Bakti Desa

At first, I really didn’t understand on why we had to have Bakti Desa. Firstly, Bakti Desa usually happens when we’re tertiary. The secondly, I knew that Bakti Desa is a kind of requirement when you wanted to finish or graduate from college. And the thirdly the thing that I knew about Bakti Desa was a kind of activities when we served the public with our own hand for such term and it was usually been done in a kind of a go down place.  Well, those were why I never knew why we should have Bakti Desa at the stage of High School.

For one or another, lately I understood on why we had to have Bakti Desa. Firstly, I want you to know that my school has a different systematic learning than any other school in Bandung. My school or SMAN 3 Bandung has a systematic learning which is like a systematic learning in college or we can say ‘System SKS’. So there was no wonder on why we had to do that. The answer must be because we’re the same with tertiary.

So therefore Bakti Desa came.  The teacher said that we will have Bakti Desa at Desa Resmi Tingal, Kecamatan Kertasari Kab. Bandung. As the plan that we’d known about, we gathered at school at 6 a.m. so we gathered at the front park of SMAN 3 Bandung. We went there by Angkot (Angkutan Kota). It was quite long time but I enjoyed the time. In it, it was so crowded and because of the long time so we shared the meal with each other. The location that I knew it was right on the mountain so while we were riding off, we saw a handsome view. It was very green, everywhere we saw tree.

When we arrived there, we could see if they were preparing an opening to greet us. Honestly, I didn’t like the opening because it was taking too much time, but it was ok because at the end of the opening we had food party. No more starved so we moved to find our home to stay for three days. One house for one team and each team had three until four people. And of course in every house we got foster parents who would take care of us for those three days.

The activities that we were going to do was following our parents to go to work, teaching some kids there, and learn about their culture there and then to learn speaking Sunda. We had an obligation to share and to help them with the knowledge that we had. We ought to earn how to sociable with them too. So we were going to try.

At a time when we arrived at my foster parent’s house soon we sat at a sofa. My teacher gave money to them so we could eat from it. And then my teacher left us. We sat and stayed still. It was kind an awkward moment. I felt like I didn’t know what to say. And my two friends too said that what we had to do, please they didn’t understand Sunda. So did I. A little bit might be. Then our foster mother gave us some meal. Those were cake or we called it ‘Bolu’ and fried cassava. It was the greatest taste of cassava that I ever tasted. Oh my God I was going to miss this fried cassava.

I thought it was enough to make us silent. So I was going to start to talk.  Start with asking them their activities, their condition like economy, social, and education. It was kind a surprising to find that our foster mother only got Rp. 16.000; per day and for the father, he only got Rp. 40.000 per day. They worked from 5 a.m. until 12 p.m. but they got like I’d said above. This life wasn’t easy, was it (?). Our parents worked as a farmer. Our mother usually cleaned up some other kailyard and the father planted Shallotte. They never really had their own.

  They had a daughter. She was ninth grade. And you knew what. Yes the ninth grade was the stage when you got UN (National Examination) and it was the requirement for your graduation. So when your grade was lower than the standard that had been set up for, meant you couldn’t graduate. Despite of all of those requirements I found myself realize that their daughter couldn’t understand all of the lessons that would be on UN. She couldn’t understand the basic of math, English and so many things like multiplication, fractional operation, English vocabulary or even read those vocabularies and etc. I felt so sorrow to see that. So we spent one day at home to teach her.

The next day came. We got up and prayed. We got up late so our father had already gone to the farm, but it was ok because we could still follow our mother who would go to the farm at 6 a.m. So there we went to the farm. As we walked on the sun, the trees and the greatest view greeted us. The air there was so clear I felt my lung breathe more freely there. There was highland covered with morning fog and behind them we could see the sun was step to head to rise on. It was truly awesome.

It was quite a long road from our house to the farm, but it was fun. So there we greeted to the owner of the farm itself. We asked him if we could help and experienced some works there. After we got the permit we started to work. It was kind a quite amusing work. It was plucking weeds that we’re going to do. We plucked it from one field to another field. Although it seemed pretty easy but lately it was a little tiring too.

At the day we went home. We watched a show. It was Marawis Show. It was kind a music show again using tam-tam, gendang, kecrek etc. It was played every afternoon in the middle of their village. Usually kids there learned how to play Marawis too. Besides Marawis, there was so many tradition music show that they always did, such as angklung, kecapi, etc (I forgot the name). It was so amazing to see their activity was so different with what I had.

At the afternoon to the night we were teaching our sister (Our foster parent’s daughter) and now with more participants. Kids from the neighborhood wanted to learn too so there the reasons were.  And the night my classmate visit our house. Yeah I thought they must be had fun by visiting around. I made some little magic physic show. It was a popular magic show in my school. It was a challenge show to take a coin in the middle of water without our hand touching the water. The key was that using physics theory. Yeah and it was a little bit failure but it was fun. Haha J

Now it was the third day which was our last day there. We got up and prayed. We prepared our things and packed. We had our breakfast and we took some pictures together with our foster parents. We visited the other house to pick our classmate up to the place that had been planned before. Before we left we had to give some counseling about how to take care of our health starting with a good behavior like washing our hand after defecate and to reduce or may be to sop consuming cigarette. And after that we packed off and gathered at Kantor Desa.

There was a closing for the event. And after that we got ready to go home and packed ours to angkot. Our foster parents gave us some gift to us and gave a warm farewell. Every students got their gift too. We all got home with our gifts. It was harvests from the farm. I was really happy. I thought I would miss the moment. And it was such a memorable moment in my life.

Matswapati

Matswapati is a big event that was held by SMAN 3 Bandung. It is about Bandung culture. In this event, SMAN 3 Bandung tries to show up the culture of their beloved city, Bandung. Now days, so many people in Bandung itself have already forgotten their original culture. Because all of those facts they want to rise and give more socialization to everyone so they can start to love their culture again.

It is full of culture or traditional shows. The shows can be a dancing, fighting shows, games, music and many more. Start with dancing, there is so many dancing show in Bandung, such as Tari merak, Jaipong, Tari Topeng Priangan, and etc. And then for fighting shows or battle round. There is originally martial from Bandung or may be West Java Pecak Silat, and so many things.

No food no festival. Yes, of course there is. There is so many foods, from the traditional to the modern one. Every food such as onde-onde, lemper, gorengan, kebab, icecream, nasi goring, tea, milk, and many others. You can buy the food as please as you can and as long as you have money. About the price itself, it is pretty expensive for me because the price is more expensive than usual.

It starts with a great opening. It starts with a traditional dancing performance. There is mayor of Bandung City too. He is invited to give his speech in this big event.  He is so excited in this event because they have make a festival which is really benefits for the government to rise the culture of Band towards people in Bandung City. He is giving some games and prizes so everyone is feeling happy with his speech.

After so many opening speech from Mr. Mayor,  Ridwan Kamil, the head Master Mr. Encang, and for the last, the head of committee Mr. Degati, every festival activities begin. The activities are all what I’ve told you before. It’s so interesting but about the audiences is a little bit disappointed. Not too many people that attend this event maybe because the socialization about this festival too is not big fuss so not too many people know about this event. May one of their factor too can be in their way to socialization to public. I think the people who has advertised this event get a wrong words to explain the event because so they just keep emphasize about the guest star that they have, so it makes every people think that it is some kind of ‘Pensi’ (some kind like band or ordinary music event) not culture festival.

All mistakes can be seen but it’s not mean if the festival is not great. It is a proud feeling that we have for SMAN 3 Bandung because they want to work hard to raise the traditional culture of Bandung towards the youngsters. It is so amazing. I hope that one day if they held some kind of this festival they will put another of interesting culture that Bandung or any place has again.

Bullying

What do you feel? Fear? Eager? Revenge?   Well I guess you’ve known. It’s an action, it’s all unfair. We deserve to get a peace, to be a human_ a human that used to be. What do they mean when they threating the other? Happiness? Revenge? What?! Do everything that you’ve done make you satisfy? Do you feel that you’ve grown up to be a human? Say a word to me man!

They ought to deserve what they’ve to get. Now listen to them, do they feel like people that live in this world? Free? Get a love? They’ve suffered a lot, then will you just let them, let them! Get their freedom! It’s like living in world without air. They must have said “I shouldn’t have to be born into this world. Well.. What’s the good to know the world that I feel today.”

Well, you think you can say “it’s JUST” but it’s NEVER JUST! You do you know it’s wrong. Do you get what I tell you? Yeah… like you always say “it’s JUST BULLYING!”. Yes it always happens in our life but it’s NEVER JUST!. One side that do bully feel like the strongest, can do everything, like there’s no god that watching us. And what do the one that is being bullied get? Smile?!  They are dying but still alive. Feel the pain.

We’re here to be a human not to be a demon. Well, everyone have their own pleasure, but bullying is not even a pleasure. Doing that makes the one who was bullied feel suffer. Doing that means that you are not a human.

Ied Mubarak Wow!

My holiday was amazing! I had a lot of rest. One big event that happened in my holiday__ Ied Mubarak! After fasting for one month, finally I could feel Ied Mubarak. Ied Mubarak was a great moment for me, because I could gather, shared the love, and shared happiness.

No matter what, Opor, Ketupat always be there as the main menu. Not only the opor and ketupat but there was still so many things that could fill my stomach, cakes, fruits, juices, and the other special dishes. From one house to another house with special dishes to another special dishes, I went to every house in my neighborhood, gave a great greet, smile, and enjoy the gather. Walked and smile_ for sure, this was the day when you could smile freely, but one thing, please just didn’t be tired to smile, as long as you still had your teeth, kept smile!

This was a time when you could let your words came out a lot. A gather time_ a story time with my big family, we had a lot of laughing. All my family would come and had a gather when Ied Mubarak came. Yeah no wonder, some of people ever said that Ied Mubarak was a day when we gathered with all of our family.

All of that, what was the thing that always be waited by everyone, sharing money time! Aye, aye, we wouldn’t miss this time! Of course we didn’t want! J every adult in my family give their shares to us, especially to me… what.. okay not especially but included me. It was a time to get rich too, let’s get rich!  

Yeah at the end I had my own time to sleep what a great sleep! What a great moment! Hope I could have another Ied Mubarak!

INSPIRING PERSON

The Prophet Muhammad

The Prophet Muhammad was the son of Abdullah, who was the son of Abdul-Muttalib, who was the son of Hashim; whose ancestry reaches the Prophet Ismael son of the Prophet Abraham, peace be upon them.

Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca , in Arabia , on a Friday, the 17^th day of the lunar month of Rabi‘-I, in the year 570CE into a noble family whose fathers and ancestors were amongst the chiefs of the Quraysh tribe, and the Bani-Hashim clan.

His Prophetic mission began in the year 610CE on the 27^th day of the month of Rajab, when he first received the divine revelation.  Then the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet progressively according to the circumstances of the time over a period of 23 years.

The Prophet Muhammad was killed by poisoning on the 28^th day of the month of Safar in the 11^th year of the Hijrah[1], 630CE.

His Childhood

Muhammad's father Abdullah son of Abdul-Muttalib was the best and most pious among the sons of Abdul-Muttalib and his most beloved. Abdullah died while Muhammad was still in his mother's womb. All that he left behind were five camels and a servant girl named Barakah, also known as Omm Ayman, who was Muhammad's nanny. Abdullah was a true believer and a monotheist.

After Abdullah's death, Muhammad's grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, became his guardian. Abdul-Muttalib was one of the chieftains of the tribe of Quraysh, and a believer in Allah [in the way of Prophet Abraham], as was Abu Talib, a brother of Abdullah. Abdul-Muttalib always respected and honoured treaties and adopted the finest of morals. He loved the poor and helped pilgrims. He would even feed the wild beasts and the birds of the mountaintops. He would feed people in times of famine and would restrain wrongdoers.

Muhammad's mother was Aamenah daughter of Wahab son of Abd Manaf son of Kilab. She was also a believer in Allah.

When Muhammad was born his mother said: ‘As soon as I put my child on the ground he leaned with his hands on the ground, raised his head to the skies and looked at the horizons all the while speaking in phrases of monotheism. Then a voice called out to me saying: ‘The best of mankind has been born so name him Muhammad.'

Then Aamenah sent for Abdul-Muttalib. He came to her and she said: ‘A wondrous boy has been born to you.' Then she brought baby Muhammad to him. Abdul-Muttalib looked at him then took him and entered the Ka‘bah[2] and prayed to Allah. Then he left the Ka‘bah and returned him to his mother and named him Muhammad.

Muhammad was not yet seven years old when his mother died. After his mother's death, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib assumed guardianship of him. Because of his knowledge of the status of the child and his faith in him he treated Muhammad with more care and attention than his other children. A group of the Medlaj Clan came to Mecca and when they saw Muhammad they said to his grandfather: ‘Take good care of him for we have never seen another of his station.'

Abdul-Muttalib said to Abu Talib in his will to heed what they say and take care of him.  Muhammad was eight when his grandfather died, and he was taken into the care of his uncle Abu Talib.

Abu Talib, chief of the Bani-Hashim clan within the Quraysh[3], then became the guardian of Muhammad from his eighth year. Abu Talib went on to protect and serve the Messenger of Allah, defending him and honouring him throughout the testing times of his Prophethood, until the last breath of his life.

His Adulthood

Muhammad grew up to become a fine young man.  He became known for his excellent manners, and because of the honesty in his conduct and dealings he was referred to as al-Saadiq (The Truthful One) and al-Amin (The Trustworthy One).

As a youngster Muhammad used to accompany his uncle on his business trips to Syria .  When the Messenger of Allah reached the age of twelve he journeyed with his uncle Abu Talib as far as Busra. There he was seen by a Christian monk named Georges who recognised him by his description. He took his hand and said: ‘This is the chief of the Worlds, God will send him as a mercy to the Worlds.' Abu Talib said: ‘How do you know this?' He said: ‘We find mention of him in our books.' He asked Abu Talib to take him back fearing for his safety.

As an adult, Muhammad worked as a trader between the cities of Mecca and Damascus , and earned a great reputation in the process.  Having heard of the reputation of Muhammad, Lady Khadijah, one of the noblest of the Quraysh, on one occasion commissioned him to take charge of some of her trading business between the two cities.  Lady Khadijah sent one of her servants, Maysarah, along with him to keep an eye on him and report back to her.  Having seen his performance in the business, and the returns he had produced as well as his honesty, Lady Khadijah put Muhammad in charge of her business.  Although she had many proposals of marriage from various dignitaries of the Quraysh, Lady Khadijah declined them all. It is reported that it was Lady Khadijah who, albeit indirectly and discreetly, made the marriage proposal to Muhammad. Some historians have reported that when they married in 595CE they were both 25.

Lady Khadijah gave birth to three children. All of the Prophet's children were from Khadijah except Ibrahim who was from Mary the Copt, who was born in Medina and lived for a year and ten months. The male children who were all born in Mecca were; al-Qasim which is where Muhammad's epithet (Abul-Qasim; meaning Qasim's father) comes from, and Abdullah.   The boys all died young during the lifetime of the Prophet.  His only daughter was Fatimah, who married Imam Ali son of Abu Talib, and bore him Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn, Zaynab and Omm Kolthuom, and another son who was named Mohassen by the Prophet before his birth. Fatimah was the only one of the siblings to survive the Messenger of Allah.  The Prophet Muhammad used to say Hasan and Husayn are two Imams (leaders) whether they rise up (against tyranny) or not.

Ali was born to Abu Talib and his wife Fatimah bint Assad in 600CE.  Ali's birth was associated with a particularly significant phenomenon.  When Fatimah bint Assad was in labour she came to the Ka‘bah pleading to God for help with her labour.  It is reported by various narrators and recorded by many chroniclers that as she was engaged in her prayers by the southern wall of the Ka‘bah, the wall split open and she entered the House, whereby the wall returned to its normal state.  Having observed this extraordinary phenomenon, people who were present tried to follow her into the House through the opening but did not succeed.  They then tried to go inside the House through its door but could not unlock the door.  Reports indicate that she was inside the House for three days, and when she left the House with her newborn she did so in the same manner as she entered the House.

The Prophet Muhammad took particular interest in baby Ali, and he played a major role in Ali's upbringing and education.  Ali would be the most ardent supporter of the Prophet throughout the difficult years of the Prophet Muhammad's mission to convey the divine message and the teachings of Islam to the masses.


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