Writing

Hi, I was studying for tomorrow's Geo & Env. Science exam (wish me luck!) when I read Raditya Dika's tweet: "For no matter how talented, the ignorant cannot write." And then he went on to say, "Wow, this is the ultimate wake up call for me."

Interesting. Because that's the wake up call that I needed.

Then I felt I just had to Google the quote to find the original source; and I found it. It was quoted from Robert McKee. Apparently he's a creative writing instructor who's written the popular "Story Seminar". You can learn more about him from his website or from his Wikipedia entry.

The full quotation (obtained from here) goes like this:

Have you ever had writer's block? Scary, isn't it? Days drag by and nothing gets written. Cleaning the garage looks like fun. You rearrange your desk over and over and over until you think you're losing your mind. I know a cure, but it isn't a trip to your psychiatrist. It's a trip to the library.

You're blocked because you have nothing to say. Your talent didn't abandon you. If you had something to say, you couldn't stop yourself from writing. You can't kill your talent, but you can starve it into a coma through ignorance. For no matter how talented, the ignorant cannot write. Talent must be stimulated by facts and ideas. Do research. Feed your talent. Research not only wins the war on cliche, it's the key to victory over fear and its cousin, depression.

And then it hit me. I've been feeling I've lost my writing energy lately and now I've figured out why: I'm not paying attention. The mind has been left somewhat idle and this resulted in my lack of insights. Hmpf. So I think I'm going to read lots of books again, from now on. Yes, yes.

Well, okay then, just wanted to make sure I'll remember this lesson. Back to studying, pray for my exams!

Turning 19

Hi there, peeps! I'm back on my feet again. It feels quite good. Oh yeah, I've just turned 19 yesterday, which means soon--one year to be precise--I will no longer be a teenager by definition. Isn't that exciting?

I can't wait to go out and explore the world even more. I sort of am already doing it right now actually; and although it hasn't exactly been the smoothest journey, I'm still lovin' it. Hey, after all, whatever problems I may ran into, I'm already here, abroad, doing something I've always dreamed of. Sweet!

Okay, let's reflect myself. Hmm. What do I have today that I didn't have a year ago? Let's see. Obviously, I'm studying in Monash University, Melbourne, after achieving highly satisfactory results on Monash College and an unforgettable IELTS score. I've discovered a new passion in writing (thus, journalism) and I'm pretty confident that I'm quite good at it (thanks to Patrick!).

After having been exposed to a string of inspirations throughout the year, I have dedicated myself in public service.



I now know for sure that if I am to live a meaningful life, I must simply be helpful to others. It is the only way I know how to do it. I guess that feeling is reflected by the fact that I'm finally settled in majoring politics. Because back then, filling out the enrollment form would mean that I'd have to make the most difficult decision in my life. I was wrong. It was surprisingly easy. So I guess that's it then. Politics will be the medium where I can--and Insya Allah, WILL--bring about positive, lasting change to the people of my country.




In a nutshell, I've reached my goals, with quite some style. Congratulations, me! You deserve it. (Apologies if I sound a bit arrogant, but hey, you need to reward yourself every time you do something right!)

So, next: what do I don't have today that I didn't/did have a year ago? Well, I'm still lacking consistency. I could push myself to the limit and work like a robot, but I could also be as lazy as a potato couch. I still procrastinate. I am still not fully grateful of life, still not appreciating every single thing that comes out right. My daily prayers are still incomplete. I still don't eat right; and now I don't sleep right. I haven't been able to open up myself as quite as I like it. Occasionally, I can still fall to negative stereotypes and prejudices. I can still get easily angered, although rarely directly showing it, when confronted with differing opinions that simply don't make sense to me. What else? It's been quite a list, hasn't it? But I still feel there's more. Care to help mentioning some, anyone?

Oh, but the biggest one would be the lack of action. Talk, talk, talk. Ideas, ideas, ideas. Yada, yada, yada. But no action. What's the point?

Okay, so I may not be a graduate yet, and perhaps the time simply hasn't come. But you know what? That shouldn't be a reason. Writing a book, represent my country in an international event, being part of an organization that actually helps people; those are some of my action-oriented life goals. As you know, I haven't achieved any of those. But I know someone who has. A new good friend of mine has written a novel (or is it two novels?). She is the only Indonesian ambassador of a global leadership network which is organized by the British Council called the 'Global Changemakers'; and some of the activities include stuff like participating in the recent London G20 Summit and meet people like Gordon Brown and SBY (unfortunately she didn't get to meet Obama, although I'm gonna have to kill her if she did). She's not only a part of an environmental NGO, she founded it, along with a friend (who's just as super, currently participating in an AFS student exchange programme in Atlanta, US).

The scary part? She's not even 19; she's 18. Her name is Alanda Kariza.

And in fact, there are a lot more Indonesian youth out there who has already achieved and done so much in a variety of fields. Here is just a few examples.

See? I can have no more excuses. Yes, she does have a lot more opportunities compared to me but that's only because she's full of action, whereas I am full of, well, inaction.

That's it. I guess that's my new resolution: walk the talk. From now on, I'll join organizations. I'll write to newspapers. When I have the time, I'll volunteer. I'll help organize youth conferences. I'll attend youth conferences. I'll seize every opportunity that allows me to take actions.

So, can I do it? On 7 (or 8) June 2010, will I have been able to write a blog post that says that I've fulfilled this year's resolutions? Would I have been at least achieve some or most, if not all, of my goals? Well, in the end, people don't predict the future; they create it. So...



(P.S. : Thanks to Alanda's tip, I'll be attending the Model Asia-Europe Meeting in Le Havre, France, this coming November! I ask for your prayers so that everything goes well. And friends, do me a favour, will ya? If you know any project or organizations or anything that I might be interested in, please, let me know! Cheers! Thank you!)