Selasa, 31 Mei 2016

DREAM (A Short Story part 1)

There was something strange with my body. I felt like a cotton in the sky until I thought I can dance on the clouds. I kept going up to the sky among the stars. What a beautiful view it was. I could even saw the light in the town. The moon looked so big and the light felt so soft. The, I saw something. I saw the biggest star with the brightest light. I wanted it. I wanted to touch it. It was about 5 cm before I could reach it when I was aware that I could not even move a little farther to have it. My fingers kept trying to reach it but my body could not move.
There was a chain surround my ankle. It did not permit me to fly higher than I was now. The more I wanted to freed my self from the chain, the more the chain held me so tight. Slowly, I could see that biggest star went away. “Help me. Help me please.” Let me to hold that star for a second. But that sturdy chain pulled me down. No. No. I did not want but I fell down fast.
My eyes opened. My heart beat fast. It was a dream. That was the same dream in every night I had. I could only not to dream about it if I felt so tired until I even did not know that I fell asleep. So, I kept myself busy to do everything I could do. It was just to prevent myself from the dream that I hated. I worked hard, cooked when I was at home, read before I slept, or went for swimming to make my body got tired so I did not have any power even to dream about something. Everything I did for not dreaming.
Dreaming. That was the forbidden word for me. Since I was a child I could never did want I wanted. I could not have a dream by my own. All of things had been set by my parents. What could be done, want could not be done, they would decide it for me. The same thing happened for the husband to be. They had their choice.  It was not my choice.
Please do not ask me why I did not rebel. That thought always came to my mind every single second. Maybe I should have gone from this house. Maybe I should have done everything I wanted without thinking too hard about whether my parents would agree or not. I had never done it. Maybe because I was to kind to hurt the people who gave me life. Or maybe I was just too coward to choose my own fate.
            “You have big body Nata, but your attitude and your thought are not mature,” said my friend, Didi. He was not the first who told me that. It was hurt to hear it. But it was the truth.
Iam not the only child in my family. I have two older sisters, one younger sister, and one older brother. We were born and grown up in Singkawang, one of the cities in West Kalimantan. My father and my mother are Javanese. So, it can be said that there is Javanese blood in our veins. For Javanese family, manners is the most important thing. Javanese have to speak and behave by seeing the position, the age, and the role in the society.  That is why for Javanese, there are three levels of language; “Krama alus,” “krama madya,”, and “ngoko.” It is because there is a belief that good behavior means nothing without good language.
Javanese manner has been tought since we were kids with intention that it will become habit and will not be forgotten when we were growing up. We learnt how to talk, how to sit, how to eat, how to dressed, how to visit someone, how to go outside, etc.
When we want go somewhere we need to say it to the parents in order to get blessing. It is to avoid something bad happened to us. While saying where we are going to go, we will kiss our parents’ hand. Another thing, when we are eating something, make a sound of smacking the tongue will be considered as impolite. So, we have to eat while we are sitting without making any sound. In addition, we are not allowed to yawn in front of the guest because it means that we want to chase the guest away which then means as disrespectful behavior. What are already mentioned are only some rules for Javanese. There are still many rules and prohibition that can not be mentioned one by one. I as a woman who has grow up in Javanese family has accustomed with those things.
It did not matter for me until it came. There was an email from University of Southampton in England. It gave me letter of unconditional offer to be a one of international students there. Besides, I got full scholarship to study there for 1 year for my master degree. If I studied there I could get my master of applied Linguistic degree.
I was so happy to get that opportunity to go abroad and study in famous university. I prepared everything such as files, passport, documents, etc. Two days before I go, my father said something that I would never forget forever.
            “No. You can not go there. You are a woman. You don’t have to be ambitious to get the higher level. Later, you will be a wife of a good man,” said my father.
            “But dad, I want to go there. I want to continue my study and get my master degree. Don’t you feel proud of it?” I almost could not hold my tear.
            “It is a dream. Just throw it away. If you want to continue your study, you can just continue it here. England is far. How if I am sick or if I die but I can not meet you?”
I knew that my father worry about me. He loves me. That was why he insisted for not letting me go. But it really disappointed me.
            “So, the answer is still no.” I did not have to ask because I had already known the answer. I knew that he could be very stubborn.
Then, I locked my self in my bedroom for several days. My mom tried to calm me down.  "You have to understand your father. He loves you so much." She even tried to talk with my father to change his mind. But it did not work at all.
illustration 1
Time passed by. Family was still everything to me. It made me chose to stay and did as my father said. But there was still little fire in my heart that might be burn if there was something which could blow it. I just still could not let it go sincerely.
One night, my father told me that I would get married within two months. I was get shocked because I had someone that I expected to be my husband and a father of my children. I just was not able to think clearly. I must stop this crazy thing. But How?
While I was thinking, I saw this man. He was wearing tartan shirt with the buttons were opened. The black t-shirt was inside. He was also wearing blue jeans. There were some rips in his jeans. Some bracelet made of rubber surrounded his wrist. He is walking toward me. Then, he smiled at me. He looked so handsome with eagle-eyes and sideburns. He was the man that I fell into.

To be continued.....


Sabtu, 21 Mei 2016

How We Spent Our Holiday in Lemukutan Island and Randayan Island (3)

Fortunately, we found one place which sell something to eat. It only sold peanut, snack, and tea. They could not make us full, absolutely. But at least we had something in our stomach before lunch time. Because our time was limited, we could not went around the island. We decided to take a rest under the tree and enjoy the atmosphere there while looking at the beach.
At 11.20 pm. Our motorboat came to pick us up. It was time to go back. It was the same route, same sea, but it was hotter than it was in the morning. Soon after we got to Lemukutan Island again, we had our lunch. We did it fast. It was because we wanted to play in the sea again.
We walked to the east. It was steep grade. The sun was right above us. What a hot day it was! One of my friends, Faizal, said that he would wait for us in the east. I did not know how long we walked but it felt like the oxigen was out of my lungs. Then, we decided to take a rest. We went down and could not wait to went inside the water. It was better inside the water. I did not know where my friend was. He did not tell and he did not look for us. After twenty minutes for relaxing, we continued to find him.

We still could not find him. We decided to went back to our tent and met him there. It was not as fun as the previous day but it did not matter. We still can come back to this island next year. Maybe. Who knows what will happen in the future.

THE END

underwater

diving activity

before going home



A child in Lemukutan Island

Kamis, 19 Mei 2016

How We Spent Our Holiday in Lemukutan Island and Randayan Island (2)

In the next day, before the dawn, we woke up to see the sun rise. We went to the west to see the sun rise from the bridge. We had to walk about 10 minutes to get there. Along the way, we could see a beautiful sightseeing on the right side; the sky, the sea, the big stones. The air was so fresh because there was only few motorcycle used in that place. On the left side, there were house of the villagers, musholla, and there were also the graves in the middle of the way. There were no light when we walked along the pathway so we just depend on the light from our handphone.
The sightseeing of Lemukutan Island in the early morning.
Here you go. We arrived in the right place. Right in front of our eyes we could see the beauty of this world. The sun rise wa coming. We did not have enough time to reach the bridge to enjoy it from there. So we just standed on the side and saw it. After that we saw another beauty of nature. The tide was not coming in. It made us could see the ground. It would look like a beach with sand but actually there was no sand there. It was no sand but the ground with the white colour with the stone scattered everywhere. It was just in nature which made us wanted to take selfie, hehe...
Many motorboat were tethered in the morning
Being satisfied with the sightseeing and the picture taken we moved forward to the bridge. The bridge was made from the wood. It was only a year after the last time I had been there. The bridge became longer. For the extention of the bridge it was not made from the wood anymore instead it used asphalt and there was a little stairs to go down so people can go down whenever they want to go somewhere using the motorboat.

We walked along the bridge. We even could see what is inside the water from where we stood. The water was so green and clear as a crystal. There were plenty of fish that can be seen with bare eyes. Around the bridge there were several motorboats that were tethered. They were not the good ones but they could reflect the simple life in this place. We took short time to sit and enjoyed the panorama which surrounded as with pleasure. The wind that blew softly made us really wanted to stay a little bit longer here until then we decided to explore another spot. What a wonderful view it was!

On the pile of stones which look like crescent moon
Not far from where we were at that time, there was village for the villagers. We could buy cake or drink there. The people there were also friendly and kind. It was still in the morning. Maybe because it was holiday many men stay and drank coffee while talking with each other in the food stall.
On the way to go back to our tent, we found a nice spot. I did not know how to called it. There were piles of stones. From the angle where we saw it, those piles of stones looked like crescent- moon. People made it I think. It was not nature but it could be a place to take a rest for a while.
heading to Randayan Island
Then, soon after we arrived in our tent, we decided to go to visit Randayan Island for a while. There would be motor motorboat which could take us to Randayan Island. At 8 o’clock we went there and we planned to go back here, Lemukutan Island, at 10 o’clock. The sun was shine brightly. We had a good feeling that it would be fun that day.
A short moment before we went by motorboat, I realized that it was bad decision to wear skirt for holiday. My trousers were still wet because of the rain the previous day. That was why I only had this skirt with me. In the motorboat the front side was full with people. The driver then asked us to move to the back side. We could only move to the back side by climb to the top of the motorboat and walked on it. Fyuuhhh....luckily I did not fall down.

on motorboat
It was about 15 minutes to get to the Randayan Island. The impression from this Island was totally different with Lemukutan Islan. The place was tidier. It is maybe becausese there is private sector which takes care of it. It was full with place for lodging for the night. There were no shop there. There was only kitchen for the visitor to cook there. We were regret that we did not eat before we went here.

TO BE CONTINUED.....


Selasa, 10 Mei 2016

How We Spent Our Holiday in Lemukutan Island and Randaian Island

Have you ever heard about Lemukutan Islan or Randaian Island. Several days ago we went there for spending our holiday. It was amazing. You have to know that west Kalimantan have beautiful spot that can be explored.
Lemukutan and Randaian Islands are located in Bengkayang regency, west Kalimantan. It is not far from Singkawang city. My friends and I are from Pontianak. So, early in the morning, we had to go there by bus. It was crowded on the bus. At that time there were 3 buses, and all of the people in the bus had same destination with us. But still, we were so excited and enjoyed it. It took not more than 3 hours until we arrived in Suak bay (± 115 km). It was at 9.30 a.m but we still could not see the motorboat which would take us to Lemukutan Island.


We (Tri, Wahyu, n Lau) are waiting in Suak bay
It was raining and we were still waiting. Other people were also waiting. Don’t you know, at that time we looked like refugees (LOL). Good guys were with me as they did not complain about anything. We just spent our time by taking photos and eating noodles. It meant that we did not want to waste our energy by complaining. What else could make you complain when you had your friends next to you, right?
Rya is enjoying the sightseeing
The diver (Freddy n Faizal) are talking about diving
Finally, at 1 o’clock, when the weather was fine, the motorboat came to the dock. When I stepped on the motorboat, it tended to the right side as if it was going to upside down. At first I wanted to sit on the top near the ship’s funnel. But because of the motorboat did not look stable, I chose to sit on the deck with my friend (Rya). My other friends (Faizal, Laurika, and Wahyu), they chose to still sit on the top near the ship’s funnel. Because the weather was not good, we decided to use the life jackets that we brought from home. It was just in case that something bad would happen (Who knew?).
It was pouring with rain. The wave was getting higher and higher. I just could not imagine if I still insisted to sit on the top. Perhaps I would fall into the sea. It took about 2 hours to get to Lemukutan island. I just could cover my body from the rain with my jacket because nothing could protect us from the rain. We were right in the middle of the sea.
Fortunately, we could get to Lemukutan Island safe and sound. It was clearing up but the wind still blew. All of my body was wet. We really needed something to eat because we were so tired. After eating we had hesitation to do snorkeling because it was not very nice day. But then, we agreed to do it. We changed our clothes and prepared our snorkles. Taaadddaaaaaa! We were ready to have skin diving and see the sightseeing of underwater.
Compared with last year when we did in a bright day, the water was a little bit turbid. It must be because of the waves upon the sea. The water was warm eventhough the wind blew. Besides,  We could see coral reefs, fish, jellyfish, etc. What a wonderful view that was. I want to say special thanks to Faizal and Laurika for helping me a lot in teaching me how to swim since last year. You are awesome J
The sun began to set. We stopped to do snorkeling and took a bath.  We still had something to think about as we did not get a room. All of the room were full-book since the last two week. We were so lucky because we got permission from the owner of the place to set the tent. It was because one of my friens, Faisal, is a diver who often go to this island and has many friends here. Fyuhhh.....but only the ladies can stay inside the tent. The boys, they slept outside. Hohoo.... :-P

TO BE CONTINUED.....

In Lemukutan Island many people are snorkeling

Faizal is diving in the sea