Japan Tsunami... and Aceh-Tangse Flood: Friday's Disasters

I was at my office this afternoon when I saw a national tv released a report from BMKG (Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency) saying that a massive quake happened in Japan and could trigger the tsunami to the eastern Indonesia. That was shocking, for sure. But, I have no idea how massive the quake was so that it would cause tsunami waves to my country. Until I read a web article.

The article reported a giant tsunami has hit northen Japan following a devastating 8.9 richter scale earthquake. I was like, OH MY GOD. I just watched the BMKG released statement about the quake, and WHOOSH...a few minutes later, an article came out saying that the tsunami has happened. I was so sorry to know that. 

Tsunami waves hit coastal area in Japan

I remembered my Japanese friend who is currently working at Narita airport which, I believe, is situated near Tokyo area. But, I didn't know how to contact her, so I couldn't find out her about. Also, I asked my other friend who lives in Shizuoka whether Shizuoka was hit or not, and thankfully, she replied (just right at the moment I typed this post) that she is okay, even though it was really terrifying.

Seeing the tidal waves from the bird-view tv images as the 'white lines' moved to the shores felt differently than seeing it up close. Because, I've experienced being 'swallowed' by the tsunami when it devastated my province, Aceh, on December 26, 2004. Well, you can count me as a tsunami survivor at the time. Yes. Plus, people said that for me being healthy and alive with no injured marks on my body even after almost drown in the dirty-thick-black tsunami water was a miracle, and of course, a God's bless.

My closemates remarked that 'supposedly' I was not the type of a person who could survive at such  between death-and-life situation. So, we concluded that I was one of a kind. Haha. I didn't know if they praised me, or still couldn't believe I could manage to escape from death. By God's permission, certainly. No kidding.

flash flood in Tangse

On the other hand, almost at the same time with my receiving news of Japan's tsunami, Tangse, about half an hour driving from my hometown Sigli, a part of Pidie district, Aceh province, has been experiencing a quite similar disaster, only with slightly a different term, the flash flood.

Actually, the news reported that the flood has begun since Thursday, and on Friday, it got worse. The local gov't has tried to evacuate the people, and because Tangse (or Pidie) has  very limited capability in disaster management, so the evacuation might need more helps from others. And, it might result in becoming a national disaster. Oh, what a news!

Really.

Two major disasters.

On Friday. (not a good day to hear such happenings, anyway)

*SIGH*

Who should be blamed? Haha...
What am I thinking...

Y'know, I Should Do This Long Time Ago...

Today, I'd like to proclaim to the world that virtually, from this moment onward, I will TRY to blog more often with interesting ideas, opinions, dreams, stories, pictures, notes, words. Everything.

Yes. I come up with this decision after a careful examination on my own blog. I found mine is lacking in something. The "X" factor. Yes. That one. The factor that makes you feel attracted after looking at it even for a little amount of time. A very necessary factor.

Also, another simple factor that really bugs me is that the "Follow Me" stuff. That ridiculously has an impact, and I've just realized it after reading some comments on Blogger forum that some bloggers have about 40 to 60 something followers while they barely opened their blog accounts. I mean, like, WHAT. That surprised me. And that is after I read about Charlie Sheen being the world record for having a million followers in his twitter, and he ALSO just opened his twitter account for a few months. Haha. Even Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga were no match for him.

I wonder how they, I mean those bloggers-not Sheen, Bieber, and Gaga-, succeeded in getting the followers that fast. And I say this not because I'm jealous or what, but it just, y'know, in this world of internet growing, it's not uncommon to have your blog, which its purpose is to-speak-up-your-mind-so-the-whole-universe-would-find-it-out-sooner-or-later, be read by people from around the world, but it's such a phenomenon for me. Haha. I understand some people would think this is a normal thing, but still, for me it's a WOW. What did they write so that others would follow them like nuts... I'm CURIOUS.

Well, anyway, that doesn't mean I wanted to have lots and lots of followers, because I like my blog to stay low profile. But. My findings have enlightened me. I NEED TO TRANSFORM MY BLOG, or else... yeah, y'know, what is the use of having blog if your postings are only rubbish and stupid rants... Haha. Oh, well, I've got to post more cool stuffs.

So, let's DO it!

and, I need to cover my one-and-only face. That's just plainly embarrassing... Haha

Still... for My Friend

Hey, girl, do you know?

How many years have passed us by...

How long do we have been through...

Still, we're here...

With lots of things that are yet to accomplish...

Hey, girl, open up your eyes...

I say, wake up...

Don't just sleep,

You know exactly, that our dreams will only be true

If you go beyond your weaknesses...

Listen, girl, time is running

there are amazingly a great deal of options in the world

Waiting for you, just to be picked up

Yes, it is, it is crazily true... definitely

You have my words...

So, girl, hear this...

Do you know what makes someone be the strongest one?

Do you remember the story of David and Goliath?

Yes, that one, the seemingly impossible one

One of a kind...

An inspiring story of a little man whose dream was
To fight the biggest warrior at the time

A story of confidence... and belief... 

That his dream would be his someday

And the day, has come to offer him the chance

To be the ultimate champion 

To be the greatest of all

That he became such unbelievable

Was not a coincidence

Was not a fortune

Was not a luck

It was a result of a longtime learning process

It was that the little man has come to his sense

That he needed something

Something very crucial for a man to have

Something called hope...

He knew that

He realized that

When you have kept your hope in the air

It would fly up to the sky

Slowly, it would reach heaven

For God to understand your sincerity

Your persistence

Your dignity

Your dreams that are not frail

And, you'll see, then

It's just a matter of time

For you to harvest

Your fruit of perseverance

Together

Let's keep on fighting

Let us be

The women who change our destiny

~ A note for you, a friend of mine, who thought you've gone through a period of hardship... just wanted to give you a reminder, that since the road we take is undoubtedly long, then it's understandable if we wish to stop, walk to the side road, and rest our feet for a little while. It's okay, girl... if you stop one time, or two times, or three times, or four times.... or many times... it's okay... for as long as you keep your head up, and stand strong... ~

He was Muhammad... peace be upon him

Rasulullah saw bersabda, ”Salam bagimu wahai kampung halaman kaum mukmin. Insya Allah kami akan menyusul kalian. Aku rindu sekali untuk berjumpa dengan ikhwan kami.” Para sahabat berkata, ”Bukankah kami saudara-saudaramu ya Rasulullah?, beliau menjawab, ”Kalian adalah sahabatku. Saudara-saudaraku adalah orang-orang yang belum datang sampai sepeninggalku.” (Shahih Muslim)

”Umat yang paling besar kecintaannya kepadaku ialah manusia yang datang sesudahku. Setiap orang di antara mereka ingin sekali berjumpa denganku walau harus mengorbankan keluarga dan hartanya.” (HR. Bukhari)

We once had a Teacher

The Teacher of teachers

He changed the world for the better

And made us better creatures

Oh Allah, we’ve shamed ourselves

We’ve strayed from Al-Mu'allim

Surely we’ve wronged ourselves

What will we say in front him...

Oh Mu'allim...

He was Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam

Muhammad, mercy upon Mankind

He was Muhammad salla Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam

Muhammad, mercy upon Mankind

Teacher of all Mankind

Abal Qasim

Ya Habibi ya Muhammad

(My beloved O Muhammad)

Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad

(My intercessor O Muhammad)

Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad

(The best of Allah’s creation is Muhammad)

Ya Mustafa ya Imamal Mursalina

(O Chosen One, O Imam of the Messengers)

Ya Mustafa ya Shafi'al 'Alamina

(O Chosen One, O intercessor of the worlds)

He prayed while others slept

While others ate he’d fast

While they would laugh he wept

Until he breathed his last

His only wish was for us to be

Among the ones who prosper

Ya Mu'allim, peace be upon you

Truly you are our Teacher

Oh Mu'allim..

Ya Habibi ya Muhammad

Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad

Ya Rasuli ya Muhammad

(O My Messenger O Muhammad)

Ya Bashiri ya Muhammad

(O bearer of good news O Muhammad)

Ya Nadhiri ya Muhammad

(O warner O Muhammad)

'Ishqu Qalbi ya Muhammad

(The love of my heart O Muhammad)

Nuru 'Ayni ya Muhammad

(Light of my eye O Muhammad)

He taught us to be just and kind

And to feed the poor and hungry

Help the wayfarer and the orphan child

And to not be cruel and miserly

His speech was soft and gentle

Like a mother stroking her child

His mercy and compassion

Were most radiant when he smiled

Abal Qasim

Ya Habibi ya Muhammad

Ya Shafi'i ya Muhammad

Khayru khalqillahi Muhammad

Ya Mustafa Ya Imamal Mursalina

Ya Mustafa ya Shafi'al 'Alamina

```just wanted to hear this song at this vulnerable juncture... think that I missed something of most essential in my life... our dear Messenger of Allah ```

-------------

song by Sami Yusuf 'Al Mu'allim'

credit: lyricstime.com

Pocketful of Sunshine

I so love the lyrics... somewhat bounces out my thoughts... like especially in the "Take me away" part... and the ending, for sure... such inspiring words...

What else can you say, if it voices out your feeling inside... I'm with it already...

I got a pocket, got a pocket full of sunshine

I've got a love and I know that it's all mine

Do what you want, but you're never gonna break me,

sticks and stones are never gonna shake me

Take me away

A secret place

A sweet escape

To better days

A hiding place

 

Wish that you could, but you ain't gonna own me

Do anything you can to control me

 

There's a place that I go

That nobody knows

Where the rivers flow

And I call it home

And there's no more lies

And the darkness is light

And nobody cries

there's only butterflies

 

The sun is on my side

Take me for a ride

I smile up to the sky

I know I'll be alright



suatu masa di Cape Cod, MA, USA


[Natasha Bedingfield 'Pocketful of Sunshine]