Fonda Irena Santoso

A 22-year old girl who once was lost but now.... definitely found

[fondasantoso-blog]

Few Steps Closer Towards “Indonesia Maju”

The decision for Indonesia’s recently-appointed Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim, to weed out the National Examination has received tremendous support from not only teachers but also parents, students, and education enthusiasts. Indonesia’ UN (Ujian Nasional or National Examination) was initially created on the base that it measures students’ cognitive capabilities, but in the past years, it has been claimed to emphasizing more on memorizing abilities, rather than sharpening students’ cognitive capabilities.

Without doubt, a country’s development relies on education received by its students and President Joko “Jokowi” Widow’s vision to make Indonesia a developed nation by 2045 could be coming to a close, given Nadim Makarim's latest approaches in tackling issues within Indonesia’s education system. Why is that so? The presence of UN has discouraged not only students but also teachers. Teachers do not have the freedom to assess and think in a way that they think best meets the characteristics of each of their students, which as a result, made them teach based only on the set-guidelines and felt they need to focus on are preparing students for the test - their creativity is shut down. 

Mr. Nadim’s plan to introduce PISA to a wider audience in Indonesia would be able to bring a tremendous positive impact to the country’s education system, as it enables the government to get cross-nationally comparable evidence of student performance pertaining to the skills that are deemed indispensable for adult life in the context of a global interdependence and a rapid change society. From this very fact, the government would be able to get insights into the factors that contribute to competencies development and thus, lead to a thorough understanding of students’ skill shortages.

However, Indonesia’s education issues are not limited to the presence of national examinations and test scores. Problems such as the lack of quality teachers keep increasing as the job title “teacher” is becoming more and more unattractive each year. On top of establishing new curricula, Indonesia needs to focus on treating teachers as professionals, similar to how lawyers and doctors are. Compared to other countries, such as Singapore and Canada, Indonesia fails to stimulate intrinsic motivation on teachers and those who dream of becoming teachers. Teaching shouldn’t be only about having a thorough understanding of a subject, but also the ability to know about child development, cognitive psychology, and pedagogical content knowledge. This issue is commonly seen in schools that are not doing well financially and/or located in rural areas. The government could address the issue by putting more attention on its cluster superintendent and then send strong teachers to work alongside weaker schools. This method would not only be beneficial for the recipients, but also the one who was sent over, as they get to practice their teaching development skills.

Albeit all the positive impacts PISA could bring to Indonesia’s education system, it is vital for the government to not give too much weight to PISA rankings. Instead, the PISA could be accompanied by the broader data as helpful information to lead the direction of its education system.

[fondasantoso-blog]

The under looked, yet has caused invisible harms on numerous souls

Microaggressions. A Word that sounds neutral at a glance, but feeds into stereotypes created around marginalised group of people. 

You could have encountered microaggressions at one point in your life, but did not realise it. Some of the examples I could think of are listed below:

1. You are from Asia, so I guess you do play the piano?!

2. You are Chinese, RIGHT?

3. Where are you REALLY from? 

4. You are really tall for an Asian

5. I’m inspired by how you overcome your disability

6. Your English is very good! (When natives told you this)

These are toxic words in disguise, given most of the times, the aggressor doesn’t view their statements as an insult. 

I have been seeing a lot of articles discussing about microaggressions and all the cumulative negative impacts they have brought upon people, particularly psychological harm.

I wouldn’t deny the fact that I have done this, because, I, too, have sometimes made what turned out to be deeply offensive remarks unintentionally. 

It’s too easy to hurt others without exercising vigilance in communicating with those whose experiences are different than ours, but microaggressions matter. This applies heavily on universities. Colleges always claim that their environment are diversified, with thousands of people coming from different races and backgrounds and that everyone will always feel welcomed at the campus. 

Let’s take a common example of microaggressions’ presence at universities. When your peers at a prestigious university are astonished at how good a person coming from a remote area of a developing country is at coding, it augments his/her uniqueness in ways that could be estranging. The results that could arise from all these? insecurity and unaccomplished feelings, that sometimes bring up the idea of “victims”. 

Why would some willingly designate themselves as victims, if they are not getting heaps of rewards? Unless if they truly..truly feel that way. 

Some say that there’s nothing we can do about microaggressions, as it’s something that happen without anyone realizing it, making the entire notion of microaggressions seem trivial. 

These people got a point, as not all microaggressions need to be addressed. However, isn’t it still worth exploring the topic on the basis of how they could contribute to the prevalence of prejudices on a macro-level? 

[fondasantoso-blog]

Rejoice.

Sometimes, life can be exhausting. We run around, moving around, from one place to another, from one country to another, from one continent to another. All these because we want to accomplish things, while also maintaining relationship with family and friends, as well as solving problems and challenges. Have you ever, once, looked up to consider anything, aside of your present circumstances?

I can honestly say, that it is not easy for me to connect my spiritual and physical life. But, hey, God knows us and He knows this part of us. A part of us that’s selfish, hungry stinkers with tunnel vision. A part of us that suffers, not knowing how to rejoice at difficult times.

But Jesus knew we needed redemption. He knows that we pray for the bad times to go away. He knows that we beg him to remove our thorns, help us remove our hardships and to bring us through suffering as unscathed as possible. And that is why, since the beginning of our existence, he had our redemption planned out along the way. He braved pain for our peace. he was pierced because of our rebellion and crushed because of our iniquities. "Through Jesus’ suffering, Christ himself learnt obedience” (Heb 5:8).

Jesus left everything behind just to become one with us.

From now on, if you are on trial, do not get over them. Do not rush. Instead, rejoice in them. You might say “Doing so isn’t as easy as saying it”. TRUE! but it doesn’t hurt to try, does it?

I am not saying we should rejoice because bad things happen or because this fallen world is full of injustice and sorrow. I am saying we rejoice because the sovereign calls us His own. His only creation that resembles Him. He loves and adores us enough to produce in us a steadfastness which cannot be shaken.

[fondasantoso-blog]

New IPO regulations by the Indonesian Financial Authority (OJK)

Several new amendments were introduced by OJK with several aims on mind, such as speeding up the process of an offering to the market and stimulating IPO activities in Indonesia. Few of the changes include the action of shortening the overall review period with a parallel review process, simplifying financial disclosure, simplifying legal due diligence and enhancing quality of disclosure. Despite the fact that Indonesia’s investment grade has been upgraded by Standard & Poor, a lack of interest for IPOs in the archipelago is still obvious. Total IPO activity in the country kept increasing since 2012 and to date, only 8 companies went public, totaling IDR 0.97 trillion of value.

Making a big corporate move sure is not a walk in the park, and Indonesian tycoons are no exception. The feeling of reluctance to share profits with shareholders hinders them from going public and thus prefer to sustain the conventional way in raising funds for reinvestment and growth. In addition to this, political instability and the Fed’s decision to increase rates make the mosaic worse, filling the global picture with uncertainty and geopolitical turmoil.

Therefore, changing regulations are expected to bring an increase in overall consistency within Indonesia capital markets, developing the legal landscape for the market.

[fondasantoso-blog]

Tourism: Is Indonesia The Next China? or It Already Is?

China has always been a hot topic on account of its rapidly moving economy, including its tourism and hospitality industry. China’s evolution from communist to capitalistic territories have paved the way for the imposition of market discipline on all economic sectors, including tourism. Indonesia, an archipelago nation is ramping up efforts to attract more international tourist, which has shown some positive results. In Quarter 1 2016, Indonesia was registered as a country with the second highest absolute Year-Over-Year (YOY) growth in Tourism Receipts (TR), with TR of approximately USD 412 million, just 34% lower than China and 106% higher than India.

During the same period time, the nation showed a year-on- year increase of 11% in the number of international visitors (704,000), slightly lower than China (747,000) andthreefold than that of India (270,000). By October 2016, there were 595,213 rooms under contraction in the Asia Pacific region, based on Smith Travel Research. Among the region’s key markets are Shanghai, China, with 8,762 rooms, Chengdu, China (7,285 rooms), followed by Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia, with 6,978 and 5,697 rooms under pipeline and construction, respectively. The proliferation of the industry in Indonesia resembles to what happened in China decades ago, with mid-tier segment dominating the market. Local hotel brands gear up to increase their fair share within the Country, while global chained hotels following the footsteps. For instance, Fairfield Inn & Suites has just opened its first property in Indonesia, realizing the significant demand of Mid-tier market.

The fact that Indonesia is rich of mineral, acts as a foundation for the economy. It also borders many other countries, surging both leisure and business travels. Indonesia’s tourism industry continues to play a vital role for the economy, supported by the budget that keeps increasing over the year and 10 new destinations being promoted.

[fondasantoso-blog]

Is Indonesia Really An Independent Nation?

Can someone remind me which Century we are living in right now? Is it the 18th Century when the Dutch took possessions of Indonesia? No. No. NO. We are living in the 21st Century. It’s been 72 years since our independence day. But, is Indonesia really an independent Country? Let’s put it in another way, all these times, do you really feel and think that you have been living in an independent country, with a great social welfare? Think about it for a second before reading the rest of my writing.

.

.

.

.

.

What came to your mind?

These are things that came to my mind:

It is true that our economy is showing positive progress towards economic growth. In fact, our President, Joko Widodo, is targeting Economic Growth of 5.6 percent in 2018. I am not complaining, nor will I. This number does make sense, considering the huge potential for SMEs to go digital and the beliefs that Indonesia is one of SEA countries with the most opportunities.

However, given all these advancement, it is chilling to know that there are still (a lot of) people who suffer from slavery. Workers in fishing and palm oil industries, for instance, are forced to work as many as 24 hours a day and as little as 15 hours a day with little pay and no benefits. They lack sufficient foods and suffer running sores from bed bugs. They were subject to punishment if the set-targets are not reached and not to mention the tragic fact that children take a big chunk in this labor force. Even worse, some (or a lot of them) died during their never-ending fishing trip. You could see bones floating on the sea. These sound surreal. But they are real.

There are just tons of unprotected islands in this archipelago country that remain unprotected, which in turn, allows foreign vessels to exploit local resources. This is where our independence shall be questioned. Powerful parties, such as big corporations gain at the expense of these people’s disadvantages. Knowing all these, I came to realise that I have been living in a bubble and that I did not live in an independent country. The root causes of these are mainly the lack of law enforcement and education.

Therefore, to prevent these from happening to our future generation, I encourage you all to give a hand to unlucky kids through https://www.sos.or.id/donasi-anak. Every cent matters.

**Any views or opinions represented in this writing are personal and belong solely to the blog owner and do not represent those of people, institutions or organizations that the owner may or may not be associated with in professional or personal capacity, unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.

[fondasantoso-blog]

Why Would You?

Throughout our lives, we have always been put in a situation, where we have to choose. Correct? Choices. Choices. Choices. Choices. Okay, I won’t say it again for the fifth time. But, Choices. Oops! Haha. How many times have you been bombarded with choices? Me, A lot. What I mean by a lot is A….. LOT. Choices from the simplest thing until the most serious one.

In economic theory, there are these things that we call as “opportunity cost” and “scarcity”. When we make our choices, there must be something that we have to sacrifice. There is scarcity, because we, human beings have unlimited wants, yet our resources are limited. Thus, choices, scarcity and opportunity cost have always become ipso facto economic problems and economists wanted to attain economic and allocative efficiency. That being so, we could get the most value out of our money and resources.

Now, you must be wondering why am I telling you all these boring economic topics?

Wait. Hold on. Keep reading, please? 

When I am faced with choices, this question always pops on my mind: What would I get from choosing this? I would not lie. I want to get as much benefit as I could from what I have chosen, because I simply do not want to regret what I have chosen. Then, dare I say that I will be able to predict what is going to happen next? No. I know that our actions today are going to affect our future life. That, no one can deny. There will always be regrets as well. 

But, what we can do is to only choose carefully and rationally. Yesterday, on my way back from Urbana, Champaign to Chicago, one of my friends was talking about blueprint. We need blueprints in order to build relationships and homes that possess a solid foundation. So does in making a decision. Rather than thinking of which and what decision shall you choose and make, wouldn't it be great if we contemplate on one explicit question; Why would I choose this? Why would you? Was the choice you made built on a rigid and firm bedrock?

I’ve heard people saying that my life is boring, because I have never done anything that other young people usually do, nor do I have a tiny bit of interest in trying them. Like getting drunk. Consuming illegal drugs. Go partying. Most people would say: Why not? While you are still young, just do it. Let’s be young, wild and free? You won’t put anyone at disadvantage, will you? Wrong. At least, I think so. You may say that even if you made decisions that you regret, you will take them as learning experiences (or even a stepping stone). But, if you knew you will regret it, it is going to leave a scar on yourself. And if it is going to imprint a scar, you will want to obliterate it. And if you want to and have to get rid of it, why did you do it in the first place? And bear in mind, that not all scars can be removed. It takes time as well. 

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what YOU are” - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 

The previously mentioned economic theory has taught me how limited we are as human beings. How limited this world is. What the world has to offer is finite. The theory had, in God’s way, stolen my attention. It points out that He is unlimited, because He is able. He is greater than what we seek and what we ask. 

“...from His glorious, unlimited resources, He will empower you with inner strength through His spirit” - Ephesians 3:16 

[fondasantoso-blog]

His Splendid Creation

It’s 1:00 A.M in the morning and I couldn’t sleep. Then, these came to my mind: 

Sometimes, I was wondering how God could love us the way He loves us. How could He, with all His everlasting, glorious grace and love, acknowledging all my weaknesses. But, there is one thing that I am certain of, that His mercy over us is without boundaries.

It is Him, who gives me strengths, blessings and hope. His grace is sufficient enough to fuel my life. You might ask, why am I writing this? Well, there is a lot going on in my life at the moment, which I can’t describe in full.

Am I scared of what’s gonna happen in my unforeseeable days? I would unhesitantly say, Yes. I would say that at some point, now, my life is crumbling. I don’t know what kind of situation you are in right now. Perhaps, you are anxious of your college entrance exam. Maybe you are facing a financial hardship. Perhaps, you have a vague idea about your love life, career and the list goes on, on and on. Some of my friends said I am strong. Well, I am not. It is my hope in Him that keeps me going and “The Lord bless me and keep me” - Numbers 6:24. Yes. He keeps me. He keeps us! 

There is one more thing that I know, that we need to remain faithful - believing in Christ. Because He is under control and everything is only temporary. Therefore, this too, shall pass.

Both happiness and all those sorrow we are facing will only last a while. Then, can we ever have an everlasting joy, you ask? Yes. It comes from a relationship with our Maker, whom is very pleased with His splendid, marvelous creation, Us. You.

Gateway Worship’s “139″:

His love for us will never fade away. Where can we run from His love? Nowhere. Because He sees us, He is El Roi. When we climb to heights, who will be there? Him, Jehovah Shammah. When we make our bed in Hell, He will lead us home.

If what you want has not come yet, be still. He always listens. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. His love never fails. Will never fail to amaze us, because He knows us more than we know ourselves. "And My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” - Philippians 4:19

And “He enlarges us when we are in distress” - Psalm 4:1. Yes! He enlarges us, because He wants us to grow further than what we could ever imagine.

[fondasantoso-blog]

Show Me How to Love Like You Have Loved Me

Love. Talking about love, how do you love the people around you? your parents? your siblings? your partner? and most importantly, How do you love God? or perhaps, sometimes, you ask “Does God really love me?” How does He love me?

Well, we all believe that His love for us is undoubtable, yes?. It is certain. verifiable. “For God so loved the world, that he gave His one and only Son…” - John 3:16 NIV.

Wow.

He sacrificed His only Son for us! To save us. In spite of all of our sins, mistakes and our habits of forgetting Him. He loved us, still loves us and will always do so. From here, we might have realized how unworthy we are of Him. His love. Because, seriously though, we are unmerited of all His sincere, selfless kindness.

Yet, we often blame Him for all of the bad things happened in our lives. This renders helpless within us. But His love for us gives contentment to our empty vessels, knowing that this love is without prerequisite, without condition.

So God, now I want to thank You, because:

The day You saved me - I became me. I knew I will never be alone, irrespective of who I am. I was secure, because I knew that you loved me at my worst, even though I was (and am still) unworthy of your love.

And the day You saved me - I had nothing to offer you and yet, You still chose to grab my hand and show me who I was.

You showed me I was utterly pampered, blessed, faultlessly and flawlessly loved by You, Lord.

Thank you God.

And the day You saved me - I knew you never ceases to amaze me and will continue so. Your faithfulness in me helped molding me in Your likeness.

I knew that with Your perfect and irrevocable love, You will pick me up to a place where I need to be.

A place where You want me to be. A place You have planned out along the way to bring the best out of the my worst.

I knew that You will grow sweetness out of the bitterness that I feel.

So God, show us how to love like You have loved us - Your fondness.

[fondasantoso-blog]

He is For Us. Yes!Yes!Yes!

Hi! I promise this is not going to be a long never-ending story. This is a Tiny story about the greatness of our Father around us. Even without us knowing. He is there with us. for us. Yes, He is here.

Without further ado:

On Sunday, after church, everybody went to eat Ramen, but I chose to go to Mariano’s to buy my groceries instead (consist of only frozen fruits, as simple as that haha). When I was on my way, I passed by Target and I said to myself: Wouldn’t it be great if Noosa (my favorite yogurt brand) is on sale (I prefer Mariano’s over Target, I don’t know why haha). So, I chose heading to Mariano’s without even bothering to enter Target. However, somehow, I turned back and ended up entering Target. Without thinking twice, I headed directly to the yogurt aisle. and...guess what? It was on my surprise that Noosa was really on sale! Right after I read the word “sale”, I made a little laugh, while talking to myself (people must have thought I was crazy, LOL), but, I couldn't deny.., I was just amazed. utterly astounded. stunned by how thoughtful our God is. Amen? Yes! Yes! Yes! Ha! Isn’t it great how God works in an unexpected way and in a such impeccable timing? He answers our insignificant little prayers, just because “…..our Father knows what you need before you ask Him” - Matthew 6:8. Are you now impressed? Yes! Yes! Yes! I AM! If you are not, then you are just too difficult to impress. Do you think it was a coincidence? I believe it is not. There is no coincidence that happened so specifically. His wondrous supervision over us is undeniably thoroughgoing. He knows us through His astonishing love for us. He is aware of every move of ours. He sees us, all mankind. He enveloped us in an overpowering embrace. He is so loving, so caring and thus, we shall by now realize that He is for us, knowing that He will never forsake us in our weaknesses.