Kamis, 31 Januari 2008

A Homeschooler’s Life

What is homeschooling? Many peoples have their own stereotype. But, based on my experience, almost everybody simply clarify it as “schooling at home”. As a result they suggest that the appearance of teachers, chairs, white board, and other elements supporting formal learning would obviously become a must. But before we become bamboozled by this “misperception”, let’s hear how the experts illuminate homeschooling.
The American homeschooling expert Mary Griffith states in her inspirational book, The Unschooling Handbook, that homeschooling is a style of education that gives children the liberty to learn as he wish without being limited by time, curriculum and other things that, in many cases, put a boundary on the children. To be honest, I think that this is the most agreeable perception of homeschooling. But, another opinion from Kak Seto, the “local-face” in terms of education expert, is quite a thing to hear. He declares that homeschooling is an alternative way of education that puts children as a subject (not as an object) by using an “at home” approach that gives the children convenience in learning. Pretty complicated indeed, Kak Seto.
In common, there are four types of homeschooling. The first one is the traditional type of homeschooling. This one, if I may say, is constant with what I had said earlier. This is the main stereotype of homeschooling. Because, honestly, this type of homeschooling only “moved” the school inside the house. So, this means that curriculum is still alive and well, teachers exist, and other formal equipments and requirements are compulsory to do this type of homeschooling properly. The way of learning usually doesn’t change much than those of formal schools. Another type of homeschooling is Unit Study. This sort of homeschooling, in my opinion, is somewhat radical and slightly controversial. Why is that so? Because, in this homeschooling, let’s say the homeschooler (a popular nickname for homeschooling students) only want to learn mathematics, then so be it. Mathematics would be the only thing he will learn as long as the homeschooler’s family still uses the method of Unit Study. After that, along came Eclectic Homeschooling. This literally is the result of a mixture between Unit Study and traditional homeschooling. The difference is, in this type of homeschooling subject matter (theme) is given to the homeschooler, making the learning process slightly easier. And after that came unschooling. In this type of homeschooling, children are encouraged to learn from a wide variety of references. Whether it is from internet, books, encyclopedias, or other things that could be used as a source of information. All types of homeschooling have its own weakness and strengthens, and it’s your choice to pick which one is the best.
Equipments needed to do homeschooling are, essentially, simple. But, it depends on the type of homeschooling you pick. Fancy some traditional homeschooling? Look for some teachers and buy utensils supporting formal tutelage like chairs, whiteboard, etc. Be sure that a curriculum is set, and basically, just move the formal school inside the house. If you prefer to use Unit Study as your homeschooling modus operandi, prepare all things that match the children’s interest. Example, if your “homeschooler-to-be” is captivated by Geography, buy some atlas, globes, and other equipments supporting Geographic learning. If you decide that Eclectic homeschooling is the most agreeable selection, you must prepare both of the equipments needed in the traditional type and the Unit Study.
But, the basic question asked to me when I told them of my identity as a homeschooler, obviously, is why? Why do I choose homeschooling amidst the increasing quantities of “high quality” schools? Honestly, when my parents told me about homeschooling, my doubts are on its highest level. At that time, I thought that going to school and taking lessons is the only option to get a proper mode of education, my mind is still very academic. Another thing is that I have never really heard of homeschooling before. But, I then look at the other side of homeschooling. The “Independence Factor” on children which, sadly, is being violated in many formal schools everywhere, is guaranteed at homeschooling. I became more and more tempted after my parents gave me a learning plan I agreed on. But there is still one thing that bugs me at that time. What is it? Yep, socialization. Of course, at that time I have no idea on how to look for friends outside school and lessons. Moreover, socializing with children in my neighborhood is never a frequent behavior. But, my parents assure me that I could still have friends because, going to school doesn’t assure my socialization, but is my will to socialize and make new friends. Even if I was studying in a school with 95 students each class, if I refused to socialize, am I going to get a friend? Instantly, I agreed with this perception. Furthermore, my parents assure me that the spare times available in homeschooling would allow me to take more lessons, and even Forrest Gump would know that lessons are one way to gain more friends. And so, bedazzled by the prospect of homeschooling, I chose to accept the offer of doing homeschooling. It’s just too good to refuse. In the end, it’s my parent’s influence that made me go homeschooling.
At first, it’s not easy. I have to get used to a new type of learning, and a new type of liberality. Although liberty and independence has long become my dream, I found it hard to accomplish even after I have all the necessary facilities. Moreover, my family’s decision to go homeschooling is responded in an unappreciative manner by our relatives. This is a thing that, I think, happens to almost all children who has only started homeschooling. Take a look at the experience of “Salatiga’s Bill Gates”, M.Izza Ahsin. Having had enough of school, he decided to go homeschooling. At first, his decision to drop out of school was highly opposed by everyone, even his parents. But after continuous negotiations, at last he became a homeschooler amidst the disillusionment of his relatives. And now, he’s quite a writer, making an inspirational yet controversial book called A World Without School (Dunia Tanpa Sekolah). The thing that happened to him also happened to me. Although my relatives are not as oppressive as his. Almost everybody in my family criticized our decision, and sometimes they persuaded me and my little brother Deli who also joins homeschooling to go back to school. But our family persisted. So, we continued our homeschooling method despite the continuous criticism from my relatives. But, amidst those criticisms, sarcasm, and skepticism, me and my brother enjoyed this homeschooling and can only describe it as, wow.
Despite the fact that many disputes came after the almost-frequent rule breakings and the never-ending sarcasm and misunderstandings continue the liberty to choose for your own, the liberation to be yourself and the emancipation to arrange your own undertakings seems to have abolished all those criticisms. By allowing me to be myself, I gained extra credit in confidence, thus encouraging me to express my interpretation and opinion more than I use to. In homeschooling, I’m also encouraged to make my own schedule. I judge by myself whether it is realistic enough, whether it could accommodate my objective for today or not, and so on and so forth. This policy helps me to be less reliant to other people. Moreover, the principal of homeschooling (my homeschooling, at least) which is “we can learn everywhere, about anything, at any time, and to anyone” really gives me a great deal of convenience. This allows me to learn of something even when I was on the airport. To top it all, homeschooling really did change my life.
But of course, one of every homeschooler-to-be’s nost common fear is about one thing, socialization. Of course, in some people’s point of view, the fact that homeschoolers merely stayed at home disables them to socialize properly with the surrounding world. But the real fact apparently says that homeschooler didn’t just stay at home and learn things. Because approximately 7 hours of their time isn’t used to go to school, homeschoolers obviously has a lot of spare time. This spare time allows the homeschoolers, other than going to lessons, which I have mentioned before, to just go to ceremonies and shows with children there. It would be better if the children follow a homeschooling community. Annually, homeschooling communities (or at least, my homeschooling community) held a show in certain places. Usually, other homeschooler attends that show, and a chance of socialization submerged itself. I also heard one of Kak Seto’s sayings, and I depict that, based on that opinion, ordinary school children does have friends. Yes, that means their socialization wheel is still turning. So, what’s the special thing about it? They meet the same friends everyday. They socialize with the same friends everyday. They have many friends, but their friends is the same everyday. So, where are their stimuli to socialize? He already has some friends. There’s no new friend. So, their socialization skill is just (no offense) inferior. They’re like a blunt knife. But, it’s compulsory for us to remember that not every school children are like that. Some school children does have an impressive level of socialization. Now, we look at homeschoolers. They have no real friends. If we count ‘real friends’ as a friend you meet everyday. So, to maintain their socialization, they have to cope with the situations. Meaning? They have to make friends with everybody that, in their opinion, is suitable to be his friends. The knife is sharpened almost every time, thus maintaining the socialization level of homeschoolers. So, actually the key to good socialization is the will to socialize. No matter what you are, ordinary students or homeschoolers, if you refused to socialize, you won’t get any friends. Get it?
Indeed, homeschooling is a family-based education. Almost all decisions are made by family. Even the decision to start doing homeschooling must be a two-way agreement. The Parent’s side and the children’s side must reach an agreement in terms of modus operandi in learning, rules and regulations, and other things.
Another thing is that patience is needed in homeschooling. The result of homeschooling won’t come instantly. Why? Because learning is not like an instant noodle. An instant noodle needs only 3 minute of process to make it ready to serve. Homeschooling’s result would only appear after some time of learning. How long would it be? It actually depends on the children’s progress and the effectiveness of the learning program. But to give you a little clue, it would be a bit longer than 3 minutes. The key is not to give childrens a lot of stimuli without pushing the homeschoolers too hard.
Please remember two more things. One, homeschooling’s not easy. I believe that not much explaining would be needed for this matter, as I have mentioned about the difficulties of doing homeschooling. What matters is that you don’t give up homeschooling just because of the pressures. And two, homeschooling is a choice. An alternative. This is not the only way of proper learning. Every child’s style is different. Some childrens, me for example, does best as a homeschooling. But other childens does better in formal school. The children’s choice must also be heard. Because, as I believed I had mentioned previously, homeschooling is a two-way agreement.
Honeschooling’s a choice, everybody. The question is:
What’s your choice?

The Future Of Asia

What would the future of Asia be? Derelict and substandard? Or nice and agreeable? It is, indeed, a question we are very anxious to answer. Some cynics may believe that the disputes and continouous wars in a few parts of Asia, added in a ghastly combination with the growing poverty rate may trigger a very unpleasant future for Asian nations. However, the future and fate of Asia truly lies in the “cleverness” of Asian peoples and mainly in the economic growth.
Why should Asian people be “clever”? “Clever” here, hardly means they have to get great scores in school, no. It means cleverness in promoting our cultural diversity to its fullest. Because, great sceneries, awe-inspiring cultures, stupendous traditions, and picturesque lands are everyday meal in Asia. If we promote all of them and show it to the world, our tourism rate would inevitably increase, thus improving the economic sector of Asia. Two jobs done in moment, eh? Of course, tourism is not the only modus operandi we have to improve our ecomony. Agricultural, industrial, and natural resources sector must also be a way of gaining more and more economic improvements.
As we all know so well, fertile and/or rich lands is easily found in almost every Asian regions. The Southeast Asian region is quite a good example of agricultural center. And despite not having fertile lands, Russia must pride themselves because of having the rich, frozen region of Siberia, that has almost all natural resources including oil, gas, copper, gold, coal, and iron ore. While nations such as China and Japan has proved themselves as some of the world’s most improved and important industrial and commercial center. All of this must be used either to improve economy by selling it to another country or using it for domestic matters. But, all of this must be used gradually and proportionally instead of using it in an ill-mannered way. Because, if not treated carefully, mining and oil digging can be a very dangerous job. And altough agricultural resources increases perpetually, natural resources such as gold, copper, nickel, etc. decreases perpetually. Moreover, unlike agricultural resources, natural resources cannot be reproduced, so that if we are out of gold, we will not be having gold again forever. Not a pleasant thing to think about, don’t you find?
But, it all would not have any benefits whatsoever if the next generations (a.k.a. childrens) aren’t prepared to carry the heavy burden of running the improving Asia. And so, how could we prepare childrens to lead and develop the future Asia? Simple. Education. Or rather, proper education.
But, what is proper education? In my point of view, a proper education is a type of education that nurtures a child’s talents. Example, if one child is good at architecture, and is interested in it, the government and/or other organizations must provide matters of education that suits the child’s talent. This also means that education nowadays needs a very large adjustment, especially the ones in, no offense, Indonesia, where education is largely robotic.
But, even if we have proper educations, helluva industries, terrific agricultures, and out-of-this-world tourism, would it all matter if we didn’t unite?
Take a look at Europe. Despite the fact that almost all of the European countries are wealthly, did they stand out by themselves? Did they become a wealthy country by themselves, without help from anybody? No. They unite as the European Union, thus becoming a major force in the modern-day world. They help each other should one of them get in any sort of trouble, they make decisions together, they even have the same currency, Euro. Imagine if we could unite like how they do, such great force we will be, don’t you think? Well, some of us may stubbornly persisted, “Yes, there’s already an organization that unites some Asian nations in certain areas!”. That persistance, is strictly correct. Example, Southeast Asian nations are united by the organization of ASEAN. But, has anybody established an organization or federation that unites the whole Asia? I don’t think so.
My point is, a type of organization similar to the European union must be established in order to unite Asian nations. Why? Because by cooperating, we would get extra benefits. Everyone knows that. Uniting could also prevent the conversion of everyday disputes into horrific war, and also stop the ongoing wars and civil wars, as negotiations and peace treaty signings would be encouraged by the organization. Actually, by looking at other countries that refused to unite and/or cooperate with other countries, we could also have a good example about what would happen if we don’t cooperate. Take a look at North Korea. The communist country refused to cooperate at all with other countries because of the juche philosophy made by their first leader Kim Il Sung. This philosophy depicts that North Korea can sustain itself and doesn’t need any help from other countries. This odd philosophy are still used by the present leader Kim Jong Il, who happens to be the son of Kim Il Sung. The result? A complete disaster. Famine in the 90’s which is caused by the withdrawal of foods subsidies from Russia and China proved it all. 3 million of people died because of severe illness and famine-related causes in 1998. Education and knowledge also become very substandard there. One day, I watched a television programme made by National Geographic Channel that shows all the things hidden by this country that, apparently and appalingly, refuses to communicate too with other countries and is in complete isolation from the rest of the world.
In that program, some reporters disguised themselves as assistant to a Nepalese doctor, who had a special license to cure thousands of cataract-infested patients. In the Pyongyang hospital, a technologically-advanced German medical machine was found, and nobody in that hospital even know what it does. All of the doctor doesn’t even know how to give an operation to a cataract patient! How absurd! The childrens are also given an unorthodox type of education. Imagine, since childhood childrens of North Korea is teached to hate the Americans. I even heard a lyric of their absurd nursery rhymes: “The dirty Americans bow before us,….” . I’m not saying this to insult the North Koreans, but I think, that is what becomes of a country that refuses to cooperate with other countries. They become derelict, shoddy and barbaric.
The ex-republic of Serbia and Montenegro is an example of nations that refused to unite. In 2006, after the continouous disputes between the Serbians and the Montenegrins, the republic parted. And did they become better countries? No. Instead, both of them become a rather poor country. And yet they aren’t tempted to reunite. Imagine again, what would become of Asia if we refused to unite and cooperate? Do we want to be torned-out like the Serbians or barbaric like the North Koreans? Of course the answer is no.
What happened to both of the countries I had mentioned is an explicit proof that if we don’t unite and snubs cooperation, whatever it is that we have achieved, whatever it is that we have toiled for, will be lost at last.
The thing is, we have a great future waiting anxiously for us. The question is, can we reach him in time before he departs? The answer lies in all of our hands.

Name of Author : Raka Ibrahim Anshafarie
Grade : 7th Grade
Age :11 Years Old
School : SAnDi KerLiP

An Article About Bullying

Waktu KerLiP mengadakan seminar dan pelatihan tentang pendidikan berbasis Hak Anak, Raka kami beri kesempatan untuk mengutarakan pendapatnya. Berikut makalah yang dibawakannya di hadapan 104 guru SD-SMA se Jabar dan seorang Guru besar UPI Bandung.
Bullying dapat terjadi pada kalangan manapun. Teman sekelas di sekolah, teman sekelas di tempat les, dan bahkan orangtua, guru, serta orang dewasa lainnya berpotensi menjadi pelaku bullying. Semua tempat juga bisa menjadi ladang bullying. Tetapi, sebenarnya apa itu bullying?
Dalam definisi pribadi saya, bullying adalah suatu bentuk penindasan dimana seseorang yang lebih kuat menindas seseorang yang lebih lemah. Bentuk bullying bermacam-macam adanya, tetapi saya sendiri mengelompokkannya dengan julukan penyiksaan fisik dan penindasan mental. Penyiksaan fisik adalah suatu bentuk bullying yang menggunakan kekerasan fisik. Kekerasan itu meliputi penendangan, pemukulan, pen”jitak”an , dan lain-lain. Sementara itu, penindasan mental adalah suatu jenis bullying yang menggunakan perkataan alih-alih kekerasan fisik. Bullying ini meliputi penyebaran gosip-gosip miring, pengejekan, dan lain-lain. Sasaran bullying dalam lingkup anak-anak biasanya adalah anak-anak yang lebih lemah, cacat mental atau fisik, anak baru, dan anak yang merupakan minoritas.
Menurut penulis Barbara Coloroso dalam bukunya Penindas, Tertindas, dan Penonton, ada tiga jenis aktor dalam sandiwara bullying yaitu penindas, tertindas, dan penonton. Penindas adalah orang yang menjadi pelaku bullying, tertindas adalah yang ditindas oleh sang penindas, dan penonton adalah yang menonton ketika penindasan terjadi.
Orang dewasa, kurasa, lebih banyak menggunakan kekerasan mental. Begini, biasanya anak tertindas yang cukup berani melapor pasti akan melapor pada guru dan/atau orangtuanya serta orang terdekatnya, istilahnya, curhat. Masalahnya, banyak orang dewasa malah membenarkan alasan sang penindas untuk melakukan bullying dan/atau malah, lebih buruknya lagi, mendukung sang pelaku bullying. Menurutku, ini karena kecerdikan para penindas. Mereka mungkin menampilkan diri sebagai seseorang yang dibenci dan ditakuti di mata para murid dan kawan-kawannya, tetapi di mata guru atau orang dewasa lain, mereka berpura-pura menjadi anak baik. Bersukarela membantu, bertingkah-laku dan berbicara sopan, dan melakukan hal-hal lain yang dapat menghapus sama sekali kecurigaan terhadap mereka. Tentunya, perbuatan ini akan memberi makna baru bagi frasa, ”Ada udang dibalik batu”. Oleh karena itu, hati-hatilah! Para anak tertindas umumnya takut pada, well, segala sesuatu dalam bullying. Bukan berarti saya bermaksud bahwa mereka takut membaca makalah tentang bullying, tidak. Maksudku adalah, mereka takut pada bullying dan penindas serta takut untuk menyelesaikan masalah bullying. Belum lagi, mereka sangat ketakutan melapor kepada orang lain mengenai terjadinya bullying terhadapnya, dan ini membuat penindasan terus dilanjutkan oleh sang penindas, sebab sang penindas merasa bahwa tidak ada ancaman baginya dari orang lain saat dia melakukan bullying.
Belum lagi, anak-anak tertindas memiliki kecenderungan menyerah kepada sang penindas, yang tentunya membuat keadaan lebih parah. Kehadiran elemen ketiga dalam bullying malah membuat penderitaan mereka bertambah.
Definisi singkat mengenai sang penonton adalah bahwa mereka adalah orang yang menonton ketika bullying terjadi. Mereka memiliki kecenderungan yang sangat mengkhawatirkan, yaitu mendukung sang penindas. Bahkan, terkadang sang penonton malah ikut menjadi sang penindas dengan berpartisipasi menindas orang lain. Alasan-alasan klise seperti ”Dia (tertindas) pantas ditindas karena tidak mau diajak main.” dan lain-lain dijadikan legitimasi oleh mereka untuk tidak menghentikan aksi sang penindas atau bahkan membela sang tertindas. Bahkan, mungkin saja mereka juga takut dijadikan sasaran baru oleh sang penindas.
Tentunya, ada banyak undang-undang yang dilanggar oleh terjadinya bullying, termasuk Undang-Undang Nasional RI Tentang Perlindungan Anak serta undang-undang yang dikeluarkan Konvensi Hak Anak.
Dalam Konvensi Hak Anak, tercatat ada dua hal yang dilanggar oleh terjadinya bullying. Undang-undang yang pertama adalah Undang-Undang Pasal 16 Ayat 1 yang berbunyi: Tidak seorang anakpun dapat dikenai campur tangan sewenang-wenang atau tidak sah mengenai kehidupan pribadi, keluarga, rumah tangga, atau hubungan surat menyuratnya, ataupun diserang secara tidak sah nama baiknya.Undang-undang ini tampaknya merujuk kepada bullying jenis mental. Dimana sindiran, penyerangan nama baik, dan hal-hal lain yang disebutkan dalam undang-undang tersebut digunakan sebagai alat bullying. Ayat selanjutnya dari pasal ini memberi semacam petunjuk apabila undang-undang ayat satu dilanggar: Anak berhak atas perlindungan hukum terhadap campur tangan/serangan seperti tersebut di atas. Tentunya, ayat ini seolah memberi peringatan bagi para penindas bahwa jalan hukum dapat ditempuh apabila terjadi bullying.
Pasal 27 ayat 1-2 juga merupakan pasal yang dilanggar oleh perbuatan bullying. Pasal ini berbunyi: Negara-negara pihak mengakui hak setiap anak atas kehidupan yang layak untuk pengembangan fisik, mental, spiritual, dan sosialnya. Tentunya maksud dari pasal ini adalah bahwa anak memiliki hak atas kehidupan yang layak untuk pengembangan fisik, mental, spiritual, dan sosial mereka. Tetapi, apakah bullying membantu pengembangan fisik, mental, spiritual, dan sosial mereka? Justru sebaliknya. Penghambatan pengembangan fisik dapat saja terjadi karena stres berkelanjutan yang membuat fisik memburuk. Perkembangan mental, tentunya, malah hancur karena bullying seolah menenemkan mental tunduk kepada anak yang tertindas. Pengembangan spiritual kemungkinan besar tidak akan terjadi, dan pengembangan sosial akan terhambat karena ketika mereka ditindas, banyak orang semakin menjauhi mereka entah karena takut ditarget penindas karena dianggap membela tertindas atau alasan lainnya.
Bagi para orangtua dan yang bertanggung jawab atas anak, ayat 2 menyebutkan tugas mereka: Orangtua atau orang lain yang bertanggungjawab atas anak, mempunyai tanggung jawab utama untuk mengupayakan kondisi kehidupan yang diperlukan untuk pengembangan anak, sesuai dengan kemampuan dan kondisi keuangan mereka. Ayat ini menunjukkan tanggung jawab dari orangtua atau yang bertanggung jawab atas anak untuk terus berupaya membuat kondisi kehidupan tersebut.
Pada undang-undang Indonesia, juga terdapat beberapa ayat yang dilanggar oleh bullying, seperti pada Pembukaan UU RI No. 23 Tahun 2002 Tentang Perlindungan Anak pasal c-d. Pasal d merupakan sambungan dari c. Bunyi pasal c adalah: Menimbang bahwa anak adalah tunas, potensi, dan generasi muda penerus cita-cita perjuangan bangsa, memiliki peran strategis dan mempunyai ciri dan sifat khusus yang menjamin kelangsungan eksistensi bangsa dan negara pada masa depan. Pasal ini hanya menjelaskan mengenai kegunaan anak di masa depan, tetapi pasal d-lah yang penting: Menimbang bahwa agar setiap anak kelak mampu memikul tanggung jawab tersebut, maka ia perlu mendapat kesempatan yang seluas-luasnya untuk tumbuh dan berkembang secara optimal, baik fisik, mental, maupun sosial, dan berakhlak mulia, perlu dilakukan upaya perlindungan serta untuk mewujudkan kesejahteraan anak dengan memberikan jaminan terhadap pemenuhan hak-haknya serta adanya perlakuan tanpa diskriminasi. Dalam kedua undang-undang ini, dijelaskan efek jangka panjang dari kehidupan tanpa bullying, yang merupakan suksesnya tugas yang diemban tersebut.
Bab 3 pasal 4 dari undang-undang juga merupakan salah-satu undang-undang yang dilanggar bullying. Undang-undang itu mengatakan: Setiap anak berhak untuk hidup, tumbuh, berkembang, dan berpartisipasi secara wajar sesuai dengan harkat dan martabat kemanusiaan, serta mendapat perlindungan dari kekerasan dan diskriminasi. Yang paling saya soroti adalah kata ”dari kekerasan dan diskriminasi”. Itu berarti, anak sebenarnya berhak untuk dilindungi dari bullying, karena kekerasan dan diskriminasi juga termasuk bullying jenis mental dan fisik.
Kewajiban orangtua dan yang bertanggungjawab atas anak semakin ditegaskan dalam pasal 13 ayat 1 yang berbunyi: Setiap anak selama berada dalam pengasuhan orangtua, wali, atau pihak lain manapun yang bertanggung jawab atas pengasuhan, berhak mendapat perlindungan dari perlakuan:
a. diskriminasi,
b. eksploitasi, baik ekonomi atau seksual,
c. penelantaran,
d. kekejaman, kekerasan, dan penganiayaan,
e. ketidak adilan,
f. perlakuan salah lainnya.
Besarnya tanggung jawab orangtua/penanggungjawab anak semakin ditegaskan dalam ayat 2, yang berkata: Dalam hal ini, orang tua, wali, atau pengasuh anak melakukan segala bentuk perlakuan sebagaimana dalam ayat 1, maka pelaku dikenakan pemberatan hukuman. Sebuah ayat yang semakin menunjukkan tanggung jawab orangtua.
Pasal 16 Ayat 1 yang juga dilanggar bullying berkata: Setiap anak berhak memperoleh perlindungan dari sasaran penganiayaan, penyiksaan, atau penjatuhan hukuman yang tidak manusiawi. Sebenarnya ayat ini memiliki makna yang kuranglebih sama dengan pasal 13 ayat 1, tapi masih ada perbedaannya.
Setelah membaca sejauh ini, pastinya satu pertanyaan terpatri dalam pikiran kita, bagaimanakah cara menghentikan bullying?
Menurut Barbara Coloroso dalam bukunya Penindas, Tertindas, dan Penonton, hal pertama yang biasanya dilakukan kebanyakan orang adalah untuk melakukan sesuatu yang biasa disebutnya sebagai solusi sementara,seperti hukuman, pencabutan hak-hak istimewa, tamparan bagi sang penindas, dan pertolongan yang segera diberikan kepada anak tertindas.
Alih-alih solusi sementara tersebut, dia merasa bahwa pendidikan moral untuk mengajari kebaikan pada mereka, sekaligus mengajarkan tentang hal yang termasuk perbuatan baik dan agar memiliki kekuatan untuk berbuat baik. Dia menambahkan bahwa seorang anak seharusnya sangat ingin menjadi orang yang bertindak dengan berani- atau baik dan adil- mengetahui cara melakukannya.
Menurutnya, meskipun sekolah dan masyarakat juga memerankan peran penting, rumah adalah tempat dia menerima pelajaran moral pertamanya. Sehingga keluarga harus dicermati.
Dia menganggap bahwa ada tiga jenis keluarga, yaitu keluarga tembok-bata, keluarga ubur-ubur, dan keluarga tulang punggung. Baik keluarga tembok-bata dan keluarga ubur-ubur berpotensi menjadikan seorang penindas, tertindas yang tidak berdaya, dan penonton yang membantu penindas/berdiri di pihaknya dan tidak berani bertindak.
Keluarga tembok-bata adalah sebuah keluarga super-kaku. Dalam keluarga jenis ini, ”bata” di”semen” bersama sehingga keluarga memiliki perintah kendali, kepatuhan, ketaatan kepada peraturan, dll. Anak-anak kerap diperalat, dikontrol, dan dipaksa berpikir, sementara pemikiran dan perasaan mereka sendiri terabaikan. Secara keseluruhan, Coloroso menggambarkan keluarga tembok-bata sebagai sesuatu yang pada dasarnya merupakan sebuah hubungan yang bersifat diktator. Ciri-cirinya diantaranya adalah:
1. Ortu memiliki wewenang absolut, meneguhkan perintah-perintah, dan selalu menang.
2. Penegakan hukum secara kaku melalui kekerasan aktual atau khayalan serta ancaman.
3. Upaya mematahkan kehendak dan semangat anak dengan memberi rasa takut dan hukuman,
4. Penggunaan hinaan,
5. Penggunaan ancaman dan oenyuapan yang diperluas,
6. Sangat mengandalkan kompetisi,
7. Pembelajaran terjadi dalam atmosfer ketakutan.
8. Cinta yang bersyarat,
9. Anak diajari tentang hal yang harus dipikirkan dan bukan cara berpikirnya.
Bagaimanakah keluarga ini membentuk sebuah penindas? Perlu dicatat, bahwa hukuman fisik banyak dilakukan dalam keluarga ini. Sehingga, para calon penindas menganggap pemukulan, penendangan, cercaan, dan hal-hal lain yang pernah terjadi kepada mereka saat dihukum sebagai sesuatu yang diperbolehkan. Poin 7 mengenai pembelajaran dalam atmosfer ketakutan menimbulkan perasaan takut salah, bukan takut berbuat salah, pada anak, sehingga anak sering menyalahkan diri sendiri untuk kejadian penindasan terhadap mereka apabila merekalah sasaran, dan sikap apatis penonton yang takut mengambil risiko dan khawatir tidak melakukan sesuatu dengan benar. Sesungguhnya, keluarga jenis ini memang menghasilkan banyak penindas.
Keluarga ubur-ubur merupakan kebalikan keluarga tembok bata. Keluarga jenis ini sangat tidak terarah dan menetapkan disiplin yang longgar sekali. Orangtua menjadi plin-plan dan tidak jelas, memiliki cinta bersyarat sangat banyak, dan di beberapa kasus ortu secarafisik/psikologis menyingkirkan anak-anak dan memaksa mereka membela diri sendiri. Anak mendapat semua materi yang dibutuhkan, tapi tidak dapat kasih sayang, dekapan, dll. Perasaan hilang ini terlihat dalam hati yang rusak- rasa putus asa dan sedih. Anak mulai percaya bahwa kalau ada yang harus dilakukan, mereka harus melakukannya sendiri. Merasa tidak dicintai, tersingkir, dan mulai tidak percaya pada orang lain, mereka mulai belajar membohongi dan memanipulasi orang lain guna mendapat kebutuhan mereka. Karena lenggangnya disiplin dan kurangnya perhatian, maka penindas beraksi tanpa dapat ketahuan.
Keluarga jenis terakhir adalah keluarga tipe tulang-belakang yang penuh dengan kepedulian antarsesama keluarga. Disini, anak diajari bahwa mereka memiliki kebebasan menjadi diri sendiri sehingga mereka tidak perlu memanipulasi siapapun, menghina, atau menyerahkan diri ke penindas. Disini, anak-anak diberi banyak uluran kasih sayang dan dukungan terhadap anak, yang membuat moral sangat tinggi. Disini, anak-anak belajar untuk menerima perasaan mereka dan bertindak dengan bertanggung jawab pada perasaan itu melalui kesadaran diri. Cinta disini tak bersyarat seperti di 2 keluarga lainnya, dan anak dilindungi dari kemungkinan terkena dampak penindas atau kebutuhan menjadi penindas melalui peneguhan pesan-pesan yang menyuburkan suatu kesadaran diri yang kuat setiap hari. Pesan-pesan tersebut adalah aku menyukai diriku, aku dapat berpikir untuk diriku sendiri, tidak ada masalah yang sangat besar hingga tak terpecahkan. Dengan seluruh motivasi ini, keluarga tulang-belakang jelas merupakan yang terbaik dalam menyembuhkan bullying.
Kesimpulannya, untuk merubah siklus kekerasan dibutuhkan sesuatu yang disebut keberanian.Bagi penindas, mereka harus berani mengaku mereka salah, meminta maaf kepada yang telah ditindasnya, dan mencari solusi bagi masalah. Bagi tertindas, mereka harus berani menghadapi penindas dan bertindak tegas padanya. Penonton harus berani mawas diri bahwa kelakuan penindas salah, dan harus melakukan sesuatu untuk menghentikannya atau melaporkan kejadian tersebut. Dan darimana didapatkannya keberanian itu? Motivasi dan dukungan dari orangtua dan orang terdekat.
Satu hal lagi yang ditambahkan papaku, seluruh sekolah, institusi, dan orang harus sepakat bahwa bullying itu tidak dapat ditolerir sedikitpun dan harus dihentikan segera.
So, if your kid if a victim of bullying, don’t just sit back and relax. Do something. NOW.

How Do They Do That?

Ini esai yang dibuat Raka untuk Kumon Indonesia. Topiknya tentang Jepang.

In Japan, there is the Harajuku method of dressing. But, how could Kimono last there? Amongst the increasing quantities of Animes and games, how on earth did the Noh theater continues with great response and vast audiences? While baseball is becoming more and more popular, how did sumo stayed afloat? Also, when western culture and way of life is adopted everywhere, how could the local customs last? And when fast food is becoming increasingly more popular, how can sushi and teriyaki stay on top? These questions are the matters to discuss in this article.
Harajuku, fast food, anime, and baseball are either the result of globalization and/or the Western world influence, altough it was the great desire of the Japanese to set a trend that moves them. But, if we look at Japan’s past we would be quite bamboozled to know that Japan used to have a very asocial and full-of-secrecy behaviour. So, when did this Westernization started?
You see, Japan used to be a feudal and asocial country controlled by Tokugawa Shoguns. But in the 1850’s, the Western nations, who is eager to trade with Japan, forced the nation to open its borders in the Kanagawa treaty. This action dispossessed the Shoguns in a coup d’etat, restoring the power of the emperor. And so, Prince Mutsuhito takes the throne, becoming the new emperor and took the name “Meiji”, which means “enlightened rule”. Under this new emperor, Japan began their westernization. The Japanese adopts the Western technology and clothing, artilleries and commercial ways in an action similar to those of Peter the Great, the tsar of Russian empire in the 1700’s. And by the 20th century, Japan has become one of the world’s major powers.
But, the first question still haunts us, “How could the culture of the indigenous Japan survive amidst the globalization and westernization?” I found the answer from a blog I found in Google. The writer of the article noted the Japanese history first. The writer said that the Samurais of Japan also has a task of educating Japanese childrens. In this education, the spirit to progress, love to their country, and pride for the Japanese culture are among the matters given. This spirit still remained in the hearts of Japanese people, altough no specific explanations were given on how the samurais teach the childrens. For the Japanese, its not the physical appearance that matters, its morality that holds the highest price and value. They always maintain good relationships with other peoples. They also have a need for achievement planted strongly in their hearts, which is a thing that triggers their spirit to progress. That’s why Japanese people are very balanced, they already have a strong mental basis.
Now I’ll give my own point of view. I agreed with the writer that the pride of Japanese people helps them to protect their culture. The enormous importance of morality also have some influence in here. Why? Because this behaviour, of course, would require politeness to others and respect to the elders. And, it’s a custom, so the family would obviously adopt it, and unquestionably, the parents would practise those customs to the children who will eventually do it based on the example set by their parents, thus making the children a very balanced person. Polite, but still fashionable.
Another thing is that the elders or anybody who has more knowledge on Japanese tradition promotes the tradition frequently, thus maintaining the popularity and recognition of the culture. The creativity of the Japanese in combining traditions with technology also holds a price. As an example, In a television report, I saw the combining of technology and tradition in the Japanese world. The caterpillars whose silk is used as base for the kimono dress, apparently produced something different from silk and by technology, this “other production” can be used as a medicine. Why does this holds a price? Actually, I know that technology and gadgets is a common hobby for teenagers. If it weren’t a hobby, why would many teenager magazines comment about gadgets? To be precise, the “tradition meets technology” act (that’s how I call it) the Japanese adults and knowledged peoples do increases the interests of peoples, especially teenagers, about traditions and avoids the “oldies” stereotype of local cultures amongst the Japanese, which maintains the culture.
But now, another big question appears. Can we do the same thing in Indonesia? Can we make the teenagers and childrens of Indonesia proud of their own culture? Because, the signs that we are “reckless” in protecting our identity are beginning to show, especially after the continouous disputes with the Malaysians who claims that our tradition is theirs.
But of course, some of us may persist, “The Japanese already have strong mentality of pride, we don’t have it!”. Actually, we already have a strong basis of pride. Our ancestors, who fought the Dutchs in the colonization era must have “infected” those kinds of pride to their descendants. The problem is, if in Japan the family is in an advantageous condition of building pride, almost all families in Indonesia does exactly the opposite (I’m not saying it as all, because some families, including mine, always encourages love and pride to my country and culture.) by buying lots of import goods with cliché reasons that indicates dislikeness of their own country, whether it is related to quality, glamor, etc. Some more “scary” families even stereotyped local traditions as “country-ish”. This attitude should be changed. By? By encouraging the childrens to love their country and pride their culture, making us a balanced country like Japan. Take them as a role model, and, don’t be afraid to learn to them.



Name of Author : Raka Ibrahim Anshafarie
Grade : 7th Grade
Age : 11 Years Old
School : SAnDi KerLiP

Resume Deli setelah membaca buku

Judul buku the tale of despereaux
Pengarang Kate DiCamillo
Penerbit PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta, 2005
Ini adalah kisah tentanng despereaux tiling yang sangat kecil yang dibilang orangtuanya sakit karena ini :
1. dia dilahirkan dengan mata terbuka.
2. telinganya besar .
3. dia sering bersin – bersin.
4. Dia pingsan saat mendengar suara keras .
5. dia sangat kecil .
6. dll
dia juga suka kepada putri pea dan musik dia pernah masuk ke penjara -
bawah tanah hanya karena duduk di kaki raja dia
dan ini juga tentang tikus got bernama chiaroscuro yang hidup dalam gelap tapi sangat tertarik pada cahaya . dan juga kisah tentang miggery sow anak yang dijual hanya untuk taplak meja warna merah darah seekor ayam dan segenggam rokok . yang memiliki harapan yaitu dia ingin menjadi putri .

Pengalaman jumpa Qaisra Shahraz

Kemarin Raka ikut ibunya yang diminta menjadi moderator jumpa penulis buku "Perempuan Suci", Qaisra Shahraz. Berikut hasil laporannya.
Qaisra Shahraz adalah seorang penulis dan konsultan pendidikan Inggris yang berdarah Pakistan. Memiliki pekerjaan sebagai British OFSTED Inspector dan guru, sebelumnya menjadi penulis novel tak pernah terlintas dalam benaknya, meskipun pekerjaan sebagai penulis cerpen dan skenario acara TV pernah dilakoninya. Namun, pada suatu hari dia melihat sebuah laporan dalam sebuah film dokumenter Inggris. Film dokumenter ini mengekspos sebuah tradisi di Pakistan yang mengadakan tradisi “Perempuan Suci”. Perempuan suci adalah seorang perempuan yang tidak boleh menikah karena satu-satunya mempelai baginya adalah Al-Qur’an. Qaisra, meskipun memiliki darah Pakistan, tak mengetahui tradisi ini sebelumnya karena dia dibesarkan di tengah sekuleritas Britania Raya.
Dokumenter ini akhirnya menginspirasikannya untuk membuat sebuah buku novel yang berhubungan dengan tradisi itu. Kala itu, dia berpikir: “Alangkah bagusnya apabila tokoh utamanya (yang akhirnya menjadi perempuan suci) sebelumnya telah jatuh cinta pada seseorang.” Bermodalkan pemikiran cerdik ini, dia akhirnya menggubah sebuah novel roman. Meskipun begitu, selama proses pembuatan buku pertamanya, dia tidak total mengerjakan buku. Tuntutan pekerjaannya di bidang pendidikan membuatnya harus bekerja keras menyeimbangkan waktu antara menulis dan bekerja. Dalam seminggu, rata-rata dia hanya menghabiskan sekitar 10 jam untuk menulis. Lantas, bagaimanakah caranya mempertahankan semangatnya? Dia mengatakan bahwa kecintaannya pada para tokoh dan ceritanya adalah hal yang terus menggerakannya untuk menulis, menulis, dan menulis. Akhirnya, setelah 3 tahun menulis, buku pertamanya, The Holy Woman (2001) yang dalam edisi Bahasa Indonesia diterjemahkan sebagai Perempuan Suci, terbit. Buku ini mendapat respon meriah dari kritikus maupun massa. Golden Jubilee Award pun disabetnya. Qaisra kemudian berniat membuat buku lagi, namun, buku ini akan menggunakan setting, karakter, dan tetek bengek yang berbeda dari buku pertamanya. Tetapi, Qaisra merasa berat berpisah dengan karakter di buku lamanya. Penyelesaiannya? Dia memutuskan untuk mengambil karakter-karakter favoritnya di Perempuan Suci, dan menambahkannya kedalam buku keduanya. Alhasil, secara ”tidak sengaja”, buku keduanya menjadi sekuel The Holy Woman. Akhirnya, setelah 2 tahun dikerjakan, Typhoon (dalam edisi Bahasa Indonesia diterjemahkan sebagai Perempuan Terluka) dirilis pada tahun 2003.
Meskipun kegiatan menulis tetap digelutinya, dunia pendidikan dan rumah tangga tidaklah dilupakannya. Terus aktif sebagai inspektur bagi OFSTED, sebuah organisasi yang memonitor kualitas dan standar pendidikan di Britania Raya, dia kini tengah melakukan semacam proyek meneliti kehidupan wanita Muslim di seluruh dunia serta mengkampanyekan pendidikan bagi semua orang, anak maupun dewasa. Tindakan ini dikarenakan kepercayaannya bahwa pendidikan tidak pernah berakhir. Dan selain itu, tentunya dia sedang menulis buku ketiganya, yang sedang dalam tahap pengerjaan. Qaisra berharap, buku itu sudah selesai ditulis medio tahun depan. Namun, Qaisra memberi satu peringatan bagi para pembacanya: Buku ketiganya sangat tebal! Sekitar 500 halaman, dia berkata. Don’t worry, Mrs. Shahraz, we won’t mind! (At least most of us!)

Kamis, 24 Januari 2008

Belajar berorganisasi


Komunitas HS kami (KerLiP) meminta anak-anak menyelenggarakan Lomba Foto pekerja anak
dalam upayanya ikut mengkampanyekan stop pekerja anak. Ada beberapa hal menarik yang terjadi selama anak-anak melakukan persiapan acara yang dari hasil rapat mereka memutuskan
akan dilaksanakan pada 2 Maret 2008.
Anak-anak yang kesemua pelaku HS ini berkumpul pertama kali di MP Book Point.
Usai diberi taklimat tentang bentuk acara yang diinginkan dan tujuannya, mereka kemudian
menyusun kepanitiaan. Dipilih secara aklamasi ketuanya karena kemampuan anak dan minat si anak
dalam fotografi. Lalu Raka menawarkan diri menjadi Humas karena dia merasa paling cocok
dengan posisi itu. Mereka juga menyepakati rapat akan diadakan dua kali semingu,
yaitu hari Rabo dan Jumat di Margocity Depok. Rapat pertama berjalan lancar namun komunikasi
belum terjalin. Masih banyak yang memilih diam dan mendengarkan.
Tiba saatnya haru Selasa, karena kesibukan, saya tidak bisa mendampingi mereka untuk rapat,
walhasil banyak kendala yang dihadapi ketua di hari pertama tugasnya itu. Ada anak yang datang sangat terlambat hingga terkesan menyepelekan kegiatan, sulit sekali membangun konsentrasi teman-temannya yang terdiri dari beragam usia dan tingkatan kelas. Singkatnya, dia menghadapi permasalahan organisasi
seharu-hari (ingatkan, istilah 4L, Lu lagi Lu lagi!)
Esoknya, si ketua menghubungi saya dan sambil menangis menyatakan ingin mengundurkan diri dari kepanitiaan. Saya coba bujuk dan besarkan hatinya, tapi rupanya beban yang dia bayangkan sudah begitu besar hingga saya katakan dia harus meminta kerelaan teman-temannya.
Rapat Jumat diputuskan dilakukan di rumah Zaky jadi berkumpullah kami berbondong-bondong ke sana. Ada anggota baru Farisa dan Auzan yang baru akan mempertimbangkan metode HS sebagai pilihan mereka. Timbul lagi interaksi-interaksi menarik dari anak-anak. Adanya anak baru yang masih sangat formal dan satunya sangat aktif membuat mereka harus kembali beradaptasi. Kemerdakaan yang berusaha kami berikan diuji!
Saat rapat yang kemudian molor karena anak-anak masih asyik mengeksplor teman barunya (termasuk ibunya asyik berbincang dengan teman baru heheheheeh!!!), sang Ketua menyampaikan keinginannya unuk mengundurkan diri. Saya mengatakan, teman-temannya harus bisa menghargai hak sang Ketua untuk tidak menghendaki keberadaannya di kepengurusan tapi pada sang Ketua saya juga meminta dia menghargai hak teman-temannya untuk tidak diguncang kestabilan kepengurusannya. Jadi singkatnya saya minta mereka menerapkan kemerdekaannya dengan memperhatikan kemerdekaan orang lain.
Apa yang terjadi? Akhirnya mereka bersepakat untuk mengganti Ketua dan menempatkan sang Ketua ke dalam posisi yang lebih nyaman untuknya!!! Luar biasa, sebuah win-win solution yang hebat!
Lalu dengan terjadinya pergeseran itu, anak-anak memutuskan melakukan pergeseran di posisi kepanitaan yang lain. Jadilah hari itu lebih sibuk menegosiasikan posisi dan belajar tugas-tugas dari tiap posisi. Bagaimana dengan jagoan kami si Raka? Dia tetap mantap dengan pilihannya sebagai Humas...
Rapat ditutup dengan hasil kepanitaan yang baru dan jadwal rapat diubah menjadi Senin-Kami pagi
dan bertempat di Wisma Kodel tempat kantor KerLiP agar lebih efektif.
Senin pagi kami berkumpul di Kodel. Awalnya anak-anak ribut saling memotong pembicaraan dan kadang-kadang hanya dengan maksud untuk mengganggu atau melucu. Lalu saya mengatakan sebaiknya kita belajar menghargai forum dan belajar adab berbicara di dalam forum. Mereka akhirnya memutuskan untuk memberikan denda 500 rupiah bagi mereka yang memotong pembicaraan orang atau membicarakan hal yang tidak berkaitan dengan forum. Kembali...Luar biasa!
Di sesi itu saya mencoba mengajak mereka memtuskan jenis acara yang akan dilakukan. Nah, ini kegiatan yang mereka usulkan:
1. Lomba foto dan pameran foto pekerja anak --> untuk anak-anak SMA. Saat membayangkan SMA, Adina menyatakan berapa banyak SMA yang akan kita undang, berapa banyak pesertanya? Mengingat jumlah yang luar biasa serta keterbatasan kemampuan, mereka memutuskan hanya mengundang SMA di JakSel dan dibatasi 30 SMA.
2. Seminar tentang stop pekerja anak --> usulan ini datang dari Fitri dan Raka, mengingat tujuannya adalah meningkatkan kesadaran remaja tentang keberadaan para pekerja anak ini, mereka memandang perlu untuk mengadakan seminar.
3. Bazar --> agar khalayak yang dicapai lebih besar dan mengurangi biaya konsumsi, anak-anak memutuskan diadakan bazar dimana foto-foto peserta akan dipajang di sana. Masih terjadi perdebatan tentang bentuk pentas seni yang akan digelar di bazar itu.
Rapat ditutup dengan masing-masing mendapat tugas menggali tentang pekerja anak untuk kemudian didiskusikan bersama di hari Senin.
Kamis, mulai yang datang hanya sedikit. Tapi anak-anak tetap bersemangat. Hari itu diselesaikan timeline kegiatan. Dan pembuatannya sangat merinci tanpa perdebatan yang alot, rupanya mereka punya kerangka kerja yang sama jadi tidak sulit menyatukannya. Yang menarik, mereka memilih untuk Senin berapat di Bogor, rumah teman mereka yang saat ini sedang mendapatkan musibah, ayahnya sakit. Akibatnya kedua teman mereka ini tidak bisa aktif di kegiatan komunitas. Diputuskan kami akan bertemu Senin pagi di Tamini dan berangkat bersama-sama naik bis ke Bogor.
Bagaimana proses Senin? Tunggu Selasa ya...

Selasa, 22 Januari 2008

My Life


My name is Raka Ibrahim Anshafarie. I am 11 years old. I had a rather interesting family. I am the biggest child in my family and had one younger brother named Sulaiman Deli Ramadhanie, who is 7 years old. My mother is 34, and her name is Anastasia Rima Hendrarini. She prefers to be called “Lovely”, though. My father is 36 years old, and his name is Arie M.P Rachmadie. Unlike my “explosive” and expressive mother, my father is somewhat more introvert, really. My father comes from a religious background of family originated in Medan and Central Java. To be precise, my father’s mother comes from Medan, but my father’s father (what?!) comes from Solo. My mother’s background, however, is somewhat different with my father’s background. Both of her parents come from East Java, and her family may not be the most religious of families. On the other hand, my mother’s family does have an interesting history, considering that her grandfather from her mother’s side, who, sadly, died in 2006, struggles with the nation in the battle against Dutch and Japanese colonization era. Moreover, my mother’s grandfather (who I usually call Mbah Kakung) is the descendant from one of Prince Diponegoro’s most trusted person. Don’t believe it? Come to my great-grandmother’s home in Surabaya, she kept maybe 4 of Prince Diponegoro’s weapon. The family of my mother’s father also has an interesting history. Particularly because my mother’s father (my grandfather) is the son of Dr. Soegiri, whose name is said to become the name of Lamongan’s hospital, and also the relatives of Abdurrahman Saleh, one of the national hero. My grandfather said that his father (Dr.Soegiri) was the, if I’m not mistaken, cousin of Abdurrahman Saleh. About my father’s family, I don’t know very much about them. But I know that almost all of the member of their family had done the Haji, proving that religion is somewhat precious to them.
Well, that’s my family. But what about my hobbies? I’ll tell you this, I loved soccer very much. Whether it is playing it for real, playing it in games, or just watch a match, I love soccer. My favourite clubs includes Chelsea who, I believe, had experienced a troubled start this season and will soon recover, the German national team and Bayern Muenchen. Though lately I’ve grown rather fond of Ajax Amsterdam and the Dutch national team, the first two teams and the one national team are my favourite. Playing games and watching film is also my favourite, but reading books is almost an incessant habit to me. My favourite books include the Max Remy Superspy series by Deborah Abela, Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, and, my personal favourite, the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer.
I don’t go to school, really. Instead, I study at home or, more frequently known as Home Schooling. There, I experienced something I would like to describe as pure eden. I decide what to do everyday, how long should I do it, the projects for this week, and more importantly, I have the most flexible of times. Because I have a part in making the weekly schedule I regularly use, I can adjust the schedule so that if our family plans for a recreation, gathering, etc, my schedule wouldn’t be ruined despite the fact that I went away for a recreation. Cool, eh?
I have a big ambition to be a writer when I’m older. Not a non-fiction writer, hardly. I desire to be a novel writer, much like Joanne Kathleen Rowling, the writer of the Incredibly famous Harry Potter series. In fact, I have already written a book. It’s a spy story, like James Bond, Alex Rider, or Max Remy. I must confess, I’m a lover of spy stories. Though my parents forbid me to read James Bond because of the “Adult-ish” contents, I have read quite a lot of spy stories and decided to make one. It’s not finished, but I’m working on it and the prototype has been submitted to Mizan, and I hope they like it.
There’s only one word to describe my life,
Wunderbar! (German for wonderful)