Bon Voyage: Umrah & I’tikaf — When Longing Finally Found Its Answer (Part I)

Hello, udah lama banget dari terakhir kali nulis blog haha! 5 years already :)

Ada yg kangen baca tulisanku? hehehe

Tulisan kali ini spesial karena mau cerita perjalanan yang justru bukan happy-happy, malah sebenarnya mengcapek, tapi nagih. Aku mau cerita soal perjalanan yg banyak menjawab kebingunganku disaat masuk fase hidup life is mundane haha

Buat temen2 yg udh selesai kuliah, yg skrng lg di fase kerjanya cmn kerja aja, ngerasa nggak sih, kok kayaknya something's missing! Life after graduation kok rasanya gitu-segitu aja, belum lagi aku merasa setelah kerja banyak dari diriku yang berubah, 

terutama soal faith. Dulu, karena banyak tantangan dan target selama sekolah, banyak momen mendekatkan diri ke Tuhan. Sekarang, pas nggak ada itu semua, jadi hidup berasa kayak autopilot aja gitu. 

My life's fun and fine, alhamdulillah, tp krg fullfilled… sholat dan doa rasanya hambar aja gtu. I thought I could overcome all those things without praying smhw. Kayaknya semua yang aku dapat itu karena aku memang kerja keras, deh. Berdoa, iya, tapi ya udah aja gitu. Berdoa krn mmng ktnya hrs berdoa tp tdk dengan penuh keyakinan :) Ada yang pernah ngerasain hal yang sama gasih?

I knew it wasn't right that I shouldn't think that way tp juga blm tergerak untuk berubah. So, I decided to throw myself into it, hopefully, I can get back to Him through umroh itikaf Ramadhan. Kt gw mah, yaudah dah sekalian aje gw ditatar lngsng tuh sm Allah pas Pesantren Kilat di Saudi wkwkwk! 

Beberapa nanya, dapet miracle apa selama di sana? heeem kayaknya sih gaada ya :( soalnya gw doanya ketemu Wu Lei atau Zhang Linghe tp gak ketemu sama sekali tuh hiks 
Yet, the last umrah answered my longing question about Him. dan lucunya bukan melalui kejadian yg gimana2 gtu tp gw dapetin pas lg stres stresnya bolak balik ke toilet :)

Karena cerita ini cukup panjang, aku akan bagi kedalam dua bagian

Let's jump in :D

Part 1: Tantangan Umroh Itikaf 

Sebagai gambaran, kayaknya umrah tuh sebuah perjalanan yang butuh effort dan kelapangan hati. Maksudnya, kyknya bukan kayak yang di reels orang-orang hidup santai dll., tapi umrah tuh ibadah fisik, spiritual, finansial, mental. Gw ngerasa umrah itu bukan jalan-jalan yang leisure, tapi kegiatan yang perlu usaha. Apalagi umroh pas bulan ramadhan. Apalagi di 10 malam terakhir di mana jamaah di sana jumlahnya berjuta-juta… jadi ibarat kata harus lebih banyak nyiapin bekelnya. Terutama bekel sabar kali ya haha

Yang biasanya ke masjid 30 menit sblm azan udah bisa dapet di Mataf (tempat tawaf) Kabah. Ini 60 menit aja cuman dapat di pelataran. Nggak bisa keluar-masuk masjid karena mereka membuat aturan buka-tutup gerbang. Harus siap-siap tiba-tiba diusir. Beli makan juga ngantre kayak berebut sembako gratis. dan TOILET! Ke toilet kadang harus nyiapin mental kalau tiba-tiba harus fun run 5 km (yg tentunya genrenya thriller semi comedy) karena pintu suka nggak dibuka, jadi harus muter, dll. 

Ini semua yang disampaikan group leader sebelum keberangkatan. Jadi makin deg-degan dong… Waduh, bagaimana enih, harus nyiapin strategi gimana biar survive wkwk!

Perjalanan dr Jakarta ke Saudi, mendarat di Mekah dan lngsng umroh alhamdulillah lancar.. semoga Allah terima aamiin.. 

Mulailah kami memasuki 10 malam terakhir. Target kami adalah bisa salat 5 waktu dan qiyamu lail di masjid. Jadilah kami mencoba berganti tempat untuk bisa dapat tempat yang nyaman… dan well, hidup pasti ada aja surprise-nya.  Surprise yang aku alami adalah ke toilet hampir setiap sholat! dan ketika 10 hari terakhir, durasi ke toilet itu minimal 30 menit.

Bisa bayangin gimana kejar-kejarannya sama waktu sholat selanjutnya :( Jadi itikaf isinya kayak sholat-ke toilet-ibadah lain on repeat dan nggak berhenti-berhenti. Which itu menyedihkan dan capek! plus nggak enak sama teman krn harus jagain tempat yg bisa tibatiba diambil orang barang meleng sedikit. Bahkan aku pernah habis maghrib ke toilet sekitar pukul 19, lalu nggak bisa masuk lg, kami nggak bawa apa2... bener2 tawaf masjidil haram beserta extensionnya dan baru bisa balik ke tempat awal (alhamdulillah masih ada) saat hampir ganti hari, itu kepala gw sudah berkabut siap ambruk dimana saja

Pernah lagi kami dari zuhur sudah tag tempat di depan Mataf untuk bisa maghriban lngsng depan Kabah.. tapi apa yg terjadi? tentu saja Farih sdh tdk kuat nahan pipis dan berakhir setelah ashar keluar masjidil haram dan maghrib di pelataran

Sebelumnya, ditengah momen-momen menahan pipis itu, gw tanya dong sm orang2... gimana yg lain bisa sekuat itu... jawabannya adalah.. 

1. doa sama Allah 

2. batasin makan sm minum 

3. pakai kaos kaki dan baju agak tebel spy gak kedinginan

Pas dengar jawaban pertama lngsng lah hati ini syedih--- berarti Allah nggak kabulin doa aku? apa krn terlalu banyak dosa ya? pdhl ini udh di lokasi strategis wkwk

krn nggak kuat nahan pipis, ya akhirnya mau gamau keluar wkwk sambil bawa seluruh peralatan tempur. Berasa kalah perang ges :D

Trs gw mikir dong, perasaan udah usaha mayan pol. Kalau doa sama Allah, ya gw jga udah doa. Makan minum--- hmm nggak bisa kurangi krn badanku saat itu gampang bgt dehidrasi. Pakai baju kaos kaki semua udh gw tebelinnnn... tp kenapa masih begini...

Part 2: Nyesel Umroh Itikaf?

Mulailah pertanyaan2 random muncul di kepala sebagai first timer join itikaf Ramadhan...

"Lagian kenapa sih org2 pd rame banget? klo dipikir2 knp kok org2 pada mau ya umroh itikaf. Iyasih mmng kan banyak keutamannya. Tapi kenapa sebanyak ini yg mau? Klo mikir materi,  relatif lebih mahal biayanya. Capek, lebih capek. Kalau mau umroh aja kan mending hari biasa gasiiii. Emang se worth itu ya umroh itikaf sampe semua org dateng?" -- pertanyaan org milenial terperangkap dlm tubuh gen Z ini terus berputar dalam episode ke toilet 

Sampai ada beberapa waktu, gw ketemu sama ibu yg lg murojaah alias ngulang hafalan beliau. Hafalan beliau udah 30 juz masyaAllah- dan murojaah 30 juz itu hanya 4 jam. 30 JUZ GUYS. Gw bener2 hanya melongo sambil malu dalam hati. Kami mengobrol dan si ibu bercerita kalau beliau alhamdulillah sdh bbrp tahun ini umroh itikaf 30 hari sama suaminya. Dan kami semua lirik2an sambil melongo lagi... karena itu berarti...

1. ibu ini rezekinya banyak 

2. punya time freedom

Setelah ngobrol gimana caranya bisa begitu dan kenapa sampai setiap tahun banget itikaf umrohnya. Khusus pertanyaan kedua itu gw sih yg tanya wakakaka krn pas bgt sama yg gw pikirin belakangan ini 

Pertanyaan pertama, 

Ibu ini cerita kalau beliau dan suami mmng pedagang, punya toko sederhana. Bukan toko yg besar gimana. Tapi yg bisa bikin beliau setiap tahun bisa umroh adalah undangan dr Allah dan mmng diusahakan. Kata beliau, kalau soal haji dan umroh, kalkulator Allah tuh beda sama manusia. Tapi memang ditengah niat itu jga ada juga ujiannya. Itulah keyakinan kita sama Allah diuji. Yakin aja pasti bakal Allah mampukan. Orang Allah kok yg udah jamin, org yg ke Baitullah pasti dilipat gandakan rezekinya. Jadi, kenapa hrs takut?

Pernah ada momen suami beliau nggak jadi mau daftar umroh karena saat itu usahanya lg nggak bagus. Suaminya concern ke bayar karyawan sementara ibunya berprinsip, gapapa dp dulu pakai uang yang ada. Dan benar memang tiba-tiba ada aja rejekinya. Memang pilihan si ibu munculin konsekuensi yaitu ktnya "hidupnya sederhana" sampai diledekin tetangga tapi si ibu memilih tutup telinga 

Part 3: Pertanyaan yang Mulai Terjawab

Nah lanjut ke pertanyaan kedua, kenapa disaat mungkin bisa lebih hidup nyaman tp malah milih ibadah yang juga nggak wajib?

Pertama,

"Hidup jadi tenang, Mbak. Saya jadi nggak takut apapun, karena saya tau, Allah yg mem back up saya." JLEB

It resonates with me very well! Bener2 setuju sama si ibu, kalau ketenangan itu mahal harganya. Nggak bisa dibeli dengan materi. Sebagai full time practitioner yg ketemu dgn berbagai kasus, tipe pasien, berbagai kondisi.. apapun bisa terjadi. Maksudnya, ada banyak hal yg bisa terjadi diluar kendali kita sebagaimanapun handalnya kita. Ketika Allah bisa kasih ketenangan itu- rasanya hidup jadi lebih ringan. Kalau ada masalah, chill aje 

Kedua,

"Kita nggak pernah tau umroh mana yg diterima. Jadi, kalau semakin banyak umroh maka kesempatan umroh saya diterima dan dosa saya diampuni lebih besar. Allah jga akan ngampuni dosa diantara 2 umroh, saya mau meninggal dlm keadaan dosa diampuni. Plus kan banyak keutamaan umroh Ramadhan" 

Masuk diakal :)

selesai ngobrol si ibu pun menyelesaikan murojaahnya dan pamit. 

"Sampai bertemu lagi Mbak. Semoga Allah kumpulkan kita di jannatul Firdaus"

waduh, gw langsung tersenyum kaget dan takut. Kayaknya gw terlalu duniawi untuk si ibu yg syurgawi deh TT

Obrolan dengan si Ibu mulai menjawab rasa penasaran gw akan umroh,  tapi, pertanyaan kenapa banyak org yg ngelakuinnya pas itikaf belum ketemu jawabannya...

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Bersambung ke Bagian II

Bon Voyage: Umrah & I’tikaf — When Longing Finally Found Its Answer (Part II)

Hello, balik lg di seri Bon Voyage Saudi hehe

Terakhir, gw ngobrol sama ibu-ibu dan terjawab pertanyaan soal umrah yang berulang. Tapi masih belum nemu kenapa umrah yang berulang itu orang-orang berbondong-bondong di 10 malam terakhir

Setelah itu, hari berjalan seperti biasa. Kami udah nemu tempat nyaman untuk bermalam di masjid dan so far best bgt. Udah bisa bikin jadwal harian dan tau kapan bisa aman ke toilet

Part 4: Doa dan Kasih Sayang Ummi dari Jakarta

Tiba-tiba dapat pesan dr Mamsky nanyain kabar gimana disana dan bilang kalau beliau terus doa supaya Farih dimudahkan sama Allah disana... dan hati rasanya nyes banget

Selama ini gw hanya fokus ke masalah gw aja, yaitu soal toilet dan kenapa doa gw nggak dikabulkan. Padahal selain itu, kalau dipikir-pikir, alhamdulillah hidup gw di sana berjalan lancar, ga ada masalah yang berarti. Ketakutan-ketakutan yang dikhawatirkan sama mama gw nggak terjadi. Alhamdulillah sehat, nggak ngerasa fatigue, makanan selalu ada, dikelilingi orang baik, punya kebebasan untuk memilih

Lalu ada momen-momen genting dan akhirnya tertolong karena persiapan yang udah dibawa dan baru ngeh kalau itu mama gw yang siapin. Hampir 50% persiapan, beliau yang nyiapin. Kalau dipikir, mama gw bener2 mikirin semua hal membuat ibadah gw nyaman tanpa diminta,ngikutin ni anak yg banyak mau, yang di awal gw tolak, dan yang bahkan gw sendiri nunda buat nyiapin

Bukan apa-apa, mama gw nyiapin H-2 bulan berangkat, oi, di saat briefing dari tour aja belum ada, dan kalau bisa ya beli online aja. Sementara mama gw nggak setuju online karena Farih ini pernah salah beli barang dan berakhir nggak dipakai. Beliau mau mastiin apa yg disiapin sesuai standar doi :)

Beliau sampai bolak-balik ke beberapa tempat buat nyelesaiin persiapan ini itu—di saat ya gw nyiapin h-2 mgg udh cukup. Ketika gw bilang mau bawa makanan sedikit buat jaga-jaga, ternyata tiba-tiba udah dipesenin. Sesuai sama yang gw mau. Tanpa gw tau kalau ternyata udah disiapkan

Seketika gw merasa bersyukur dan mikir, iya ya kok mama gw baik banget, effort banget gitu… Apa enggak terlalu effort jadi orang?

Terus ingatan gw kembali berputar ke obrolan sama mama gw saat beliau dengan semangatnya mengumpulin informasi ttg umrah itikaf. Apa yang harus disiapin dll dari teman2nya... kayaknya beliau lebih excited drpd gw hehe :(

Ini bikin gw merasa... KOK BISA ada orang yang berupaya sampai agak nyusahin diri sendiri? Terus pas dipikir lagi—kayaknya top 1 org yg plg effort adalah mama gw 

Ini karena apa sih, mama gw jadi org kok bisa terlalu effort? Sampai gw nanya ke diri sendiri, kalau nanti punya anak, gimana bisa seperti mama gw?

Part 5: Terlalu Effort

Lalu gw mikir lagi,

Kenapa ya ada orang bisa se-effort itu sama orang lain tanpa mengharapkan balasan dan ngelakuinnya dengan suka cita?

Lama gw mikir dan jawabannya adalah sudah pasti karena rasa cinta dan sayang. No debat. 

Saat itulah, gw dapat memahami kenapa berjuta-juta orang berkumpul untuk ibadah di 10 malam terakhir, berdoa untuk bisa melakukannya terus-menerus, dan mereka berlomba-lomba

Bukan, bukan karena hanya umrah itu sendiri. Tapi sudah pasti karena rasa cinta mereka kepada Tuhan. Karena mereka tahu, itu adalah yang disenangi oleh Tuhannya. Tuhan mereka menyenangi hamba-Nya yang berusaha menghamba dan mendekatkan diri kepada-Nya pada waktu dan tempat yang dimuliakan

Jadi, ibarat kata, cinta itu buta gitu loh! wkwkwkkw 

Regardless of the sacrifices they may encounter, they choose to strive because they understand

that the best way to respond to Allah’s love is through love and worship in return.

dan muncul pertanyaan lagi, kenapa orang-orang ini bisa ada yg cinta betul sama Allah?

Saat itu gw belum menemukan jawaban pastinya. 

Part 6: Walking with His Grace 

Pas lg thawaf mall buat nyari makan, gw tersadar bahwa kok Allah baik ya kasih ummi buat jadi mama gw dan teringat banyaaak banget nikmat yg Allah kasih ke gw (yg kayaknya gw nggak layak deh dapetin ini semua, He’s too generous)

Mungkin ini yang dirasakan orang-orang ya. Menyadari bahwa semua ini ada yg atur, merasakan arRahman dan arRahim-nya Allah, banyak kebaikan yg dikasih sm Allah — so they fall in love with Allah deeply

Rasanya gw malu deh… orang-orang yang punya semangat ibadah tinggi bener dan somehow bikin gw lebih lapang ketika menemukan ujian-ujian. Mindset gw mulai berubah dr “knp gw dapet cobaan?” skrng lebih ke “yaudah jalanin aje”

Termasuk soal kenapa sampai gw doa di depan Ka'bah, jg doa gw nggak dikabulkan. Kayaknya semua udh gw lakuin deh? Apa ya yg kurang? dan tiba- tiba dapet wangsit haha

Kalau ya itu cobaan aja. Kalau ya, dalam hidup pasti ada aja cobaannya. Karena mau gimana, usaha dan doa udah dilakuin— dan itu tetap terjadi. Maka, bolak-baliknya gw ke toilet itu adalah cobaan gw. Dan semenjak penerimaan itu, setiap ada masalah, gw berusaha bukan lagi mikir “kenapa” tapi berubah jadi “gimana cara ngatasinnya” dan sabar aja

Kata ust saat kultum menjelang pulang, dunia isinya hanya sabar dan syukur. Gitu aja terus sampai nanti masuk syurga aamiin ya semoga ya :"

Part 6: When Longing Finally Found Its Answer

Setelah pulang dari Saudi, gw menemukan source bacaan dan tontonan yg relate dgn pertanyaan dan apa yg gw rasakan hehe

yaitu buku Secrets of Divine Love by A.Helwa dan series Putbal Ust Felix & Pandji!

Buku ini ngebuka mata gw ternyata mmng Allah tuh baik banget sama setiap hamba-Nya. Menjawab banyak pertanyaan gw dengan jawaban yang make sense untuk gw. Kalau seri Putbal itu, balikin lagi ke konsep-konsep tentang mengenal Allah dan ajaran Islam. Cocok untuk org2 yg butuh refreshment dan mungkin suka mikir (?) hahah 

Anw, balik lagi ke kesombongan di awal yang merasa bahwa semua yang dipunya "pantas" didapatkan karena hasil kerja keras. Ternyata, itu semua karena kebaikan Allah. Kalau ada kemudahan dalam hidup, bisa terjadi juga karena ada orang tua yang doanya menyertai. Bener-bener bukan dari usaha sendiri

Terus di series itu dijelasin juga kenapa orang itu sholat atau ibadah. Pernah nggak sih ngerasa sholat kayak capek banget? Tapi ternyata sholat 5x itu privilege buat kita langsung minta sama Allah. Dulu katanya kalau ada manusia biasa mau request tertentu, itu lewat Nabi. Tp semenjak ada sholat, justru Allah kasih kesempatan kita buat minta apa aja yg kita mau tanpa perlu perantara. Sisanya nonton sendiri ya hehe

Lalu kenapa pula kita harus berdoa? Ternyata ibadah, termasuk doa, itu sarana buat kita bisa terkoneksi sama Allah. Ibarat cinta buta tadi, kalau kita cinta pasti kan maunya kehubung terus ya. Nah, ngejaga hubungan sama Allah itu caranya begitu ktnya

Terus btw sadar nggak sih kalau semakin gede hidup tuh terus berubah, dalam beberapa menit/jam aja yang tadinya seneng bisa tiba-tiba sedih? nah dgn doa tuh kita ngelepasin kemelekatan atas apa yg kita nggak bisa kontrol yg ni hidup kadang isinya kidding dan bisa minta A,B,C termasuk dikasih petunjuk 

Part 7: The New Start 

Pas ditanya, apa yang didapat dari perjalanan kali ini?

Hmm...I'm way far from His true servant, dan ada bbrp sih. Tapi top 1-nya adalah keinginan untuk belajar untuk knowing more about Him dan pengen banget termasuk orang yang loved by Him. To know what to strive for is to seek Allah’s pleasure by obeying what He commands and avoiding what He prohibits

Contoh nyatanya gimana? 

Allah itu suka sama orang yang memaafkan, dan salah satu ciri Muslim adalah pemaaf. Misalkan ada orang yang udah bikin gw sakit hati banget, ya mau nggak mau gw harus memaafkan. Karena itulah yang Allah suruh. Perkara akan get along lg dgn org itu apa enggak, it's another thing 

Bukan lagi soal gw mau apa enggak ngelakuinnya, tapi mulai berubah jadi—ini yang Allah mau. Suka apa enggak gw harus lakuin. Jd kayak ngelepas subjektivitas pribadi gtu loh wkwkwk persis deh ky fall in love kali yaa. Oh, sama ini! Ternyata dunia itu memang tempatnya kita merestrain diri. Maksudnya adalah kita mmng hrs ada self-restraint ketika berusaha ngelakuin apa yg disuruh karena pasti ada aja godaannya

Ya, semoga gw bisa konsisten deh ya! 

Yaudah kyknya udah kepanjangan hehe. Oiya ada bbrp yg tanya soal persiapan umroh itikaf, nanti gw bahas di tulisan/post yg lain. See you!

[BANGKOK JOURNAL PART 1: 46th APDSA ANNUAL CONGRESS 2019]

 46th ASIA PACIFIC DENTAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONGRESS 2019 THAILAND

OKAY HUFT! After dealing with problems, I finally make this story real HAHAHA. There're some missing parts, I guess, bcs I couldn't find the pic hehe... but enjoy the story!

31-07-2019 

Before headed to Bangkok, 2 friends of mine and I decided to play in Singapore first. We took a morning flight to Spore and strolling around for over hours. Changi is one of the most convenient airports to get transferred. There're many interesting spots to kill the time before the next flight for free. If you don't have much time to go outside, you can visit Jewel area. We ate Subway, the Alley, bought kinds of stuff, and watched movies as well.  The artificial garden in Jewel is mesmerizing! The mini sunflower garden is also beautiful!

  

01-08-2019

We arrived in Bangkok in the morning. The committee welcomed us and gave a rice snack. The delegates stayed at the Barkeley hotel in Pratunam area. After checked in, we visited the dental school of Chulalongkorn uni. I sat beside Goh. We had a long conv in the middle of traffic haha. In Chulalongkorn, first-year students became our guide to look around.  They wore a uniform. Cutie. Ah ya, besides the uni, there is high school which most of the student from there become the student of Chulalongkorn.  The teachers gave explanations about the dental school and the radiology department. We learnt the history of dentistry in Thailand by the collection in Vach Vudyawaddhana museum. I admire and adore the former king of Thailand. By the teacher's story, He such a very good king. He used his own money for the people, watched over them, and always tried to improve oral health particularly in rural areas. 

Thailand nowadays develops 3D machine for dent studs to learn teeth preparation. We can choose from the easy to the hard level. When I use it, it was very real like you do a prep in the real tooth. I really enjoyed it. Brilliant. Undoubtedly, dent studs could save more money from that hahaha. 

 

 Oya, this is Ing and Pauny        3D tooth prep machine 

In museum 

We visited the human body museum which exhibits human specimens that made of real human bodies from Japan by making bodies via plastination process (but we were not allowed to take pic or video). Then, we also took a look around the dental hospital building and backed to the Barkeley. 

OMG! This is the beginning of group 4 story in Bangkok. I'm very excited when writing this story hahaha. So, the opening ceremony was started by the speech and Thailand traditional dance. The costumes and performances were stunning. I'm fond of it. The committee explained to us the whole event for the next few days and APDSA things as well. AH YA! Let me introduce my group. From left to right, up to down: Goh (Malaysia/Hongkong), Joel (Singapore), Punlok (Cambodia), Keiko (Japan), Xhion (Malaysia), Kyle (South Korea), June (Thailand), Nan (Thailand), James (Thailand), Wendy (Malaysia/Taiwan), and me J. Nan and June are our group leaders.

Tbh, at first, I was afraid whether I would fit in this group or not. By the time, I got my comfort. They’re so kind, care, and outgoing. This is my favourite part of this APDSA annual meeting, become part of group 4 besides the great hospitality provided by the committee. I’m very grateful for it. We talked about many things while eating a tasty dinner. Yummy. One of the funniest was Kyle would enter the autopsy class and he scared.  Oh, Kyle, unfortunately, I just have a forensic class, it’s enough. And he jealous on me that much Hahaha. Kyle is very humorous in his way haha and kindhearted too! We shared our life stories. His is so engaging.  And surprisingly, u know, last APDSA was the 5^th or 6^th for Goh! wow

Oh ya, this pic actually took in the last day but all of the members here hehe

First dinner (Nan, Keiko, and Goh were still on their way)

02-08-2019

Move to the 2^nd day. In the 2^nd day, we had 2 main activities. Academic session and Who Needs Sleep. Bcs we slept late, so felt sleepy but we had to sit in the front line hahaha. The academic session consists of presentations, exhibition, and competitions. The 1^st presentations talked about “Be prepared for the world you’re facing: ageing healthy and healthy ageing”. Then “what exactly is your work as a dentist in patient’s eyes?”. After that, “how to prepare ourselves to serve population”. My favourite session was the last one. The speaker gave us tips on how to behave so the patients still feel comfortable and trust in us. She said the patients very look to our nonverbal communication. Based on data, 93% of people will judge you by your nonverbal communication. We should show our empathy, be cheerful, confident, give the best hospitality, respect them, amiable, and trustable.

 

 

 

After the presentations, there was an elderly experience exhibition. It was fun because we can get a prize if we fill the maps (below). We had to visit every post and did the challenges. There were 5 posts consist of the new golden age, be grandma, inspiring innovative dental care, yadom, memorize them all, ageing society matters now, and be a grandpa. Ah ya, yadom is traditional Thailand medicine. It’s like Indonesian minyak tawon with a better smell. And Kyle likes yadom hahaha. 

 Joel loves curapox especially when its colour is amber. He mentioned it many times. So, I asked him to take a photo with his favourite one haha. Uch, you are so cute Joel!

Yhaaa this is us after attended talkshow

Our first lunch! U can see mine is different. It was halal food. They were asked why I was eating that kind of food and well I answered that’s bcs I’m Muslim so I couldn’t eat pork (just to simplify). Instead of the main course, there were also unique desserts. For sure, it’s not really different from Indonesian but not as sweet as Indonesian kolak

After the academic session, we hang out through the “who needs sleep”. It was really fun. We crossed Chao Praya River to reached Icon Siam with the ferry. Along the way to Icon Siam, Wendy and I shared our thoughts and differences among Indo – Malay. She’s very charming, energetic, brave, and outgoing. She loves physical and outdoor activities. She studies in military school and abroad (Taiwan). With James, in the subway, we were gossiping and grumbling dent school. Hahahha. James’s very lovely, caring, and talkative person. I’m sure you’ll like him once you meet. Uu James miss you

Icon Siam is a new shopping centre, I guess, in Bangkok. We had dinner with a bewitching night view of Bangkok with appetizing food bcs the restaurant is at the top of the building. Such a pleasure. We also tried mango sticky rice. Yummy. Going to Thailand is not completed yet if you don’t try durian hahaha. As a fan of durian, I was very excited!! So we decided to go to the food court (it’s a kinda traditional market in the mall bsc they sell Thailand snacks). Wendy is also a durian lover! We will eat durian together someday haha. Only Keiko and Kyle who don’t like durian. Hahahha 

 

Dinner in the Icon Siam

w/ tuk tuk

We took pose like a Thailand traditional icon, a monkey isn't it?

I forced Kyle to try coconut ice cream first hehe sorry :(  it was yummy, though

Ah ya Keikoo!!! In Icon Siam, we talked a lot. Keiko is a charming girl. I love her smiling eyes. The thins that I couldn’t even forget is that she studied for the final exam during APDSA while the test 6 months later J hehe

AAAA… there was a challenge from the committee. We should pose like a tooth fairy. Our pose represents a tooth fairy rightttt? But we didn’t win L

While waiting for other groups, we watched the water fountain with a stunning view of Bangkok. Aa… exhausted but happy. We got back to Berkeley with a taxi to shorten the time.

03-08-2019

Group four got an optional tour to Nakhon Prathom (if I'm not mistaken hehe). It was outside Bangkok (like Depok perhaps haha). Joel sat beside me. I'm glad we talked about many interesting things in life. Such a memorable one. He’s a kindhearted person, a durian lover too! And he loves his sister so much :)

 

The 1^st a place we visited was red lotus floating market. THIS IS US! (-) Xhion and James

We’re cute, aren't we? HAHAHAHA

The 2^nd place (aww I forget the name). We made handkerchief with a chosen pattern, fish from leaves, and an elephant from clay

We had lunch in volcano place (ahh I don’t know the name, but the signature is a volcano prawn (?)). Okay, from this, I realize that I love Thai food!!!! Bsc the taste not really different from Indonesian. Spicy and seasoned. And mostly the dish uses seafood, especially prawn. The taste of tom yam was so original Hehehe 

 

After late lunch—we ate again in alongside river (perhaps Chao Praya,idk)… reminiscing this day makes me hungry haha w/ our favourite mango sticky rice

Ferries back and forth in our sightseeing with a shimmering light 

After dinner, it was still 9pm. Need to play more hahaha. So after arrived in Berkeley, we went to Neon night market to try Thailand street foods and look for unique pieces of stuff. Joel wanted to get a massage but sadly those places were full. We had to wait for hours but Joel had a practice schedule for the cultural night. So Nan and June took us to Thai massage place. But it was just me, Wendy, Goh, and Kyle. Omg, that was very relaxing. My starched muscle really enjoyed it!!!!

This is me and Nan in Neon night market

Oh ya, I also realized that June and Nan area a very kindhearted person and funny. They really helped us in many ways and made us laugh at the same time HAHA. Lovee you June and Nann <3

04-08-2019

The last busy day in APDSA. They were a workshop, alumni session, cultural night, and closing ceremony. The workshop took place in Mahidol. The building is soo tall. 21 lvl isn’t it? You even could find Auntie Anne’s.

 

In front of Mahidol

I got “Basic-to-advance training, predictable implant treatment using 3D planning and positioning – practical skills for future dental implant dentistry”. It was very great bcs we learnt how to make a plan and do the implant prep which we won’t get in undergrad. The hands-on was unforgettable. When you do the prep, it was so satisfying. Yuhuu 

 

After the prep and 3D implant planning 

  

After the hands-on session, we had lunch and listen to the alumni session.

His figure is so inspiring. He said, leadership is important in dentistry, the hardest thing is dealing with ppl. Someone could be called as a leader if they know about ppl, looking for their potentials, and make sure everyone gives their best. Thank you for the awesome story sir. Wish could be like you in the future. Later on, we backed to the Barkeley for the cultural and closing ceremony. Indonesia showed a mixed traditional dance haha

This is me and Nan. I was wearing a batik skirt and Nan w/ a cool Thai trad dress

Yaps… to wrap up.. this is completely US. I’m glad finally Xhion joined us again. Xhion, I’m sorry, I thought your name was Shawn (HAHAHA so embarrassing). He’s very humble and a gentleman. You know, I wrote name Shawn in the letter -_-

Next year, the APDSA annual congress will be held in Cambodia (in Punlok’s) so he was so excited to promote his country :)

Those are souvenirs from APDSA

We exchanged souvenirs among us. Hihiy, I’m overjoyed

This is a letter written by Group 4 to me. Gonna miss you guys.

It’s my pleasure to get new-kindhearted and outgoing-friends. Besides, I got to know about dentistry in different countries, open up my mind, and many incredible bits of knowledge. We definitely will see each other someday  :)

05-08-2019

Our last day in Berkeley. Just had breakfast and checked out the hotel. Another journey in Bangkok just started with Daneta [to be continued]