(terjemahan dalam bahasa Indonesia di bawah) I was truly in doubt whether to post this or not, but eventually I promised my students that I'd do it. This was originally written in response to Inspiring Girls International's invitation to participate in #ThisLittleGirlIsMe campaign. Also to mark the International Day of the Girl Child on October … Continue reading #ThisLittleGirlIsMe
Category: Stories
THE REFLECTION BRIDGE
Ponte Vecchio, Firenze (Italy) - September 2001. I sketched this 20 years ago (and decided to colour it 19 weeks ago). Once upon a time on the bridge of Vecchio ... I took this Italy trip after the Dutch police called me that I needed to leave the country by early October or otherwise I’d … Continue reading THE REFLECTION BRIDGE
It was an overwhelmingly sweet memory
“Princeton, in the summer, smelled of nothing, and although Ifemelu liked the tranquil greenness of the many trees, the clean streets and stately homes, the delicately overpriced shops, and the quiet, abiding air of earned grace, it was this, the lack of a smell, that most appealed to her ... She liked taking deep breaths … Continue reading It was an overwhelmingly sweet memory
“Good person award”
Early this month, I called my mother on her birthday. After wishing her well and chit-chatting about this and that, I told her about a recent award I just got. Unlike many previous research accolades I was awarded which were too "abstract" for her, she was actually truly interested in this one. She said, "Oh, … Continue reading “Good person award”
Dayeuhkolot and me
Standing in front of the mirror of my parents’ cabinet, I’m seeing the shadow of myself. I am definitely much older. It’s been seventeen years since I left this house for good. Now I am a different person with my own life, different than and separated from the life I had in this house. The … Continue reading Dayeuhkolot and me
Being Lim
After standing in line for hours, it was finally my turn. I was one of thousands of high schoolers who were queuing to register for the national entrance examination for public universities. I wished to be admitted in the best technical university in Indonesia. My very smart eldest brother, who applied to the same university … Continue reading Being Lim
Professor-ing
One of so many fun dialogues from today's reception. I was there as a singer. Guest (G): Madame, what a great singer you are! It was beautiful. Me (M): Thank you, you're very kind. G: Where do you usually sing? M: Nowhere... I am new to Ottawa, haven't performed that much. G: Oh? Really? What … Continue reading Professor-ing
My Grandma & Be Humane
My late grandmother never finished elementary school. She had to drop out of school in second grade. She did not know the term human rights. She couldn't pronounce the word discrimination. And, yet, for all years of her life she always respected others, regardless of their religion, race/ethnicity, social status, or even sexual orientation. One … Continue reading My Grandma & Be Humane
A neighbour with a beautiful mind
In the last decade or so, I came across some intellectual celebrities in various occasions in various places. No, I don’t have any evidence of my encounters with these people, no autograph, no selfies, nada. I had some email exchanges with a couple of them but I’d keep these to myself. Also, while they’re inspirational, … Continue reading A neighbour with a beautiful mind
A traveling professor
Last Thursday I delivered a ten-minutes-speech at the Passion for Research Luncheon, a university-wide annual luncheon to celebrate research excellence. Instead of 'preaching' (to the choir) about research/being a researcher, I chose to tell a story.... the story ... here it is... Warning: (Most likely) You will not get smarter nor gain any knowledge by … Continue reading A traveling professor