30 Days Blog Challenge

I found this on the internet few days ago and I think this is a good idea to start the year.
So I invite anyone who would like to join me. It'll be fun...

First Work week of the year

This is a first for me. This year I am officially joining the band of government official, ‘the serious and the seriously working’ as a friend once label it. It’s not a bad thing really. But after years of freelance and self-initiated work not to mention countless networking works, 8 to 5 – 5 days a week job is a bit of a prison sentence. This is especially if you are me and boredom is only a breath away.

Now, this grants my start of the year with a bit of an undertone. I must admit it is rather scary to think I will have to be at work, rain or shine throughout the year. However, the work I am currently doing is nonetheless my passion and fortunately there are more than enough wriggle room for creativity and innovation on my part.

I am an English Lecturer (in other word a glorified English Teacher).  I am proud to a teacher. This is the path where I am directly in touched with the life of my students where my words and actions help set their foot to the course of their purpose driven life.

So as the dawn of the first of working week of this year come upon us… I raise my hot tea cup to toast the start of a new adventure. Here’s to days of grading, planning, executing, assessing, laughing, crying, sleeping, eating and witnessing the process of learning (and teaching)

The-Never-Should-Be-Talked-About-debate on Baptism

It is interesting to see the theological debate between Protestant Church and Pentecostal church concerning Baptism. In the first week of this month (December 2015), My brother’s 2+ months old daughter was “Presented in Church”. (I am not sure whether ‘Presented in Church’ is the right English translation for Penyerahan Anak. I am open to correction and suggestion for further improvement). My family is Pantecostal and we do not embrace the child Baptism because Pantecostal believe that baptismal decision should be made by a mature person who are able to make their own decision, realizing their sins and would take a leap of faith to be ‘born again’ through baptism. During the service, both parents, My brother, his wife and the daughter, sat in front of the altar where they received messages of wisdom from the bible. The Church elders and the whole congregation later joined together to pray and to receive blessings not only for the child but most importantly the parents and as whole, the church where the child will grow in the learning of the Truth. The pastor strictly announce their stand of No Child Baptism. They do not mention which church denomination but it is like a public hush-hush of you-know-whom-I-meant. 

My little girl Tania will receive her holy sacrament of Baptism this coming 26^th of December. Now, Tania is 5 years old and of course it means this is a child baptism. I am married to a Protestant (not that it matters, but for the sake of the story line I will need to say this). During the preparatory meeting, the pastor explained to the parents and god-parents that the baptism is a symbol of redemption and miraculous act of divine power over the life of a child, where the baptized child is a member of a church, a member of the kingdom of heaven. Thus throughout the child’s life, he/she will learn to know Jesus and His teaching and apply it to his/her life. The pastor made a reference that there is no need for ‘re-baptism’ (Baptis Ulang) in their adult life because the child is anointed in the name of Father, Son and the Holy Spirit only once. The pastor of course did not made a clear naming but everyone know that is is the hush-hush of you-know-whom-I-meant.

Now, based on what I hear from the pastors, Penyerahan Anak (Child Presentation in Church) and Child Baptism are essentially referring to the similar theological notion. Now before I continue, I want to give the disclaimer that I am NOT a theologian. This is purely my opinion. I am not trying to over-generalizing the matter. Discretion, adult consideration and wisdom are encouraged.

Both Penyerahan Anak (Child Presentation in Church) in Pentecostal Church and Child Baptism in Protestant Church mentioned the same elements: the anointing of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Being a member of the church on Earth and in Heaven, Parental guidance as well as support from the congregation are enforced as the community where the child will grow to learn about Jesus, His teaching and application in life. I can see that in this phase of a child’s life, the emphasis is on the responsibility of the parents, god-parents and church community as whole as we welcome the child spiritually and physically in our midst.

The difference is in the use of water. Pentecostal church does not use water in this occasion and rather emphasis on anointing the child by releasing blessings through prayers and joyful rejoice. Protestant church use water, 3 times the splashing of water over the head of the child as the anointment was proclaimed. This, in my opinion made the Protestant baptism considered sacred and cannot be ‘tinkered’ with in anyway, (read ‘re-baptism’).

Once again, I do not dare to say which is wrong and which is right nor to come to the point of referring to which is the ultimate true baptism. Who am I to say that? I sincerely believe there is nothing wrong in this believe and sacred sacrament. Water throughout times, culture and religion was used to symbolize cleansing, purity and sacredness. Thus, most of the time when the holy water is poured and use in anointing, it is forbidden for us to denounce or re-do the sacred act.

Before we continue I need to share something about me and my family. I was born in the time where my family was a member and follower of Protestant Church. I grew up in church and was very active in all church activity; Sunday school, Teen Groups and I was even a church dancer. My parents at some point share the believe about NO Re-baptism after the child baptism was done. Then come the religious conflict in our land. We were uprooted from our village, live in refugee camps, live in fear midst the war that is raging around us and being chased and threatened to be killed because of our belief. We didn’t immediately turned Pentecostal, nor Pentecostal served us better than the Protestant. We were still attending Protestant Church and tried to be active in our core church. Then come one day, my parents and brother went to the funeral of a relative. They were Pentecostal. My father shared that He felt he was touched deeply by the preacher’s words. My parents began to attend their gathering (they weren't an official church yet). My brother began to help them with keyboard playing. I was away training in Bangkok, Thailand I suppose. I returned home to a new kind of family. A sense of fresh breath of faith in the house. We then began attending and felt at home. The way Pentecostal preach is different from Protestant. I guess that at that time, during the conflict, we needed those words more than we need to hear preaching about the nation and the country that completely failed us. I believe we longed for a more intimate relationship with God and Pentecostal way provided that for us. Long story short, we became the member of Pentecostal Church where both my brother and I were very active in Music and Praise and Worship. I was particularly active with the youth.

So I was baptized as a child. Then I made my decision to be baptized in terms of an act of born again when I was in my University year (an adult) together with my parents and brother. Now being in both circumstances, I think I can share some of my opinion. I think we cannot say that the adult baptism in Pentecostal Church is Re-Baptism or Baptis Ulang. I believe the Child Baptism is actually the presentation of a child to the church. Baptism should be done out of conscious realization of one’s sins and the leap of faith to receive Jesus as savior and to be born again as a whole new creation. This later one can only be done by adult who has full knowledge of what is right and wrong and who is able to make his/her own decision.

When I was a child and my parents were still in Protestant church they brought (a child ) me to be baptized because they feel their responsibility and their love to Jesus that they want their child to grow in the knowledge of HIM. As I grow older, learning more about life, doing my fair share of mistakes and sins, I wanted to make amends with God. I wanted to start a new life. I know I can only do this in Jesus name, in HIS Mercy and Love. What better and more beautiful way to do this that to surrender myself and do the ‘Jesus Baptism’. As I was submerged underwater, I surrender all my sins and wrongdoings. I surrender my past, present and future to Jesus. I rise from the water as a clean slate. A new person. A born again whose sins are washed away.

 

So there is a fundamental difference between the ‘Child Baptism’ and ‘Adult Baptism’. I believe this nay-say and finger pointing about which is right and which is wrong is pointless and childish. If only churches can sit together, talk heart to heart not between them but between them and God. I don’t want to belittle sacrament or holy rituals here but I think churches need to see that it is a matter of terminology and symbolic rituals which lead to the conceptual theology. I believe there is nothing wrong when an adult Christian is ‘born again’ through submerged baptism.  Isn’t that good? Isn’t that what Church aimed for, to save lives and bring them to God? Also there’s nothing wrong in Child Baptism. It’s a celebration of ‘new member’ which is our shared responsibility to keep them growing in God’s track. Now judging by what happen around me now where young people fall in to sins and the very church community who welcomed them are helpless and even joined/seduced them into it, - then ‘Born Again’ is not a bad idea at all.

So what I want to say is there’s no need for denomination arrogance. There’s no need to keep hinting that ‘what WE are doing is right and what THEY are doing is wrong’. There is no need to demonize others just because they do it differently. Let us work together. Save Life! Save these souls for the Kingdom of God. As long as we are living on earth, we can only do our best to bring souls to Jesus. In the end when the King comes for the second time, He will be the judge. Until then, just do our best, work together and don’t build walls (of denomination).

So this coming 26^th of December 2015, my 5 years old daughter will be baptized and I will continue to pray for one day, she discover God, befriended Jesus and walk with Holy Spirit. I will continue to pray that if she made mistakes, commit sins etc. She knows Jesus has her back. I will continue to pray that one day when the world gets her, she will find a way to be ‘born again’ and walk the path that has always meant for her. It will be her decision. Until then… I will continue to pray for her.

Etika, Kesopanan, Tata Krama dan Kebiasaan yang Baik

(Sengaja kali ini saya menulis dengan Bahasa Indonesia karena tulisan ini saya buat untuk Mahasiswa saya. Alasannya adalah agar mahasiswa dan murid2 saya yang lain dapat memahaminya dengan baik. Saya terlalu mengasihi anda dan ingin agar life skill ini anda miliki. Saya dan tentu anda juga tidak ingin anda selalu dimarahi oleh saya dan oleh dosen lain)

Puji Tuhan! Saya sudah memasuki liburan Natal 2015 dan Tahun Baru 2016.5 hari lagi Hari Natal akan tiba dengan segala cerita dan maknanya. Tapi postingan hari ini bukan tentang Kelahiran Kristus ataupun tentang perayaannya. Postingan ini adalah sedikit cerita sedih. Cerita ini sedih karena berkaca dari apa yang terjadi beberapa hari ini di kampus antara saya dan teman dosen2 lain dengan mahasiswa kami. Postingan ini adalah cerita sedih karena berkaca padanya, kami menarik kesimpulan bahwa Etika, Kesopanan, Tata Krama dan Kebiasaan yang Baik sama sekali tidak dimiliki oleh mahasiswa kami. Saya adalah dosen baru yang mengajar pada semester ini. Jadi total saya telah mengajar selama sekitar 3 bulanan lebih. Umumnya saya cukup relax dan cukup berusaha membangun kedekatan dengan mahasiswa, namun saya punya batasan-batasan tertentu mengenai standar etika dan tata krama. Saya dibesarkan dengan pengajaran ketat mengenai Etika, Kesopanan, Tata Krama dan Kebiasaan yang Baik terutama dengan orang yang lebih tua serta dengan mereka yang adalah guru/pendidik dan terutama dalam lingkungan akademis.

Akhir minggu yang lalu, mahasiswa kelas saya diharuskan untuk memasukan Tugas Akhir mereka pada salah satu mata kuliah yang saya asuh, yaitu Portfolio Mata Kuliah yang adalah artefak belajar mereka selama semester ini. Saya masuk setengah hari pada hari pengumpulan tersebut dan mahasiswa saya saya minta untuk mengumpulkannya di Meja saya di ruang dosen. Betapa terkejutnya saya ketika datang setelah makan siang dan mendapatkan laporan dari teman-teman dosen yang lain tentang betapa tidak sopannya anak-anak saya. Teman-teman dosen lain juga mengajarkan anak-anak yang disebutkan disini sehingga kami selalu saling berkoordinasi.

Beberapa ketidaksopanan mereka antara lain:

1. Masuk ke ruang dosen tanpa memberi salam dan permisi. Padahal ada 5 orang dosen lain yang sedang bekerja di meja mereka di dalam ruangan.
2.  Tanpa Ba-bi-bu langsung grasak-grusuk di meja saya tanta 'kulonuwon' dengan dosen lain yang ada dalam ruangan (ruangan dosen kami adalah ruang komunal besar dengan meja-meja kerja kami masing-masing diatur di sepanjang dinding dan sehuah meja rapat panjang ditengah ruangan)
3. Berbicara dengan tidak sopan kepada dosen lain untuk menanyakan keberadaan saya atau tempat meletakan tugas. Berbicara tidak sopan disini maksudnya adalah tanpa sapaan terlebih dahulu kepada ibu dosen. Langsung saja "Eh ibu Helena tidak ada ya". 
4. Melonggokan kepala (saja) kedalam ruangan tanpa masuk dan tanpa salam untuk mengecek lalu keluar lagi. 
5. Masuk secara bergerombol dan berisik.

Yang sangat disayangkan adalah bukan hanya satu atau dua orang yang melakukan hal ini tapi hampir semua mahasiswa baik semester baru ini ataupun kakak tingkatnya. Hal ini bukan baru terjadi hari ini, namun sudah kami lihat terjadi berulang-kali bahkan setelah ditegur dan diarahkan bagaimana cara baiknya. Nah, dimana letak masalahnya? Mahasiswa-mahasiswa ini adalah young adult dimana ketika mereka sampai ditahapan belajar ini mereka telah melewati beberapa fase dan lingkup pembelajaran karakter dulu. Sebelum saya lanjutkan, saya tidak bermaksud menuduh atau menjatuhkan vonis kesalahan pada siapapun ya... namun perlu kita sadari bahwa ini adalah masalah kruisial untuk character building bangsa kita (ehem... Nasionalis sekali ya).


Apakah pendidikan karakter di keluarga sangat terbatas atau sama sekali tidak ada? Mungkin karena orang tua sibuk bekerja dan pendidikan karakter anak ter'serah'kan kepada pihak lain (kakek,nenek, tante, om, saudara, pembantu, lingkungan). Apakah di jenjang-jenjang sekolah tidak ada penerapan dan pemberlakukan sangsi keras pada pelanggar Etika, Kesopanan, Tata Krama dan Kebiasaan yang Baik? Sehingga anak-anak menjadi permisif dan hilang arahan?

Quote picture diatas mungkin adalah jawabannya. Generasi saat ini tumbuh dalam budaya yang permisif yang kita kultifasi sendiri. Zaman saya bertumbuh rotan, kayu, ikat pinggang akan menjadi ganjaran saya jika tidak berlaku sopan dan tidak melakukan hal dengan mempertimbangkan orang lain. Mungkinkah karena perkembangan teknology yang mulai menggantikan socaial etiquette?
Saya pikir mungkin anak-anak saya tidak tahu dan tidak diberitahu bagaimana caranya berperilaku antara Mahasiswa dan Dosen dan bagaimana bersikap dalam lingkungan akademis seperti kampus.

Take it from me kids.... seperti yang dikatakan pada gambar diatas, perilaku dan tingkah laku yang baik akan membukakan pintu yang bahkan pendidikan (pada institusi) terbaik pun tak mampu. Maka tadi pagi saya iseng-iseng menggoogle mengenai Etika, Kesopanan, Tata Krama dan Kebiasaan yang Baik terutama dalam lingkup akademis kampus. Berikut ini saya kompilasikan bagi kalian ya...

Berikut ini adalah hasil Screen capture dari blog Ilmu Biologi dan Kesehatan

Kemudian ada tambahan dari Blog SMK Kesehatan Widyausaha Mengenai hal-hal yang perlu diperhatikan dalam pergaulan dengan dosen:

1. Tunjukkanlah sikap hormat dan gunakanlah bahasa yang halus dan sopan, jika sedang berhadapan / berbicara dengan dosen. 
2. Jika perkuliahan sedang berlangsung, curahkanlah seluruh perhatian kepada dosen, janganlah berbuat gaduh atau bercakap-cakap karena hal itu di samping mengganggu ketenangan, juga sangat tidak menghormati dosen dan ilmu yang sedang disampaikan. 
3. Pertanyaan atau tanggapan mengenai materi perkuliahan hendaknya dikemukakan secara sopan. 
4. Usahakanlah untuk tidak keluar ruangan belajar (misalnya ke kamar kecil). Kalaupun sangat terpaksa, minta izin terlebih dahulu pada waktu dosen tidak berbicara.
5. Hendaklah sudah berada di dalam ruangan sebelum dosen datang masuk. Jika terlambat, mintalah maaf sambil memberikan alasan yang tepat. 
6. Kerjakanlah setiap tugas dari dosen dengan sebaik-baiknya.

Saya ingin menambahkan beberapa hal dengan berkaca pada 'insiden' yang saya sebutkan diatas dan yang sesuai dengan konteks kita di kampus.

1. Ketuk pintu ruang dosen dengan normal lalu masuk. Anda tidak perlu dosen menunggu dosen mengatakan "silahkan masuk". 
2. Setelah membuka pintu dan masuk, berikan salam dan permisi sesuai waktu dan lihat situasi dan kondisi dalam ruangan. Apakah dosen-dosen sedang berbicara atau tidak? Apakah ada dosen yang duduk paling dekat dengan pintu atau tidak. 
• Jika dosen-dosen sedang berbicara, dan terutama jika dosen yang anda tuju sedang berbicara dengan dosen lainya. Sebaiknya anda duduk di kursi panjang yang tersedia di dekat pintu. Perhatikan ketika ada jeda dan anda dapat menghampiri dosen anda.  
• Jika ada dosen yang duduk paling dekat dengan pintu. Sapalah beliau terlebih dahulu dan utarakan keinginan anda untuk bertemu dengan dosen yang mana. "Selamat siang ibu, Maaf saya mau permisi bertemu dengan ibu Helena"
• Kata-kata seperti Selamat Pagi, Selamat Siang, Selamat Sore, Permisi, Maaf mengganggu ibu/pak, Terima Kasih dll... adalah kata-kata ampuh yang jangan pernah anda lupakan baik dalam lingkup kampus atau dimana pun anda berada. 
• Jika akan meletakan tugas/mengambil sesuatu di meja/ruang dosen. Sapalah juga dosen lain dan utarakan tujuan anda. "Selamat siang Ma'am/Sir. Permisi saya mau meletakan tugas di mejanya Ibu Helena./Permisi saya mau mengambil Lecturer's note saya/Permisi ibu Helena minta saya untuk mengambil Charger laptopnya diatas meja." Lalu diakhiri dengan "terima kasih ma'am/sir, permisi". 
• Ketika menghampiri meja dosen, harap pikirkan mengenai jarak kesopanan. Ada kejadian pada bulan lalu, mahasiswa saya yang ketika masuk, tanpa permisi langsung masuk, berjalan lurus-lurus dan berdiri langsung disamping saya. Ada juga yang ketika datang langsung berdiri melekat pada depan meja saya dan mencondongkan diri sangat dekar dengan saya. Anda sudah menginvasi ruang pribadi dan ruang kerja saya. Dan itu sangat tidak sopan. Berdirilah 1 langkah dari meja dosen dan minta permisi apakah bisa dosen menerima anda saat itu.
3. Jika anda melihat dosen anda sedang makan, tunggulah hingga ia selesai baru anda hampiri dan utarakan maksud anda. 
4. Jika dosen baru tiba di ruangan dan anda sementara menunggu untuk bertemu, jangan langsung mengekor dan membombardir beliau. Berikan beliau beberapa menit untuk masuk ke ruangan, berdoa di mejanya dan untuk menarik napas sejenak baru anda masuk. 

 Berikut sebagai tambahan adalah mengenai etika ber-SMS dengan dosen. Dinus Student Blog menuliskan contoh-contoh sebagai berikut:

Pernahkah kalian mahasiswa SMS dosen, dan tidak dibalas?? Coba perhatikan beberapa petikan SMS ini :

Tipe tanpa identitas :
“Bu, ibu ada di mana sekarang? Hari ini ke kampus gak bu?”
“Ibu ada di mana???? Ditunggu di kelas xxx sekarang”

Apa dampaknya jika anda tidak memberitahu identitas anda? Tengoklah percakapan dibawah ini:
mhs :”ibu, saya mau ketemu”
dosen :”maaf, ini siapa ya?”
mhs :”saya budi”
dosen :”budi yang mana ya?”
mhs :”saya budi mahasiswa ibu”
dosen :”oooh…., budi winarno?”
mhs :”bukan…, budi setiawan, mahasiswa IF A”
dosen :”baik mas budi, kapan mau ketemu?”
mhs : “nanti siang bu”
dosen : “baik mas, silakan datang, nanti siang saya sedang kosong”

Bayangkan, berapa banyak waktu dan pulsa terbuang hanya untuk melayani sms seperti ini. Jika anda hanya menuliskan maksud anda “ibu, saya mau ketemu”, dosen anda tentu bingung ini sms dari siapa? tukang kredit? petugas asuransi? sales buku? kolega bisnis? atau mahasiswa?

Tipe memerintah :
“Bu saya … dari kelas … Boleh minta slide kuliah gak bu? Kirimin via gmail aja ya bu, kita butuh buat belajar, makasih…”
“Bu. Nilai mata kuliah XXX saya belum keluar di simak. Dosennya sudah di hubungi bu ten belum ? dihubungi saya tidak respon buu..”
“bu…., tolong dikoreksi ya bu, saya pengen cepat lulus”

Dosen pada umumnya orang yang usianya lebih tua dari anda, jadi, jangan memerintahkannya untuk melakukan sesuatu seperti anda ngobrol dengan teman anda. Anda bisa memintanya dengan gaya yang lebih sopan. Misalkan : saya membutuhkan slide kuliah ibu untuk bahan belajar, dimana saya bisa mendapatkannya bu?

Tipe alay :
“SoRe bu..ApA be5ok 4da kul!ah Ga’ ea?”
“Oowh gitchu ya buk…., mu u cih bingits ya buk….”

Bagi mahasiswa, tulisan 4L4y mungkin lucu dan menarik, tapi bagi dosen, tentu butuh waktu khusus untuk mencerna tulisan anda.

Tipe sok penting
“Bu, bimbingannya ndak jadi hari ini karena saya ada acara keluar. Besok saja jam 9. Trims”
“Wah pagi saya nggak bisa e bu, Sore aja ya bu?”

Bagi mahasiswa, jika waktu yang dijanjikan oleh dosen bertabrakan dengan acara lain, anda bisa membalasnya dengan pilihan bahasa lain, seperti : “maaf bu, untuk jam 2 saya masih ada di luar kota, apakah mungkin agar dire-schedulle ke jam 4 sore sekiranya ibu punya waktu”

Maka ada beberapa Poin penting yang harus anda perhatikan pada saat ber SMS.

1. Perhatikan bahasa dan kata-kata yang anda gunakan
2. Perhatikan waktu SMS anda. Jangan terlalu malam atau bahkan terlalu pagi. 

Contoh tata krama ber-SMS lain dapat anda lihat pada Blog Catatan Nuryanti.

Baiklah... Sepertinya sampai disini catatan panjang mengenai topik yang penting ini.
Semoga bermanfaat.

About Hardwork and Success

These past few days I have been led to think about hard work in learning.
I have the privilege of being their lecturer and this week and the coming week we have some speaking projects and presentation. I must admit that I was very surprise at the poor level of English Skills that English Department students have. I was reminded that they are only on their 1st semester. I do believe in the notion that every students have potentials so I convince myself to hold on to the fact that they will improve.

On the other hand, also within this week, I was confronted with some of the most outrageous excuses ever made by students that made me question their seriousness in studying. I have decided to make a list of the excuses and left the person out. I would like to share it for the reason of documentation and for future pondering.

Reasons for when are late and not attending the MID-Term Test

1. I am not used to wake up early in the morning (The Test was at 8.30 AM)
2. I am not a morning person.
3. I have never have to wake up early in the morning
4. I don't have money to go to campus
5. I forgot the scheduled time
6. I don't get the information
7. I was feeling sick (however, this sts did not contact me before/during test. and instead come few days later)
8. I have some family problem

Reasons for not submitting assignment on time

1. The program in my laptop was (magically) erased
2. My Mozilla won't work
3. I was caught sick in the middle of my work
4. I don't have money to rent a computer or to go to internet (although they can submit handwritten work or go to Library)
5. My file was erased just as I was about to

Reasons for not attending class (without notice or permission)

1. I was feeling unwell that day
2. I have family problem
3. My father hasn't sent me money for transportation (the students was with a high end latest hand phone and full make-up face)
4. I got my period
5. I was tired from my other class
6. I had a fight with my classmates

So... as I am holding tight to the hope that they will improve. The improvement can only happen with my students put on some hard work and really serious with their learning.

About being passionate in teaching

It's 5.28 PM and I am still at my desk at the lecturers room.
It's time to go home.
But I feel the need to write something down.
During my class today, I notices a students (not a member of my class) observing and if i dare to say 'join' the class from the outside. Upon finishing, the student came up to me and asked why I teach with such energy... why so happy? I chatted a bit with that person. and I felt obviously delighted.

I think I can sum it up in one word... passion!
I am passionate about teaching
I am passionate about learning and sharing what I know
I am passionate about inspiring and invigorating my students to learn and to dig deep...

I love my job and I am thanking that student for reminding me of it... just in the time that I am almost 'collapse'.

It is indeed a wonderful day.

Structure 1 and ITL Past slides

Responding to Josafat requests, here are the structure 1 presentation slides I have used in class until now

Adjective
Article, Quantifier, Determiners
Noun and Adjective
Welcome to Structure 1
Verbs and Adverbs

 Introduction to Linguistic Slides