Mood Booster

When I look at my Students:

I see unlimited possibilities!!!

People have different ways in having their mood booster. For me, beside cuddling with Najla and Zea, it turns out that my students are also my mood booster. Yes, after four years dealing with these young people, instead of getting bored, I feel that I love them even more. 

I know they are not angels. Sometimes some of them could be very annoying (even you need to check your blood pressure once in a while just to make sure you have a normal one). However being around them is far much better than trapped in a non-stop meeting with a client. 

See my student at the front? He thought he's some kind of a hero wearing a  special costume

I just enjoy the moment when we can share about many things. Motivate them, Brain washing challenge them. Being around these young spirits really make me alive. Students nowadays are totally different comparing to my time (of course, it's almost 25 years ago). Killer lecturer is so very out of date. Being too stern to them also not giving much effect. 

The best way to have a good student-teacher-relationship is by becoming their friends. Listening to their curhat. Updating with the latest teen issues and memorizing the most happening 'teen terms' such as: mager, baper, etc. #GuruGaul.    

I am still a part-timer lecturer. I only teach twice a week. I choose this schedule in order to maintain my mood. I don't think I can enjoy my teaching this much if I need to teach everyday, all day long. People have their own ways to keep their spirit high. For me, I guess I have to do several different things with flexible working hours. Too demanding? Perhaps ...I am. Again, YOLO (You Only LiveOnce. Of course, I got this term from my student) but if you make the best of it, once is enough.     

I failed in some subjects in exam,

but my friend passed in all.

Now he is an engineer in Microsoft

and I am the owner of Microsoft.

--Bill Gates 

O's Little Book of Happiness

Title: O's Little Book of Happiness

The Editors of O, The Oprah Magazine

MacMillan 2015

191 pages

All I can say about life is, Oh God, enjoy it!

                                         

--BOB NEWHART

My bestest friend gave this O's Little Book of Happiness to me as a birthday present. It's a compilation of several writing once published at The Oprah Magazine. 

The book is divided into several parts such as: Simple Pleasures, Sharing Delight, Come on, Get Happy, and many more. Each of part will be completed by several short writing. Mostly very simple things that we just take it for granted. 

Little stories about everyday happiness. If you think you're life is far from perfect now perhaps this little self help book might transfer more insight and inspiration. Just give it a try.  

It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves,

and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.

--AGNES REPPLIER

Surat dari Praha (2016)

It's been sometime I don't watch any Indonesian movies. Reading lots of positive review about Surat dari Praha the movie made me decide to go to the cinema this afternoon. 

So how's the movie?

• History is my thing and Surat dari Praha is a historical romantic movie. The setting is based on true events back in 1965-1966 when the late President Soeharto ruled Indonesia and announced the New Order (Orde Baru). Everyone who was against him might be considered communist, killed or guaranteed to have a difficult life (yep, that's scary).  This crazy conditions did not only happen in Indonesia but also having impacts to Indonesia's students who were granted scholarship to continue their studies overseas. Many of them trapped overseas,  considered stateless and couldn't return to their home country, Indonesia. Up until now lots of them still leave in Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, Russia, etc, got married with locals and live their lives away from their home country and family. So sad.

• As stated in the movie title, the setting of the movie is in Prague. I know Prague is beautiful (East Europe countries are still on my bucket list) but the director (Angga Dwimas Sasongko) put Prague in a real scene. You can see old apartment and poor neighbourhood where Jaya (Tio Pakusadewa) lives, full with graffiti here and there but that the one which makes the movie seems so vivid. It's so real. It's just an everyday life. 

• The dialogue is quite strong and rich. My favourite one when Jaya (Tio Pakusadewo) tells Laras (Julie Estelle) the following line: Ada dua janji saya: 1) kembali untuk menikahi ibumu, 2) mencintai dia selamanya; TAPI SAYA HANYA BISA MELAKUKAN YANG KEDUA. Oh..dear God. 

• Tio Pakusadewo rocks. His acting is killing me. Tio at his best. 

• The movie is also based on Glenn Fredly's songs. There are four songs of Glenn that actually not too popular but turn out to be magical when sung as the original sound track of the movie. One song sung by Tio Pakusadewo, 'Sabda Cinta' (excellent song) and my favourite is 'Nyali Terakhir' sung beautifully by Julie Estelle. Although Julie said she has no musical background but the song definitely wins my heart. Julis'e voice is beautiful. So relaxing. Check the video herein below. 

• To wrap it all, Surat dari Praha is a perfect combination of music, drama, history, politics and love. Not many Indonesian movies could do such thing. Highly recommended.