MIT and Bali

They say third time is a charmed.

But somehow I managed to charmed MIT selection team on my second application. Eventhough the first time is for PhD and the this time for shourt course but I am still very thrill about it.

The 1 week course has finisned and I learn a lot.

I was very impressed by the professors, not only from MIT but also from Harvard, Yale and NYU. They are still quite young and very smart but so comitted to improve livelihood of the poor. My classmates are endowed with field experience, education at prestigious universities and an open mind as well as warm heart. Must said that I am truly blessed to join this.

A good evaluation is halway of a good program, knowing a good evaluation in place with proper reward and punishment will motivate the actors involved.

Now at the Ngurah Rai airport and one thing I can evaluate from the last visit i now I can use free hot spot to post this blog. If only other international airport in Indonesia (especially Soekarno Hatta) could catch up with this practice.

Allahu Akbar!

Oleh
A Mustofa Bisri


Allahu Akbar!
Pekik kalian menghalilintar
Membuat makhluk-makhluk kecil tergetar

Allahu Akbar! Allah Maha Besar
Urat-urat leher kalian membesar
Meneriakkan Allahu Akbar
Dan dengan semangat jihad
Nafsu kebencian kalian membakar
Apa saja yang kalian anggap mungkar

Allahu Akbar, Allah Maha Besar!
Seandainya 5 miliar manusia
Penghuni bumi sebesar debu ini
Sesat semua atau saleh semua
Tak sedikit pun memengaruhi
Kebesaran-Nya

Melihat keganasan kalian aku yakin
Kalian belum pernah bertemu Ar-Rahman
Yang kasih sayang-Nya meliputi segalanya

Bagaimana kau begitu berani mengatasnamakan- Nya
Ketika dengan pongah kau melibas mereka
Yang sedang mencari jalan menuju-Nya?

Mengapa kalau mereka
Memang pantas masuk neraka
Tidak kalian biarkan Tuhan mereka
Yang menyiksa mereka
Kapan kalian mendapat mandat
Wewenang dari-Nya untuk menyiksa dan melaknat?

Allahu Akbar!
Syirik adalah dosa paling besar
Dan syirik yang paling akbar
Adalah menyekutukan- Nya
Dengan mempertuhankan diri sendiri
Dengan memutlakkan kebenaran sendiri

Laa ilaaha illallah!

Naik kereta api, cheap! cheap! cheap!

The title was taken from childhood songs but altered the ending.

I was taken by surprise when taking the train today it is very very full. Moe than three times as usual and almost like in non air-con train. Thanks God it is air-con.

Is it possible that the famously spolied and snobby Jakarta middle class (at least those living in Bintaro & Serpong area) has taken the rational and cost effective decision to switch their commuting method from car to train?

Guess I will find out tomorrow whether it is a pattern or just one time aberration.