A Short Story of Mine

A Short Story of Mine

EDWIN CHANDRA

Such a gratitude and honor for me to be given chance to write in this book.  This is my first writing, and I still need to learn a lot about writing. But I hope you don’t mind reading this story in English. J

This is a short story of a boy’s journey of life. Based on true story. Hope you enjoy it!

My name is Edwin Chandra, but people are used to calling me ‘Winchan’. I’m currently a student of Communication Science batch 2009, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Universitas Indonesia. I was raised in an ordinary Chinese family (both of my parents are Chinese), and well, I’m so fortunate and feel blessed to be born in this country, Indonesia.  Seventeen years living in Medan, North Sumatra, I am used to enjoying meeting different kind of ethnics such as Chinese, Bataknese, Malay, Javanese, Tamil, etc. with various religions and characters. And of course, the top-notch culinary taste of Medan. You should come to Medan and experience them by yourself! J

 Living with Chinese values my parents always taught me and being a student for nine years in one of the best Christian high school in Medan, Methodist-2, have shaped the person who I am now. Like many Chinese parents do in Medan, my parents are really concern for my sister, brother, and me to experience the high quality education in the city, although that means that they have to pay more. School has never been enough. They put us in courses that may improve and support our school subjects, such as English, Mandarin, Natural Sciences. That’s one of my biggest gratitude for what my parents have done in my life, that their concern in our education has given huge impact in my life and brought me to this level of life.

At school, beside studying subjects like many other students do, I found myself in love with music and singing. So I decided myself to join the choir in my school. It started with joining a Musical Drama for Christmas Celebration in my school when I was a 5^th grader, and I decided to join my school choir for the next eight years. It was a small choir, but I really did enjoy it. Once I ever had a thought that I would resign from the school choir in Junior High School, cause I’m the only male with twenties of female friends. But then, thank God, I didn’t do it. “Just let it flow”, I thought that time. And well, though facing good and hard times, conflicts and struggles, in the end consistency did result in sweet fruits. Eight years in school choir had filled my life with many great performing experiences, competitions and church services, on stages and in people’s houses. I was also entrusted to manage a third year senior high school choir for our farewell party. Never thought of it before.

High school was the best time, they said. And yes, I couldn’t agree more! Three years with my classmates, has filled my high school with crazy, unforgettable moments. Teachers, they are not just merely educators of subjects to us; they are our parents and coaches that led and taught us about life values and real life we’re going to face. My classmates are awesome. We have several projects together, like concert, dancing, singing, band performance, and more. We are a family, and we call ourselves Simplus.

High school, it’s not only about fun and crazy moments we had. Like most of the 3^rd year students, it’s the most confusing moment; a moment to choose where we are heading after the high school. What College or University? What Major? Where to go, in Medan, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Jakarta, or abroad? Well, it was a tough time. Thank God, again, some of our teachers have always kept on sharing and motivating us to dare to dream and aim higher, to pursue a life we’ve been expecting for, and to get prepared for the real challenges after the high school graduation. Frankly speaking, at high school, my academic performance was kind of average, not like the super brilliant top ranked students. But I believe that each of us has our own smartness, passion, and talents. So why not pursuing for our own best path?

I’ve always been dreaming of studying abroad, but it seems impossible due to the expenses my parents have to pay. Well then, studying in Java is the next option. Seventeen years in Medan has been enough for me, and it’s the time to explore more outside Medan, for the university time is really impactful to determine our future life, friends, and career. For the Major, I decided not to choose Natural Science Major, simply because I know I’m not really passionate about it. I have to focus on what I’m passionate the most, and I can do best.  So as the preparation, I joined one year time, studying Social Sciences in tutoring institution (Bimbingan Belajar), and I really worked hard for it. I must get accepted in one of the Top Public Universities, I said to myself, no matter what happen.

Several times I’d tried in the Campus Acceptance Tests: SIMAK UI, UTUL UGM, UMB, and nearly SNMPTN. Well, two times failed (SIMAK UI in Jakarta and UTUL UGM in Pekan Baru), but I was still that persistent to join the Top Public University. Like once a Guru said, “"When you ask something with Faith, then they will be given to you." I had the UMB test in Medan, but I was very sure I wouldn’t succeed again this time. Well, God made different story. Unexpectedly, the day before my SNMPTN test (the very final public university test at my batch), I checked out the internet from the test account, and… WHOAA! Universitas Indonesia, Communication Science! God listened to His travailing son’s wish.

Another Chapter, A New Beginning

            It’s not my first time to come to Jakarta, but from now on, I’d have to live by my own for years ahead here. Being a new student in one of the best university in Indonesia, has brought me from one curiosity to other excitements. Meeting many new friends from many regions all over Indonesia, has open my eyes to the greater upcoming experience. “This is what I’ve been hoping for”, I said to myself. And, I didn’t realize that it really will become a total change for my life.

            “Welcome to Communication Science, FISIP UI!” A warm welcome by one of my seniors to all of the new 119 students of Communication Science batch 2009. We’re gathered in a room, shared with information about the campus life activities and the orientation we ought to participate as new bees. As time goes by, I participated in the whole five-month orientation, “Spectacomm – Speak, Act as Communication People”, together with my friends (most of them, cause some decided not to continue the orientation), and it was mind-blowing! Hahaha. During my high school, I’ve never experienced any kind of student orientation. In Spectacomm, many projects, tasks, and activities faced, as the introduction of the real Communication work life. It was very valuable and interesting. Though it was a long and not an easy one, to be honest, I really enjoyed it.

One of the hardest part is that at the moment I’m entrusted to become the leader for my batch (usually called as Ketua Angkatan). Well, who am I, to be granted such a title? I was not very sure that time. I was nobody, but I’d have to manage my friends (who have different backgrounds, culture, and ambitions) to deal with tasks and projects together. But then, I decided to just let it flow and face what’s ahead together with my friends. Thankfully, most of my friends were very supporting, and  it was a great experience. I learnt many valuable lessons about teamwork, trust, caring, sacrificing, and leadership. And most importantly, I found a new family here.

Back to hobby. Like most of the new students, we’re searching for any extracurricular activities that may facilitate our interest, hobby, or passion (use the term as you like). I myself decided to continue my hobby in singing, by joining the university student choir, Paragita. I’ve never heard of this choir before. Realizing that when we are consistent with our hobby or interests, it may bring us sweet fruits in the end. Then I registered myself to the Paragita Choir registration booth, took the audition process, and thank God, I got accepted! After joining this choir for couple of months, I’ve just realized that I’m in one of the best choir in Indonesia! Hell yeah!

As new students, my friends and I also have to participate in the orientation, called “MABIM (Masa Bimbingan)”. In Mabim, I met many friends from various faculties in UI. Again, the excitements increased. We were trained several days every week (weekdays at night, morning on weekend) for five to six months, regularly by an awesome conductor and very nice seniors. The end of the project is our NewBee Concert, class of 2009, “I Got Rhythm”. And again, I was entrusted to become the Ketua Angkatan for my friends, to manage the tasks given by our seniors, together with my friends. The difficulties is to gather 54 friends from various faculties to deal with the practices and tasks, while on the same time, I’d have to deal with my Spectacomm pals. Two responsibilities for the same time, as a new bee, were really tough. 24 hours a day seemed not enough for me. What hold me on is my Dad’s advice to me once that I’ll never forget: “Foster the trust given to you, don’t betray it.”

For more than three years, I see myself being the student of two majors: one is Communication Science, and the other is Paragita Student Choir. Most of my campus experience is from both majors. Fortunately, as the singer in Paragita choir, I experienced many great opportunities that I’ve never imagined before. Performing in various concerts and in front of great people such as Mr President, Ministers, Governor etc., joining national and international choir competitions, performing in TVs, are some part of them. The other great experience is to perform together with great artists like Addie MS, Once, etc. I got to know a little bit about the music and entertainment industries in Indonesia. The best parts of all are to be taught by very skillful and well-known coaches (Aning Katamsi, Adji Kasyono, Agus Yuwono, Ramona Unsulangi , and Irzam Rajasa), and to have great choir friends I regard as my other campus family. I’m blessed.

In choir, it’s just about singing and singing. It’s beyond that. We’re taught to be a good listener, to harmonize and cooperate well while singing, and to be self-responsible with our own voice, attitude, and learning materials. It’s not about one self, it’s about us. And we learn to appreciate, respect, and accept one another, for we are from different faculties and backgrounds. The scores of songs given to us introduce us to the wide range of music world, from Classic, Pop, Jazz, and many more. And frankly speaking, joining choir is not as easy and fun as thought. It takes time, strong commitment, hard work, discipline, and awareness to stay and survive, especially in a choir with a level like Paragita Choir. We also learn some leadership experiences from committees and organizational activities. At my third year of joining this campus choir, I was entrusted to become the Vice Chairman of this choir. I was honored, and I thought that it’s the moment for me to give something for my beloved choir who has taught me lots of things, lessons, and experiences as a new chapter in my life.

My passion in music has brought me to several fortune or luck (I guess it’s the best term to describe). At my second year, in 2010, I joined Bintang Pop UI (UI Pop Star), a pop solo singing competition among UI students. I was aiming for a rank, but it was nothing serious actually, and I was just doing it for fun. Fortunately, I made it into the final round, and without any expectation before, I was granted as the first winner in male category of the competition. It’s another WHOAA! I was speechless, because I knew that I was still an amateur, and there’re many who’re better than me. But it’s another blessing that I should be grateful for.

Being the winner of Bintang pop UI has brought me to experience other privileges. To perform in front of the Rector of Universitas Indonesia in some events such as UI Graduation Day, UI Appreciation Awarding Night, FISIP Awarding Night, and some other campus events. Meeting and mingling with many other UI great singers who’ve had much more experience in singing and performing has been very exciting and has broaden my knowledge about the music industry.  It thought life will go well then, but then I was wrong.

I was entrusted to represent my campus in a province level singing competition, Pekan Seni Mahasiswa Daerah DKI Jakarta 2011. I was so glad about the offer. But at the day of the competition, I had not prepared myself very well, lack of practice, which resulted in I didn’t perform the best I could. And, as I’ve predicted, I failed to bring UI a trophy, while my other friends participating in other categories have won, and even represent Jakarta to compete in national level. That was a thwack for me, one of the lowest point in my life. It was an unforgettable experience. But I learn a valuable lesson, that to achieve something, especially when you have the trust of others, you must work really hard and prepare your best. Achievement is not merely about hoping and fortune; you have to pay the price! I wish I could go back time and fixed my failures. But life must go on, right? Regretting too much won’t bring us anywhere. So I decided to continue my life and letting it go.

Another step. In 2012, being a participant of UILDP batch 3 (Universitas Indonesia Leadership Development Program) has exposed me with broader mind and perspectives. I was a small part among many great selected, smartest and best students in the university. I feel like I’m the dumbest, hahaha. Together we experienced many sessions of training, discussion, seminar, by many great and successful speakers. Inspired? Yes, we are. The most interesting part is on the training sessions every Saturday morning by Bang Arief Munandar. He’s more like a  mentor to us. He was very critical, often played the devil’s advocate, but yet it was awakening. One of his sharing that stroke me the most is about 3Rs, which are: Respect Time, Respect People, and Respect System. To fix ourselves before we try to fix others. To have visions years ahead, for us, our family, and for this country. To be grateful for our blessings, but yet must focus on, commit and be the best of the path we’ve chosen. To stop being greedy for ourselves. To be hard to ourselves, that we are the one responsible for who we will become in the future. Those’re what he called as “you are the leader for yourself.”

Well, this is the short story of my life. I thank you for reading it till the end of this writing, hoping that you may have some fun with it or get some useful information or messages. By the moment I write this story, I wanna say that, I’m still at the other galau moment, like most of final year students are facing: Career and Love Life (for the singles like me :p). Future is getting closer, life is getting harder. Don’t you agree? But I think, as long as we have faith, the guts to strive for what we want to achieve, and always be grateful, trust me, good things will come to us. Cause God is still watching and listening to His Sons and Daughters.