One Song

by Sheikh Jalaluddin Rumi

Every war and every conflict between human beings 
has happened because of some disagreement about names.

It is such an unnecessary foolishness, 
because just beyond the arguing 
there is a long table of companionship 
set and waiting for us to sit down. 

What is praised is one, so the praise is one too, 
many jugs being poured into a huge basin. 
All religions, all this singing, one song.
The differences are just illusion and vanity. 

Sunlight looks a little different on this wall 
than it does on that wall 
and a lot different on this other one, 
but it is still one light. 

We have borrowed these clothes, 
these time-and-space personalities, 
from a light, and when we praise, 
we are pouring them back in.

Sonnet XVII

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

- Pablo Neruda

A Random Post for the Most Random Week Ever

Hi everyone. I’m really tired right now but it’s been awhile since the last time I laid my hands on my tumblr account, so get ready and don’t forget to fasten your seatbelt cause I’m about to post the most random stuff that just happened in the past two weeks! Hahaha.

Last week, I was so desperate cause I tried to contact all the numbers of Habib Rizieq Shihab (leader of Front Pembela Islam) & Munarman (spokesperson of FPI) that I got from KontraS, but they all failed. I really needed to have an interview with one of the two for my thesis, but I had no idea how to make an appointment with them. So I decided to just come over to Petamburan where the markas of FPI is located, accompanied by Lukas, a Bataknese friend of mine who was of course, a Christian. Hahaha.

While he was all dressed up in a baju koko, Islamic pants (you know what I’m sayin), sandals and extreme nervousness, I myself had to wear Islamic attire as well! Harem pants, long sleeve shirt with a red hijab (which of course, sucked real bad hahaha a picture of me wearing the hijab would be considered as a disgrace to the hijabers community, I believe.) The dressing up part was pretty fun, and the part where Lukas asked the members of FPI who was guarding the gate of the markas, “Pak, saya ingin bertemu dengan Pak Habib” was indeed an epic failure HAHA. 

Fortunately, it was one hell of a lucky day for me. Habib was present, and he actully approved my proposal to interview him, yay! The interview went pretty well, my ipod recorded the whole 48-minute-interview with him, I got all the information I needed, some were pretty interesting, some were lacking in intelligence hahaha, all in all, Habib was quite a good guy. (oh so now you’re on their side? HAHA) No, it’s becauuuse, he gave me two holy books of FPI that I’ve been looking for my thesis for free! He is soo going to be in my thesis acknowledgements. Hahaha. Thanks Habib! Alhamdulillah ya~

Now that’s one story. The day after I interviewed Habib, I got interviewed by Raditya Dika in the Provocative Provoactive show. How this happened you ask? Well, Provoactive team asked KontraS to send one of their SeHAMA (School of Human Rights) students to explain about SeHAMA in their show, and surprisingly, KontraS asked me to do the favor. Another thing that I’ve never expected to happen in my life. Haha. Always plan to be suprised.

A few minutes after the show was on air, B Channel, a local tv channel based in Jakarta contacted me. They wanted to cover a profile of me for one of their shows called “Karena Aku Wanita” (azek) in the “Inspiring Woman” segment. (insert blaring laughter here)

Hahaha, this morning, the crew from B Channel came to my house, followed me to campus, shot a scene where I pretended that I was thoughtfully discussing about human rights issues with my friends (Wafa, Ninies, Tere, Dinasty and Stela) hahaha, etc. The crew consisted of very interesting people, the cameraman was also into human rights issues, we discussed about the current affairs and the question on the objectivity of the media, and the directors were pretty crazy, they broke into my room and played with my book of answers hahaha! Well overall, I had so much fun shooting the profile with them. At the end of the session, they also told me that my profile is going to be aired on the first week of January. Soo, if anyone of you are interested in watching, don’t forget to tune in to B Channel :p

Next up, another good news. I AM FINALLY DONE WITH MY THESIS! Super yaaaays! Print it tomorrow I must, then my only worry would be my upcoming thesis defense that will take place in early January. Phew.. One more to go, and then I’m officially done with college. Hmm.. Don’t know if I should feel happy, or sad, or what :|

Last but not least, starting from the 26th of December till the 5th of January, Ben & I will be in Ubud for holiday and a meditation retreat. So no photo jobs until we get back, friends. Hihi, our last photo job will be Iyo’s family photo shoot that will take place this Thursday at the one and only Bumi Sangkuriang. This should be an amazing photo session to close the year. Hopefully Iyo and his family are as excited as we are :D

I guess that’s a wrap for today’s post. I hope everyone is enjoying their last days of 2011 as well. 2012 is coming! Let’s see what will happen :p

Love and Light,

rarasekar

A Beautiful Gift from Mba Mei

Probably the most beautiful stationary set I’ve ever had in my life. Thank you so much Mba Mei, Ben & I really love the wooden notebook & pencil case!

If you also want to have a wooden stationary set like this with your name engraved on the cover, don’t hesitate to contact Oma Anna by email/facebook. 

Cheers!