Discovery McHale

This Friday, December 3 2011, UGM held a special program with a prominent figure from the United States of America. Judith McHale, An Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the State Department. The event took place in the Senate Room, Second Floor, North Wing Rectorat UGM from 08.30-11.00. Around a hundred person joined the program, mostly lecturers and students. The day's program was also connected to nine Indonesian universities through video conference. Instead of talking about public diplomacy and US foreign policy, the program mainly discussed about the significance impact of entrepreneurship. Mr. Joko Moerdianto, UGM Executive Secretary was in charge of the session by being a moderator. While, beside Mrs. McHale, the other speakers; UGM Rector-Mr. Sudjarwadi, Vice Minister of National Education Ministry-Mr. Fasli Djalal, and US Ambassador to Indonesia-Mr. Scott Marciel signified the specialty of the program.

courtesy to http://www.ugm.ac.id.


Now let's get to know closer about Judith McHale :

She has a strategic yet important position at the Department of State. Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs are very urgent issues regarding the US foreign policy. Moreover, it is a big homework for the States to influence public opinion, domestically and internationally through smart diplomacy. I wouldn't talk much about political aspects of her position but explore about what we can learn from her endeavor and professional experience.

MTV and Discovery Channel. Who didn't know these two internationally-well-known channels. So, what's the matter? It matters since Mrs. McHale had once become an eminence figure who succeed to gain a big achievement for those companies. She had a very sharp visionary sight, and were very passionate about the world development. She was also concern about culture and education which accommodate her hardworking into many accomplishments.

Her recent position acquires skill to deal and engage with various different people from around the world. Therefore, she has to equip herself with outstanding qualifications of communication skills, as well as her broad-knowledge. Her background and upbringings were also an advantage for her career. She was nurtured in diplomatic atmosphere since she was a daughter of the US diplomat. She valued a lively experience abroad, especially in South Africa and Great Britain. Hence, Mrs. Mc Hale also absorbed the spirit of apartheid struggle in South Africa.

For further biography you can read on this website.

Sincere regards,

Studi Ekskursi 2010

Experiencing Professional Life?

Dengan tajuk “Experiencing Professional Life through Excursion 2010”, studi ekskursi jurusan hubungan internasional angkatan 2007 berhasil terlaksana. Dalam lima hari perjalanan menjelajah ibu kota, 7-11 November 2011, saya menemukan pemandangan yang lain dari keseharian. Saya pun diajak menatap erat hingar bingar kota metropolitan, dan menyelami aktivitas serta polah tingkah manusia di dalamnya. Seolah-olah diri ini dipaksa mengalihkan sedikit perhatian dari duka Merapi yang masih membalut pilu kota Jogjakarta tercinta.

Keputusan meninggalkan Jogja merupakan pilihan sulit karena separuh nafas saya masih melekat pada pori-pori ruang dan waktu, bersama debu dan abu vulkanik yang mulai kasat mata tersapu hujan yang mengguyur Jogja selama beberapa hari. Ya, Jogja telah aman dan nyaman seperti layaknya. Aktivitas Merapi memang bisa mengancam setiap saat, namun kenyamanan Jogja telah kembali. Saya bisa merasakan Merapi seakan anteng di dalam kekuatan mahadaya-nya. Dua hari itu Merapi telah berdamai dalam harmoni Jogja.

Hari keberangkatan, Minggu, 7 November 2010, cuaca cerah menyelimuti Jogja. Langit dan awan terlihat indah. Dedaunan telah berubah warna, dari yang semula abu-abu menjadi hijau. Namun ada yang berbeda dari biasanya. Saya tak biasa dengan kesepian di kos yang mulai menggerogoti kalbu. Bagaimana tidak, hampir seluruh teman kos saya telah pulang ke kampung halaman atau mengungsi ke rumah saudara. Hingga kira-kira hanya tersisa empat penghuni kos dari total 41 mahasiswa, belum termasuk keluarga ibu kos yang masih setia di rumah. Saya tidak terbiasa dengan kesepian di kos yang biasanya selalu riuh dengan tawa, nyanyi, dan humor penghuni-penghuninya.

Satu demi satu teman kos saya telah pergi meninggalkan Jogja. Dan saya pun merasa terpecundangi oleh diri sendiri karena ingin berbuat banyak untuk Jogja, namun terganjal limit diri dan keputusan yang telah saya buat sebelumnya. Namun saya tidak menyesali keputusan yang telah saya buat, karena akan selalu ada pembelajaran dan oleh-oleh dari sana.

Minggu, 7 November 2010

Sore itu, saya sepakat berangkat bersama sahabat saya, Flo. Saya lega, karena sebelumnya saya khawatir dengan absennya beberapa teman dekat saya dalam kegiatan ini. Tas travel yang saya jinjing terasa cukup berat hingga perjalanan menuju kampus membuat keringat saya bercucuran. Dari kejauhan terlihat bus yang telah terparkir di depan Fakultas Hukum. Kami pun mempercepat langkah, dan disambut dengan ringan tangan serta senyum ceria sahabat saya yang lain, Davi. Kemudian, teman-teman laki-laki saya dengan cekatan membantu saya menaikkan tas travel kami ke bagasi bus. Oh, what a nice beginning.

Perjalanan dimulai dengan doa. Saya terdiam, tersenyum, dan teringat kebiasaan piknik bersama keluarga dari sekolah ibu-bapak saya, ketika masih kecil, bahkan sampai saya SMA, Biasanya kami berkendara dengan bus pariwisata. Kebersamaan bersama teman-teman satu angkatan seperti ini adalah kesempatan langka bagi saya. Oleh karena itu saya mencoba menikmati setiap rasanya. Riuh, tawa, canda, teriakan, geram, nyanyian, dan beraneka obrolan menemani perjalanaan kami hingga larut. Di samping saya, duduk sahabat yang khusuk dalam perjalanan, ditemani Al-Quran, Al Ma'tsurat, dan boneka unta kesayangannya. Dalam suatu percakapan, saya merasa tertampar karena malu sendiri, mengapa saya sering mengacuhkan Kitab Suci itu.

Perjalanan menyusur senja sore itu sangat indah. Dari tepi jendela bus, saya mengagumi sketsa alam ciptaan-Nya. Sawah yang membentang, sungai yang tenang, dan pepohonan yang melambaikan tangan kebesarannya tersenyum pada saya, dengan sederhana namun menyentuh teramat dalam. Pada suatu celah waktu, saya melihat seorang kakek mendayungkan perahunya di sebuah sungai yang tenang ketika magrib menjelang. Saya semakin tersentuh. Mereka juga merupakan bagian dari kehidupan.

Semakin malam, semakin gila. Riuh renyah tawa ditambah dentuman musik dangdut semakin memeriahkan suasana malam. Mulai dari cinta satu malam, keong racun, sampai lagu-lagu ga jelas yang mengumbar aurat penyanyinya. Yang penting semua senang dan gembira. Perjalanan terus berlanjut, dan erhentian selanjutnya adalah untuk makan malam. Diteruskan hingga pagi menjelang. Akhirnya, kami sampai tepat waktu di arena rest room Cikampek pada jam 04.30 dini hari.

Senin, 8 November 2010

Kami masih mempunyai banyak waktu hingga kunjungan pertama ke LIPI (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia) pada jam 12.30 siang. Seperti biasa, apa yang terjadi menanggapi situasi seperti ini? Kuping saya lelah dengan semua komplain dan keluhan. Enyahlah dengan itu semua, saya melanjutkan tidur saya hingga jam 6. Kebetulan saya tidak sholat, jadi saya punya kesempatan untuk beristirahat lebih lama. Hingga akhirnya matahari telah menanjak, saya pun memutuskan keluar bus, menuju Indomaret untuk membeli barang yang saya perlukan. Membeli kudapan ngemil sebagai sarapan. Selanjutnya, mandi dan siap berbusana rapi.

Jam 10 kami melanjutkan perjalanan menuju LIPI. Jam 12.30, sesampainya di tempat tujuan, kami makan siang dulu. Kami pun menaiki gedung itu, di lantai 3, kami menemukan sebuah ruangan tidak terlalu lebar tapi cukup untuk sekitar 50 orang. Di sana kami di sambut dua peneliti bidang Politik dari LIPI. Sayangnya ingatan saya terlalu pendek untuk mengingat nama beliau berdua. Kami diberi pengetahuan seputar LIPI, dan diteruskan tanya jawab interaktif.

Ruangan LIPI itu mengingatkan saya akan dua hal : Pertama, Bapak Ikrar Nusa Bhakti. Siapa beliau? Ehmm, saya juga baru tahu kalau beliau itu adalah Kepala Pusat Peneliti bidang Politik di LIPI. Saya hanya terasa familiar dengan foto yang terpajang di dinding. Wajahnya serasa tidak asing. Usut punya usut ya memang beliau lah orangnya. Dalam seleksi beasiswa ADS di Jogja sekitar setahun yang lalu, saya bertemu Pak Ikrar. Selama dua hari saya menjemput beliau dan seorang juri dari Australia dari hotel untuk diantar ke Ruang Sidang Rektorat. Dalam perjalanan, kami berbincang banyak hal. Beliau sosok yang sederhana, ramah, hangat, dan down to earth. Beliau juga menitipkan salam kepada Pak Moechtar Mas'oed, dosen saya. Karena ternyata beliau berdua bersahabat baik.

Kedua, LIPI meningatkan saya pada a foreigner from Jerman. Perjumpaan tak disengaja yang melengkapi semalam obrolan saya di travel dari Blitar menuju Jogja. Kisah selengkapnya bisa dibaca di sini.

Selanjutnya saya mencatat beberapa hal dari kunjungan singkat sore itu, diantaranya:

Don't be too generous! Be selective!

Entah pada bahasan apa nasehat itu keluar dari ibu-ibu peneliti kawakan tersebut. Pelajaran berharga bagi saya diantara semua hal yang saya pelajari siang itu.

Selanjutnya, kami kembali ke Wisma Karsa Garini, di dekat Bandara Halim Perdanakusuma. Itulah tempat kami menginap selama tiga hari dua malam di Jakarta.

Hari berikutnya, Selasa 9 November, ekskursi dilanjutkan ke Kedutaan Besar Jepang dan Jakarta Post, atau CSIS.

Rabu, 10 November, kunjungan dilanjutkan ke ASTRA Internasional dan Kemenlu. Sementara, hari terakhir, 11 November kunjungan terakhir ke Kantor Delegasi Uni Eropa melengkapi rangkaian SE tahun ini. Sebenarnya sebelum bertolak balik ke Jogja, masih ada kunjungan ke Pantai Ancol, namun saya harus terpisah dari rombongan karena sudah merencanakan hal lain.

** Maaf cerita kunjungannya tidak terlalu detail ^^

Salam,

Kiki Fauzia

Jogja Java Carnival 2010

A very special Jogja

First of all, I would like to congratulate Jogjakarta that just celebrated its 254 birthday. I Wish this lovely city always stays in the heart of its people, as I always have in mind. I loved this city at the first sight, and even more during my 4 years studying here. I couldn't believe that I have been living and studying in Jogja for this quite long term. I realized that there would be a time when I will whisper a soft-good bye to this city, to move on and continue life. But, I guess would be very hard for me to really leave Jogja. In brief, Jogja successfully stole my heart.

Jogja owns such a special space in my heart. The core of the city lies on the three concept of living, culture, tourism, and education. The mix of these three idea had transformed Jogja to be a very distinguished place in the world, offered various potentials and attractiveness. I feel that Jogja really fits with my virtue and characteristic, as an egocentric as well as a sociable person. I really enjoyed the taste of art and culture as much I valued each tourism objects. And of course, the education atmosphere is really strong here. Not only a formal education, but also a non-formal one. A learning process from every single field, people, and phenomenon we meet here are very precious.

Right Moment with Right Friends = Awesome :)

Since the first time I saw the advertisement of Jogja Java Carnival 2010, I said to myself that I won't miss this moment. I wanted to experience the atmosphere of night celebration and people's euphoria in every single part of Malioboro, as a center of the carnival. The spirit brought to such a special night is "Celebration of Cultural Unity", and I prepared myself to see such an attractive and entertaining performance, in the harmony of Jogja.

October 16th, three friends of mine and I headed to the Malioboro a bit late as I planned to. On my way to get a strategic spot, I just felt the massive force of people who suggested me to be careful and not aggressive nor emotional . I amazed with thousands, and even more of people who were dragged to the epicenter of carnival. And then after all, we had alternate choices to pick a better spot due to safety reason.

We had freedom to choice what better or best for us. Thus, we chose to find a better spot to enjoy the night. After quite long walk seeing many people's heads around us, we relieved to finally able to breath the fresh air deeply. We went to Vredeburg and Monument Serangan Umum area. There, we just blended with hundreds of people who experienced and chose the same things, rather than desperately watch the carnival til the dead end. Afterall, the state of our mind decided to enjoy the carnival with our unique way.

below are some the pics with my lovely friends

Fireworks sparked the night

I felt blessed to be trapped in the crowd of people's euphoria. I could feel the magnitude power of Jogja, and the appreciation to the carnival. But, I was sad with the selfishness of people I met there. And yeah, they are just so egoistic and stubborn, and didn't let others share the comfort zone with them. It was also a bit disappointing when the committee put series of fences to avoid the aggressiveness of audience or people who tried to get involved and had a physical contact with the performer. I definitely understand the purpose of doing so, but on the other hands, it caused series of unexpected actions as well.

What the best of the night is the FIREWORKS. What a spectacular one to end the carnival. It is definitely marvelous and full of WOW-ness, remind me of fireworks I watched on special night, either on the fourth of July or new-year eve. So lovely and so romantic. I definitely will long for another spectacular fireworks, (hopefully) with such a romantic setting, and accompanied by beautiful people of mine.

My warm birthday wishes to Jogja,

Kiki Fauzia

Eid Mubarak 1431 H

Feeling Tranquility in the Pure Days

Ramadan, a month of blessing and forgiveness, had left me with a heap of homework. Major homework for me is how to increase my spiritual quality with God aftermath of Ramadan. The momentum of Ramadan obliged believers to fortify the sense of devotion to The One who embraces our whole-life. If Ramadan is like a battle, then the winner is one who sustain their faith and spirit on the following months after Ramadan. So, I am begging for the Light to guide my way and lead me closer to Him- in the searching of serenity and tranquility.

I spent my third of Ramadan at home. I planned to go home sooner deliberately. At that time, I was struggling to seek the spirit of Ramadan that I had missed since early of the month. I fully realized that home was the right place, and under proper circumstances. At least, there is always someone who watch over me and keep me on the right track. The environment I need the most when I am in the process of healing my soul.

Being home also means that I have to share my duty and responsibility with other member of the family. I learned how to be a good daughter and sister. Oh God, I am still too far from what expected. But, never stop improving myself. Obviously at home makes me happy and comfy. Too much love, laughing, sleeping, eating, and many fun activities with my family. In the end, I should be grateful for everything. I am very fortunate and has nothing to complain. As the result of being home I gained my weight, about 3 kg. After all, God is really is the Most Merciful and the Most Gracious.

Have a happy and blessed Eid Mubarak 1431 H!
Wish you all the joy and love everywhere :)

Cheers, Kf

Super Girl

Last night, my friends and I discussed about what's goin' on in Palestine recently. Then, we ended up by watching this amazing video on such a remarkable speech of 5th grade girl. I was totally speechless then. Thrilled and so proud of this brave-hearthed human being, Rachel Corrie. Below is the script of her 5th grade speech.

“I’m here for other children. I’m here because I care.
I’m here because children everywhere are suffering and because forty thousand people die each day from hunger.
I’m here because those people are mostly children.
We have got to understand that the poor are all around us and we are ignoring them.
We have got to understand that these deaths are preventable.
We have got to understand that people in third world countries think and care and smile and cry just like us.
We have got to understand that they dream our dreams and we dream theirs.
We have got to understand that they are us. We are them.
My dream is to stop hunger by the year 2000.
My dream is to give the poor a chance.
My dream is to save the forty thousand people who die each day.
My dream can and will come true if we all look into the future and see the light that shines there.
If we ignore hunger, that light will go out.
If we all help and work together, it will grow and burn free with the potential of tomorrow.”
– Rachel Corrie, aged 10, remarks from a fifth grade press conference on World Hunger.

“I look forward to seeing more and more people willing to resist the direction the world is moving in; a direction that persuades us that our personal experiences are irrelevant, that we are defective, that our communities are not important, that we are powerless, that the future is determined and that the highest level of humanity is expressed through what we choose to buy at the mall.”
– Rachel Corrie

UGM Graduation in May

left to right : phi'i, mbak rien, dedek, me :)

Today I dressed up in purple. Since early morning, my kost friends and I was excited to see our good friend's graduation ceremony. Another personel of SWA 7A Family, Mbak Ririn finished her study in UGM. We are also very enthusiastic to take a lot of pictures in the spot because my friend brought her SLR camera. The photos below was taken from my camera-pocket anyway.

There I also met another group, from another family, OIA family who congratulated our friend's glory. I am so proud of you friends, especially when seeing your cum laude shawl.

I would love to extend my sincere congratulation to dear friends,

Ririn Fina Pebriani - Forestry Faculty

Fitri Trapsilawati - Engineering Faculty

Guruh Eko Saputra - Engineering Faculty

Dyah Pandam Mitayani - Cultural Science Faculty

and other graduates

I hope you are a way success in years to come.

Be a good ones in whatever path you choose.

Regards, Kf

M A R R I A G E

"My friend, younger than me, just married a few days ago. She will be
holding her wedding celebration this week. I will come for sure.
Some friends of mine already got married.
Many people decided to married on these months.
I read blog about young couple's marriage."

Those all made me over-thinking about 'marriage'^^ Haha. And all of sudden I remembered my high-school's dream. Yes, I want to get married on young age. Hahaha. So silly if I remembered that.
I understand that marriage isn't as easy as folding back our hands. We need to learn much and of course be fully-ready to that next stage of our-life.
Marriage dominated my brain tonight rather than my exam preparation.
Haha. Marriage. When? Where? With whom?
All are still m y s t e r y

Regards, -KF-