Motivation, for me, is a big deal because from it I can keep my spirit. For example, my motivation is to study abroad, and to achieve that I should learn English.
Frankly, 70 % of my motivation comes from myself, and only 30 % from my family and my friends. To illustrate, last week, when I knew that my score was still not high enough to apply at UH, my family and my friends were crying for me since I might have to go home. However I am still struggling to negotiate about my funding. As a result, they give me three options. First, they gave me one opportunity to take an iBT test again on November 17. If my score is enough, I can join at UH in the spring semester. Second, if my score is still low, they will give me a chance to continue in language training, and I will take a class in the fall semester. The last option is if until fall semester my score cannot be used to apply at UH, I must bring my suitcase to Indonesia .
I know my situation is not easy, but I believe that it is too early to give up. Moreover, I always keep positive thinking that my funding chose me because I never give up.
In short, this story can give a lesson that my intrinsic motivation is more than my extrinsic motivation because I am still brave to achieve my goals.
Second Language class in HELP 2006
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Krashen
I do not know what I want to talk about concerning Krashen because I have bad memorize. I remember when I studied in junior school, I loved English very much, but I could never speak to English language. I only liked how I could analyze grammar. Actually, I really wanted to speak English, but I known my teacher did not know how to speak English either.
Some of my friends hated English. In their opinion, English was very difficult, I was aware about it, and I thought this problem was caused by teacher. Could you imagine, in the first time, my teacher taught 16 tenses, and he gave me homework to memorize all of the tenses. It was so bad. We only knew about 16 tenses; on the other hand, we never understood how to use them.
Basically, I agree that language is a habit, so for me Krashen’s theory is a good way to begin learning languages. In my perspective, knowing grammar is essential too. Krashen’s theories, however, are more important. Maybe, the good way is we can combine both, or we can study both together.
In short, improving English can be done with Krashen’s theories and study grammar too.
Second language class in HELP 2006
Some of my friends hated English. In their opinion, English was very difficult, I was aware about it, and I thought this problem was caused by teacher. Could you imagine, in the first time, my teacher taught 16 tenses, and he gave me homework to memorize all of the tenses. It was so bad. We only knew about 16 tenses; on the other hand, we never understood how to use them.
Basically, I agree that language is a habit, so for me Krashen’s theory is a good way to begin learning languages. In my perspective, knowing grammar is essential too. Krashen’s theories, however, are more important. Maybe, the good way is we can combine both, or we can study both together.
In short, improving English can be done with Krashen’s theories and study grammar too.
Second language class in HELP 2006
My Preferences
To be honest, before I got scholarships from the Ford Foundation, I never cared about English. In fact, my GPA in the college English class was C. I did not know why I did not care. Actually, when I studied in junior school, I loved English very much. However, after that, my parents sent me to Islamic Boarding School, I never learned English there. Every day I only used Arabic language.
I love writing. Every time I have free time, I always write articles. Until now almost every month my articles have been published by a newspaper in my country. Because of this hobby, in learning English, I prefer to develop myself by writing.
I think when I write, I can get some benefit. First of all, I can improve my vocabulary. Second, in writing, I will be able to correct my grammar. I also feel I am supported to look for many ideas. Of course, to search ideas I should read a lot of books, journals, and newspapers.
Obviously, writing can push me to many good things. On the other hand, listening is also important. I am aware that my listening is poor since I only spend my time writing. Thus, I decide to divide my time not only writing but also listening.
Second language class in HELP 2006
I love writing. Every time I have free time, I always write articles. Until now almost every month my articles have been published by a newspaper in my country. Because of this hobby, in learning English, I prefer to develop myself by writing.
I think when I write, I can get some benefit. First of all, I can improve my vocabulary. Second, in writing, I will be able to correct my grammar. I also feel I am supported to look for many ideas. Of course, to search ideas I should read a lot of books, journals, and newspapers.
Obviously, writing can push me to many good things. On the other hand, listening is also important. I am aware that my listening is poor since I only spend my time writing. Thus, I decide to divide my time not only writing but also listening.
Second language class in HELP 2006
Myths
I will talk about question number one. In my opinion, kids do not need to learn second language because the important thing for kids is how to talk, it does not matter what the language is.
I remember when my son was two or three years old, my husband and I taught him Arabic language and sometimes English language too, but it was not effective because he studied in public school where either Arabic or English are never used. His friends, also, only used Indonesia and Jawa languages. Since we wanted him to learn other languages, my husband and I decided to only use one language.
Another example is when we lived in East Jawa province. Of course, we were always using Jawa Language. On the other hand, my husband did not use Jawa language well because he is a maduress, people from a different island and a different language too. My husband could only chat with my son by Indonesian language. Indeed, I thought that I wanted my son talking with his mother language since in my mother language we have diversity levels. To illustrate, chatting with elders is a different style then if we chat with those from a similar generation. In addition, in my culture giving good respect for the older generation through language is very important. Obviously, when my son entrers into school, he could speak Indonesian naturally. In short, my husband agreed to follow my opinion.
Second Language Class HELP 2006
I remember when my son was two or three years old, my husband and I taught him Arabic language and sometimes English language too, but it was not effective because he studied in public school where either Arabic or English are never used. His friends, also, only used Indonesia and Jawa languages. Since we wanted him to learn other languages, my husband and I decided to only use one language.
Another example is when we lived in East Jawa province. Of course, we were always using Jawa Language. On the other hand, my husband did not use Jawa language well because he is a maduress, people from a different island and a different language too. My husband could only chat with my son by Indonesian language. Indeed, I thought that I wanted my son talking with his mother language since in my mother language we have diversity levels. To illustrate, chatting with elders is a different style then if we chat with those from a similar generation. In addition, in my culture giving good respect for the older generation through language is very important. Obviously, when my son entrers into school, he could speak Indonesian naturally. In short, my husband agreed to follow my opinion.
Second Language Class HELP 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Bismillah
Finally, I've already taken iBT text for the second time. To be honest, I could not guess my score. In fact, I need a high score. However, I did not want to be pressured by it. I only keep in my mind that I have already done the best thing that I could do.
I believe God always knows what I want in my life; also, God certainly gives me good things, so I do not worry about my result.
God, I can still be smile because I know You always accompany me, and your light gives me guideline where the right way is.
Alhamdulillah
I believe God always knows what I want in my life; also, God certainly gives me good things, so I do not worry about my result.
God, I can still be smile because I know You always accompany me, and your light gives me guideline where the right way is.
Alhamdulillah
Thursday, November 16, 2006
For Hilma
This letter is for my sister Hilma. She wrote a perfect novel, and her novel was published by Matapena Jogjakarta. She asked me to give my opinion about her novel.
Assalamu'alaikum
Aloha
How are you doing? I hope everything is going ok. In Hawaii, despite not easy I still survive.
I am proud of you. Although I lived so far from Jogjakarta, I still read your novel. When I read yours, I felt so bad because I remember my stories, yach.. Your story looked like mine.
Frankly, your story was perfect, but I found in many passages you were writing too dramatic. For example, when the central actor (Mulan, right?) came in Banyuwangi, her boy friend pulled her hand. I thought it was too much because her boy friend was a GUS, so he won’t do a wrong thing. I mean that he was too brave. As far as my experience, a Gus, also a Neng, never do something wrong in front of his/her family such as touch other women.
Another case, when you told about her second boyfriend, you told too much, in this case, you almost forgot the central actor. To be honest, I only skim when I read about his story. I thought I didn’t need to read it.
Nevertheless, your story was perfect, you should keep writing. From writing, you can get some benefit in the future. Do you know, until now, every month I am still sending my article to Radar Banyuwangi. I am aware that Radar is not a famous newspaper, but I just want to pour in my desire because writing is one part of my bodies. If I am not writing, maybe I will collapse. To illustrate, I took two writing classes in my univ. I write too much, as a result, my other skills as listening and reading lose, so I should manage my times hehehe. In fact, writing makes my life more interesting. Thus, keep writing and never give up.
I hope I can read your novel in the future soon. Sorry, if my writing in English is still bad, I just keep trying to use English hehhehehehe.
Mahalo
Wassalam
Assalamu'alaikum
Aloha
How are you doing? I hope everything is going ok. In Hawaii, despite not easy I still survive.
I am proud of you. Although I lived so far from Jogjakarta, I still read your novel. When I read yours, I felt so bad because I remember my stories, yach.. Your story looked like mine.
Frankly, your story was perfect, but I found in many passages you were writing too dramatic. For example, when the central actor (Mulan, right?) came in Banyuwangi, her boy friend pulled her hand. I thought it was too much because her boy friend was a GUS, so he won’t do a wrong thing. I mean that he was too brave. As far as my experience, a Gus, also a Neng, never do something wrong in front of his/her family such as touch other women.
Another case, when you told about her second boyfriend, you told too much, in this case, you almost forgot the central actor. To be honest, I only skim when I read about his story. I thought I didn’t need to read it.
Nevertheless, your story was perfect, you should keep writing. From writing, you can get some benefit in the future. Do you know, until now, every month I am still sending my article to Radar Banyuwangi. I am aware that Radar is not a famous newspaper, but I just want to pour in my desire because writing is one part of my bodies. If I am not writing, maybe I will collapse. To illustrate, I took two writing classes in my univ. I write too much, as a result, my other skills as listening and reading lose, so I should manage my times hehehe. In fact, writing makes my life more interesting. Thus, keep writing and never give up.
I hope I can read your novel in the future soon. Sorry, if my writing in English is still bad, I just keep trying to use English hehhehehehe.
Mahalo
Wassalam
Yacht...
Sometimes I feel tired, and I want to give up. Studying in abroad is very hard, and everything is unpredictable.
I thought that I never have problems in my study. When I studied in the college, I could finish my study only three and half years; also I became the quickest student in my college. Moreover, my thesis in college was published by Pusat Study Wanita (PSW) IAIN Sunan Kalijaga. Thus, everything was perfect.
However, I am getting many problem in Hawaii. When I was departing to Hawaii, my TOEFL score was still low, so Fond Foundation gave me six month to improve my skill before I join in sociology department. I took three exams in here, and all of them was still not enough to registration in Sociology. I felt so bad. I think and cry a lot.
Actually, I have already negotiated with EWC and IIEF, and they were giving three option. First of all, if my score on November 17 is enough, I can become unclassified student in sociology program. Then, if my score is low, I can continue in language training and intake class in fall semester. The last thing is if until fall semester my score cannot be used to registration, I must go home.
Frankly, three options made me glad. Nevertheless, I am still worried. My exam will come up tomorrow, but I am not sure about my preparation. I just keep positive thinking.
Totally I agree with my friend. He told that we should share job with Allah. Our job is studying hard, and the result is Allah's job. It means that I should not worry because Allah will give a good thing for me, and God will make everything possible. I believe that.
Keep praying and never give up
I thought that I never have problems in my study. When I studied in the college, I could finish my study only three and half years; also I became the quickest student in my college. Moreover, my thesis in college was published by Pusat Study Wanita (PSW) IAIN Sunan Kalijaga. Thus, everything was perfect.
However, I am getting many problem in Hawaii. When I was departing to Hawaii, my TOEFL score was still low, so Fond Foundation gave me six month to improve my skill before I join in sociology department. I took three exams in here, and all of them was still not enough to registration in Sociology. I felt so bad. I think and cry a lot.
Actually, I have already negotiated with EWC and IIEF, and they were giving three option. First of all, if my score on November 17 is enough, I can become unclassified student in sociology program. Then, if my score is low, I can continue in language training and intake class in fall semester. The last thing is if until fall semester my score cannot be used to registration, I must go home.
Frankly, three options made me glad. Nevertheless, I am still worried. My exam will come up tomorrow, but I am not sure about my preparation. I just keep positive thinking.
Totally I agree with my friend. He told that we should share job with Allah. Our job is studying hard, and the result is Allah's job. It means that I should not worry because Allah will give a good thing for me, and God will make everything possible. I believe that.
Keep praying and never give up
Friday, November 10, 2006
KENAPA HARUS PESANTREN
This article had already been published in Jawa Pos Newspaper on October 30, 2006
Sudah menjadi wacana yang mengglobal bila salah satu factor dari termarginalnya perempuan adalah ekonomi. Perempuan dalam tradisi patriarkhi hanya memiliki tanggung jawab sebagai housewife yang tugasnya melakukan housework dan menjadi pelayan bagi suami dan anak-anaknya.
Posisi ini tidak memberi kesempatan bagi perempuan untuk bekerja di luar. Kalaupun sekarang banyak perempuan yang kerja di luar, lebih pada factor ekonomi keluarga, bukan berlandaskan kesadaran mendalam akan usaha memberikan hak perempuan untuk berkembang.
Ketidak mampuan perempuan dalam ekonomi ini menjadikan perempuan sangat tergantung pada orang lain, hingga dia tidak mempunyai bargain kuat dalam lingkungannya. Bahkan terkadang untuk merawat alat reproduksinya yang nota bene merupakan bagian terpenting, mereka tidak bisa memutuskan sendiri, karena mereka tidak memiliki income.
Mengaca dengan hal ini, tentu usaha penguatan ekonomi perempuan menjadi hal yang tidak bisa ditawar lagi. Dengan uang yang dihasilkan sendiri, perempuan bisa memutuskan hal-hal penting menyangkut dirinya dan orang-orang terdekatnya, tidak perlu tergantung pada orang lain lagi. Namun bukan berarti hendak mengatakan kalau orang lain tidak dibutuhkan dalam kehidupan perempuan.
Yang menjadi pertanyaan selanjutnya yakni kenapa pesantren manjadi penting dalam usaha gerakan penguatan perekonomian perempuan?. Mungkin pertanyaan tersebut terlalu usang untuk diajukan kembali, tapi keusangannya tidak serta merta mereduse pentingnya untuk mendiskusikannya.
Banyak pendapat yang diungkapkan tentang pentingnya pesantren dalam hal ini. Pertama, pesantren adalah bagian esensial bagi masyarakat termasuk perempuan. Mereka selalu meletakkan pesantren sebagai panutan yang harus diikuti. Posisi pesantren ini tentu sangat menguntungkan bila digunakan sebagai upaya penyadaran akan pentingnya penguatan ekonomi bagi perempuan.
Posisi pesantren yang menempel erat dengan perempuan di lini terbawah juga menawarkan kemudahan untuk pengorganisasian, seperti ketika pembekalan ketrampilan dan pengontrolan kegiatan yang sedang dijalankan.
Hal lain yaitu kedekatan antara pesantren dengan perempuan sekitar tidak yang bisa dimiliki oleh lembaga lain. Hubungan ini bisa menjadi guarantee kerjasama yang berlandaskan kepercayaan yang kuat. Sebagai ilustrasi, bila lembaga donator mengucurkan pinjaman modal bagi perempuan untuk membangun bisnisnya, dapat dipastikan pinjaman tersebut tidak akan macet. Power pesantren dan juga charisma leader pesantren menjadi dorongan kuat bagi perempuan sekitar pesantren untuk mematuhi persyaratan yang ada.
Keunggulan pesantren dalam penguatan perekonomian perempuan ini masih diikuti pula oleh berbagai masalah. Persoalan tersebut antara lain yakni pesantren yang punya orientasi gender equality sedikit sekali, hingga mereka tidak pernah berpikir untuk berusaha memberdayakan ekonomi perempuan dengan kekuatan dan modal yang mereka miliki. Disamping itu praktik-praktik tidak fair juga sering mewarnai cerita berjalannya kredit-kredit yang disalurkan lewat pesantren.
Belum banyaknya lembaga donator yang merasa penting meletakkan pesantren sebagai mitra dalam usaha pengentasan perempuan dari kemiskinan, juga menjadi persoalan. Belum lagi masih sedikitnya lembaga donator yang memiliki perspective sadar gender.
Dengan mencermati kelebihan dan kekurangan yang dimiliki pesantren dalam wacana penguatan ekonomi perempuan, tentu ini menjadi pekerjaan rumah bagi stakeholder yang bergiat dalam bidang ini. Bergandeng tangan dengan banyak pihak adalah jalan terbaik untuk mewujudkan perempuan yang mandiri dan kuat.
Sudah menjadi wacana yang mengglobal bila salah satu factor dari termarginalnya perempuan adalah ekonomi. Perempuan dalam tradisi patriarkhi hanya memiliki tanggung jawab sebagai housewife yang tugasnya melakukan housework dan menjadi pelayan bagi suami dan anak-anaknya.
Posisi ini tidak memberi kesempatan bagi perempuan untuk bekerja di luar. Kalaupun sekarang banyak perempuan yang kerja di luar, lebih pada factor ekonomi keluarga, bukan berlandaskan kesadaran mendalam akan usaha memberikan hak perempuan untuk berkembang.
Ketidak mampuan perempuan dalam ekonomi ini menjadikan perempuan sangat tergantung pada orang lain, hingga dia tidak mempunyai bargain kuat dalam lingkungannya. Bahkan terkadang untuk merawat alat reproduksinya yang nota bene merupakan bagian terpenting, mereka tidak bisa memutuskan sendiri, karena mereka tidak memiliki income.
Mengaca dengan hal ini, tentu usaha penguatan ekonomi perempuan menjadi hal yang tidak bisa ditawar lagi. Dengan uang yang dihasilkan sendiri, perempuan bisa memutuskan hal-hal penting menyangkut dirinya dan orang-orang terdekatnya, tidak perlu tergantung pada orang lain lagi. Namun bukan berarti hendak mengatakan kalau orang lain tidak dibutuhkan dalam kehidupan perempuan.
Yang menjadi pertanyaan selanjutnya yakni kenapa pesantren manjadi penting dalam usaha gerakan penguatan perekonomian perempuan?. Mungkin pertanyaan tersebut terlalu usang untuk diajukan kembali, tapi keusangannya tidak serta merta mereduse pentingnya untuk mendiskusikannya.
Banyak pendapat yang diungkapkan tentang pentingnya pesantren dalam hal ini. Pertama, pesantren adalah bagian esensial bagi masyarakat termasuk perempuan. Mereka selalu meletakkan pesantren sebagai panutan yang harus diikuti. Posisi pesantren ini tentu sangat menguntungkan bila digunakan sebagai upaya penyadaran akan pentingnya penguatan ekonomi bagi perempuan.
Posisi pesantren yang menempel erat dengan perempuan di lini terbawah juga menawarkan kemudahan untuk pengorganisasian, seperti ketika pembekalan ketrampilan dan pengontrolan kegiatan yang sedang dijalankan.
Hal lain yaitu kedekatan antara pesantren dengan perempuan sekitar tidak yang bisa dimiliki oleh lembaga lain. Hubungan ini bisa menjadi guarantee kerjasama yang berlandaskan kepercayaan yang kuat. Sebagai ilustrasi, bila lembaga donator mengucurkan pinjaman modal bagi perempuan untuk membangun bisnisnya, dapat dipastikan pinjaman tersebut tidak akan macet. Power pesantren dan juga charisma leader pesantren menjadi dorongan kuat bagi perempuan sekitar pesantren untuk mematuhi persyaratan yang ada.
Keunggulan pesantren dalam penguatan perekonomian perempuan ini masih diikuti pula oleh berbagai masalah. Persoalan tersebut antara lain yakni pesantren yang punya orientasi gender equality sedikit sekali, hingga mereka tidak pernah berpikir untuk berusaha memberdayakan ekonomi perempuan dengan kekuatan dan modal yang mereka miliki. Disamping itu praktik-praktik tidak fair juga sering mewarnai cerita berjalannya kredit-kredit yang disalurkan lewat pesantren.
Belum banyaknya lembaga donator yang merasa penting meletakkan pesantren sebagai mitra dalam usaha pengentasan perempuan dari kemiskinan, juga menjadi persoalan. Belum lagi masih sedikitnya lembaga donator yang memiliki perspective sadar gender.
Dengan mencermati kelebihan dan kekurangan yang dimiliki pesantren dalam wacana penguatan ekonomi perempuan, tentu ini menjadi pekerjaan rumah bagi stakeholder yang bergiat dalam bidang ini. Bergandeng tangan dengan banyak pihak adalah jalan terbaik untuk mewujudkan perempuan yang mandiri dan kuat.
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