2017 in Review

2017 ended in a blink of an eye. At least for me. Oh well, I was sleeping during the new year's eve and when I woke up, all the fireworks and new year's hype has been long gone 😂 2017 was ordinary, I wasn't sure what to feel about it. The thing that I realized is I'm getting bored with my life and I don't feel excited about anything anymore, which really is sad because I felt empty. When you felt this much emptiness, you began to lose yourself. Even so, there were quite big moments that made my long boring life became a little less boring too and I'd like to write about them here.

Maximphonia and National Folklore Festival 2017

Some of PSM UIN Jakarta Alumni decided to form an independent choir and we named it Maximphonia. We formed Maximphonia for those who are no longer able to join PSM UIN rehearsal due to their busy schedules at work and only have free time during weekends. So, the members who joined are those who have been absent from choir for a long time, which means we have to start from scratch and learn how to sing choir from the beginning again. We also decided to join the National Folklore Festival 2017 at the Faculty of Economy at the University of Indonesia in March and I was assigned as treasurer. We ranked 6th out of 18 choirs which are great since we actually prepared this competition by ourselves without a professional coach or professional arranger. We truly joined the competition to bring back all the good feelings about singing in the choir and I dare to say we accomplished our goals. We truly had fun throughout the process and we never felt that relaxed during the competition before ❤

I Passed My Undergraduate Thesis Defense

Well, after 7 years (yes, you read it correctly, 7 YEARS!) of college, I finally did my Undergraduate Thesis Defense in July. It was quite a hectic day, my lecturer gave me the wrong schedule so I ended up late and we had to rush preparing the foods and everything. Luckily, my examiners were willing to wait and didn't show any sign of annoyance (special treatment for final year students I guess 😂). The thesis defense went for only 45 minutes on my part and I was able to give them satisfying answers and results despite the fact that I was super nervous. Well, how can't I? After such miscommunication with the schedule, I thought they would have canceled my thesis defense and change it to another day 😅 Thanks to such kind examiners, I was able to enjoy it and get a good grade for it. Some of my friends also came to support me although I only informed them about the defense that very morning to ask for prayers. Julian, Putri (who brought me a really huge flowers bouquet ❤), Wicak (who brought me flowers and support from Bayu who couldn't come), Aulia (who brought me my favorite Good Day coffee with Iqbal's support as well), and Mella (who also brought me Good Day coffee 😃). And of course Diah, Amel, Wardah, who helped me a lot during the process. They are the biggest part of this process and without them, I might have given up college a long time ago. Thank you!

Additional Singer for Bianglala Voices

It was not the first time for me to be an additional singer for Bianglala Voices, a vocal group of adult singers whose members are also my seniors in PSM UIN Jakarta and my choir coach, Bu Tanti, and Om Freddy. Bu Tanti always gives me chances to experience new things in musical fields and most of the jobs I got were all from her. I can never thank her enough for always believe in me and entrust me with such responsibility. That kind of support made me truly grateful and gave me courage because I often don't feel good about myself. 

What made this event special was because I was assigned to sing a solo part during Endah 'n Rhesa's song, When You Love Someone, during Bianglala Voices' performance at Earhouse Cafe. Earhouse is Endah and Rhesa's cafe and we got to sing in front of them. For someone like me, it was truly an amazing experience and an honor to sing that song in front of the artists themselves. Om Bintang, the one who leads the performance was a strict person but he entrusted me with this solo part to surprise Endah and Rhesa, and it was successful 😂 They really didn't expect us to perform that song for them because Om Bintang introduced it as a K-Pop song. My parents were also present at that moment and Om Bintang introduced me to the audience with such kind words and even thanked my parents for letting me join them even if it means I had to stay until midnight for rehearsal. I swear I love the look in my mother's eyes that night. I haven't seen those many stars in her since I won Writing Competition at National Championship in 2010. I can never thank Bianglala Voices enough for this experience ❤

Bandung and Padang Trip

I was able to visit many places in Indonesia this year (thanks to mudik as always) but two places that left a really special impression in me were Bandung and Padang. I visited Padang for the first time for my cousin's wedding and we had a chance to sightseeing although for only one day. The best thing about Padang is food. I swear they taste much much tastier than in Jakarta 😂 And even now as I'm writing this, I can't help but craving for more of Padang cuisines. I got to see Jam Gadang Tower and got permission to climb to the rooftop with my cousins too. My cousin's father has quite huge influence and role in Padang and I'm grateful to get that special privilege because.... well, it's not every day you get the chance to get to the rooftop of Jam Gadang Tower, right?! 😂

Bandung Trip was special because for the first time in forever, I was able to go on a vacation with my friends, Iqbal and Erna, without my parents or seniors or any study/organisation event. It was purely for vacation. It was only a 2 days trip but it was still memorable to me. We didn't go to any expensive places because we didn't have time (or money lol), but thankfully, Mr. Ridwan Kamil has designed every spot in Bandung into a beautiful place for Instagram. So, we were able to enjoy every place we visited and went home satisfied and re-charged (and craved for more Bandung 😁)

Hmm... Now that I think back to the past, this year wasn't so bad. My two best friends also got married and I took a big part in their wedding, we also had some nice little celebrations and were able to meet up way more often than before. Those were such good memories, so why do I still feel empty? Why do I feel like it was a boring year? When did it go down? Is it the fact that our family had troubles with building our new house? Is it the fact that I was unable to help much that I felt worthless? Is it a part of becoming an adult? I miss being a part of something. Maybe the reason I felt this much emptiness is because I stopped singing choir. I didn't fall in love with anybody either. And I've kinda lost connection with some of my precious people. So, to find my happiness, I need to find or create a place where I belong. But what is it? I don't even know what I'm looking for but I truly wish I would find that thing that I lost. 

2018.... Please treat me kindly ❤

Rencana Allah Lebih Baik

Bu Zubaidah

Dokter Barkah dan Dokter Evy, sepasang suami isteri yang berprofesi sebagai dokter ini rencananya ingin menikmati liburan sambil Umroh tanpa harus dibebani oleh tanggung jawab dan pekerjaan mereka. Tapi, Allah SWT punya rencana lain. Kemampuan mereka sebagai Dokter tidak dibiarkan sia-sia di perjalanan Umroh ini. Dari awal perjalanan di dalam pesawat, awak pesawat sudah meminta tolong pada para Dokter ini untuk membantu penumpang yang sakit, kemudian di perjalanan Umroh, Bu Zubaidah yang memiliki penyakit asthma dan sering kambuh pun mendapat penanganan dari pasangan dokter ini dengan baik. Anggota Travel yang lain juga akhirnya mendapat perawatan yang baik dari kedua pasangan Dokter ini saat mereka sakit. Bahkan hingga perjalanan pulang di pesawat pun, saat ada seorang penumpang kapal yang terkena penyakit cacar, kembali lagi kedua dokter ini dimintai tolong untuk memberikan penanganan darurat. Rencana Allah memang lebih indah dari rencana manusia. Pasangan Dokter ini bisa menjalani ibadah secara double, tetap bermanfaat bagi orang lain, meski tidak bisa sepenuhnya liburan, tapi bayangkan berapa banyak pahala yang mereka dapatkan karena pertolongan yang mereka berikan untuk orang-orang yang sakit selama perjalanan Umroh ini. Masha Allah 💗

2015 in review

Time flies...

Suddenly, 2015 ends in a blink of an eye. It felt so fast, for me at least, compared to last year. What are you doing in this new year's eve? I guess I've stopped celebrating the new year's eve. Last year, during the fireworks moments, I was sleeping on the plane and didn't really remember that it was the time when people in the whole world were celebrating the new year. Come to think of it, this year turned out to be so much better than I expected, not as amazing as 2013 which still remain as the best year of my life so far, but 2015 is somewhat.... a turning point for me. There are so many things that I could finally changed this year about myself whereas in 2014, I failed miserably and rather stuck in the most miserable point. Alhamdulillah...

1. Healed

I started 2015 with my heart overwhelmed with peace after I got back from my first umroh with my brothers. It's like my soul got re-charged into 250%. All of the things that hurt me in 2014, were healed after I went umroh. I just felt at peace for quite a while at that time, and definitely so much closer to Allah SWT although, I'm not yet perfect, but I want to be better. It's baby steps, insha Allah, but I'll get there. Amin.

2. PSM UIN Jakarta

On November 2014, I decided to take a break from PSM UIN Jakarta, although I was still in charge as cantora, I still wanted to quit the job and tried to do something so they will replace me. I stopped coming to PSM UIN Jakarta, for 2 months. I told them that I wanted to focus on my thesis, when the truth is, I just wanted to escape. The reason for that was because I lost confidence. It's not like I had a lot of it, I don't even have 50% of confidence, and then suddenly I lost it even more, to a zero point. 

I failed in so many tests in 2014, such as choir audition or school stuffs. I felt worthless. I felt that I didn't deserved to be in that place any longer. I didn't want to have anything to do with choir anymore. I thought. But in January, my friend, Azis, who was (and still is) a conductor of PSM UIN Jakarta, asked me to be Artistic on Duty for PSM UIN Jakarta anniversary. So, I forced myself to come back and do my job, and ended up, stuck in PSM again.... until now. I didn't regret it though. I know that I can never leave a place that I called home. It remains as one of my comfort zones and I know I should never run away from it.

3. Voice of Indonesia

I forgot when the audition was held, it was during January or February, but anyway, I decided to try again. I decided to test myself and see if I could change my weakness. Voice of Indonesia is so much different than most choirs. It's about your ability to sing solo, and your ability to perform and entertain people. It's a show choir. Something that I long desired, but didn't have enough confidence to have it.

So, I and my friend, Sabrin, decided to audition. I still remember the feeling that I got when I sing in front of Rio Silaen, the founder and coach of VOI. It was actually the first time that I didn't feel nervous, and I could sing with all my heart. I guess it has something to do with his piano skills too. He tried me with different keys, and he forced me to sing wholeheartedly. And I did. Maybe it's because of the song too. I offered him 3 songs, but he tried me in On My Own from Les Miserable song the most.

So, yeah... I passed the audition. It was such a wonderful moment and experiences, learning, singing, and performing with Voice of Indonesia. They are different than most choirs, and the people in it were just so nice. This place taught me about professionalism in performing, without losing the soul in the song we sing.

Unfortunately, I had to resign on September 2015 because of so many reasons. I don't know if I regretted it or not, but I will be forever thankful for being able to be a part of them, even only for short period. They give me back my confidence, and I'm thankful for it.

3. Album Garuda - PSM UIN Jakarta and Garuda Baseball

This is the last job that I had in PSM UIN Jakarta as Artistic on Duty. We worked on this album for about 2 months, I had to learn all the songs in it, find the singers, arrange the rehearsal, and stay in the recording studio with PSM. I worked with Tira to finish this album. It was tiring, we had to stay late outside every day. We spent most of our time at Kak Sattam's studio. Reading and learning new songs as fast as we can. I learned to manage my own emotion when working with many different people and different personalities. I'm glad that because of this job, I got to know Kak Sattam better and, working with Kak Kromong again is just one of the best things ever.

The end of this project (for me at least) was at the anniversary of Garuda Baseball & Softball at FX. We performed most of the songs in this album. It was great, watching so many children who are passionate in sports, and singing for them. It was also the last time I ever conducted in a performance I guess. My job in PSM ended in a way that I could never forget. It was not magnificent concert, and rather a simple and fun event, but it was memorable. It made me grateful to have PSM, and I'm grateful that 'til the last time, I can do a little thing for the organization that has given me so much.

4. Zaskia Sungkar Jakarta

Thanks to Adhya, now I worked at Zaskia Sungkar Jakarta boutique. Honestly, I never imagined myself, not even once, to work in a fashion company. It was never be my dream job at all... but who would have thought that it's not always dream that could make us happy? Sometimes, good environment and good people, could make it so much better than we thought it would be? This workplace is not heaven where there's no conflicts. Misunderstanding will always happen. but my bosses are one of the nicest people I ever met. My friends at work are nice and humble, even with such great talents, they remain down to earth. And when a workplace is filled with these kind of people, even if you're not working in your dream job, you will still be happy.

5. Friendship

I learned who or what  true friend is, and that true friend don't always refer each other as any kind of label. They just prove it. It's not about whom you spent most of your time with anymore. It's about the action rather than the person. Sometimes, we think of someone as our best friend, but we never knew if they think the same way about us. Like a one-sided love in friendship. And it happened to me.

Even after I learned the truth about everything, I will not forget that they have painted so many beautiful memories in my life.

True friendship, they are true when they changed you into a better person. They don't tell you promises or call you best friend all the time, but when you need them, they will be there for you.

Come to think of it, I never really spend the new year's eve alone before:

in 2015: I had my brothers and the whole Jamaah Surabaya with me on the plane, although we were asleep during the new year, lol

in 2014, I had Bayu, Adhya, Iqbal, Hafid, Syifa, and Nisa, we celebrated the new year at my house, although there was a feud between us but we through it all.

in 2013, I had Bayu, Adhya, Julian, Hafid, Gisti, Syifa, Mini, Nunena, Bhisma, Dandy, and Erni. We celebrated the new year at my house too.

In 2012, I had Kartika and Vina with me.

In 2011, I had my mabit friends and spent the rest of the night with Robby, Jihan, Bams, Kak Hen, kak Usman, Tari, Maya, Tyas, Bunda Dewi, dan Mia

We always celebrated the new year at my house because the fireworks are great in here. There are so many of them, so we don't have to go too far to witness great fireworks. There's a saying that you will spend the rest of the year with the people whom you've spent the new year's eve with. Tonight... I don't celebrate new year. I don't spend it with anyone. Does it mean I will spend the rest of 2016 by myself? 

We'll see~

When I First See You

Assalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

It was almost 11 pm, Mecca time, when I and the jamaah arrived at the Majidil Haram for umroh. My heart felt like it was tickled by a warm breeze when I first stepped into the floor of the Mosque, still couldn't believe that I was finally reached that sacred place. Masha Allah, I didn't even dare to dream to be able to visit that place at such a young age, I was afraid, I didn't think I was ready and deserved to be there, but Allah SWT has called and He didn't wait. He knows that I was at the lowest point of my life, I was in the most miserable state, I felt like my dream and hope were crushed. I needed help and hug from people but I was afraid to tell anyone that I needed a helping hand. And who could help you and lift you out of the ground better than Allah SWT? The Almighty showed His mercy to me, He called upon me and my brothers and invited us to His 'house', the place where all Muslims in the world gathered together. Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahuakbar :")  

Mecca is a city that never sleeps, especially the Masjidil Haram. For 24 hours, everyone is doing thawaf, umroh, and other prayers around the Ka'bah. There are also people who were just sitting around the Ka'bah while reciting Quran or just watching the sacred quadrangle, because it felt relaxing and peaceful by just watching it. You just don't get bored, no matter how long you're staying in it. Sometimes you can also have a chat with random people who came from many different countries. There are some pigeons and eagles flying above Ka'bah, but none of their dirt fall nor contaminate Ka'bah. That's kind of amazing :')

A lot of people I know told me that they were not ready yet to do Umroh nor Hajj because of many reasons, one of them being the fear of getting their sins showed right in their face when they're in Mecca or Madinah. Honestly, there's nothing to be afraid of. Allah's mercy is greater than his anger, and sure we will definitely have to face some trials during our visit there, sometimes we will get to see our reflection in others and some of them are good and some are bad, because that's us human. That will only make us learn more about ourselves, practice our patience, and evaluate ourselves so we can become better as human beings. As long as you have faith in Him and keep asking his forgiveness and guidance, you don't have to worry about anything else. The happiness, peacefulness, and lessons you'll gain are so much more than your fear.

It would be better if you take the chance to do Umroh and Hajj when you're still young. What's better way to spend our energy and young spirit than doing the things that will please Allah, and give the peacefulness to ourselves as well? Don't wait until you get old, because no one promised you a long life. If a lot of people can easily travel abroad, then the place that they should visit first is definitely Mecca and Madinah. There is no better holiday destination than these places.

I'm still longing for you, I wish I will have a chance to come to Your House again, Ya Allah. Thank you for giving me the chance to learn and experience such a great moment during my days there. I'll see you again, Insha Allah.

Wassalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

Kota Madinah, Merpati Aisyah, Exhibition Nama-Nama Allah

Assalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

Kota Madinah

Berada di kota Madinah, kota tempat tinggal Rasulullah SAW, kata ustad yang menjadi pembimbing kami, kita belajar untuk menjadi tetangga Rasulullah SAW yang baik. Maka segala tindak dan tingkah laku pun harus kita jaga sesuai dengan sikap Rasulullah SAW, termasuk dari cara berpakaian dan berkomunikasi dengan orang lain. Memang benar, orang-orang di Madinah rasanya terkesan lebih lembut dan ramah dibanding di Mekkah.

Kota Madinah rapi dan bersih. Berjalan-jalan di sekitar Madinah dari pagi hingga sore hari selalu terasa menyenangkan dan menyegarkan, udara dingin namun disinari matahari yang hangat membuat kita merasa nyaman dan selalu ingin berada di luar untuk menjelajahi sekitar. Saking banyaknya orang Indonesia yang melakukan Umroh dan Haji, pedagang disana pun cukup fasih berbahasa Indonesia. Tak perlu kita repot-repot mencoba berkomunikasi dengan bahasa Inggris saat ingin bertransaksi untuk belanja, semua pedagang mengerti bahasa Indonesia dengan baik selama hal itu berhubungan dengan jual-beli. Beberapa bahkan mempromosikan baju yang mereka jual sebagai, "baju Syahrini.."!!

Katanya, awal mula burung-burung yang tersebar di Madinah dan Mekkah ini berasa dari sepasang merpati milik Siti Aisyah. Kemudian, seiring waktu, ia terus berkembang biak dan akhirnya jumlahnya semakin banyak dan tersebar di seluruh tanah haram Madinah dan Mekkah. Anehnya, meskipun jumlahnya begitu banyak, tapi kotoran mereka tidak tersebar dan membuat jalanan kotor. Kotoran mereka lebih banyak terlihat di mobil-mobil milik masyarakat setempat, tapi tak satupun ada di jalanan. Paling tidak begitu yang aku lihat :P

The Beautiful Names of Allah

Di dekat Masjidil Nabawi, terdapat sebuah pameran tentang nama-nama Allah SWT, dimana setiap nama berisi penjelasan dan ilustrasi berupa lukisan, miniatur planet-planet, ataupun video-video yang menunjukkan kebesaran Illahi. Memberikan penggambaran yang lebih jelas tentang kekuasaan Allah SWT dan nama-namanya.

Berada di Madinah, tidak heran jika ini menjadi kota hijrah Rasululllah SAW. Aura dan keadaan disini bahkan hingga sekarang pun begitu menenangkan dan memberi kesan magis yang kuat. Selain itu, pemandangan gunung-gunung batu dan pasir di sekitar kita juga sangat membawa kita pada masa lalu, seolah kita dibawa ke masa-masa perjuangan Rasulullah SAW saat menyiarkan agama Islam. Paling enak datang ke Madinah saat musim dingin, karena suhunya sangat pas untuk kita. Sinar matahari tetap terik menghangatkan, tapi tidak membuat kita kepanasan. :)

Wassalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

Masjidil Nabawi

Assalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

Masjidil Nabawi

Pada hari pertama, aku yang masih berada dalam masa haid hari terakhir mengira takkan bisa ikut sholat Shubuh di Masjid Nabawi, tapi karena kamar mandi di Hotel penuh, aku ikut bersama ibu-ibu sekamar untuk ke Masjid, niatnya numpang mandi wajib. Tepat saat yang lain bersiap untuk sholat karena adzan sudah berkumandang, aku malah sibuk mandi dengan santai dan mengira akan menyusul sholatnya. Ternyata begitu aku selesai mandi, sholat berjamaah belum dimulai karena selang waktu antara adzan dengan iqomat jaraknya jauh sehingga memungkinkan jemaah untuk sholat sunnah beberapa kali. Masha Allah... aku masih diberi kesempatan untuk sholat berjamaah ternyata :") Melihat keindahan Masjid Nabawi, jiwaku tak bisa mengelak, berada di dalamnya memang seolah jarak antara kita dengan Sang Khalik menjadi 1000x lebih dekat, dan ada ketenangan yang luar biasa disana. It felt magical, indeed.

Berada di Madinah, seolah ada magnet yang menarik kita untuk terus kembali ke Masjidil Nabawi. Padahal sebelumnya, aku hampir tidak pernah browsing tentang bangunan Masjid ini, jadi segala keindahannya benar-benar menjadi kejutan yang menyenangkan bagiku. Bukan hanya keindahan bangunannya, tapi juga keindahan aura yang terpancar di sekitar Mesjid, terasa menyejukkan dan menenangkan. Menghabiskan sisa waktu di Masjid pun menjadi sesuatu yang sangat nyaman untuk dilakukan. Dan karena ini Masjid, maka yang kita lakukan untuk mengisi waktu pun tak jauh-jauh dari ibadah. Kalau bosan sedikit, membuka Al-Quran dan membacanya, atau sholat sunnah, dan menjaga diri dari pembicaraan yang kurang bermanfaat. Seolah setting dalam diriku ditata ulang dan aku merasa diperbaharui setiap kali berada disana.

Di Masjid ini, para Jamaah biasanya sudah stand by di Mesjid minimal satu jam sebelum sholat wajib untuk mencuri tempat yang paling nyaman atau dekat dengan makam Rasulullah. Jadi, bukannya adzan yang menunggu kita, tapi kitalah yang menunggu adzan. Padahal awalnya kukira aku hanya akan ke Mesjid untuk sholat wajib saja, ternyata setelah berada disana, memang tidak mungkin untuk tidak merasa betah di Masjid-nya Rasulullah SAW ini. Tidak jarang aku menyelinap dari hotel sendirian untuk pergi ke Mesjid Nabawi, alhamdulillah jaraknya cukup dekat dengan berjalan kaki, jadi bisa sesuka hati kesana.. :")

Raudhah

 

Pagi harinya, kami melakukan raudhah, yaitu ziarah ke makam Rasullullah SAW, dan kedua Sahabatnya, Abu Bakar dan Umar bin Khattab. Aku pun terpisah dari rombonganku karena jemaah begitu penuh, dan aku bermodalkan buku tuntunan yang kupegang memberanikan diri untuk lanjut melakukan raudhah, sambil mencuri dengar petunjuk dari ustadzah tim lain di sekitarku. Alhamdulillah, cukup untuk membimbingku berhasil melakukan raudhah sendiri. Antusiasme dan semangat untuk melihat makam Nabi Munammad SAW begitu besar, meski agak berbahaya karena orang-orang harus menggencet kanan kirinya atau tak sengaja menyandung orang yang sedang sholat sunnah di depan makam Nabi SAW. Padahal sudah ada di buku tuntunan, "jika menyakiti orang lain, sebaiknya jangan memaksakan diri mendekati bangunan makam, masuk wilayah raudhah dan sholat sunnah sudah cukup." Meski sebagian besar isinya orang paruh baya, mereka tetap berebut masuk dengan hebohnya. Dimaklumi memang karena mungkin kerinduan akan Nabi Muhammad SAW sudah begitu besar, tapi alangkah baiknya kalau orang-orang yang raudhah bisa lebih memikirkan orang-orang sekitarnya dan menjaga keselamatan satu sama lain. :")

Wassalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

Umroh Pertama - Keberangkatan

Assalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

Awalnya Tak Benar-Benar Ingin....

Ketika diputuskan bahwa gue, Mas Inu, dan De Nanda akan diberangkatkan Umroh, I wouldn't say I was excited. I was like... "Oh, we're going for Umroh? Ok then that's fine with me." I was not a very religious person and I didn't prepare anything for this journey. I didn't feel like I'm ready for this, karena sudah beberapa kali mendengar kisah orang-orang yang kena 'karma'-nya begitu mereka sampai di Tanah Haram sana. Gue teringat akan banyaknya dosa dan jujur jadi kurang bersemangat awalnya karena takut dengan karma yang akan gue dapat. Meski begitu, jiwa gue sesungguhnya memang sedang penuh kegelisahan dan stress berat karena berbagai masalah dan kegagalan di tahun 2014 yang tiada habisnya dari awal hingga akhir, ditambah berbagai penyakit yang gue derita sepanjang tahun. Mungkin saking lelahnya jiwa ini, ia tergerak untuk kembali mengetuk pintu Tuhan-nya tanpa raga ini menyadarinya. Niat yang muncul di otak gue adalah untuk menghilangkan stress dan travelling, bukan mendekatkan diri pada Allah SWT... tapi siapa yang tahu bahwa niat dari alam bawah sadar gue bukanlah untuk itu.

Jadi, gue berangkat tanpa mencoba membaca-baca dulu tentang Umroh dan sebagainya karena berpikir, akan ada pembimbingnya dan toh gue akan jalan-jalan disana. 'Kan bukan Haji, jadi dibawa santai sajalah.. Pikir gue saat itu. :")

di Bandara Soekarno Hatta, sebelum keberangkatan

Begitu sampai di Bandara King Abdul Azis, Jeddah, entah bagaimana air mata menetes begitu saja, seolah ada kedamaian dan rasa bersyukur yang baru gue rasakan saat itu. Belum percaya, bagaimana gue bisa disini, padahal gue nggak pernah benar-benar memintanya sebelumnya. Memang nggak bisa dibohongi, jiwa kita lebih merindukan Tuhannya dan kadang akal sehat ini menutupinya dengan berbagai emosi duniawi dan masalah yang sebenarnya hanya ujian, lalu kita lupa akan fitrah sebagai manusia. :")

Tanah Haram Madinah 
Kita langsung menuju kota Madinah, perjalanan di malam hari melewati gurun pasir dan padang tandus luas selama 4-5 jam, namun pemandangan luar biasa di langit malam di atas padang pasir membuat gue berucap pujian kepada Allah SWT berkali-kali. For the first time in forever, I saw so many stars, dengan sinar yang begitu terang dan jelas, jumlahnya pun terlihat 5x lebih banyak dari langit malam di Jakarta ketika cerah. Masha Allah... 

Sampai di Madinah kurang lebih 2 jam sebelum adzan Shubuh, dengan suhu sekitar yang sangat dingin karena ini penghujung Desember dan Madinah sedang ada di puncak musim dingin. Kesan pertama adalah, kota ini tenang dan rapi. Banyak hotel dan pedagang, tapi tidak terkesan bingar, seperti menggambarkan sisi kelembutan Nabi Muhammad SAW yang indah, tenang, sederhana, dan menyejukkan.

Ujian untuk kami Semua
Cobaan pertama dimulai. Hotel tempat kami menginap tidak sesuai ekspektasi karena Agen Travel yang kami gunakan ditipu oleh Agen dari Saudi Arabia dan tumpuk tindih namanya dengan agen Travel lain sehingga kita mendapatkan hotel yang tidak memiliki kamar mandi di setiap kamarnya, sungguh tidak sesuai dengan biaya yang telah dikeluarkan. Bagi gue dan kakak-adik gue sih, hal ini nggak jadi masalah, tapi kasihan juga dengan para orang-orang tua yang sudah membayar mahal. Katanya hotel Bintang Tiga, tapi lebih seperti losmen.

Semua anggota umroh yang sekelompok dengan gue adalah orang-orang kalangan menengah ke atas, mereka terbiasa dengan minimal fasilitas bintang 4, mungkin karena itu agak mengagetkan mendapat hotel yang lebih seperti losmen. Tapi, betapa hebatnya orang-orang ini, mereka adalah orang-orang sukses yang rendah hati, meski penipuan ini tetap harus diadukan kepada pemilik travel kami agar lebih berhati-hati dalam bekerja sama nantinya, tetap saja para orang tua ini menerima keadaan dengan baik, ikhlas, dan menikmatinya.

"Kita disini untuk beribadah, bukan liburan. Hotel ini cuma jadi sarana tidur kalau malam saja toh... Nikmati saja. Alhamdulillah.." kata Bapak Siwi, seorang Komandan Kapal TNI Indonesia yang ikut travel umroh ini. Dia nggak banyak bicara meski pangkatnya tinggi, tapi sekalinya bicara begitu menyejukkan. :")

Gue pun sekamar dengan 3 ibu-ibu, salah seorang bernama Ibu Zabidah, sudah lanjut usia dan kesan pertama yang gue dapat darinya adalah: galak, kurang asik didekati, dan membuat gue agak ngeri, tapi dua ibu lainnya, Bu Anita dan Bu Febby, sangatlah baik dan selalu mengingatkan untuk maklum kalau ada yang kurang berkenan dari sikap Bu Zabidah. Gue pribadi yang awalnya berniat untuk menjaga jarak dengan para strangers sih fine-fine aja, toh akan jarang ketemu ibu-ibu ini. Pikirku saat itu. But I didn't know then that destiny would change my plan. If you wanna know what I mean, do read the story in my next post~

Wassalamualaikum. Wr. Wb.

CFD - Save the Children

This morning, I went to CFD all by myself. I always love to see the crowd in CFD. They look healthy and full of life. They are walking, biking, skateboarding, no public transportation. Just a crowd who wants to get sweaty and healthy with their loved ones. Then, I drop by at my older brother's event: 25th years of International Children Day by ECPAT Indonesia. There are so many people who hold some celebrations and so many interesting booths, it was marvelous. It's been a while since I felt so alive, lol~

Selamat Hari Anak Internasional. Save the Children. Save humanity.