Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Bit by Bit

I continue to strive against my procrastination, giving my best effort. Alhamdulillah, sometimes I make progress, but at other times, I find myself stuck in thought.

Recently, however, I've adopted a philosophy inspired by observing my young son eating rice. He eats slowly, and when I urge him, "Rasyid, finish your rice!" he responds, "Ya, Bi. Ada adek makan kok." Remarkably, he eventually finishes. We call his approach to eating "bit by bit. sebiji demi sebiji". Despite its slow pace, he ultimately completes his meal.

This "bit by bit" approach prompted me to reflect on advice often given by my supervisor about progress. The emphasis is on moving forward, not waiting for perfection. Simply create a draft and refine it later. I realise that, in the process, we need Progress, not perfection, this is the key for me.

Therefore, I've learned to value any progress I've made. Though witnessing others' successes in achieving their goals can sometimes evoke feelings of insecurity, I remind myself that this mindset contradicts both my usual approach and the teachings of tarbiyah.

Tarbiyah teaches me to observe and reflect on others' struggles. It's essential not only to focus on success but also to take time to acknowledge those facing numerous challenges and difficulties in their lives. Reflecting on this, I feel deeply grateful to Allah. Alhamdulillah.


A story from the library last night: Unintentionally, I sat across from a man who appeared Chinese, unaware that he was Indonesian until he answered a phone call in Bahasa Indonesia. He confided to the person on the other end about feeling stressed with his job. From what he shared, it seemed he was only involved in planting crops, likely working on a farm judging by his attire. 'Kamu tahu nggak, aku sedang stress nih dengan kerjaan. Sedikit stress sih, kerjaan ku itu nggak berat, hanya menanam-nanam gitu kan.....' Begitulah kurang lebih yang kudengar.

The reason I share this eavesdropped encounter is to remind myself never to compare my work with others'. It might seem easier for him, just tending to plants without the complexities of research, designing, writing, proposal revising and other 'thinking' responsibilities. However, we never truly understand someone else's situation.

So, it's crucial to be grateful for what you have and to continually strive to make progress, regardless of the circumstances.

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Fighting with myself

Believe it or not, these days I feel that i should fight with myself.

Because it seems that lazyness has occupied my mind. 

yeah, I can blame other things or make excuses for it. But, i realise that it is me, my self that cannot organise my time well.

_____
Honestly, I am currently at the stage of struggling with my research planning and progress.

I have two supervisors that are very nice and full of encouragement. I am feel sorry for them, because my progress is still left behind. They are always kindly support me to deal with everything.
_____

Now, the time is limited. And many things to be done.

Bismillah...

No more "I will do it later"
No more too much thinking and thinking and thinking.

just write it done now, right now.


:D :D :D

I can do it. insya Allah.
______
Dear Allah, please help me to deal with these all.
I beg you for the whole of my life.
______

And of course, I have a very happy life here, with my lovely wife and sons. 
Don't know what to do if they are not here :D

Thank you :D

Friday, December 15, 2023

uda Aqsha's improvement

Horray, we managed to come earlier to the school. 

Menghirup udara pagi musim panas nan segar. 

Momen membangunkan pagi, menyiapkan untuk berangkat dan mengantar ke sekolah adalah waktu-waktu berharga yang tak kan tergantikan. 

Rahasia Allah yang begitu luar biasa. Disaat usia golden time nya, saya bisa punya waktu banyak bersamanya. 
Jika tidak dengan begini, maka entahlah. kesibukan dan tensi kerja saat di Padang membuat terbatasnya kesempatan. 

Sekali lagi alhamdulillah. 
_________

Sambil bersenda gurau di jalan ke sekolah, tiba-tiba sebuah mobil menepi menghampiri kami. 

Ternyata itu bu Suzy, gurunya Aqsha. 
Ia dengan wajah gembira menyapa. 
"Hi Aqsha Dad, your kids made a good improvement! Ya kan aqsha, kita banyak bergembira bersama kan?! " Aqsha pun tertawa meresponnya. 
Masya Allah. 
Bu gurunya juga memuji tulisan tangan aqsha... He improved a lot, katanya. 

Alhamdulillah. Nikmat Allah yang luar biasa. Terima kasih uda Aqsha.. Anak soleh Kebanggaan abi dan ummy. 

Kami pun lalu meneruskan jalan kaki kami. 
Aura bahagia terpancar di wajah aqsha. Ia dengan semangat meyapa penjaga sekolah dengan mengucap good morning dan lambaian tangan. 

Ia pun bertemu dengan walikelasnya yang sedang nyetir mau masuk ke parkiran sekolah. Dari balik kaca mobil gurunya tersenyum dan melambaikan tangan. Aqsha pun membalasnya dengan gembira. 

Masya Allah. 
Nikmat Tuhanmu yang mana lagi yang kan kau dustakan. 

Allahu Akbar

Monday, November 20, 2023

Rindu

 Ah....

Hanya berpisah jarak antara rumah, sekolah dan kampus.


tapi rindunya kagak nahan.

Mungkin karena banyak waktu yang 2 bulan ini dihabiskan bersama dengan mereka.

love them so much. Alhamdulillah.

Semoga jadi anak-anak yang sehat dan sholeh


Sunday, November 12, 2023

Notable Moments, Syukur Alhamdulillah

Alhamdulillah, it's been nearly two months since my family joined me here in Melbourne, specifically on November 14, 2023. Uda Aqsho has been attending NPPS and TPA Madania for about a month now. Alhamdulillah, we've achieved a lot, and all credit goes to Allah. I'm truly grateful for everything. We've faced various challenges together, and remarkably, we've managed to navigate them with joy


Some notable moments that I want to capture in this post are:

1. Adek Rasyid has started his preparatory school session at NPPS.

Actually, the school was supposed to begin for him next year, and we initially planned to enroll him closer to the commencement date. However, Allah guided us to expedite the process. His ways are always unpredictable. During a family gathering event, some friends discussed children and their schooling with Ummi. They suggested that we should start enrolling Rasyid early because schools sometimes have limited seats. At that time, I had intended to postpone it until I finished my revision (which seems to be an endless revision cycle :D), but Ummi was eager to do it as soon as possible. So, we went to the school with the required documents (which I had prepared following Uda Aqsho's documents).

Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar! The day we went to the school happened to be the last week before the "once a week" session started. Allahu Akbar. It turns out there are four sessions that parents and children who will join the preparatory school next year should attend. Alhamdulillah, we were able to be a part of it. Fortunately, Allah provided guidance through Ummi's friends. Thank you, Allah, and thank you to those kind-hearted people.

The enrollment process has been very easy and straightforward, Alhamdulillah.


2. Ummi has finally managed to secure a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from Monash University and a scholarship from LPDP. 

This is a truly joyful moment after a long and challenging journey. Securing the LOA and scholarship is crucial for our family, as without these two things, we wouldn't know what to do. Honestly, up until now, we still don't have any other options. We literally don't know how Ummi would stay here in Melbourne without the scholarship and LOA.

Syukur Alhamdulillah. Thank you to everybody who has contributed to this achievement. May Allah reward you abundantly. Ameen YRA

3. Uda Aqsha was recognized as the best student for year 2 in this period.

One day this week, I picked up Uda Aqsha as usual. He approached me with his prestigious smile and showed me a card in his hand. The home-teacher had written appreciative words about Aqsha, highlighting his responsibility and hard work in completing all of his school assignments. I commended him for it and created an Instagram reel to document his reaction. Then, unexpectedly, Ummi connected with another Indonesian parent at NPPS who conveyed congratulations through WhatsApp. She mentioned that Aqsha was chosen as the best student for this period. Typically, there is an evaluation for each period, and the best students from each class are announced and recognized during the joint student meeting in the school hall.

Masha Allah, thank you, my diligent boy. I am reminded of the time when discussing school was a forbidden topic, even back in Indonesia because he didn't want to attend school in Melbourne. The period before starting school was a challenging and worrisome time for our family. On one hand, I felt compassion for Aqsha, who was about to face an unfamiliar school environment with limited English proficiency. However, Allah paved the way for His blessings. Since the first day, Aqsho has consistently gone to and from school with enthusiasm. Alhamdulillah.

Oh, there's a secret of Allah's love behind this achievement. Before this, Uda Aqsha participated in a class meeting activity at his school. He had put in effort but hadn't won yet. At home, Ummi said he was very sad, even to the point of tears, wondering why he never won any competitions. This was the case back when he was at Adzkia too, despite his sincere efforts. We comforted him, and it turns out Allah comforted him with this achievement. Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar.

And there's more to share; I will update you in future posts, insha Allah.

========================

Now, please keep me in your prayers as I strive to excel in my revision. The deadline is approaching."

Friday, October 27, 2023

Roda Padati

"It is always challenging."

"Yes, life is often like that. Perhaps not for everyone."

"Joys and happiness,"

"Sadness and overwhelming emotions,"

"Enthusiasm and strength,"

"Uninspired and laziness,"

"All of these will come and go in countless cycles." Like a roda padati yang sedang berputar

"What makes it different for one person from another is how they deal with it."

"As for me, I have failed many times in managing it well."

"I don't know the exact or better way to deal with it."

"I always try to keep going and to accept myself. I feel very sad after making a mistake in handling these emotions because it also affects the people around me."

Thursday, October 05, 2023

A sad face

We have tried our best to adjust with the budget we have for a living in this new continent. 

It is a hard time for me (my soul) to stop my sons on picking items he likes when we are shopping in grocery mart. It is not like what they used to in Budiman. Also considering the halalness. 

Even, in an occasion at Coles, a stranger buy my sons a chip snack, probably he recognised abiut the situation. :) 

As well as my wife, usually the only things she consider are about the usefulness, healtiness and the unmubazirness of the items. But now "the price" Become the most top selection criteria. 

But after all, we do enjoy our living here together. We believe that there is always way for everything, as long as we give our effort, doing good things and maximise the prayer. 

______
A sad face this morning. When my wife trying new recipi and its not done well enough. The utility was not supporting her. 

But you know, a new cheerful sentence from our little sholeh boy
" Ummy, tidak berhasil kok enak ayam cickennya my? "

Hehe. Syukurnya ummy dikelilingi oleh tiga mesin pemakan... 

Yang selalu excited sama apa yang ummy masakin. 

Thank you my love

Bit by Bit

I continue to strive against my procrastination, giving my best effort. Alhamdulillah, sometimes I make progress, but at other times, I find...