Updates on Cancer Research UK - Race for Life (-18 days)

I was never a runner. I am not keen on running. I find that running is boring. So you said to me, why taking up 5K running challenge then? Well, once in your life you got to do something different that pushed you way out of your comfort zone. Running is Definitely NOT my comfort zone. It is way... Waaaaaaay... out there for the above reason I mentioned. However, I am doing this for an important causes. One, to pledge my support for those battling cancer and two, to raise fund for cancer research.

It is now more than a month since I pledge my support and registered to run. Few days ago, running T-Shirt and running number arrived. I opened it in total disbelief that I ACTUALLY will be doing this. I pondered at the fact that my training routine is a mess. Trying to balance house life, dissertation and a monstrous denial, procrastination and dislike of running feeling is like a trying to drag a tractor across a football field with your teeth. I am tremendously  blessed for My better-hal, Simon, who allow me to explore these part of me and have always been supportive.

Last week, I injured my knee and left leg. I think I was pushing it too far with incorrect warm-up and cool-down routines. This week I am begin again. This morning, I did a longer warm-up and exercise gradual pace acceleration. I am still on Sudden burst technique which means I am behind in training when I was supposed to be running a longer and steady period now. But, I am not afraid... The most important thing is not to be injured which will put a long paused in my training, where everyone knows, starting again will means I need to drag that tractor across the football field with my teeth again. 

Run!... Cancer Run!

Yep! That's it! No second thoughts... I am running for Cancer Research UK- Race for Life.

For the past few months, Cancer Research UK TV ad for Race for Life has tugged something in me. I know many of my friends whose life been beaten up by cancer. Many of them show the courage and great strength that I know can only come from their strong faith in God and from the love and care of family and friends. Sometimes I find me hesitating to type a message of encouragement, to say... I am praying for you... to say God will show you the way. For all its worth, I know that for those in battle those uplifting messages can come at the time they needed the most and that small act of kindness such as an FB message can be a source of strength for them to keep going. Then, I saw the Ad. One morning, in the middle of the madness trying to finish my Spring term essay, I call my husband and said, "I am going to do the 5K Race for life this June". I am sure my husband was stunned of this out of the blue message. For one, It was a long time since the sporty me kicked. So this is a huge revelation.

But the truth is, this is my way of saying, I care about all of my family and friends who inspired me in in their battle. I owe this especially to my best friend and soul sister, Emily Pember with her Ministry, 4-Hope of Massachusetts. Her relentless ministry to support people who are going through a life threatening illness inspired me to take this little challenging step. My Cancer research 5K run sponsor ship will not touch her ministry directly but I hope it will contribute to finding the cure to cancer and other devastating illness. If you are reading this and felt the calling to help Emily and her ministry, please click on the link to learn more.

This is also owe to my dear sister in faith, Nur Moebius, whose son, Junaid, passed away from Neuroblastoma. Her battle reminded me that Cancer effected more than the person, it devastated the family and friends too.

So, I invited you to share your story if you ever have Cancer messing with you, your family or your friends. Please support my cause by making donation and/or Coming to Stanmer Park, Brighton, UK, Saturday 29th June 2013 and cheer me on.

When the nature whisper...

Nature has its way of awaken the poet within me.
Perhaps its because the liberating feeling after the mid-term essays
Perhaps it's the climaxed of feeling and thoughts left bottled up
during my cognitive/academic phase
Perhaps it's because I miss my family so much
But this morning stroll at Sheffield Park and Garden, Sussex, UK,
brought out the poetic side of me...
It was like ... the nature whisper... thoughts... reflections
Luck was on my side and my faithful pocket camera didn't fail
to help capture those thoughts
as they ran wild and perched on the dancing autumn leaves.

These following pictures and poems are originally posted on my Facebook Photo Album

"Majestic Red flame
on the bed of green
where I lay and the tower gaze
Toss a dime
to the mirrored lake
and see me ripple as the season waste"

 "..and I changed color and dance in the wind
before you come and swept me of my feet...
before my fall and life will begin...
always in that crisp autumn day..."

'Beneath that tree where we sat... 

where the leaves canopy shield the sun. 

The crunching sound of the leaves 

under my shoes 

as we toast the flag of red and blue"

"Cherry Blossoms... Cherry Blossoms
It's autumn morning and you're in your glory
Hang on tightly to the naked branch
when all around you the color fall"

"Ducks at Sheffield Park
Sunbathing by the bank
Quacking their way to the visitor glance
Hoping to catch crumbs from their hand"

 "To the fading sun my beloved...
We shall walk to the fading sun.
Take my hand as I take yours
And we climb that hill to the fading sun"

"Look inside the mirrored lake
where color trapped and image last
make a wish but do not haste
for dreams will paint you future fast"

"The pond where the trees and grass meet
they keep secrets no one could tell
when a sweetheart wonder by chance
to drown the sorrows of love and life"

Note: Pictures and Poems are mine. Please ask before using any. Thank you

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A Day to Remember

picture from http://www.heruni.com/111111/

Today is the 10th of November 2012. It is the Indonesian National Hero day.
Tomorrow is the 11th of November 2012. The Remembrance Day...
TV is showing the BBC Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance
Tears flow freely on my cheek, my heart trembles in prayers not just for soldiers those who are serving, but
... to family who lost their loved ones... wives, husbands, children, parents, friends and community
... to the places on earth where conflict rage
... to those we call 'enemy'
... to men women and children who fell victims and who are left with no options but
to carry on living in those war torn country

I saw veteran soldiers in their old age, stand proud
   their muscles remember the drill,
   their eyes remembers... 
I saw the young soldiers in their youthful spirit
   strong build, gaze steadily for the future
   they too shall remember...

My second Remembrance Day in UK
My heart pines for peace
My prayer goes for each poppies and crosses bearing the name of the fallen ones
My heart breaks in solidarity with every war torn place

Red poppies rained down on TV
Red eyes and little tears on soldiers eyes
Trembled  lips on the young and the old soldiers
Two minutes of remembrance for heroes that will never be forgotten

I sat watching this as it happen on TV
In my cozy and warm bed
In far away places, there stood those that my prayer will touch.

"For your tomorrow, we gave our today"
We remember ... you will never be forgotten
For 10 Nov 2012 - Indonesian National Hero Day & 11 Nov 2012 - UK Remembrance Day
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Sussex University... At Last!!!

 Wow! It took me this long to start blogging about this new adventure and opportunities of mine.
But as people said.. Better late than Never...!!!

So here, I am... bundle up under the blanket... 12 days after my arrival in Brighton, UK to pursue my MA in English Language Teaching at Sussex University Under Chevening Scholarship 2012/2013. The weather is fine outside. Typical UK Autumn weather, cloudy and wet. My room is a bit of a mess after a full-on 'international get-together' weekend. Hehehehe... Ok, so below is the summary of my arrival in UK.

First, of all... this not my first time in UK, or to Brighton or to Sussex University. This is a bit like coming home for me. My husband, Simon Matakupan, is the 2009/2010 Chevening Scholar himself.

He studied at Sussex University and I was here with him during his study. More than that, we have the joy of welcoming our first born baby girl on a crisp early autumn day at the Royal Sussex Hospital. We named her Britannia Autumn.

We are blessed to have met a wonderful British Couple who were our Landlords and Landlady. They have showed us the true British spirit and more than that have welcomed and embrace us as their family for the whole year of our stay.

Now as I returned for my MA... they gladly welcomed me and us back. So I am again living with my British mother and father, Mr Rusty and Mrs. Jan Curry. They do not rent out their rooms actually. It is for family and friends. We are fortunate to be included in that circle... More story about this will be featured here.

My courses have started and I thoroughly enjoyed the classes. The reading materials can be overwhelming but they were exhilarating. I put names (theories and terms) to things that I do with my students. I read about new ideas, discover new approach to Language Teaching and Learning. My Lecturers are awesome. They bring 'life' to the subject they taught. I am absolutely thrilled with my classmates... We are such an eclectic bunch... much like myself.  We have embarked on a great platform of an awesome international friendship... Food is the glue... hahahah... no that's just a joke.. but I am convince that this is the start of a beautiful friendship.

Beside my Classmates Group, I am fortunate to be blessed with being the part of a distinguish... yet fun and amazing group of Chevening Scholar 2012/2013 who studied in Sussex University too.

So... Despite this cloudy wet windy and cold UK Autumn that greeted me... I am sure this will be an amazing adventure in pursuing our study and a start of a warm international friendship.