Showing posts with label Joseph Kiyoshi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joseph Kiyoshi. Show all posts

Apr 1, 2015

The power is in your palm (II)

It is obvious that this story breaks my heart. But since I know ranting about it will not help, I have signed a very important petition and also been asking my siblings and close friends to do the same.
Sign here if you want your grand children to still be able to see this precious soulful being, please: 


My 7 y.o nephew watched the video of Lena and Strawberry today. And he immediately filtered his snacks in the fridge and tell his Mama about how he does not want to eat anything that's produced/ processed by hurting Orangutans and or its habitat. 

Joseph's first steps: Quitting on Kraft and Lays' chips while mine is breaking up with Smuckers and Colgate. 

Thank you, Joseph. It means a lot to the world. 

PS: If you like, please learn more about palm oil here


May 8, 2013

Drummer Boy's Birthday

You can turn 6 and be a big boy and grow up to be an adult as you want.
You still are a baby in my heart:).
Happy birthday, sweet Joseph!


Apr 11, 2013

Braveheart

My nephew excitedly told me the whole story about his recent outbound trip. " My class went to this little village near Bogor and we did many interesting activities... bathe the cows, play in the mud, picnic, tree-climbing and even bull-riding!"

At the end of the conversation, he handed the phone to his mom, my sister. She spilled an insider's note that as much as Joseph enjoyed the whole outbound activity, the 'Tightrope walking' exercise got him super terrified. He cried at first before my sister and her husband successfully convinced him to put on the harness and get on it.
"It does not stop there..", my sister continues "Joseph made at least three pauses, with his super tight and pale face, shaky legs, dripping sweats.... crying softly. But he did not stop, he continue to make it until the end of the rope. He finished the frightening rope walk."

I learned a new lesson today.
It is easier if you are brave by heart (or by birth!). If you are one adventurous soul and if the challenge you have to face is familiar for you to deal. It's easier if you are initially  a bold person, because what seems to be freaky and bloodcurdling  for other people, might be  just like an easy jump for you to do.

But when you are scared to the bone... When one's eerie challenge gives you goosebumps and gets your heart to pound, will you be courageous enough to keep on going? 
Will you be big enough to face those people who might mock you when you are obviously trembling, shaking... when you broke down crying?
Will you keep on walking to the other end of the line?

Joseph, a 5 year-old, did. And his brave act in a challenge that might appear as nothing compared to what us adults have to face in daily life, is daring enough to make me feel like a little person.

Thank you for the lesson Joseph, I am so proud of you.


Apr 7, 2013

All colors

Have you heard of this quote before?
I think I know one person who understands it clearly.




































My nephew Joseph.

May 8, 2012

Happy 5, big boy!


To my nephew, Joseph Kiyoshi Clement Sinaga. 

The cheeky monkey in the family, a bookworm, a color and number coordinated little man with a brain that is oh so full of fantasies and wondrous ideas, but who's heart is in a pure adoration in Jesus.

I cannot believe that you are now 5! When you read this, please remember that you are blessed to be a blessings.

Enjoy your day, big boy! (hmmm... Tho' you will always be a baby to my heart ;))

Feb 4, 2012

Forever be my baby?

I just got off the phone with my sister Volent. We were talking about her son, my nephew. His new hobbies, his new friends... How time flies and just in a blink of an eye, Joseph is going to be 5 in May this year.
Are you a momma? Do you experience that happy but aching feeling witnessing your little one(s) growing up? Do you -not so secretly- wish for them to go back being your baby? Did you silently wipe your tears when he finally let your hands go as he walked into his classroom and say " I am alright Mama... you can go now" ?
For my dear sister, allow me to share this picture of Joseph Kiyoshi when he was 1 year old- reading his first bible I got for him. And post a beautiful poem that got me all teary :) 
ps: Stay blessed, healthy and happy, our cheeky Joseph!

Can I Carry You?

by Brad Anderson
I guess that I can hold you
one more time before you grow.
And tell you that I love you
so that you will always know.
Please let me tie your shoe again.
One day you'll tie your own.
And when you think back to this time
I hope it's love I've shown...
continue reading

Jan 9, 2012

What is the English for...

There is this one moment that I will always treasure about my nephew Joseph and I. 

He was only 3years old at that time and we were exercising his English. I gave him words in Bahasa and he's supposed to answer what is the English for it -rapidly;

Me: Warna kuning? |Joseph: Yellow!
Me: Kepala? | Joseph: Head!
Me: Pisang? | Joseph: Banana!
Me: Ikan?
Joseph: .... mm... Nemo?!
:))


I am thinking about him all day and missing him so much. 
Do you have kids? Nephew, niece, or maybe a God son that you really love? 

ps: Joseph is almost 5 now. He is tested gifted, with a superb imaginary level compared to anyone his age, and has an excellent literature and communication skill. He adores Jesus, has a huge passion in art and dance, crazy in love with animals and sometimes speaks in ancient languages ;) ( his own words, of course)

Sep 14, 2011

From Monas with one proud smile

Dear my fellow Indonesian friends. I have a confession to make.
As much as I complain, nag, whine or bursting a plaintive cry about all the inconveniences and insecurities lays in this country, truth is… I am not sure that I have done enough too. Being one lawfully citizen of this beautiful yet rich country? Yes, I pay my taxes. Yes, I know how to queue obediently, I support the home industry by using their product just as much as I use the local ones and never purchase any bootleg recordings. However, I know that I can do more.

Back in my childhood and early adolescence time, I memorized all the ministers, knew almost every single composer of almost every National songs, and of course what part of the country produces what. I grew up being aware with all the museums and historical places in Jakarta, (understand the history quite well) and visit them often! Strange thing is, I now work in a tourism industry, but, do I have the same interest to any of that stuff anymore? Not.so.much...

That’s how I realized, I should change this attitude. This “understanding”. This ignorance.
Now, just take one simple example. How many of you ( again, my fellow Indonesian friends) have this picture- posing in front of the iconic Universal Studio? A lot, I bet!
But, how many of you have a picture of your self, beaming a proud smile in front of our very own landmark;  Monas- The National Monument
Another confession, my last visit to Monas was almost 15 years ago. 

Today, as my Mom told me that she, my Grandma and my sisters are taking may 4 y/o nephew to Monas, I feel so ashamed of myself for being so ignorant these couple of (decades…) about the interesting historical places in this country, about the achievements of our sports team, about the people who really are playing their genuine part for the government (Oh how I hope there still are people like that)
Can you see how lucky I am?  To have parents who will always remind me that the most important things in life- is not merely about keeping up with the new fancy things this world has to offer? You can go back to visit “the past” once a in a while; to appreciate the comfort you are now living, to honor your ancestors, or to support your government, even… Or  to inherit what you and your future generation really deserve. You can do more than just complaining…

Is that going to make a significant or a big difference to the world?
Maybe not. But, at the very least,  it changed me. It changed the way my nephew sees the world in front of him. Later on that day, he said “My heart was pounding because we went to the top ! Monas is just amazing, I want to go there again!”

In a longer haul, my friend... it will change the way our children think of this one Emerald of the Equator .
After all, isn't that what we have been demanding about? Changes?

ps: You can have my word; on my next trip to Jakarta, I will go to Monas, scanning all the dioramas and take a proud picture afterward.

Joseph Kiyoshi in front of the National Monument
With Aunt Detri, looking over Jakarta from the top


Aug 11, 2011

Work of Art

If Avant-garde simply means; represents a pushing of the boundaries, then this masterpiece from my Nephew is considered as one :)
Why praying for a clear blue sky if it's already bursting with colors? And, the grass may always be greener on the other side but you would never want to trade place. Why? Yours is roaring red!

The work
The self captured artist

Jun 8, 2011

Your Baby's hobbies

Here's another post about my nephew Joseph Kiyoshi. Just wondering, if you are a Mom of a toddler, what are the things that keep your baby busy? I am sure that your day can be just as heavy or maybe even more than a single working woman and you will appreciate a few minutes of being-left alone. Read a magazine, talk over the phone, drink a glass of wine or else. The thing is you know that you have to make sure your active little tot will not be bored or will have something to be given his or her attention too . At least for that so needed 15 minutes of "me time" you are desperate for. Well, if I may say....My sister is so lucky because her baby boy has many-many interests... :)

Books! This he reallllly loves
see?

napping with the dog

playing "drums"

and some other musical instruments

and playing dress up :))

May 19, 2011

Baby Talk

Do you baby talk? I know its not advised but sometimes I cannot help it. I think I automatically switch to this tone whenever I got a chance to snuggle with a cute baby. So far, my Nephew and baby Cousins.
Apparently, babies, even as newborns, mimic their parents' accents. For example, German babies' cries gravitate to lower pitches, and French babies melodically lilt up at the end of their cries. How adorable is that?. Find more info about it  here .
I am not a Momma yet, so I guess i can goo..goo..gaa..gaaa...as much as I want. Till then.
2 y/o Joseph. talks in a very high pitch. Like his Mom :)

May 17, 2011

Snap shot or Cake?

My sister sent these to me. I am guessing she knows that I will like it and I do! They are pictures from the birthday celebration of my Nephew. Yes, he is that little dude turning 4 this year and the girl posing next to him is actually my Cousin, Audina Simanjuntak. 

Can you see that expression on Joseph Kiyoshi? A mischievous smiley face- pretending that he cares about the photo taking while his cuddly fingers are reaching for the cake's icing. Nice!


Second attempt. better- although J.Kiyoshi seems to be in a hesitation :p

May 8, 2011

Happy 4th Birthday Joseph!8 May 2011


I remember being all teared up when I first saw you. Not because they gave you a pink blanket, but because you were so made- 8 May 2007-

Well... That was 4 years ago. You rock any color anyhow. Stay blessed my dear nephew.

Mar 23, 2011

You've Got a Friend in Me

Kevinna and Joseph (my nephew): Their moms are best friends since they were in junior high. Now the two tots continue the friendship knot.

 

 The tots with their momma
How I cannot wait to show this picture to them once they grow up

I actually overheard Joseph : Kev, please don't go to sleep just yet. Sleepy Kevin : Yes Abang, I will not...(Abang- how to address an older brother)

Sharing Ompung's Love (Grandmother- My Mom)

They share toys and pets too!

Well, their friendship by far displays the most adorable relationship ever.Do you have one?

Jan 19, 2011

Good Start

I know they still have long way to go in parenting world. But I can say that they have started the force in a good way. Things I can learn from when someday I have my own kids ;)
Here are some reasons why.

They introduced him to sport since the very beginning
and housekeeping too!

They allow him to dress up as madly as he can be
see?
Let him finish his math work,
read the classic Indonesian children magazine; Bobo
and not to let a sunny day go by without playing outsize (with his Dad)

and oh, they never say no to dancing under the rain too!
Isn't he a happy healthy baby boy?

Sep 21, 2010

WWJS (What Would Jesus Say?)

Semakin jauh saya berada, semakin sering saya bicara dengan Joseph Kiyoshi (Achi), kemenakan saya yang usianya belum sampai 3,5 tahun. Macam-macam isi pembicaraan kami. Dari mulai kegiatan dia sehari-hari (yang jelas jauh lebih menarik dari kegiatan saya), isi makan siangnya (kalau ini saya yakin saya tak mau bertukar menu), permainan atau buku yang baru dia baca. Sampai soal cinta Tuhan Yesus yang luar biasa.

Suatu hari kami berbicara tentang mengatasi rasa takut. Katanya, dia takut sekali kalau melihat Miki Tikus yang besar dan hidup (catat: karakter ini hidup dalam otaknya yang cerdas dan murni, dan sering saya dukung lewat khayalan saya yang sedikit ngaco).

Lalu saya mulai berceloteh soal betapa kita tidak boleh kalah oleh rasa takut. Kita punya kekuatan. Saya bilang "Miki tikus itu bukan manusia."

Mungkin karena teori saya tentang mengatasi rasa takut terlalu bertele-tele, si kecil ini akhirnya tak sabar dan memotong pembicaraan saya dengan bertanya 
 "Kalau kata Tuhan Yesus apa Wak?".

Saya bungkam. Lalu ia melanjutkan " Tuhan Yesus bilang Achi tidak boyeh takut ya? Kan ada Tuhan Yesus wak."
Yang lalu saya balas perlahan "Iya, kata Tuhan Yesus begitu."

Terus terang, ada sedikit sisipan rasa malu saat saya mendengar kalimat itu keluar dari mulut kecilnya. Di usia yang sudah memasuki kepala 3, saya bahkan sering lupa bahwa segala ketakutan alangkah tak berartinya jika saya serahkan kepada Yesus yang bukan hanya sudah mati untuk saya, Kiyoshi dan kita semua, tetapi juga yang sudah mencintai saya tanpa syarat.

Lebih jauh lagi, saya kagum karena di kepala manusia kecil ini, dia sudah tau bahwa inti atau jawaban final dari semua pertanyaan sebenarnya hanya Yesus saja. Terserah dunia mau bilang teori apa..."Anak Pintar"... "Anak pemberani"... "Kita bisa kalahkan tikus raksasa".. "Minum susu dan sayur supaya jadi kuat dan berani" dan lain-lain.

1 y/o Kiyoshi- reading his first Bible
Kiyoshi tidak peduli. Dia hanya mau tau satu hal : "Kata Tuhan Yesus apa?"

Sementara, kita (saya) sibuk membandingkan teori dari cendikiawan A, pendapat dari motivator B, pengalaman hidup pengusaha C, ilmu dari psikolog D, self help book E dan lainnya.
Kita (saya) sibuk menghipotesakan sejauh mana teori A bisa diaplikasikan oleh pribadi berkarakter tertentu dan bagaimana efeknya jika dilakukan pada kondisi tertentu. Aaaaarrrghh!
Hasilnya? Tak jarang back to square one.

Kenapa kita (saya), dengan segala kemudahan akses, fasilitas dan ke'nyaris' sempurnaan yang kita miliki tidak bisa punya cara berpikir yang cerdik dan ringkas seperti Kiyoshi?. Yang tidak mau diribeti oleh berbagai hal lain selain inti dari jawaban atas semua pertanyaan di dunia ini?
Kenapa kita (saya), seiring berjalannya waktu dan pengalaman, justru lebih banyak terpengaruh dibandingkan berusaha jadi pengaruh? Lebih banyak terubahkan oleh dunia dibanding menjadi perubahan yang dibutuhkan oleh dunia?

Saya sering meng klaim bahwa saya kurang menyukai dunia dewasa. Di dunia dewasa, Miki Tikus tidak bisa bicara selain di layar televisi dan panggung musikal. Di dunia saya, anjing peliharaan, chipmunk dan hamster tidak bisa diajak bercerita dan Gufi (yes that Disney Goofy) tidak akan pernah bertandang ke rumah.
Di dunia dewasa... saya terlalu terbatasi untuk berkhayal, tetapi terlalu dipusingkan oleh banyaknya pilihan untuk menjawab pertanyaan dalam hidup.

Sementara di dunia Kiyoshi, selain indah dengan berbagai sahabat-sahabat ajaibnya, Kiyoshi tidak pusing harus mencari jawaban pada siapa. Dia belum kenal world-class motivator manapun, belum tau teori Law of Attraction, dia belum pernah membaca self-help book apapun.

Intinya, yang Kiyoshi tau benar kepastiannya hanya satu; Tuhan Yesus

Kita sama-sama menyadari, bahwa dengan bertambahnya usia, seiring dengan pudarnya bayangan indah mengenai dunia hewan bisa bicara, Kiyoshi dan jiwa-jiwa polos lain perlahan akan merasa mempunyai banyak pilihan lain untuknya mencari kepastian tentang berbagai hal dalam hidup. Suatu hari, ia akan bertumbuh dewasa juga.

Tetapi paling tidak, saya punya catatan kecil ini. Sekedar menjadi pengingat saya, atau jika suatu saat Kiyoshi yang dewasa membutuhkannya.

Karena pada saat itu, mungkin kita (saya) justru cenderung takut untuk bertanya "Kata Tuhan Yesus apa?"

Kita (saya) terlalu penakut untuk tahu jawabanNYA yang mungkin tak selamanya mudah bisa kita mengerti.


September 2010


Christmas 2010- Kiyoshi with a gift from Santa.
But he then thanked Jesus for telling Santa
to send him the gift :)



Dec 12, 2009

Di ambang jendela sore ini

Tak banyak waktu yang bisa saya habiskan untuk sekedar memandangi serdadu-serdadu air berjatuhan dari langit…tanpa lalu memejamkan mata dan melanjutkan tidur siang. Kadang saya terlalu takut dibilang kurang kerjaan, pun saat saya sedang tidak bersama seseorang atau dua.
Tapi sore ini, bersama seorang manusia cilik berusia dua tahun tujuh bulan, mata saya terbelalak lebar dan lama di ambang jendela. Betapa hujan bisa membuat saya terpana (sekaligus meringis dalam doa agar banjir tidak memutuskan untuk mampir).

Saya terpana pada butiran transparan yang basah... pada cerita asal usulnya yang diajarkan oleh guru TK saya lewat gambar-gambar manis di papan tulis hijau. Ada gambar sumur, ada gambar awan yang menggantung... dihubungkan dengan tanda panah yang menjelaskan proses mana yang harus terjadi lebih dahulu sebelum hujan itu menampari atap rumah kita.

Tapi bukan itu yang sedang saya renungi. Tangan saya terasa hangat menggengam tangan si mungil ini. Tapi hati saya berdebar... Betapa saya selalu ingat bagaimana merdeka rasanya bisa berlarian di bawah hujan deras. Tak terlalu lampau... Terakhir kali saya main hujan, usia saya sudah jauh dari masa gambar di papan tulis hijau tadi...
Lalu saya merayu si kecil yang mulai mengoceh gusar. Tentunya setelah memastikan bahwa ibu anak ini tak akan mendelik kalau sekonyong-konyong jagoan ciliknya basah .

Ternyata ia urung. Nanti basah lalu sakit. Katanya. Sebentuk kebijakkan yang tak saya sangka sudah bercokol di kepalaya. Terus terang saya kecewa. Tapi ternyata saya masih terlalu gengsi untuk main hujan sendiri tanpa ada sekutu.

Betapa inginnya saya mengajak dia bicara.. Mengenai kebijakan yang kadang tak perlu kita bawa sampai mati.
Betapa kadang ingin menjadi cepat dewasa adalah sesuatu hal yang harus dipikirkan, apakah itu memang yang kau ingini. Bahwa tak selamanya kau bisa mengambil keputusan tanpa harus ada yang tersakiti. Bahwa segala macam petuah, self help book, kata kata bijak... pada akhirnya cukup memerikan jika harus kau tapaki. Lalu saya mulai mengkalkulasikan berapa rupiah yang sudah ter"investasikan" pada buku-buku itu.
Menyebalkan. Membosankan. Harus selalu punya tujuan.
Hahaha...

Untungnya ,saya masih bisa mengajak manusia dua tahun tujuh bulan ini menari tanpa arahan koreografer, tanpa perlu keselarasan gerak yg berarti. Saya masih bisa membacakan buku cerita tanpa harus takut terdengar merdu atau tidak, tanpa ragu oleh pelafalan bahasa asing,masih bisa menanyi bersamanya walau tak selalu berpandu pada tatanan solmisasi. Lalu tertawa sampai sakit perut, mengkhayali tenda mainannya sebagai bahtera raksasa, anjingnya adalah kuda pacuan, jajan es krim, makan mie goreng dan rebah-rebah badan.... Menyanyi lagi... tertawa sampai sakit perut lagi...

Apa saya hanya sekedar merindukan masa kecil?... Atau memang saya tak rela menjadi tua?... (karena hanya orang lain yang bisa mengkategorikan apakah saya dewasa atau tidak)

Hujan hampir berhenti. Saya dan dia beringsut meninggalkan jendela yang tiba- tiba tak lagi semenarik tadi.
Kita lanjutkan dengan nonton animasi di televisi.

Lalu saya berdoa.... (tak lagi soal banjir)
Semoga ia tak jua ingin cepat menjadi dewasa...

Cukup penolakan main hujan ini yang bisa saya terima….


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