Juni 06, 2015

2nd Week: Challenge

Hasil gambar untuk quote challenge yourself
Image taken from: www.quora.com
Hosh hosh this week I have been struggling on writing tasks. The teacher gave us materials also tips in order to help us dealing with our essays. It became an enlightenment for me since I still got bad writing score on my preceding IELTS test. There are some tips to boost my writing skill, like creating daily journal of our study, summarizing the articles we read, and surely we still have to read (whatever english -written sources) as many as possible to grasp various topics. This will help us have a habitual writing, thus it will be easier doing the writing part on IELTS test.

So, what I have been doing? Yaa, since 2 weeks ago I have intended to have blog-posts in english as often as possible. And the result is, I already had 2 posts in english hehe ...seems a good start yaa :) Well, I think I will continue this routine, just keep writing even in a simple topic.

Then, how about my speaking? Actually, I feel bad in organizing my speaking into simple and to-the-point sentences. Sometimes I take long time just thinking way to tell others. Besides, I also have a problem at lack of ideas when discussing a particular topic. Correspondingly, I should put solutions over these different problems. First, I should practice speaking regularly in order to make me easily expressing my opinion then it should increase my fluency also. Fortunately, last week I did have my turn in our group discussion (GD). We used the interlude between EAP classes to have our first GD which involved three of my classmates. Taking only around 30 minutes, we just gave our opinion about historical building we recently visited. According to my mate, I was fluent enough when speaking, but I still had trouble in speaking systematically. Hahaha I could not agree more :p. Next week we are going to have the second session. Second, regarding my limitation on some topics, the teacher has been asked us to read articles, journals or other references. It is better to have several short readings than struggling to accomplish just one thick book. Oke, I prefer to have the simple articles first and then improve to the more complex ones.

Beyond the EAP classes, Barbara class was also challenging for me. We were given a class assignment, deciding one topic regarding to cross-cultural syllabus then doing a research on it. We have chosen "accomodation" as our research topic. Then, we should submit the outline and after she approve it we will present our topic to other-class member, in the next 2 weeks. Yeah, I will enjoy it yet it must be very stressful thinking of the presentation :( Hope all is well...
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Finally the second week was ended up with IELTS practice test. Initially, I tried not to be so serious about this test and consider this as a way to know our study progress. Nevertheless, I felt a bit frustrated as the test was over. I have not finished my writing on both tasks :((( . I also felt bad with the reading part :((( So, I am prepared for any of the teacher's comment at Monday T.T



Juni 05, 2015

Computers Hardly Take Over Teacher's Role in Education

The improvement of information technology and the expanding range of computerization contribute changes in education system. It is believed that no more teacher needed in the classroom. However, I believe that teacher will still exist with three reasons while computer becomes more popular.

First of all, as Indonesia comprises wide range of islands, there are disparities amid one another. It seems difficult to consider all of the islands under one assumption in which having good information technology infrastructure. There are many remote areas where people struggle to have a better education with limited building, poor network connection also a little number of individuals who are familiar using computer. Thus, it is impractical to utilize computers as a primary tool in educating people of these areas. Teachers are still playing important role to assist them.


Second, interaction between teachers and students instills moral values which will affect their interpersonal relationship in the future. Teachers with good communication skill and ability to develop a pleasant learning environment will better attract students so that they will replicate that method in their personal life. Moreover, in an early learning, children will easily do good behavior as their teacher give them good real examples, such as how to politely shake hand, how should they greet other people with a nice way, etc. Since it involves emotion it is nearly impossible to be overtaken by computer media.
 
Lastly, teachers also have an important role as a motivator of their students related to study also a substitute of parents within educating their children. Teachers can benefit from direct interaction with their students to psychologically understand exactly what become learning problems then they can propose a suitable solutions that will motivate their student keep spirit for studying. In addition, when parents entrust children's education to an educational institution, it means that the school should take over half of parents' responsibilities. The existence of teacher make it possible help children in learning activity and take control over them.       
Medical students in lecture with overhead projector screen
It should be like that (Image taken from www.gettyimages.com)

All in all, teachers will never been replaceable due to their vital role in education both technical and emotional. For the sake of successful teaching, it seems unthinkable computers will do as good as teachers. It should be used as supporting tools for teachers in learning process as it will benefit in efficiency effectiveness. 

Juni 02, 2015

First Week of Studying

Image taken from www.gettyimages.com
Since beginning of the last week, I have been free from office job...alhamdulillah :) How come? yes, fortunately I got a chance to learn english for IELTS purpose at IALF Jakarta. This is part of Pre Departure Training (PDT), the first milestone after awarded the AAS (Australia Awards Scholarship).

So what happen at this first week? Fantastic! hehehe First, the PDT is not just studying english, but also filled by other skills, computer skill, learning skill and cross-cultural studies. It seems to be a complete package making me become well-prepared for studying in Australia. Second, we normally start the class at 9 am except they add particular subject such as computer or cross-cultural and finish at 3 pm, so it means more times for playing with my daughter after finishing the classes.

The EAP class (english studies class) is the core course. It provide me some theories, techniques, also practical skills in handling reading, speaking and writing part. In addition, I am also pushed to be familiar listening english from native, it sounds challenging, right? hehe. The cross-cultural class gives me introductions to Australian culture, and the first one was how to shake hand with Australian style hahaha. Lastly, the computer class seems to be way out of finishing my essay-work effectively.

Well, the first week was gone without a heap of assignment papers. But, let's see in the upcoming weeeks. Hope it will be exciting.


April 10, 2015

Menyapih dengan "Cinta"


وَالْوَالِدَاتُ يُرْضِعْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ حَوْلَيْنِ كَامِلَيْنِ لِمَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يُتِمَّ الرَّضَاعَةَ
“Para ibu hendaklah menyusukan anak-anaknya selama dua tahun penuh, yaitu bagi yang ingin menyempurnakan penyusuan.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 233).

Alhamdulillah...perjalanan menyusui selama 2 tahun usai sudah. Bersyukur banget diberi banyak kemudahan dari mulai Ayah yang support asi buat Kinanthi dan Uti yang top abis serta super sabar memberikan asi perah saat saya tak bersama Kinanthi, maaf ya Nak, sampai stok asi yang alhamdulillah cukuup sampai Kinanthi berusia 2 tahun.

Tak dipungkiri ya... tantangan dan kegalauan pasti ada.Tapi dengan bekal sedikit ilmu semenjak hamil serta dukungan 2 supporter utama tadi, alhamdulillah kesulitan yang dihadapi justru menjadikan saya lebih kuat dan gak panikan hehe

Duluu, ketika Kinanthi baru lahir, yang dipikirin adalah gimana caranya produksi asi makin banyak dan Kinanthi mimiknya kuat. Kini saat si bocah sudah menginjak 2 tahun, bingung mikirin gimana caranya Kinanthi bisa berhenti menyusu dengan ikhlas...istilah kerennya Weaning with Love (WWL). Yaa...WWL memang jadi keinginan saya saat suatu ketika menyapih Kinanthi. No pait-pait, no lipstik dan hal-hal yang akan membuat Kinanthi takut.

Jauh sebelum usia 2 tahun, Ayah udah wanti-wanti kalau saya mesti mulai sounding ke Kinanthi kalau dia tidak boleh nenen lagi selepas usia 2 tahun. Namun apa daya, karena hati kecil belum ikhlas dan khawatir jika sounding/sugesti yang saya berikan ke Kinanthi akan langsung ngefek saat itu juga alias Kinanthi tiba-tiba gak mau nenen meski belum 2 tahun, maka saya putuskan no sounding2an sebelum usia 2 tahun. Saya berkaca dari pengalaman yang lalu, saat saya harus dinas luar kota kemudian saya mensugesti Kinanthi agar mau tidur sama Ayah atau Uti kalau malam, eh gak taunya si sugesti tadi manjur dan Kinanthi malah minta tidur sama Uti beneran padahal saya belum juga berangkat dinas :(

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Setelah rampung berkutat dengan ultah Kinanthi, saya tersadar harus mulai benar-benar memikirkan bagaimana WWL bisa dilakukan. sehari...dua hari...tiga hari...eh Kinanthi justru makin craving nenen, saat saya gak memperbolehkan, khususnya nenen malem, yang memang sudah jadi kebiasaannya, mungkin ada yang hilang yaa... Dan saya pun tidak tega, luluh juga akhirnya.

Lima hari berlalu, tak ada perubahan... namun tekad saya untuk WWL masih kuat, karena inginnya sama-sama ikhlas. Ideal yaa hehe. Tetapi saya tersentak oleh kata-kata Uti, "Kamu kalo mau dia berhenti nenen ya jangan begitu caranya, gak mau ngasih pait-pait tapi juga gak mau kasih nenen kalo dia minta, itu namanya nyiksa" Deg...dipikir-pikir...ada benarnya juga, namanya anak baru 2 tahun dan kita minta mengerti, rasanya sedikit mustahil, kecuali saya memang spare waktu beberapa bulan kedepan sampai Kinanthi lepas nenen sendiri. Namun kondisinya, saya sendiri merasa kesakitan ketika sesi menyusu, disamping volume asi yang sudah pasti jauuuh berkurang karena di kantor juga sudah tidak memerah, ditambah Kinanthi yang semakin asi sedikit/tidak keluar justru semakin memperkuat isapannya.

Akhirnya, saya menuruti saran Uti, untuk oles-oles kencur di area isapan. Selesai mengoles, saya menunggu saat Kinanthi minta nenen, penasaran juga liat reaksinya melihat warna kuning dan rasa kencur saat dia nenen. Ternyata Kinanthi tak kunjung minta nenen, ada kali 2 jam sejak ritual oles saya lakukan. Setelah akhirnya Kinanthi minta nenen, eh lanjut aja loh meski awalnya mengernyit dulu, bahkan saat saya bilang "nenen ibu gak enak, kotor tuh ada kuning-kuningnya" dia spontan aja jawab "dibersihin dulu" Hahaha saya malah dalam hati ngakak... Gagal deh percobaan pertama.

Percobaan kedua, hari selanjutnya, saya putuskan menggunakan olesan air jeruk nipis. Tips ini saya dapatkan saat membaca forum, saya lupa entah di theurbanmama.com atau mommiesdaily.com. Saya sudah nothing to lose saja sebenarnya. Namun, tak dinyana, si bocah setelah mencicipi nenen seperti biasa, langsung bilang "nenen ibu basi" ditambah beberapa bulir jeruk menempel yang memang sengaja saya biarkan, membuat Kinanthi lantas enggan melirik nenen lagi.

Dan alhamdulillah, sejak saat itu, tak sekali pun Kinanthi merengek lagi minta nenen. Di satu sisi saya bahagia berhasil menyapih, tanpa drama, karena keesokannya pun Kinanthi hanya sedikit saja rewel saat mau tidur, tapi tetap tidak minta nenen. Di sisi lain, saya pun harus menata hati untuk mengikhlaskan bahwa memang sudah saatnya Kinanthi tak lagi menyusu yang menurut saya selalu menjadi sesi yang intim sekali antara ibu dan anak, merasa dibutuhkan banget itu rasanya tak terkira :). Tapi saya yakin, ini akan menjadi awal yang baik untuk perjalanannya kedepan.

Kinanthi sudah punya rutinitas baru, tidur alhamdulillah mudah dan lanjuuut sampe pagi, tanpa sesi minta minum di malam hari. Alhamdulillah, nikmat Allah mana lagi yang hendak saya dustakan... Kini... tampaknya Kinanthi sedang beradaptasi setelah masa penyapihan, agak lebih sensitif sama ibunya, dan lagi manja-manjanya sama si Ayah. Ada sedih juga yang saya rasakan, namun Ayah menguatkan dan mengingatkan saya akan kisah serupa yang menimpa Kakak saya dengan si bungsunya. In sya Allah tak ada yang perlu ditakutkan :)



Source: www.gurl.com

April 09, 2015

Second Birthday Archive


It was been a while from the date you were born...

Leave your first year of life...

You started to walk at 1 year and 2 weeks
No need to be worry of falling
You just needed a balance to strongly stand and walk
Put your bravery then you would be ready to run

You became more fluent to converse
Reveal what you like and dislike
Choosing your preference
Having a pray before your meal

You learned to understand of feeling
You showed an enthusiast of hellokitty, cat and rabbit
You enjoyed your swimming time
You also considered of every detail on your wearing

There will still be long journey to your future
Keep grateful of Allah's grace
Stay patience when in hard situation
Be focus on your life goal
Yes...life goal must be your purpose

And it should be
Mind your words
Be careful of your doing
Maintain your qolbu pure
Because of your loving to Allah

This late memoar is written
On my 30 birthday
As a gratitude expression
of having you
forever and after

Love you always,


Ibu