At 7 o'clock a.m I dropped off  my 10-year-old son into his school. This day would be his first day at his new school. The school has known as one of  good private Islamic schools in Jakarta. A greeting welcome written in English hang on the enter gate school: "A good education for a good future". A very convincing ads for any parents who intend to 'determine' their child's future. In fact, philosophy of  "Don't judge a book by its cover"  is absolutely true: we never know what the story about of its book till we finish it.

Alright, lets talk what cross on my mind about a private school. To avoid misunderstanding from readers I'd like to make myself clear that: My writing unintend to offend any institution or anybody, this small note only a share story of my own experience; if you dislike it, then please leave this peacefully.

Back to my son's new school. His previous school was at an ordinary school which usually called in bahasa as 'Sekolah Dasar Negeri' or 'SDN' to its epitome. Although I know that he's smart enough at his old school (he's at grade 5 now);  however, I was worried about his test to enter the new school. Firstly, the school has won an olympic math in Indonesia; thus I regard this as a great point for the school, meanwhile my son has won nothing from his previous school. Well, he always got good ranking at his old school. But, I thought its nothing compared how huge the achievements school has got ( And I feel sorry  for being underestimate to my little boy!)

The test separated into four subjects: maths, Bahasa Indonesia, Science,  and Aqidah. My little boy finished all the test no less than 2 hours. We got the results just an half hour after the test; and he got all the marks above rate, between 80-100 % for all the subjects: the school a bit surprised about the results.

During the first week he complains about the method of the teacher teach in class, such as there is no writing activity for every subject; he said its very different with his old school. Yet, according to my little boy the students in the class are brave to disobey the teacher, such as disobey to write an essay.

As well as my son, I wonder if a very expensive school like that is indiscipline: Is the cost affecting the way how a teacher teaching in a class? (this question isn't cross from my son's thought).

It's been nearly 1 month and half my little son attempt to adapt his new school. The environment, the friends, the teachers ---- I indeed unsure about everything; unsure if my son will be good at manner (as most his school mates misbehaviour), and perhaps could affect his intellectual become a marron boy? (I've been paranoid now!)

Thus, what lesson we got from this? Don't be neurotic putting your child at a private school because its a community of wealthy people (I know you don't this!). Secondly, double check-and recheck thousand times to ensure your child really get good attention from the school: think about how much money you paid off for the school (I avoid to think about it!)

Lastly, be friendly of your child's future instead of  being determiner.

JKT, 15.40-150810

The answer is easy: by LEARNING it. The problem is learning math is a tough job, particularly for those who dislike math. Even many parents attempt to put their children in a class math in their very early age to ensure their children would like, or know how to solve this very difficult subject, such as Algebra and Adding Fraction are the most tough lesson in math subjects. So how could we make them like these subjects?

Putting our children in their early age in a special class math is a good way for them to know about math. However, make sure the money you spend is usefully for your aims. A class math can be very boring for your little child. To avoid your money is spent useless, thus, ensure they're in the right class, and the child is happy enough to do the subject. 

Different ages would have different handling. I put  my 10-year-old son in a class math since his 9th. Its called in Bahasa "JariMatika" --- this method is using with only their 10 fingers, and count he numbers as quickly as he can" --- he's enjoying while doing his homework, and he never ask me to solve his homework math. The method really works, he always get marks between 80 % - 100 %.

Introducing something to our child in early age could be a great idea for them, but remember it could also be a stressing activity for them if we give them wrong direction; even leaves a trauma feeling.

This is usually used for teens, or can be for adult like me and you. Online class math now becomes favourite for those who likes to learn math in their own time and their own place. A package of math programs usually provided in online class math, such as Tutor Vista, they provide an online class math. Depending what class you would like to join with, Tutor Vista owes a variety of math subjects.

"Don't give your money to them, they're fake!" She warned me in a convince expression on her face and with a bit persuade tunes on her voice. The fact is she's not the first person told me not to give money to any homeless, and anywhere place I go. Well, isn't that a bit a 'punishment' of campaign for homeless?, particularly only to give a penny of yours to some unlucky people on the road?

But I gotta tell you the truth that this 'punishment' of champaign is legally supported by some local goverment regions in Indonesia. "Don't spend your money to them -- Give it to a legal charity" says an ads tense on a big board hang on along of the main road with a picture of homeless. A question in my mind when I read that big ads, and perhaps, you might ask this question too: "What kinds of legal charity they aim to?"

Because I never known regarding a legal charity in Indonesia, or maybe I'm the only one who  misinformation about this. Or, should I share my story regarding a charity where I worked with a couple of years ago? Maybe I should ...

I was working in a charity which the owner possess a title 'Hajjah' *when a woman goes to Mekkah to do the fifth of the pillar of the Islam, she'll be titled a 'Hajjah'* The charity had registered legally at local goverment --- the registration number was mentioned on the board of the front of charity office, to ensure people that the charity wasn't fake. Everything regarding the charity intitution was proceed due procedure. From the very beginning, I was already uncomfortable with the situation i.e. the building shared with where her big family lived. Yet, her sons in law were unemployeed; and together with her husband she ran the charity. And from some surrounded people told me that the owner didn't really help slummer.

However I kept working with them until 1 month as that was my experience as fresh graduate. And then I decided to resign when I found that they make a charity to make money for themselves. 

I know we can't take them all in the same level as a bad one, but tell me the truth what's not difficult to posses and make something in Indonesia? even for something that legally? And yet, how about the rumours about making business between the charity and the local goverment?

Anyway, back to the point...

Its just simply situation: they're homeless, no home, no food, no money --- and I just want to give my Rp 5,000 to them --- Do you think I should give my Rp 5,000 to charity first, and then waiting the charity to give to them? Is that the right way to do?

OR, I heard what you said: " They have a boss, group, or rich, or bla, bla....."

When a 9-year-old begged her hands with innocently gaze at me, her long-unwashed- and untidy hair, smelly, and skinny body asked me money while I sat with two friends of mine in a Lesehan Yogya, and surrounded by loads of nice foods. 

Should I ignore her by telling her: "Listen, I'm a good citizen, I want you to ask money to a charity where my money give with" -----  ???? --- Or "Listen, I don't trust you. You must have a boss" ---- ???? ----

I think we need grow up soon before this earth ends up by too many greedy people.....

JKT, 23.55-110810

Happy Ramadhan everyone!

Here we are in a holy month of Ramadhan. I'm always excited to have Ramdhan at home --- variety of foods are provided, the celebration of the break fasting, "Ngebuburit", etc ---- I miss so much these kind of things! The things that I and most moslems usually did since we were kids!

Today is the first day of Ramadhan, as well as the month where my age is growing one year more: 33 years old now! Yey! There was no big celebration on my 3o's something --- just an incident small party with two friends of mine: Ratu and Rio at a karouke in West Bekasi --- After having a lunch in Bumbu Desa: AGAIN?! Yes again! we went to Mall Metropolitan towards Inuel Vizta Karouke. I was the one who asked them to go to Karaoke: I actually curious when Ratu said that Rio is a great singer.

Well, she wasn't lying about Rio: he should go to Indonesia Mencari Bakat, or X faxtor, Indonesian Idol, or anything that could bring him become a famous singer!

We spent times two hours at karouke. Though we're not good at singing --- Ratu didn't want to sing without a backing vocal. LoL! --- we both sang like a professional singer! LoL. Ratu even dare heself to sing Shakira's song *Wakaka*, and then followed by me: Rio stared at us perhaps wondering how could he spent his evening with two nutz girls! LoL. Two hours went so quickly, and we have to say good bye.

Thank you Ratu and Rio to spend your evening with me on my birthday!