten dan rapinya luar biasa dalam menata-nata hidangan kami. Aku sampe sempat tanya, apa dia pernah bisnis catering sebelumnya? He he he...

Jam 12 si Mas Iwan tiba di depan rumah dengan boilnya, untungnya aku baru saja selesai mandi! Aku bukain pintu dan melesat lari ke bathroom, sikat gigi dan segera ganti baju, siap-siap menjemput si Teteh.

Ternyata sesampe di coach station aku mendapat surprise kecil! Baru saja mendaratkan pantatku dengan manis di sebuah bangku, seseorang memanggil namaku, eh ternyata Mas Yudi dari Bradford diiiringi oleh 2 orang yang rasa-rasanya kukenal akrab wajahnya, ternyata mba Ari dan Bang Latief MP. Whuaaah, kami jadi kopdaran tanpa disengaja. He he he, ini pengalaman pertamaku jumpa darat dengan teman di MP. Mudahan disusul dengan perjumpaan-perjumpaan hangat berikutnya, insyaAllah. Mba Ari sendiri merasa mengenaliku yang gak beda alias persis sama seperti photo-photoku ;-) Mereka baru saja sampe Leeds dari Norwich dan masih menunggu seorang teman lagi dari London. Langsunglah aku terlibat obrolan akrab dengan mba Ari dan mengundang mereka untuk mampir makan siang di rumah sehabis pengajian. Sayangnya kemudian mereka memutuskan untuk gak mampir karena misinya adalah ingin explore Leeds dan seputaran Yorkshire. Next time Bang Latief dan Mba Ari yak :-)

Begitu bus dari London masuk station dan teh Nizma kusambut, akupun musti berpamitan dengan kawan-kawan student dari lain kota itu dan segera kami meluncur ke rumah karena sudah berkali-kali di telpon mba Nita. Beliau bilang rumah sudah penuh dan rame dengan teman-teman yang sudah duduk manis siap pengajian.

Sampe rumah aku kaget bukan kepalang, karena para ibu-ibu (mba Icha, mba Daisy, bu Lili dan yang lain-lainnya) membawa beragam potluck! Subhanallah, meja dessert kami penuh dengan dadar gulung pandan yang harum, cheese cake yang gurih, pangsit-pangsit mini nan sedap, aneka ragam pudding segar dan berlimpahnya anggur, cherry, jeruk dan apel. Tuuch kan, untung saja kami gak ngotot membuat banyak snacks, karena pasti para sahabat dengan ringan tangan membawa berbagai macam potluck lezat!

Tanpa berpanjang kata lagi, mba Ningrum (yang berbaju jeans biru) sebagai moderator membuka acara dan diserahkan ke Teh Nizma (duduk disamping Mba Ningrum memakai jilbab cream). O iya, beliau adalah perempuan tangguh pejuang pendidikan untuk anak-anak di daerah konflik di pelosok sudut-sudut Indonesia seperti Poso, Ambon, Menado dan Aceh. Beliau hebat dan kukagumi, hanya berbekal pendidikan lulusan SMA di kotanya, beliau mampu mendirikan ICR (Indonesian Children Relief). Sudah banyak hal-hal bermakna yang teh Nizma cipta bersama kawan-kawan multi bangsa dibawah naunngan organisasi ini dan Alhamdulillah mereka telah mendapatkan charity number resmi dari UK government.

Mulailah diskusi bergulir diantara kami, saling membuka hati dan berdialog tanpa kehilangan suasana hangat diselingi sedikit canda tawa :-) Kali ini topic mengarah ke isu pentingnya silaturrahmi aka. network. Untuk menumbuhkan network ini dibutuhkan sikap confidence yang kuat dan ini bisa dihasilkan melalui keyakinan tauhid yang benar, bahwa manusia di muka bumi tidaklah berbeda satu sama lain derajat dan pangkat, yang membedakan hanyalah ketaqwaannya. In conclusion, jika di mata Tuhan saja kita sederajat, maka sesama manusia pun tidak perlu lagi ada sikap saling membeda-bedakan, termasuk didalamnya relasi laki-laki dan perempuan. Dari konsep diri tentang kesamaan derajat dan penghargaan setinggi2nya atas ketaqwaan, sudah sepatutnya manusia harus confidence atas dirinya sendiri dalam menjalankan fungsi kekhallifahan di muka bumi ini. Fungsi kekhalifahan akan berjalan baik jika kita saling bergandeng tangan bersama untuk saling isi dan melengkapi dan disinilah networking menjadi sangat krusial!!!

Selesailah diskusi hangat kami sekitar jam 3 siang hari itu, dan sebagai tuan rumah, mulailah kami mempersilahkan para sahabat (sekitar 32 orang semuanya) untuk menikmati hidangan yang telah kami masak dengan rasa ikhlas dan cinta, mudahan terasa lezat sampai ke hati ;-)

Dan sejak kemarin aku terkapar di kasur, meler tanpa henti dan demam alias teparrrrrrrrrr, sampai hari ini, hiks hiks... mudahan demam flu-ku ini menjadi penghapus dosa-dosaku.
(Leeds, May 30 2005)

Kasih Ibu Bak Sang Surya???


Malam ini aku jadi tertarik mengomentari quotation tetangga sebelah mba Setia yang obrolan journalnya sedikit menyentil soal Kartini.

Yang menarik untuk dicermati adalah komentarnya mas Mbonk,

"...karena presiden pertama orang Jawa makanya jadi hari Kartini, seandainya dulu presidennya dari Aceh..., pasti hari Cut Nyak Dien ..."



Barangkali memang benar, budaya kita masih sangat kuat feodalisme nya, sehingga darimana asal presidennya, maka akan menentukan corak kebijakan, termasuk dalam menentukan siapa yang berhak menyandang gelar sebagai pahlawan emansipasi perempuan.

Kalau mau dibahas lebih serius, ini adalah kerja ilmuwan sejarah (dan tentu saja saya sangat tidak berkompeten didalamnya) untuk meneliti lebih awal Cut Nyak Dien atau Kartini kah dalam memulai gerakan women empowerment di Indonesia. Soal heroiknya sih barangkali Kartini masih kalah dengan Cut Nyak Dien jika diukur secara fisik! Namun mereka berdua adalah perempuan-perempuan terbaik pada zamannya yang berani mendobrak keadaan 'bathil' menjadi lebih tercerahkan dengan cara mereka masing-masing.

Anyway, yang mengganjal buat saya tentang Kartini-kartinian ini adalah soal penilaian masyarakat terhadap sosok perempuan atau ibu atau istri dalam bentuk real. Menurut saya, masyarakat Indonesia menggunakan standar ganda dalam isu ini. Orang-orang sudah terlalu lama dinina bobokan dengan rekonstruksi 'perempuan perkasa' yg bisa segala-galanya, yang dampaknya padahal malah meletakkan perempuan ditubir double burden! Contoh sederhana adalah lagu jaman kita TK dulu:

"Kasih ibu, kepada beta, tak terhingga sepanjang masa. Hanya memberi, tak harap kembali, bagai sang surya menyinari dunia".

Secara makna sih bagus, lagu ini menggambarkan bahwa ibu adalah sosok perempuan tangguh yang mengabdikan dirinya untuk anak-anaknya atas nama cinta!

Yang menjadi masalah kemudian adalah perlambang ibu yg bagai benda alam (dalam hal ini matahari) itu yang menurut saya tidak pas --bahwa ibu hanya memberi dan tidak butuh menerima!

Matahari sebagai makhluk tak bernyawa wajar tidak (mengharap) menerima sesuatu, karena dia tunduk pada hukum alam dan tidak memiliki hati. Sementara ibu, istri atau perempuan adalah makhluk (yang memiliki perasaan) dan tentu saja butuh 'menerima' balasan berupa kasih sayang dan penghargaan dari orang yang dikasihinya. Disinilah paradoks-nya ibu, dipuja tapi sekaligus di'intimidasi' bahkan dalam bahasa kanak-kanak.

Ahli filsafat bahasa (kasus ini meminjam konsepnya Jacques Derrida) berujar, bahwa bahasa atau teks adalah representasi dari kebudayaan, nilai-nilai dan nalar masyarakat yang berlangsung atau dianut kebenarannya. Untuk empowerment masyarakat, maka teks-teks ini perlu dibongkar dan direkonstruksi ulang.

Kesulitannya untuk konteks diatas adalah, begitu banyaknya ungkapan bahasa dan nalar tentang sosok ibu ini yang ambigu dan bermata dua ini, termasuk dalam lagu sederhana yang selalu didendangkan sejak masa kanak kita itu.

Maka, jelang hari Kartini besok, yang perlu kita lakukan adalah membangun kesadaran baru tentang nilai perempuan sebagai manusia, bahwa ia membutuhkan kesempatan dan ruang untuk aktualisasi diri, penghargaan dan cinta sebagaimana makhluk yang bernama laki-laki. Tak hanya sekedar merayakan ritual tahunan lomba masak, bersanggul dan kebaya ala Kartini dan tetek bengek artifisial lainnya. Jika tidak, dalam kuburnya Kartini barangkali akan bersedih karena perjuangannya hanya dimaknai seartifisial itu.

Catatan menjelang shubuh, 20 April 2005

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Asking Some Questions for World Bank!


Posting on June 22nd 2006.

Amazing!!! At a glance, the whole on going institute process is fascinating me!!!

These days the institute has a really really tight schedule, the abundant of tasks and other 'crazy' things for me! Even, I still did not get any chance yet to launder my dirty clothes because they make us busy for the whole day and only escaped for a while when I go for my breakfast, lunch, coffe break dan dinner and of course for the pray! Oh thanks God! They provide a neat and comfortable praying room for Moslem fellows! I appreciate it alot!

So, actually I am soooo tired now! That's why I am still not having time to write my daily training journal! Anyway, it does not matter at all if compares it to my excitement throughout this forum!

There are so many ideas thrown by 159 IFP fellows from twenty two countries that interested in one of the thematic issue topics: Education, Environment, Gender, Governance, Health and Poverty and Human Rights and Development. From a month ago, I already decided putting my self into Education and Arts group, since I wanna refresh my understanding on that topic.

For me, I have learned alot from this institute! The forum is facilitating me with the international learning and community building among fellows in a way that strengthen the capacity and sustainability of a global network of IFP fellows and alumni! I hope it will work in the future!

Besides, I have gained so many insights from the inspiring, wonderful and powerful speech from Yasinne Fall, who is a Senegalese feminists, economist, researcher and advocate for economic and social justice and now working for UNIFEM Senior Economic Advisor. Her speech and the way she was talking about the penetration of the International aid which made the third countries became dependent to their loans is really really breathtaking! She is a really brave and strong leader!!!

Another important one, I will hopely get alot of knowledge of international organizations such as World Bank, USaid, Education Development Center, Academy for Educational Development, the Kennedy Center etc. in term of their policy, advocacy, professional, etc.). Then use this knowledge wisely for Indonesian development in the near future!!!

Tomorrow, 07.30 AM my thematic group is going to visit Save the Children and the World Bank to discuss about Global Policy Issues and Advocacy.

Beside some of my concerns and awarenesses of the impact of the World Bank penetration in the third country (including Indonesia), I also actually would like to raise your question for them as well, since this is a great chance for me to delivering our voice to the representative of the World Bank! So tomorrow I won't gonna ask a silly or unappropriate question, since I haven't really understand what issues are beyond the World Bank engagement, especially in our country!

Could you give me some comments or questions for the World Bank here, please?!!! :-D

This is a reposting journal from here www.imazahra.multiply.com

Just a quick info: I'm in DC


Washington DC, my lunch time, 01:20 PM

Hallo all :-)

Alhamdulillah, yesterday I finally landed and arrived in DC. Yay, I've been to America!!! I still couldn't believe it!

My plane landed exactly at 7.20 PM. But sorry, for now I cannot tell you a long story, since I just got a little time to come to this computer center before my lunch time.

My big problem now is I haven't been able to charge my laptop batteries. The plug in here is so different to UK! They both have three holes, but in here the size of every single hole is different to each other. Not like in UK, which is the same!

Huhuhuhuhu, this afternoon I try to figure out my problem. Maybe I gotta go to city center, because the Catholic University where I am staying now is slightly outside the city center! Hoi Indonesian American, do you have any idea where I should buy the connector then??? Thanks a lot for any help :-)

By the way, US in fact is much much hotter compares to UK, huhuhu, I'm melting just like ice cream!

Another thing, in here most of buildings are new, too cubicle and minimalist, but in UK, most of buildings are so old and beautiful of course *please, no offense* :-D

Ok pals, I've gotta go now, my tummy is singing a hungry song now!

UPDATE

Horeeeeeeee, finally I've got the correct adaptor for my laptop! I just went to Metro Center, visited downtown and found a Radio Shake shop and then bought the adaptor there! Pyuh, I'll write a longer story for you all later!