One Fateful Day
No river's span is quite as vast
No mountain's reach so high.
No rose's scent is quite as sweet
As the love I hold inside.
Every time I see your face and
Every time you smile,
Every time I kiss your lips,
My love grows all the while
I’m the luckiest man to walk the earth
To know a love like yours
Loving is so easy now
You’ve opened my heart’s doors.
And I'll love you 'til my life has ceased
And still more with my soul
Because that fateful day we met,
My heart you forever stole.
- Ryan Brennan -
Ahh, ga kuku bow puisi yang dikarang oleh orang-orang yang sedang dimabuk cinta. Aku gak berani bikin satu. Why? karena belum ada yang menyatakan cintanya padaku, no recipient of my poems. Hehe. and who doesn't like to be in love? Being in love seems like a glimpse of heaven, global warming and spring. Mwahaha.
15 September 2008
The Ultimate Test of True Love
The ultimate test of true love
Lt. John Blanchard was in New York City at Grand Central Station, and he looked up at the big clock. It said five till six. His heart was racing. At exactly six o'clock he was going to meet the girl whom he thought he was in love with, but had never met. This is what had happened... He had been in Florida for pilot training during World War II, and while he was there he happened to go to a library and check out a book. As he flipped through the pages, he noticed that someone had made notes in the margins. Reading the insightful observations in beautiful handwriting, he said to himself, " I would love to meet whoever wrote these notes - they seem so kind, gentle and wise."
He looked in the front of the book and saw a name, Harlyss Maynell, New York City. He decided to try to find her. With the help of a New York City phone book, he found her address and wrote her a letter. The day after he wront her, he was shipped back overseas to fight in the war.
Surprisingly, Harlyss answered John's letter. They soon began to correspond back and forth throughout the war. "Her letters were just like the marvelous notes she had written in that book," John recalled. "She was so comforting and so helping."
One time John had confessed in a letter that he had been scared to death when they flew over Germany. Harlyess had encouraged him," All brave men are afraid at times. Next time you are afraid, just say, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."
As they continued to write, John began to realize that he was having romantic feelings toward Harlyss. He wrote, "Send me a picture," and she replied,"No, I won't. Relationships are not built on what people look like."
Still, he was intrigued by her and longed to meet her in person. Finally, the day came when he was to return to the States on leave. He mentioned in one of his letters that he was coming home and would like to take her to dinner. She had arranged to meet him in New York City's Grand Central Station at 6pm, under the big clock. "You'll know who I am because I'll be wearing a red rose," she told him.
At last the day had come. John waited nervously to finally meet the girl he thought he loved. Here is how John described his first meeting with Harlyss Maynell:
"A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. She had blonde hair that lay back in curls from her delicate ears. Her eyes were as blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in a pale green suit she looked like spring-time come alive!
Excitedly, I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a red rose. As I moved her way, she noticed me. A small provocative smill curled her lips.
"Going my way, soldier?" she asked coyly. I took another step closer to her. It was then that I saw.. Harlyss Maynell with the red rose in her coat, directly behind the girl in green. My heart sank. She was a woman well past forty. She was plump. She had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. Her thick ankles were thrust into low shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I had to make a choice. Should I follow after the beauty who had just spoken to me? Or stay and face poor Harlyss Maynell?
I made my decision and I did not hesitate. Turning toward the woman, I smiled. Even as I began to speak, I felt choked by bitter disappointment. "You must be Miss Maynell, " I said, extending my hand. "I'm so glad you could meet me. Will you join me for dinner?"
The older woman's face then broadened into a smile. "I don't know what this is all about, son," she replied, "but you know that young woman in the green suit who just went by? I met her on the train. She begged me to wear this rose in my coat. She said that if you should ask me to dinner, to tell you she's waiting for you in that big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test."
I am so much more than what is written on my face.
Thanks Fran for sharing it.
Lt. John Blanchard was in New York City at Grand Central Station, and he looked up at the big clock. It said five till six. His heart was racing. At exactly six o'clock he was going to meet the girl whom he thought he was in love with, but had never met. This is what had happened... He had been in Florida for pilot training during World War II, and while he was there he happened to go to a library and check out a book. As he flipped through the pages, he noticed that someone had made notes in the margins. Reading the insightful observations in beautiful handwriting, he said to himself, " I would love to meet whoever wrote these notes - they seem so kind, gentle and wise."
He looked in the front of the book and saw a name, Harlyss Maynell, New York City. He decided to try to find her. With the help of a New York City phone book, he found her address and wrote her a letter. The day after he wront her, he was shipped back overseas to fight in the war.
Surprisingly, Harlyss answered John's letter. They soon began to correspond back and forth throughout the war. "Her letters were just like the marvelous notes she had written in that book," John recalled. "She was so comforting and so helping."
One time John had confessed in a letter that he had been scared to death when they flew over Germany. Harlyess had encouraged him," All brave men are afraid at times. Next time you are afraid, just say, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."
As they continued to write, John began to realize that he was having romantic feelings toward Harlyss. He wrote, "Send me a picture," and she replied,"No, I won't. Relationships are not built on what people look like."
Still, he was intrigued by her and longed to meet her in person. Finally, the day came when he was to return to the States on leave. He mentioned in one of his letters that he was coming home and would like to take her to dinner. She had arranged to meet him in New York City's Grand Central Station at 6pm, under the big clock. "You'll know who I am because I'll be wearing a red rose," she told him.
At last the day had come. John waited nervously to finally meet the girl he thought he loved. Here is how John described his first meeting with Harlyss Maynell:
"A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. She had blonde hair that lay back in curls from her delicate ears. Her eyes were as blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in a pale green suit she looked like spring-time come alive!
Excitedly, I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a red rose. As I moved her way, she noticed me. A small provocative smill curled her lips.
"Going my way, soldier?" she asked coyly. I took another step closer to her. It was then that I saw.. Harlyss Maynell with the red rose in her coat, directly behind the girl in green. My heart sank. She was a woman well past forty. She was plump. She had graying hair tucked under a worn hat. Her thick ankles were thrust into low shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I had to make a choice. Should I follow after the beauty who had just spoken to me? Or stay and face poor Harlyss Maynell?
I made my decision and I did not hesitate. Turning toward the woman, I smiled. Even as I began to speak, I felt choked by bitter disappointment. "You must be Miss Maynell, " I said, extending my hand. "I'm so glad you could meet me. Will you join me for dinner?"
The older woman's face then broadened into a smile. "I don't know what this is all about, son," she replied, "but you know that young woman in the green suit who just went by? I met her on the train. She begged me to wear this rose in my coat. She said that if you should ask me to dinner, to tell you she's waiting for you in that big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test."
I am so much more than what is written on my face.
Thanks Fran for sharing it.
13 September 2008
12 September 2008
Words for me today
Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; Your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. Isa 41:14
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:9-11
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Tit 3:9-11
God uses sinners - there is no one else to use. Elisabeth Elliot
We are to be faithful in transmitting the message and willing to respect the hearer. If God grants him freedom of will to receive or reject, so must I. If he is as yet unable to receive it, I must entrust him to God, remembering the narrow limits of my own understanding as well. Elisabeth Elliot
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:9-11
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Tit 3:9-11
God uses sinners - there is no one else to use. Elisabeth Elliot
We are to be faithful in transmitting the message and willing to respect the hearer. If God grants him freedom of will to receive or reject, so must I. If he is as yet unable to receive it, I must entrust him to God, remembering the narrow limits of my own understanding as well. Elisabeth Elliot
10 September 2008
Edensor
Buku ketiga dari tetralogi Laskar Pelangi pun berhasil gue embat semalem. Buku ketiga ini berkisah tentang petualangan Ikal dan Arai ke Sorbonne, Perancis dan juga kesempatan berkeliling 42 negara dari Eropa sampai ke Afrika. Salut banget ama mereka. Dengan bekal uang seadanya mereka pun backpacking kemana-mana. Aku juga pengen!!! but I think I wouldn't want to be left cold and the attack at Romania was scary. Tapi di Romania, ada aja wong jowo, yang kebetulan seorang penolong. Yang menarik dan gak habis pikir yaitu sampai ke negara-negara tersebut Ikal mencari-cari A Ling. Sampai akhirnya dihadapkan pada kenyataan bahwa dia tidak ada di tempat-tempat tersebut. Aku merasa semua kejadian dalam memoarnya Ikal ini kok kayaknya sangat beruntung sekali. Kalo semuanya real dan sesuai kenyataan, kayaknya mungkin hidup kita juga seperti itu. Gak buruk-buruk amat, tergantung bagaimana kita melihat hidup kita dan bersyukur untuk hal-hal yang baik yang terjadi dalam diri kita. Dapat dikatakan, Andrea telah melihat dan merekam sisi positif dari petualangan, dari hidupnya dia. Aku sangat salut akan itu dan terinspirasi untuk count my blessings. Pada akhirnya Andrea dapat menginjakkan kaki di tempat yang menjadi bagian hidupnya, mimpinya yaitu di Edensor. Aku sebenarnya berharap kalo Ikal bertemu A Ling di Edensor. Since, A Ling yang mengenalkan Ikal pada tempat itu lewat sebuah buku. Anyway, we gotta wait for the last book, Maryamah Karpov which is planned to be published this month! Hopefully, some good conclusions. Congratulations in advanced Andrea!
06 September 2008
Sang Pemimpi
Novel kedua dari tetralogi Laskar Pelangi karya Mr. Hirata ini tak kalah serunya dari Laskar Pelangi. Saya sangat tersentuh oleh jiwa-jiwa yang penuh belas kasihan sekalipun mereka sendiri sangat miskin seperti Arai dan Jimbron. Arai adalah seorang yang penuh kejutan tetapi hatinya luar biasa baik, putih, dan tulus. Dia mau saja memecahkan celengannya yang merupakan hasil tabungan dari kerja keras subuh untuk membantu tetangganya. Banyak hal lain yang saya belajar dari dia. Ternyata orang tak berpunya lebih tulus dan murah hati dalam hal memberi. Dia adalah seorang yang penuh cinta kasih dan mau berkorban. Jimbron juga demikian. Dia adalah sahabat dekat Ikal dan Arai, partner kerja subuh, yang diam-diam menabung untuk diberikan kepada mereka kelak supaya dapat mampu mewujudkan mimpi mereka. Mereka hidup begitu sederhana, namun mereka memberi begitu rela dan begitu banyak. Mengapa kita begitu serakah dan bersungut-sungut ketika memberi? Kita punya jauh lebih banyak dari mereka. Pengorbanan mereka begitu indah, mulia, dan patut dipuji. Kemiskinan tidak mengubah mereka menjadi tamak ataupun menyurutkan niat untuk berbagi. Jimbron sendiri sudah puas dengan pekerjaan mengurus kuda selepas SMA. Dia memang terobsesi dengan kuda. Sementara kedua bujang tadi bermimpi agar dapat sekolah ke Prancis, berkeliling Eropa sampai ke Afrika.Ikal sendiri sudah pernah patah semangat, beberapa waktu sebelum menamatkan SMA, melihat masa depan yang suram: menjadi kuli ngambat, atau pekerjaan kasar lainnya. Belajar susah-susah di SMA terasa sia-sia jikalau pada akhirnya dia akan bekerja kasar juga. Tetapi yang paling membangkitkan semangatnya, maupun saya adalah ketika Arai menghardiknya:
"Kita tidak akan mendahului nasib! Kita akan sekolah ke Prancis. Kita akan pergi ke Eropa, menjejakkan kaki sampai ke Afrika!"
Pada akhirnya mereka berdua berhasil meraih beasiswa Master of Science Uni Eropa di Universite de Paris, Sorbonne, Prancis.
Kata-kata bercetak biru diatas begitu profound, begitu berapi-api, begitu penuh dengan harapan sehingga saya akan mengatakan:
Jangan pernah putus asa!
Jangan pernah ragu untuk menggantungkan mimpi-mimpimu setinggi langit!
Jangan pernah mendahului nasib!
03 September 2008
Laskar Pelangi
Akhirnya keluar juga daku dari mimpi Laskar Pelangi. Kurasa ceritanya sangat-sangat menarik dan lucu sampai pada halaman 263. Setelah itu antiklimaks, tangisan dan perenungan nasib bagi beberapa tokoh. Lintang yang raja logika dan Mahar yang seniman sejati merupakan superhero-superhero sekolah Muhammadiyah, penerima anugerah kecerdasan luar biasa dari Tuhan. Yang paling menarik dan romantis adalah tentu saja kisah cinta monyet Ikal and A Ling sekalipun berakhir tragis. Setiap orang yang sedang jatuh cinta nampaknya selalu akan mengalami syndrome yang sama yaitu halusinasi tinggi sehingga dimana-mana nampak wajah si dia, di piring makan, di jendela, di tembok, di sampul laporan kerja, di bantal, dimana-mana. Insomnia dan loss of appetite bukan pengecualian.Bunga Krisan
A Ling, lihatlah ke langit
jauh tinggi di angkasa
Awan - awan putih yang berarak itu
Aku mengirim bunga-bunga Krisan untukmu
Rindu
Cinta ini benar-benar menyusahkanku
Ketika kita saling memandang setelah sembahyang rebut
Malamnya aku tidak bisa tidur karena wajahmu tak mau
pergi dari kamarku
Kepalaku pusing sejak itu...
Siapa dirimu?
Yang berani merusak tidurku dan selera makanku?
Yang membuatku melamun sepanjang waktu?
Kamu tak lebih dari seorang anak muda pengganggu!
Namun ingin kukatakan kepadamu
Setiap malam aku bersyukur kita telah bertemu
Karena hanya padamu, aku akan merasa rindu...
A Ling
Wah, aku ngefans berat ama puisinya A Ling. Romantisnya.
Jauh Tinggi
A Ling, hari ini aku mendaki ke gunung Selumar
Tinggi, tinggi sekali sampai ke puncaknya
Hanya untuk melihat atap rumahmu
Hatiku damai rasanya...
Sayang, puisi diatas tak sampai ke tangan A Ling. A Ling terlanjur meninggalkan tanah Belitong untuk tinggal bersama bibinya di Jakarta. Oh, begitu merananya hati ketika cinta harus pergi.
Selama sembilan tahun mereka baru bertemu dua kali. Mereka bertemu di toko kelontong Sinar Harapan, ayah A Ling adalah sole supplier kapur tulis untuk perguruan Muhammadiyah. Jadilah Ikal si volunteer sejati yang rela untuk ditugaskan membeli kapur tulis. Cinta memberikan kekuatan sekalipun harus mengayuh sepeda melintasi tanah seseram kuburan. Ikal harus bisa puas hanya dapat melihat kuku-kuku A Ling yang rapi untuk memberikan dia sekotak kapur tulis. A Ling selalu berada di balik tirai. Menurut Ikal, Have I told you lately that I love you (best sung by Kenny Rogers) adalah lagu yang tepat untuk melukiskan perasaannya sewaktu pertama kali dia melihat wajah A Ling, which I absolutely agree. That's song is a bomb, bulu-bulu kudukku sampai merinding mendengar lantunan Mr. Rogers. Entah mengapa dia disembunyikan di balik tirai, mungkin karena dia adalah rare pearl yang bisa memikat setiap laki-laki ketika melihatnya.
A Ling, A Ling...
02 September 2008
Serba ada
Layaknya toko serba ada maka beberapa hari ini seperti itulah adanya. Perasaanku bak gado-gado tercampur aduk. Pernahkah anda menonton sebuah film berjudul "Superhero Movie", oh my goodness! Itu film terjelek yang pernah saya tonton. The most disgusting, sickening, disturbing movie I've ever watched! Jangan ditanya lagi. Saya tidak akan merekomendasikannya.
Sebaliknya, saya sedang menikmati "Indonesia's most powerful book" yaitu sebuah kisah nyata karangan anak bangsa Andrea Hirata tentang masa kecilnya di tanah Belitong. Buku yang sekarang menjadi Best Seller di Indonesia pernah juga menjadi Best Seller di negri tetangga, Malaysia. Saya masih asyik nongkrong di halaman-halamannya Laskar Pelangi dan belum mau pulang. Mungkin inilah yang namanya novel bermutu yang membuat saya membeli kedua novel selanjutnya sekaligus (Laskar Pelangi adalah Tetralogi). Gawat, jangan bilang-bilang emakku! Beliau tak tahan melihat buku-bukuku menumpuk. Kisah masa kecil Andrea and teman-temannya penuh dengan keajaiban, kepolosan dan ekstasi manusia ketika dihujan ilmu. Tidak hanya membuat sesama manusia haus, tapi juga bangga akan keanekaragaman budaya tanah air, bangga karena berdiri dipihak kebenaran. Sungguh sebuah kelegaan untuk menemukan buku ini! Simak penuturan beberapa orang:
"Sebuah novel yang sangat menggugah. Siapa pun yang membacanya akan termotivasi dan merasa berdosa jika tidak mensyukuri hidup." Andy F. Noya, Host acara dialog Kick Andy
"Kehadiran novel realis ini menhadirkan angin segar bagi kesusastraan Indonesia." Harian Media Indonesia.
"Sebuah memoar dalam bentuk novel yang sulit dicari tandingannya dalam khazanah kontemporer penulis kita." Akmal Nasery Basral jurnalis-penulis