My Town's Face as the Great Attack of Merapi’s Eruption

Bantul – Yogyakarta, “I was surprised when my grapes tree was full of the dust at that morning” Marginah (51) said. Marginah is Tiyan is one of the students of UGM who experiences the great eruption of Merapi in 2010. First, she does not realize that Merapi’s eruption would reach Bantul as the distance between Bantul and Merapi, Sleman, are too far. “That morning the dust rained very heavy and was thick enough on the grapes’ leaf.” Marginah described. “Moreover, I had to use the masker if I went out of my house otherwise I would less breath.”

Still, Marginah and her daughter, Tiyan, did not believe that the dust where came from Merapi. Then, Tiyan, a student of English Literature of UGM asked her friends about what happened. “My daughter got the message from her friend that the class was cancelled because the campus was used for evacuation shelter.” She tried to remember. “Even, the campus was also full of the dust because of the eruption of Merapi.” She explained.

Again, Marginah could not believe that Merapi’s eruption also attacked Bantul. She collected the information from the mass media to now the newest condition of the disaster. After that she decided to survey several places that were struck by the dust. “I went to somewhere but also the dust was full everywhere” She smiled. “Huh,,I really knew that Merapi’s eruption was really attack my town and made Bantul was very dirty and grey”.

On the TV she watched that the victim of this disaster was pitiful. Even, there were many children and old people who were sick and need a help. Finally, she initiated to collect the clothes, that were not used, and foods to be donated to them. “I asked Tiyan to send it to Gelanggang UGM in order to be distributed to the victims.” She asserted.

From this disaster, Marginah learned that God always gave the positive message in every disaster for everyone. “I realize that Merapi’s eruption leads to be a helpful person.” She smiled

Listiyaningsih

For My Inspiration, Dina Oktaviani

Good afternoon Mbak Dina Oktaviani…

How are you? I hope God always bless us. Amin.

First of all, may I call you with “mbak”? I think our ages are close enough. Well, mbak Dina, do you know that you are my inspiration now? After reading your letter that Mas Dalih showed in the class I think you are a wonder woman. You told your hard life but you also told how to face it. One thing that I get from you is you always have positive thinking in facing many problems.

        Mbak Dina, I do not suppose that you have such kind of misery in your childhood. Maybe if I were you, I could not have survived to live. You experienced something that any other people did not face. Although you’ve ever thought that you are worse than the other your sisters or brothers but I think you are not. You have the inner beauty that people do not have. Moreover, I am not interested in your misery but in your struggle to solve the problem. You believe that there is the best thing behind the problem that we get. As a result, you are able to show your strength by being creative in writing literature. Now, although you are successful you are still humble. You want to share your experience to us, as your juniors, about how life is. You are inspiring us to be a better human by being positive in facing the problem. 

In brief, I just want to thank to you mbak Dina for your sharing that is inspiring us. We hope that we could be as successful as you in creating the works. Moreover, we also hope that Mbak Dina could write the other inspiring work and publish it in many countries. 

Thank you very much Mbak Dina… We Love You..

Bantul, March 15, 2013

                                     Best Regard

Listiyaningsih

English Department of UGM

Why Don’t You Love Me, Money?

In the afternoon in the park of Faculty of Economics and Business UGM the sun appears after the rain falls and the birds tweet happily. They fly over here and over there. The sky is blue like the blue ocean persuading people to swim. On right side there is a pond with a little fountain and more than five fishes swim energetically. While in front of the pond the Hibiscus flowers open their corollas widely. They seem to smile each other even they smile at everything surround them kindly. But not like Tiyan, a girl walking alone in the park. She looks muzzy. She does not know what she should do. Then, she takes her money Rp 1000,- from her pocket jeans. She just stares at it angle by angle. That money is very dirty, old and faded. Suddenly, the money speaks to her and makes her surprised. 

“Heh, why do you look at me so serious, Yan?” the money is widening its eyes.

“Well, I’m wondered, Money” pursing up the lips. “Why are you so dirty and have many writing off?” waiting for answer.

“I’m only a Rp 1000,- , Yan!” cries loudly.

“He? Yes I see, but what do you mean?” confused

“Well, You know that I’m only a piece of a thousand rupiah. I’m the least amount of money. Automatically, people are less regarding me. I’m less valuable than the other of my friends” sadly. “People usually traits me whatever they want. For instance, the way they fold me is different with the way they fold Rp 50.000,- or Rp 100.000,-.” indignantly. “People usually keep Rp 50.000,- in their purse, while they keep me on their pocket, like you Yan…!”

“What?” shocked.

“Yes, you kept me on your pocket before you took me, right, while you separate me from my friends that you put in your purse!” angrily.

“I… I just kept you on my pocket because it made me easier to take you rather than I opened my purse” confused

“Arggghhhhh……. Everyone would say the same. They lie… like you I don't love you!”

“Wait,,, I tell you the truth.”

“No! I know the truth. People would love the red one than me because I’m less worthy than others. My friends would be kept tidily and softly. Hiks…”

“Heyy… Not all of people trait you like that. Still many others people who love you and care to you. I’m sorry if I made a mistake but with my honest, I just kept you in order to make me easier to take you. Moreover, I still kept the other your friends Rp 1.000,- on my purse softly and tidily. I’ll show you.” opens her purse.

“Wow,, you keep them tidily, Yan. I’m so sorry that I’ve supposed you are a liar.”

“Well, never mind, Money.. Starting now, I will persuade my friends to keep more lovely and carefully!” seriously

“Thank you, Yan. This will make my friends and my body more clearly and healthy.” smile widely.

                                                                  **********

From Horse and Cart to Taxi: Malioboro in Two Frames

taken from: www.kaskus.co.id

taken from: citizenimages.kompas.com

            From the past to the present Malioboro is still a famous icon of Yogyakarta. For instance, the natives and the native sellers are kind and polite when they offer their merchants. Even, most of visitors or tourists seem to have to visit Malioboro when they go to Yogyakarta. Although Malioboro is very hot and crowded, people still enjoy this situation. Yet, you have to walk at the narrow street which is full of motorcycles on the east side. While on the west there is enough space for pedestrians to walk and for finding traditional transportations like pedicab and horse kart. Meanwhile, they have to be careful when they want to cross from the east to the west and vice versa, otherwise car, bus, taxi, or other vehicles would kill you. This might happen to you as Malioboro Street is really crowded. However, this situation very contrasts with what happen to Malioboro in the past.

           From the grayscale picture above, we can conclude that in 1920’s Malioboro has become the center of activities in Yogyakarta. People fluttered this place on the left and right side of the street. Moreover, the street was spacy enough for the pedestrians passing the street. At that time the street was divided into two ways or two directions because the vehicles were not as many as today. Furthermore, the public transportations in 1920s were still traditional e.g. pedicab and horse carts which were eco-friendly. However, today we have to share our street for modern public transportations e.g. buses, taxi, ojek, a motorcycle with a driver who you pay to take you somewhere, etc that caused pollution though there is few traditional transportation that exist.

            The other different view of Malioboro in 1920 was the parking area that was as not full as now. At that time bicycle more dominated than motorcycle while today that situation is inverted. We could hardly find motorcycle at that time but bicycle. Moreover, both two sides of the street were full of pedestrians but now it was full of parking lot. Yet, the one that is beautiful is that we can see the peacefulness between the solidity. In 1920s we did not have to pay the parker but now we must do it by paying Rp 1.000,-/ motorbike and Rp 2.000 – 3.000,-/ car. Not only the parking area that made Malioboro different but also the seller or street vendor that fluid Malioboro. They display their merchants in front of the malls the shops. They offer the souvenirs truly from Yogyakarta e.g. bags, handicrafts, T-shirt, sandals, accessories, etc. Although those vendors offer their merchant and seem to flutter the way, this situation make Malioboro different from the others famous place in Yogyakarta. 

            Therefore, although Malioboro is much contrasted with Malioboro in 1920s, still Malioboro becomes one of the interesting places to visit in Yogyakarta. Malioboro can attract the tourists by its uniqueness despites of its inconvenience like the crowded situation. Moreover, Malioboro might be different again in the next ten or twenty years later without being left by the tourists since Malioboro provides the kind natives, unique culture, and peaceful situation.

Lucky One from Pelemsewu

           I am a lucky girl. Believe it or not.

          I was born in Bantul, September, 27, 1991. I lived with my little happy family at that time. Those were my dearest father, my beloved mother, my nicest sister and I. My sister is nine years older than me. My parents said that I’m a child that is expected to be born in order to be company of my sister later. I went to kindergarten, “TK Pertiwi 62” in 1996 – 1998. Actually, my teachers recommended my parent to send me to elementary school one year earlier as I could read newspapers while I’m in the first year of my kindergarten. However, my father did not want to send me earlier because he was afraid of me if I could not survive if there were naughty friends. Although my father seemed to take innocent choice, I thought his choice is the best choice because beside my age still too young, mentally I was not ready enough. Moreover, I never went out of home after school and never played something with my neighbor. Finally, I had to study two years in “TK Pertiwi 62”. 

           Then, I continued to study in elementary school, “SDN 2 Jarakan”. Absolutely, my father’s prediction was right. After studying two years in kindergarten, mentally I could survive in elementary school. Moreover, my knowledge was better. I was always in the good rank. Mostly, I sit in the first and second rank. Moreover, in the end of my study I could be the best student in my school. My family was proud of me. They reminded me to be a modest person “although we could be successful, do not make ourselves to be an arrogant person as a success is not everything”.

           After graduating from elementary school, I chose SMP 2 Sewon as my junior school. It was near from my house and was one of the favorite schools in my district.  Fortunately, I could follow my study better in my first grade. Moreover, I was one of the best five students in my class in the final exam of the first grade. In semester holiday we went to Bali. It was my first time I boarded a ship. On the way to Bali I was sad because my father was sick. However, my mother gave me great support to me that I had to go because I might be going to Bali next time. Then, I decided to go and came back a week later. However, a day after I came back, I lose my father forever. He could bear his ill in his forty seven years old. That day was like the greatest misery for me. I lose a person who was the most influential and important for me. He was the one who taught me about being patience, to wait the second year to continue my study in elementary school; about how to decide something. Also, he was a person who protected me. He is EVERYTHING for me. This condition made me so depressed. Moreover, I did not went to school for a week. Every day I went to my father’s tomb only for sending my pray for him that he would be at the next of Allah SWT. Amin.. After losing my father, I felt that my life was so worthy. I was loveable to everyone especially my mother as she is the only parent that I have now. My sister and I have to keep her to be as happy as possible.

Four months later, in May, 27, 2006 there was a huge earthquake attacked my town, Bantul. Exactly, it was the second great misery that I’ve ever had. However, I had to thank to God as fortunately, I still alive. This earthquake made me lose my house. Moreover, I also lose my dearest grandma. She was a grandma who was caring everyone and always gave money for me. In this case, I thought that 2006 was the saddest year I had to pass. However, my mother told me that it was not the saddest. She said “God must have a great wisdom for us”. Then I believed it and was positive thinking in every problem.

Again, I had a problem after graduating from junior high school. I graduated with a good grade, Bahasa Indonesia 8,8; Mathematics 10; and English 8,8. This made my mother dilemma because she was willing to send me to senior high school but financially, she was not able to do it. She did not know the solution and cried in front of me. I was so sad whenever I listened her crying. One thing that she reminded was “God must have a great wisdom for us”. Then, my sister who was also sad to face this problem, has an idea that she would send her friend, Sekar Palupi, a letter who work in Non-Governmental Institution or LSM to help us. Fortunately, she came to us and promised me to help the financial problem of my school. Finally, I could study in the vocational school SMK N 2 SEWON. Luckily, I was always in the first rank since I study there.

In the third grade of vocational high school I decided not to continue my study to university. I thought that my study was enough. Moreover, my mother did not have any finance well enough. However, my sister did not agree that we could not study in the university only because of a matter of money. She said that there were many scholarships that I could apply. Moreover, she said that my grade was good. Then, she collected info about scholarships and she told me that there was a scholarship program from UGM later it became Bidik Misi. After that, she helped me how to apply and also accompanied me to send it to the university. I chose English Literature as my major because I very liked English since I was in third grade of elementary school. Moreover, I want to be a teacher of English. Fortunately, before national examination, I was accepted as a student of English Department UGM. I was very happy because finally I could be a student of UGM. I was thankful to my sister who gave a solution and to my mother who always supported me whenever I got a problem. Moreover, I was the only one of my school who could be accepted in UGM. Believe it or not, I just paid the administration Rp 310.000,-  in UGM and only Rp 40.000 every semester. Also, I got benevolent fund Rp 600.000 every month. Alhamdulillah,,,

Now I am in the sixth semester. I enjoy with my major English Literature. I could learn how to analyze a work of literature, how to teach English, how to be creative in writing and how to be critical person. Yes, those are what I’ve got from learning English. We do not only study or do not only read work in the class but we also get the feedback that is very useful in our future.

I feel that I am a lucky girl. You can be also a lucky one as long as you try to be a modest person and if you face a problem, you have to believe that “God must have a great wisdom for us”. Amin.. Use your time as useful as possible.