This is not a very good week to me: I got an illness due to the rain. But the highlight of my week is an outrageous writing on one of my alumni on Unpar. Well, I had to admit that I like her style of writing. But then, I think her latest article has gone too far. H mm, essentially, her article addressed her opinion about one of the group in Facebook entitled “I GO TO HI UNPAR, THAT’S WHY I’M BETTER THAN YOU!”.

Okay, before I went there, I need to tell you guys that I really like my alma mater: Unpar’s International Relations which I had dreamed since high school. And even I slightly raised my eyebrows when I see the “THAT’S WHY I’M BETTER THAN YOU!” part it even disturb me more when I saw her article (you can read here: http://namakutephy.com/?p=533).

Well, I admired her idea to addressed another point of view towards our major. But then again, I just can’t stand with some of here outrageous idea. I’m not being rude but here it goes (NB: This article is also excerpt from some comments at her blog, in case you’re wondering).

Well, here’s a newsflash that I would like to address them: Life is not a fairytale, get used to it.

Firstly, I mean, come on! Can they hear themselves right now? All that junior do here is expressed their proud towards their alma mater! And all of the sudden, some of you using this opportunity to express their disappointments? And, some of them even addressed their derogatory comments to some of my lecture such as Mr. Bonggas Adhi Chandra.

Well, Secondly, I want to say something to one of them who was dissing some of our lecturers on Tephy’s blog:

“Mas Bonggas etc had done so much more to all of their juniors, while some of you had done nothing but whining about how cruel the world out there and suddenly blaming the handicaps your alma mater !”

I mean, when Ryan saying that he is proud about the accomplishment we get on PNMHII … surely, as a good alumni one should praised rather than gives unnecessary comments such as:

“and pls again, don’t mention PNMHII sbg pembanding yaaa,,, seriuss, ga ada apa2nya!!!!!!”

Even for a blog, I don’t see any means of give this comment other than so underrating his/her own alma mater.

And, the comment:
“mana nih yang bisa-bisanya bilang dosen yang gelarnya *beep!* itu bisa bikin garansi masuk deplu???? ngaca dong!”

Well, dude, do you even know the situations really are? If no, please don’t make such a lousy comment. Please, as an adult, we do know that one need to ensure themselves whether what they hear is true or not. And if you don’t know, don’t exaggerate.

The real world out there is really harsh, I know. But that’s why, some of us need something to hold on to and it’s called faith: which one of them takes form of our alma mater. If we don’t get a high self-esteem who can enhanced our spirit from our own alma mater … imagine how much harder life we face. Don’t be so judgmental on this case.

Thirdly, about the so-called “MUCH BETTER THAN YOU” part who’d maybe make people raised their eyebrows.

Some know well that it was just for the sake of good laugh. For those who exaggeratedly take this so personally that they even expressed their hatred (one-sided). Well, may God have mercy on their humorless soul.

And, as an attempt to add insult into an injury, I saw also another derogatory comment: Unpar got a “B” Accreditation.

Ah yes, about the question that Unpar is now get an “B” Accreditations

Well, I think the curiosity should instead addressed towards our governmental institution especially questioning their regulation to give “A”, “B” , “C” to some institutions.

What is the determination? Is it purely legitimized the quality of an institution? Go figure.

For example, one of the Int’l Relations Dept in Southern Part of Bandung has an “A” accreditation. Which is, questioned by some of their alumna since none of their methods of teaching are comparable to HI Unpar–and it is their own opinion that I quoted. (my brother went there, so in case you are wondering you can ask me personally).

So, I think we’d better also fairly questioning them instead babbling about how bad is our University.

Hmm, as a closing parts, I highlighted some of my rebuttal towards her comments on her blog:

“Oh, PLEASE yaaaa kawan-kawaaaan… Yuk mari yuk gw temenin lagi balik ke kelas BIHI buat belajar “Effective Reading.”

Comments: I got an “A” on BIHI, just for your information. And sorry if I sound so narcissistic, but I goes I did some justice on saying this instead of implicitly saying that you are stupid . (that’s her thing).

“In which point in my blog have I shown hatred towards Rean and his “fun fun we’re so young and silly and fun!” group?”

Comments: I did not only commenting on your hatred only but also some of commentators there. So, don’t mislead me. I get some point of your thoughts, but don’t blame for hoping rather mature talk for someone older than my age.

Well, about “shown hatred” things, I guessed point on second paragraph that symbolized your hatred:

“I swear I cannot muster up a proper reaction for about a milisecond, and then I felt this huge surge of disgust. Sure, it was probably made just for laughs and the person who set it up in the first place probably didn’t mean anything ill, but I can’t shrug off the feeling that I HATE the idea.”

And, uh, your comment below:
“Haven’t I mention that I KNOW that you guys are so fun and silly to come up with such group? Please ya, baca balik: I HATE THE IDEA. IDEA. Comprendo?
The IDEA that we could claim we are so much better without weighing in the indicators and see objectively. That IDEA is very petty and ignorant, and I’ll stop saying that when it stops screaming ignorance and pettiness.”

If you are so objective, well read your blog all over again. Newsflash: It’s not objective.

Lastly, after I read your part of comments which I quoted below:

“The “fun fun we are so young and fun” thing? I think not. Yeah, maybe I just became old and grouchy and so un-fun, SUE ME for having the balls to say what I think instead of just raising my eyebrows like others. “

I’m not going to sue you, that is so pointless. But then, sue me for addressing my opinion towards your opinion. I am not hating, people, but I guess someone need to be a little bit straightforward at this point:) Pardon my language.

Beberapa minggu terakhir ini cukup berat untuk saya. Beberapa hal harus saya hadapi, dan semuanya merupakan ujian bagi kedewasaan saya. Mulai dari tugas/paper yang tidak kunjung selesai, proposal skripsi, mata kuliah HI yang penuh dengan drama dan intrik (baca: Praktek Diplomasi), dan baru-baru ini, sebuah keputusan berat untuk meninggalkan tempat kerja. Pada masa seperti ini, saya bersyukur memiliki support system yang sangat baik—keluarga dan beberapa teman memberikan dukungan dan membuat saya mampu menempuh semua dengan sebaik-baiknya. But I’m not playing a tough guy, here! In fact, ada masa dimana saya berkata kepada diri saya sendiri: kapan semua masalah ini akan berakhir? Secara implisit, saya menyampaikan hal ini kepada salah satu dosen saya: Mas Bonggas.

Mengenai masalah-masalah yang saya hadapi, dosen ini berkata: Memang sudah saatnya. Mas Bonggas menyebutkan bahwa “masalah” merupakan ujian gratis yang seharusnya disyukuri. Apabila untuk menghadapi ujian akademis kita harus terlebih dahulu mengeluarkan segepok uang, maka “masalah” sehari-hari merupakan ujian gratis yang harus kita hadapi dengan lapang dada, besar hati. Karena, setelah “masalah” tersebut telah kita tempuh: saatnya naik kelas!

Dan akhirnya, satu persatu permasalahan tersebut berhasil saya hadapi dengan cukup baik: Satu persatu tugas paper saya selesaikan, Sidang Seminar berjalan dengan lancar (walaupun penuh revisi, but hey! Who doesn’t?), Prakdip telah terlewati dan apabila kalkulasi tidak salah saya mendapat nilai A … dan, saya berhasil mengundurkan diri baik-baik dari pekerjaan saya tersebut (easier said than done). Kunci lain untuk menghadap permasalahan tersebut, mengutip perkataan teman saya Ayu Prita ndiya Pertiwi: Berbesar hatilah! Walaupun banyak masalah, tapi saya rasa hati manusia cukup besar untuk menghadapi semua permasalahan tersebut.

Salah satu masalah yang belakangan ini berseliweran di kampus saya adalah mengenai kemungkinan mundurnya salah satu dosen tercinta kami. Terlepas dari segala upaya yang akan kami lakukan untuk menahan kepergian beliau—saya rasa kami semua juga harus siap untuk segala kemungkinan yang ada. Indeed, ini merupakan ujian besar bagi semua mahasiswa Hubungan Internasional Universitas Katolik Parahyangan. Kami harus menghadapi masalah tersebut dengan lapang dada dan berbesar hati.

Writer’s note:

“I would like to give my deepest gratitude towards Parahyangan Catholic University for the opportunity to become a part of ASEACCU Student Conference 2008.”

At the first time, I had to admit that I am not really familiar with the topic of ASEACCU: The Role of Catholic Higher Education to Promote Love and Solidarity as Responses to Economic and Cultural Globalization. Perhaps, the essay that I wrote earlier before the conference has represented my Point of View towards the theme—however, after the conference ended, I could understand more about the theme. Both theme and the three-day conference are equivalent to each other—there are a lot of events that positively expand my views to the Values of Life.

Being the part of the Parahyangan Catholic University delegations in the 10^th ASEACCU Student Conference 2008 has definitely changed my life. For the first time, I could meet a lot of students from different countries. Moreover, I also feel so honored to become on of the talented Students which has selected by the University to be the representation in the Conference.

When the University asked me to make an essay to give the conclusions of How 10^TH ASEACCU Student Conference 2008 has Broaden My Views on the Values of Life, I decided that there are three parts of my life that has been expand by the conference: my life as a Moslem, as a Student and last but not least, as a Friend.

Firstly, raised as Liberal Moslem, my parents always taught me that one of the most celebrated values of life is the so-called Beauty of Diversity—especially when it comes to the diversity of religions. My parents also supported the decisions to attend Parahyangan Catholic University—they believe that in order to praise our own religion, we must respect other religions—including Catholic.

Being part of the conference has indeed broadened my values—as we all know that the members of the conference are all the Catholic Higher Educations in Asia. Not just me actually, I believe that my other fellow Muslims such as Patricia Paramita, Iman Nurmanysah, Prieta Rahma Hanani and Turin Airlangga also experienced the same thing. We are so proud to represent Unpar heterogeneous Students in the conference.

Furthermore, I feel so overwhelmed to see that most of the participants perceived us being Moslem in the Conference as something positive. For example, the Group-discussions, we shared thoughts about the importance of Solidarity between religions. The other participants also get the positive impact to see Moslem’s perspective at the Conference. At last, the Conference has indeed given me the experience to become a more decent Liberal Moslem in the future.

Secondly, being one of the Students in International Relations I always get the doctrines that our Major is the best at our University—which is something positive! However, sometimes I felt that some of my colleagues always underestimate other Major—especially in our own Faculty such as Business Administration and Public Administration Major.

Then, one of the events in 3-days conferences has changed my views. Seeing the effort from the Public Administration major on the Garut villages has broadened my perception towards them. Meeting the local villages are very fruitful to me—the Public Administration colleagues has definitely proven that they could shared the impact of Globalization in a positive ways.

Now, I believe that every single Major could provide something positive to our society. From now on, I would never underestimate other majors again—especially those on my Faculty.

Thirdly, I also believe that one of the values of life is to respect other cultures and enhanced friendship with other person from other cultures. But, being part of the conference has definitely made me more believe to the value itself. One of my newest-bestest friend from Australia, Jayde Clark is one of the example. We shared thoughts and and some deep talks between each others. I believe that many other participants experienced the same thing—ASEACCU 2008 has successfully made it happen. I also find out that the so-called language barriers is something that could not prohibited solidarity throughout our development of friendship—through patience we could enhanced the so-called friendships even though at some occasions we had some language barriers that we could not avoided.

In conclusion, I would like to repeat the quotation on my earlier essay for the conference. I quote Mother Theresa’s words “There is a tremendous strength that is growing in the world through sharing together, praying together, suffering together, and working together.” At the moment, I had experienced every single word from that quotation through ASEACCU.

First, Sharing Together—the Conference has enabled as to share our thoughts, experiences and views together. The three-day program that has been scheduled by the University has made the communication between the Students possible. Especially, the moments we shared when we visit Garut, Sampireun and off course, The View.

Second, Praying Together—earlier in the essay, I had written the experience that I get from the Conference as a Moslem Students. Although there are some participants with other religions, but the Conference has made the inter-dialogue between each other possible. Furthermore, before the Conference even started we pray together—this is one of the evidence that the Conference has represented the so-called Praying Together conception.

Thirdly, Suffering Together—the Conference has emphasized itself to the Solidarity conception. This is something that could be represented by the term “Suffering Together”—not precisely by feeling the pain together, but more into feeling each others’ struggle. The Conference has indeed, given us the understanding of Solidarity—for example, when there is some language barriers between the Students, we should give empathy to the particular Student in order to make the communications effective. Some Students, in fact, become a translator for each others especially at the Garut Villages. This is also proven that the Conference has given us the opportunity to implement the concept of Solidarity.

Last but not least, the Working Together-concept. The group discussion—even though the Conference has yet done something real to implemented the theme—the sessions and the recommendations that been written throughout the end of the conference could be seen as a stepping stone for the participants. From the networking, the participants could start to put the discussions into our daily practice in the future.