MOOCs

This robotic-feel term is pretty new to the English language and can sound alien to some people, especially those who are not on the stage of education.

What are MOOCs?

First off, let's dissect this coinage. As you might have realized, the word, possessing an -s ending, is actually plural in form. The singular construction, "MOOC", is an acronym of "massive open online course" and pronounced as /mu:k/ (ugh, I love the IPA). Bear in mind that this has nothing to do with an agitated cow. I have always been mind-blown by the astounding advancement of technology and MOOCs are a revolutionary product of this civilization phenomenon.

Just by looking at the individual words themselves, we pretty much can understand what it refers to. Let's work our way backwards. A MOOC is (1) a course that (2) can be taken online, (3) is open to anyone, and (4) can be done by a huge number of people. In other words, as long as there is a decent Internet connection, anyone from anywhere in the world can take a MOOC. This is to speak nothing of the fact that many or most, if not all, MOOCs can be joined for FREE, and that many TOP universities and institutions develop and offer them! Let that sink in for a moment and be mesmerized at how cool it is!

Where can we take MOOCs?

Coursera logo
Downloaded from https://about.coursera.org/press

MOOCs can be taken through a number of providers. The most popular one is probably Coursera, whose partnering institutions include Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, and Imperial College London. The second most famous is perhaps edX, on which you can attend courses offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, as well as the University of Oxford. Other prominent names comprise Udemy, Udacity, and FutureLearn.

Another way to answer this question is through phrases such as "from home". Definitely, you can learn about your favorite subjects through MOOCs in your sugary home or at the coziest cafe in town, while taking enjoyment in a cup of Vietnamese coffee or Thai tea. While it is probably best to study on a laptop/desktop, MOOC providers such as Coursera and edX have created mobile apps which you can download so you can take their MOOCs and learn conveniently via your phone.

My experiences with MOOCs

I enrolled in my first MOOC in 2013, thanks to my first brother, who brought it to my attention. To date, I have completed six (6) MOOCs. Here they are in the chronological order I took them:

1. Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology, offered by the University of Alberta (UoA) (Coursera)
2. Shaping the Way We Teach English, 1: The Landscape of English Language Teaching, offered by the U.S. Department of State and the University of Oregon (Coursera)
3. Shaping the Way We Teach English, 2: Paths to Success in ELT, offered by the U.S. Department of State and the University of Oregon (Coursera)
4. Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds, offered by the University of Alberta (UoA) (Coursera)
5. Teaching Grammar Communicatively, offered by the U.S. Department of State (World Learning, Canvas)
6. DINOx: Dinosaur Ecosystems, offered by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) (edX)

As you can see, the subjects that I have learned through MOOCs are English and dinosaurology, which are two of my greatest interests – the other being Jay Chou's music. Nevertheless, there are numerous fields of study that you can learn about through MOOCs: business, computer science, music, languages, and copious others.

The activities I did in my MOOCs included watching videos, reading course notes, taking quizzes, doing projects, and participating in discussion forums. Different MOOCs may have different requirements, so you need to read the information carefully. For example, to pass the DINOx: Dinosaur Ecosystems course, I had to take 6 quizzes and achieve an average score of 50 or above, whereas for the Shaping the Way We Teach English course series, I was required to create lesson plans which would later be checked and graded by three random fellow participants.

The MOOCs I took generally lasted for a month or two (4–8 weeks) and the dedicated time I spent on them was, on average, between 2 and 4 hours a week. For me, it wasn't really demanding, but I definitely had to make sacrifices – delaying my book reading being one of them. However, it is ultimately worth the effort I put and the sweat I secreted!

I received certificates for completing all the abovementioned MOOCs (I also acquired a badge for passing the Teaching Grammar Communicatively course – it can be seen on the left-hand section of this blog). This recognition feature is particularly interesting and could help improve your career prospects: Beautify your resume by anchoring your achievements in it and let potential employers admire and be impressed by them. Nonetheless, note that not all MOOCs provide free certificates. For instance, I had to pay 50 USD for my DINOx: Dinosaur Ecosystems certificate but I obtained my Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology and Teaching Grammar Communicatively certificates without any fees. Here are a couple of certificate examples that I have collected:

My Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds certificate
Link: https://www.coursera.org/account/accomplishments/records/YJ2RCETAWKM2

My Shaping the Way We Teach English, 2: Paths to Success in ELT certificate

My DINOx:Dinosaur Ecosystems certificate
Link: https://courses.edx.org/certificates/bc84273fdd2d4a978f32ef1b96a72497

On the whole, it has been a great experience to take part in this staggering development in education. I could learn "at" fabulous institutions from abroad, without having to travel to the otherwise unreachable places. Additionally, now there are probably MOOCs offering degrees to their participants as well! Certainly, MOOCs are in vogue and continuing to gain more and more fame as a way of learning. It is very exciting and I cannot wait to see what the future of MOOCs holds.

Have you ever taken MOOCs? If not, would you like to take them? Please share what you think of MOOCs in the comment section below!

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Quote #53

"To start fathoming how terribly inconsistent English pronunciation (and spelling) is, just look at two basic words: do and go." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #52

"Before you create progeny, make sure you know how to educate them properly." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs – Book Review

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs

by Steve Brusatte

I bet it is not very hard for the majority of people to grasp the content of this book just by scanning its title. The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte is an epically written summary of the amazing history of the dinosaurs, from their modest beginnings in the Triassic supercontinent called Pangea, through their remarkably widespread dominance all across the Earth, to the tragic demise of most of them at the end of the Cretaceous Period, around 66 million years ago. It is probably not easy to crunch over 150 million years of dinosaur existence in the Mesozoic Era into a single book in an organized and comprehensive way, but the author has proven himself by successfully executing this noble, monumental task.

The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs is a thrilling journey both in the present and ancient past. Steve takes readers from place to place on the globe, using his personal experiences and stories to guide the dinosaur-curious minds through the long, wondrous evolutionary tale of our distant reptilian cousins. Along the way, you'll meet many paleontological figures – before reading the book I had known or at least heard of many of them and it is nice to have furthered my knowledge of them through the oft witty descriptions given by the author. Steve presents the story in this book with his amazing rhetorical writing skills, producing a fantastic marriage between art and science that keeps the readers riveted along the ride. Throughout the book you will bone-deeply feel his immense passion for dinosaurs, and science more generally, as well as clearly see that Steve is a man of humility – I'd really love to chew the fat with him over a ketoprak dinner in Jakarta, if I have the chance. Tyrannosaurus rex is undoubtedly the most famous non-bird dinosaur and Steve treats us to one chapter fully devoted to the "tyrant lizard king". The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs certainly deserves a place on any dinophile's bookshelf and is too good to be left unread.

The book that you see in the picture above was published by Macmillan (UK version). A U.S. version was released by William Morrow and you can buy it here. You might also want to watch a brief video of Steve talking about the book here.

Have you read The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs? What is your take on this book? Share what you think in the comment section below!
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Quote #51

"You know that the severity of a situation is insanely alarming when inanity is not seen as inanity anymore, but rather perceived as normal." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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The God Delusion – Book Review

The God Delusion

by Richard Dawkins

I don't usually read books centering on non-dinosaurian and non-English topics or subjects. Nevertheless, this book is one of the few which have managed to pass my bookish filter. I was in the midst of immersing myself in a great work by a Canadian dinosaur paleontologist whose initials are S.D.S. when this bestselling book on religion finally landed in my hands – after a couple of weeks of typical pesky waiting for an imported book. At first, I hesitated as to whether to finish the then-being-read book, or grab and devour the newly arrived one. The latter turned out to be the champion of this little battle of thoughts (now that I have completed reading the British author's, I am delightfully back from my short hiatus to the interrupted dinosaurian adventure). Please pardon my inexorably burning fanaticism about the iconic creatures of the past, and here is my take on The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins:

First of all, it is pretty obvious, from the title alone, that this book is concerned with atheism, i.e. the absence/lack of belief in God or deities. What you will encounter is the author's arguments for the godless outlook on life and thoughts that thoroughly explain his stance on religion. One might expect that the pages of this book are peppered with vulgar or foul language such as "fuck religion!" but, on the contrary, you will be surprised by the cordiality (and eloquence) of his writings. It is strongly recommended, especially if you are religious, to get rid of any prejudice towards the contents before you start reading; or otherwise you will fail to grasp what the writer genuinely intends to convey to the reader. As an evolutionary biologist, Dawkins possesses a very scientific framework of thinking: consequently, he examines and discusses the subject on the basis of his expertise. Through reading this book, which is made up of 10 chapters and richly loaded with information (including quotations) from a great many sources, I find it extremely easy to see that Dawkins is indeed a hardcore rationalist. Personally, I think The God Delusion is well worth reading for people of all sorts of (un)belief, who comprise, but are not limited to, theists, agnostics, and even atheists themselves, if they want to gain useful insights into this particular worldview.

Note: Due to some geographical reason, I cannot fully write my review and I'd be very glad to share more of my thoughts on the book when the circumstances make it possible to do so.

Have you read The God Delusion? What is your opinion of this book? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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6 Tips for a Successful Vacation Trip

Everybody loves traveling. Who doesn't?

This is a train of thought that used to be in my brain until I found someone who isn't keen on it. However, I strongly believe that in general, people – wherever they come from – would feel excited about exploring different parts of the world – ones whose ground they've never stepped on."

Although not a travel maniac myself, I have visited, I think, quite a good number of domestic and international destinations. My Indonesian trips include those to the world-famous, culturally rich Bali (also known as the 'Island of Gods") and Bandung, which is the capital of West Java and where you can find the Museum of Geology, which houses a life-sized T. rex skeleton as one of its numerous exhibits. On the international side, Vietnam is the country that I have visited most frequently (I've landed at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport four times), and the rest comprise Australia's external territory Christmas Island, the little red dot Singapore, the musang king durian producer Malaysia, as well as the Philippines, where you can relish various pork-based dishes and where the popular bakeshop Goldilocks hails from.

Me standing in awe at a T. rex skeleton on display at Bandung's Museum of Geology, Indonesia

Me in front of a heart mural on Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, Metro Manila, the Philippines

All of the experiences I've had (be they good or bad) have accumulated in such a way that I am compelled to share to you what I think travelers should keep in mind before they set out for their desired destinations. I truly hope this list of tips will help make a great escapade. Bon voyage!

1. Prepare plenty of money

If there's one thing that must be with you on any trip, that's our 'greeny' companion: money. You can forgivably forget some of your belongings, such as your shower gel or favorite shorts, because if you have enough money, in most cases you can buy new ones (at least basic needs) in your destination.

If you are going to travel abroad, make sure there is ample foreign currency in your pocket; banks and money changers are places to go in respect of this. It is also a wise idea to check the currently valid currency of your target country (when I was in the Philippines, I couldn't use my 1,000-peso bill since it belonged to the previous expired currency issue).

You might also want to find out whether you can use credit cards as a means of payment if you plan to make purchases in certain stores of the country you're going to visit. Carrying a credit card is definitely more convenient than cash, not to mention the promotions for which only credit card holders are eligible.

2. Get your passport and visa ready

This applies to foreign tourists. You cannot get out of your home country if you don't have a passport. According to AirAsia website, generally make sure your passport is "valid for at least six months after the date you enter a foreign country." Don't be too lazy to do some math – my brother once faced this kind of problem, when he was traveling to Cambodia if I'm not mistaken. If you happen to lose your passport (hopefully not) in your destination country and can't find it, you have to contact your country's embassy there. Remember that you can't leave a foreign country without a passport.

While in some cases you are required to have a visa to enter a foreign country, you might be eligible to get into one without a visa. For example, as an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) citizen, I was able to travel to Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines without having to apply for a visa, yet under a certain limit of days of travel (click here to know about the ASEAN visa-free policy). Some countries provide visas on arrival, which basically means you can get visas when you arrive at the airports of the foreign countries. Remember to check the visa requirements to avoid any immigration problems.

Note: To apply for a passport, go to the immigration office, whereas to apply for a visa, go the foreign country's embassy in your home country.

3. Create an itinerary

It might sound trite, but planning what to do, where to go, how to do it, and so on and so forth is essential. You wouldn't want to waste any time when you are on vacation, as any bit of it is precious. I used the service of Visit A City to make an itinerary for my Kuala Lumpur trip a few months ago and it went well. The website gives you a great deal of information about tourist attractions, such as opening hours and ticket prices, if any. To get a good idea of the place(s) you're thinking of visiting, you could also go to travel websites such as TripAdvisor or ask people who have had an experience of being there. The more research you do, the better itinerary you will come out with. Nevertheless, things do not always turn out well. It is highly recommended to work out backup plans and be flexible on your trip for the best experience possible. For instance, what will you do if the natural history museum you've always been wanting to visit is closed due to urgent repairs? Or where will you go if bad weather doesn't allow you to take pictures in your favorite park?

4. Be aware of time difference

Yes. And I was a victim of this natural phenomenon. As you might know, I live in Jakarta time zone (UTC+7). On February 25, 2016, when I was in transit at Changi Airport, Singapore (UTC+8) on my third trip to Vietnam, I got carried away by the beauty and grandeur of the world's best airport, taking photos and stuff. I didn't realize, at one moment, that it was time to go to the designated gate to board my flight to the rice-producing country since my reference was my phone, which was showing the wrong time – one hour late. As a result, I missed my flight and had to waste around 1 million IDR (71.7 USD) on a new flight scheduled for the next day (yes, I spent the night at the airport). The lesson that can be learned is that travelers should be aware of any temporal difference between geographical areas and adjust the time settings on their devices, including watches and phones, to avert such pesky incidents.

Click here to read a reflection article I wrote in relation to this matter.

5. Install important apps

Thanks to the jaw-dropping advancement of technology, traveling is now easier than ever before. A GPS app can help you navigate an unfamiliar area, such as a city, in a very convenient way (going astray is not as scary and nerve-wracking as it used to be). I'd recommend using MAPS.ME, which was extremely helpful during my international trips. What makes this app special is that you can still use it while offline.

Language can be a problem when traveling. If you don't understand the local language, a translator app such as Google Translate is just the ticket. Personally, I used it and/or the website when I was in Vietnam to communicate with local(s) as my Vietnamese proficiency was not good enough.

A private car or public transportation such as buses and trains might be your the primary choice for your excursions, but you may still need to install transportation service apps such as Grab and Uber for a smoother trip. My trips to Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines would probably have been much less pleasant if it hadn't been for these amazing apps.

Note: As many of these apps require an internet connection to run, make sure you can access the internet in your destination.

6. Learn local language and culture

In the previous point, I mentioned the ease that translator apps offer for a trip to a place where an unfamiliar language is used. Nevertheless, I still think that it is necessary for tourists to learn some local language, at least basic expressions such as those equivalent to "thank you" and "I'm sorry". This can break the ice and you will gain respect from the locals for showing effort to learn their language (this might also prevent you from being ripped off (too much)).

There is an Indonesian saying: lain padang lain belalang, lain lubuk lain ikannya. Translated into English, this expression would roughly be "different fields have different kinds of grasshoppers, different pools have different kinds of fish." The message, which you could have probably worked out, is that different areas, such as countries, hold their own customs, manners, etc. It points to the importance of learning about local culture: what is mandatory to do when you meet an elder, what is considered rude or inappropriate when talking, and that kind of thing. This will save face and help you stay away from awkward or embarrassing situations. I will never forget an occasion when I experienced a little culture shock in Vietnam: a woman flinched, probably feeling offended, when I was shaking her hand as part of my introduction. I reckoned this gesture was acceptable and regarded as polite in Vietnamese culture, but it turns out that it isn't customary for Vietnamese women to shake hands with men, as explained by one of my closest friends from the said country. Adjusting to the social mores of your destination is a must-do. Continue reading..

Quote #50

"If you want to retain your customers, the first thing you need to think about is how to retain your employees." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #49

"It is utterly pathetic and heart-wrenching when, in a society or organization, deserved significant progress has to be hampered because a few capable ones have to give in to the benighted, and in some cases violent, majority." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #48

"There is a real potential fiasco when incompetent people happen to exert authority or control over those who are competent." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #47

"True belief cannot originate from orders; it involves profound sincerity and genuine cultivation." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #46

"Question everything – even this imperative." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #45

"What is proposed with illogical arguments can be rightly responded to with similarly ridiculous ideas." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #44

"One important life skill that will save face is that of gathering the necessary data or evidence before assertively making a judgement." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #43

"Yesterday's appalling attacks on Surabayan churches clearly show the unspeakable power of deeply rooted belief. It is probably hard to imagine people willingly exploding themselves for the holy grail, which presumably is the ultimate reward of living in so-called Heaven forevermore; yet it is plain real and should sort of act as a good reminder of the potential danger of such a conviction." - Klinsman Hinjaya, on the bombings of three churches in Surabaya, Indonesia on May 13, 2018

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Quote #42

"To unmistakably judge your own happiness you just need one tool: total and brutal honesty." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Jay Chou Is the Best Musician Ever - Change My Mind

I had this aha moment and the following is the product of a couple of minutes of exercising my photography skills combined with deep admiration to my idol:

Jay Chou Is the Best Musician Ever - Change My Mind

If you're now scratching your head and so curious to know the underlying reason, read this article which expounds my fascination for the Linkou-born, multi-talented artiste: Why Jay Chou. Continue reading..

Quote #41

"Being gullible is bad. Being cognizant of the fact that you are gullible, but still carrying on is worse. Incorrigibly and violently persisting with your gullibility is the worst." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #40

"Happiness is not to be seeked and found. It is to be realized." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #39

"I can accept ignorance – everyone is born ignorant after all. But I can't accept denial of truth." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #38

"An able person's arch-enemy is condescension." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #37

"The fear of knowledge and understanding is pitiful for ignorance is one of the most degrading qualities humans can possibly have." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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A Morning with Grab

Let me recount a short story of today's happenings in my life.

A job meeting was due this morning in the headquarters of one of the most famous English institutions in Indonesia, which lies in a mostly still unoccupied area in Serpong, Tangerang Province. I got up at around 7:15, dragged myself into the bathroom, and wiped away the dust, germs, and that kind of things that clung to my body with a dose of cool/cold H₂O and my set of toiletries. After everything was settled, I dashed to a warteg (food stall that provides dishes from Tegal – although I'm not sure if what it sells is only that) to fill my stomach with what would turn into streams of energy for the day. Having chowed down on my breakfast and paid, it was time to get to Mangga Besar Station ("mangga besar" means "big mango(es)", if you are curious) – with Grab.

It was around 8 o'clock. I placed an order and got a driver right away. After a while, he asked me to cancel the order because, he said, the system was erroneous – the fare was lower than supposed to be or that sort of thing. He also added, in a begging and/or angry tone, that he had a wife and/or child(ren) to feed! (Grab drivers have to face a penalty or a sort if they cancel an order) I refused to do it and gave him the reason that it is harder for me to get bookings if I make many cancelations – which is true, or at least it is what is stated by the company itself. I insisted that it was him who had to cancel the order. Additionally, I told him off for doing such a disgraceful act, which was digging his heels in and forcing me to squander my precious, will-never-be-back few minutes of my life. I have to attend a job interview, what if I am late? Don't be egotistical. That's more or less what I uttered in order to school this one individual of the smartest ape species.

It turns out his obstinacy ruled and, quite surprisingly, he came up to me in a threatening manner and protested about my reasonable steam-blowing. He also insisted that there would be no problem if I made a cancelation. With incredulity, I decided to follow what he had said, and then, during the process, a window popped up, displaying an English sentence which meant it takes more time to get bookings for customers who make cancelations – as I had told him before. I tried to translate it into Indonesian (because I believe he doesn't know English), but he seemed not to care about it. And then basically, after a complex string of chemical reactions in my brain, I took the decision to cancel it. Oh! He also said that he was a person living/from there, as if alluding to his power with which to do whatever he wanted to do to me.

Yeah, I could have been involved in a fight with him but it would have been an unwise decision. I knew that my life could be devoted to a much more noble matter and physical pain that could have been inflicted on me would have been much of a hurdle in achieving countless valuable things ahead. (Again) the truth had to lose. There is this probably Indonesian phrase: "surrender to win", and I think it aptly describes my decision. Stupidities are everywhere and that we are surrounded by them is a reality. It is a "sad" truth in life; we would really love it to be otherwise but it's not. Let's just take the bull by the horns, but intelligently and elegantly, by accentuating our life goals in our minds. I hope this experience can also be, in a sense, a good example of human adaptation in the world as well.

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The Poignant Tale of a Single Woman

I've had the urge to write an article on this topic for quite long, yet my conversation with a former student yesterday strongly and ultimately galvanized me to really make this happen.

Her name is, say, Rose (her real name is kept clandestine for privacy reasons). We were chatting via a very popular app which sounds like "What's up?" and after a while our discussion topic shifted to that which the chemicals in your brain would make an impression of when you hear Valentine's Day or Twilight.

However, instead of gentle caressing, warm hugs, or affectionate kisses, she told me a sort of appalling reality she had had to face. This is what she said in a gloomy tone (hope it won't make you cringe):

"We live in a world that is really evil to women. I am frustrated with the questions "When are you getting married?", "When will you follow (put a person's name here)?", etc. And when I didn't say anything, they wanted to introduce me to a guy.. It's like wtf?? Really exhausted."

I was joking; if you have a puckered face now, you are forgiven. Rose is actually single in the sense that she has a boyfriend but not married yet, but there are many people (men included) out there who are single in the more commonly referred-to sense – not possessing a partner – and are constantly, at any time, complaining for receiving such irksome treatment. This unfortunate social phenomenon is, I believe, alarmingly ubiquitous. On social media, it is not hard to find posts and comments containing related mockery (comedy Facebook pages Sarcasm and Be Like Bro are perfect exemplars of those making fun of single people in the latter sense).

The matter regarding one's relationship or marital status is truly, and in essence, none of others', even their parents', business. Sadly and depressingly, there is this widely held misconception that it is all right for other people to meddle. I kind of can symphatize with those people who want to cradle a grandchild as soon as possible, yet they must keep in mind that whether or not to have children is fully the decision of the would-be biological mother and father themselves. People hold the very right to choose when they will get married etc., and they should be free of such "terrorizing" words as what Rose got.

Getting married is not a race, as I said to Rose. Would parents want their child to choose the wrong person as their partner for the sake of face-saving or getting second-generation offspring in the shortest time possible? If they think so, I couldn't imagine how egotistical and mean they are, considering that they regard those things (especially the first one, which I think is nonsense) as more important than their child's genuine happiness.

It is to be remembered that there are a number of reasons why people are single. Some would like to get married but just haven't found the right partners yet – they do hope they will find their Mr./Miss Right, though. Others are not sure whether or not marriage is the right thing for them – we can call people of this type "on-the-fencers", suggesting their open stance on the matter. Then, there are those who have decided not to get married due to their own particular reasons. Perhaps, they have been hurt so much in their previous relationship that they find it impossible to move on and have a new one (pistanthrophobia). Or maybe they prefer to concentrate on their careers/business or devote their limited time on Earth to other interests, such as charity – the priests of the Catholic Church practice celibacy for this reason of serving God for His kingdom. Of course, we need to not forget those who have a boyfriend/girlfriend but haven't gotten married yet (like Rose). Probably they haven't tied the knot because of insufficient funds, or they are still finding out about their partners. And to my knowledge, there are people who enjoy being committed in a relationship rather than a marriage (this is especially common among Westerners).

I think the sort of attitude towards the "bullies" that singles need to adopt is the "why should you care?" one. However, ignoring the pesky askers or throwing "mind your own business" at them would be unwise and too rude an act, and it almost certainly will make you a highly dislikable figure in your family or friend circles. I completely realize that being involved in such a nosy & pushy conversation (especially if happens many times) is an example of "sad" things in life, since we couldn't predict (and decide) what kind of family and society we would be born into. However, a reality is a reality and we should handle it as well and smartly as we can. I am convinced that speaking in a soft, respectful tone is the best way to get out of this T. rex jaw situation. Nevertheless, one must make sure that they give a clear, to-the-point explanation. For example, to a "When are you getting married?" question, a single could reply, "To be honest, I don't know when I will get married. I don't have a boyfriend yet as I haven't found the right one for me, and I'm fine with it. I just let my life flow and I hope I will find my Mr. Right/him and get married at the right time." Bear in mind that this has to be stated in a firm and confident way in order to give the best effect possible.

If there is one lesson that can be drawn from this issue, it is that some (or many) people desperately need to become more mature (and less of a busybody) and pay more respect to others with regard to their privacy, to which they are fully entitled.

Thank you for reading this article and please share your thoughts and experiences regarding this matter in the comment section below!

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"Sad" Truths about Life

First of all, I don't have the intention to send any chills down your spine or take you to the deepest depths of sorrow. Instead I hope this post can bring readers to a realization of and/or emphasis on the veritable truths of life.

Let's begin by thinking of our fellow humans who were born in the 1840s, a period of time when British biologist & paleontologist Sir Richard Owen established a group of magnificent animals by bestowing the immortally impressive name Dinosauria, which means "fearfully great lizard", to those then-thought-of-as-extinct creatures. To the best of my knowledge, no-one arriving in this world during that decade is still alive today. I repeat: no-one.

What does this mean? Well, this phenomenon seems hardly any surprising but contemplating it could be fruitful in building a good and wise outlook on life. After experiencing a brief gust of life, they all crossed the threshold and stepped into the death realm, something that is inescapable to all beings, including us humans. The average human lifespan sits roughly in the region of 60–70 years. If you think about it, our time on Earth is mind-blowingly infinitesimal compared to the age of the planet itself: 4.6 billion years – let alone the unfathomably vast amount of time that has passed since the universe began: 14 billion years. I was born in 1990 and I'll turn 28 this coming April. Therefore, I have more or less 40 more years on this evolution-friendly planet, before I join the majority. The total moment that I possess to be in the presence of my beloved family & friends, gaze at my girlfriend's soothing smile, be stuck in awe at gorgeous views of foreign countries, tuck into luscious Quiznos subs and pizzas, peruse (in both senses) best-quality dinosaur and English books, indulge myself in Jay Chou's sublimely composed, timeless music, and so on and so forth, is only 40 Earth revolutions around the sun left. And then my body will unite with nature as it decomposes either on the ground or, if cremated, in the sea, by means of detritus feeders – if no-one doesn't want to balm or, in some way, preserve it. In any case, nobody will be able to see any parts of my physical and mental selves "move". What will remain is my legacy, which is made up of all the things I have printed on the globe (however good or bad they are): my words, speeches, acts, behavior, dinosaur painting, blog articles (like this one) and such. That's all. Klinsman is gone. If I am lucky.

If not, I will kick the bucket even sooner. Humans are vulnerable beings; we are susceptible to illnesses, diseases, and pestilences (Just a few days ago the mother of my elementary school friend passed away at the age of 55, presumably because of cancer. To name another few, there are diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, malaria, and Ebola.) Consequently, some people are so unfortunate that their lives have to end earlier than expected, perhaps abruptly. And then there exist those who have been suffering from some affliction since birth (or even before). Sadly, some may not be able to survive long after they leave the status of a newborn. I was organizing my files just now, and in the midst of it I went astray and came across this photo:

Santos and me

Santos was a cancer-surviving child. A few years ago I read about his needing blood transfusion via Blood For Life Indonesia's Twitter account, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to donate a small amount of mine (type AB) to him. Nevertheless, he eventually had to succumb to his leukemia and breathed his last.

I am writing this article in a restaurant in South Jakarta, and I am going home as soon as I finish it. Is there a guarantee that I will arrive home safely? (FYI, it is located nearby) No. Life is highly unpredictable. We humans are so so terrible at predicting the future, as American paleontologist Kenneth Lacovara put it in his book Why Dinosaurs Matter. I might have an accident on the way home while riding a Grab motorcycle. Some other driver might exhibit their inanity by showing how speeding is really cool (to their imbecilic mind). It is also not difficult to come up with other death-invoking things, one type of which is natural disasters, which can happen all of a sudden. (However, note that actually "sad" things are not necessarily related to death; lifetime (and short-term) suffering can also be immensely depressing – think of those who need to undergo dialysis all their lives, for example.) It might be unimaginably distressing to know you are going to die soon. Nonetheless, American neuroscientist Sam Harris makes a point worth pondering in his Big Think video on death that, to add another "sad" thing, if we outlive our loved ones, it means we will be left alone, without them by our side.

It is always now, as Sam said in this eye-opening video. The powerful message is that we need to live our lives to the fullest in the present moment. People often forget that now is the best time to be happy; the past has always passed and the future will never come. Do not wait and get rid of all the "if"s and "when"s to really enjoy and appreciate the present. If you love someone, express it. If you have a keen interest in a field of study, learn about it. Be crazy and never let yourself be bound by constraints that are slowly gnawing on your potential happiness, which you do deserve. Do what you want while you are alive and while you can; otherwise, you will regret and feel the real sadness of life. Continue reading..

LDR

Happy Valentine's Day, readers! Yeah, it is such a coincidence that I'm writing this article about love on Valentine's Day, which is aptly (although not necessarily) represented by couples giving chocolates, candies, and the like, expressing this important and immortal quality of humanity. Before we go further, let me do a real quick check: do you know what 'LDR' stands for?

Although it might sound like the name of an organization (think of IBM, WHO, or BBC), 'LDR' is actually the abbreviation of 'long-distance relationship', in contrast to 'SDR', which is the short form of 'short-distance relationship' (Honestly, I don't know whether the term 'SDR' legitimately exists or not and I am too lazy to do research by googling it *LOL*. I'm going to use it throughout the article as it sounds harmonic with its 'sibling'. *grinning*). As for the meaning, I don't think I'd have to expound it to you, as it is crystal-clear that 'LDR' refers to a relationship in which the lovers live far away, separated by long distances (well, that's a bonus for you). I believe that not many people have this kind of relationship, but some do. And, I am one of them. However, this article will not be focusing on my relationship with my overseas girlfriend, but rather it contains insights into an LDR, partly derived from my experience as a 'performer' of this life choice. Let's get started.

Most people in an LDR, by the very fact that they live thousands of miles from their loved ones, cannot frequently meet. And this is I think what most people would agree is the greatest challenge of living in an LDR. The feeling of missing between the lovers must be, to a great degree, deeper than that felt by SDRers, and it can literally bring them to the point of being extremely emotional. Tears rolling down the cheeks could be a common sight among LDRers. While SDRers can be in close proximity to their loves whenever they want (it is not necessarily true, but I'd say most of them would meet their partners at least once a week, typically on the weekend), long-distance 'fighters' have to have a huge supply of patience as they need to wait for ages before hugging and kissing their babies. Hugging and kissing. Right. Unlike SDRers, the encounters had by LDR couples typically do not outnumber (half of) your hand fingers, and it is plausible to think that this results in them doing the two affectionate acts many more at one time that their short-distance counterparts. However, as with other types of relationships, the primary recipe for success in an LDR is communication. The quality and quantity have to be maintained in such a way that the passion between the couple keeps on burning. Thanks to technology, now it is super easy to reach your beloved one, say, who is 1,000 miles away. Two of the apps that I recommend LDRers use for video calls are WhatsApp and Messenger. Although you can't really touch your partners via this kind of program, they are really helpful when it comes to having an LDR.

A friend of mine (a former colleague, if I'm not mistaken) once suggested that it would be economical to have an LDR since the couple meet much more rarely than SDRers. I would say that this might or might not be the case, depending on certain factors. LDRers may need to save up a lot for flight tickets; these could cost hundreds of dollars (I myself would need to pay approximately 110 USD for a round-trip flight ticket at a minimum). In addition, they might need to "make up for" what they would have done as an SDR couple: having fun at tourist attractions, having dinner, buying couple clothes, etc. I also heard this sort of notion that LDRers are prone to unfaithfulness, or that it is wiser not to be in an LDR as there is the insecure feeling that your partner will cheat on you. Well, I'd argue that SDRers also cannot escape the fact that there are also numerous opportunities for them to date another man or woman and break their romantic promise. I believe it is all rooted in commitment; it goes back to their very own heart. One won't be swayed into another's arm if they genuinely love their partner, whatever the situation is.

The last comment I would like to make is about the status of an LDR itself. I have the conviction that LDRs cannot go forever: ultimately, they need to transform into SDRs. So we might see an LDR as a stepping-stone into a more 'perfect' state of relationship, where a man or woman can be in full intimacy with their beloved one. As this is a very important matter, an LDR couple ought to discuss it seriously and decisively.

LDRs are not for the faint-hearted. It demands courage, perseverance, resilience, and, last but not least, commitment.

Are you in an LDR? Or do you know someone who is in an LDR? Please share your thoughts and/or experiences in the comments below! Continue reading..

Quote #36

"Nothing should be immune to criticism, even the seemingly grandest, deeply established, and widely & highly respected ideas. Everything can be criticized, and should be criticized when necessary." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #35

"Bigotry, in all its forms, is to be condemned and uprooted to its very essence." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Are We a Perfect Being?

The statement that we, humans (I believe no other organisms are capable of reading and understand this line), are a sort of creation that is impeccable, flawless, and the most majestic of all is ubiquitous. But do we really live up to the grandeur reputation that is passionately voiced in many, or even all, corners of the world?

The answer is "unfortunately" no. Let's probe into why this is the case.

Humans are living beings, just like other animals (I say "other" because we are animals), such as fish, iguanas, cats, dogs, and dinosaurs (birds included), as well as plants, which comprise those flowery stuctures making up your beautiful garden, if you do have one. All living things, including our little friends and foes bacteria, undergo a morphing process called evolution, that is gradual change in response to their environment for the sake of survival. In this harsh world, as we know and realize, sh*t happens, so not all individuals make it. Those who do not manage to continue their odysseys in this world are extinct, leaving the others with their "successful", selected traits. This phenomenon is known as natural selection, which, along with the theory of evolution, was proposed by British naturalist Charles Darwin in his 1859 seminal book On the Origin of Species.

Intermezzo: It is a real shame that the theory of evolution is still denied by many people, claiming that it is "just a theory." One must comprehend that scientists use the term differently from the hoi polloi, and we do have such an abundant amount of evidence pointing to the truth of evolution that it is unarguably, in everyday language, a fact.

Evolution has been going on ever since the first organisms appeared on Earth and the unfathomably deep passage of time that has passed by has resulted in the wondrous world we inhabit today, with the evolution-shaped, extraordinarily rich diversity of life spread all around it. It can be said that we are hyperlucky since we are some of the last remnants of life (shouldn't we be grateful?), those that represent the leaves on the tree of life or, in scientific terminology, phylogenetic tree.

All the individuals of the current life on this planet are "champions" in that we are the last bits of myriad unbroken chains that lead to the first ancestors of all living beings that have ever existed in the world, implying survival of mind-bogglingly immense magnitude. And all of us come with features that were left by our predecessors as a legacy. Modern humans have super complex brains and definitely are the most intelligent species on the globe. However, if you carefully examine the human body, many of the organs are not as "perfect" as people generally might think. Take the eye as an example. While it is true that our eyes are magnificent, they are not as remarkable as those of eagles, which can see four or five times farther than humans. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean eagles' eyes are "better" or "more perfect" than humans'; eagles' eyes evolved in that way because they are required for hunting prey, while humans do not need such visual acuity for their survival. Returning to the fabulosity of the human brain, our intelligence hallmark exists merely as a result of adaptation to our surroundings. This is also to say that we, including our brains, are still constantly evolving towards new trends as necessary – there is no such word or expression as "peak" or "end point" in the dictionary of evolution. In his best-selling book The God Delusion, British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins also enlighteningly points out that humans do possess infirmities caused by things such as lower back pain and prolapsed uteruses, owing to our upright stance after being in the quadrupedal mode for a vast swath of time.

Nevertheless, it must be admitted that Homo sapiens is a very successful species, and with our brain and, especially, I think, our social bonds and skills (among all the "strengths" we possess), we can make up for our "weaknesses". It would have been difficult for a single human to kill a mammoth alone, so he or she worked together to take it down. We couldn't swim like fish, so we came up with ships, scuba-diving apparatus, and the like. We couldn't fly as birds do, so we invented the airplane and similar things intended for navigating through the air. We even remain the only group of living beings capable of exploring the space. Humans, in a sense, are definitely a barrier-breaking species.

To add another argument against our "perfectness", it is useful to think that a number of members of our own species are born with diseases or abnormalities. Think of those cancer-suffering or limbless newborns, for example. Clearly, pathologies can occur at any point in our lives and this is, in fact, natural, as we ourselves are part of the natural world. Additionally, needless to say, we all eventually will come to a point called death.

So are we a perfect being? Well, as they say, nobody's perfect. ;)

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Quote #34

"Never beg people to be beside you, because if they do so due to your plea and obstinacy, they will eventually leave you." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quote #33

"A society is at its lowest level when there is persecution of those who proclaim and advocate the truth." - Klinsman Hinjaya

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Quick Tips on the IELTS Test

Many people in the world would like to pursue their dreams by continuing their studies in their favorite universities or working in top global companies. If the organizations are located in English-speaking countries, it is very likely that one of the requirements is in the form of a test or exam such as TOEFL or IELTS. In this article, I am going to give you quick tips for achieving a good (or even great) band score on the IELTS test.

One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This is just true in the case of IELTS taking. Before you face the real test, make sure you devote a sufficient amount of time to getting prepared for it.

The very first thing you should do is to familiarize yourself with the test format and band score criteria. You have to be able to answer questions such as How many and what types of questions are there in the Listening part?, How many texts are there in the Reading component and how long does it last?, What is the minimum number of words do test-takers have to write in the IELTS Writing? In addition, keep in mind what you have to do so as to achieve your desired band score. For instance, to reach a band score of 8 in the IELTS Speaking, you must “use paraphrase effectively as required”, and to attain a 7 in Writing Task 1, you have to “use a variety of complex structures”. Knowing these will be of great mental advantage to you in tackling the exam, with good time management being one of the results.

Possessing that knowledge alone is not enough. In order to succeed in the IELTS, you also need to do a substantial amount of practice. It is highly advisable that you do many practice tests. Make sure you practice carrying out the various possible task types; for example, in the IELTS Reading there are multiple choice, identifying information, identifying the writer’s views/claims, matching information, matching headings, and so on. What is more, put a lot of effort into honing the skills that are required to get your target band score – these might include paraphrasing and using complex structures (see above). Learning with an IELTS tutor can be very helpful too as they can monitor your progress and give you feedback based on your performance – what is already good and what still needs to be improved on.

Last but not least (and perhaps one that is often forgotten or missed by IELTS participants), ensure that you are physically fit and remain calm during the test. Nourish your body with plenty of nutrients and, while practicing can take a lot of energy, remember to always have enough rest and sleep. Taking an exam can also be especially stressful, with students sweating being a common sight in examination rooms. Getting nervous can lead to your mind going blank and it definitely reduces your chance of performing to the best of your abilities on the IELTS test. Test-takers might find the effect even stronger in the Speaking section, where they need to give responses to an examiner face-to-face. Therefore, relax and enjoy the “show” – relishing your favorite beverage before the test begins might help. Wish you the best of luck with the IELTS test!

Information about IELTS can be accessed at https://www.ielts.org.

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