Riwayat hidup ini semuanya nyata. Ada banyak memory yang sangat berkesan, ada pula yang penuh misteri yang tidak mudah dipahami, ada banyak kejadian yang semula hanya impian, bahkan bayangan, namun kemudian menjadi sangat nyata, bisa dirasakan. bahkan bisa dilihat.
Lausanne, Switzerland, Sptember 16th, 2010
Setelah selesai menulis pembukaan ini baru ingat pesan mas Andhi agar ditulis " in English," maka mulai sekarang akan ditulis dalam bahasa tersebut.
Never Put Off Till Tomorrow What You Can Do Today
Although this proverb has become a motto in my life, starting this biography is not easy. It might be the only one that I have broken my promise myself, since there were a lot of things that slowed down the progress. Moreover, I don't know what event to begin with, and it was not easy to write it chronologically either, for my limited memory. The result was, then, I have been going and forth write it out. Furthermore it might be also causes that will come up later on the way of finishing this project, besides some reasons that have happened in the past. Who knows! Editing is needed, for there must be a lot of mistakes involving structures, mistyping, and spellings)
Although this proverb has become a motto in my life, starting this biography is not easy. It might be the only one that I have broken my promise myself, since there were a lot of things that slowed down the progress. Moreover, I don't know what event to begin with, and it was not easy to write it chronologically either, for my limited memory. The result was, then, I have been going and forth write it out. Furthermore it might be also causes that will come up later on the way of finishing this project, besides some reasons that have happened in the past. Who knows! Editing is needed, for there must be a lot of mistakes involving structures, mistyping, and spellings)
Indeed, it has been happening in my life. I was in a grade one Junior High School (SMP BOPKRI IV) student on Bintaran Kulon, Yogyakarta, when my English teacher, Mr Ishak, gave the students some proverbs in 1951. To my pride I memorized it and took account in my life and studied English diligently. I wrote it down everywhere that easily seen, scratched
out my house, in a small village, Karangdjati, Yogyakarta. Funny, because the house was a simple one, although it was actually large three house altogether. The walls were made of all bamboos.
Time went on, and I seriously applied the motto; never delaying learning of all the lessons.As a result my grades was improving significantly. The only bad grade was the History lesson. In this case I got 4 out of the maximum grade of 8. I was shocked and cried miserably on the way home passing the main street, Malioboro. Therefore, I promised to myself not to get any bad grade in History lesson, while I was crying for it.
Time went on, and I seriously applied the motto; never delaying learning of all the lessons.As a result my grades was improving significantly. The only bad grade was the History lesson. In this case I got 4 out of the maximum grade of 8. I was shocked and cried miserably on the way home passing the main street, Malioboro. Therefore, I promised to myself not to get any bad grade in History lesson, while I was crying for it.
The motto, among other things, is consequently applied to all aspects of my life. In return there are many achievement that have never been imagined before. On the other hand, I believe, it has been an invisible hand that takes a part to complete my life amazingy.
Algiers, September 21st, 2010
Let Me Start Briefly with My Auto Biography
I was born in 1938 in a small village in Karangdjati, 4 km up north the capital city of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. What was the really the date of my birthday I did not exactly know, yet I claimed my date of birth was on February 21st, 1938.
Raised in the simple way of life in the good hands of my mother Muslimah and my father Samingan (known as Sotoirono, the married name) together with four sisters and two brothers (Can be seen in the Family Tree) gave me a lot of variety experiences that scratched out me mentally, socially as well as physically.
Living in the Dutch colonization and the Japan seizure did not give me much opportunities of getting a good education. What I got was just grade 3 of Three Year Primary Education(Sekolah Rakjat 3 Tahun). In 1945 Indonesia got her Independence. It was no official school certificate, as long as I remembered, given to the students finishing the school curriculum or programs, including me myself.
A letter of Recommendation made by my oldest brother, Teguh Boedisantosa, sent me to Sekolah Rakjat 6 Tahun, Gondolaju, Yogyakarta, and I entered grade 4. I spent 2 years at the school and finished the programs/curriculum,though I did not pass the National Examination.
A private school, SMP IV BOPKRI which was just opened accepted me as a student. Being aware of how my important future life was, I began to study hard. In return I got good marks and was able to go to the grade 2. Semester 2 was promoting myself to become an excellent student. I was so exited when I successfully assigned to go to grade 3B(Mathematics&Sciences). Until semester 2 I had been succeeded. Unfortunately, a tropical-malaria destroyed my brain that brought me in a very difficult situation and nearly took my life.
My religion teacher laughed at me when I wanted to go to a General-High-School because of my bad final examination marks. Realizing the fact, I registered for SGA(Teacher-High School). Life began to change when I was in grade 2. Extensive physical exercises had made me bigger, stronger, more skilled in some branches of sport. Learning psychology, education, Christian religion, that was preparing me for a job as a teacher had changed my behavior. Mysteries had brought me to the faith of Christanity. In 1957 I was baptized.
Graduated from my School-Teacher, then, I was assigned to become a physical education teacher at the Subsidized School SMP II BOPKRI(Badan Oesaha Pendidikan Kristen Republik Indonesia), Bintaran Kulon, which was in he central of the city Yogyakarta. It was a part of the mysteries, since all of my SGA friends got out of town to get a job. Doing the job for 2 years, the government, fulfilling the agreement before, gave me a Study Permission to go B1 Physical Education College; in the meantime I still had 12 hours of task, teaching.
Studying B1 Physical Education
College seemed no difficulty for me to pass, since I did not have any problem for all the requirements to fulfill, even, I was so dominant in few branches of sport, games, and track and fields as well. In gymnastics I was able to make incredible movements that far above the requirement. I was a good player in volley-ball. Although I was only 162 cm I was the best smasher of all. In track and field I was the fastest runner in 100 m dash. I was also the best shot-putter and the best discuss-thrower, and the best straddle style in running high jump. . Furthermore, I was the fastest 100 m free style swimmer. These achievements took me pass the final examinations easily
At the end of my B1 study I was pointed out together with my friend, Sarpo, to have a wrestling coaching clinic in Bandung. We were trained at The School of Self Defense Indonesia(SOSI) at Jl Lombokk 22 for three months. The materials including, international amateur wrestling theory and rules, techniques and strategies, judge and referee practices, body forming, and some other self defense techniques and combats as well.
I got a big assignment by the Director of B1/ B2 Physical Education College, Mr. Widharso, right in the time I graduated. At the moment I had just moved from SMP 2 BOPKRI to SMA BOPKRI 2, on Jl. Diponegoro, Yogyakarta. The big job was to have a training as a National Amateur Wrestling Coach in Bandung, as a preparation of a the big international event, Asian Games IV, in Jakarta,1962. While the Asian Games IV was an international special big and prestigious sport event among nations in Asia, Mr Nathanael, the school-master, told me that he would be waiting for me for his school and I would never been replaced by another physical education teacher.
Coming back to Yogyakarta, I, together with my ex BI Physical Education mate, Sarpo, who also got the same training, had to prepare the first Amateur Wrestling Championship in Bandung. The achievement was not bad. Yogya got the runner up, while Bandung held the champion.
Preparing for the national events, PON V(National Sport Event) in Bandung, I hold the regional/Yogya championship, where I myself took part in the competition to prove my ability as an athlete, while I had to organize the competition as well, as to became judge and referee, nd the president of the mat for the competition. I won the feather weight competition although I had to take two levels above my class, welter weight. So I had formally right to take a part in PON 5, Bandung.
A Few wrestlers, such as Bobby HS, Elias Margio, and Mudjari, had been invited to join the Asian Games IV training center in Jakarta as a result of the first wrestling championship, for the preparation of the international sport event. However they had to be the representations of the region, Jogyakarta. To my achievement of the Yogya wrestling championship, I was, too, invited to the training center, although I join lately, since I had to arrange the job at the SMA 2 BOPKRI Yogyakarta.
I failed to become a member of the Indonesian wrestling team of the Asian Games, because of badly knee injury in the try out in Central Java, and was taken care in the hospital when the team selection was carried out. However, I took part in the Judge and referee team, since I passed and had a certificate the wrestling National Training for National Coach(Level 2) as well as National Judge and Referee.
Finished joining the Asian Games IV event I went back to SMA BOPKRI 2(Even though I had got a scholarship to study at STO Jakarta) with State Employment Certificate, which was easy to get, for the Asian Games Training Center athletes were treated as heroes. It took 2 years of teaching physical education at the school before getting a scholarship for STO(Sekolah Tinggi Olahraga) Yogyakarta.
Spending for about two years gave me more experiences in working. I applied a scholarship to continue my Drs degree. While taking some subjects to finish the study I was assigned as assistant to the lecturer for wrestling lesson. I was also asked to teach physical education to handle tough SMA 4 State High School students. The Academy of Air Forces, too, needed me to train the "carbol" wrestling for their preparation of the Arm Forces Academy Games. In the meantime I still had to organize and train Jogya wrestling tht it was my responsibility as the only one coach, beside I was the Level 1 Technic Committee.That made me really busy.
Just by the time finishing my study, two jobs were offered by 2 different institutions, my almamater and Satya Wacana Christian University Salatiga. It was difficult decision to make.
Mr Arma Abdullah, the STO Dean, offered me a job as a lecturer, because I was the only one who knew anything about wrestling, in addition I was the only expert in the area in Yogyakarta, and this was all true because I and another amateur wrestles were the first amateur wrestlers in Indonesia.
Just in the same time I got a letter from Mr Soebanoe, the one whom I greatly respected, as well as he who had raised me up so that I became a respectful man, offered me worked in Satya Wacana Christian University. He told me that Mr Rallly, an American Negro physical education teacher, would come back home to the USA. So Mr Soebanoe asked me whether I would like to substitute him as physical education lecture. He said, that I did not had to take the good relationship with him into my considerations；"it is up to you to make a decision", he said. It took more than one week to make it. On the one hand I could not just forget what he had ever done in my life; his attention to the problems that I told him when I was totally breakdown for not being able to continue my study because of a finance problem. On the other hand my career as a state employee that gave me a firm for my future.
With the consideration, that a little number of people likely wanted to work in the private sector such as Satya Wacana Christian University was, I decided to go there with a condition that I will stay in my position as a state employee. Secondly, was, in the name of Christian University I might be able to dedicate my life in accordance with my faith. As a matter of fact Satya Wacana students had to take 2-year-physical education as a part of general studies programs.
Teaching Physical Education
For the first months of teaching physical education at Satya Wacana in 1968 I was picked up by a van together with the Gajah Mada lectures. We were picked up on Monday stayed at a guest house until Saturday and went back to Jogyakarta.
I was still a state employee that waiting for a replacement after finishing a scholarship study as a subsidized employee to Satya Wacana Christian University. So I got 2 full salaries from both the government of Indonesia and Satya Wacana. It lasted about 2 years when Satya Wacana just wanted to pay the rest of what to be payed as a regular lecturer of Satya Wacana, and I accepted it.
In the meantime, after lasting for 4 years waiting for the replacement, the Jogyakarta Department of Education insisted me to choose whether I wanted to work for the government or to work at private sector. The official was surprised when straightforwardly said that I wanted to quit working with the government, whereas, according to him, I was still needed by the government. "I have made my decision as you insisted." I replied. Then I told the Satya Wacana authority and since then, I only got a single salary from Satya Wacana.
To support physical education activities I bought a lot of equipment from Yogya, such as a set of gymnastic box, matrases spears, discusses, shot puts, while volley balls and basket balls I could buy in Salatiga. I also bought some stop watches for measuring time in tracks, so that I could carry out all branches of sport. Two special employees helped me in preparing a lot kinds of activity as well as maintainig track and field. Fortunately there was a new comer teacher, Djatmiko, who had the same School of Physical Education Certificate applied to become a lecturer and I positioned him as an assistant to the physical education lecturer. He was better in soccer than I am.
There were 3 main core branches of sport we used to taught, Gymnastics, Track and Field and Games. I used to teaching gymnastics for the first hour then the students were dea vided into groups in accordance with the branches of sports we taught for the days. So students were introduced to a variable of sport branches, but the most important things was to improve the discipline, working together or team working , fairness, sportive anda kinds of attitude or character building, besides exercising to get strength, stamina, endurance, and so on.
The track and field were maintained carefully. Grass were not allowed to be cut without caring. No one were allowed to cross the field. Unfortunately we did not have indoor facilities, so that one day the students broke some roofs at the temporary room, ex library room, that was not in use that time.
Grading System
The application of the credit system motored by Dr Wilardjo in 1974 took physical education lesson decreased significantly, since in this system the lessons/subjects taken by the students were optional, while in the former or old system lessons/subjects take by the students were obligatory. I only taught what the students had chosen, so did my assistant Djatmiko. Just in the time, in 1975, I was assigned to become a supervisor at the Satya Wacana dormitory.
The Extra Curricular Activity
Not only did I taught as a part of my main jobs, but I also carried out the extra curricular programs. There were a lot of sport games such as volley all, basket balls and soccer enthusiastically participated by students. Surprisingly the students that were not active anymore took apart the activities, even some ex students came to join the sport activities. That made me really busy, but it was OK with me.
As the community likely had not mass sport activities, I, along with my hectic schedule, motivated the Salatiga people to have some mass sport competitions as well, such as Satya Wacana Tennis Cup, Perwosi Tennis competition, volley ball competition, Satya Wacana 10K, and so on. I saw that Salatiga community looked more lives.
Housing
Since Satya Wacana had not given me home yet, I temporarily stayed in the Satya Wacana guest house, however there was someone who was irritated with that advantages and blew up a rumor that the lecturers who stayed in the guest house got double benefits and too be spoiled. And when there was an opportunity to stay at the student dormitory I moved there and was pointed out to become a co supervisor under Mr Theo v. Beusekom leadership. After waiting for about 2 years I finally got a contracted house at the Wuni Benojo residence, just before getting married.
Teaching went on. In the meantime I was thinking of what I was going to do to dedicate my life in accordance with my faith, as I thought before, by working in the prestigious university which, the physical education was not one of the core courses/subjects in any Faculties/Departments.
In he meantime STO (School of Physical Education) Semarang asked me to become a lecturer in wrestling. Mr Daldiri who was one of the STO lectures and stayed in Salatiga, on behalf of the dean of the school came to me over and over and I was tempted. I had to take a test and I did it. On the going process I was called by Mr Soebanoe questioning about my application to the school. The question was, was it true, and if it was true he would make a letter of recommendation as was asked by the dean of the school, however the incident made him really awkward, he said. I was so embarrassed, that I was speechless. Softly I said no, and gave him a reason that I was tempted.
The Married
As one of my life experiences had been dealing with mysteries, I coincidentally met Miss Heru Wijatsih, a law lecturer at the Faculty of Law, an original Christian which I often brought in my prayer, and married to her. Still, a question always came up in my mind: "What is my dedication, if I was called to teach in the university?
Andhi Born
My wife and I used to going to church at 7 AM every Sundays. As a new couple we were happy and enjoy to the sermon together. Yet, there was something unusual happened to my wife in the church. In the middle of the sermon she told me that she had a headache and felt she was going to vomit. We quit the sermon and went home. I had a feeling that my wife was just began to pregnant, and it was true. When we went to see my mother in law, she took her mother's old nursing book. She began to read the book trying to understand what she could take from the book. By the way, her mother was an ex nurse.
As long as she was pregnant she was really suffering. She had a headache and vomit most of the time, especially when she was at home. Fortunately she had much less of headache and vomit when she was teaching.The process of the pregnancy was just like what was written on the old nursing book that she took from her mother.
Triple time to go for Andhi's delivery. When the time was coming to deliver the baby, Andhi, my Germany friend, Mr Gohr, who was my partner in teaching physical education offered me a ride to take the baby to the doctor. And it was so. I called him, Mr Gohr, and he took us on his beatle volk wagen to the doctor, who his wife was a hospitable nurse. She took care of my wife ever since the beginning of her pregnancy, and my wife was so comfortable with her. However, amid 3 or 5 days of waiting the delivery did not happened. The nurse advised us to go back home and wait for a while. When the second symptoms of delivery coming , I soon looked for a horsecar to take my wife to the doctor, yet, it again we had to wait for 5 days for the delivery which did not happened as before and again we took the nurse advice to wait for the time of the delivery at home. And here came he 3rd incident of bringing my wife to the hospital for the delivery, This time it looked more serious and my wife looked more suffering. Instead of calling again my Germany friend or taking a horsecar, which would be taking a longer time I took my wife with my Hercules bicycle, and it was a tense moment when I passed the down deep road, Nyai Kopek. My bicycle break seemed not able to carry our weight. So that I had to get off my bike and hold it while my wife was still staying on the back seat of the bicycle. It was really heavy but I did it safely, and we arrived at the hospital and was taken care by Mrs Subarkat, the nurse. It took almost 9 hours of sufferings until Andhi was born safely. We were so happy, surely.
The first question my mother in law who was waiting for her grandson worriedly was whether her grandson had physically complete without beimg invalid. Soon I understood what she meant. I remembered that when my wife was being pregnant I cut and cleaned some eels for our dinner. In the Javanese belief, if the parent, during expecting their baby, did some thing unwisely, there was a possibility their baby would be born invalid just like what the parent's did. In reality there were a lot of examples of it. But I myself did not believe it, even though my wife and were trying to living carefully.
Moving
Staying for about 2 years in Wuni Benojo Residence I moved to Jl Diponegoro 91. That was a very larger house, a mansion, and actually it just for foreigner lecturer. I took this opportunity, because it much more nearer to the campus. It was only about 700m from the campus and much easier to go there, since it was the main road Salatiga - Semarang road. Because it was very large building it looked barren. That was why I bought some old furniture to fill the room. Eventually my mother in law was coming and gave some money to buy a new baby box and an iron-store bed.
Bayu born
Only within 14 months after Andhi had born Bayu was born. This time to control for the pregnancy was much easier because the distance between the house and the hospital was only about 700 m; it was near by the campus. Notwithstanding my wife was full suffering most of the time, just like when she conceived Andhi. As Bayu was born he was put in the baby new box and he was raised there from the beginning until he learnt to walk by himself without help.
As Bayu was born the nurse called me and said that there was no anus with the baby. I was a little panic. I did not tell my wife the case. I asked the nurse to probe it more carefully, and after a few minutes she told me the there was an anus with the baby. I was so glad to hear it.
Intimidated to Kill
Beyond my understanding I received a letter containing an intimidation to kill me if I stay to become a christian,I probed what the address of the letter and I found that was from Muhammadiyah. I try where was the location of the address and I found it was on Jl Kemuning. I was wandering as why should I been killed. In fact I was just a layman, I did not active in the church unless going to the sermons every Sundays, I was not an official, and I was not an activist either. I realized that I was so active stimulating community in sport activities, that was all. Additionally I felt that I did not had enemies and as long as i remembered iI never had any quarrel with someone.
I showed the letter to my wife and tried to be calmed. And I took it iin my prayer. The Lord's Prayer, and I left it to the Lord because, if I prayed in the name of Jesus Christ I believed that whatever happened it was the willingness of of the lord.
About three months later I got the second letter from the same address and when i opened the envelope it had the same content, intimidation to kill me. However this time I was not worry anymore and I left it to the lord and I did not care.
My Childhood
The Four Animals that I hated
Mosquito
Even though mosquito is a tiny animal it could be endanger human being. It might only take a drop of our blood for surviving, but the bacteria it carries could take someone's life. Believe it or I have ever had a great suffering caused by mosquito. I believed that anopheles had carried malaria bacteria into my body, even three types of malaria: tertiana, quartana, and tropicana. I knew these from the symptoms that I learned from the biology lesson I had just got in the Junior High School while I was studying when a series of diseases attacked me. I was suffering from the attacks for months, but the most suffering was when the tropical malaria attacked.
The tropical malaria attack effected me in a various aspects, physical, mental, intelligence, as well as spiritual. It was physically painful all over the body. According to the studies the bacteria attack the brain and may destroy the nerve system that unable the brain works normally. I thought it was right. I felt it when I was taking my Junior High School's final examination. I still quite remember when I was doing my second day of the final examination schedule: algebra. I even was not able to count 2.5x2V3. I just hold a pencil for minutes without doing anything. Blank!
I was thinking to suicide if I failed the finale examination, in time of the desperation, then I wrote a letter to my closest classmate: X=;213=2 x=-=0, 80,;=÷ 121 x=30, +,;13= 8=7= 80,5=4 3=+1. (Indonesian: Karniman, kalau surat ini kamu terima saya sudah mati. Karniman, when you received this letter I would have died). We used to write a letter with this kind of secret letters to three intimate friends only, just for fun. However, in contrary to my blue mood, I passed the final examination, although I merely got a minimum total number. My teacher told me that there was a special consideration about me. According to the rule the lowest achievement of every final examination subject was 4. In fact I got 3 for algebra, and it was not fulfill the requirement of final examination. On the other side my achievement in two major subjects, geometry 8 and physics 7(8 was the highest mark)were very good. So the Final Examination Committee treated me by 1 point, that I passed the final examination. I was so excited.
Snake
I was still very young when sometime I followed my aunt to go to river Tjode to wash some clothes, but this was not really what my aunt thought, I guessed, because, deep in my mind, I had a plan. I was going to go home earlier. On the way home I would lift an andong(horsecar) and dropped of by the bridge where I passed before. Although the distance was only about 20 m, it was a pride for a very young child like me, ran after a vehicle, caught it and lifted on it.
So I asked my aunt to go home. I walked along a steep pathway, but when I was about turning up right, a big snake raised and sprayed white particles looked like rice to me. Unfortunately those particles did not hit me. I was so surprised, that I could do nothing, but dropped my body faced down position with both of my arms on my forehead, pretended to die. I did not know how long it was, but when I was conscious and was trying to look at the snake I realized that it was still there, standing bravely as if stared at me. I pretended to to die again. After some time I woke up, tried to look at the snake. It still raised up at the same position. I encouraged to move backward slowly then fleet as fast as I could.
My aunt was confusing. She did not know what was happening. She asked my fiend's big brother who was incidentally sitting on a huge stone. He did not have any idea of what had happened and said that he was about to advice me not to scream (he e said I screamed three times) in order not frightened someone else, at that moment. As a matter of fact I did not scream at all.
When my aunt asked me to go home, after she finished washing clothes, I refused her. I was unable to speak clearly, I was trembling and shocking for what had just happened. So we went home through another way home.
Arriving home my father was confused facing my condition. Neighbors came around to see me. Then my father went to a wise man in my village to have an advise.
The wise man told my father that the snake was one of his ghost pets. There were, according the wise man, still some other pets, such as white elephant, white buffalo and so on. It was strange to me. Still there was a strange information given to my dad, that was, if some one able to pick a coconut and eat all the water as well as the coconut meat, he would live for long time.
Later, I did it. I climbed the coconut tree at the front yard, picked up a (green) coconut and drank all the water, but was not able to eat all the coconut meat. My stomach was so full. Crazy! Is it had relationship with my age, that, when I edited this story, I have been 85 years old, I do not know.
Since, then, I had been having a serious trauma with what had happened. Every time I saw a looked like snake thing such as a belt, a piece of cable, even water stream I was shock, trembling and ran away. In situation like this my big sister annoyed me by spraying water with a piece of long tube when I was having bowl in a toiled. I screamed, frightened and ran out from the toilet. I felt frozen and felt about to die. On another day, when I was playing in the back yard of my house, a brown redneck snake(Java: dak gromo) crawled near the wall. I was so frightened, trembled, that I ran away as fast as possible. Again, when I was going home from school I saw a snake swam across a creek below the street where Iwas walking along, I also frightened and ran away, although the distance between the snake and I was far enough, I was so depressive and frustrated, that I thought I would finally died for being petrified by snake. I thought and thought how to get a rid of the suffering and being survived.
"No fear," I thought ... and "Take Revenge."
Being angry with my the suffering I changed my behaviors from depressive and frustrated to aggressive and destructive. I killed a lot of snakes. Not only did I killed snakes but also hunted for revenge. I cut a branch of wood as a weapon to catch a snake on the neck and killed it. Once I killed a snake across a creek by a spear from 7 m. The other day I killed a snake eating a bird by a slingshot. Something that accidentally brought the good thing was when my relative trapped in a difficult situation, when he was fishing with a net and a big snake was trapped in it. He was so confused because he was not able to release the snake from the net because of being afraid of snake, that he was just quiet for doing nothing but crying. Unfortunately he and I did not talk each other. In this awkward situation I initiated to catch the snake. In the sundown I released the snake, tortured it, and squeezing its whole backbones. My relative was thankful and we reconciled.
Mouse
Pests, that was carried by mice, had killed three of my family members, my father, my big sister and my little sister. Even, my sisters died in the same night. I myself found one corpse of mouse on the roof following my father death. It was the most horrible time of my family. My mother was very sick, my another little sister was so sick that she was not able to speak. There were three out of seven family members that were not sick, whereas my oldest brother was working out town.
The pest plaque outbreak happened in the transition era, sometime between the Dutch colonization and the Indonesian freedom. I was about seven years old. I still remember when every family was given an amount of new Indonesian money, ORI, Oeang Republik Indonesia. As long as I remembered we got Rp25,00
The tragedy was not only the lost of many souls of the village of Karangjati where I was living and the adjacent village of Ngemplak, but also mysterious incidents that were difficult to understand. Every day at least one person died. One began to tremble when heard a sound of kentongan (a kind of a piece of wood or bamboo with a hole man made, as a sign of danger or emergency situation). Beginning from Ngemplak, one by one someone died and the accident went on from home to home from south to north until someday it reached my home.
It was really horrible. On Tuesday my father passed away. The next other day my father's big brother who lived next to my house died, following my uncle in law death, who also lived adjacent to my house . On Friday my fiend who lived in front of my house died. On Saturday my two sisters died in the same night. My big sister died at 10 PM and my little sister died at 4 AM. The house was going to be burnt by the authority and we were evacuated to my aunt's family in Ngemplak. My oldest brother, who was working in the forest as "mantri boswesen" was called home. And may be with his arguments the house was not burnt.
What happened that I could see, factually, there were many mysterious incidents and things that happened, such as wandering lanterns, flying fires, walking coffins, and so forth. My friend told me that he saw flying fire stroke my house a day before my father died. Sometime in the evening I saw myself an object as big as moon flying over my head in the sky, when my friends and I were getting together at "Jurang Jugrug." It flew slowly, not as fast a s a meteor as usual. I did not have any idea what it was.
Cat
I did not, actually, hate cat until some day a cat destroyed a lot of my dishes. It was on the evening when I just gathered with neighbors. Suddenly a cat appeared from the roof and jumped on the pile of the dishes. As an effect the dishes dropped and scattered out on the floor. My family was a young family that did not have enough money to buy dishes. So I was disappointed and angried and hate cat. My feeling about cat continued, when a neighbor's cats destroyed some of my roofs at my house, Jl. Jambewangi 31.
The Wedding and Married
I met my wife, Heru Wijasih, at Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, just as Indonesian proverb says, Tamarin on the mountain, salt on the sea meet in the jar（Asam di gunung garam di laut bertemu dalam belanga). She came from Pati, Northern Java, near the north beach of Java sea, while I came from Jogya in the south side of the active volcano Merapi. The engagement was just going so fast beyond the capacity of our minds and feelings. Just happened!
The wedding took place at GITJ(Evangelical Church in North Java), Pati, following the official Certification of Married led by reverend Ester Susanto. Reverend Djoyodihardjo preached and blessed us. Heru's brother in law, Cornellius Setyoprajitno, who took her oldest sister as his wife, took responsibility for everything of the wedding party, not only did he took responsibility and held all of the ceremonies, but also took care of us after all amazingly. My mother, her mother, relatives, and friends attended the party. The story about the boat that had been shaking by the huge waves in Mark's verses(4:35-41) was invaluable lesson that really happened in our entire life.
My family
God gave us three sons. The oldest son was Anindita Widhibrata. Anindita meant perfect, Widhi meant god, and brata meant gift. It meant that the gift that was given by the god was perfect. He was born on October 3rd, 1971. My second son was Bayu Aribawana. Bayu meant wind, Aribawana meant heaven. Meaning, he was the wind that came from heaven. He was born on December 1st, 1972. The youngest son was Chondro Heru Prabowo. Chondro meant moon, one of the God's creations, Heru was taken to the respect to his mother, a woman who had bore with many sufferings, especially for the baby delivery. Prabowo meant charisma, wisdom. The meaning, so, meant that he was one of the god's creation, and that everyone should respect his mother, with wisdom and charisma. He was born on August the 29th, 1975. All those words were derived from Sanskrit, the words that had ever been colored by mystery of my lives.
God blesses us. We have been growing in accordance with our willingness to become more abundant. Anindita married to Evi Andrianti, the daughter of reverend Mr Efrayim and Mrs Prayanti, his wife. My sons have their own live. All of our sons's families have good lives. Andhi, we called for Anindita Widhibrata had one daughter, Kristin Ariel, one son, Christian Andrew Widhibrata. They are now live in Bonbeach, Victoria, Australia. Bayu married to Ruth Niken Setyaningtyas, the daughter of Mr Mustika and Mrs Nastiti. They have two a daughters, Jocelyn Iona Putri Aribawana and Abygayl Putri Aribawana, one son, Savion Joel Putra Aribawa live on deLatinos residence in BSD City, Banten. Chondro married to Josefin Jonata Marian the daughter of Mr Josef and Mrs Georgiana. They have one daughter, Anindya Adhara Namitha, and have one son, Axel Adhiastha Prabowo. They lived in Algeria for ten years then moved to BSD City, deLatinos residence too in Indonesia. Yet, Axel was not born yet when they lived in Algeria. Praise the Lord. They have normal lives, have jobs for maintaining their families and their futures, have enough food to eat, dresses to wear, houses to living in, and cars to move comfortably and conveniently.
God blesses us. We have been growing in accordance with our willingness to become more abundant. Anindita married to Evi Andrianti, the daughter of reverend Mr Efrayim and Mrs Prayanti, his wife. My sons have their own live. All of our sons's families have good lives. Andhi, we called for Anindita Widhibrata had one daughter, Kristin Ariel, one son, Christian Andrew Widhibrata. They are now live in Bonbeach, Victoria, Australia. Bayu married to Ruth Niken Setyaningtyas, the daughter of Mr Mustika and Mrs Nastiti. They have two a daughters, Jocelyn Iona Putri Aribawana and Abygayl Putri Aribawana, one son, Savion Joel Putra Aribawa live on deLatinos residence in BSD City, Banten. Chondro married to Josefin Jonata Marian the daughter of Mr Josef and Mrs Georgiana. They have one daughter, Anindya Adhara Namitha, and have one son, Axel Adhiastha Prabowo. They lived in Algeria for ten years then moved to BSD City, deLatinos residence too in Indonesia. Yet, Axel was not born yet when they lived in Algeria. Praise the Lord. They have normal lives, have jobs for maintaining their families and their futures, have enough food to eat, dresses to wear, houses to living in, and cars to move comfortably and conveniently.
The Ancestry
I have made a family tree to trace my offspring. Unfortunately I was not able to put in the biography. I hope Andhi could do that. The tree mentioned who were eyang Kupu's parents, or may be her grand parents. So was my parents and my grand parents.
I have made a family tree to trace my offspring. Unfortunately I was not able to put in the biography. I hope Andhi could do that. The tree mentioned who were eyang Kupu's parents, or may be her grand parents. So was my parents and my grand parents.
About my wife, I briefly could say that she was the youngest of four daughters. Her father was Mr. Sarimohardjo and her mother was Mrs. Rabisah, living in Pati when I got married. Unfortunately Mr.Sarimoi had passed away in the time of my wedding. She has three sisters, Sumarwati(passed away), Christiani(passed away), and Errentini(Surabaya).
I myself owned one big brother, one big sister, one little sister, and one little brother(as I ever live(d) with them until 1965). There were another one big sister and one little sister that lived together until I was 7-8 years of age. Still, my mother told me that I had ever have one big sisters and two big brothers, but they had died before I was born. It was a bit complicated, wasn't it. Relatives could be seen in the Ancestry
God's Answer
As a constituent I could not refuse the task and of taking the position as supervisor together with Mr Smith as the vise supervisor Satya Wacana dormitory at Jl. Kartini 11A, in 1976, which, according to the rector, had been out of control. Although it took two years of hard working to draw the dormitory back to normal, our task, with the helps by some good students, was well done and the dormitory not just being better, but also became a big unforgettable wonderful big family. Of course the role of Mr. Smith as the vice supervisor in controlling the students could not be ignored, even he took part in the time of critical situation. That woke me up, that the calling to Satya Wacana was the job that god had ever given to me. Once in the early morning of Easter I presented the testimony to the dormitory members as why I was called to work in Satya Wacana. It was beautiful dawn Easter that carried out at the dormitory basket ball court. Beautiful spiritual moment. How great Thou Lord!
UKSW Dormitory
Some time in 1976 I was invited to main leader room(Bina Karya) at the second floor at the SWCU(Satya Wacana Christian University) by Mr Soetarno, the rector. I had never thought before, that this event would be "the high way." to the USA later on.
There was a leader's meeting discussing about the situation of the university student dormitory at Jl.Kartini 11A, which was "totally uncontrolled," said the rector. He asked me to become the supervisor, because, according to him(and the colleague) that I was the only one who could handle the dormitory, instead of, the dormitory would be permanently closed. I said, that I was a "warrior," and If it was an order I would do it.
I moved to the dormitory at the same moment with the current supervisor, he went out and I came in. He, unfortunately was coming out a bit late , so that my stuff could not be placed in the house right away.
The first days I supervised the dormitory I was surprised with facts that the dormitory was really uncontrolled. It was messy. Some rooms were divided into two or so. Some students cooked in his/her room. Students were freely went from one room to another no matter they were male or female rooms. The buildings were dirty, except Uni 1 and Unit 2. May be because these units were for rent. Whereas the other 5 building were for students to live in. Many beds were cut off because the students preferred a single bed rather than a store bed. At a moment I about to leave unit 5 I smelt something burnt. And when I turned back I found some papers were burnt in one of the rooms. So I spontaneously extinguished it. Students likely did not care of dormitory lives. Most of them were just wandering around the dormitory. I discussed with my deputy, Mr Smith, an American, who is working as a religion teacher. We tried to find out a way to handle the dormitory. We decided to carry out an open forum. We also talked with some students who might be able to help us.
The open forum was held in the dinning room, which usually used for gathering the entire students. I started opening the forum with some rules such as students may speak whatever they wanted to tell or express their opinions or feelings. One important thing was the students were not allowed to be destructive. I had a strong feeling the forum would last at most three hours, because they would be lack of problems to express and exhausted as well. They did. They screamed, they yelled, they cursed, they expressed dirty words, they were angry. A student jumped up on a table, tapping his chest, saying if we are looking for a trouble maker it is him.
The open forum lasted about 3 hours and as I had predicted they were finished. No one talked anymore. I stood up and asked them whether there were more opinions, or expressions that were not said yet. Quiet!. I stood up and speeched saying that, I concluded, that 10% of the students wanted the dormitory down and 90% wanted the dormitory goes on. "We are on war," I said, and " would be in the side of 90 % of the students." It took about 2 years the dorm to be normal, although it was not completely to be.
Observing, getting started
Surprisingly, when the first dinner served there were no signs of bad behaviors of the students. They were in a row. They were polite. They were friendly. No greediness and rudeness at all. The main event this time was all unit service. And the service was running well with joyful hymn singings.
The all unit Services were held once a month, while the unit services were held once a week. For the first time to begin the all unit services was held, there were only fewer students attended. However, the number of the students coming to the services were gradually increase significantly, and finally it became a big beautiful gathering services with beautiful hymn singings that I would not be able to forget it. I felt the religious feelings were so impressive and I felt so peaceful to stay in the dorm.
The whole dormitory was, anyway, should be improved, including the system, the organisation, the facilities, the students's life style and attitudes, the finance, and so on.
One of the issues that dormitory in a mess was because the students that were not satisfied with dormitory operations. Services to the students was getting worse for corruptions. The uncontrolled behaviors of the students affects the dorm operations badly. Most students did not want to pay the room rent.
The first rules to publish was improving the payment system and secondly, visiting each other in a room especially with different gender. In case of the payment obligation of each student I published 3 notifications, following my inspection to the finance staff that showing the highest rate of the students that did not pay the rent until 9 months for each. To deal with this matter I tried to send letters to their parents. These letters irritated some students. Although some students protested to my actions for not agreeing with the letters to their parents, I persisted to do so and told the students that their parents actually had sent some money to them but that they did not pay the room rent.
Taking Actions
The three notifications to control the dorm finance were white letter for first notification, secondly yellow notification as warning and the 3rd letter, red, was for executig to the student that he or she had to withdraw from the dorm. The 3 notifications were given to 9 students that did not pay the room rent until 9 months. Beside, I tried to talked with the students face to face about the sanction that surely would be executed for the sake of the rules reinforcement.
The impacts of the warning execution was challenging. At about 2 am my official house that was near Unit 5 was thrown with some big stones, while my wife was feeding my youngest son, Chodro(6 months). My brother in law, who eventually, fortnight , awoken and had a little panics, so was my wife. Instead of being panic, I put on a black T shirt and training suit and waited for a moment detecting whether it was any danger if I went out through the door. After sometime of waiting, I finally jump up and went out through the window, which I considered safer.
The security met me with a grumbled voice and rocked panic body saying that the stone came from out side the dorm. I reentered the house, took my scooter and went around town looking after the suspect students who might do this. But on the way around I stop by the police station, met with Mr. Harry, the police resort head intelligence. I told him that I am the new Satya Wacana Dormitory supervisor at Jl. Kartini 11A and am solving the problems that exist. I also submitted a list of students that might be had connection with what had happened with the dorm if something happened to me. Not only I went across the streets, but also I entered the market to find out the stones throwers. Unfortunately I failed to meet them. Being not satisfied, yet, I stepped up to the Unit 4 balcony waiting for someone who might involve to the incident. I was sure that they knew I was looking for them. Later a student told me as why the the student that should physically faced the supervisor did not dare to do it. He said, first of all that Mr Koewat is a lecturer. If he hit him, he said, "I would be punched out" from the university, Secondly, Mr. Koewat is also a muscle art person. He was a national wrestling champ."I was not sure," he said, "I would be ale to beat him."
Not every student could accept the treatment for being got out of the dorm. A student was very angry with it, he got drunk and punched the cafe door. Incidentally I was going to play tennis and riding my scooter when he met me, I stopped him and while I was still sitting on my scooter I talked to him saying that the person who punched him out from the dorm was me, and the person who made the rule was me. " Do not ruin things." I I thought he did something bad to me. No. Nothing. Surprisingly he bowed and said sorry and confessed that he was wrong.
The other day the student met me in my house. He said, he regret for what he did in the past and still wanted to stay in the dorm. I said that he had been unregistered at the dorm, and if he still want to stay in the dorm he should reapply. He did it and he became a motor of of the dorm improvement. The dorm gradually became more beautiful with parks views every where. And the students seemed loved it and more enjoy to stay in the dorm.
The successful of the dorm improvement was not without the roles of some dedicating students such as Daniel Kameo, Hein Lessnusa, Daniel Nuhamara, Gysbert Nikijulluw, Yogiarti Benafsihi, and some others. Some of them were chosen by the students to be leaders. They were chosen with an awareness that they were deserve to be the unit's leader for their leaderships sense. It was contrary with the unit's leaders elections before that was the students chose the weak students in order to be able to control.
In addition, the role of the vise supervisor, Mr Smith, took part significantly in controlling the daily student life with special approaches that created the dorm live beautifully. He also controlled on the spot the dorm facilities such as coming down and checked the cleanness of septic tanks, as well as how the employees clean the floors . He, sometime in the evening, took students joined the BBQ party in Kopeng, making the relationship among students more lively, even though they had to go on walk from the dorm.
Electricity and water were 2 important crucial facilities that must be ready at any time, for it was important to the students's living and studies. However, these were that should be observed vigilantly. For lighting the entire dormitory a 35000 watt diesel was operated. It only used between 5 through 11 pm every day. It was OK, and most students could accept it. Notwithstanding, sometimes, it did not run well. But the biggest problem was when the pistons were broken. It took about 3 months to fix it.
One of the staff was confident the he could fix it, in fact he could not, and he failed to do so. When I suggested to find a mechanic, he rejected and, as an ex military, he told me that his pledge was a "sapta marga," meaning, no giving up until 7 times of trials. So I let him did what was he believed. Being failed of fixing the diesel, he gave up. That was why the students studied with candles for about 3 months without electricity. And they understood and tolerated it.
To fix the diesel problem I met a an "Electro Faculty" friend, Mr. Sumaryono and asked him to find a mechanic. He met Mr. Suhud, who was the director of Mekatani company and Mr Suhud sent his mechanic. Within 1 week all was set, the dormitory lighting and the students were so happy. The very very surprising was, when I asked for the cost, there was no cost at all. Even, he said no tip for the mechanic who worked to fix the 35.000 watt power diesel.
To avoid the electricity tragedy I applied the Electric State Company(PLN) to install the electricity to the dormitory. And it was done. And to avoid electricity abuse I asked a mechanic to create any automatic controlled system which every 3 students could only use a certain load of electricity, so if it overused the electricity would off automatically.
The problem with water was, first of all, it contained a great deal of Fe that could contaminat body, food as well as cloths. Secondly, it was sometimes does not fulfill the necessity for the entire dormitory. Furthermore, the use of three units out of 7 units of the dorm as guest houses needed better quality of water. The use of some units themselves was to support the students to be better served. Even though diesels were added to improve water supply, and it improved the readiness of water serving, since the water quality was not good, I finally applied PDAM(State Water Supply} to install the clean water for the dorm and it well done.
It seemed that the use of three the units of the dorm buildings as guest houses was a commercialization of the dorm. It was true, which one I adopted it from the programs that was made by the prior supervisor . In fact it supported to improve the dorm either financial, facilities or students's services.
With the dorm finance situation that getting better and that the dorm was able to support its self and the surplus income that the dorm had, I suggested Satya Wacana to reunited it including all the business back as before. However Satya Wacana rejected. Therefore I ran the dorm and its business on my way.
Religious lives were not not only shown in side rooms such weekly and monthly Services in the dinning hall and new semi permanent buildings, but also through outdoor activities, such as Easter celebration, Jesus lives' tracings, marching tortches with joyful hymn singing, Wonderful!
I might be still like working at the dorm, unless there was interfering from the official. One day my leader came to my office. There was nothing happened, however I felt there was something, because it was unusual a leader came to my office. For the second time he came and this time he asked me as why 2 of the staffs were not working. I said it was because they had finished their the jobs for the morning jobs. And I said it was my fault if a staff did not work properly. I noticed that there must be he wanted something, The 3rd day he came again and asked me why do not I took them out from the dorm and I said that there was not my concern to take a staff out from the dorm. If he wanted to do it \, I said, It was his right as well as his responsibility.
Something I did not believe finally happened, though, but I left it to my leader to take out out one of my staffs. I was so disappointed and decided to withdraw from the dorm. I got back to my former office, the Department of General Studies. Beyond my imagination, I was appointed to represent the department for internship offering by the Lutheran Church in America to study about high education administration Even though the dormitory had much more better following 2 years of hard working involving Mr Smith as vise supervisor that incredibly doing his jobs, instead of saying normal, some problems were not simple to solve.
Students entering different gender's rooms sometimes happened. even though it was one of the strictly forbidden rules. In this case it was no bargaining. They, then, be pleased to get out from the dorm. This rule was my concern about morality, since the UKSW dormitory was Christian institution that must follow morality attitudes as well as actions. Praise the Lord for His guidance, so it was going well.
Gambling was sometimes done quietly after the middle of the nights. One night I heard softly voices at one of the rooms at unit 2. After listening for a while and I was sure that there was a gambling I knocked at the door. But they did not either answer or open the door. Just quiet. I quietly pretended leaving the area, and sneaking back. They started to act again. So I knocked at the door hardly. This time they opened the door and confessed what they were doing and said sorry. I advised them. Since, then, there was no gambling anymore in the dorm. Notwithstanding, the interaction between the students, as long as morally acceptable could be done by the student without any threats. Sometimes a couple was so intimate that they were not aware of my present. I thought it was humane to let them what the young men and women wanted to do for their good future. It was, according to me, not wise to make romances in the public spaces.
The UKSW dormitory was growing to be a big beautiful family, religiously concern, peaceful and great tolerance. On the other hand, incidentally, there were dancing parties that usually carried out when PIBBI was held by The Center of Language. Students from abroad, mostly Australian, were coming to Satya Wacana University to study Indonesian Language as well as Indonesian Culture.
Sometime in the evening two students came to my house to get permission to carry out a dancing party at the lobby of unit 3. I minded, saying that tomorrow would be the beginning of the lecturing. I said that the students had been having parties for a month full, and I told them that it is time to study. They had to start studying. The party was not allowed and they should not do it.
In the evening the party was carried out. I came to Mr . Smith asking him to announce in English that the party was illegal and should be dismissed, At the same time I announced the same matter in Indonesian. Students who disagreed with the so called wasting time guided and marched behind me. The committee was confused.
The next morning a student came to my office saying that students have been crowding. I responded, what did they want, fighting? "Tell them, I come to them or they come here, to me." I told him. It was the right time, I thought, to accuse him as a provocator as had been detected by the former supervisor, yet he could not show the evidence, while I was collecting information over a lot of resources, cafes, warung makans, cigarettes sellers, andong drivers and so on. So far he never legally involved, no written statement.
He rejected my accusation, but I persistently accused him. He was frustrated and angry. I did not care. Situation in the dorm was messed up. I demanded him to get out from the dorm or I would force him to do so. In the evening he came to my house protested for I had accused him, but I stayed in my opinion and would be was my decision. He finally, angrily, went out from my house rudely and said bullshit supervisor.
The next morning he threw his mat through the window and went out and withdrew from the dorm. Since then the dorm was totally normal and no more trouble emerged.
The Internship
The work in the dormitory took me to one of the conditions to get a grant from Lutheran Church in America to study Higher Education Administration. I was selected to go to Thiel College, Pennsylvania, USA to have internship and study Higher Education Edministration emphasizing on student admission and registration.
I was placed in the admission and registration office under the supervision of Dr. Richard S. Houpt, the Thiel college registrar, whom I learn about admission process and a lady, whom I dealt with most of the day. She showed me the process and the results of the students's records, and some watching the students's record print out.
Mr Judy, the vise president of the Student Affair, gave some jobs including reading books related to admissions and registrations. He lent me A Handbook of Educational Administration. I saw the book was good, broad point of views and knowledgeable. Unfortunately it was obsolete and was not published anymore. It consists of two chapters, General and Academic. Unfortunately I could not find the two books, although I had hunted it to the publisher in Princeston, New York. Fortunately there was a photo copy near Thiel campus that could help to make me copies, although it was illegal. He also invited me int the student affair meetings.
I spent one year from September 1983 through September 1984, and that was the time to see the opportunity to take my family to the USA to study for a Master's degree. Although there was so limited time to get the Toefl Test, I finally made it. I went back home with my student's registration to the University of Pittsburgh and with the promise of Lutheran Church in America as the sponsor. (Algiers, October 22nd, 2010).It took fully one year waiting for going back to the USA to take my master's degree program. During that time I was assigning as expertise and working with the rector office, especially dealing with student admission. In a meeting I gave a feed back to the vice rector of the Academic Affair, that according to Thiel Board of Trustees findings the 1984/1985 student admission had dropped significantly from 1000 to 800. The phenomena was caused by the zero population growth. That's why Thiel college ought to change its admission strategies from conventional to door to door strategies. Satya Wacana, on the one hand, was over confident, that was considered still the finest and the most favorable university; that's why the vise rector of academic affair did not alter the admission strategies. As the consequences the number of the students admission was not as being expected. Embarrassingly the university called some students who were actually not qualified. Experience is a good teacher, a parable says.
A Conference of Science, Technology and Faith
Stony Point
In the middle time of my internship I was invited to join an international conference carried out by the United Board Christian Education. Enthusiastically and gladly I registered and the Phillipinos lady who signed on the invitation letter instantly responded my registration.
Now, I knew why people said New York was a big Apple. The pilot announced that we were about going to landing to the Big Apple. That woke me up and I stared through the airplane window and I was watching a huge composition of light forming so beautifully sight that just I was thinking whether I was dreaming. Amazing, spectacular. It was 10 PM.
The plane landed smoothly, yet the airport was quiet already, It might the most worry moment in my live, since I took with me all of my belongings. Coincidentally, a giant, drunk, scary Negro appeared and offered me and insisted to get in a taxi. I might too confident or actually pretended to be confident, I doubted it.
I finally arrived to the conference building that seemed quiet and peaceful with traditional heater, instead of electrical. The first meeting, soon was held. I was appointed to be a steering committee. The next morning I was also appointed to be a presenter.
The first topic was talking about the effects of the factories smoke that was suspected killed a lot of big trees in the forest. The smokes that brought acid dropped 10 km away from the factories made the big trees withered and died. Who was responsible for these? That was the question that raised.
I did not remember what were the consecutive presentations , though. However, the technology and science took a lot of discussion especially whether science is pure or applied.
And what about faith as a christian? I vaguely remember what the point was.
And may be because not everyone was easy talking and may be because only me that did not hesitate holding a guitar, then, I was also appointed to lead entertaining.
The conference lasted for 3 days. Participants came mostly from students that were studying in the USA especially those from Asia.
And at last I was sent a special appreciation for participating the conference.
Back Home
About a month before leaving for home, I went to a store to buy some gifts for ny family, It was long distance to go. I took a walk which was one of my hobbies. I did not think before how to bring these stuff to my apartment. I was really in a big problem to carry the stuff. I prayed, may be there was an angel that would help me. Suddenly a group of young men riding a van offered me a ride, I could not say how I thankful for the help. I just offer him to go to Indonesia sometime with my invitation to stay in my home town. They took me to Elson House apartment, where I temporarily stayed.
Thiel student ministry invited me to have dinner, but I failed to do so for not preparing a gift for him. I felt guilty for not bringing him a special gift. In fact I did not buy enough souvenir and unpredictable new friends that I gave the gifts was beyond my mind.
A postman also invited me to have dinner. He always shouted at me when I received a letter which was not often to get. He said sorry for asking a personal matter, such as my religion and said, that it was against the law asking for someone's religion in the USA. He was so happy when I could answer his question and eventually I was a Christian, and so were he his family.
The Family American
An American family, the Connelly's, gave me a lot of opportunities living while I was staying in Greenville. I got easier in intensify my English learning. The family took me to a fruit store to show me many kinds of American fruits as well as how to taste them. They also took me to different tourist destination, such as Amish residence and even to the Niagara Falls. Unfortunately I could not pass the Canadian border, because I did not get a visa. Not only did they took me to a community parties but also to the church.
Mr Connelly's took me to the Shooting Range and let me tried different kinds of gun calibers, and he was surprised when he saw me how I could shoot the target well. Not surprising, because hunting was one of my hobbies.
This was a special American family. I was allowed to visit them any time without any appointment as American custom. Later, when I studied at the University of Pittsburgh, they wanted to see me at the airport, but it did not happen because there was miss communication. And when I had been settling in Pittsburgh they visited us so often. One in the Fall they took us to vast area with colorful view as a huge map, they called it folliage, a special view in the fall season. Amazing! They also took us the largest fall in the world, Niagara Fall.They carried a sofa for us and on another time they brought a coffee made, My family and I were also invited to stay in their home for several days. Unfortunately we lost contact when my wife got a new job in Pati. And due to the difficult time I could not answer their letter.
Seeing the Opportunity
While I was a bout overcome the internship, I saw the opportunity to study master's degree program. Not only was the opportunity would improve the knowledge of admission and registration area but also provide the experience to my kids, that had become my concern to give a wide spectrum of life in the future. Since, then I prepared for it.
Mr Judy, who was my boss and was also the Vice President of the Students Affairs asked me a bout my intention to study master. First of all he told me that I did not have to take Toefl, because I had been one year stayed in the USA. That a little soothed my tension. Secondly he asked ey what kinds of quality of the study I would like to take. He told me that there were a lot of programs that could be taken.
One year work with rector office
While waiting for my study to the USA I worked in the registrar office with Mr Hot Pa r point of views, moreover, I said, the predetermination is not to be cried for, but to fight, I saribu. Although I got some experiences dealing with admission and registration process, I could do no much during the time. This opportunity gave me more time to prepare my study. One thing that I worried about my study was a subject that involved semi mathematics material such as research methodology which involve statistics. There was a time that I imagine I may fail my study because of the matter.
I discussed it with my wife while we we were sitting at the porch of my house in Jambewangi. I told her about what if I failed the study. I told her, at least, and this was the most important thing to go to the USA, is for the sake of our children, especially in getting broader point of views, moreover, I said, the predetermination is not to be cried for, but to fight, It is a challenge. Problem in a challenge is to solve not to avoid.
To face the problem concerning methodology research, I visit the LPIS, Lembaga Penelitian Sosial, Social Research Institution. I met Mr Luhur Wijyanto and apply for being involved in research activities. Fortunately I got a job to have surveys to the KUD, the Rural Cooperation Unit entire Central Java. So I collected the data and analyse it and submitted just on time, and, so far, I actually the first researcher that finished the job well. At least it would be enough apperception for facing the methodology research subject.
Taking family to the USA was not a simple one. Yet, my one year internship in Thiel college Greenville, USA, was so invaluable experiences that gave me encouragement and enable me to be survive while in the USA. A lot of new friends had been helping me in different kinds of ways, including Ruth, a Prayer Fellow friend who promised me to connect with her friends in Pittsburgh. One of the big problems was financial, in this case the scholarship was actually for one person's cost of living.
To support the financial I have to contract my house. I met Mr Koesyadi, the Vise Rector of Financial Affairs, who might be able to rent my house for foreigners who come to visit Satya Wacana temporarily. That was true. A Korean family wanted to rent my house for Rp2000.000 for 2 years. So I got additional money , and it was enough to buy round trip tickets for my family from Indonesia to the USA.
Beyond my mind the sponsor, Mr Noerdoffer, LCA, visited me at my home to have interview about my plan to study in the USA. I met him without any worry, but the conversation was really needed to be responded seriously with a great effort to assure him that I was ready to study in the USA accompanied by my family.
His first statement was that the only son who was allowed to joint me to study in the USA was the youngest son, Chondro, because he was not too old that he would adapt language as well as culture easier, whereas he others would be difficult to do so. I told him that my children have been studying English since they were very young, since Kinder Garden or primary school. I said, I would rather not to go if not all of my children join me. And he, finally, could accept my reasons.
However another problem raised. He said that in the USA everyone, must have his or her room, while I would take 3 children. It would not be allowed. We had long discussion of the matter and I seriously insist him to permit us to go.
It might be the most crucial problem that raised, finance. He said that it would not be enough for me to raised the 3 children and a wife with your scholarship. This was a difficult argument to counter for me to see the fact that the scholarship was merely for one person, the student himself. I tried hard to find out the answer and after sometime I had a tricky answer. I said that I still had salary for about 500.000, but I did not say whether it was in rupiahs or in dollars. He, hospitably said, that it would be enough for me to stay in the USA while I am studying, accompanied by my family.
In order to be able to go to the USA I must buy tickets as cheap as possible. I tried to get some information about it, and I met Mr Ferguson, a Satya Wacana lecturer from England. He showed me an international agent abroad that was able to provide the cheapest price, It was Siama. As he gave me the address I contacted the agent, and without any difficulty I got the tickets, including the connecting flight.
Preparing for Living
I did not imagine how long to stay in the USA with all of daily needs, but my wife did it. She bought dresses , of all kinds, enough for two years, including underwear, singlet, bathing kit. She was a detailer as well as maximalist. She also bought a lot spices enough for for months. We also bought some suitcases to carry our stuffs. We also took our precious stone with us to sell if emergency situation happened. We brought 2 million rupiahs for our living.
On the Way to the USA
With tickets that were family fair ticket, we had to plan our journey carefully. We had to arrive and check in on time, because If we were not on time there would be no excuse. We would be left behind. We took train from Jogyakarta, fortnight at Edy's home and the next day Edy took me to the airport. A big debate raised when the porter said that our luggage was overweight. We ran out of the time, and finally we paid 200.000 rupiahs for the overweight.
There was no flight problem from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur. It was all running well. Garuda Indonesian Airways flied us. We waited for a while in Kuala Lumpur Airport. The nex flight was with MAS, Malaysian Air Services. I saw Andhi was not happy. He looked sad. May be because he left behind his project of making a sound system back home. Bayu was so curious, watching everything that was strange for him, and Chondro was just quiet.
We stop by at Abu Dhabi air port for a while then went ahead to Amsterdam, Netherland. At this time we got information that there was a flight to Belgium that was going to take off earlier than that had been scheduled. So we took it. We stopped by in Brussels for 8 hours. Long enough, but optimistic that we would arrive to the USA , for sure. On the way to the USA from Brussels I spoke loudly : "Now, let you speak Javanese. There would be no one understand it." Embarrassingly, a man, westerner, shouted and laughed saying, that he understood Javanese, since he had ever lived in Jember for about 2 years. After spending 35 hours we finally landed in the country of so called Uncle Sam.
The sponsor, Mr Noerdorffer welcomed us in the LCA Office, at 301 Madison Ave, New York City, then took us in the hotel nearby the LCA office where we could see The Siemen Building. The first day we stayed in the hotel, Chondro lost his wrist watch that I bought in New York a year ago. It was my fault, because I unintentionally put it
on a table, while I was going to the toilet. The only suspect was an oriental Indian office boy who entered the hotel room for cleaning, however I could do nothing for there was no evidence.
We could not stay any longer in New York due to the flight to Pittsburgh that had been scheduled. We flew with People Express. As we had cheap tickets, the flight took a long time and was not really comfortable, such as we had to wait in crowded and sat on the floor for a long time to wait the airplane. Whatever the problems we were faced we finally arrived at the finale destination, Pittsburgh.
Surprisingly it was all set when we arrived. Temporary place to stay was provided by Mr Moeljono, who was studying on doctoral degree. His family, too, warmly welcomed us. They provided everything what we needed. They took care of us for about 2 weeks before we moved to our apartment at 305 Atwood St.
The apartment was so convenient that we were able to reach the campus as well as anything we needed around. It was close to the library and the stores too. It was easy to get bus station. It was easy for the children to go to school. We also could go to the church on walk. We stayed on the 2nd floor of that 4th floor apartment. The apartment was furnished, completed with telephone, refrigerator and fire alarm. That was just, may be, that we were told by the sponsor that we needed a family apartment with every child has his or her room for him/herself. Yet we just had 1 living room, 1 kitchen, one bathroom and 3 bed rooms, not standardized place for living for American family, wasn't it?. It was OK with us.
Study in the USA
I started to study by visiting the office of admission and registration. The first lady accepting me had a strange English pronunciation that I almost asked or comment about it but I cancelled it because it was not a relevant with my study. She then gave instruction to me and I thing to every foreign student to get together in an auditorium and she also mention about Hudson cruising, although I did not noticed it because of my intense concentration on the study. And in the evening that day we, the foreign students, gathered to have some important information about what we have to do for the study.
The next morning my wife and I took our sons to the school. The school hospitably accepted us. What was not usual as it was happening in Indonesia, was that the school just let my wife and I went back home and left our kids, saying that the children would be alright. Therefore we left the school with a little bit worried about the children, although we were sure that the school would be taking care of them well.
Due to my Toefl that the score was below the requirement, especially in structure I had to take remedial program for this term, the fall term that I began to study. Year 1985. I believed that this program would helped me a lot in writing papers that most every subject required. In the meantime I could asked some English words that unanswerable while I was in Indonesia.
The first lecture I took was Curriculum Building. The lecturer, in the first session said, that the students' grades were depended upon the independent thinking. If the students cited a lot of quotations it was OK, but American education system emphasized and appreciated on independent studies, rather than quotations. The statement assured me that I would be able to finish my study. I was sure I could do it.
Different professors different demands. If a lecture mentioned about American education system that emphasized on independent study, another professor, who was an ex president of the University of Pittsburgh who said that he did not a matter if a student said good morning or sat in the front row or in the back row but if the students's academic achievement was not good..., then he put his fingers on his throat and made a movement by as if he cut his neck. Scary!
A Nigerian student, in another lecture, told me the professor, who was teaching American College never gave a foreign student an A. Yet, latter the professor gave me a A. That was proven that his demand of students's achievements was higher than another professors.
May be the professor underestimated to international students. It appeared when I was using overhead projector for my presentation in Research Methodology and Statistics. He offered 3 optional finale examinations: a student could take a test on the computer, wrote a paper or presented the research without making a paper. In fact most professor demanded every student to make a paper for the final examination. When the professor came in the class he looked surprised to see an OHP on the table. He asked to the students who would use this instrument. He seemed surprised at the time when I would be using it. I could see his face, as if he did not believe, because I was a student from a developing country.
The study of the Master's degree Program actually could be finished in 3 terms, I started on the Fall 1985. The next term was Winter term and then the Spring Term. On the Summer Term most American Students did not go to School. In the meantime I took some subjects. In the end of December 1986 I was asked to take my comprehension test as a final examination but I said that was not ready yet. It actually was my strategy to delay my staying it he USA. It was inspired by my friend's experience, that he was terminated his study and the scholarship was then being banned too, that he had to go back home to the country. If it happened, what about my children's study, it would be a mess, I thought.
To finish the study of Higher Education Administration, a student should take comprehension examination that consist of 2 subject, Research Seminar and Written examination. I did not want to take the Written Examination on December 1986 due to the strategy of taking some more important subjects that I need for my future job in my university and secondly to save my children schoolings.
In spite of taking the comprehension examination I took the research seminar. There were 8 male students participated in the seminar, no female. Every student should defend the proposal that he made in the seminar and every one could argue about every idea of the proposal.
I asked to the sponsor to register for the spring term, January 1987 and asked him to take some educational subjects that would support my job in the university later. Generously the sponsor agreed with my plan to take 1 more term to anticipate my children's schooling, and I took some subjects that would be useful in my future job, such as Information Technology.
The comprehension test was taken on January 1987 and it was well done.
The rest for the terms was just relax because I had finished my staying and i got MEd, Master of Education. The graduation was held in the Pittsburgh Convention Hall. Mr and Mrs Singgih Hadinata took me to the hall. At the same time their grand son was also graduated for his BSc, Bachlor of Science degree.
Not only did I succeeded my study, but also did my children, Andhi well graduated from the Junior High School. Andhi was graduated also from the computer course that was carried out by a bank and we, the parent were, surprisingly, invited on the graduation, Amazing! He always took our family fare ticket and went some where alone, especially on the weekend. As a matter of fact he went to a store and played with the computer which was free. I had an opportunity to attend for his graduation. Bayu was on the ten percentile and for his academic achievement. He was invited by the baseball best player and his name was written on the base ball stadium billboard. Chondro got A+ for most subjects , even his English was lifted u to 3 levels above the American students of his class. His English teacher said someday to his mother that the reading was so easy for Chondo, that she asked a permission to take Chondro 3 levels above the students. And in the the end of the study the school gave Chondro an opportunity to have a farewell speech.
So did my wife . She made a fantastic progress. She was frustrated on the first days of staying in the apartment. The first day I arrived home from he school she complained as why we had to install a telephone that made her so confusing when she receive a call, because she did not understand at all.
To be able to adapt with the new culture, the USA culture and habits, my wife joined PCIV, a voluntary program that help international students's couples to adapt the American culture and habits and help those couples to be able to communicate in English.
Amazingly, my wife overcame the problems that she had in a short of time . Moreover she could make some intimate friends that made her daily livings more lived. She got a Korean women friend. So she could spend outdoor more time. Moreover she became closer to one of the Pittsburgh volunteer, Mrs Katie Bogart who sometime invited us to have lunch at her home, and introduced us with her husband. One on a Christmas party my wife was asked to make a presentation about Christmas in Indonesia. Indeed it was a great progress progress.
The first year ,1986, I was so busy with my study, that my wife fully had to take care of the children as well the house. The carpet was, in addition , had worn out and we did not have enough money to buy one and replace it. What we could do was just threw it away. We did not put a new carpet in the living room at all, rather we cleaned the floor every day, so that the floor looked so clean, that the cleaning service man reinforced us and complimented us as well.
In the 2nd year, 1987, I helped my wife hunted for a job to get some more money, since I had more time, because I did not work as hard as before. I had not, as a whole, finished my study yet, but in the mean time I had done my core study well. In Pittsburgh jobs were scatter out the entire places, stores, restaurants, churches, campuses, personals, privates and so on. But to have a job in the right place was not an easy one. "No give up" was one of my motos. Fortunately there was an old women that needed to be taken cared of, and my wife was welcomed. She did well. In contrary, to me, it was an accident. The master, her son, was angry with me, when I wanted to talk with him and said sorry for what had made him uncomfortable in the past time, but he said that he did not want to talk with me, whereas I just wanted to clarify as why my wife was sometime absent for having a headaches.
In one occasion my wife had also an opportunity to teach Bahasa Indonesia when a Malaysian teacher stop teaching Bahasa Melayu at the University of Pittsburgh. It must be a proud of her.
In a spare time voluntarily she worked at Bellefield Church, arranging some stuff. And in another time she helped watching kids while their parents joined the sermons,
Changing the Policy?
The results of my study accompanied by family inspired Satya Wacana Christian University to allow a lecturer to bring the family with him or her study abroad, as a reserve to the university former policy that did not allow to bring the family abroad when he or she studied, for there were some worries that the spouse or the children would be bothering the study. Furthermore the unwritten rule said that a lecture merely allowed to study abroad when he or she 40 years of age and under.
On the time when I went back home after finishing my study a lot of friends accompanied us to the air port as if they did not want me to leave them. I could feel that the farewell was so hard for us. However it must be done.
We stayed in the same hotel where we overnight on our arrival from Indonesia, We also had lunch at the same Chinese restaurant which was good taste for us. We spent a few days before leaving for home. We also visited and took a walk in down town New York. We also cruised the Bronx and visited he Statue of Liberty. We spent few hours at The World Trade Center, made a photo with a "gorilla". We amazed by the welcoming sign and writing to the visitors on the first glance: Selamat Datang on the lift wall , and I was really proud of it.
On the top of the 110 stores WTC we could see the views bellow such as a lot of ants crawling on the ground. The planes flew near the WTO were under sight rather than above us. A few telescopes were provided to see the New York City and Bronx from a height. That was awesome. We were all happy and enjoyed the time.
We had opportunities to visit United Nation, saw the Court House, other tall buildings or sky crappers as I was taught by my Junior High School geography teacher, Madison Square Garden, and Indonesian Embassy.
On the flight home I had time to watch the vast and huge Grand Canyon from 35 thousand feet high. It was fantastic, and I made a photograph of it. Andhi, Bayu, Chondro were just quiet. We transited at Narita Airport, and was failed to stay in Tokyo for a while, due to expensive cost that was advised by Mr Mullin, my wife's ex boss. I lost 400 dollars for the YMCA down payment, Cancelled
We arrived Indonesia just was delayed 2 days in accordance with of our plan of being in the USA for study. Before continuing our journey back to our home town, Salatiga educational administration should be done to the ministry of education through its representation office in Cilandak, Jakarta. Mrs. Surjaningsih Minhatni help finishing the matter. We stayed at Edy's as long as in Jakarta. We arrived home without any problem at Jl Jambewangi 31, Salatiga, met yu Mi, who stayed and watch our house for fully two years.The he next day I had to go to Semarang to report to the department of Education and also to converse the grades of our children to be able to go on the school in Indonesia as the follow up to finish all the administration procedure as students that just finished study abroad
Andhi went to grade 3 SMA Lab, Bayu went back to grade 3 SMP Lab, and Chondro back to SD Lab. They did their studies successfuly and went to the higher levels of their education. Due to the bad time Andhi did not go to the State Senior High School, but went to SMA Laboratory. Bayu went to the State Senior High School, so did Chondro, went to the State Senior High School and they all did well and went to the universities.
Andhi likely wanted to study majoring in Computer Science. He went to Surabaya which he considered the University Airlangga Surabaya was the best university which provided the best program of the subject. He took courses for the preparation of the entrance test, but failed to do so. He was so sad. Then he went to Satyawacana Christian University majoring computer science. He did the study well and was assigned to be an assistant to the lecturer. Surprisingly he gave all of the salary he got for 1 semester to his mother, who, in fact, really in a big trouble for being banned by the university for controversial opinion about the rector election. We were so thankful to Andy as well as pity him. He was the demonstration leader in the rector election and was intimidated by the government of Indonesia. He was humbly helping us in doing a catering by picking payments catering, although he was picking it from his university mates. Later he said in one of a the family gathering that he appreciated for his parent's living skills.
Bayu finished his State Senior High School and went to Gajah Made University. He took two entrance tests, Satya Wacana and Gajah Mada and well done of the both entrance tests. Considering the test taken in Gajah Mada was a great enduring, he chose to register to Faculty of Economic at Gajah Mada. He led the prayer fellowship beside doing his study. He took 5 years to finished the study.
Chondro went to State Senior High School and finished his study without any difficulty. The problem rose when his name was misspelled, but it could be corrected by adding a written information from the school to correct it. He, then, went to Satya Wacana Christian University majoring in Computer Science and did it well. However, in a few last semesters he worked in an internet store. Fortunately, while he was finishing his study he was offered a job at Apac Inti Corporation as an IT. Bad luck, he got a traffic accident and broke his thigh bone while he was deciding not to go with his friend to Solo, and chose to finish his study. He had to be operated and taken care for a while in Kostati Hospital, Solo.
The main objective of studying abroad was actually to became a registrar. However the position had been assigned to Mr Hot Pasariboe following his question to me on behalf of the Vice Rector of Academic Affair, Mr John Ihallaw, as whether I preferred to be a registrar or teaching, which, I said, if I could choose I would choose a job dealing with teaching rather than with administration works.
I was , then, assigned to become The Director of Non Degree Program.
The College of English for Business had existed prior to the foundation of the Non Degree Program Department, and had already had a good reputation. Therefore I did not want to interfere the program. To meet the communities needs I found two more programs, 'the Industrial Counseling and Social Counseling.
Due to the substitution of the director of the Non Degree Program, I was assigned to to teach at FKIP, Fakultas Keguruan Ilmu Pendididikan, the Faculty of Teacher Training in Education and was teaching Psychology, especially with Children 'Psychology until the program was closed down due to the less students registered in the program. Then I was assigned to the History Study Program, where I suggested to open the new minor studies programs, Tourism, and Sociology. It was my last terminal in teaching, and I retired in 1996.
Helpping My Wife
Satya Wacana crisis causing my wife busy with her new job. Firstly she was doing massage and secondly she was doing catering. I said to my wife that predestination should not be cried or complained. What we did or what our decision to take moratorium for my wife was a decision that was in accordance to our belief, that what we did was our faith. So there was no regret for. Then, what are we going to do now, I said, I had knowledge and skills in massage, a subject that was taught in Physical Education and Health College, theory as well as practices. So I gave a short course to my wife. But we had to do this professionally. And, because, according to me, my wife was a good cook, we would do a catering.
The first day of massaging job, we bought cloth to make a massaging suits. I saw the massaging suits myself. On the other hand I made a lot of leaflets and disseminated to hotels in Salatiga. The appointment was by call.The first day we did the massage to the hotel guests the price of buying cloth was covered. We sometimes did the massaging on the some time. Coincidentally there was an old couple that stayed in the hotel. We gave 2.5% to the receptionists every time we did the massaging.
I was still teaching in Satya Wacana when Sukotjo, a friend of my wife called me. He said on behalf of Soedhamek, my wife's ex student and for the time being was holding the CEO at Garuda Food Company, asking whether my wife wanted to work at Garuda Food in Pati. In the meantime my wife was helping Eni taking care of her and her newborn baby. Eni was Heri's wife, my wife's nephew. So i went directly to Pakis to give the information to my wife.
Without enough preparation my wife went to Pati to meet Mr Walujo, one of the Garuda
food Company managers in Pati, the most difficult person as Mr Sodhamek said. The interview was extensive including asking questions about our belonging, such as whether she had a car and whether she had a house. Whatever the interviews was, at last she was accepted to became the Manager of Human Resources.
The first weeks of working was really frustrated her, so that she was almost gave up and quit working, but I encouraged her to stay at least 3 months. It was understandable, because, she said, there was no peace of rules or paper to guide her in doing her jobs. She spent 10 years successfully at Garuda Food Company in Pati as Human Resources Manager.
Following retired from Garuda Food, then my wife and I traveled to Australia to see Andi and the family. We were welcomed by roses on Ariel's hand and were so exited and happy, Ariel was in the Kinder Garten that time and Andrew was still very young. It took about 1 hour from Melbourne Air port to Andhi's house, Bonbeach. It was the first visit to Australia for my wife and was my second visit.
The Cathedral of Learning
Assignments
The folliage
The Winter under minus fifteen degree
The Kids Instant losing game
Going to school
First day of school
ATM and Credit Card
Journey to Niagara Falls
Prayer Fellowship
Permias
Shopping
Back home from study
Registrar offering
Teaching in FKIP
Family Background
My father, whom I loved him so much, was a carpenter, especially in splitting log for poles and furniture. He was brown, had curly hair with strong arms and good body shape, tough but a bit emotional. I was so close with him and wanted to be with him all the time, so that I follow him wherever he went.
My mother was a little fatty but not obese. She was kind, patient, wise and nice to everyone. She was a famous "masseur" among the known people surroundings. I frequently saw her was picked up by someone driving a good sedan; drove her back home with beautiful artistic gifts. Unfortunately I did not have much that kind of sense of arts, that regret me of not paying attention to that matter.(BSD City, April 4th, 2020)
Once Upon a Time in My Life
It was April 5th, 2020, two days following my self quarantine for the damn covid-19.
I woke up at 4 am. My brain is wandering around from time to time, from places to places, from events to events. Then, I was thinking to write/edit it to my stories. I got up, dragged my pillow, put it on the wall so that I was able to sit comfortably.
I was well aware that it was so difficult to use my finger point to type a letter, that I had to repeat many times for even a word.
My Childhood
Unlike ordinary little children, I liked running around without stopping. I also Iiked climbing, playing in dangerous places, crossing big river Tjode floods, wrestling, and so on. It was reasonable that most people in the village gave me label "naughty," and I new it, and I did not mind.
Karangdjati, the village where I was born, was a small village known as the village of criminals. No "andong" driver dared to bring passengers to Karangdjati. Passangers used to aske to be dropped at Blunjah Gede, the village of "santri."
In the north part of the village Karangdjati there was a Japanese man made creek called ''Slokan Mataram." In the time of revolution era, when people of Indonesia fought against the Dutch, few dead bodies were thrown into Slokan Mataram. The corps were dropped in the sandy stony ghost like.
Later, after the war against the Dutch finished, my village friends and I visited the ghost like place and found a few pieces of human bones and skulls. No one dared to touch the scary things. No one.
I, with no fear, chose one of the scattered bones and skulls. I took a piece of front part of the skull, put it in my face as mask, and begun to dance. Even, I brought the skull home, and in the evening, when the night came and began to be dark I put the skull on my face and danced again down the road. Incidentally there were girls walking there and met a shadow with skull face. They were frightened, screaming, crying and ran away. I did not know why I did it. But I was glad, may be because I can entertained myself. I remembered I did it accompanied by my neighbor friend, Seno.
The next morning, spread out over the village that there were ghosts with skull face walking around the village. Later, I heard that my big brother heard the news about the ghost and told it to his friend, who very often visited him. One of them was a relative. He was an acrobat that was able riding a bike on a piece of wire. The other, his friend, was a body builder with big muscles. I knew them well.
Next evening when I played with so called "kemamang," a fire ghost, by putting burning things on both my ears, my mouth and my toe fingers, and again accompanied by Seno, and was walking down on the Karangdjati south entrance road, the acrobatic man and his friend who were riding bikes and running down the road met us. Instead of being frightened the muscled man calmly said: "Wait, wait ... there is a ghost, " and he got down from his bike. It was dark about 8 pm. Being aware of a danger that might happen, I took off the fires, threw it away, and ran away. So did my friend, Seno. Even though I ran as fast as I could, I realized that I would not be able to avoid him from being caught. I swift to my relative's porch and and sat down on a "lincak"(Javanese bamboo sofa), pretending to be as calm as possible. The muscled man met me and asked me right away whether I saw someone running(he acknowledged me well). Pretending to have been sitting there for sometime before(I was trying to breath normally), I showed him the "direction" the man had gone. I did not know where Seno had gone actually, but he said the next day that he was not caught. And the other day the acrobat and the muscled man visited my big brother and told him about what had happened the day before. My big brother was laughing out loudly and told him that the "ghost" was his little brother, Koewat. Since, then they called me "dik memedi"(little brother ghost).
I was deterred, and behaved better than I was, but not given up my tempers yet.
Koewat Caught a Thief
It was about 02:00 AM when I was carried on my father's back on his duty watching the village for security（Javanese: ronda). I was about 2-years of age. As usual I always stayed closely to my father, whenever, wherever. The night(morning actually) was dark with blurry poor moonlight, because there was no electricity yet in the village. Suddenly I saw a shadow looked like a very big dog. I screamed and pointed out to a shadow that was crawling on the ground. My father soothed me and took me home. According to the story my father went back to continue watching the village and called the neighbors and caught a thief. The next morning I saw the thief tied on a tree. Some people also saw the thief, and a rumor spread out across the village telling that Koewat caught a thief.
I “Bullied“ My Father.
It was afternoon about 4 pm, when I, without any reason, but may be disappointed, decided to climb up one of four poles of my house and lied on the "pengeret,"(log suspending the roof of a house). The sun down. Dark was coming. I did not appear. Then, father began to ask where I was. No answer.(When I was editing the story I was interrupted by a news on TVOne about the covid-19 victim. It was said, few children were taken care by the authority, because their parents died for covid-19)/ Terrible indeed; remind me to the pest outbreak that tragically took three of my family members just within four days).
My father asked a relative to go to Tempel(my father's in law, Sudi) about 15 km northward Karangdjati. I did not know how long time it took, but I knew my relative told my father that Koewat was not there. My father suddenly fell down to the ground, rolling around, crying, screaming, yelling and calling my name, and I smiled and enjoyed to what was occurring. Other relative were asked to go to Susukan, a small village westward Jogya, the village where my mother's parent originally lived. And again he told my father that he did not find Koewat there. And again I saw my father behaved the same thing as before. I crawled down. No sorry, no regret for what I had done. The whole family were happy for my appearance. Finally they found me safely. It was midnight after, though.
(April 7th, '20. Coughing woke me up. May be took about 15 minutes until it stopped and I went to the toilet. I did not know what made the coughing stopped and I hope.I could sleep again).
Koewat Falling Down
I saw an ampal(animal beatle like, but bigger one) at the end of a "so tree" branch,( so is leave of a kind of tree). I thought it would be enjoyable to play with this kind of animal as usual. I climbed and stepped aside along the branch to catch the creature. I was not really aware that the branch was weakly stamped on its trunk. As I step toward the creature farther the branch fell out. I felt I bumped on some branches below me and face up landed so hardly on the ground. The impact to the ground created a strange view, just like a dark yellow lightening. I heard my relative, Hardjo Niah and some women screamed, yelled and called my name, "Koewat is falling, Koewat is falling," and I heard someone said, let him swallow egg, let him swallow egg. I felt all my body was destroyed, and felt no power at all. My relative Hardjo Niah took me home. My mother took care of me with a great love and patient. I did not know exactly how long was I just lied down on a bed. Amazingly I perfectly recovered without any injury or disable, and I was able doing terrible behaviors just like before.
And that brought me to the second falling down. But this time I visited birds that I had watched for a period of time, from the beginning the baby birds's parent building their nest. That afternoon I wanted to see how far the baby birds were growing, and I was exited to see them growing healthy（I used to take baby birds and raised them, so later they became tame, and was nice to play with). To my unintentional excitement I held a dry branch, causing it broke and thrown me down hitting the very hard ground.
Traveling to Australia.
Until this time I have ever traveled to Australia four times. The first one was when I was appointed by the government of Indonesia to study about primary educational system together with 30 lecturers from all over the country. Secondly was, when my wife and I were invited by our oldest son, Anindita Widhibrata for a short visit for three months. The third visit was, when my brother and sister in law, Efrayim and Prayanti, my wife and I, again, invited by Anindita's. And the fourth and the last time, was when my wife and I, again, invited by Anindita's.
First Visit to Australia
I was one of Satya Wacana candidates who was selected to have seminar of the lecturers all over Indonesia in relation to Primary School Education System. The seminars were carried out in Ciloto, West Java. The IBRD program was a collaboration between Australia government and Indonesia government. The goal was to improve the quality of the Indonesia educational systems. Following 3 seminars that had been carried out the candidates to sent abroad was decided. I was elected. The destinations were London, England and Melbourne, Australia. I was selected to go to Australia, since my health record fulfilled the Australia visa requirement, so did the other 30 candidates. The candidates who were not fulfilled the visa requirement were sent to London or even dropped out. Rector for Academic Affairs, held the invitation. I came to his office to take the invitation with a question as why he did not give it to me. He could not give satisfactory answer. I suspected him to having intention to block my chance, since it was in the middle of the Satya riot, and he was on the KPU(Kelompok Universitas) as they mentioned, in contrary to KPD (Kelompok Demokrasi as it was).
There were 2 groups of lecturers to go to Australia one to La Trobe University and the other to Deakin University, with 30 people each. Each group had their own leader. And I was a group leader to Deakin University.
Especially with Deakin Group, they wanted me to be the leader, but I do not want it, because I wanted to be relax and enjoy my travel, but they insisted me. In order not wasting time I accept it and directly asked two of us to be secretary and finance.
Just before boarding a problem arose. Someone who did not elected to go was there. The committee asked me to allow him to join the group. Funny! But after some arguments, I, finally, allowed him to join. The documents needed, then, set up. And everything was OK, and we were leaving for Australia.
Melbourne was a very clean city,and was so neat, and looked organized. Arriving at the boarding house the Australian head program, Robin Matthew, showed us a computer to use, but it was Apple system that was not popular with us, and I asked him how to get started and safe the data. I started right away, typed for a journal and saved it. I had the data for the journal the first day I arrived. And I invited them to have a meeting to organize our activities while we were staying together in the boarding house.
First of all we had to make an agreement about how we live together. A schedule to tidy up our public room who would keep kitchen and meeting room in order. The first day ran well, but the second day did not, because the man in charge did not work. As someone report what happened I took initiative to take over his job, I cleaned the kitchen my self. The third day job well done. And so were the rest of the days.
While we had not settled yet a group of people which I did not know came and behaved differently as if they were so familiar with the place we were staying. Their dress were white with rope style and most of them were with beard. I did not say anything. I thought they were one of participants's friends. Eventually one of the participant parent's in law passed away in Indonesia. I let her had a ceremony in accordance with her faith, and she and her friend did. Surprisingly, the next day the group came again in our place and brought some food for us, and the situation was completely much better than before.
An unpredictable incident happened when someone put a slice of pork in the refrigerator. I did not know it until a friend told me about that. He said that there was a rumor about pork in the refrigerator, whereas the most participants were moslems. After thinking for a while I just tool the pork and threw it away to the bin, Finished. No reaction.
Annoying incidents were happened when some participants unintentionally locked their doors for their careless that I had to report to the management. The solution was the management gave a master key to solve the problem, yet it was not a solution at all, because I had to be ready to open someone's door with master key that I brought.
Learning Australian Educational Systems
To fulfill the goals of educational systems of Indonesia, especially on the levels of Primary Education the government of Indonesia with collaboration with IBRD held a program to send lecturers of the entire country of Indonesia, including private sectors, to learn the educational systems of the developed country such as England and Australia
During 3 months of learning we study a lot of theories and practices at some primary schools in Victoria. We visited the Department of Education in Melbourne. We visited Geelong School of Education and did a meeting where we got some videos. We learnt about integrated curriculum and we found the Australian most learning system, that was, To Teach How the Students Learn, which was not emphasizing the feeding of the contents of the curriculum. We also found that there was no ranking systems of the students's achievements, rather, the individual student would compete with the student him or herself. A system that was not quiet the same as in the USA, where competition was a system that was applied in the country.
Second Travel to Australia
Rose in hands
Arriving at the Melbourne Airport my wife and I were welcomed by roses in Ariel's hands.So impressive! We met Andrew, Evie and Andhi with big hugs. We were happy. It was the last days of Spring season and would be soon came to Summer. They lived in Bonbeach about 1 hour drive from Melbourne, and close to south west of Victoria sea.
The next day while we were still a bit sleepy Andhi took me to a Thullip garden. This was the last 2 days of the Thullip garden to open, Andhi said. If we did not take this chance we would miss it. The thullips were still beautifully blooming. We really happy to see the beautiful views that had never seen before. This was my second visit to Australia, but was the first visit fo my wife.
Andhi's house was beautiful, three bedrooms, one bathroom, one living room, and one kitchen. There was an open area in front of the house that make us so comfortable. Evie grew a lot flowers, making the situation more enjoyable. There was a large space at the back of the house with roof on, enable to dry clothes safely. A small garden beside it and also a large yard on the right side of the house.
We played at a small pond near the house with some ducks swimming and playing around. I rode a bike around the pond together with Ariel, where her bell dropped in the wild grass that made her sorrow for losing it. Andrew was still to young to follow us around.
There was also a pony club near by the house. We used to walk beside the pony club fence when we went to a Little Park about 1 km far from the house. A lot of people used to play at the Little Park altogether with the children.
One morning Ariel was with me. She slept on my chest starring at me and hold my face and pulled my skin on face and said that I was getting old. Yes, I was getting and died, I said. She sadly reacted and cried loudly, saying that I was getting old and would die. I could not stop her from crying. I tried to sooth her and said that everyone would die, but just like our Lord Jesus Christ that raised from the death, so do we. We would die and go to heaven. We all would die and go to heaven and get together again. She stop crying, but still looked sad.
When I told her father about what was happening, He told me that I should not do this, because Ariel was a sensitive girl. I was sorry for doing this to Ariel. What I knew was that she was intelligent and liked arguing.
Wombat Stew was the tale that Ariel liked the most at that time. I read and read her the tale from a book I took from a neighborhood around. And I sometimes manipulated the story with my special styles and added special voices or songs to make it more attractive. A special day every month Australian used to throw out the waste from their homes and I got some books and a bicycle.
Andhi took us to Melbourne to celebrate the New year. The train was free for every passenger. It was smooth and had more spaces that made us comfortable. The New Year was celebrated with spectacular fire works. People were crowded. I carried Ariel on my shoulders too avoid her to be exhausted on the home before reaching the train.
Andhi also took me a ride by his big motor bike along the south west of Victoria coast. Stop by at a beautiful spot view for a moment and enjoyed a cup of coffee. It was so nice. We were not speeding but fast enough that could raise my adrenaline, but it was OK with me. Yet I talked to Andhi for not asking eyang Ito to to do it when he visits Australia. In addition to the journey Andhi showed me a fishing spot as well as showed me the rule of fishing, such as the size of the fish that could be taken home. A rule that we, Indonesia, have not had yet.
Andhi also took us to some local tourist destinations, unfortunately I did not remember the names were. On the ways we often stop a while to buy food, mostly, some burgers and cokes. As long as I remembered there were 2 preferable food stores that we stop by, Mc Donald's and Hungry Jack, but McDonald's was more often.
The Third Travel t to Australia
I thought my third travel to Australia would be happier, more prosperous and enjoyable. since this time my daughter in law's parent would be visiting too. We transited at the beautiful air port Changi. Since we had enough time in Singapore, we spent the time to have traveled around downtown Singapore offered by the Changi airport. So, although we had a short time we could see the beauty of the Singapore site.
The Singapore-Melbourne flight found no problem at all. We arrived at Melbourne just on schedule. Andhi and Evie took us at Melbourne Air port. It was no strange thing for us, because we had ever been there before, the cleanest airport in the world. We were on Toyota Prado vehicle that was bought by Andhi to prepare for us whenever we are travelling.
I was right. Andhi had prepared us a long journey to the Gold Coast, Queensland. The journey was mot as beautiful as I thought. Eyang Kupu looked unhappy. I knew Ariel had asked eyang Kupu to move to another seat while her grandma had been sitting comfortably; and this incident had made her feeling hurt all the way around until I asked Andhi to apologize to his mother without knowing the reason as why he should do this. I was really in jeopardy. For God sake, Andhi was so humble. He did what I asked, and since then all was clear. Along my staying in Australia this time my wife and I just took a walk Bonbeach-Chelsea go and forth, while Evi's parent went to some tourist destinations that I did not know where. Somehow, on the way home I found no problem at all until we arrived home in Salatiga safely. Andhi, Evi, Ariel and Andrew accompanied us to the airport.
The Latest Travel to Australia. The fourth.
This was a bit different than my visits before. First of all I was getting older, so was my wife. I was 81 years old and my wife will be 78 years of age. We visited Australia in the beginning of corona outbreak, in January 2019, following the process of getting Australian Visas that was, I think, more difficult than it was before. Firstly, may be because the visa requirement was different than it was before, and secondly, was that, as a matter of fact, my wife and I were old enough to have a long distance journey.
Pudjo, my nephew, drove us to immigration office in Semarang after I got all the documents needed.
The employees were hospitably served us, just quite different when I visited years ago. The photocopy documents were not as required as they did, though, instead of making another photocopies according to the examples that I have had, the office asked me to go to a copy store the employees had provided. It was OK.
A lady employee helped me filled in the application forms, which was really helpful, and she also submited the forms plus documents to the office. More surprisingly, it took very short time to process the registration. And we were called to take photos. I reread the new passport, and was disappointed, because of the misspelling of my name was, although I had asked the employee for helpeing me to correct it before. Whatever happened, my wife and I finally got new Australian passports.
On the way home we stopped by Elizabeth hospital to assure, in accordance with my browsings, that this was the hospital we had to have medical examinations as the Australian Embassy says that someone entering Australia should have medical examinations that carried out by a certain hospital and it should be done by a certain doctor as well. In this case that were Elizabeth hospital and doctor Fransisca, Semarang. So, I visited the office and got the forms to fill in.
I let Nusantara Travel get the visas. Its office was at Satya Wacana University complex. After completing the visa document requirement and payed 2 thousands rupiahs per each I submitted it to the Nusantara Travel, and was just waiting. Visas were published 2 weeks later. All the processes were running well, and my wife and I were ready to travel to Australia.
Lockdown
If I did not make instant decision to go back to Indonesia right away of my travelling to Australia, I would not know how my live would be likely.
The day before my wife and I were leaving for Indonesia the minister of Foreign Affairs reminded the citizens of Indonesia to come back to the country soon for the possibility of locking down. On March 18, 2020 my son, Andhi, told me that there would be a flight at 2 pm. We decided to take the opportunity right away. Although in a rush we finally arrived at Melbourne airport just on time. Andhi drove us accompanied by his wife, Evie.
The difficult time
My wife and I finally landed in CKG airport Jakarta without any problem. We passed the immigration with body temperature test, and it was OK. If there was connecting flight to Semarang we would directly fly. But there was none. So I took taxi to BSD City where Bayu and Chondro, two of my sons are staying. The situation was scary, because of covid-19. Everyone was wearing a masker. Bayu hesitated to pick us up for covid-19 threat too. Arriving at Chondro' s home we tried to clean up and disinfected all our belongings. My wife and I stayed in Chondro's home for about 3 months before moving to Bayu's.
It was not easy staying in the situation like this. First of all everyone did not want to be infected by the dangerous disease covid-19, which in fact have been spreading out the entire world just in a very short time. So everyone was wearing mask while doing activities, even in the house. Interaction between people became awkward, situation became uncomfortable. To maintain the distance among family members we were not touching each other. No hugging, no kissing just used to be. It might also unintentionally irritated someone, who knew.
To avoid being bored, then we moved to Bayu's home. To make her grand parent happier Iona moved upstairs. We stayed home most of the time. My wife like staying outside in the morning in order to get some Vit D. I latter joined her and sometimes riding a bike around the complex. A good and gracious friend, doctor Mery, accompanied by her son, Matthew, came to visit us. He gave a folding knife that he bought from Germany. We did not touch each other as usual.
While we were just being relax most of the time, another members, Aby, Joel, Iona, Niken, their mother and Bayu, their father, were busy with online studies and works. So were Axel, Nindya and Chondro. Fortunately Anne had her own business. Since Bayu and Chondro were staying in the same residence, deLatinos, they visited each other. Bayu staying at Santiagp while Chondro at Costa Rica.
In the middle of the uncertainty situation Niken's mother was hospitalized for a heart problem, so that Niken had to go to Jogya to take care of her mother, although she had to find the ways to get through the health protocol. So pity, her mother passed away after suffering 3 months of complications.
One day I made a video call to Surabaya and I saw on the video my wife's big sister
looked so sick. My wife and I instantly decided to go to Surabaya. The negative rapid test allow us to go by flight. Bayu took us to Cengkareng Airport. The journey to Surabaya was all running well.
Taking care of an old, sick and limited movement person was really uneasy one. I could see how Dicky and Irma had been taking care of her mother, and I could also see that sometimes they were tired and bored. I tried to sooth them by talking or discussing or whatever I could do to make the situation better. In the middle of the night or so I often heard sister Errentini complaint of being painful, while everyone in the house fell asleep. My simple massages and soft voice might relieve the pains. I could see that with kinds of this treatment could calm her. It usually she fell asleep again.
I felt I had been spoiling too during three months of staying at Pucangsawit 44. The daily food were vary and nutritiously provided. I used to have 3-4 kinds of fruit every morning.
The family members treated us, my wife and me, kindly, whereas I did not have enough time to have exercises, so I bought a piece of sponge and asked someone to make a mat. By this way I was able to maintain my fitness.
The comfortable staying was disturbed by some sadly incidents. On January 2021 Niken's father passed way for some health problem and in the last got covid-19 as well. Niken, because of taking care of her father, caught the covid-19 too. In the same month my nephew, who had been suffering from stroke for 11 years, and had a very close relationship with me also died. On February, 21, just on my 83rd birthday my brother in law(besan:Javanese), Evi's father) passed away too. So my wife and I were driven by Dicky went and forth Surabaya-Jogya. The activities were really depleted our energy. Praise the Lord, we survived. It was just might be this moment that unable us to go back home after leaving it for more than one year.
Totally Change
Lives are just mysteries. Everything seemed changed in 1956. I was at the second grade of a private School Teacher BOPKRI(Badan Oesaha Pendidikan Kristen Indonesia) in my motherland Jogyakarta. I got a pesychology lesson. I unfortunately forgot my teacher's name whom I should respect and and praise her for her contribution in changing my behavior as well as my attitude.
One of the topics of her lessons was talking about hyperactive children that most people judged them as naughty. She emphasized these phenomena that were caused by extra energies that had not been channeled properly on the right places. The manifestations could be unpredictable activities that might be considered as bad behaviors or in contrary as too nice behaviors. She called the manners were compensations. The term compensation was immersive, and brought me to introspection, retrospection and contemplation.
The term, compensation or sublimation, was as if as a knife that stabbed deeply into my heart and drove me to the questions, as was I naughty? Were my behaviors right and acceptable? And so were my attitudes? In the same time I also thought about my future, because in the very near future I would become a teacher.
Teacher in Javanese called "guru " which means "digugu lan ditiru" (being obeyed and being followed). I thought I must become a person that be obeyed and be followed. I instantly changed my performances totally, and my behaviors and my attitudes as well. Surely, I changed physically too because of the extensive exercises that I had done.
It might surprised many people surround me. I became a calm young man, so polite, that some people look at me as different creature. My uncle lent me his expensive beautiful bicycle when I started teaching. Blessed me, since I was appointed to be a teacher at governmental subsidized school, SMP2 BOKRI at Bintaran Kulon no 2 Jogyakarta. I was surprised by myself with what my uncle did, because he used to underestimated me beforehand.
Following my completion of SGA study, Mr. Soebanoe, the headmaster, took me to Mr Senomalangjudo, the head of the Physical Education Institution in Jogyakarta to ask him to give an opportunity for me to continue my study to the higher level(BI Physical Education), In contrary Mr. Senomalangjudo suggested me to work for 2 years ahead and apply for study later. And it was true. He fulfilled his promise. I got study permission following 2 years of teaching.
Why Didn't I Die?
This statement was a kind of terrible incidents that happened along with my lives until I was biologically 85 years of age. When I was born it took, according my mother, 3 days of delivery suffering that almost took her life. The name Koewat (means strong) was actually given to my mother for her strength of my delivery.
There were a lot of accidents that happened in my lives. When I was about 3-4 years old I was dragged by a car for my miss behave. Bad luck. I slept my leg on the bumper of the running car, although I could grasped it. I got injured on my arms, and took a long time to recover.
I had ever been spit by a snake. In a long period of time I had been having trauma for snake spitting that made my live was not secure and depressive as well
Without a great mental effort I would be failed with my normal live, I thought.
When I was about 8-9 years old I fell down on the hard ground while looking for birds or animal that I liked. Two times for sure.
Sometime, I was riding a bike and suddenly could not control it and I fell down the man made river, Selokan Mataram. A man who I had ever annoyed just looked at me, and pretended to asked me whether I fall down in the river. He took revenge on me when someday he jumped down the same river when he was driving a becak and by surprised I scream for the sudden appearance of him. There was not enough light, but a gloomy moonlight. It was funny because he looked for a pack of sugar that dropped in the water and I was sure that the sugar must be solute in the water.
Another accident happened when I was hands standing on the two students's shoulders. I was not sure whether I neglecting or being over confident, but instead of landing with my legs, I landed on my head directly to the hard ground. I was a bit unconscious for a moment. It was painful and I thought my neck bones were broken. I did not came back to the classroom, but went home and laid down on a bed. For 3 months my neck was so painful and I had to suspend it with my arms to make it erect.
During the G30S/PKI incident I was intimidated, in my home village as well in the college. I always brought a knife on my way home, ready to fight or kill someone if I was bothered. In school, the head of the Student Body told me on our ways to the campus. He told me that he was asked by some of my villagers to execute me from the college. I told him, to sooth his tension, to find out evidence then please him to confront me. Furthermore I said if there is such evidence, just do it. It was a very dangerous situation in my live that could bring me into disaster. Intuitively, or I believed that it was the interfere of God in my live, for my deeds seemed to be guided by Him.
More terrible accident happened, when I was cleaning my wife's car in the morning, when my wife was taking a bath for her preparation to go to work to her office(She was working at Garuda Food in Pati) . Suddenly, as if someone kicked my chair (the chair for making more comfortable to reach the upper parts of the car). I faced up stumbled down on the concrete. The impact was just like a lightening stroke on my face. I felt there were thousands of ants were crawling on my entire body from my legs to my head. I was conscious, though. My wife called me asking whether I fell down and I answered yes. I observed the situation by asking my self and waiting for what might be the effects of the accident. After the feelings on my body were gone, I tried to move my toes. I could move it. Then I tried to move my fingers, and then the upper arms and legs. I could move them. Then I sat on the wet floor for a moment and tried to feel whether I vomit or not. Nothing. I knew, it meant I did not have a brain damage. I stood up and continued cleaning the car.
Someday at Chondro's house. I was using a drill to make a hole on a stall when I got electrical shock. I still could feel the impact, but was instantly unconscious until I heard my wife screamed while she was trying to pull the drill that still on my chest. Fortunately she did not touch the drill.
According to my wife, my grand daughter's baby sitter yelled to eyang Kupu saying that I fell down on the wet grass. Therefore she asked her where I was. Eyang Kupu quickly ran to find me. Knowing that I was on the ground and the drill was still on my chest. That was why she screamed. And her screaming woke me up.
With a little bit fainting I said do not touch me, rather turn the electricity off. I felt being released from something that tied me and and felt free, when the electricity was off. I felt so exhausted and weak as well. I rejected to be carried into the house and let my self laid down for a moment.
Feeling better, I went into the house and called Bayu. Unfortunately he was going to Surabaya for a business. So I called Niken, his wife. Unless she said that there is a golden period I would not go to the do doctor. So Niken took me to Klinik Karunia Sehat. The doctor told me, after she inspected me, that there was no nerve damage but she suggested me to have MRI. The next morning I had the MRI, and found no nerve damage. I was lambed for about 6 months and activated my left hand to do something.
Over confidence sometimes took me in some accidents too. Some of the accidents did not hurt me at all, but some needed to go to the hospital for injuries and some needed to be stitched. One morning I swept around the house. I was i a hurry to put the swept to where it belonged. My toe snared in the foot path whole bumping my shoulder and jaw on the ground. It was painful. I was not able to drive, so I called Ninon for a help. She took me to RSUD Salatiga. The Xray showed nothing damage on my shoulder. The jaw was not been Xray. The nurse suggested me to go to the orthopedics specialist the next morning. The doctor said that there was no serious injury and it would be recovered itself. The shoulder was recovery after months, but not the jaw. It sometimes was a sudden painful while chewing something..
Being aware of the over confidence effect I was being more careful. However as an old men my balance decreased significantly. I had many times of fallings down for balancing probblem, but this one needed to go to the hospital for stitching. Now I was around 80s. As usuaI I liked everything to be symmetrical. It was only a gallon of water that appeared not symmetrical, so I was trying to put it in order when I lost my balance and fell down and I had bleeding on my right eyebrow. Chondro took me to the RSPAW hospital and I had 4 stitches. The nurse said, fortunately I came to the hospital, If not that would be long time to recover.
Second Asthma Attack, the Worst Attack, Disorientation and Mysteries
I was going to have breakfast in the morning while eyang Kupu was sweeping around the house and Ninon was sitting in a chair around the round table. I was about to join Ninon when suddenly I was confused, could not control my mind as well as my voice. When eyang Kupu asked why, I really could not control my voice so that I loudly yelled unintentionally, I instantly called Evi who was preparing to go home to Australia. Evi was confused to receiving my calling because I could not, according to her, speak clearly on the telephone, She said that she did not understand what eyang Kuka said andsh e would be going soon to eyang Kuka, at Jambewangi 31.
Evie and eyang Kupu took me directly to the Emergency Room, RSPAW, Ngawen. I got a first aid and I felt better. Therefore I did not want to be brought to the hospital treatment room. I, then had to go to the regular registration, but when I arrived there I got a sudden attack again. So I had to go back to Emergency Room and then was taken care with oxigen and nebulizer.
Evi went back home preparing for her journey home to Australia.
What happened then, when I was in care, but mysteries. A prayer team, miss Martha and Mr Pramono came to pray for me. They also sung a song Hidup Ini adalah Kesempatan, Live is a Chance. Not only did friends, neigbhors and relatives came to see me, but also a preacher who I knew him, came over and prayed for me. Strangely when the preacher blessed me there were 3 hands rising over my head. I was aware that his right hand was holding me. So I asked him whose hands were those. He did not answer my question, but said just do not not tell anyone else about the incident. Strange! I did not understand.
Indeed, when I got an asthma attack, my wife asked Irma, her niece, in Surabaya, to pray for me, in addition of the prayer, her niece sent some Bible verses. It was said in Matthew 7 that He will come and heal him/me. My wife also asked Pudjo, her nephew in Bandung, and he sent the similar verses saying that he will come and He will heal him/me.
The first 4 days of unidentified suffering symptoms introduced me of a new knowledge. I could not sleep for totally 4 days, notwithstanding I neither sleepy nor tired. However I suffer from a symptom as if I got cramps on my right stomach muscle, it was rocking and trembling and that might cause me not able to sleep. So that I asked Chondro, who came from Jakarta to see me hearing that I had been taken cared in the hospital, to sooth it with slow spiritual song. He down loaded spotyfy for me. It was an instrumental piano song that really nice, but it did not work perfectly.
I was, then, browsing and found an instrumental slow and soothing music, Amazing Grace. I turn and turn it on and on and finally the symptoms stopped. Curiously I browsed in the internet to find out what the symptoms were. The internet said that t was the nerve system disorder. If it was not handled properly it would block the nerve system and made someone in habitual movements.
On the fifth day I deeply fell asleep. I woke up because I needed to go to the toilet. I fellt so exhausted that I asked Chondro to help me to go to the toilet. When I finished, I was so weak and I could not think clearly. I did not know where I was and in what occasion I was. I called Chondro and said that I was disoriented. I forgot my sons's names. However, I gradually conscious. I remembered my oldest son was Anindita, and my first grand daughter was Ariel, and finally I remembered all of my sons and grandchildren. But I still did not now where exactly I was, I was not sure. Confusing. I was not able to locate myself. What I remembered was, that I was hospitalized, but in what room I did not remember. It took a few ,minutes to get my memory again . I was placed at a room in RSPAW hospital, but did not know which room. Then, I gradually remembered that I was in a room but a strange view appeared as if there was a small bed on my right side and my wife was laying down on that bed. My logic began to work, saying that it was impossible, because my wife was at home Another strange view appeared that my room was attached with another beautiful yard and in the middle of that beautiful square yard there was a pretty house with golden dom. And as if someone told me that underground of the house were full with gold.
Although I began o remember where I was, I still did not know how to get back home. I asked Chondro if I was at the Exit gate of the hospital what direction I should go. I should go to the right, then arrived at the traffic light and go ahead and would find the gas station, Right? And I remembered how to go home. But how about going to the left? Well, it was heading to Salatiga South Outer Ring Road, and then turn left and would arrived to ABC area. I was confused again, because it was impossible to go l to ABC Area. I just let it stayed with a kind of a blank memory and continued with my wandering mind going to the
east, and I went and went and reached at Kartosuro and if I turned right I would arrive Jogyakarta. But the rest of the on going east, I was still blanked, did not remember at all. As my traveling mind went farther, the smaller the the golddom was.
I asked Chondro to guide me back to my room and asked Chndro to help me pray. Then we prayed together: Our Fahter which art in heaven, hollowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it in heaven
Considering I would not be able to have enough rest if I stayed home , Chondro suggested me to go to BSD City and my wife and I agreed. So we went to the airport as soon as possible. If I did not tell anything at the time n I checked in, it would be no problem, however, because I told the airport staff that I hae djust out from the hospital, I was interrogated at the quarantine office. Fortunately I was allowed to fly. Since I was too weak to walk I was carried on a wheelchair. Chondro drove alone back home to BSD City, while my wife and I were flying. Beyond my expectation.
I was getting better and better, while staying at Chondro's home, but golddom image was still remain in my head, and it was bothering. Curiously I told my wife to open the internet to see whether the golddom was in it. I was really surprised when I found the image just looked like I got in my mind. The information said that it was the mosque Al Aqsa. Onthe other hand I never got information about al Aqsa.
When I went back home at Jl Jambewangi 31 Salatiga I told my finding to my neighbor who was staying just in front of my house. Nana instantly took her laptop and assured me that the image was right, and in a hurry she showed me the same image I found, She added that it was true that under ground of the mosque was full with gold. Believe it or not. Strange fenomena to me.
Being raised in a simple family live with a big family number and in the era of colonization was not easy one. My father was a carpenter specializing in sawing matter, especially in splitting logs manually, that needed great energy. I liked watching him while he was working without any boring. He was medium size, brown, half curly hair, strong and tough and loved his family.
The Background of Live
My mother, as long as I knew, was a merchandiser, especially dealing with precious stones. She was also doing something like bonded system(Javanese: sistim ijon). I witnessed that my main house was sometime full with paddy up to the roof. She was a bit fatty but not obese , a little bigger, strong but smooth hand, great endurance, humble, smiling woman, patient, compassionate, wise but brave and was ready to help others. She was also able to help women in delivering baby and massaging as well. In addition, she was so expert in making tricks for her daily business, that her customers was not aware of it; and it made jealous to her business neighbors. As a matter of fact her customers were much bigger than her neighbor were.
My father was a carpenter dealing especially with splitting logs, a saw man I would say. He had brown skin, a bit curly hair, and was sturdy and strong. He sometimes kept his hair long, and sometimes wore "iket", a kind of cloth used to tie man head. He was sometimes emotional in contrast to my mother who was so patient and wise as well. He used to cook for the family, since my mother went out for business most of the time. Food stuff were provided at home. Rice was always there, and vegetable grew at the back yard along with some spices plants.
. My oldest brother took care his brothers and sisters when my father passed away.He was working as "mantri boswesen" at Gunung Kidul Forestry,Yogyakarta, following the apprehension to become a royal blood family. His name was added by R, meant Raden as a tittle of royal and became R. Teguh Boedisantoso. He was missing in the G30S tragedy, leaving a wife and 3 soons, Bmbang Eko Budiprayitno, Agung Dwi Budiprasetyo and Tanijaya Boedisantosa, and 1 daughter Tri Budisaastuti.
My biggest sister, Timbul, did not have any formal education and in fact she was not very intelligent, but was humble, patient, and gracious one. He married to Dwidjohardjono was working at Detention Institution and had 1 daughter, Endang, and 2 sons, Kuntum Riyadi and Hardo Haryadi.
My direct big sister who had a pretty face and a good body and my direct little sister who had a simple face and a bit sloppy died in the same night for pest. Reality shown they were very close each other
My youngest brother, Jonathan Sukiman, was working as a teacher at SMEA Kristen Solo, is still alive when I wrote this story. Married to Harsinah, he has 1 daughter, Buntas, and 2 sons, Anky and Danny. They live in Solo.
The relationship among the family members was nice. We respect each other and no violence. Most of as were humble and the older used to help the younger.
Intelligence Quest
I had long been thinking, that I was not as clever as my village friends were. In one of the sessions of learning group of the village boys I even could not answer the questions that my intelligent big brother offered just as my friends did. That was really made me felt inferior and always underwent me most of the time.
Deep in my heart I wanted to release the feeling. I wanted to be clever! But how？
I need a help, but who can help? I said to myself. As a matter of fact I started to be diligent in time I entered SD Negeri Gondolayu, but I thought my apperception material was not enough. I failed my final national examination. However, the school granted me a certificate of learning completion, that enable me to study to Junior High School.
It was a time of starting adventures in an unknown world.
Sometime in the evening I found a thick Javanese book, I believed it was my brother’s. I opened it and found such interesting narration mostly about getting a help from supra
natural world by doing something such as meditation, fasting, self torturing, and so on.
Live is an Ascetic, Exercising, Mental Building
Fasting, meditation,demon worshiping
I vaguely remembered when I started doing some supra natural activities. May be I was 11 year of age when I started fasting. Not Ramadhan fasting, though. There were some kinds of fasting style that I did in accordance with Javanese believe, such as Senin-Kemis (Monday and Thursday) was one of the fasting style. It meant every Monday and Thursday I neither eat nor drink anything. Mutih (Plain), I did not eat salty food. I did it whenever it possible, depending upon the situation, but I did it frequently. Ngrowot, did not eat any food, but fruits. I did it rarely. In addition there was a special group of the day that had special value, that was "Ngebleng," in three-day full without eating and drinking. Although it was taken only three days, the value, however, was equally worth to forty days. And I did it plus one day and one night "Pati Geni," living without light.
Meditations were different kinds of fastings. It were more body torturing with high levels of mental persistence and high concentration such as starring a dot for such a long time, watching the sun rises, soaking the body in a certain calamity place especially at the two blended rivers. Talking about some crazy poses that been had been mention, there was one the most difficult and demanding pose. That was the meditation that required folding arms on the chest, united the two toes firmly, close all of senses(or "nutupi babaan nawa sanga), full concentration and say "hu" when inhaling " allah" when exhaling following narrated a series of magic sentences(rapal). It looked simple, but was really tough.
These feelings were some experiences that difficult to understand. The first weeks I posed, there was nothing happened, but a feeling that I had to stay on the position. Even, I was not able to sleep although I wanted. But if I released the position, strangely I soon fell asleep. The next few weeks. In the middle of meditation I felt unconscious and I felt as if altogether with my bed lifted somewhere about half of the height between ground and the ceiling. And when I was conscious , I was as if dropped to the ground These happened many times. The next few weeks I felt as if I did not have legs. And when I was conscious, my legs were really there. I began to be scared. I felt extremely scared, when I felt I did not have head. At that time I was so scared and confused, because I did not know where was my head as well as where I was.
All of those poses, fasting, and meditations that I had done, I felt, I got nothing. However, the last one brought me to extremely strange experiences that drove me to my "guru", Mr Soehardjo, my spiritual teacher, to ask what was really happening.
Sometime in the evening I did the meditation. As I posed just like I did before, I was suddenly experienced something(spiritually) that had never happened before, as if I sat, my legs were folded, so on my chest were my arms. Suddenly appeared a vision in front of me. I saw clearly a human in white robe coming down. His legs did not touch the ground. His face were not clear, so that I did not have an idea who he was. He said clearly(in Javanese): " Sira aja ninggalke pangeranira." (You should not leave your God), "Pangeran" could be reverse to
God.
Being confused of what was happening, especially the message that the man in the vision
said, I saw my "guru" asking what the message suppose to mean. He said that it was what I was really looking for. I was more confused than before, because I quest for intelligence. If someone or anything came to me and asked me why I persistently fasting, meditated or tortured my own body, I would instantly answer: "I want to be clever."
What was occurring afterward, I believed, was the manifestation of what my "guru" said, It was what I really looking for. I was at grade 2 Teacher High School when some strange occurrence happened. In the class break time I visited Mr. Soebanoe, the head master, telling him that I had a financial problem that might have effect with my schooling continuation. Furthermore I asked him the possibility to get a scholarship from the institution. When he asked me about who and what my father was, I was speechless, very sad and just cried, for remembering the terrible incidents that happened to my family.
The next day I was absent for school. Beyond my mind Mr. Soebanoe riding a BMW Motorcycle visited me. He entered my house while I was lying on a bed, because I sick. I had suffered from malaria for such a period of a time and this time I got an infection on my button. I told him what I had been suffering when he asked me what was happening. He, then, told me that was impossible to get a scholarship, in revers he offered to take me to the small dormitory. I accepted the offer. He took me on his BMW motor cycle and put me in his dorm, On the way he told me that he did not know who I was and what I was. He also said that he dd not know why he visited me.
The small dorm was occupied by 6 members including me my self. Every member had his own problem. Harjono had a problem with a girl, Pardedede and Hutabarat had a long distance relationship with their [parents Muzahar had a problem with his study, whereas Kusnandijono and I had financial problems to finish our Teacher School Study. I did not had to pay for the room rent, but still had to pay for school fee. In a holiday we got cash backs, however, although I did not pay for the room rent, I still got a cash back too. It was a generous of Mrs Soebanoe, The dormitory was pretty close to the Gondokusuman church where I could regularly went to worship. In addition the dorm which was part of the schoo building and boarding had a large front yard that enable me to do exercises easily, and I got a plenty of time to do any exercises as well.
Schooling
Bustan, Circling Arms Over the Head for Graduation
As long as I remember, as a a rural child, going to school was a self willingness. No one took me to school. May be one of my sisters, I did not know. What I remembered was, in the time of the graduation every student should circle his hand over his head to reach his ear. A students who was able to touch his ear he passed and could go to next school, Three Year Primary Education(Sekolah Rakjat Tiga Tahun). I went to a kind of Kinder Garten School, Bustan, that time; a school belonged to Muhammadijah Institution, and I passed the final test by circling my hand over my head and was able to reach my ear. Something that I did not understand myself happened that time, that was, I set back my age by two years. I thought that time that I might be able to delay my retirement by two years. I did not know where the idea came from.
Three Year Primary Education
Although I had been in grade 3 in the Three Year Primary School I could neither read nor write. When the teacher gave me an order to read I waited my friend to whistle me. I bribed my friend to help me read a word. However I had strong body and good endurance in contrast to my small body. I was stunting. people in the village called me stunting boy. It was OK. I did not mind. Comparing to my village friend I was the smallest child in the village. Yet, I was moving around at any time, while most of my friends were moving less and slower as well. In playing games I mostly won, even the contenders were much bigger than I was.
Furthermore, I did not hesitate to do something dangerous. One day my school friends and I were playing jumping a hole. It was not large and not deep either. Everyone was able to jump over the hole and no one failed. But I pretended to fall in the hole. Bad luck. My friend poured me with soils. My head was covered with the soils, so was my dress. I could accept this treatment. I was so angry, jumped up, grasped one of my friend's hair, pulled his head down and dragged him away until he cried, screamed and yelled for sorry. Ironically I was much smaller than he was, in fact he was the biggest boy in in the community. Sometime I dared across the river Tjode flood while no one wouldn't do that. When in the
secondary school I used to run down steep walls that no student could do it, and so on.
When I was at grade 2 Three Year Education the Japanese came to Indonesia and took control to the country, Indonesia. I still remembered how the Japanese controlled schools hardly. Before the classes begun "tai so" (a kind of gymnastic) should be done by every students with a high discipline. A student that did not follow the instruction would be snapped on his head. Following the tai so(a kind of morning gymnastics) every one should song a Japananese song "Ki Mi Ga Yo." Surely it was Japanese anthem. The Japanese called themselves old brothers, and promised to bring the freedom for Indonesian people. So people respect them, and in the same time afraid of them. People also instructed to plan castor trees along the streets, and no one allowed to bother them, or if he did the Japananese would cut his hand or even kill him. That was scary rule. So far I did not know what the plantation of the castor trees for. Later I knew that it was for the airplane lubricant.
Not only was Japanese did something disadvantageous, but also, in the contrary they stimulated people to heroism. The young Indonesian people were armed by wooden rifles and simulated war games. Later I heard that the Indonesian took over the country from the Dutch by the help of the Japanese. I could hear some popping guns from my home, Karangjati, which was about 2 or 3 km away to the center of the battle fields in the town of Yogyakarta. One of the popular names was Paimin, the Javanese name for the so called Japanese hero for Indonesia. Whether it was true or not, I was not sure, but people liked it.
In the transition time of the country, and might not be certain either, I graduated from the school without any piece of paper. That was why I went to the next school with a piece of paper written by my oldest brother, R. Teguh Boedisantosa, and I was accept in grade four, Six Year Primary State School at Gondolaju, Jokyakarta. (The spelling of the city Yogyakarta was not consistent!).
Getting Started the Future
Just at the time I started studying in grade 4 in Sekolah Rakjat Negeri Gondolaju, I began to be aware of how important was the future. I started studying diligently. However it was not easy because of my being left behind before. On the other hand I had a strong willingness to become excellence. By studying hard I was able to go to grade 5, then could go to grade 6. i contrary my character was not changed; moving around, yelling, running, climbing, and so on. Making a noise! During the running around I sledge a senior student, and my leg was suddenly kicked by him. It was so painful. But I could not do anything, because he was much taller and bigger than I was. What I can do was I hate him.
A bad luck also happened to me. The teacher, and was the headmaster as well, accused me for breaking the neighbor's roof adjacent to the school building with a small stone shot by a slingshot. The sixth grade students were called in the classroom and the headmaster asked us who did it. All the students answered they did not do it, but when in turn the headmaster asked me whether I did it he did not believe it and he hit my head so hardly that I got faint, my vision was dark, and I got a pounding headache. As a matter of fact I absolutely did not do it. I had nothing to do with a slingshot. At that moment I was climbing a Jambu tree in front of six grade classroom. I did not know why it happened to me. I was thinking that on that day two Koewats (as it was just an accident, there were two students had the same name, and incidentally the other Koewat wore the same color shirt, blue, and the same white dots. The different was my dots were smaller than the other Koewat's dots).
I really did not accept the treatment on me, but I just could not do anything, but cried, was sad and also feud. I thought I would visit the teacher just wanted to say that he had made a mistake of accusing me breaking the neighbor's roof with a slingshot.
Being happy of passing the primary grade requirement I, with a great spirit, looked for the next education. I walked along the way from from my home through Malioboro St. accompanied by my village mate, Sugito. I stopped at Islamic Primary Teacher School, but I was rejected to register there. I did not know the reason was. Then I continued hunting for school. My friend registered at Nasional Junior High School on Jl. Kantor Post. I continued walking eastward and found SMP IV BOPKRI. I was accepted there, although I did not have a state certificate, because this private school was just opening and looking for new students for admission. Lucky me. I was so happy even though I had to walk down the street for 5 km.
The school began at 15.00. So I had to leaf home at least at 13.00 for not being late. I took a walk 5 km to school and backed the same distance, and got home after 19.00 every day. However, that was not a problem. I was happy to do so.
I got through the semester 1 excellently. My grades were good, except 1 subject, history, I got 4 out of 8. I was so sad and ashamed, that I cried out along the way home. I promised this would not happen again. And I did it. And I got through semester 2 without any problem and promoted to grade two. That made my self reliance stronger. I became more enthusiastic in studying and enable me to go to grade 2. Since my grades fulfilled the requirement for math majoring(path B/Mathematics) I went up to grade 3 majoring in mathematics. This was the more prestigious path than Language Path was(A/Language) that time. I was so proud of it, and was very high acceleration of my study. Study and study. As a result my grades were really good, until... In the end of semester 1, I suffered from tropical malaria, that seriously damaged my brain. In the same moment the national examination was held. I remembered, that on the 2nd day of the examination I was not able even doing a simple calculation. I just hold the pen and failed to finished 2 1/2 x 2V3.
I was so discouraged that I wrote to my best friend saying that I was going to suicide if failed the national examination. I wrote in in secret letters that he gave me before, and there were only three people who knew these secret letters. However, God loved me. Although I got minimum only for the final grade sum, I passed the national examination. The national examination committee marked my algebra grade up from 3 to 4 in order to fulfill the minimum requirement of the national examination conditions. My teacher said that the mark up was given because my geometry and physics were good enough.
Wrestling Coaching Clinics Assignment
The Coaching Clinic was held at SOSI( School of Self Defence Indonesia), Bandung. The school was owned by Mr Battling Ong( Real name: Ong Hong Lioong). He was the head of the national wrestling coach with Mr O'Bos Syahbandi Purwana as the Head of Technical Commission and Brigadier General Rusli as the head of National Wrestling Federation
There were 6 "provinces" invited to the Coaching Clinic, North Sumatera, Jakarta, Bandung, Solo, Jogyakarta, and Eastern Java. That was the limited time that the "provinces" causing representation of the real provinces over Indonesia. J. Lasut represented North Sumatra, Soeharto represented Jakarta, Sudradjat represented Bandung(Western Java, Sarpo and K.Trijanta represented Jogyakarta, Goei represented Solo(Sentral Java), Israwan and Efendi(I forgtot) represented Surabaya(Eastern Java)
It took 3 months full to follow the training, including wrestling techniques, rules, and body forming using halter, barbel, spring tow and pulley. There was also run training for stamina. Finishing all the programs we got a certificate as Level II National coach and Judge&referee.
Went back to the provinces we had to form athletes to joint the First National Wrestling Competation as the preparation to join the training center in Jakarrta.
I concentrate to look the athlete candidates at SGPD (Sekolah Guru Pendidikan Djasmani), Physical Education Teacher School, although wresting activities was followed by the citizen of Jogyakarta,
Dormitory II
Again, the dormitory was lost control. However, I believed, it was not as bad as before. Three months after I left the dorm for thhe USA for my Master's degree program I got a letter from Christian Hutbarat, the former student living in the dorm. He told me in his letter the dorm was mess up. How could it be? I was wondering. Then I got more information the supervisor wanted the students in unit 7 moved to uni 3, just like what I wanted to do before. The students did not agree, being angry and threw a big stone to the supervisor's house. Since, then, the students were not be able to be controlled.
The vise rector of Student Affairs called me to solve the problems in the dorm. My wife demanded to fix the kitchen of the supervisor's house. And when it all set we moved in.
I did not see a big problem at all of the dorm, I saw everything was in order, except the students that did not respect the supervisor. I did not know what went wrong with the dorm. The supervisor was not able o control the students, while everything was in order. It might just "The wrong Man in the Right Place." The supervisor was the man that subtituted me when I studied in the USA. I heard from Christian Hutabarat that the dorm was mess up. It was just 3 months following my leaving. Unbelievable, since the dorm was such a big nice and peaceful family in religious situation coloring with great hymn singing, which was so impressed me and that could never be forgotten.
The first day I came to office Mr Walim , the Finance, reported the truck that used to park in front of the office was gone. The owner, he said, Mr Herman, moved his car out of the dorm. And the next days after, the students that were not the members of the dorm,yet played around in the dorm voluntarily went out of the dorm. Amazing!
The dorm were run normally until the rector election. May be, according to the one of the rector's candidate side, I would be a barrier for his run to being a rector, since I was Javanese and most of the supporters were, including the students in the dorm, non Javanese, and it was totally wrong, because I was not racist man. It was OK not to being the supervisor, however the way that he took was not right. Unless he was sorry of what he had done a terrible actions of me might unintentionally happen.
Learning Primary Education System to Australia
I was not the supervisor anymore, but I still stayed in the supervisor's house because My own house was still contracted by students. In the mean time I was appointed by Mr Prasetyo, the head of the Primary Education Teacher School to be sent to Seminars helad by the Ministry of Education in Ciloto, West Java, as a preparation to learn education system abroad.
Indonesian Prayer Fellowship
Getting started with two families the Indonesia Prayers Fellowship became a great number gathering of about 40 people, including American families. I met Vera, an Indonesian who married an American, David. We talked about prayers fellowship. Actually there had been a prayers fellowship before in Pittsburgh, but it had not been active lately. So we started with two families, the David's and the Koewat's. The Hadinata's, then, jointed the fellowship.
I told every Indonesian I met about the prayer fellowship. The number of I group then increased significantly to about 40 people adding the prayer fellowship beautifully. One of the members, Norma Pribadi, asked my wife and me to be the baptized parents.
Since the room was limited, the children were separated from the group and were placed in one of our rooms. I dealt with the children and could not be in the adults anymore. The children were so happy. We did a lot of worshiping songs and I lead them all the around.
Mrs and Mr Hadinata took over the fellowship when we went back home to Indonesia. Later I heard the Indonesian Prayers Fellwoship were well developed and had a great fun. When told GKJ Diponegoro 55 Salatiga needed some fun for paying the government rent they sent about 400.000 rupiahs.
Internship
Mr Natanael, the head of General Education Department of SWCU(Satya Wacana Christian University) called me in his office, someday. He told me that the department assigned me to be one of the candidates to have internship in the USA. There were 11 candates representing departments and faculties all over the SWCU.
A few days later the vice rector of the academic affair, Mr Liek Wilardjo invited me, and said that I was assigned to have a sandwich program to the US, sponsored by the Lutheran Church in America . He said that there there were four conditions to the program to approve. First of all is those who had approved to have succeeded in organizing a department, secondly those who speaks English appropriately, and I forgot the other ones.
There were 12 people applying on the program. And the vice rector of academic affair considered me fulfill the requirement and appointed me to join the program. Although the sponsor was not sure about my educational background(which is from Physical Education) as well as my English ability. The vice rector assured him that I could do the program.
As a matter of fact I passed SIEC(Self Instruction English Course), the equal-TOEFL English Course officially held by the university to help lecturers to increase their English ability. I was one of the 5 lectures that passed the course participated by 45 lecturers an staffs.
The internship was taken from September 1983 through Sepember 1984 in Thiel College Greenfield, Pennsylvania. The journey to the USA gave me a vary of experiences. It was my first long journey. I have prepared with dollars with a bit explanation the values and how to use it from an American lectures who worked with Satya Wacana University. I also got some advises from Mr Liek Wilardjo, the vice lecture of academic affairs, including how to deal with strangers who might trap me with drugs. My wife, Heru Wijatsih, my three sons, Andhi, Bayu, and Chondro accompanied my journey from my hometown Salatiga to Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. We stayed at Eddy's home while in Jakarta.
This is Amerika!
Yet California-New York was still about 8 hours flight. After long time as well as long distance flight, (I thought) I arrived at America. I was exited of course. It was not difficult to check in and got boarding pass, because it had been arranged by the sponsor, but I got a little difficulty to find the gate, may be because it was a very big airport. The stupid thought was that I put all the luggage including hand luggage to the baggage checking desk, since(I thought) I arrived to the destination, whereas it would still take around 8 hours to New York, my final destination.
Arriving at JFK airport I follow the passengers to the baggage claim. Unfortunately my luggage did not appear. Wow! Problem! i thought. So far I was calm, not panic. Then I went to the baggage claim to tell what was happening. After discussing and arguing the employee said, that the luggage may have left behind, and it will take about three days to find and will be drop to the address. 301 Madison Ave, I said spontaneously. It is my habit to memorize the address destination, and the phone number as well.
And now, where to go and how. I forgot the sponsor's massage that I should not leave the airport. But, as my adventure character used to be I went to the subway station and bought a ticket, boarded and went ahead.
During my staying in New York I took time to visit the famous Empire State Building. When I was sitting there, on the top of the building, on the top of the world as I thought, I cried remembering my family home, my children, my wife. So what? I said to myself. Then I was sitting still and contemplating to see my past lives. I asked myself what was the goal live actually. Nothing, but bow, surrender, and praise the Lord.
Nework-Pittsburgh-Getsburg-Thiel Ohio
Arriving at Gettsburgh Airport my ear was confused with sounded Pittsbutgh rather than
Gattsburgh. Fortunately I washelped by thew monitor. On the way Gettsburg to a small Airport which I forgot the name was, I was surprised by very thick smokes that came out from the cabin of a 12 passenger air plane. I was a little frightened yet I hided my mimic, pretending of know nothing what happened that it was really nothing happened.
The weather was so cold that I should wear thicker jacket. But it was OK. A student picked me up by a car. It took 1 hour to the campus. A big American, James Juddy, the vise president of Student Affairs hospitably welcomed me and asked me about what I was going to do. He then pleased me to go to the apartmeny near by, the Elson House, about 300 m away. The apartment was big and clean with security combination locks.
James Judy
Elson House
When I entered the the room of Elson House a suitcase owned by someone was still left behind there. The next morning I met a woman of 54 years . She was a cleaning service working at the apartment. The apartment was close to the campus, and there was a store near by. I could see the campus from the apartment window.
The next day Charllotte, the service woman came with her grand son, Shawn. The first day, when I met Charllotte I gave her a souvenir. Beyond my mind she was so thankful with the small simple souvenir. I thought that was the American custom to receive something from someone that was awesome.
Student Ministry
Dog Cereny
Detroit
Charlotte Connelly
Got Lost
Board of Trusted Meeting
Handbook of University Administration Hunting
Stoney Point, Seminar
TRavelling to Schengen Country and Algeria and Agiers
Study Master Program in the USA
Director of Non Degree Program
Teaching in FKIP
Teaching in Guidence and counseling
Teaching in History Study Progeam
Andhi's Wedding
I was asked by my friend who was coincidentally one of the church (GKJ) council as why I do not come to Evi's parent applying for my son's bride. I was surely ignored the question, and answer him that my son is not having a job yet. Time went on and someday he asked me the same question and I answered him the same way, Some months later I asked Andhi about his relationship with Evi while he was driving on the way home from Semarang. He answered me briefly. He said that some day he will tell me about the matter when the time comes. So I let him what would he does for his married.
Andhi did his promise. As we, he, his mother and I were sitting in the dinning room he asked me about what were going to do with Evi. According to the Javanese tradition, I said m, There are 3 steps dialing with the process. First of all, after you commit with your love, we the parent would "knock at the door." Secondly we would officially apply for the bride candidate, and thirdly the planning for engagement, which both of the parents decide the best time to carry out.
The next step the bride candidate's parent would carry out the official wedding ceremony as well as the wedding celebration. Your parent would let Evi's parent to do what they would be doing.
And it all ran properly, smoothly without any burdens. Especially, since the Efrayim's was the well known family and Evi's father was a priest so that a lot of people would involve in succeeding the event. The official ceremony took place at GKJ and the celebration took place at University Convention Hall(BU), dated on the 4th of July, the American declaration of the independence day.
Bayu’ s Wedding
The openly minded was my second son, Bayu. He like talking when he was coming home. He Married to Ruth Niken, the girl I had been knowing since she was a child. He met her in Pati when his mother was working at Garuda Food. The married was hoding in .... Building Yogya kartaq
Chondro's engatement and Weding
Andhi's 4 statement(curhat)
American Family, the Connelly's
I stayed at Elson House about 3 hundreds meters from Thiel College, where ii had my inership. The apartment was beautiful, but was not so big. The first day following my arrival I met Charllotte, a cleaning service woman. I asked her whether she wanted to accept a little gift originally from Indonesia. She was happy to receiving my gift and she appreciated for what I have done. The next day she took her grandson, Shawn, with her. Shawn, since he met me was became so with me and did not want to be separated. When i asked Charllotte, she said that his parent was separated. So he was looking for a figure father. I remembered my family back home, my sons and my wife and I feltso miserable.
Charllotte wanted to introduce her husband and her another grandson, and the next day she took her husband and her another son, Shane. I comment the Shane was the film star name that I was favor with. She said, it was surely taken from that well known film star.
Since then, we were became intimate. Connelly, as she mention it, was the family name.
The connely often took me to local tourist destination. Even, they took me to the Niagara Falls, a place where surely I was not able to afford it. Eventually I would have to take Toefl and I had to learn a lot of English words for my Torfl preparation, especially names of fruit that difficult to memorized by description.
Stoney Point Seminar
I was invited by the commity of a Seminar on Science, Technology and Faith sponsored by The United Board of Christian Higher Education. It was carried out in Stoney Point New York
The Head of the Dormitory
Easter Witness
Intimidation to Kill
Livings is .Moving
New Home Jambewangi
Having a house on time like that, in the 70s, was almost imposible. Inspite of the economic situation that, in general, was not good enough, the monthly salaries that we6）
Exposing the name Jambewangi, gemhong grabbed a chicken, Burning garbage, My Ego Neigbour, covit Treat.
Traveling to Australia
FirstTravel
Satya Wacana Brawl
Kicked out from the dorm
That was on Monday morning when I recieved a letter. Soon I felt something strange when I read di address. written for the Dormitory Office. It was unsual. It should be to Supervisor.
The letter said that Eddy Sumtaki was assigned to be the supervisor. He was actually the ex supervisor who had been replaced, because of not being able to control the student dormitory. Incidently the rector appointed me to take over the dormitory. Funny! I concluded it must have the connection with the rector election in campus. I, then, went to the office and told the staffs that I was not the supervisor anymore. I asked to the secretary to disrupt all the report that I had signed.
Angrily I came to John Ihallow, the vise rector of the academic affair (and the candidate for the next rector), asked him why I was kicked out from the dormitory without notification. He said because Saturday was holiday. I pointed his face out and said that I could not accept it, and nor that way too. After few minutes of tense conversation, he finally said sorry. I remember God said, that if you do not forgive someone's sin He does not forgive you either. So I left his office disapp
Rector election issues
Student demonstration
My wife called me, when I was asigning by the government of Indonesia to lead 30 lectures across Indonesia to learn about Australian Education System. She said that she was suggested to go to the military district officer representig me as I could not fulfil his invitation. I told my wife that it was not her responsibility but mine. So I asked her for not responding the issues, since I knew exactly what was going on.
It was the second times I was invited by the military office for investigations.
The first, was when I just came home from my internship in the USA. A few questions were asked by a military commander. Firstly he asked me who is Teguh and I snswered him that he is my big.brother. Seconldly he asked me what is my brother's party member and what is his roled in G30 incident and honestly I answered him, that as long as I knew he was PKI member, but what role he took I really do not know, because my brother and my myself have different faith as well as activities. He was a government employee and on the contrary I was a schollarship student that concentrated on study, further more I am a Christian that was babtized long before the G30S happened and I was organizing a young sport event in for the GKJ Gondokusuman. Then the investigator asked me to mention the Christian Confession, that, of course, I spoke it fluently. Well done. Finally the investigator said, that is OK. Not a problem. It was, he said, because there was a report (of course it was a fals report!) from somone from my home village about my involvement in the G30S, which I realiy did not know what was happening. Don' t worry, the investigator said, just do the work as usual. Then I reported to the rector and told him what was really happening and the background as well.
Moratorium and Lecturer Banning
I was in Australia doing the IBRD program of the government of Indonesia Indonesia-Australia and the government of Australia in the area of education especially Primary 'Teacher Education. My wife called me. She said that she has to go to Military District Command. The news came from Suwandi, the Vise Rector of Academic Affairs. I said do not go to my wife, otherwise I would go myself, because it was my responsibility not hers, and I knew exactly what was all about, which she, in contrary, did not know.
I heard Andhi, my oldest son had been leading a student demonstration against the university for the unfair rector election. I also heard the the demonstration was lasted peacefully without any incident. No property was broken.
Coming back to Indonesia I visited the Military District Command (Kodim) and met Mr Basuki, the District Intelligence Head Commander. He asked me whether I knew Tegoeh Boedisantoso and I said I did. He was my big blood brother. The further questions was about his position in the communist party and what was he was doing in relation to Gestapu. I said I knew what happened but did not understood what really was. Then he asked me to bring my son, Andhi.
We, Andhi and I came to Kodim. The commander asked about Satya Wacana student demonstration and was answered by Andhi correctly. Then a funny question was asked whether Andhi knew George Aditjondro, and Andhi answered the he did not know him, but the commander insisted Andhi to confess that he knew him. When the commander called propam(investigator specialist) I could imagine what would be happened to my son. I strongly answered that my son had been taught to be honest and fair, I insist the commander for not taking Andhi but please him to take me as a substitution. Compromise happened. The commander did not continue the investigation, but asked Andhi to go to Korem together with his friends who involved in the demonstration next evening.
The next evening, according to a believable resource, the students demonstration's leaders(Andhi was not the leader anymore), were invited by the military commanders to attend a special meeting discussing about the students demonstration that would be carry out tomorrow. A room at Korem was created to be scary place with less lighting welcomed by military savage faces. The students were accompanied by some lawyers and lecturers.
At the same time I attended a meeting that was organized by Democracy Group. It was held at Mr Pradjarto house about 7 PM. I came to the meeting and told the meeting, that I would struggle together with group or the same goals that was to elect the best rector of the Satrya Wacana Christian University, in a different reason. However I did not want to sacrifice my son, Andhi. If tomorrow the students demonstration go on I would stand on the other side and would fight against the student demonstrators group.
That night, at about 1 AM the demonstration plan was cancelled, whereas the students were ready for the tomorrow's demonstration should be cancelled for the sake of safety reason.
Catering and massaging
Andhi's role
fasting, evacuation, assistant to the lecturer
Bayu study at GAMA
Chondro safe from arrest
Asthma Attack
SecondTravel
Third Travel
Fourth Travel-Covid-19 oubreak
Robbery?
Traveling to Schengen Country
Travelling to Algiers
Funny Frienship
Atang‘s accident
Wrestling in Jogya
Mr Widarso
Mr. Mus Subagya
Baker owner transportation
The Chinese man treasure
Building wrestling athlete
The first wrestling championship
Coaching traning and body building
Join wrestling competition for PON V Bandung
Join the PON V Bandung
Called for AG IV TC.
Judge and Referee, National AKABRI InstructorThe rest of my live
For the time being I am staying home with my wife. We clean the house, reorganize things that are a bit in a mess, repairing spots that leak, ask a gardener to fix up and cut plans, etc, etc. It tool a full month until the house a bit tidy. And it is. In the meantime I have time to take my wife to continue to see the doctor at Ken Saras Hospital for her diseases. She had been absent to see the doctor since she and I traveled to Australia on January 2020. Praise the Lord. The laboratory inspections on the thorax and abdomen show fine.
There was also no sign of metastasis of the cancer cel. Our eating style, on the other hand is changed. Formally we emphasize on fruit and vegetable, but now we eat bread with butter, cheese and egg for breakfast, bread with sausage, mostly, for lunch and chicken sate for dinner. Be aware of cholesterol, I said to myself. Now, I do not know, when time is up and I have surrender to Him. (Salatiga, April 12th, 2021)
Relatives
Dadan is Coming
On the middle of April 2021 I got a call from Merry. She tolddd me that Dadan wlll visit Salatiga. He said he was pitied eyangs for staying alone without someone taking care of us. We were glad to hear the news. When he arrived I asked him whether he had another plan and hesaid he wanted to study at UKSW. He failed to have next step because he was not able to pay the admission, Eyang A[u finally payed the admission. now he is waiting for the next step or entrance test.
He was good anyway. Yet, I did not understand how he thinks and his life style either
for example, he fixed the wifi, so long on the telephone and using internet, sleeping with AC every night, although the air was not hot. He sometimes help eyang Aka, on the other hand I still wash and iron his clothes.
I directed him to read for his test preparation, rather he prefer to spend time with guitar, He also has long sleep and wakes up about 6 am. We will see him then.....
Pandemic Covid-19
Until today July Covid-19 that attacks the entire world has taken millions of lives throughout the global world , causing troubles to every country a well as individuals, the Covid-19 that emerged in December 2019 not been able to control yet.I was travelling to Australia with my wife on January 2020, and should come back earlier. Although I was finally able to go home in a rush I could land in Jakarta Airport, but unfortunately I was not able to go home directly for no connecting flight and has to be lock down in my sons's home in BSD.
I myself and my wife were lock down in my home town, Salatiga, and for the time being every component of the society should limit their activities. The government of Indonesia has apply PPKM Darurat; it means Emergency Lock Down.
July 16/2021 data shows there are more than total 2.800 people infected in Indonesia and are 50000 per day infected. Luhut, the Minister of Maritime and Investment says at TVOne Delta virus variant still uncontrolled. However, he Delta attacks not just strikes Indonesia but also other countries, such as, the USA, England. Ironically Indonesia is shortage of medicine as well as oxygen, in addition hundreds of medical human resources including doctors and nurses died for Covid-19.
The government of Indonesia on the other has been doing a great effort to overcome the pandemic,
In the middle of lock down, 18//2121, my wife celebrate her 79th birthday. It a little bid soothes the suffering live of occupying news that full with covid-19. She got yellow rice from the Yanti's and cheese cake from Christantius' s. The WA Jambewangi Group and Sukowingi WA Prayer Eellowships Group also said happy birthday.
My mind is occupied by tragic events and they accompany me to my bed. They are wandering around from time to time and from one event to another.
Victory Against Cancer
After fighting for about five and a half years, my wife, finally freed from a deadly disease, Cancer. First of all doctor William told my wife that she did not need to consume Letraz , a special medicine, anymore. Secondly, the doctor said that my wife was advised to control again one year later, It meant September 17, 2022. Praise the Lord, The rontgen also showed that the porosic was not for cancer, but because of the aging.
Operation by doctor Puguh on my wife's breast was held at Puri Asih Hospital
on April 15, 2015. Just on the way to the operation room Mr Sudhamek, her ex boss. of the Garuda Food Company, called her and gave advice for cancelling her operation and let her went to doctor Paulus in BSD city and he would responsible for the cost. The advice was in accordance with Mr Sudhamek's experience who had been cured by doctor Paulus, amid he failed the treatments held in Singapore hospital before.
It was a remarkable offer, however it could not be fulfilled due to critical moment that my wife just on the way to the operation room. We were so thankful for the opportunity that Mr Sudhamek offered.
Neighbors, friends and relataives came to the operation area. My borther in law, Mr Efrayim who was a reverend prayed for my wife. Mrs Amin Suiitno tried to sooth me with some encouraging words so that I should be strong and telling me that she had experienced the same disease and survived. In the middle of gathering Pudjo cried and screamed pitying his aunt.
3 comments:
Setelah selesai menulis judul KOEWAT TRIJANTA RIWAYA HIDUP dan menulis pembukaannya, baru saya ingat pesan Andhi, supaya ditulis dalam bahasa Inggis. Itu sudah sejak bogger Jambewangi akan dibuat. Maka sejak sekarang akan saya tulis dalam bahasa Inggris
Eyang Kuka and Eyang Kupu were invited by Andhi, while he was appointed to work in Switzerland for three months. We were spent so happy days from August 2th through September 18th 2010 and lived in a beautiful apartment on Ave du Mont d'Or 67, Loussane.
Algiers, September 21st 2010
Confusing using technology...
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