Oh God, I Failed Scholarship Exam....

A week ago I received information that there was a scholarship from the New Zeland. The information I got from perpusda (Perpustakaan Daerah). Student who get this study scholarship will get a chance to study at university in New Zeland for 2 month (I forgot the name of university). Oh ya, The scholarship is provided by New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS)...

Ok..Back to my story again. At Tuesday, 26 January 2010, I got invitation to take the test in University of Islam Indonesia (UII) Jogja . I left my boarding house at 06:00. I thought I will reach UII at less than 7:30 o’clock. But, I came 15 minutes late because my bike's engine did't live :( . The committee of scholarship test would cancel my chance to join the test if the test was started. But thanks God, I just missed the briefing of the agenda on that day (Save by God)...

At that day, there were 14 participants. And here would be 10 participants on next day. As long as I knew, there were 3 participants from Gadjah Mada University (including me), 4 from UIN Syarif Hidayatulah, 4 from University of Islam Indonesia and others came from other universities (i forgot).

We were divided into seven groups. I were placed into the second group. So, we would have some writing test first. And after lunch, we would have interview and discussion session. After dividing the group, we moved to presentation session. We were introduced about New Zeland and why we interest to get the scholarship. I thought the situation there is very relax. But, I was very nervous at that time. So, I spoke a little nervous (that's my bad habbit)...

Okey after that, we start the test. The first group would have interview and discussion session and the second and the third group move to an office room on 19th floor to get some writing test. The writing test consisted of English Placement Test and personality test. After that, we had a lunch. After lunch time, the second and the third group move to interview and discussion session. First, we had an interview session, one by one. And we also present our idea about new zeland, experience, etc. Then, the test was over..

The committee of scholarship NZDS said that we would get a news soon on two days again. The chosen one would get a call from NZDS Commite. But until last Friday afternoon I didn’t get the call. It means that I didn’t pass. I think I won’t call the committee of NZDS. How sad I feel? I haven’t had good competence as international student. Well, what can I say? I hope I will pass next time. It’s time for self development...I believe i can..

Human Roots

This morning I was watching the news on TV (Global TV Channel/22 January 2010)). There was news about the human roots of bandung. Recently, West Java, Bandung regency, precisely in the area Cililin, post-operative existing warts all over his body back to grow. I so want to flash back talking about the origin of the disease.
In Bandung found a man with a form of some strange body parts. Part of his body, hands and feet in particular, transformed as plants. In fact, at first glance, the shape is similar to the old tree.

No wonder, then called the man he roots for the unique shape. Poor and creepy. That was the first reaction of most people who saw the condition of this man named Dede. Imagine. His body was covered with a very rare disease. The number of sufferers in the world have only a dozen. And, unfortunately, until now a disease caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) weight categories that can not be cured completely. How sad.

Because of that situation, Dede had inferior and just shut themselves up. The spirit of life had fallen because of his illness had made her go away Dede...

But Don't give up, kang dede...

photo source: www.google.com

Pottery Industry in Melikan Village

Navigate the streets in Melikan, we're seeing a variety of ceramic forms and motifs on both sides along the entry to the village. From the large size such as jars, flower vases and statues, to the small size such as jars, ashtrays and knick-knacks decorate the table. All neatly arranged in the windows took a not so great.
Not only ceramics, pottery with a variety of species there are also here. How much does it cost? No need to worry about spending your money. The results of these craft vary from the price Rp.2500 to Rp. 750,000 (less than 1$ until 75$) . if interested and the price is right, you can just buy it.


If there is still time and still want to see more forms another, you can down the small alleys in Melikan. There is not only more varied things to see, you can also see the manufacturing process. The artisans here will welcome visitors with a friendly presence, although we are only coming just window-shoping.
Streets that will be seen piles of pottery. Both the half-finished or ready for sale. Almost all the population living Melikan of earthenware and ceramics. Here, of course, will have little choice if it wanted to buy the vessels. Every house we passed almost certain to display the results of pottery and ceramic handicraft.

Traditional Event "Sekaten" Jogjakarta

In Yogyakarta there is a culture that until now still preserved the Sekaten held to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW. Sekaten is a preliminary ceremony of commemoration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. In addition to the royal palace was also held in Jogjakarta and Surakarta. Sekaten celebration include "Sekaten Sepisan" beginning played by the two devices Nogowilogo gamelan(tadisional instruments), Kyai Guntur Madu and Kyai and Sri Sultan HB X a `` udhik-udhik" (it means scattered money) and then lifted the two gamelan into the Great Mosque of Jogjakarta and closed with "Grebeg".

HISTORY OF SEKATEN

Sekaten word derived from the pronunciation of the phrase "Creed". The term 'Creed, which is pronounced as it Syahadatain then gradually changed in pronunciation, that became "Syakatain" and eventually became the term "Sekaten" until now. In the early stages of development of Islam in Java, one of Wali Songo, Sunan Kalijogo namely, instruments use Javanese gamelan music, as a means to attract the public to come to enjoy performances "karawitan". For that purpose devices used 2 gamelan, which has a barrel that is melodious Nogowilogo and Kyai Kyai Gunturmadu.
On Maulud 5 months, the two gamelan, Kyai Kyai Guntur Nogowilogo and honey, taken out of storage Sri Manganti's home, to ward Ponconiti located in North Kemandungan (Keben) and in the afternoon start was sounded at this place. Between the hours of 23:00 until 24.00 o'clock to two sets of gamelan is displaced view the first Great Mosque Jogjakarta, in a procession of courtiers row, with the palace guard of soldiers in full uniform.

PEAK EVENTS

The highlight of the celebrations Sekaten is "Grebeg maulid", namely a pair of mountains out of the Great Mosque prayed by the clergy after the Palace. Society believes that anyone who got these mountains, although some will be blessed with happiness and prosperity. Then the cone is contested by thousands of people. They believe that with a part of the cone will bring blessings to them.
In general, Jogjakarta and surrounding community believes that by participating celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad is the corresponding reward will be a reward from the Almighty, and blessed with longevity. As agreement, they have to chew the leaves in the Great Mosque yard, especially on the first day of the start of the celebration sekaten.
Therefore, during the celebration held sekaten it, many people selling betel leaves with a brew, savory rice with side-dishes in Kemandungan pages, in the North Square and in front of the Great Mosque of Jogjakarta. For the farmers, on this occasion also apply to crops that will come to work. To strengthen this determination, they gave the whip (whip) which brought home.



TRADITIONAL

While supporting crowd with traditional folk art that accompanies traditional ceremonies such as traditional food vendors, traditional toys and traditional folk arts. Then to the crowd of supporters who made exhibition development and local government agencies and vertical sector, promotion of marketing of goods of domestic production and increasing non-oil exports and other noise such as children's games, restaurants and souvenirs.
For about one month before the ceremony begins Sekaten, Municipal Local Government, enliven the celebration with a night market, which was held at the North Square of Jogjakarta. Through Sekaten as cultural events as well as religious events and an icon of identity and Jogjakarta. And it is sensible we maintain and develop our essential values as a legacy of the nation's cultural diversity.

So, the conclusion, tradition sekaten is a symbol of unity between the officers, who diidentikan the palace and its people. Sekaten tradition can also be a role model for the development and existence as a people's economy has been recognized by the government. If you want to see this tradition directly then visit jogja city.