SUCCESSFUL BREASTFEEDING IN THE SECOND PREGNANCY EVEN THOUGH UNSUCCESSFUL IN THE FIRST PREGNANCY

 Hello Moms, today I will share my experience with breastfeeding. As a mom, I want to do breastfeeding as long as I can. But, I have some experiences that made me pessimistic. Why? Because my first experience in breastfeeding was unsuccessful. Besides that, I did two surgeries because I got a benign tumor in my right breast. Far before my surgery, I had a miscarriage and must have to curates for cleaning the rest of the fetus in my uterus.  

 In this time, I will share why I had unsuccessful in my first breastfeeding and how I was successful in my second breastfeeding.

 

Ok, let’s start. Firstly, why I had unsuccessful in my first breastfeeding. FYI, I was given birth when I was 25 years old. I was the surgery section in my first giving birth. Besides that, the surgical sutures in my stomach were slightly exposed. Thereby, I was feeling uncomfortable. Besides, I had been living far away from my family. I had lived just with my husband, limited access to the internet, no friends, and no neighbors.

 

These conditions made me became unstable in psychology. Hence, my first child was not serenity. Every middle night he cries and led me to become sleepy in the day. Besides that, I was feeling tired and I was feeling lonely because my husband has to work.

During 4 months it was no problem. I still can breastfeed. But, after that, my breast milk was steadily decreased. Because my first child needs much more feeds. Every time he cries because he did not sufficient feed. Finally, I was giving up. I was buying formula milk to resolve this problem. My first child was very happy to drink formula milk because it was unlimited stock. After that, my breast milk had not come out at all. So, I just breastfeeding my first child for less than five months.

 

Secondly, how I was successful in my second breastfeeding. FYI, I have pregnant 8 years after my first pregnancy. So, I feel that I like the first pregnancy. Moreover, I was pregnant at 33 years old. It was quite different than my first pregnancy. I feel more tired. Furthermore, I also work as a lecturer in this pregnancy.

 

The memory of the failure of my first breastfeeding, breast surgery, and curates were rolling in my head. But, I was grateful because my Obstetricians always support me. She told me that I can do breastfeeding. Every mommy does have adequate milk for her children even though she has twin babies. Wow. How about me? I just have a baby in my womb.

 

So, during my pregnancy, I think positive. I start to forget my bad memories and start to search for any information about breastfeeding.

 

Time to practice, my second child was born. She tried to suckle. But, to be honest I feel that my breast milk was not so much. I already became a panic. Oh God, that such a bad effect for me and my second child. My breast milk was become decreased. I tried to find ways for increasing it. Buy some food, milk, and nutrition that would be helping me.

 

I was glad that my surrounding people supported me very huge. My husband, my first child, my family, and of course my friends support me very well.

The thing that I think was a very good impact on boosting my breast milk was my positive thinking. I talk to myself that I can succeed in my second breastfeeding.

Fortunately, today my second child is 2 years. It is mean that I was breastfeeding for two years. Yeah..I am so happy that my breast milk still comes out and I will breastfeeding until my second child does not want it again.

To mom wherever you are, keep positive thinking! You can be breastfeeding whatever you are! Ganbatte!

Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation Scholarship for Applicants Residing Abroad (Got a Conditional Acceptance 2020)

 Hello Guys, today I want to share how I got a conditional acceptance from Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation for October 2020 enrollment based on my experience. I will describe: how I got the first information about scholarship, how I fill out the application form, how I did an interview, how I got an acceptance.

 Let’s start. Firstly how I got the first information about scholarship. FYI, every day I usually type PhD scholarship on my Google to find scholarship chances. Apparently the history of my type was recorded by Google chrome. In one day when I opened Google chrome on my cell phone, the Google chrome showed me Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation Scholarship for Applicants Residing Abroad. How lucky I am. I click the link http://www.rotary-yoneyama.or.jp/english/overseas and I had downloaded the guideline. After that, I have read carefully and was prepared all the requirements.

 Secondly how I fill out the application form. The application documents consist:

1.       Application form.

2.       Outline of Research Plan at Japanese University.

3.       Objective for Studying in Japan.

4.       Two Recommendation Letter (I got from the Head of Department and my colleague).

5.       Letter of Acceptance (LoA) (I got from my prospective supervisor at Osaka University).

6.       Document certifying Japanese language proficiency.

All the application documents was sent to email address (apply@rotary-yoneyama.or.jp). The deadline of the scholarship was December 15^th 2019 and I sent on December 3^rd 2019. OK, time to wait.

 Thirdly how I did the interview. On January 14^th 2020, I got an email from Rotary International District 2660 Yoneyama scholarship Committee. FYI, this District was in Osaka. Because my targeted university was Osaka University. So, it was depend on your targeted university. The email stated that they will be conducted an interview by Skype.

 Date: January 23rd, 2020 (Thursday)

Time: your convenient 20-30 minutes from 10:30-17:30 Japanese time (08:30-15:30 Indonesian time)

 They asked a convenient time for me. I was chose at 10.30-11.00 Japanese times in that day. Why I chose that time, because I want to do the interview with clear mind. J

 Tada…the interview times. The committees were two people. Before the interview, I have asked the committee about language that will be used. They told me that the interview will be conducted both English and Japanese. J

 I am surprised today (I know right now when I write this story) that one of the committee is Professor Emeritus at Osaka University. Hello Prof. ! and the other one is the committee chair. J

 In that interview, they asked (verified) about what I wrote on Application form. The last question was what did you known about Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation and Its activities.

Overall the interview was happened naturally and I enjoyed the interview. Thank you sensei and the chair. At the end, the committee told me that they would be decided the acceptance/ not by The Central Committee in Tokyo and the announcement will be sent by an email at around mid of February 2020.

 Finally how I got an acceptance. After I had the interview, every day I have checked my email. J Unfortunately, on February 15^th 2020 I have not got an email from the Committee. I surrender. I failed to get the scholarship. I must move on. But, fortunately I got an email on February 19^th 2020 from scholarship committee that I have accepted as a scholar. Yeay…J Even though the email have a notice. If I failed to pass an entrance examination at Osaka University, my scholarship acceptance will be canceled.

 A couple days ago I knew that I failed to pass the examination and automatically my scholarship will be canceled. L

 Thank you Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation for giving me the chance. Hopefully, I can get another chance in other district and at other university. Ganbatte!

PhD Osaka University (OU) Entrance Examination 2020 (ONLINE)

I want to share how I took the entrance examination of OU for October 2020 enrollment. FYI, my targeted course in Architectural Engineering. So, maybe each program will be different.

Firstly, I fulfill all the documents application. Before that, I read the guidelines for the International Student Application October 2020 enrollment carefully. The documents consist:

1.    Application form.

2.    Statement of Purpose contains research topics, research background, research methods, research aims, and the reason why study in Japan and why choose OU and targeted laboratory.

3.    Academic Transcript of Master Degree (legalize).

4.    Graduation Certificate of Master Degree (legalize).

5.    Receipt of Application Fee Payment (30.000 Japanese yen + 660 Japanese yen). Totally 30.660 Japanese yen.

6.    Original TOEIC certificate (Even for Architectural Engineering is not necessary, but I enclose it).

All documents sent by EMS post to my supervisor because it must be signed by him and dean. Please remember the deadline for the application! The document will not be accepted if it has passed the deadline. Because I am living in Indonesia, it will be taken in around 5-8 days. So, I send it 10 days before the deadline.

Also remember, in pandemic now maybe it will take more time than before pandemic. I was worried about my documents because in EMS the status was not changed. In Jakarta 3 days, in Tokyo 3 days, and finally delivered in Osaka on the 8th day.

I asked my supervisor about the status of my document. I feel relieved when I know that my application was delivered to the Admission Office. Thank you Sensei! 

Secondly, I got an email from the supervisor that my documents were accepted and I was given an examination schedule. All the schedules are accordingly to the guidelines. The supervisor only provides additional information about what time it is. Anyway, Indonesia and Japan have time differences.

One week before the examination schedule. I was scheduled by the supervisor through a zoom meeting application to check the internet connection and video quality. The supervisor also told me about the kind of test and the test procedures. At that time was the first time for me to meet my supervisor, his associate, and his assistant. I was glad to meet them.

Thirdly, I took an examination in two days. On the first day, I did a written test. The question is just 5. Although in 1 question has 3 questions (but, we can choose just 2 questions). Each question must be answered with a minimum of 100 words (in English). But there is one question that must be answered 200 words. The written test took 3 hours. Along with the test, the supervisor and his assistant watch me. FYI, during the test, there should be nothing on the table except writing tools.

Two days after I had written test, I have to present my master thesis and did the interview. The audiences are the dean and all faculty members (around 15 people included my supervisor). This oral test holds in just 20 minutes.

Finally, I had send an email to my supervisor after I have an oral test. I asked him about my status. Because I realized that my oral test was not quite good. A day after the oral test, my supervisor reply to my email. The email state that the result of the examination will be announced at the OU website on 28 August 2020. But, my supervisor told me that I was not successful to pass the examination. He also told me that I must find another way to pursue my Ph.D. study.

I am feeling blue because my scholarship (Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation) will be canceled when I failed on examination. I also cannot learn from the great sensei. FYI, I was correspondence with my supervisor for 2 years. During our correspondence, I realized that he is a very kind, patient, smart, and polite person. I heard that many professors in Japan are rarely replying in email. But this was not happen to my supervisor. He always replies to my email even though he was busy.

But, the show must go on. I must achieve my aim to pursue Ph.D. study in Japan. I will find another university. I believe that no bad destiny. Every bad situation was caused by me. So I must improve myself (academic, language, publication, etc).  Hopefully one day I can meet again with my supervisor. Thank you so much sensei for our great meeting and assistance.

I still take a deep breath now. Maybe in April 2021, I will enroll in another university. Ganbatte!!

Kawah Putih Ciwidey-Bandung

KAWAH PUTIH

CIWIDEY-BANDUNG

Suasana Kawah Putih

Berdasarkan pengalaman saya googling, tarif masuk ke Kawah Putih beragam (banyak versi). Setelah sampai di lokasi, barulah saya tahu tarif yang sebenar-benarnya. Inilah tarifnya saya foto langsung dari tempat beli tiket.

Tarif tiket masuk dan parkir

Di sana ada tarif mobil wisata. Begini kronologisnya (tata cara) masuk ke area wisata Kawah Putih. Dari jalan raya Ciwidey, belok kiri (kalau dari arah Bandung) itu ada gerbang masuk ke Kawah Putih. Di sana ada tempat parkir, dan kendaraan kita hanya bisa sampai sana (bagi sepeda motor  dan bus dilarang membawa kendaraan sampai lokasi Kawah Putih). Caranya kita sampai ke Kawah adalah dengan naik mobil wisata (satu mobil muat 13 orang). Bagi yang penasaran, di bawah ada fotonya.

Mobil wisata

Itu baru tarif masuk dan parkir, selain itu helm juga wajib dititipkan di tempat penitipan. Kata penjaganya, kalau tidak dititip harus dibawa-bawa alias ga boleh dicantel di motor (Parkir super aneh). Satu helm dibandrol Rp. 2.500. Selain itu, kita diharuskan juga beli masker. Satu masker dijual Rp. 3.500 (padahal kalau kita beli dari apotik Cuma Rp. 1.000 an).

Jadi kalau dihitung uang yang harus keluar satu orang apabila menggunakan motor adalah:

1. Kartu Tanda Masuk (KTM) : Rp. 15.000.
2. Parkir motor : Rp. 5.000.
3. Titip helm: Rp. 2.500.
4. Masker : Rp. 3.500.
5. Ongkos mobil wisata Pulang-Pergi (PP) : Rp. 10.000.

Total Rp. 36.000 per orang, anak usia 3 tahun ke atas sama tarifnya dengan dewasa.

Jika menggunakan bis berisi 40 orang:

1. KTM : Rp. 15.000 x 40 = Rp. 600.000.
2. Parkir bis : Rp. 25.000.
3. Masker: Rp. 3.500 x 40 = Rp. 140.000.
4. Ongkos mobil wisata PP: Rp. 10.000 x 40 = Rp. 400.000.

Total Rp. 1.165.000 per bis. Tetapi ada pilihan tarif untuk rombongan. Pastinya harganya di bawah itu. Sayang saya tidak menanyakan lebih jauh untuk tarif rombongan.

Bagi pengguna kendaraan pribadi berisi 6 orang yang ingin membawa mobilnya sampai ke kawah (atas) tarifnya adalah sebagai berikut:

1. KTM : Rp.15.000 x 6 = Rp.90.000.
2. Parkir : Rp.150.000.
3. Masker : Rp.3.500 x 6 = Rp.21.000.

Total Rp. 261.000 per mobil. Tetapi mobil bisa juga diparkir di bawah, tarifnya adalah:

1. KTM : Rp. 90.000.
2. Parkir : Rp. 6.000.
3. Masker : Rp. 21.000.
4. Mobil wisata PP : Rp. 10.000 x 6 = Rp. 60.000.

Total Rp. 177.000 per mobil. Lebih murah dibanding dengan parkir di atas, konsekuensinya adalah harus antri naik mobil wisata. Apalagi jika hari libur, karena pengunjung banyak sekali.

Tips yang ingin ke Kawah Putih:

1.  Bawa masker.

2.  Bawa makanan dan minuman.

3.  Siapkan stamina.

MEMBUAT ES KRIM SENDIRI DI RUMAH

--------------------------  MEMBUAT ES KRIM SENDIRI DI RUMAH

Bahan :

·         1 pack bubuk es krim instant isi 160 gram (bisa dibeli dipasar/ super market) harga dibawah Rp.15.000

·         200 ml susu cair (bisa dibeli dipasar/ super market) harga di bawah Rp.2.500

·         50 ml santan

·         50 ml air matang

·         100 gram strawbery, potong kecil-kecil (bisa diganti dengan buah-buahan lain)

Es Krim

Cara membuat:

1.       Simpan susu cair, santan dan air di dalam kulkas selama 2 jam (benar-benar dingin, tetapi tidak membeku).

2.       Campurkan susu cair, santan, air dingin dengan bubuk es krim, kemudian kocok dengan kecepatan tinggi menggunakan mixser selama 5 menit/ adonan mengembang (bisa juga menggunakan kocokan biasa).

3.       Setelah adonan mengembang, masukan potongan strawbery. Kemudian aduk selama 1 menit  dengan kecepatan rendah.

4.       Masukan ke dalam wadah siap saji dan masukan ke dalam kulkas bagian atas (freezer).

5.       Tunggu hingga 3 jam / es krim membeku.

6.       Es krim siap dinikmati.

TIPS:

Gunakan wadah yang berukuran kecil agar es krim yang telah dikeluarkan dari freezer sekali habis.

Bila menggunakan wadah bulat ukuran diameter 5 cm dapat menghasilkan 25 wadah.

RESEP MEMBUAT CILOK ENAK

RESEP MEMBUAT CILOK ENAK

Bahan:

·         400 gram tepung/ aci singkong

·         200 gram tepung terigu

·         2 siung bawang putih, haluskan

·         75 ml (dua pertiga gelas) Air

·         400 ml air untuk menggodok

·         Garam

·         Penyedap rasa (bisa dihilangkan)

Cilok

Saos:

·         5 buah cabe rawit/ sesuai selera

·         2 siung bawang putih

·         2 siung bawang merah

·         2 buah kemiri

·         1 cm kunyit

·         200 gram kacang tanah giling

·         5 sdm minyak goreng

·         Sepotong gula merah ukuran dia meter 6 cm

·         Garam dan penyedap rasa secukupnya

·         75 ml (dua pertiga gelas) air

·         2 sdm tepung maizena yang dilarutkan dengan 4 sdm air

Cara membuat cilok:

1.       Campur tepung singkong, terigu, bawang putih halus, garam dan penyedap rasa menggunakan sendok.

2.       Panaskan 75 ml air sampai mendidih dan segera campur ke dalam adonan tepung.

3.       Kaliskan menggunakan sendok terlebih dahulu sampai agak hangat, baru menggunakan tangan (pakai sarung tangan) kemudian.

4.       Setelah adonan benar-benar kalis, buat bulatan-bulatan kecil diameter 1 cm/ sesuai selera. Semakin kecil adonan, semakin cepat matang.

5.       Panaskan 400 ml air sampai mendidih, masukan cilok perlahan agar tidak muncrat.

6.       Godok selama 10 menit atau cilok mengapung semua (coba belah satu buah untuk memastikan).

7.       Angkat dan tiriskan. Kemudian masukan ke dalam air matang dingin untuk membuat cilok tidak tidak menempel satu sama lain. Lalu tiriskan kembali.

Membuat saos:

1.       Haluskan cabe rawit, bawang merah, bawang putih, kemiri, kunyit dan garam sampai halus.

2.       Panaskan minyak goreng dan tumis bumbu yang telah dihaluskan sampai harum.

3.       Masukan gula dan penyedap rasa.

4.       Masukan 75 ml air, kemudian masukan kacang tanah.

5.       Setelah mendidih, masukan tepung maizena yang telah dilarutkan ke dalam air.

6.       Aduk sampai merata dan matikan kompor.

TIPS:

Cilok yang telah matang dapat dicampur semua ke dalam saos.

Atau apabila menginginkan cilok lebih awet. Cilok dan saos ditempatkan diwadah terpisah dan dicampurkan ketika akan segera dimakan.

TIPS MENGHEMAT AIR DI RUMAH

TIPS MENGHEMAT AIR DI RUMAH

Berikut cara-cara menghemat air di rumah:

1.      Gunakan bekas air wudhu untuk membersihkan kamar mandi,  menyiram tanaman, membersihkan sepatu/ sandal, membersihkan garasi, dll.

Air bekas wudhu tidak terlalu kotor sehingga dapat digunakan kembali untuk keperluan lain.

Cara menampung bekas air wudhu yaitu dengan menempatkan ember/ wadah tepat dibawah kran yang dipakai untuk berwudhu.

2.      Gunakan bekas cuci piring untuk membilas atau merendam wadah yang sangat kotor misal wajan berlemak.

Dengan kandungan sabun/ detergen dari bekas cuci dapat membantu melepaskan lemak dari wajan. Sehingga ketika dicuci menjadi lebih mudah.

3.      Gunakan air bekas memasak (memanaskan dot, merebus, dll) untuk merendam wadah kotor.

Air hangat dapat membantu melepaskan kotoran pada wadah, sehingga akan lebih mudah dibersihkan.

4.      Atur  dan pikirkan supaya air yang digunakan bisa dua kali pakai.

Jika tips ini dilaksanakan, maka air dapat dihemat dan tagihan air juga akan berkurang. Selain itu, anda dapat berpartisipasi dalam menyelamatkan air sedunia.

Bayangkan  jika setiap rumah tangga melakukan hal seperti ini, maka air dapat digunakan oleh lebih banyak orang lagi.

Ingat, air merupakan sumber daya yang bukan hanya untuk dinikmati oleh kita hari ini tetapi juga menjadi hak bagi generasi yang hidup di masa mendatang.

-IBU BIJAK, BAPAK BIJAK , ANAK JUGA AKAN IKUT BIJAK-