Godspeed

It’s been a while that I didn’t post anything, too busy with my life in here, which means good. haha. Anyway, I’ll go back to Indonesia this week! firstly, I’ll visit Washington DC for 3 days then will take flight back home from Washington DC- Frankfurt- Jakarta. Tomorrow I’m gonna leave Darien at 3 PM, then will go to DC to meet up my pals up there. Packing just try to killing me lately, could you believe that I wanna leave tomorrow but I still need to pack some stuff and my luggage always shows up that they are overweight, but dinar my best bro gimme a good news, haha. So literally I can bring 3 huge checked luggage and 2 carry on, YAY! Cucpcup wawwaw mas dinar J and yeah even I just wanna buy new luggage tomorrow. No rush-lol

Do I miss Darien and NewYorkCity? OF COURSE I MISS BOTH OF THE WONDERFUL PLACES in States! I will miss my Family, dad, mum, Katie, Luke, Ellen, Marian, Grammy Carol, EVERYONE and also my lovely lucy. But I believe someday I’ll back to States, Inshaallah. Do not need to worry, because if god willing we can meet up someday, amen. I wanna tell you a ton of stories, how’s life in this terrific family, but don’t hv much time to explain, too many stories that I had, but I just can say that ‘your life would be amahzeng and gorgeous with this family’, love ya Bruce Hill Family! Thank you for everything.

Anyway, I’ve to pack my stuff very very soon and tonight we will have special dinner to celebrate Ellen’s birthday and also this is my last dinner too T_T. Tonight is my last night in Darien, don’t know what to say, this feeling so weird. Don’t know how to explain it because I don’t know the exact word to describe what I’m feeling right now. I’m going to miss darien like a crazy!

This is a short and last post in Ermuricaaah, I’ll be back to you as soon as I can. Since I know I’ll be back to my routine with the crazy senior year,  so I’m not make any promises to keep post-stories frequently. I’ll do my best tho! Feel free to contact me at aryandaondrio@rocketmail.com and follow me on twitter and facebook it’s the best way to reach me.

Goodbye Darien, Goodbye New York City, Goodbye America. Hello Depok, Hello Jakarta, Hello Indonesia. Goodbye Hill's Family, Hello Ondrio's Family !

AO-

Darien, June 26 2011

Live from my lovely room J

I'll be 'real' New York-er someday

I'm promise to my self that I'll live in NYC and have my own apartment someday.. like what my sister does.../cross finger/

Since I made it here, i believe i can make it anywhere. Bismillah--

ISWEEEP 2011 (Vol 1)

It’s been a wonderful journey, had a great experience to meet the fabulous young scientist from all over the world and realize that’s world is not a small places as I was thought before. ISWEEEP gimme such an unforgettable experience. It wasn’t just a competition and search who’s the best, who’s gonna get prizes or medals but more than that ISWEEEP gimme such a big lesson that how important to understand the world and world will understand you!

Taken a part of the annual international science Olympiad is such a  big honoured for me. It’s a big deal that I was appointed to represent the United States through CT and was compete with another young scientist from 70 countries. Once again many thanks to CT state, US government and ISWEEEP!!

What I was expected before? to grab some bronze, silver, gold or even money??? NOT at all and was my science project gave a big hit or a big flop? Was the judging a delightful experience or was it a big nightmare for me? Do I really care? Hm, not really. Honestly, what I was expected before are to looking for new experience, meet young scientist from all of continent, making friends and get a long with them. This is such a cool things ever from this event. What a great quality time to hang out and meet the kids from Iraq, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Bosnia, Hongkong, Georgia, South Africa, USA, India, JORDAN and many more, it was the best moment ever. I felt like I was attended the United Nations conference. Well, actually this week I also will take a part at GCIMUN (Global Classroom International Model United Nations) Conference and will take a place at UN Headquarter New York, wish me up!

Anyway, from this event I was thinking is a long way to go. Many things that we have to do TOGETHER.  Right now, I’ve something that comes up in my mind and am I wrong if I wanna majoring political/int’l relation for college? (crap). In the other side, I wanted to visit my friends in everywhere, have some discuss and make some science project together and give a contribution to the world. Try to create a better environment for a better future. Is not just about you and me but all of us. Interesting to have some exchange ideas and got any to share? please feel free to reach me by email at aryandaondrio@rocketmail.com and aondrio@darienps.org

We are all brothers and sisters, let’s take care our world for the better future! Thanks to ISWEEEP for make it happens! Love and miss you all, hope to see you 600 young scientist very SOOON!!!

Ps : a little notes that I wrote up while on the way back home from Texas. (at American Airlines, May 8^th) and I do really miss these great moments!!

Love, AO--

Crazy week

I just came home last Thursday (4 days ago). But I’ve chance to write up my stories just right now. Last weekend it was fabulous for me, I came home on March 31/ Thursday night, and I went to school on Friday (a lil bit tired but it is a good think to have one day school then weekends). Then, my birthday is on last saturday! Had a good time skype-ing with my family and friends in Indonesia. I got birthday presents from my family, we had a special dinner  in New Canaan and we went to play bowling afterwards, got the first places in the 2^nd game, lucky! The next day (sunday) we went up to Greenwich, hiking a lil bit. It was nice, the sunny comes up, the weather are very great even its still windy. How I miss the perfect sunny day in Jakarta. Anyway, Thanks for your warm greetings and best wishes for me guys, welcome to my 18 world and love you!

Oh ya, Senin kemarin, waktunya gua buat ngejar2 semua guru even today (selasa), I‘ve to do make up works. It’s a ton of works that I’ve to do as soon as I can. I couldn’t believe how many assignments that I should do and has to be done on this week, (baca : crazy). Do I have to tell you what and how many assignments that I have? Would you help me out? I don’t think so, No single one like to do assignments. Haha. Oh ya, I didn’t go to ‘Nusantara Cultural night’ in Wesleyan University last week, I heard from someone that was so amazing night, and its more worth it because they provide the ‘Indonesian Traditional food’. Nasib, gua malah berjibaku dengan laundry-an dan tugas-tugas sekolah.

fyi, I’m a bit stressful about the upcoming trip, I have plan to go to midwest, (read : Minnesota, Chicago and Indiana) for my spring break, april 14-23. I already bought the airfares tickets and well schedule but somehow somethings screwed up me. I’ve to make the decision, then I cancelled my trip (-,-). Got lost the money and I’m feel so bad to my friends about this. For some reason, I have to choose and make a priority. Sedikit menyesal, I can’t see the midwest of United States. Ga sampai disitu, I just about make the new plan, want to go to boston (again). Hm, might be I will do visit college. As I said before, I leave my heart in boston and I will pick up someday! Lumayan buat mengisi waktu spring break.

Overall, this week is so crazy, I will host the AFS stay over night party this weekend and hang out in NYC, will meet Mary in New York (I’m so excited!), have to do the I-SWEEEP stuff (Research paper, the supervisor things, and  travel stuff), Make up assignments (do I have to? >.<), upload some pictures and video that we took, go get find part time job, make a arrangments planing about the boston trip, try to figure out and help my friends who want to come to NY. Argh, tapi bagusnya gua masih nyempetin waktu buat share what happening this week and how this all stuff drive me so crazy! well, I’m in school right now, The bell is gonna be ring soon, (niat awal mau cerita ttg backpack malah curhat) I will tell you my backpacking stories soooooooon!

-AO

The Most Excited Week in March !!!

Dear Blogger...

Huff, This week is the most excited week that i ever got since last january !!!

guess what ? hmmmm, I can't hide this one from you. I'm very honoured because I was selected to be a U.S Representative in I-SWEEEP (International Sustainable World Energy Engineering Enviroment Project) Olympiads 2011 !!! isweep 2011 website

I wanted to say thank you so much to Bunda Kori, Ka Andi, Ka Dhonny, Ka Azzam, Elsa, KIRSTAL 38, SMAN 38, Darien High School and  Science Department of DHS. Of course, a bunch of thanks to my (host) mom and dad for your help and kindness and my families in here and in Indonesia!! This could not have been possible without your support, help, and prayers. I'm nothing without all of you.

In 2010, Vinska and I was selected in INESPO Amsterdam, It was the first time that we had passed for International Science Olympiad. At the same time, however, I have to follow the AFS-YES U.S Visas orientation. Finally, I decided to followed the AFS-YES Orientation and didn't go to Amsterdam. Honestly, I was very sad and dissapointed. But now, I think I've made the right decision. My dreams are coming true, I passed the Selection and will represent the United States in this International Olympiads.

My project is about Enviroment, the title is 'Electronic Plant Prototype to Absorb and Remove the Carbon Compounds using Zeolites As Stomata for Reduction of the effects of Global Warming' isweeep participants are coming from more than 70 Countries!!!

This event will be held in Houston Texas, May 4-9 2011. Last year, the participants came from 70 countries. I'm so nervous, excited, overwhelmed, happy, sad, all of thinks are mixed in my mind right now, but absolutely its great opportunity for me and hopefuly i will do my best!. Wish me luck and pray for me please )'

THEN -----)

Finally, My trip to explore the Northeastern of America will come true. Tommorow,  yeah Tommorow I will start the trip. First, Marian and I will pick up Nadya, Cenna and Untari at JFK New York Airport. Then we will do sightsee in New York, Boston (Massachusets), Philladelphia (Pennsylvania), and Washington DC. After that, Nadya and Cenna will come back to their host state but Unta and I will extends the trip to Williamsburg, (Virginia). Then I, just by my self will visit Pittsburgh (Pennsylavania) and transit in Richmod (Virginia), Aries and Hesty are ready to be my tour guide there! Its such a nice long long trip, Its about 2 weeks long (March 19-31) :P YAY !!

Ahhh, I'm so excited.... well, I still have classes today, I've clay sculpture class to finish up my shoes, Journalism class, Financial and Banking class then damn it I've test in Hummanities class. argh.  Im ready thou, although I'm not prepared anything for it, i just want this friday will be end soon !!

Okay, the bell its gonna be ring soon...
Hope your day as happy as mine everyone!!!
I will tell you sooon ya
Love AO---

Darien

Waw, it has been 7 months since i first came to Darien, CT. Let me introduce and show off to you hows Darien look like :D

Season in Darien

Summer

Fall

Winter

HOW ABOUT SPRING ??? I dunno yet, we'll see soon :D

Outfits for Winter 2011

December and Christmas Stories!

Sunday, December 5

Went to Christmas Store and took picture with Santa in Pound Rich, New York

Marian, Dan and I went to Christmas store and bought some of Christmas stuff

Saturday, December 11

Thanksgiving Week!

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. While there was an underlying religious element in the original celebration, Thanksgiving today is primarily identified as a secular holiday.

Thanksgiving Parade at Stamford

In the United States, it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Thanksgiving in Canada falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the United States. While in the United States today celebrate the story of the first Thanksgiving held in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts, there is some evidence for an earlier harvest celebration on the continent by Spanish explorers in Florida during 1565, as well as harvest feasts in the Virginian colony. But now, they changed that, thanksgiving parade are very common now,one of parade that i saw is in Stamford.

They making Thanksgiving a national holiday and settling it to the fourth Thursday in November. In darien high school, we had a dismissal day on the Wednesday (the day before thanksgiving). talk about Thanksgiving, I had a ton of fun. My sisters in spain and california back to home for celebrate thanksgiving together, and the kid that hill family hosting last year ‘Tom’, he came home too and finally ‘our home’ its so crowded !! its a lot of story, share our experience, sharing culture and many else.

Hill Family !

pool time :D

Homecoming and Halloween 10'

Friday, 10/17 was homecoming week in Darien High School. This is my first time to experience what exactly homecoming is. American High school is incredible awesome! And when people asked me, “What do you like so far about America?” I’d always say, “The people and the high school!” Well, one thing that changed my mind about American kids is that they are not as individualist as I thought. They are nice, they like to smile and always say “Hi” even they don’t know each other! And the High school program incredible awesome! We have a bunch of cool activities.'Homecoming Party' one of activities at the end of the week.

Homecoming Party

In this week, all students in the school are expected to wear a special dress code everyday depending on the theme. We had Sports Character as our theme (I wanted to wear Football actually! But i dont have it ..), Pajamas were the theme on Wednesday (all students just wore a silly clothes and stuff), Elementary School day and Blue Wave Pride day were to others theme. It was pretty cool to have it. And it was my first football game in America, Pretty cool.

Football games on Homecoming Week

Me and My Brother (Luke)

Halloween! It was my first Halloween in my life and i dressed up as a Buzz Lightyear and my brother as a Sherrif Woody, Toy Story is our favorite one. Buzz Lightyear, He is a space ranger and is one of the main protagonists of the films. Buzz is a space ranger from the Intergalactic Alliance and is stationed in the Gamma Quadrant of Sector 4. He is the captain of the Alliance's Team. Lightyear is known for his bravery and courage. Buzz believes that following rules is the way people should live their life. Though a great leader, at times he can be rather unemotional, one of his biggest character flaws. And my brother as a sherrif woody. Woody is an old-fashioned pull-string cowboy doll. The voice-box that is activated by the pull-string says many simple phrases such as "Reach for the sky!", "You're my favorite deputy!" and "There's a snake in my boot!". In the three films, Woody makes two strong friendships with Buzz and Jessie. He and Buzz are very close and care deeply about each other and will do anything for each other. And I hope my relationship with my brother ‘luke’ will be like lightyear and woody!

Me and Lucy in Pumpkin Farm

Anyway, Halloween is an annual holiday observed on October 31, which commonly includes activities such as trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, curving jack-o’-lanterns, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.

“Trick or Treat”. It’s actually Kid’s stuff. The children will walk door to door in their neighborhood to say : “trick or treat!” and then their neighbors will give them candy. Everybody has their own costume. Ghost, Superman or Spiderman, Singer, Superstars, Silly Costume, ipod, or even Fireman! Well, it was pretty dumb for me actually, take a walk couple miles just for candy. And the weather was freakin’ so i got frozen. We walked for two hours until dark and i was like feeling going to die coz of the wind and finally we got home and i made a cup of hot chocolate and save our bunch of candies.

Trick or Treat with the kids :D

On friday, i went to The Halloween Party in one of my friend houses with my buddies. (I dressed up as a Buzz Lightyear of course) and we got a lot fun. The venue of the party was not in the nightclub, but it was in the place like a private house. So, we got a dance and have fun for about three hours. I love American party. It’s a lot of fun! When they starts the music and everybody dance like a crazy people, i’ll forget all my burdens. (Well, Do i any burden actually??) -.-

Winter !!!

Autumn !!

Well, I’ve been in America for 4 month now. I dont know if that is too fast or not, but I realize the time flies so fast!. Honestly, because I’m really enjoy my stay here. All the new things are good. I’m getting used to it. Food, weather, new family, new friends, new bustle. Everything is great.

Autumn in October. Summer has gone and the wind became more wild and strong. The trees changed the color of their leaves. Some of them are yellow, orange and red, and then falling down to the ground. It’s kind of beautiful.

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons. Although the cold wind began to be felt in this season, the leaves changed their color and begun falling, which made the scenery more beautiful and gave a romantic impression. It seems unimaginable, that I can enjoy this beautiful season.when I walk on the sidewalk the eaves on the trees are so colourfull. The leaves blowing in the wind and falling on the road, decorate the scene although they are sometimes difficult to clean.

Autumn is best enjoyed when the rain does not fall, Then I can sit, read a book and go online in my backyard. The yard is decorated with colorful trees, sometimes one or two pieces of leaf fall on the book or even in my head. Autumn is also a marker that we must begin to prepare supplies for the winter. The wind is so cold and I always freeze outside. Normally, I hate the cold. But i can not wait to see the snow.

Fall to Winter

December has just begun, but in reality the snow / frost has begun to emerge. Winter came early this year. Weather here began to change. The temperature is usually around 60-50 degrees Fahrenheit (15 – 10 degrees Celcius), but now the temperature dropped dramatically lately and has even reached minus 9 degrees Celcius. For the first time I felt the temperature of 17 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes extra preparation to pass through.

In theory, America has 4 seasons.
Fall: September 23-December 21
Winter: December 21 to March 21
Spring: March 21-June 21
Summer: June 21 to September 23

But in reality, it does not always work out like that. When I landed in Washington DC, they said it was still summer but in fact it was not hot at all. Currently, it should still be fall, but the winter scent was smelled. I have just seen snow fall once. Somehow I do not feel prepaird for snow, but it may be useful because I will be surrounded by snow every day. Honestly, I feel a bit scared of the snow, for some reason, Although beautiful, it is a bit creepy to me. Hopefully later this feeling of fear of snow can change over time.

Winter !

Besides that, I do not really know because I have not seen yet the winter. By the way, if we had thought that foreigners are familiar with the cold weather that is not entirely true. American also still feel the cold as well as Asians. Even now I'm often met with a stranger who is cold when they waiting for the subway/train in the station, rubbing his hands to make a them little bit warmer, and even jumping and shivering with cold. But maybe for those not familiar with cold weather like I am, the intensity of the cold will be felt more severely.

So, goodbye my sweet November. Welcome to December's closing years. Hopefully I can get through the cold December with a full smile .

The End Of Summer Holiday and Ready to Fall Season !!!

Yes guys , Summer times in United States  when I came here, was it hot ?? not really, it was about 38-45 degrees of Celsius , its similar to Jakarta i thought ! let’s check what im doing during Summer and the beginning in fall season ))

Washington DC City Tour

First stop was US Dept Of State,The head of Officers gave welcome and guide speech to all of  AFS Committee and  AFS/YES Exchange students from the other countries. And then Indonesian kids  went to Indonesian Embassy in DC Government Area, the  head of Education attaché and all of Embassy Staffs were very welcome, lunch time with Indonesian Traditional food was the best part of this event, lol…  that’s why , all Indonesian kids enjoyed very much this moment and needed to stay longer in embassy. Hahha ). But then, it was time to go shopping, we went to Union Central, its like Central Station and Shopping Center, with 10 USD we must buy phone card, souvenir and personal stuff, haha, it was impossible with 10 USD we could buy all of this stuff in here, but unbelievably we could do it, so then it was the time to learn about Financial plan !! Next Stop was Lincoln Memorial Park, which is full of histories. The huge statue and great story of American history!! and in the outside we can see the big monument ! all of us took a picture together ! yeah ….

Maritime Aquarium and  Puppy Park

With my hostfamily  (dad, luke, fabian and I)  we visited maritime aquarium, if u had known SeaWorld in Jakarta it's pretty similar, but the differences is, the maritime aquarium has inside and outside part !! there we can see penguin,  nice jellyfish and etc.  and how about puppy park ? its my new habit, my family has one dog,  her name is ‘lucy’ , she’s  beautiful , active and helpful dog !! first I saw her, she looks like dog in Scooby doo Cartoon ! really …  so thats why , mom and I or luke always playing with lucy in puppy park . spend time with her its so very funny !! love you lucy …..

Vacation to Rhode Island !!

Yeah, its time to vacation to the other part of United States,  Rhode Island !!! rhode island is Small State in East Coast, not far from Darien, its about 4-5 Hour by Car. We stayed 3 days 2 nights in there, with mom, dad, ellen, luke, fabian and me !!! oh ya fabian is exchanges student from Germany, he stayed with my  family for 2 weeks because Fabian’s hostfam was on vacation to europe. He is energetic and kind person !! during the vacation I was fasting because it was on ramadhan month ! but it was not such hindrance to don’t do the activities. First day we went to high land to see the Ocean !! it was very beautiful ! I could see bird flying above the waves ! its pretty cool !! second day ,it was time to swimming (actually little bit swimming), Surfing and Sunbathing … well, I still was fasting but it was fine (hard) guys , hahahah  …  it was a very good experience, why ? because I usually only see this in movies but now I was doing that by myself! my mom and dad like sunbathing very much, and ellen too. Meanwhile luke tought me and fabian about surfing ! luke is very great about surfing, cool guy !! and how about me ? hemm, not bad, lol. I love the beach in summer time!!! Before we came back to the hotel, we played mini golf and go cart, it was fun ! And the last day in rhode island, we went to ‘the breakers museum’ its likes big house with luxurious, expensive and antique stuff ! and its well organized, the officers provides headset with 3 languages (germany, spain and english) to explain about the museum, this museum is residence for king and queens (I was forget the names). And the last is Newport City tour, we went around the other side of newport to see the other part of rhode island. Rhode island is like ‘kota tua’ in jakarta. With the old building and good architecture. NewPort so very beautiful city !!!

Ground Zero (Ex WTC 911), Liberty Statue and Staten Island !!

I was really interested to go to Famous Places in NYC. With Fabian , we took train from Darien to go to Central Station , just 45 minutes (for information we must pay train ticket about 22 USD) ! and train was there on time!. then I was in Grand Zero, its Ex WTC Building, the building was wrecked because of the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 (911)!! many people died in this tragedy !!  and I was very sad …. When I went there, there were so many volunteers and tourists !!! hemm, and then ..  it was like dream guys, This was an AFS Event , so I went there with kids from the other countries. I met Mitch in Central station in NYC, Mitch is AFS Volunteer. And met the all of kid in Staten Island, staten island is part of New York City. And then, we were ready to see the liberty statue !! oh my god, it was very amazing …. I was speechless,  I was standing in front of the famous statue in the world !!! and my friends were very funny, I really like spend time and hang out with them. Liberty I wanna see  you more closer sometimes !!!

David Gray and Ray Lamontagne Concert !

Oh my, it was a very wonderful night, me with my family went to New York State to watch performance  of famous artist in here !! Jonas beach theatre were very amazing, as you know, the stage on the beach ! and the seat of audiences in front of beach, so cold and it was very nice view ! lights, sounds were very great ! and the audiences were very attractive like singing together and standing ovation in the end of performances !  David gray and ray lamontagne are famous artist in here and in the world too! Its amazing night !!!

Central Park and Little Italia in Manhattan

Holy cow, it was time to hang out in fall session ! me, with luke, George and Fabian took a train to go to Central station in NYC and then we continued with subway to go to Central Park !! it’s a big park In NYC. The big screens every where,  big fountain,  Music Court,  many delicious restaurants, I like the crowded  and we visited Apple Central Store !! it’s a big Store , when I came , they were launching New Series Ipod and Iphone 4 ! huwaw !! be patient, save money and then buy it ! (I dont have money now 0,0).next destination was little Italia, its like 3-4 block , and full of Italian stuff, from clothes shop till pizza house and cappuccino café ala italiano ! yummy, I drank a cup of capucinno, it tasted great !!!

Kent Falls State Park and Boating !

yeah, Fasting and Hiking ? Why not, it was very great guys, me with mom, dad, luke and fabian, we went to Upstate Connecticut, and then doing Small Hiking in Kent Falls State Park. so many people there (Native American, Indians and Chinese too)! huwaa, yah , it was not so high hill, but its awesome, beatiful view,  nice water and good water fall !!! and then time to ride a boat !! i with luke, katie (luke's girlfriends) and katie's mom. It was amazing, once again i met new things  in american lifestyle, almost all family in here have a boat, or kayak !! lucky me, they invited me to join them riding the boat .it was a cool boat guys , i want it ... ))..

Pool Party

This party was held of ally reis family !! its like welcoming party for Fall Season and celebrate the end of summer !!! in fact, american like a party very much!! I came with my family. The activities like swim, play badminton, volley, and of course time to dinner together !!! Awesome…

Weekend in Fall Season

This weekend I had 2 activities, on Saturday evening, my AFS liaison, Ms Marian Pierce with her son ‘dan’ pick me up, and then we went to BIG store to buy some stuff, and after that we went to her home. Marian wanted to cook Pizza ! dan and I played badminton !! I wanna tell you a little bit, marian is very kind person, nice and beautiful ! shes my liaison for one year. If I had a problem or need something to share marian is best places to share it !  marian had 2 sons, first is Dan pierce and second is Erick pierce, , her sons are very friendly ! then time to dinner , pizza ala marian was coming !! oh my, it was home made but it was GREAT !!! I like it very much … heem yummy yummy ….. thanks marian for your pizza ! and on Sunday , I went to four fair town in sommers, its borders area with massachusets ! dad , luke and me, leave at home around 9.30 , and about two hours we arrived there. It was like ‘PRJ in Jakarta’ , all of stuff was on sale and a small discount, animals show (Horse, Cow, Goat, Chicken, Rabbit, Pig,), Big slide Air, Big Pumpkin, many booths like food, shop, and etc. it was not very big fair, but that was ‘fair ala american’ !!!

Do you want to know my other experience in fall season ? see yaa at next posting !

RAMADHAN di Negerinya Obama? Puasa, Sahur, Buka, Taraweh, Takbiran, Lebaran gimanaa ??

Wah, ga terasa banged, ini dah memasuki 2 minggu pasca lebaran, dan maaf bgd gua baru sempet posting mengenai ini, smga ga ad yg lupa and ketingalan ya pnglman seru dsni buat di ceritain…

Ramadhan Party dan Gagalnya Sahur serta Puasa hari pertama -,-
flight penerbangan gua bersama 101 laskar nusantara lain nya (ce ilaah, hoho) ternytaa mendaratkan kita di negeri paman sam tepat 2 hari sebelum masuknya bulan suci ramadhan, yaitu tgl agustus 8, dimana puasa disini di mulai tgl agustus 10. nah setelah terdampar dan menginginkan didamparkan disini (apaan sih, ¿ Zzz) kita semua masih harus mengikuti yang namanya rangkaian orientasi kedatangan bersama seluruh exchanges student dari berbagai negara gituh selama 3 hari. Alhasil kami semua berarti masih bisa merasakan sahur bersama disini, jadlah kami membuat planing bakal sahur dimana and makan apa . malam sebelum sahur inilah yang terdengar sedikit miris, why ? ternyata panitia mengadakan acara penyambutan ramadhan loh, SURPRISEEE )).. sebelum memasuki gedung acara, di luar nya panitia menyediakan berbagai makanan khas negara masing2, ada nasi briyani, daging2an ala turkey dan PISANG GOYEEENGG, hahaha .. yummy, setlah puas menyantap makanan (terutama pisang goreng) , kami semua masuk ke dalam gedung. Sebelum memulai acara entah siapa yang memulai duluan masing2 negara menunjukan kedikdayaan nya masing2 dengan menyanyikan lagu atau yel-yel negara gitu. Karna negara kita a.k.a Indonesia paling banyak berjumlah 101 pemuda, jadilah kami semua SEHARUSNYA paling rame TAPII karena pemuda-pemudi indonesia kurang pasokan tenaga dan energi (secara kita orie di jkt 10 hari ga tdur jdilh memanfaatkan wktu dsini untk tidur) hahaha dasar, tapi kita tetep seru kok, gua dan dinar yang membawa bendera indonesia waktu itu langsung mengibarkan dan menkibas-kibaskan sang saka merah putih (ala2 Jak Mania)!!, sementara ituh negara lain ga kalah rame walau jumlah mereka lebih sedikit tpi tetep bikin kuping pengeng loh :p . panitia pun memberhentikan keributan yang terjadi, dan acara pun di mulai. Di awali ceramah agama dari salah satu imam terkenal yang gua lupa sypa namanyaa, ala2 arab gitu deh namanya. Setelah itu ternyta ada performance dri negara2 yang sukarela mau ngeksis alias talent show gitu, dimulai dari negara apa gituh , gua lupaa, awalnya tertib, nah negara kedua yg tampil ituh Arab Saudi dan dilanjutkn oleh negara egypt, masyaa allah … mau tau mereka nampilin apaan ¿ jangan deh, tkut merusak citra negaraaa ny yg menrut gua ga mewakili culture negraa mereka, aneh deh, dan performance di tutup oleh turkey yang nampilin clubingan pemuda disana dgn lagu2 bgtuan, astajim (ngusap muka, sambil istighfar), gmna dengan indonesia ? lagi2 karena kami kekurangan pasokan tenaga dan energi kami lebih memilih tdur di lokasi acara dan hanya beberapa yang nonton lagipula itu udah larut malam bgd. Setelah acara bubar, anak indonesia ngumpul di games room buat pamit2an, Karena kami smua berangkat nya ga serentak ke state masing2, gua dpt jatah berngkat jam 3 pagi men ada malah yang berngkat jam 2 pagi, hoho! Lanjut jdilah kami smua nangis2an dan peluk2an (so sweet ) Nah gara-gara tuh acara ampe malem bgd, sementra kita harus packing dan rapih2 kita semua ga jadi sahur bareng yang telah di agendakan (wlupun ad segelintir org yg sahur masing2), gua pun terlelap tidur selama hanya 1 jam, secara baru tdur jam 1 dan harus bgun jam 2 buat mandi dan beres2, gara2 ga sahur semntra disini lgi musim panas yg lumayan panas dan wktu siangny lebih lama dan harus melakukan perjlanan naik pesawat maka gua memutuskan tidak puasa pada hari pertama (ada2 aja alesan nya yak? Tpi ini bnran loh …) dan ini satu2 nya hari yg gua gagal puasa, weeekp :p.

Sahur hari ke Dua Cuma Berdua …Hem, sahur hari kedua ini gua hanya berdua bersama kubra gadis asal turki. Kami sahur di orientasi chapter di New york tepatny di pawling town. Sahur nya pake sandwich and roti keras, yang kerasnya nyris kyk batu kali loh, seriusaaan dah … setelah itu blik k kamar masing2 ga satu kamar loh kita, (ngarepp ).. nah pas abis sholat shubuh, gua nagis men … sedih bgd rasanya , sahur kali ini bakal sepi dan sunyam, setelah berhenti nangis dan sedih2an , gua baca alquran buat nenangin diri , Alhamdulillah gua bias tenang dan kembali tidur, hahaa (rada ga penting sih bagian ini., wkwkw)

Bukapuasa hari ke 2 bersama HostFamily

Ini nih pnglman bgd buat gua, disini gua puasa kurang lebih selama kurang lebih 16 jam (WEW), dari pukul 4.30 pagi sampai jam 8 malem, ini karena bulan ramadhan jatuh di musim panas yang siang nya lebih lama ketimbang malem. nah di hri ke 2 bukapuasa semua anggota keluarga ternyta nungguin gua buat buka puasa, pas gua turun ke bwah setelah sholat maghrib, barulah kita semua mulai makan, ngbrol2 dan berbincang bincang, ternytaa mereka biasa makan malam itu tuh jam 5.30 !! dan rata2 keluarga amerika memulai dinner sekitar jam 5.30. Dengan ga enak hati gua blng maaf dan mnympaikan kalau mereka ga usah nunguin gua buat buka. Tpi keluarga gua bner2 baik n toleran bgd, mereka mau n bersedia nungguin gua buka dan makan malam bersama , ahh baik nya kalian )……

Sahur hari ke 3 dan 4 !

Kali ini nih sahur udah di rumah hostfamily gua, asyik ga ? banged deh, Alhamdulillah mereka baik , aware and care bgd, nih sahur selama 2 hari bokap gua a.k.a dad bruce selalu nganterin makanan ke kamar gua, beliau masakin gua nasi goreng, dan omelet haha, rasanya mantep walaupun ga semantep bknin nyokap di jkt. Disamping itu dad (pangilan gua ke bokap disini) juga menyediakan, 1 gelas susu, 1 gelas jus, 1 gelas air putih dan 1 gelas teh totalnya 4 gelas ditambah 1 pithcer air putih !!!! kata beliau “biar kamu bias bertahan dan survive buat hidup makan yang banyak yaaa”. ga berhenti sampai disitu dia juga bawain buah2an dan desert nya kue2an…. Oh my god ... demi menghargai dan ga enak nolaknya secara dia dah mau bangun pagi dan rela2in buat gua, gua santap lah itu semua, kelenger ? yep ... but thanks dad, u‘re so kindness and cool guy .

Bukapuasa bareng komunitas Indonesia di new York

Wah, seneng bgd pas denger kalau buka puasa dihari ke 7 gua bakal diajak ke ‘Masjid Al-hikmah’ . ini masjid komunitas islam Indonesia di sekitaran wilayah new York !!! sebelum berangkat mom n dad nanya harus pakai baju apa dan harus gimanaa, mereka bener2 excited bgd, gua jawab ‘pake baju agak formalan aja mom, dan tertutup’ . jdilah bokap gua mengunakan clna kain, pantovel, kemeja, dasi serta lengkap dengan jas !! mom? Celana, high heels, kemeja dan pasmina serta rambut yang di tata dengan menawan !! great ! mereka juga minta di ajarin salam ala islam, ‘assalamualakum’ nah mereka berlatih tuh biar faseh selama perjlnan dri rumah ke masjid yg memakan waktu sekitar 30 menit. Lucu deh dengrin mereka latihan dna ngucpin salam, haha. Akhirnya sampai jua, deg2an and takjub aja, ngeliat ada bngunan berdiri atas nama ‘community moeslim Indonesia’ its Cool guys !!. sesampainya disana ternyta michelle volunteer muda nan cantik rupawan telah tiba bersama kubra si gadis turkey, michelle ini dia exchanges student ke mesir loh, dan dia tertarik bgd sama islam secara pacar nya orng islam ( sayang, gua telat dateng) !! menyusul farah gadis padang dan Naomi ketua chapter NYC , Naomi mengunkan jilbab loh, hahhaa, wah ternyta mereka sling menghargai dan toleran bgd yaaah. Acranya pun dimulai, kami semua masuk ke dalam masjid. di awali dgn ceramah agama, nah karena mom, dad, Naomi, michelle, dan kubra bkn warga indoensia dan tidak mengerti bhsa Indonesia alhasil sang imam berceramah dgn 2 bahasa , Indonesia dan inggris tpi jgn ngebayngin kyk cinta laura yaa, haha. lalu kami diperkenalkan loh oleh sang imam kepada seluruh jemaat masjid, wah bangga euy, haha. Waktu yang ditungu2, santap menyantap, alhmdulillah bisa ketemu mknan indo disini, hemm, yummy …. Argh, setidakny melepas rindu dan kangen dgn mknan di indo !!!

Taraweh nya gimnaaa ?
Nah kawan, sebenarnya rumah gua tuh ga jauh dri masjid , sekitar 2 mill, tpi sayang disayang ,dsni wktu isya msuknya sekitar jam 9.30an , kalau gua mau ikutan taraweh bisa2 pulang ny kemaleman bgd dan ga enak dengan dad yang anter jemput gituh, wlaupun sedih tahun ini ga bias tarawehan tpi semoga ada hikmah nya yaaaa.

Sahur dan Buka di hari-hari selanjutnya
Alhamdulillah udah mulai bisa beradaptasi mengenai bgaimna harus buka dan sahur disini, awal2nya sahur bokap n kadang2 nyokap bangun n masakin sesuatu gtu. Tpi di hri ke 5 dan selanjutnya gua blang kalo gua bisa nyiapain sendiri, karena ga enak bgd ganggu jam tidurnya mereka, alhasil setiap malam sebelum tdur , mom n dad dah nyipin mknan gtu, klo pas wktu sahur gua tingal panasin di microwave deh. Simply and gua bisa mengurangi dan mengatur pasokan makanan yg masuk kedalam perut, tpi kadang2 mereka bgun jga loh, kadang2 mantau gua sahur ap engga, kadng2 maskin juga, kdng2 interogasi makanan gua cukup apa engga, apalgi dad dia menghruskan gua minum 1 pitcher air putih setipa hrinya biar tetep sehat dan segar !!. Kalo buka ? ya tetep aja, mereka tetep nungguin gua dulu, baru deh makan malam bersama, baik bgd kan mereka ?

Ini dia menu buka dan sahur sehari-hari …
Disni tetep make 3 hal, appetizer, maincourse dan desert , bgtu jga dengan buka dan sahur guaa, kenyang pool dah, dan disini porsinya JUMBO2 …. Jangan kaget kalo di bulan puasa ini aja berat gua nambah 4 kg !! (dilarang ketawa dan ngejek :p)
Sahur : omelet sandwich, burger, kebab turkey, steak, beef, noodle, apple pie, pizza, juice, air putih, dan buah2an
Buka : steak2an berbagai jenis, beef, burger, pasta, pizza, sayur2an, juice, capucinno, cookies , buah2an, ice cream dan dll
Hem, kita juga sering buka puasa atau makan malem diluar, dan beruntung nya gua, kluarga gua suka bgd mknan asia, jdilah kita ke thai, india, japan, china resto, sayang nya ga ad resto indo yang deket dri sini, huh 0,0

Takbiran ?
Sedih deh rasanya gabisa takbiran bareng2 ma keluarga dan temen2 di jkt. Huhu... Tpi gua mensiasatinya dengan menelpon keluarga di jkt via skype, alhasil gua bsa melepas rindu sejenak, dgn mengunakan fsilitas web cam (kadang2) tpi lbh sering voice call aja, gua seneng bgd, bisa ngedenger klo nyokap ma nenek lagi sibuk masak2, dan orng rumah lgi sibuk rapih2 rumah , wah ga kebayang aja gmna serunya lbran dsnaa, terlebih lebih gua bisa mendgrkan deru kumandang takbir menggema di jkt via skype, ya allah hati gua jdi gemeteran and sedih. Jdilah di malam ke 2 terakhir, gua mendegrkan takbitran via youtube. Ampuh juga loh )

Lebaran di Masjid komunitas indonesia, Lunch di Indonesian Reastaurant and Visited Consullar of Indonesia di New York City !
Gmna lebran disni ?... Alhamdulillah dan gua harus banyak2 bersyukur nih walaupun disni lebran itu ga masuk libur nasional di amerika. Dan gua harus meminta ijin ke pihak sekolah kalau hari jumat tgl sept 10 gua bakalan izin, akhirny pihak sekolah mengijinkan, horeey !!! Awalny deg2an, krena mndgr ad acrta tmn2 yg ga dapet ijin libur atau ga bisa ijin karena ada quiz atau test pljran gt. Umm, Lebaranan kali ini, dad udah nyusun jadwal ny . sehari sblmnya, farah yg tingal di new jersey dateng n nginep dirumah guaaa, pasalny kita bakal k majsid pagi2 bgd. Hari lebaran datang juaaa, pagi2 jam 8.30 kita semua yaitu dad, gua dan fara siap2 berangkat, mom lagi ada kerjaan penting krn dia hrus ke amerika slatan gtu and luke (hostbro) hrus msuk sekolah jdi mereka ga ikut deh . selama 30 mnit perjlanan menggunakan mobil kita sampai di masjid alhikmah , kegiatan sholat ied sesi dua dimulai jam 10, dan gua bersama farah mengikuti sesi ke 2. Disni beda bgd.... ceramahnyaaa lmyn pnjng dan full ingris, weew, trus sholat ied trus selesai deh, ga ad kumandang takbir gituh, apa karena udah di sesi 1 kali yaa? Ga tau juga deh .... setelh sholat dan maaf2an (minal aidzin k sypa aj yg ad d msjid loh gua, kenal ga kenal yg pntg salam2an sok2 kenal gt deh) hahaa, trus kita foto2 deh. Setelah puas foto2, dad yg sudah menungu dri tadi dgn sabarnya (maaf ya dad, fara tuh narsis poto2 mulu). kami smua lekas meningalkan masjid dan menuju restaurant indonesia dan kali ini kami mengunakan subway menuju manhattan, seblmny kmi menyempatkan diri untuk foto2 di times square area, its so very great places !! perut udah keroncongan akhirny dgn langkah cepat kami menuju restaurant yg bernamakan ‘Bali Nusa Indah Restaurant‘. Restaurant nya terbilang unik, karena bnyk bgd benda2 kesenian khas indonesia terutama bali, oh ya, pegawai restaurant nya asli orng padang loh, haha .. ahh tapi gua ga terlalu peduli dgn itu semua, gua lbh pduli dgn menu yg ada disini, maklum kangen bgd mkanan indo men ... jeng jeng, pas pertama kli ngeliat daftar menu, pngn rasanya makan tuh semua yang adaaa, hahaa, akhirnya gua mewajibkan dad buat nyobain nasi goreng dan gado-gado , hostbro fara yang menyusul datang memesan bihun goreng dan es teler, si farah mesen pempek, nasi rames dan es cincau , smntra gua mesen kroket ayam, gado2, nasi remes yang isinya ada satay, udang asam manis, rendang, orek sayur, teri balado dan kerupuk udang serta es teller, its yummy .... gua jga ngembat pempek nya fara, gila seneng bgd rasanyaaa, biar dikata norak tpi gapapa yg penting lega bisa mkan2an indo di NYC !! ga berhenti sampai disitu aja, dengan perut yg sedikit membuncit dan langkah yg terengap2 ternyata kami masih mempunyai 1 agenda lagi yaitu dtang ke Open House nya KJRI (konsulat jenderal republik indonesia) di sekitar manhattan juga. Acara di mulai jam 1 , tpi kami dtng jam 3an gt , dri jauh tuh bgunan keren bgd, dan bangga rasanya sang merah putih bisa berkibar disana, hehe. Memasuki gedung KJRI kami mengisi buku tamu lalu di lanjtkan salam-salaman serta foto dengan bapak konsulat serta ibu serta Sedkit mnjlas kan sypa kami dan drimna asal kami dan memohon di akui sbgai WNI yg sedang merantau (lbh tepatnya minta di ajakn ke acara2 KJRI lainnya) hahaa..ternyata oh ternyata makanan indonesia terhampar luasss disana, dari bakso, lontong sayur, rendang, opor ayam, es buah, eskopyor, masya allah ..... perut yg tadi nya udah full bgd tiba2 mendadak kosong kembali (apa dah, haha), gua santap lah satu per satu , haha, asli rendang ny kiriman langsung dri padang loh , huwaaaa, untungny gua pnya malu yaa, klo ga, pngn gua bungkus tuh rendang , hahaa... selain kerjaan makan dan makan, gua juga bertemu ketua PERMIAS (persatuan mahasiwa indonesia) cabang NYC, ngbrol pnjg lebar yg intiny gua pngn di ajakin ke acara2 permias dan mau aktif gitu dah crtanya, hahaa selain itu gua juga bertemu dgn salah satu petingi KJRI , namanny tante rina, dia baik bgd loh, dan mau mengakomodir kebuthan2 gua selama disini. Tukar menukar FB, No telp pun telah dilakukan, slam2an dgn warga indonesia di KJRI pun telah selesai akhirnya waktunya pulang ! kasian dad dah cape bgd nemenin gua dan fara seharian melanglangbuana, maksih bnyk ya dad,
sedih ga sih menjalankan ramdhan disini ? um, sedih ga sedih sih jawaban nya, memang ada terasa yg kurang dalam ramadhan dan lebaran kali ini, ga ada keluarga besar, ga ada acara sahur dan menjelang puasa, ga ad ngabuburit brng tmen2, ga ada sungkem2an, ga ada mknan ala keluarga gua dan ga dpet THR juga, tapi gua percaya semua ini bakal jadi pengalman dan pelajaran yg besar buat gua pribadi dan org2 disekitar gua, buat kamu2 semua jangan pernah takut untuk mencoba suatu hal yang baru dan ga biasa karena pasti di balik hal bru tersebut kita bisa belajar untuk  menerima keadaan dan mengambil nilai positif dari apa yang terjadi dan belajar survive untuk hidup mandiri !!

buat kamu semua ga da kata telat buat maaf dan saling memaafkan, gua pngn ngucapin
‘MINAL AIDZIN WAL FAIDZIN MOHON MAAF LAHIR DAN BATHIN Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaa )))........‘
HAPPY IED MUBARAK !

*notes semoga kisah ini bisa kita ambil hikmah nyaa ya, dan gua mendapat satu kesimpulan penting ternyta orang2 disini toleran dan tengang rasanya kuat !! jadi hilangkan perspektif negatif2 dan agama bukanlah halangan dan alasan terjadiny perpecahan dan peperangan, dari sekelumit kisah kecil ini saatnya kita membangun pemahaman dan mewujudkan perdamaian dunia !!