What You Will Find
This blog is a portfolio of various writings that I have created along the way. There are personal notes and reflections, some book reviews and school assignments/stories, as well as hearty —and sometimes sappy— semi-fiction pieces.
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Recent Posts
Pemilu: The Festival of Democracy (For Whom?)
A month ago, on 14 February, we Indonesians exercised our rights to vote for future leaders of this country in the general election. They like to call it “The Festival of Democracy”, a celebration of the freedom of choice in voting for the people we think best represent our vision and values. But this terminology never sat right with me, as I see news after news of intimidation and bribery linked to the presidential candidates. What could be celebrated if what we have is a flawed electoral process and an unjust system? In Sampang, Madura, for example, the head of…
Continue to readOn 18 and Learning To Be
I just turned 18 this January. Finally, an age that marks the end of high school, the start of my university years, and bridges my way toward young adulthood. Years upon years in my teenage life so far, I’m a proud witness as I see my friends, or other kids my age, start figuring out the job they want to do in the future and their passion which will define who they are. From doctors, business owners, and designers, to creating initiatives and being a changemaker. They commit to those passions with all they can. I watched them all with…
Continue to readSelamat Ulang Tahun Papski
Sejak umur 8 tahun, aku sudah tidak tinggal serumah dengan Papski. Awalnya, karena pekerjaannya di luar kota. Selama beberapa tahun setelahnya, Papski selalu menyempatkan diri untuk pulang ke Sidoarjo, walau hanya sekitar 2-3 minggu sekali. Setiap kali aku tahu kalau Papski akan pulang, pada Sabtu jam 6 pagi, aku selalu menunggu, mengawasi jalan depan rumah. Begitu terus sampai ada taksi datang dan Papski muncul dari dalamnya. Sayangnya, tidak sampai 48 jam kemudian, tepat pada hari Minggu jam 6 malam, aku sudah harus berpamitan dengan Papski yang kembali pergi. Ajaibnya, Papski selalu tahu cara membuat momen-momen kebersamaan kami yang terbatas menjadi…
Continue to readWhat it Means to Honour the Past: A Reflection on Snow Globes, Solo, and Identity
For as long as I can remember, my home has always been decorated with snow globes. Once they were on a bookshelf, positioned right around the entrance of the house. Every morning it glimmered every time it was shone by the morning sun. Standing in their glory, knowing their important role in my family’s life: Mementos for every place either of us have visited, keepsakes for all the memories that have been made. From these snow globes, I learned that no matter how everything changes with time, it is important to carry the past with me. Not because what happened…
Continue to readDi Dalam Diri
Di dalam diri, anak kecil itu masih bernyawa. Ikut melanglang buana, mengelilingi dunia, dan memuaskan angannya. Sesekali ia memekik kesenangan atau pula tersedu sedan. Atau merasa asing dan seorang diri melihat semuanya sudah berganti. Anak kecil itu lahir dari ketidakpastian dan tumbuh dengan segala yang familiar. Satu-satunya hal yang ia hendaki hanyalah untuk pulang. Kembali ke dekapan ayah dan ibunya. Kembali ke rangkulan rumah mungilnya. Tapi apa daya, kesempatan untuk pulang telah sirna oleh waktu. Digantikan dengan kesempatan untuk pergi dan tidak kembali. Maka anak kecil itu semakin takut dan ragu. Ia terus merengek dan memohon. Dalam pintanya, ia bertanya,…
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Ayunda Damai 