Kilas Balik Yang Terlalu Panjang

Selamat hari Sabtu, tukang pos yang manis.

Aku senang sekali selama tiga puluh hari bisa berkenalan dengan sesama perempuan yang belum ber-tuan ini, eh :)

Jika diteliti, suratku berjumlah dua puluh delapan saja. Ada dua hari di mana aku tidak sempat menulis karena harus pergi kesana kemari. Pada surat yang terakhir kali ini, ijinkan aku untuk menggali kembali kenangan yang muncul dari dua puluh delapan surat. Semoga tak terlalu banyak kata tertuang, sehingga membuat semangatmu hilang.

Aku selalu mengirim surat untuk pribadi-pribadi yang berbeda. Kebanyakan untuk seseorang atau dua-tiga-empat orang yang pasti. Sebagian kecil untuk semua orang. Suratku hampir tak pernah tertuju untuk sesosok pria yang sedang aku cintai. Memang, aku belum menemukannya.

Ah kangpos, engkau tahu itu :)

Hati

Uuiii, Mindi!

Apa kabar? Masih sibuk dengan persiapan pernikahan, ya? Tetap ingat istirahat dan makan secukupnya biar sehat :)

Kita ini disebut apa, sih? Teman, tapi sering ancam-ancaman. Sahabat, tapi suka tersenyum jahat. Musuh, tapi kangen pas jauh. Memang kalau sendiri seperti ini, rasanya bagai pecel tanpa sambel.

Kata Alda Risma, aku tak biasa bila tiada kau di sisiku, aku tak biasa bila ku tak mendengar suaramu. Tidak ada lagi sosok yang bisa mengiris bawang putih. Tidak ada lagi bau-bau semerbak dan bunyi-bunyi semarak. Bau dan bunyi kentut :)

Kata Rumor, aku tanpamu butiran debu. Jadi terharu dan tersedu-sedu. Huhuhu.

Graduation Is Just Around Corner

Dear empat sekawan :)

How's life? Today is a day after Chinese New Year. We are now in the different place for spending winter vacation. Anthony and Lusi are in Taiwan. Mindia is in Indonesia. I'm in Hong Kong.

Well, this is our second year in National Taiwan Ocean University. University that makes us meet, together, and proud. We enjoy dozen Chinese characters. We have hundred days of studying and traveling. We celebrate thousand dollars of scholarship.

Here in Taiwan, we make wonderful memory. We struggle as joyful Indonesians. We relish difficulties of Chinese language and easiness of Bahasa Indonesia. We share food and stories every Friday night.

Good Shepherd in Taiwan

Dear Teacher Hu,


Today is Chinese New Year's eve. You must be very busy of smiling and sharing stories with your family. This is time of togetherness. It's not too much different with me. I am now celebrating winter vacation in Hong Kong with my family. My family and I are so happy here.

This is the year of goat or sheep. I tend to mention it as the year of sheep because sheep is an unique animal. Sheep can be called as a fool animal. Sheep has thick hairs covered its body, but it must be cut time by time. Male sheep has horn, but it leads to sheep's own self. Female sheep has no horn. We may say that sheep has no weapon to protect its self. A flock of sheeps needs a shepherd to herd.

Not So Many (Ex-)Couple Like Us

Hi Jo,

How are you today? Is the cloud grey? I wish you enjoy a lovely sunny day. It's rainy here, I'm too busy for my winter vacation. It's quite strange, right, if I write something through a letter? Because we used to have chatting, although it's not too frequent. Maybe it's a surprise, but just keep reading :)

Long years ago there was a love story between us that at the very first I was sure we would be last longer. But I remember, we faced hard times during our long distance relationship. We tried to rebuild better communication, but we failed again and again. We attempted to each other loyal and care, but we floated off a bored river. So came the time when we had to terminate our title as a couple.

For Everybody To Pursue Scholarship in Taiwan

Hello, everybody! Good day there, and here :)


Do you have a dream studying abroad? Are you interested learning about ocean, maritime, and sea-related matters? Will you take a chance to consider Taiwan? Why NOT?

Well, let me introduce you myself. My name is Kartika Paramita Klara. I come from a little peaceful town, Blitar, in East Java. It is located in southern part of Indonesia, a big beautiful country. I was a teacher and counselor in a senior high school. But I am now an international master student in National Taiwan Ocean University. My major is education. Are you curious about my research project? Well, it is about an exploration of ecological philosophy for marine education. Seems too complitated? I think, no, it's easy. Hahaha.

Proudly Small

To the jury of Proudly Small whose number is twenty seven,

There is no doubt that I am proud to cry out my ideas about smallness. I was born in the small city, but in the biggest hospital that has ever built. I grew up there with a small family which obey the family planning program launched by the big president ever, Mr. Soeharto. I experienced education, no I mean schooling, from kindergarten to senior high school in the same small city, but all schools I attended are the biggest.

The first time I sensed big city is when I went to university in the big city. An university that has big trust from the society. However, I stayed in a small rented house with my three friends whom I knew since I was in the senior high school. However, once more, I always did homecoming every single week. I went back from big city to small city. I did not really enjoy my time in that big city.

The God of Matchmaker

Dear god of matchmaker,

Last week, on Tuesday twenty seventh of January, for the first time I visited the Taiwanese Buddhist temple of yours. It is not too big enough, but the character of Forever Love is clearly written in the wall behind you. You know, I smiled and whispered to my heart, 'I finally found you. Here in Tainan, not in Hscinchu as I planned before.'

I remember your long beard with a long-term smile. I saw young people came and prayed to you. I believe that they asked your blessing in finding their loved one. They must be single souls who long for being united with their lover soul. Maybe they have been waiting since a long long time, ago.

A Journey To Your Couch

Dear my dearest Taiwan Couchsurfing hosts,
Dear Jason in Taichung,
Dear Amedee in Kaohsiung,
Dear Daniel in Tainan,

Somewhere, someday I wish that you will read my letters. At least, you will remember the time we shared our Couchsurfing experiences [that had just happened last days]. I write this letters and call it as 'A Journey To Your Couch'. It was tough enough, but yes, was nice so much. So, I thank you a bunch.

I guessed that all of you didn't know before that I was super unsure before sending a request for you. It was because I had been not active anymore in Couchsurfing since November two thousand and thirteen. I have been too busy with my own dreams and sins. Sometime I studied too far away in the campus that I let hospitality chances slipped away.

Halo, Bapak! Hai, Pak!

Halo, Bapak!
Hai, Pak!

Masih akrab kan dengan sapaan itu? Yaa, biasanya sih aku tuliskan saat kita chatting di Facebook.

Bapak, apa kabar hari ini? Lagi baca buku yaa? ^_^
Luangkan waktu sejenak untuk membaca surat ini yaa. Seperti biasa, Bapak pasti menemukan surat ini di blog.

Hari ini, 15 Juni, adalah hari bapak internasional lho! Selamat yaa, Pak. Semoga Bapak selalu gembira dengan guyonan sehari-hari. Bapak memang lucu! Mungkin, kalau masih muda, Bapak bisa menjadi salah satu comica di acara Stand Up Comedy. Atau mungkin juga, bapak bakal membentuk grup lawak. Heheheee.

Hati yang Jatuh di Yangmingshan Tak Pernah Menyesal

Dulu aku kira Hatori adalah sejenis ninja yang jadi juru kunci gunung Fuji seperti sosok Mbah Maridjan sebagai juru kunci Gunung Merapi. Dulu aku sangka para pendaki gunung itu hanyalah orang-orang berotot kuat bertulang besi layaknya Gatot Kaca, sang wayang jagoan. Ternyata tidak! Aku yang berbadan kurus dan seksi pun bisa naik gunung! Kali ini aku berkisah tentang pengalamanku merantau di gunung yang terletak di negeri seberang, Taiwan.

Postcard from Formosa: Weed & Win

While my Formosa postcard had been received by the beloved pastor: Kusdiyanto Tana, then two friends of mine asked Formosa postcard as well. For sure, I voluntarily sent it. I couldn't write too much about these two friends. What you should know is that they have the same initial: W. I will call them Weed and Win. Yes, you see they love to weed and always win! Oh, they are men, and really gentle!

First Friendship in Formosa

The first twenty four hours is the most important time when someone coming to the other country as foreigner. The first is the longest. My first experiences of friendship in Taiwan is the longest memory I remember.

First time in Formosa. It was in Taoyuan International Airport. My fellow citizen picked me up then brought me safely to dormitory. It sounds nothing special. Yes. But that moment I believe I will never walk alone. Knowing that someone from the same country is here to help. That moment, that is it! In the sequel, my fellow citizens and I walked together on International Cultural Week held by my university. All together we perform the poco-poco dance. That moment I believe the togetherness with fellow citizens will dance my life here. That is it! Just like poco-poco dance which is well-known as a popular and cheerful dance, likewise my friendship with fellow citizens in Formosa. It adds joy to my life.

Postcards from Formosa: Final Exam Edition

Dear my dearest friends who have battled in final exam,
Dear the four of you whose time dedicated to be altar servers,
Dear to whom I may concern...

The day I write this blog is the book day. You know, for the last 12 years you must have so so many books. But, what does it mean? Here is I will rewrite four quotes about book.

*So many books, so little time. (by FRANK ZAPPA)

The First One: Campusology

I think I need to write my experience about studying in National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU). Maybe this is an exceptional publication. How do I start it out?

Well, I have one ordinary question. Could you imagine how you will dwell 5 full Chinese classes in 2 consecutive days every week that lasts for 4 months? I could, and I did. Tuesday after having some meal, the journey begins. Journey of campusology. This will come to an end on Wednesday before laying down on the bunk bed. Bunk bed...hmm sounds like sleeping in a hostel. But yes, here is my campus tale...