Late post: now working as an English Teacher...... an unpaid one. Yes, volunteering.

Dear, several days before I had my sotsugyoushiki, I updated a facebook status stating my desperate feeling. I was frustrated and desperate due to my jobless status. About 20 cover letters were sent to schools and institutions, several interviews and tests were held but resulted to none. I was also trying to search for some scholarships for pursuing my M.A, but unfortunately M.A. in ELT in State University of Malang is not registered in all the domestic-study scholarships held by the government. For pursuing M.A., I believe that studying GRE for registering in USA universities can't be done instantly. I need more, more tedious exercises on preparing myself for that test. Simply, I was in such a depressing situation that I couldn't help myself to let my anger exploded in my facebook status. at about 85 comments came to encourage me and gave me insights in searching a better career and, oh - a good trick to apply for a job in schools. I really thanked my friends and senior who gave me valuable advises to consider.

Hearing me in a troubled situation, Endah offered me to fill a vacancy in her school, they need an English teacher. she told me every single thing regarding the school's condition. It is Madrasah Terpadu Al Hamid, which belongs to an Islamic boarding school named PP Sabilul Huda. Well, this is the second time I work for Islamic school. I don't mean to underestimate or to humiliate their image, but this school is literally in a poor condition - their walls are still bricks, no floors, and yeah - I feel like I'm having an SM3T but the location is not that remote nor isolated, no. It is located in Bumiayu, Kedungkandang. Well, it is 22km away from my home.

the school is managed under an institution named "Yayasan Sosial Al Hamid". See? SOCIAL it is. the students do not pay any single buck for pursuing their education, and even they are given a set of uniforms, books, and stationaries - for FREE. Also, the teachers are unpaid. Sometimes we are paid with a sack of rice and instant noodles.
Am I desperate for having this situation? In fact, not really.
I believe that working here can also mean being a volunteer. I want to purge all the sins I've made as the Lord's servant. besides that, if I don't grab this chance, I don't know whether there will be another door opened for me.
I also wished that this volunteering work can be a consideration for me when applying a scholarship.
My main purpose of working here is that I need my skill to be trained. To be a good teacher means a lot of practice and it should be done in a real-life teaching, facing real students and to give real tasks. I want to keep on learning and to improve myself on being a teacher. Well, teachers are life-long learners and I strongly believe in that statement.

Dear, I still have a long way to go. I have just graduated two months ago and I still have nothing, and let the new world I face build me into a stronger and a better teacher :)

a part of the school I'm now working

Late post: Finally, sotsugyoushiki! Graduation Ceremony on September 6th

I couldn't stop repeating this song again and again. Sakura no shiori by AKB48 (err, JKT48 has sung this song also) when I was on the way from the beauty salon to Graha Cakrawala where my sotsugyoushiki was being held. The lyrics told a message saying that graduation is a new beginning to seize our dreams. More than just a diploma to apply for our dream jobs. More than just a chance to pursue a career. More than just this statement: "yeah I've finished all my classes, no more exams, sotsugyoushiki has passed, I simply have nothing to do. Let's be more focused on our passion! yeay, let's craft! yeay, let's write songs! let's lose some weight..." and many more.
Well, sotsugyoushiki is held in every semester. It is common to see the ladies are wearing kebaya and applying a beautiful make-up and to set their hijabs and hairs, and gents are wearing formal suites. But I dunno why I always feel amazed when I feel the atmosphere.... The most exciting point of a sotsugyoushiki is the euphoria. The indescribable feeling when we heard an encouraging speech given by the Rector. When I am ensured that we, GG Fighters Sempak Mamel squad will be reunited easily although we no longer attend the same class. In other words, the lyrics of Sakura no Hanabiratachi by AKB48, which says that graduation means a sad farewell that are mostly welcomed with tears, is just a bunch of.... nonsense.
Because I believe that however away our distance will be, as long as we have a strong willing to keep this friendship, we will be reunited easily. Love you, GG Fighters Sempak Mamel.

Thewee, Muse, me, and Imam

Me, Muse, Nadiya

Me with Sisil - a member of Laskar BYC - and Anggi Nur.

and here are some other photos I took with another friends of mine:

with Rama Astra Bramastana, a well-known MC for Sastra's events

my two juniors on DMF Sastra UM.

With Loemongga

with Fenty Babi

I always smile everytime I remember every sequences of my sotsugyoushiki. We were treated like a special people. Regardless the crowd and the humid air we had, and the underwear I wore was too tight, I love the euphoria where finally my five years study came to an end.

I will always remember these sequences to my S.S., S.Pd.

Bismillah, let's welcome a new way ahead!

Gentle breeze of spring

is blowing from somewhere

On the street that we used to walk,

the colour is starting to change

Happiness and sadness are

passing away with the season

We're starting to walk

on a new path

This cherry blossom petal is a

bookmark of parting

It brings back my friends' expression

when they waved their hands

This cherry blossom petal is a

bookmark of tears

So those important moments

won't ever be forgotten...

When I look up to the sky

within such wideness

I'm starting to grasp the length of

this never ending path

Be it sunny day or rainy day,

tomorrow will surely come

So with a smile,

I'm taking one step forward

This cherry blossom petal is a

bookmark of future

To make me remember

the dream I've been longing for

This cherry blossom petal is a

bookmark of hope

Rather than marking the end,

this page is the starting point

This cherry blossom petal is a

bookmark of heart

Where sunlight through the trees

in our sparkling youth looked so dazzling

This cherry blossom petal is a

bookmark of that day

So each and everyone will not forget

their dreams until it's blooming fully

(Sakura no Shiori, English translation)

something called "Late post"

dear, I've left this blog for years and many good things happened during I'm away.
It began two months ago when I had my sotsugyoushiki, continued with an adventure of seeking jobs, met my beloved superstars (both MoccA and JKT48!!), made my thesis advisor shedding his tears, having great colleagues, giving a cute artwork for Mas Gading's daddy, and.... too many to explain while I'm away.
But they are worth to be shared, especially my sotsugyoushiki I had back in september 6th. Lord, I can't keep it myself. I have to share it in these upcoming posts entitled with "late post"

enjoy!