Play with dignity

That's what I saw at our national team's lost to the mighty Thais.
Winning is one thing but fighting to the end is another. Despite the imbalance score line, one can see that our team is none the loser. They fought the respectful fight. They lost, well, we lost. Players' faces show dissappointment, the gaffer looks a bit angry.
How about the crowd? What a faithful crowd they are. They sing, they cheer, they wave from start to last wistle blow. After the fate is decided they lose not even a single trust in the players. They show respect and admiration to the players after the game, chanting the names and songs. Our team reveal their sportmanship by saluting the winners following the very rough an hot game.
It is heartlifting to see such scene.

violent society

For the first time in my life a violent action happens before my very eyes and in so early day. A man, apparently unfortunate petty thieves, was held tightly by one person while he was beaten up by yet another man. The unfortunate one didn't say anything like "help" or "don't hurt me" or alike, he just tried to cover his body, helplessly, from kicks and punches. He might have realized that whatever he said would never change his fate. He was doomed, maybe to death at that moment, like what happened to other petty thieves before him when gotten caught red handed. So, beating up a caught thieve happens often.

How about reaction from people? Indonesian, at least from my daughter's school material, were well known as friendly people with smile in their faces. But this was exactly what happening when the violence occured. A person beside me, with white small cap on the head, murmured coldly."He is dead, he must be dead, he shouldn't have stolen, look what happens now, he is caught and will be dead". This man with white cap looked so calm and pious, yet the words coming from his mouth were not in the same line with his appearance.
The reaction was quite different from a young lady in front of me. Her tattoed lower back and accessories would lead any man to fantasy, and the violence stunned her. She suddenly lost her smile and became pale. No words at all, she was shocked.

I could not do anything, it happened on my way to office while I was cramped in a public transport. It struck me hard. The scene rolling and rolling in my head. I thank God that there was a police officer nearby. He approached right before more people were joining the "rites" to beat up the sinner.

new place new faces new names new life new ambience

What a life! What an amazing, nerve stimulating, interesting, daunting, and eventful life I've been through. My former lecturer would otherwise said," I'm impressed, it's beyond my wildest imagination!"

You might thought that I just won a lottery or getting promotion or big-cash prize. It is very precious, I can not deny, but if you asked,"How much?" I would say, "It's much more than any kings could have paid"

So, what is it then? It is Relationship. Yep, my dear friends and readers, it's friendship that I just experienced while taking a short course in Surabaya.
It is nerve stimulating, as, experiencing it, I got to balance myself like that of a tight rope walker between reality and dreams, between affection and admiration, between friends and foe, in short between me and you. Amazing though, I could not stop wondering how the short frame would create so many beautiful things. It's daunting to leave your love ones behind and go for something you expect to give you back more than you sacrifice while the promise is out in the air.
New names, characters, peoples. I run out of words. I enjoy it even more now while recollecting. Thank God.