I remember in detail of how then I owned these maps.
It was at the end of 2013, when I was in a christmas and a new year holiday visiting my hometown, Magelang. I went to a small bookstore as being suggested by a friend of mine, Ustica, buying a map of Indonesia and a world map. Since after that, I dropped marks to several places, cities, and countries for my future visit on it.
She said vigorously that time,”I just buy it anyway, you too please. Let us start arranging our future europe trip, even just from purchasing the map of it in advance. What can we do the next, we will think about it afterwards.”
The greatest inspiration to us came from the Indonesian Film of 99 Lights in European Sky – 99 Cahaya di Langit Eropa. Recalling back the time I saw it, I ended the film with the glowing eyes, how I then felt a beautiful pride and a sadness at the same time knowing the historical development of Islam in Europe; Turkey, France, Napoleon Bonaparte, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Church.
I decided; I have to visit Europe. Someday. No matter how.
I keep those map well along with the I-am-not-quite-certain-to-be-materialized-desire for the last two years. Once I could be a girl with the glazed eyes if thinking how I eager to experience Islam in Europe. As time goes by, the desire evolves to be more than that. Modifying my europe-trip-dream to also learning aquaculture science, an appeared thought after I worked in a marine NGO. And other following modified dreams; building a social enterprise, having a big culture of sea cucumber, getting closer and closer to coastal people.
And after the ups and downs of chasing those all, in the end of 2015 an opportunity was miraculously blowed away to me. All praise to Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar! I got a ticket to continue my master study to europe, a full scholarship program from the government of Indonesia.
Dream big. Start small.
I am, so as the many many other people, the biggest admirer of God’s work. He, by the unseen hand, build a wonderful path connecting million sons of adam to their dreams. He plays on his own rules, puts wisdoms on every single occurence, either in a good one or a bad one, confers upon us a magical power to face the bittersweet of life.
Had a dream
Keep it in our deepest heart
Muster our best effort
Have a good prejudice
Let the universe leads us to it
I always believe what I want to believe. You also, can believe what you want to believe, anyway.
