malam taun baru di rumah, sama keluarga. tapi gak tau kenapa, keluargaku ini bukan kelurga yang senang hingar bingar.. (sebenarnya bukan sesuatu yang perlu dibingungkan sih).

jam 11 malam aku dah tidur, tapi karena anjingku takut petasan, dia tidur di bawah jendela kamarku dan itu membangunkanku. lantas, aku terjaga sampai sekarang dan menulis di tengah keramaian di luar sana..

yang aku pikirkan adalah, mungkiin…sebuah resolusi untuk tahun depan..tapi kok, setelah 2 tahun buat resolusi, ngga pernah berhasil dan pada akhirnya aku cuma sampe pada satu kesimpulan: yang penting hati.

resolusi itu semacam janji atau bisa dibilang kata2 yang membuat kita (seharusnya) menjadi lebih baik di tahun yang akan datang..tapi pada kenyataannya, gak pernah semudah itu…pada realitanya, kata2 yang dibilang resolusi itu ya cuma kata-kata aja..ketika kita dihadapkan pada deadline kerjaan, tugas2 kuliah, pekerjaan rumah tangga, padatnya lalu lintas, semuanya yang terbalut dalam hingar bingar euphoria tahun baru langsung hilang. ambil contoh aja, orang baru keluar gereja bisa langsung berkata kasar karena kena macet. apalagi bikin resolusi dalam suasana hingar bingar, yang dipikir seneng2nya aja? hahaha…akhirnya, dari pengalaman yang ada, aku pikir, stay alert and keep sane aja..kita ngga pernah akan tahu apa yang akan terjadi, dan satu-satunya cara ya cuma tetap waspada dan tetap waras.

bukannya mau bicara politik sih, tapi mengingat Gus Dur meninggal, disusul Frans Seda..itu seolah pertanda yang cukup kuat Indonesia mulai kehilangan tokoh-tokoh penting dan baik. aku mengakui bahwa lebih mudah terpengaruh hal-hal buruk ketimbang hal-hal baik..walaupun ngga sering ibadah, tapi keseimbangan hati dan pikiran itu tetep perlu diasah dan dikembangkan.

seiring dengan keramaian di luar sana, aku berharap para keluarga dan anak-anaknya bisa memanfaatkan waktu yang benar-benar berkualitas supaya bisa membuat sekitar lebih baik. ketika tua nanti, pasti kita akan merindukan sata-sata seperti ini, dan baiknya..dalam tradisi itu juga dipertahankan dan ditanamkan nilai-nilai yang positif, ramah lingkungan dan solidaritas.

best hope, best wishes, regards from Pamulang.

happy New Year 2010.

pernahkah kamu merasa takut bahwa pada akhirnya kamu gagal dan tidak akan menjadi apa-apa?

pernahkah kamu merasa hilang, otakmu seperti dimatikan dan gak tau apa yang harus kamu perbuat?

pernahkah kamu mengalami rambutmu rontok gila-gilaan dan badanmu menyusut terus tanpa diet?

..itu yang aku alami enam bulan terakhir ini..

aku selalu berambisi menjadi orang yang besar, berhasil, bahagia (siapa yang gak?). tapi dalam perjalanannya aku banyak berubah. seiring dengan pertumbuhan, aku mengenal sekitarku yang ternyata tidak se-harmonis yang aku bayangkan. persaingan gila-gilaan, ketergantungan akan materi, keinginan mendapatkan status sosial yang tinggi, itu membuatku tersadar gimana rapuhnya manusia, dan terlebih diriku.

menjadi dewasa membuatku tersadar akan tantangan itu, dan membuat beban tanggung jawab itu terbayang jelas di mata dan aku cenderung menghindar. aku jadi tidak tahu apa yang aku inginkan, dan keinginan itu seringkali berubah-ubah. aku tidak bisa menemukan jiwaku itu ada di mana. aku iri pada teman-temanku yang menemukan jiwa untuk melukis, memasak, menyanyi, mengajar, dan sebagainya. aku sendiri jadi tidak percaya pada mimpi yang aku punya dan perlahan aku malah menjadi sama dengan orang kebanyakan–orang-orang yang tidak aku suka.

menyadari hal ini, aku sedih dan aku juga jadi meragukan kemampuanku. aku punya prinsip untuk tidak menjadi sama dengan orang pada umumnya, yang memiliki ketergantungan pada materi; aku mau nilai-nilai kemanusiaan, kasih, kejujuran menjadi lebih unggul dari apapun. tapi sepertinya aku hanya akan menjadi orang asing di tengah kerumunan orang konsumtif dan pecandu modernisasi.

di satu sisi aku merasa beruntung karena kuliah di sebuah universitas swasta yang sangat humanis dan multikultur. aku merasa kekerabatan dan nilai-nilai kemanusiaan lebih penting dari yang lain; dan yang lebih penting perasaan itu membuatku aman dan damai.

sekarang aku mencoba untuk bekerja di sebuah pusat studi yang dikelola pasca sarjana kampusku. walaupun kecil, tapi tempat itu begitu hebat. tapi aku masih saja merasa belum mantap; aku hanya mantap untuk rajin menulis. tapi itu nantinya bisa jadi apa? lalu aku berpikir, kenapa aku ini meragukan diriku sendiri? kalau sudah ragu, bagaimana bisa maju dan semangat mengerjakannya?

ketika aku menyadari ke-tidaksetiaan itu, aku semakin yakin akan kerapuhanku dalam menghadapi realita. aku menyadari ketakutan untuk maju malah hanya menjauhkanku dari apa yang aku inginkan. ngga ada jalan yang singkat dan mudah, dan..justru itu sempat mematahkan semangatku karena aku malas menghadapi konsekuensi yang ada. akhirnya yang ada, otak ini seperti mesin dan aku melakukan sesuatu hanya karena merasa harus, seolah tidak ada pilihan lagi.

apakah itu membantu? jelas ngga. yang ada, aku merasa sangat tidak bersyukur pada apa yang sudah aku miliki dan menyia-nyiakan talenta dan kesempatan yang boleh aku miliki secara cuma-cuma. rambutku rontok gila-gilaan, badanku mneyusut terus, padahal aku tidak diet sama sekali, tidurku tidak pernah tenang, kulitku menjadi kering dan kusam. aku cuma bisa bercermin dan bertanya, “apa yang udah aku perbuat?ngapain aku begini?”

paling mudahnya adalah count my blessings, apa-apa saja yang sudah aku dapat, apa saja yang sudah aku perbuat dan bagaimana itu berdampak pada orang lain…

kemudian aku mencoba jujur pada diri sendiri, apa yang aku mau. benar-benar aku mau. hal-hal sepele dulu, dan aku membiarkan diriku mendapatkan itu..perlahan, aku yakin aku bisa meraihcita-citaku..just need a little faith and perseverance. tidak ada mimpi yang berlebihan dan semua mimpi itu bisa menjadi kenyataan yang sangat indah.

cheers!

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” which means, “God with us.” — Matthew 1:22-23

December, 2009

As we try and all congregate around the table in this busy season of jobs, parties, and gatherings, we realize more and more how there are really four adults living in our house, just in case the 4 cars in the driveway and belongings of four adults didn’t give it away.  We struggle to find a night that we are all at home to sit down and reflect on this year. We did all make it together on Thanksgiving to realize the blessings we have been given in this quickly fading year. In January we took Mary and Mike to the airport, way too early in the morning, as they once again ventured down to Haiti, on a medical mission trip; to visit with some old friends and some new ones. As many of you heard we once again continued the saga of car turnover in our household. This one was a little bit more eventful, so we would like to just say we are blessed and move on. (If you really want know, check out Mike’s facebook.)  This summer Mary and Mike also got a chance to venture out west for Mike’s dad’s 80^th birthday gathering in Tahoe. They also took this opportunity to make a pit-stop in San Francisco, to check out a few lighthouses and to wander through the Muir Woods. They were able to find some wine they like to bring home and discovered some hidden treasures in Lake Tahoe to photograph as well. Mary has begun her reconstruction surgery this year which is an amazing blessing that all of you have been a part of and we are very thankful for all your thoughts, prayers, and love.

Not that Becca and I haven’t had our share of adventures as well, Becca got a promotion at work and also got to travel to Chicago and see some friends from College. Becca also is now the secretary of the Missions Committee at the church. What can we say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. We also managed to convince Mike to squeeze in a small cavalier and drive to Charleston for the Kelly Cup (Stanley cup of minor league hockey) and drive back all in one day. Amazing what little girls can get their fathers to do. I also got him to go to a sunrise service on the beach for Easter in Fort Myers Florida, yea we found some hockey, lighthouses and old friends too. I also found some time in October to take a little Road trip to D.C. and Vermont.  I am happy to say I am starting my last class, student-teaching about the time you receive this letter.  That being said we want to send Happiness and Blessings to your household, our extended family. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mary, Mike, Sarah (our scribe) & Rebecca

I have a poem in the latest issue of The Journal. Though it doesn’t say as much, the poem is dedicated to one of my favorite poets. So here’s to you, favorite poet.

If you didn’t see the Journal the other night, you really owe it to yourself to take a look at this segment with Matt Taibbi and Robert Kuttner.  It’s a blood boiler folks.  And once you have watched the segment, you again owe it to yourself to download and print the transcript so you can really read and absorb what these guys are saying about your government over run with politicians bought and paid for.  You may want to have a puke bucket handy, you know the one that your mom would put by the couch when you were a kid, home from school, sick, watching Sesame Street.  May need to make that two.

Support independent publishing and the arts this weekend and purchase some art mags as gifts – or just browse and get some free drinks.  (Capricious Space says they will have glögg!)

Capricious Space is having an opening/holiday party for their new Bookshop: “featuring publications and magazines of artists who we love and convey the capricious spirit” from 4-8pm on Saturday December 19th.

the journal is having a Holiday Store / Weihnachtsmarkt this weekend with “special editons and unique gifts.”  The opening is tonight, Friday December 18th from 4-8pm and hours continue this Saturday and Sunday from 12-8pm.

Giftland X: Happy House at Printed Matter is hosting a holiday party tomorrow, Saturday December 19th from 5-7pm.

Postcard Magazine is an online journal that publishes fictions, poetries, artworks and photographs: all relevant to the central theme of an issue. Starting October 2010, Postcard will be published biannually in April and October.

If you want to contribute, please check our guidelines. Postcard is currently accepting submissions for its inaugural issue on ‘Walking Alone.’

www.postcardmagazine.heliohost.org

 

Well, the last reflective peice i have to write is about myself. . or, what i see as my role within the industry when i gradate, or before. .

For starters, it should be known that i am currently the web editor for The Journal – Edinburghs Student Newspaper. . which i think is going to be an ever increasing role within the paper. Currently, it involves reading all of the papers articles, going through our archive of pictures and choosing appropriate photos to be attached for online use – the majorioty of the time the same pictures are used online as are used in print format. That doesnt mean that we ca’t take advantage of the online format. The website is currently undergoing a redesign, which should boost the online traffic – The Journal picked up its first national student media award tonight – Best Design at the Guardian Student Media Awards, 2009 this wednesday. The website also won numerous awards last year – so the pressure is now on – the redesign need to make the paper new, unique and have that added “wow” factor, which is difficult to obtain within a newspaper, but it can be done. Using media galleries, videos and sound clips – we will hopefully rise through the ranks – of which we are already near the top, of student newspapers.

Now, thats all well and good, but where do i come in? Well, soon this role is going to involve rolling news – as The Journal is only a fortnightly publication, not that much news (read “no news”) is posted online between issues, and this is an issue i raised at the start of the academic year with our chief editor Paris Gourtsoyannis. Rolling news was an idea that Paris was very keen to get started, and we will hopefully get it going through the holidays, this will involve me writing a short 200-300 word report to be posted online, as soon as i, or one of the editors, hear about a worthwhile story – and if the workload is too much, i will then begin commissioning stories, which will be a huge learning curve for me, as it will bring me into the editorial hierarchy of the paper more than i already am.

Where will this lead me in the future? Well, i think newspapers will soon be based online – as you will know if you read my previous post “Reflection of the dry” – so hopefully i will be involved in newspapers and magazines and helping them shift to the online format that we all love and desire, and if this has already taken place, hopefully my experience that i will have gained through working for The Journal will qualify me to have a place in online formats when i finish my degree. Eoin Greensmyth, Wed Editor, The Times – or something similar. . sounds good to me. . – yes i’ll keep dreaming.

But seriously, editing, writing and commissioning would be my dream, especially if i can implement all forms of media onto the website, to make the publication really stand out. To make any publication really stand out.

Yeah, theres more i could do, but hell. .i would like to be involved in the online world of journalism. . whether that be writing, editing – whatever!

Image: Ted Drake, Flickr

The Scottish Government have announced new proposals which aim to eradicate sectarian attitudes and behaviours in Scotland.

In a statement to parliament, Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing set out plans to increase the use of Football Banning Orders (FBOs) and evaluate their effectiveness.

Mr Ewing said: “This Government’s strategy on tackling sectarianism is based on funding key projects and bringing together organisations to work together to send a clear message throughout the country that sectarianism is never acceptable, never excusable.

“FBOs are an important weapon in tackling abusive behaviour in or around our football grounds. Statistics show that there is a higher use of FBOs south of the border.

“Although England and Wales have had FBOs for longer, I want us to look at their experience to see if any lessons can be learned.”

FBOs prevent banned individuals from attending matches involving national teams or British club teams.

The ban can also prevent them from travelling to football matches abroad, for up to ten years.

Labour has challenged the SNP to present a full sectarianism strategy for Scotland following its first statement on the issue since coming to power in 2007.

Glasgow MSP Bill Butler said: “Since 2003 there have been, on average, 338 people convicted each year of sectarian offences across the country. We need a national rehabilitation programme for those convicted.

The Iona Community currently delivers one, free of charge, in Polmont Young Offenders Institution which could be rolled out across the country for the modest sum of £40,000.”

The Liberal Democrats called on the government to explain how its sectarianism strategy will fit in with the UK Equalities Bill.

Hugh O’Donnell MSP said: “This government, as the Communities Minister has implied, do not see sectarianism as a top priority. I do, and I believe more must be done.”

Bill Aitken, the Conservative justice spokesman told The Journal: “There is a case for extending the powers of courts to impose football banning orders on those convicted of a sectarian and football-related offence away from the actual ground.

“This would certainly act as a deterrent and I would press the minister to go down this route.”

This article first appeared in The Journal.

It’s not indoctrination to present the evidence science has uncovered. There is no evidence to suggest that a designer is needed for evolution to take place as we see it on Earth. Therefore, including such ideas in a scientific …

Originally posted here: 
Free books used as tools to fight evolution | csmonitor.com