Last Posting of Year 2008

This posting is going to be my last posting in 2008, and when I look back, I'm quite amazed what God has done to me so far. How He has changed me, renewed my mind, renewed my strength, moved me from glory to glory... Never doubt that God is indeed a good God.

So, here are... the result of my partnership with God.

1. Awarded as Lecturer of the Year 2008 M* C** University - June 2008. *)
2. Achieved Master Degree, Electrical Engineering, Br* University - August 2008. *)
3. Successfully gave presentation to 300 students about the opportunity of being a book author - July 2008. (some of them came to me, ask and show their interest to be an author, I think I managed to motivate them... you go guys).
4. Set a new record of largest-attendance-public-preaching (500 people), B* Church - August 2008.
5. Set a new record of public speaking to a group of 70 Public Relation Managers from all university in Malang - November 2008.
6. Visiting Singapore for a week - November 2008. *)
7. Finally successfully managed to give presentation for an hour and a half, FULL IN ENGLISH to group of 30 M* C** Lecturers - Dec 2008. *)
8. First time got invitation to preach in a Christmas service - Dec 2008. *)
9. Finished 7 IT books, 3 of them got ISBN already (will have finished another 3 in Feb 2009).
10. Set a new record of "most-packed-activity-semester", had 23 credits semester, that means spend 1150 minutes/week (yes, per week) in teaching.

The asterisk sign (*) means that I've done for the very first time.And for 2009, I'm expecting:

1. Get Ph. D scholarship in overseas (USA, Australia, Europe or Japan)
2. Set a new record for highest income of my career history (please, it's income, not salary... you know that as a lecturer you won't have high salary, don't you? I'm thinking to earn from writing a book or website-based-business-income).
3. Have serious relationship with a girl.
4. Finish at least 6 other books, and at least one of them titled as best seller.
5. Conduct at least 2 researches in IT and publish them in a scientific journal.
6. The only record I don't want to break for year 2009 is: "most-packed-activity-semester".

I'll stay together to achieve them with My BELOVED Partner. I believe that HE has more than I thought or plan... I'm not going to limit HIM and as HE faithful to me, so am I.

Welcome 2009!

(Hei friends, why don't you make your own? you can't achieve what you can't imagine, rite?)

I've decided...

“Hi Wind… So, how’s your ADS Application?” (frequently asked question of this month)

“Emm… Unfortunately, I failed.” (the word “unfortunately” can be replaced with “fortunately” in the coming months or years… no doubt about that. but for now allow me to put the word “unfortunately” as the most suitable word).

“Oh… So bad…” (thanks for your sincerity and pray, guys… I do appreciate that)

“That’s fine lah…” (I answered and still curious why they reject my application. I’ve put a lot of efforts in it, I have 3 reference letters from the Ph.Ds, I already have supervisor for my proposed research from Curtin UT, I got TOEFL score…, never mind. Beside, I was applying for Master Degree… I’d beter apply for the Ph.D next year)

“Oh, ya… By the way Wind, you got girl friend already?” (Hmm… it sounds very familiar question… Let me think… oh ya I it’s My mum fave question!)

“I want to… But, it’s difficult to find one lah… Hei, you do know about that, rite?”

“Ya, Wind. But let me tell you something. Sooner or later you’re gonna marry someone, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Then you’re gonna face the same conflicts in marriage just like other couples. The problems won’t be easier even if you postpone your marriage. They’ll be there and stay the same.”

“Okay, what’s your point?”

“Then you’d better get married soon, young man! The sooner, the better… You’ll have longer time to learn and deal with that all those problem! Why postpone, ah?”

“Errr….” [Okay, he's right.. Completely right]

“Errr… what? I don’t see any good reason why you postpone your marriage. You’ve got all what_girl_want. You wait for nothing!”

[Geee... once again, he's right] “But… but… I enjoy being single. I can go anywhere I want, I can have anything I want, I can go with whoever…”

“Let me tell you something… It sounds cliche, but it’s true… There’s a season for everything… Your season for freedom is running out, and now it’s the time for you to prepare for a new season. That new season called “marriage”.”

“But… It’s one time season, rite? The moment I entered that season, there’s no way back, rite?”

“Hei, you got the point! And let me add something, doesn’t that your Bible teach ‘It’s not good for a man alone, I’ll make a companion for him’.”

“Yeaaa..”

“If God says not good then it means not good. You teach Bible Study, you know that, don’t you?”

“Yaaa… yaa… I know that…”

“Then you go decide which one, make commitment and get married soon…”

“I’ll think about it…”

“NO! Don’t say “I’ll”. You got to decide now… You have lot of girl friends to be considered, rite? Tell me, which one you like most?”

“It’s ****”

“Then you go for her… Tell her, that you’ve decided and choose her… Ask her if she’s willing to be your mate.”

“Hah? Maid? You kidding me?”

“…”

[Never ending conversation, but I've made a decision...]

Emotional Quotient

Starting today up to next week or even could be next month, my emotional quotient has been and will be tested. I just lost my all my cell phones (N E71, N5510, N6215) - including the cards (2 GSM, 1 CDMA, and 1 Singapore Number). Someone broke into my room and took all my cell phones plus couple hundreds thousands (for my monthly expenses) from my wallet.

How bad is that? For me, it’s bad. Damn bad!

Is it influencing my daily routine? Yes, definitely! I lost all contacts, birthday remainder, sermon notes, photos, songs. (So, please, kindly re-send your contact number trough YM or any other messengers).

Then, here is the emotional quotient test.

Next hours after I lost them, I had to teach Bible Study for the youths.

So, I must teach and feel bad and sad because of losing things in the same time. But I did it. I taught as if nothing happen. Nobody noticed that I have deep bad and sad feeling. Everybody just enjoyed the lesson as usual. I speak, chat with others, smile, and cheer as usual.

The challenges still continue.

Today, I got to teach 3 classes. So, I must controlled myself. I teach just like as usual. Same style and I think, nobody felt the difference. My students enjoyed my class without even realize what did happen to me. Ya, I think I did it.

So, I learn something. That’s emotional quotient all about. It’s the way we control and manage our emotion toward the situation we’re dealing with now. It’s about our respond toward the problems. I’m glad that I know I can control my emotional through this problem. It could’ve been worse. But I’m learning.

Next days, in the coming weeks, my emotional quotient still be tested, because I still feel bad about that… But I want to overcome it.

Meanwhile, if you notice this blog hasn’t been updated since last month, it means I’m waiting something. I’m waiting the result of ADS2009 scholarship application. Some of my colleagues that apply the scholarship already have the result, and… it’s not quite good news for them.

God… You know, I want so bad that scholarship. But, let Your will be done. You know what best for me.

Sermon on the 2nd Floor (Part 1: The Beatitudes)

In the book of Mathew, chapter 5, there’s a very famous and powerful exposition that Jesus ever preach. It called “Sermon on the mount” (Kothbah di Bukit). This “Sermon On the Mount” starts with “The Beatitude” (Ucapan/Sabda Bahagia). There are 8 beatitudes that every believer should live in their daily life, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven“, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted“, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” and so on. But, anyway, I’m not gonna teach about this “Sermon on the mount”.

I have my own Sermon. This is probably the most and powerful academic sermon I’ve ever preached in my career history as an IT lecturer. Since my room at 2nd floor of B* P* Building, I call it “Sermon on the 2nd Floor“.

Let’s start with the first series, called “The Beatitudes” (Sabda Bahagia).

1. And seeing the multitudes reading this blog, I went up to my office: and when I was set, I start to type.
2. Blessed are the pure in heart during the work, for they shall obtain promotion.
3. Blessed are the Professors and Ph. D/DR, for they shall appreciated with high salary.
4. Blessed are those who hold JAFA (Jabatan Fungsional Akademik/Functional Acknowledgment as a lecturer from the Department of National Education), for they shall teach in peace.
5. Blessed are those which do hunger and thirst after the truth, for they shall receive block grant through their research.
6. Blessed are those hold Structural position (Jabatan Struktural), for they shall find many problems and challanges.
7. Blessed are the workaholics and productive lecturers, for they shall be praised.
8. Blessed are the diligent, merciful, cheerful and joyful, for they shall become popular and nominated as Lecturer of the year.
9. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for they shall quit and find another good University.
10. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for you shall receive help from many friends.

So, colleagues, if you want to quote this verse, you may say, “According to Sermon on the 2nd Floor by Windra, Posting #155, verse 3, it said that Blessed are the …”

Hehe2… and someday this “Sermon on the 2nd Floor” will become popular around the world and be preached from university to university. This sermon will be a standard for lecturer attitude. It starts from this small university.

Seed of Greatness

I’ve just finished watching “August Rush” movie couple minutes ago. It really indeed a good movie, one of the best movie I’ve ever watched. (Thanks to Ivonne Sabrina who put this movie in her favourite movies list). If you DO love music, I strongly recommend you to watch the movie. I guarantee that it’ll inspire you more… Even for me, a guy with no (or very little) music talent, it’s still sooo inspiring.

I’m not going to review the movie actually (you’d better watch by yourself). But, after watching this movie, I can’t stop thinking that all of us has a seed of greatness in certain area. Either area of leadership, entertainment, science, linguistic, music, writing or whatever human being have been developing since the starting of mankind’s civllitation. All of us has it! God never creates junk! Whether you realize it or not, as long as you’re breathing in the same earth, living in the same sun, sleeping under the same moon, each of us has and living with the seed of greatness inside us. It always starts with a seed, no more and no less.

Some of us realize their greatness in a very young age, some in their youth, some in their adult, and many never realize at all for the rest of their live. So sad… But once we realize our seed of greatness, we have our own choice to either grow it up or just ignore that seed. In the final analysis, it’s always about choice.

I’ve decided to grow it up. This is probably a bit shocking… But, recently I realized the seed of greatness inside me trough my name. Ya, through my name, Windra Swastika. I never know how and why did my dad give me that name. I don’t even know what’s the meaning. There were time, that I was a bit shame when introduce or saying my name to new people, simply because it’s a uncommon name. But, recently… I sense the greatness of “Windra Swastika” name. I’ve seen through my eyes of faith, that someday, some years from now, that name will be known as a person that give positive impact to the world, either it’s in education, IT, or as a best selling book author. What I’m doing now, is making that seed grows well, fruitful and multiply in its season.

I don’t know about you… But, lately I’ve found very importance lesson in live. Whatever we think, whatever ever we say, whatever we do, each time we breath, it’s either we grow the seed or we abandon that seed. If you already know that you have seed of greatness, and then you wasting your time by playing around, busy gosipping and talk nonsense to others, never force yourself to exercise or learn, then it will always remains as a seed, no more and no less. And finally, you die with that little small unfruitful seed inside you.

Trust me, every minute counts.

Hmmm… I just realize that the story (and history) of mankind is always about growing the greatness inside them, right?

Quantum Leap - Offering Preaching

Inspired from this Quantum Leap Posting by Pak Patris, I felt like having my own Quantum Leap on last Saturday Evening.

… and there he goes, stands in a luxurious well-decorated stage before the church musical drama "Gembel Jadi Pangeran" start. His job is to preach what-so-called "Offering Preaching" - a short preaching before offering time… It was easy thou actually, very easy for him if done in front of 10-15 youths - like he usually does in cell group. But this time, 500 people are coming to see the musical drama, 1000 eyes will stare at him and 1000 ears will listen to what he said. And… one more fact, preaching in front of hundreds people is realyyyy reallyyy not his natural ability…

So, when I was standing at the pulpit, in front of those foreigners to preach, I felt like having my Quantum Leap. Yesterday, I was Windra, an IT lecturer that usually lecturing 40-50 young college students. In a very short time, I change and leap in into this character. A character that must complete its mission: "do offering-preaching in front of 500 foreigners".

Well then, I accomplished the mission… But I know it wasn’t my best. If Simon Cowell, one of the American Idols judges, was there, definitely he will say, "That was so forgettable-performance, Win. People will going home without even remember what you talking." Then with his strong british English, he’ll continue, "You’re not qualified to be in that glotious stage, Win. Go back and teach small class, you’re lucky enough if your student know what you talking about…" Then the audience will "booo" him.

Well, whatever Simon said, I’ve set new record for my own, speaking in front of 500 foreigners - something that I’ve never done before. But, that’s not the point. The point is that you’ll surprise if you knew me 10 years ago.

A very sarcastic and selfish boy, solitaire and living in his own world, doesn’t really care to people. Yet, deep inside his heart, he felt inferior, felt nothing but ordinary un-important and not-so-likable boy. He couldn’t even speak clearly to other people, 5 words is enough to answer a very long question. In his 22, he found and encounter God’s true love through Jesus and his life never be the same again. He started to speak and preach confidently in front of 10 people, 20 people, 50 people, 100 people, 200 people and yesterday 500 people. He’s no longer feel inferior. He found his vision and destiny. God is not finish dealing with him, many great things are prepared and waiting to be done. That Saturday evening, definitely is one of God’s preparation for him.

God… you always "wow" me with Your surprises.

Gradma

She was 50 when I was born and I’m 30 when she died. Remember my early kid, when my parents were working so hard from day till evening. At that time, she was like my nanny, she took care of me, fed me, protected me with her love, she was truly my world during my early age. She told lot legendary chinesse stories before I sleep (she’s a good story teller, though). She also care about education. She taught me, and my sisters as well, how to spell "A-Be-Ce-De…" during my preschool, how to say "ma-mi, pa-pi, cik-de, cik-nga.", how to read, how to write, and how to count.

If I can do coding computer program using very complex algorithms and implemented it in programming language, developing sophisticated application, do count differential and integral today, she’s definitely the one who laid the foundation of basic math and language on me…

Not to mention the moral values I’ve learn from her. She occupied big portion in my childhood… and I’ll be completely different person if I never know her.

I notice her as a very precise and organized person. She always remembers where puts things. Even in his old age, she puts all her stuffs in very orderly way and make sure everything is in its place. Neat, tidy, careful was truly her DNA (I think I only got half of it). She’s very compassion, tender, lovely… As far as I remember, she never scold me.

In her last days, she still remembered that I’m studying to get master degree, many times she asked me whether I’ve already got master degree or not and then told me to find a wife soon after I finished my study (I will) - actually it was her last message to me.

Since 2007, she couldn’t wake up. Totally rest in bed. My mom took care of her. I usualy went to see her after work at 9pm or 10pm, give her milk or other kind of beverage. For the last one month, she couldn’t speak and getting worse.

Last Friday she’s totally unconscious, comatose and not responding at all. We know that the time is coming. But she’s waiting for someone. She’s struggle very hard, try to keep breathing, keep on keeping on to be alive, force herself to breath in, breathe out… She’s waiting for this woman.

She’s already waiting for years her oldest daughter - her lovely one. Although she’s totally unconscious, we can sense that she didn’t want to go before her oldest daughter come to see her… She made it, she made force herself to wait till Sunday. Sunday, at 12, after hours struggling and dying, her oldest daughter came to her, cried before her and sorry for all the mistake she’s done, sorry that she never see and couldn’t take care of her in her old age…

An hours later after her oldest daughter came, she’s gone. She’s leaving all of us… What a GREAT TRUE LOVE of a mother… and I couldn’t stand not to cry seeing how she struggling, dying, suffering, trying hard to keep alive just to wait for her oldest daughter to come.

Grandma… I’m proud to be your grandson, we do love you.

Rest in peace.

I love my students

During my theses research, i’m still doing my daily activities as a lecturer… You know, what I like to be a lecturer is trying to encourage my students to do something that they think they can’t do, encouraging them to maximize their potentials to the fullest…

And the most beautiful thing for me as a lecturer is when my student showing their best, doing something that beyond my expectation, doing such creative things that I never imagine before… Capable to do something that they can’t do before… and that happen in Program Paket Aplikasi (PPA) Subject.

The first PPA project was compiling an e-book (from CHM format) into Ms-Word format. They must create "real world" book using Ms-Word. The challenges are:

1. They have to create table of contents automatically
2. The page number must placed side-to-side (different placing for odd and even page)
3. The book must have different header/footer for each chapter
4. They also must index and number the figures automatically
5. All content of the book must be in ONE FILE only (not allowed to split in different files)

There are 4 e-books they can choose, but it wasn’t easy though. It was really not that simple since there are about 300-400 pages (and contains 14-22 chapters). But they made it! Some of them even created their own book-cover and give index page! Wow! I was amazed! I gave my own book as a gift for they who get best point for each class. It seems that this project was their first 70Mb++ document they ever created using Ms-Word in the whole of their life.

The second and third project was thought by my colleague. And for the last project, time to boost their brain again. I challenge them to create a project using Photoshop. It is up to them to create ANYTHING they like. Let the creativity talks! The grade based on: originality, technique complexity, and purpose value. So, they must carefully think what to create for their project. The objectives was not made them to be an expert in Photoshop design since this is not Visual Design subject, but rather than make them familiar with image processing software. To make the project more interesting and challenging, I gave one additional rule. For those who qualified, I ask them to make presentation in front of the class about how did they create the project within 10-15 minutes. So, the others also can learn the techniques s/he used. This is what I called, "knowledge-sharing class".

Last week was the submission deadline, and once again, some of them really amazed me with their work. So, I decided to carefully index their projects in this address. Next week, the battle
is ON, they’ll make presentation how they did it.

I love IT and I love my students. I believe that one of God’s calling in my life is to be a teacher… and it’s truly amazing to see how my students maximize their potential to the fullest in IT field. After this semester is over (on June 2008), I’m thinking to index all their first year projects (including their first website project for Dasar Sistem Informasi Subject), so they can
access and show their work to their friends or parents. I bet you’ll surprise by what they can do in their first pursuing year to be an ITer.

If in their first year they can amaze me, I believe, in the next years ahead, they’ll amaze the world with their IT expertise! Surely!