My last letter to a friend

Dear mas Hans,

When I was asked to say some words to you at your farewell on 6 April 2011, I honestly had some doubts. First of all, I was only given 5 minutes. Secondly, giving a farewell message one should say the good things about the person who is going to leave. As I looked back, I realized that we had ups and downs in our relationship but as I started to count the ups and the downs I knew that the downs were not significant at all.

Five minutes was certainly not long enough to say something about the awesome working relationship and the beautiful personal contact with you for more than 20 years. So many things have been said, many things have been done and so many wonderful memories.

I knew you from my fourth year as a student Dutch Language and Literature at Universitas Indonesia in 1989. Once a week, I attended the lecture “Dutch language of the 17th century”, given by you. I thought to myself: What? 17th century Dutch? At that time, Dutch was difficult enough for us, let alone 17th century Dutch! But because of your love and dedication to this field and because of the way you explained the subject, it was a lot easier for us to understand the words of Huygens, Hooft and Vondel and other 17th century Dutch poets and authors. At the same time, I found my way to the Erasmus Language Centre (ETC).

For me and most of my colleagues, ETC has become a second home. You played your role as the eldest brother, our mas Hans. A brother who would welcome any kind of ideas, even the most hillarious ideas. A brother who stood by to guide us in good and bad times. A brother who was willing to give his listening ears to each of us. And although the door to your office was protected by a special code, it was always open for us. For many students of ETC, you were the uncle. An uncle who gave a home where they are able to do many activities with the Dutch language.

Your beautiful house in Pejaten was also always open for us. The house will be a silent witness of the remarkable personal contact with you and Didi, who hosted many kind of pleasant events: the dangdut parties, the birthday parties and of course the swimming parties. And this beautiful mansion is also a witness of the love you shared with Didi.

Mas Hans, God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered "come to me”. Although we were not able to be there for you during your last days, but with tearful eyes we watched you from a distance pass away. We loved you dearly, but we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. May you rest in peace, my dear friend, my wonderful colleague Hans Groot!

Vertigo

I've experienced different kind of illness, but the worst is having this vertigo. It's like you're sitting in a merry-go-round that moves fast.

Never nooit meer

En dan kom jij ineen voorbij

En keert mijn wereld onderste boven ....

That is one of the songs by my favorite Dutch R&B group, Re-play. In 2001, mas D’s cousin, Siska, came to Indonesia for a holiday. She gave a CD with Dutch songs. I thought it was one of those typical Dutch songs, but I listened to the songs, it was not Dutch at all. I mean the language was Dutch but the style was like an American music. I fell in love with this four guys, Alwin Burke, Henk Waarde, Mario Raadwijk and Sam de Wit. Their music suits the ears of my Indonesian students who learn Dutch at Erasmus Language Center. So, every time they release a new album I try to get their CD first.

On the occasion of the 40^th Anniversary of Erasmus Huis, Re-play – on my request – is invited to give concerts in Jakarta, Semarang, Yogyakarta (which was cancelled due to the volcano eruption of Mount Merapi) and Surabaya. And my boss, Paul Peters, was so kind to let me pick up these awesome guys at the airport and taking them to Manhattan Hotel.

I couldn’t sleep because of thinking meeting these guys. I woke up early and went with my colleagues, Toni and Tumiyo, to the airport. When we arrived at the airport, my heart started to beat fast because I was really nervous. It beat even faster when I heard the announcement that their flight had arrived. When I saw four guys stepping outside the arrival hall I yelled at them: RE-PLAY. Sam said: Hi Reena. What? I couldn’t believe my ears. He knew my name?!!!! Alwin, Henk, Mario and Sam are all awesome and nice with a great sense of humor. Another good thing was that I could give them the presents from Erasmus after the concert.

A leader, a teacher and a father ...

At my office I have seen many people come and go every year. Getting acquainted to new staff and saying goodbye to staff who have been posted in Jakarta for 3 to 5 years happen every year. During these years I get more and more used to it. The easiest part is of course getting to know new people in the office. If they show some interests, then I will show some interest too, but if not, do not expect me to get closer to these new people. The difficult part is to know that someone who has stolen our hearts has to leave Indonesia.

With other members of the Event Committee I organized a farewell party for the most honorable and charismatic leading figure who has done his best to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the Netherlands, HE Dr. Nikolaos van Dam. On this occasion, I - on behalf of the local staff - gave him a speech which touched his heart.

"In one of Hollywood movies Forrest Gump there is a quote which I find very beautiful: life is like a box of chocolates, you'll never know what you will get.

Every year, it's like that we - who stay in Indonesia - get a box of chocolates as a present. We always wonder what kind of chocolates we would get. Fortunately, in 2005 we received a box of chocolates that tasted incredible delicious. We were sent a leader who was highly respected but in return who respected his staff, who played a role as a teacher but who was also willing to learn from others, who wanted to be heard but who was also willing to listen.

I am very grateful to get the opportunity and the trust to work with you in translating business documents and your work as well, which make me able to learn and experience new things.

Thank you for your time to learn about the Indonesian culture and language.
Thank you for your time to talk and to discuss.
Thank you for your time to relax during the office outing.

I am sure that after you leave Indonesia, you will find that your box of chocolates will also be delicious. Keep Indonesia as one of the most beautiful memories in your life."

Camping at Safari Park

I have never had thoughts that I would go on camping some day. I love going into nature but camping is just not for me at all. Why should we go torturing ourselves when we are able to stay in decent hotels? Where do I have to go when nature calls? We’d be freezing out there. Those were the thoughts I had on camping. But then I know that everything in life should be experienced first before we can judge on something. My sisters Dini and Shanti had to convince me that camping is just a remarkable family activity. Dini and her husband Anis made all the arrangement for this camping thing.

This morning we went to Cisarua Safari Park. The kids were so excited and guess what … so did I. When we arrived, we were asked to gather at the main entrance of the park, while our luggage were taking care of by the staff. A guide told us the programme of that day. We started with a walk of 3 km. Good heavens … 3 km??? And I knew that it wouldn’t be just a walk … it was a hiking … We started to walk together but then in a few time I didn’t see the kids anymore. The girls Nadya, Caca, Lala and Lia took huge steps and I stayed with Haykel behind. We went hills up and hills down, through woods and all the green. Every 15 minutes I stopped to gain some energy. I enjoyed this walk very much.

After 2,5 hours of walking, we finally arrived at the camping ground. We had lunch and did some outbound games, like Flying Fox. At first Haykel didn’t want to do this, but after being conviced by as D, he went with his dad up to the place where they play flying fox.

Siang kita beli makanan sendiri. Mandi sore kita lakukan di kamar mandi Umum yang setengah terbuka dan airnya dingin sekali. Sekali lagi anak-anak enjoy banget. Malem kita dihidangkan makan malam. Kita dapat makan malam yang sederhana tapi lekkernya bukan main: ayam goreng, tahu goreng, sayur asam dan ikan asin. Wow enaknya bukan main. Habis makan kita dapat jagung dan kacang rebus + bandrek. Mana udaranya dingin sekali. Yang paling gue senengin adalah suasana yang begitu sunyi ... jauh dari kehingarbingaran ibu kota. Yang terdengar hanya suara binatang di alam terbuka. Terus ada juga api unggun. Tanpa AC kita sudah merasa kedinginan sekali.

Hari Minggu pagi kita dapat nasi goreng kuning + telor dadar .... sekali lagi enak!!!!! Habis sarapan kita lakukan tracking lagi ke air terjun yang jaraknya kira2 2 km. Walaupun kita begitu kelelahan tapi we are happy that Dini and her family invited us for the camping and we would like to return again sometimes.

Thank you my friends .....

While I was sitting outside watching the rain falling today, I suddenly realized that a lot can happen in a year.Some things change.

Some don’t.
Some people change.
Some don’t.
Some people stay.
Some leave.
Some are still you friends.
Some are not anymore.

While I was reading through a blog about friendship, I came across this:"When the chips are down, that’s when you’ll see who your TRUE friends are".

I didn’t quite understand what the word chips meant so I had my own version:"When the curtains are down, that’s when you’ll see who your TRUE friends are".

Meaning:

1. at the end of a show, good or bad one, you’ll see after who will stay… even when the lights have gone out….
2. when you’ve gone into hiding, you’d know who will open the window to check up on you… or who will just wait til you’re ready to come out again.

When the times are tough, that’s when you’ll know who your true friends are. At least you’ll know what kind of friendship you have with them. There are people with whom you don’t share deep bonds although you see them every day. On the other hand, There are people with whom you share deep bonds although you see them once in a while. I know that I still have to be thankful for all of them because they are still friends.