Life Updated : Moving to Sydney (EN)

G'day Mate. ( I am trying make it sound like an aussie) LOL
Yess... I am in Australia now. I have been inactive to write 'something' in this blog either in another platform of my social media. I am a bit busy lately, I moved to Sydney and continue my life here for a couple years (maybe), I took a Diploma in Marketing and Communication, my class in afternoon to 8.30 PM and I work in the morning to provide my self sum life ammunition.

So, What makes me thinking about move overseas?

I am not sure either but I believe I want to self-improve and having a new experience.
An idea about school and work just an option my goals now just to be genuinely happy and love my self. A lot things has happens and it changes me to be more fearless and brave to living alone in a strange place.

So, How's life lately?

I have lived in Sydney for 6 months already, I kinda feel its hard but surely I won't give up, because What is Rifka if she's not in adventure and doing same basic things. I can't live like that, I have a free spirit that need to be tame by a new experience, It's a life learning as well. My friends doubt me, I can't live independent for the first 3 months. But here I am now 6 months as international student and still counting ( I am just confidently, truly, trust my self) even tho I have been there in ups and down, crying like a baby because I miss my mom and dad every night especially when I got sick, It feels lonely sometime. But, By the time I gained more friends in school and some nice coworker, my lectures are humble and kind.

What do you like most living in Sydney?

Sydney is so enchantingly beautiful I must admit. they have pretty panoramas, I never get bored to spend time picnic in Botanical Garden ( in front of Opera House), the beaches as well, Bondi beach, Palm Beach, Manly Beach. They have many parks. most important It is also safer than in Indonesia, I usually walked alone in night because my class finished in 8.30 PM and It take time about 45 minutes by train to my place. I also love the facilities, It is very convenient and make everything easier even for the disables.

What do you miss from Indonesia so far?

Beside of my family and friends, It is the Foods. Coto makassar, Soto Ayam, Sate, Nasi Goreng, Bakso, Tempe mendoan.. Omaigosh my mouth is watering while listing those foods I am craving so much right now. I can found some Indonesian food here in town but its a bit expensive. I wish I can cook for my self but nah! I will totally ruin the taste >_<


That's all about my 'life updated'. Here are some Picture of me.

//Opera House- the Sydney icon//

//Opera House look from park near by Luna Park//

Being Moslem and Having Depression (EN)

Talking about mental health, depression and anxiety is still considered taboo in Indonesia, especially in Muslim family. Society feel ashamed to family member who have symptom of depression or such a thing. When someone said they had depression, You will hear these kind of judging conversation that 'You are far from god, you had less pray, you are being ungrateful, there are more people in worse situation than you, you are in tested', or in an extreme way they will drag you to get a ruqyah (a typical Islam exorcism to expel jinn from the body). Because they think that a negative energy is coming from jinn or Satan. Depression means Satan and something like that. But actually, all they need are someone to talk, comforting and makes them relaxed and tell them, that everything will be okay. It is better to ask questions that will encourage the person to share their thoughts. Listen carefully without judging, and acknowledge the pain that they may be experiencing.

These young generation unwilling to express their feeling and under pressure because they had no enough courage to talk to their families. It will be better if they had at least one friend who understand and support them, but how if they don't have any one? It can bring to self-harming or even suicide attempt. In Islam 'People who commit suicide will live in hell forever'. Actually, people who are suicidal have reached the point where they are desperate to end their suffering, when people in mental breakdown they won't be able to think clearly and control their mind.

So, rather than judging people not religious enough for being struggle with their mental health is better to come up to be friend talk, help them with their insecurity or recommend for seeking a professional psychology and else.
Because, If you think mental wellness was directly proportional with religiosity then there won't be any religious person would struggle with their mental health.

In fact there are many religious people I've met struggle with it. I just want to people know that the cultural dogma about depression as a family stain is not true and this kind of issue is an okay to talk. I also can not say that it will make them feel 100% cure. But based on my experience it feels better since I have a courage to reach people and share them my contemplation.

My mom is the most one i am afraid of to tell about this kind of issue, But I finally did it, and She told me ‘Everything will be okay, It needs time’, This short sentence maybe too simple but actually send me a full power and give me a lot of strength to live better.

If you feel ashamed and don't have anyone to talk I am ready to be your listener. Speak Up! You will be okay too.

Remember Ladies and Boys... You are amazing, this is just a chapter of your life. You will be able to through this phase, You will be a better and stronger person. Hold on there! If you feel tired, rest for a while and continue to life tomorrow.

Live in A Better Life : Being Responsible Traveller

Surat Untuk Diri Sendiri : Selamat Datang 2019

Ada banyak hal yang terjadi di 2018 yang kuharap membangun pribadi yang  lebih baik untukmu. Semoga kesalahan yang pernah kamu lakukan di 2018 tidak terulang lagi kedepannya, semoga kesakitan yang kamu terima di 2018 tidak kamu bawa serta-merta ke tahun-tahun kedepannya, segala hal yang membuatmu mental breakdown untuk sesaat semoga telah sembuh dan menjadikannya sebagai pengalaman yang membangunmu menjadi wanita yang lebih kuat. 
Dibalik segala kekurangan ku juga ingin berterimakasih padamu. Kamu tak pernah takut mencoba hal baru sehingga banyak pengalaman tambahan di lembaran baik di 2018. Kamu juga menerima orang-orang baru hadir dalam hidupmu, terima kasih telah melawan anxiety-mu dengan cukup berani. Jangan lagi takut bertemu orang baru, berkawanlah dengan sebanyak mungkin orang yang kamu temui, berbincanglah, suarakan isi hatimu, jangan lagi ada pendam dan kecil hati jadilah sosok yang lebih bersahabat. 

Kamu manusia yang selalu menghargai perbedaan, toleransi kepada manusia yang berbeda agama, kulit, ras, negara, pendapat kamu terima dengan baik. Terima kasih juga kepada orang tuamu yang telah merawat dan mendidikmu dengan baik, setidaknya tahun 2018 lebih banyak hari yang kalian lakukan bersama dibanding tahun-tahun sebelumnya saat masih sibuk-sibuknya melakukan kegiatan perkuliahan. Tapi, itu masih belum cukup. Semoga tahun depan lebih banyak kau luangkan waktu untuk keluarga dibanding ambisimu berpetualang.

Terima kasih karena telah berusaha menjadi manusia yang lebih baik, jangan menjadi manusia tamak, egosentris dan tinggi hati. Aku tahu kamu tak pernah bermaksud menjadi sedemikian rupa, kamu selalu berusaha menjadi pendengar yang baik, dan mengubur ego. Kamu sudah cukup baik mengolah kesabaran dan memahami orang lain. Oke, sekali-kali kamu bisa saja bilang 'tidak' bila memang kamu tidak menyukai hal tertentu, tidak mengapa bagimu jika itu yang terbaik, jangan takut memberi penolakan , jangan takut mundur dari sesuatu yang tidak membuatmu nyaman.

Selain itu, Jadilah manusia yang lebih bersyukur lagi, kamu mungkin tidak sadar bahwa dirimu manusia yang beruntung dikelilingi orang yang menyayangimu dan selalu mendukungmu. Jangan lagi sakiti dirimu, Jangan mencoba melukai dirimu, selalu bersyukur atas apa yang pencipta anugrahkan kepadamu, jangan tangisi yang telah terjadi tataplah masa depan dengan harapan menjadi manusia lebih baik.  

2019 adalah lembaran baru.
Hadapilah dengan lebih percaya diri,
Tunjukan dirimu bisa meski banyak yang mencibir.
Rifka kamu wanita tangguh, yakinlah kamu bisa :)