Tag : Keseharian - Asep Haryono | Back to Normal After Two Days of Illness - Powered by Blogger

Hello, my friends everywhere. How is it going? How has your weekend been so far? Did you guys have fun with your family members or loved ones?

Well, as for me here, I was enjoying my time with my family at home and doing some fun activities such as outdoor cooking and watching movies through my cellphone (we do not have a television).

I just want to let you guys know that I have just recovered from a two-day illness of diarrhea, which caused me to go to the bathroom several times a day, have a little headache, throw up, and feel a little weak.

I have not visited a doctor yet. However, I am following healthy personal care procedures, such as taking care of my daily food intake (not too much sugar, meat, and street food, for instance), resting enough at home, sleeping at least 6 to 8 hours a day, drinking enough water, and doing a little exercise like jogging in front of my home.

I love Bakso so much.  Photo Asep Haryono

People told me that one of the reasons why I got diarrhea was because I consumed unhealthy or contaminated food from somewhere. I do not quite recall what kind of street food I had eaten during the last few weeks, but I did eat some street food, usually our national quick bites, which are very easy to find on every corner across Indonesia, like pisang goreng (fried banana), Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and I love Bakso and Rendang so much.  Do you guys know Bakso already?

Well, Bakso is a popular Indonesian meatball dish usually made from beef and served in hot broth with noodles, vegetables, tofu, and fried snacks. It is one of Indonesia’s favorite street foods and can easily be found in cities, villages, restaurants, and roadside food stalls across the country. A bowl of bakso is affordable here in Indonesia, costing around 20,000 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) or less than 2 USD.

I am so happy that I have fully recovered since yesterday and am back to work as usual, doing my daily routine activities at home and taking care of my family. 

Ok guys, I think that will be all for now. I am so sorry that I have not written about a specific topic at the moment, my friends. I have planned to write a “serious topic” in the next few days.

I came here now just to say hi to all of you, especially my favorite bloggers: Mrs. Ananka from Scotland, Madam Mary Kirkland from the US, and Mrs. Irina from Russia.

I also want to send warm regards to all my fellow international bloggers whom I recently visited. How are you all doing?

Until then, see you soon.

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : Keseharian - Asep Haryono | Different Cultures, Shared Respect: A Memorable Evening in Bali. - Powered by Blogger

Hello everyone, especially my favorite bloggers: Mrs. Ananka from Scotland, Madam Mary Kirkland from the United States of America, and Mrs. Irina from Russia. How is it going?

As for me here in Indonesia, I am doing just fine. I would like to apologize for not visiting your blogs during the last two weeks. I have also not written any new blog posts due to the nature of my work. I briefly mentioned my current job in one of my previous posts. I cannot lie to you about this. I have been a bit lazy for some reasons.

Today is May 31st. I would like to share a little story about something that happened when I was working as a part-time volunteer for KangGURU Champions between 2005 and 2010.

One occasion that I still remember happened when I and my fellow volunteers gathered at the home of Mr. Kevin Dalton, an Australian manager of the program. I am quite sure it happened on April 25, 2009. The location was Kevin's home in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

I have edited this story in a comic-style format using real photographs, which I believe makes it more engaging and interesting. To keep a long story short, some of the photos were taken by my friends, while others were taken using my own cellphone camera.

This is the story.

CHAPTER ONE: ARRIVING AT KEVIN'S HOME
Six other KangGURU volunteers and I were invited to visit Kevin Dalton's home near Ubud, Bali. We left our hotel and took a taxi to his house. The journey only took a short time.

We arrived in the area at around 4:00 PM and had to walk for a few minutes before reaching Kevin's home.

I stepped out of the group for a moment to take this photo with my cellphone camera. As you can see, we were walking along a path leading to Kevin's house in the Ubud area of Bali, Indonesia. It looked like a small village path, at least to me.

During the walk, some of us were a little scared because of the barking dogs along the way. Their barking was very loud, and some of the dogs were quite large, which made us nervous.

After we arrived, all seven of us performed our Maghrib prayer first at around 6:00 PM.

Do you know what happened next?

Let's party... yeaaaaa!


CHAPTER TWO: NO BEER, NO PORK, AND NO KISSING
It was around 7:00 PM when the party started. I still remember some of the Australian guests who attended, including staff members from the Indonesia Australia Language Foundation (IALF), the manager of IALF, and several Australian English tutors.

With lively music playing in the background, we danced, sang, and enjoyed ourselves together. There were plenty of beverages, snacks, and cakes available

Some of the food they were making consisted of pork meat, like bacon or hamburgers. I am so sorry if I was mistaken in mentioning the menu. The bottom line is, I enjoyed all Australian cuisines they provided, even though the taste was not too spicy for me as an Indonesian, except pork.

Eating pork meat or all kinds of food consisting of pork as an ingredient was not allowed to consume based on what I believe and my religion, Islam. 

What about beer?

Oh yes, absolutely. There was plenty of beer available too.

I do not remember the brands. They may have been Australian beers or local Indonesian beers.

As we all know, Bali is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, famous for its culture, traditions, heritage, and cuisine. Visitors from around the world come to Bali every year, 

Ok I have enclosed herewith some photos were taken at the moment.  Some of the photos were taken Ririn (KangGuru Champions from Kediri, Central Java, Indonesia) and some photos created by IALF or KangGuru Indonesia.

From left to right: me, Sue Rodger from England, and Kevin Dalton, the KangGuru Manager. I watched them as they prepared our dinner that evening. Most of the menu featured Australian dishes, which were not too spicy for me.

Do you think I was going to drink that beer? Not at all. The photo was taken just for fun and as a pose. In reality, I did not drink it. As a Muslim, I do not consume beer, wine, or any other alcoholic beverages because of my religious beliefs.
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Kevin Dalton (left), the KangGuru Manager and host of the gathering, was chatting with other Australians, most of whom were expatriates and English teachers who had been living in Bali for many years.

I was sitting on the floor with Australian fellows 

Can you spot where I was in the photograph? Yes that is right. That is my Indonesian friends. I meant some of people in this photograph are from different provinces in Indonesia.  The lady on the right side is Ayu from KangGuru Indonesia, She was now in foreigh country, as senior Yoga instructor

We danced like crazy that night. This photograph shows all the KangGuru representatives enjoying themselves on the dance floor. I wasn't in the picture, probably because I was off doing something else. To be honest, I can't dance at all, and that's probably a good thing for everyone!

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From left to right: Sue Rodger from England, Ana from Australia, a senior full-time English teacher at IALF Denpasar, Bali, and the person on the right? Aha! That's me, for sure, wearing a big smile.

Can you spot the man behind me on the left? That's Kevin Dalton, the KangGuru Manager and the owner of the house where the gathering was held. He invited us, together with several staff members from KangGuru Indonesia and IALF. Most of our Australian friends were expatriates and English teachers who had lived in Bali for many years.

Ok let's continue

One of the Australian guests offered me some beer and a pork burger. My friends and I appreciated his kindness and generosity. However, all of the KangGURU volunteers from Indonesia were Muslims. According to our religious beliefs, we do not drink alcohol or eat pork.

We were very happy to join the party and spend time with everyone. The hospitality shown by our Australian friends was wonderful. However, we also wanted to remain consistent with our religious values and personal beliefs.

The party ended at around 10:00 PM. Before long, it would be midnight, and it was time for us to return to our hotel in Denpasar.

Before leaving, my Indonesian friends and I shook hands and exchanged friendly hugs with many of the guests. We tried to keep everything respectful and appropriate.

One Australian lady whom I had just greeted with a handshake attempted to greet me more warmly and tried to kiss me while giving me a friendly hug. Politely and respectfully, I stepped back and explained that, according to my religion. Islam, physical affection such as kissing between an unmarried man and woman is not permitted.

For me personally, that kind of gesture was not customary because of my cultural background, personal values, and religious beliefs as an Indonesian .

I thanked her for her kindness, continued shaking her hand, and smiled. Hopefully, she understood and respected my identity and beliefs.

We then left Kevin's home while many of the Australian guests stayed behind to continue enjoying the party.

We returned to our hotel in Denpasar, Bali.

Well, guys, that's the story.

I would like to thank my friends who allowed me to use their photographs for this article.
Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read my short story about my experience in Bali.

Bye byeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : Keseharian - Asep Haryono | My Busy Life in the MBG Kitchen - Powered by Blogger

DISCLAIMER
This short article has been specially dedicated to Mrs. Ananka from Scotland, one of my favorite foreign bloggers, by the way. I promised her to tell her about my current occupation a few months ago. Although I posted an article a few days ago, I have planned to write another one today.


Hello all my friends.  How is it going?
Its 07.20 AM in the morning when I am writing this short article

Thank you for all your comment on my blog post a few days ago, although it was written in Bahasa Indonesia, and now I have written in English. Thank you Mrs Ananka one more time for letting me know that your current job is also in the kitchen like mine.

That is so much fun and coincidental, isn’t it? It is a great thing that I finally have a good job instead of my previous one. To be honest, I was fired from my previous company, which dealt with official items and school supplies, as a part-time social media personnel around the middle of November 2025.

It was painful at the moment I was fired, and I was so happy that a few days later I finally had a good job, which obviously offers me a good opportunity to develop. The position is as one of the full-time portion personnel in the national program of Free Nutritious Food of the Republic of Indonesia, which in Indonesia is called “Makan Bergizi Gratis,” abbreviated as MBG. I have been working there since November 27th, 2025.

This photo was taken about three months ago. I was photographed next to a vehicle operating under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. The sign on the vehicle reads "Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit." This vehicle is used to distribute thousands of free breakfast meals to nearby schools, including integrated service posts, toddlers, and breastfeeding mothers, for five days from Monday to Friday.  Our kitchen located in Kuala Dua, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

This food tray is being filled with healthy food, and when everything is set and ready, it is prepared for everyday delivery. Our kitchen has nutrition experts who determine the daily menu, and all the food is obviously delicious, tasty, and nutritious. Photo Asep Haryono

This is a short clip of my activity
in the kitchen. The guy in the video is me
wearing food safety standard outfit

My work schedule is five times a week, starting from 4 a.m. in the morning until about 11 a.m. The National Nutrition Board of the Republic of Indonesia confirmed that all workers in the kitchen under the Free Nutritious Food program of the Republic of Indonesia should work for 8 hours a day from Monday to Friday, even though there is another day, Saturday, which is considered a “work day.” However, it is not actually “working,” but instead cleaning the kitchen.

I want to make this story short. In general, I complete a 6-day work schedule from Monday to Saturday, which almost gives zero opportunity to update my blog and visit my friends’ blogs, which have been listed in my contact list or reading list. I have been trying to visit your blog and leave comments there; however, not all blogs that I visit receive comments only a few of them and that makes the visit count.

Sunday is obviously my day off and also a day for all members of my family to have fun. We do some fun activities at home, such as gardening, playing music, listening to the radio, and washing our motorbikes (we have three different kinds of motorbikes used by all members of my family; we do not have a car). By the way, we have not had any television set for the last ten years; we just do not watch TV. This is the right moment for me personally to write a new article. That is what I am doing right now.

This is one of the reasons why I am not able to update my lovely blog every day; however, at least once a week at the moment. I wish I could write an everyday post, but in reality, that is far from the truth. I am not able to do it. I am sorry.

I am a bit exhausted when I come back from work; however, working in the environment of the kitchen, I am a bit exhausted too. When I come back from work, I keep doing other domestic activities at home, such as washing dirty clothes (I do not have a washing machine), sweeping the floor, cleaning the windows, or gardening. Where is my maid? Well, to be honest, all domestic activities are handled by me, and we do not have any maid.

At the end of this short story, I would like to let all my fellow bloggers know that my blog will be updated once a week, hopefully more than once maybe twice at maximum and I would also like to read and visit some of my favorite bloggers at the same time. Thank you so much for reading this short story of mine.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog.

Your comments and support mean a lot to me. Please stay safe and take care

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : curahanhati, Keseharian - Asep Haryono | Grateful at 55: A Life Reflection on My Birthday - Powered by Blogger

Hello all my fellow bloggers wherever you are.

Today, April 19th, I celebrate my 55th birthday. Reaching this age is both a blessing and a moment of deep reflection. It is a time to look back on my journey the joys, the struggles, the successes, and the regrets and to look forward with hope for the future.

I was born in Jakarta on April 19, 1971. I come from a big family. I have one younger brother, one elder sister, and seven elder brothers. Life in a large family taught me about togetherness, sharing, and resilience from an early age.

Sadly, one of my eldest brothers has passed away, and both of my beloved parents also passed away a few years ago. Their absence is deeply felt, but their values and sacrifices continue to guide my life. Today, our family remains with eight siblings in total, holding on to memories, love, and the responsibility to carry forward our family's legacy.

As I reflect on my life, education has been one of the most important chapters and also one of the deepest regrets I carry in my heart.

I successfully completed my elementary school in 1983, Junior High School in 1986, and Senior High School in 1989. Like many young people at that time, I had dreams of continuing my education and building a better future. However, in 1989, I failed the national state university entrance test. That failure was painful and disappointing, but I refused to give up.

In 1990, I tried again, and by God's grace, I finally passed the national state university entrance test. That moment filled me with hope, pride, and excitement. I began my first year at Tanjungpura University in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, majoring in English. I believed that this was the beginning of a brighter future.

Unfortunately, life had other plans for me.

In 1998, after several years of study, I was forced to drop out of university because I was no longer able to pay the tuition fees. Financial hardship became an obstacle that I could not overcome at that time. Leaving the university without completing my degree was one of the most difficult and heartbreaking decisions of my life. That moment became my first major educational failure, and it is something I have regretted for many years.

Since then, I have continued my life with only a Senior High School certificate. I worked, struggled, and tried to support myself and my family as best as I could. Life moved forward, but the dream of completing my higher education never truly disappeared.

Now, at the age of 55, I sometimes feel that my chances to pursue higher education either in Indonesia or overseas are very limited. When I look at many of my friends from school and university, I see that they have successfully built their careers and continued their education. Some of them studied abroad in countries such as Australia, the United States, and several European nations through scholarships like LPDP and other international programs.

At times, I feel left behind.

There are moments when regret visits my heart, and I wonder what my life might have been like if I had been able to complete my education. I sometimes think about the opportunities I missed and the dreams that were delayed. These thoughts can be heavy, especially when comparing my journey with others.

However, as I grow older, I am beginning to understand a deeper truth about life.

Life is not always about titles, degrees, or achievements. Life is also about endurance, responsibility, faith, and the courage to keep moving forward even when circumstances are difficult. Not every journey is the same. Some people reach their goals quickly, while others must take longer and more challenging paths.

Despite all the disappointments and regrets, I am still standing today.

I am still alive. I am still learning from life. I am still growing as a person. And most importantly, I am still dreaming.

This 55th birthday is not only a reminder of what I did not achieve, but also a celebration of what I have survived. I have faced challenges, losses, and failures, yet I continue to move forward. I have learned patience, humility, and perseverance through life's experiences.

I may not hold a university degree, but I hold valuable lessons gained through hard work and real-life struggles. I may not have reached all the goals I once dreamed about, but I still have time to create new goals and new meaning in my life.

At 55, I choose not to surrender to regret. Instead, I choose gratitude.

I am grateful for life.
I should also consider myself a thankful man because Allah has blessed me with a good and intellectual wife whom I met in 2004. I married a young student from IKIP Semarang in that same year, and we officially started our married life one year later. Her professional journey has been inspiring to witness. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher at KB-TK Islam Al Azhar Pontianak, and later, in 2008, she successfully passed the Government State Officer test (Pegawai Negeri Sipil).

To make a long story short, she has become a very successful career woman in both education and professional fields. One of her proudest achievements was returning from Japan under the Japan Foundation scholarship for a teacher exchange program for vocational schools in November 2025. She has two different degrees: the first degree in English Studies and the second (postgraduate) degree in Educational Administration. 

Her dedication, discipline, and passion for education have always been a source of pride and motivation for me. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the lessons that shaped me. And I am grateful for the strength to continue dreaming, even at this stage of my life.

I must also express my deep gratitude for my two wonderful children a son and a daughter. My elder son will soon become a university student, and my beloved daughter is currently in Yogyakarta and is planning to continue her Senior High School education in Pontianak. They are the light of my life and the reason I keep striving to be a better father of my whole family.

Allow me to introduce the members of my family through this simple photo. From left to right: Tazkia Montessori Putri Haryono, myself, Rudi Maryati, S.Pd., M.Pd., and Abbie Muhammad Furqan Haryono. This photo was taken in March 2026, capturing a precious moment of togetherness

This was last year, when I celebrated my 54th birthday at my home. My family gave this anniversary cake to me. How about this year? I am looking forward to their surprise for sure. Wish me luck

Today, I realize that I have complete happiness as a man in this world. Having a good, humble, and intelligent wife and lovely children is one of the greatest blessings that Allah SWT has ever given to me. I will never betray this trust, love, and attention from my whole family, and I must remain grateful every day for what Allah has given me.

As I celebrate this birthday, I hold on to the wisdom from the Holy Qur'an that has strengthened my heart during difficult times:

"For indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease." (Al-Inshirah 94:5-6)

With this faith, I pray for good health, peace of mind, and the opportunity to continue learning and contributing to society in whatever way I can. I believe that as long as we are alive, it is never too late to grow, to improve, and to pursue meaningful goals.

This is not the end of my story. This is simply another chapter in my journey.

Happy 55th birthday to me.|

Alhamdulillah for everything that Allah has written in my life.

May the years ahead be filled with hope, strength, wisdom, and new possibilities.

Asep Haryono
Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan
INDONESIA

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : Indonesia, Keseharian - Asep Haryono | Viral Words, Real Consequences: The LPDP Scholarship Controversy Explained - Powered by Blogger

DISCLAIMER : This article discusses a recent controversy in Indonesia involving an LPDP scholarship awardee. The issue has attracted strong public reactions and has been widely covered by both online and offline media. The content is intended for informational purposes only and does not aim to spread hate or make personal attacks (Asep Haryono)..

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The issue about LPDP scholarship alumni is now becoming a hot topic on social media. The names Dwi Sasetyaningtyas and her husband, Arya Iwantoro, are being widely discussed after a video of their statement went viral onlinee

Who Is Dwi Sasetyaningtyas?
Dwi Sasetyaningtyas is known as an LPDP scholarship awardee with an academic and professional background in engineering and sustainability. She completed her undergraduate study in Chemical Engineering at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), one of Indonesia’s leading universities. After that, she continued her master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Technology at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands through the LPDP scholarship program.

Professionally, she has experience working in the private sector, including at Procter & Gamble (P&G), a multinational company. She has also been involved in environmental and sustainability initiatives, focusing on education and sustainable living awareness.

Her educational journey was supported by Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP), a government-funded scholarship program aimed at developing Indonesia’s human resources.

Ok back again...
.
In the video, there was a sentence that shocked many people: “It is enough that I am an Indonesian citizen, my child does not have to be.” Or “Cukup aku aja yang WNI anak anak saya jangan..” Many netizens felt that this statement sounded disrespectful to Indonesia. As a result, the public reaction was very strong. Some criticized them harshly, while others asked the government to take firm action. .

This photo is courtesy of Warta Kota Production, showing the moment when Dwi proudly displayed the British passport and proof of British citizenship of her second child, which sparked controversy in Indonesia.

Just watch her complete video here


This was the moment when Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya expressed anger and disappointment and threatened to blacklist Dwi Sasetyaningtyas after her content went viral, in which she said she was reluctant to allow her child to become an Indonesian citizen. Watch the full video

Video of Warta Kota Production

.

Agreement to Return LPDP Funds.
This controversy did not stop at social media debate. The issue became more serious because Dwi is known as an awardee of the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP), a scholarship program funded by the Indonesian government. .
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LPDP is a government scholarship program created to support the development of Indonesia’s human resources. The funds come from the state budget, which means they come from public taxes and also from government financial management. .
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Indonesia’s Minister of Finance, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, expressed his disappointment regarding the viral statement. He explained that Arya Iwantoro had not yet completed his service obligation, which is one of the requirements of the LPDP program. . Because this obligation was not fulfilled, returning the scholarship funds became the agreed consequence. .

By the way, let me explain a little bit about the rule
You should now this

Under the agreement signed with Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP), scholarship awardees are required to return to Indonesia after completing their studies and contribute to the country for a certain period. This obligation is commonly known as the “2N rule,” meaning graduates must serve in Indonesia for twice the length of their study period.

Just take a look at the info graphic at below

For example, if someone studies abroad for two years, they are expected to contribute in Indonesia for four years. In some older contracts, the rule was “2N+1,” which required an additional year of service. If an awardee fails to fulfill this commitment, they may face sanctions, including the obligation to return the scholarship funds, potentially with interest, and restrictions on future involvement in government-related programs.

Ok then back again

According to the Minister, the Director of LPDP had already spoken with Arya, and he agreed to return the money used from LPDP, including the interest. The exact amount of money and interest is still being calculated. .
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The Minister also reminded other LPDP recipients to respect the country and remember their responsibilities. .
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Responsibility Is Not Just a Formality.
LPDP is not just a “free scholarship.” Every awardee signs a contract that includes several responsibilities. These usually include finishing their studies on time and serving Indonesia for a certain period after graduation. .
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This service period is a way to give back to the country. The government invests in their education, and in return, the awardees are expected to contribute to national development. .
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So, if someone does not complete their obligation, there are financial and administrative consequences. In this case, returning the funds plus interest shows that LPDP has clear rules and enforcement. .
.
Blacklist Sanction.
Besides returning the money, the Minister also confirmed there will be a blacklist sanction. This means the person involved will not be able to work in roles connected to the Indonesian government in the future. .
.
This kind of sanction can have a long-term impact, especially for someone whose career may involve government institutions or public projects. .
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Public Money, Public Trust.
The Minister also emphasized that LPDP funds come from taxpayers and even from government debt. In other words, this is public money. It is not private funding. The main goal of LPDP is to create high-quality human resources who can help Indonesia grow and compete globally. That is why commitment and loyalty to the country are important values in this program. .
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This case also opens a bigger discussion. In the digital era, one statement on social media can spread very fast and bring serious consequences. Freedom of speech is important, but responsibility is also very important. .
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A Lesson for All of Us.
This situation can be a reminder for everyone, not only for LPDP awardees. Words matter. Actions have consequences. For scholarship recipients funded by the state, there is not only a written contract but also a moral responsibility. For the public, it is also important to understand the full context before judging. .
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At the end of the day, programs like LPDP are long-term investments for Indonesia’s future. Public trust must be protected with integrity, respect, and responsibility

What do you think about this issue? Do you agree with the decision to return the funds and impose a blacklist? If you are from England or a British blogger, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : Keseharian - Asep Haryono | Selamat Milad, Ibuku Sayang. 8 Februari. Al-Fatihah. Ibu, Tunggu Aku - Powered by Blogger

Disclaimer: This article is written in Indonesian and is primarily intended for readers in Indonesia. For fellow bloggers and friends from the United States, Scotland, Germany, Russia, and other European countries, please feel free to use Google Translate or any other translation tools to better understand the content of this article. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

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Bulan Februari adalah bulan yang memiliki makna yang dalam bagi saya pribadi karena dibulan Februari pulalah ibunda dilahirkan. Bukan hal yang mudah untuk berbagi kisah pribadi kepada orang lain dan tulisan ini semata sebagai pelajaran hidup akan selalu saya bawa hingga akhir nanti. Tidak ada maksud untuk menakuti, namun jika ada masih memiliki orang tua yang masih hidup, berikan yang terbaik untuk mereka. Selamat membaca

Wafatnya Ibuanda tercinta, almarhumah Siti Rochayah, pada hari Jumat, 11 September 2015, menjadi salah satu hari yang tak pernah bisa saya lupakan sepanjang hidup saua. Beliau dilahirkan di Semarang pada tanggal 8 Februari 1938. Jika hari ini beliau masih bersama kami, tentu usianya telah menginjak 88 tahun pada tahun 2026 ini. Perjalanan hidup beliau yang panjang telah meninggalkan jejak yang begitu dalam di hati keluarga. Meski raga beliau telah tiada, kenangan, kasih sayang, dan nilai-nilai kehidupan yang beliau tanamkan kepada anak anaknya akan tetap hidup dan tumbuh dalam diri kami hingga hari ini.

Terlambat Beberapa Jam
Ada bagian yang menarik lainnya yang ingat ceritakan di paragraf kedua ini. Bahwa di hari wafatnya Ayah Almarhum Sudjud , yaitu pada tanggal 22 Juni 2014.   ada cerita yang unik yang menarik. Jadi ceritanya begini informasi bahwa Ayah itu sudah berpulang itu sudah diterima ya, sejak lama dari pihak keluarga, yaitu saya dapat kabar dari kakak di Bekasi, baik melalui pesan singkat WA ataupun dari sambungan telepon bahwa proses pemakaman akan segera dimulai, saya pun segera booking penerbangan langsung dari Pontianak ke Jakarta

Jadi saya dan istri serta anak memutuskan berangkat hari itu juga, hari Jumat, tanggal 22 Juni 2014.   dengan menggunakan  pada pukul 7 pagi. Namun sayang sekali pada saat tiket sudah tercetaj, kalau nggak salah ya, kalau nggak salah itu terjadi delay atau penunda dan delaynya lebih dari 3 jam atau 5 jam. Sedangkan pada saat itu prosesi pemakaman harus segera dilaksanakan. Kondisinya sudah mendesak. Namun Allah memutuskan, Ayahanda sudah berpulang ke Rahmatullah itu di hari pagi saya dan keluarga sudah bersiap-siap berangkat pada pukul 7.

Namun karena pesawatnya delay beberapa jam, Saat saya masih di bandara pihak keluarga sudah menghubungi saya lewat sambungan telepon agar saya yang masih di Bandara menunggu keberangkatan ikhlas karena almarhum Ayah sudah harus segera dikebumikan tanpa kehadiran anaknya. Dalam Islam pemakan orang tua harus dihadiri oleh seluruh anak anaknya.  Sayalah satu satunya anak almarhum yang tinggal di Kalimantan Barat sedangkana kakak kakak di Jakarta, Tanggerang dan Bekasi. dan itu di pulau Jawa

Jadi prosesi pemakaman almarhum di Bekasi tidak dapat saya hadiri karena saya masih di Bandara menunggu delay selesai. jadi saya baru tiba di rumah duka di Jalan Sarbini Bekasi, komplek Jakasampurna Bekasi, itu habis zuhur. Jadi terlambat beberapa jam di hari yang sama..

Kenangan Indah Selama Hayat
Sebenarnya pada saat itu di bulan Agustus 2013, pada saat saya berlibur di Bekasi bersama keluarga istri dan anak juga di rumah lama di Bekasi, di jalan Sarbini Bekasi. Sebenarnya saya ada semacam firasat, bukan firasat sih, semacam ada pendapat bahwa dalam al-Quran, jadi bahwa tidak manusia yang jiwa pasti akan kembali ya.

Setiap makhluk yang berjiwa akan segera kembali ke pencipta Allah SWT. Jadi pada saat saya pulang ke rumah orang tua gitu kan, pada bulan Agustus 2013 bersama istri dan anak-anak ya, saya saat itu ketemu dengan ayah ibu di situ otomatis ya. Dan saya udah berpikir ini kapan lagi kesempatan saya bisa buat foto bareng dengan ayah ibu saat itu, pada saat itu masih hidup.

Saya bersama ibunda tercinta  Foto diambil pada bulan Agustus 2013.  Inilah salah satu harta ku yang paling berharga dalam hidup ku. Ibu aku rindu. Foto Rudi Maryati

Saya bersama kedua orang tua. Foto diambil pada bulan Agustus 2013.  Kapan lagi saya bisa foto bareng bersama orang tua saat mereka masih hidup. ini tinggal kenangan. Inilah harta ku yang paling berharga dalam hidup ku. Foto Rudi Maryati

Jadi Alhamdulillah saya memiliki harta yang paling berharga, harta yang tak ternilai yaitu foto saya bersama ayah dan ibu lengkap pada saat mereka masih hidup. Dan akhirnya Alhamdulillah beberapa foto berhasil take saat itu, yang Agustus 2013 menjadi foto abadi dan menjadi harta yang berharga yang sangat saya jaga sampai sekarang, tahun 2026. yaitu saya berfoto dengan ayah, ibu, saya duduk di tengah, ibu berada di sebelah kiri dan ayahnya di sebelah kanan.

Tunggu saya Ayah Ibu
setelah kedua orang tua sudah berpulang, dan rumah orang tua yang ada di sana akhirnya dijual, ya, dijual. Dan hasil penjualan rumah orang tua itu dibagikan ke sembilan bersaudara. Saya anak kedelapan dari sembilan bersaudara, semuanya dibagi rata.

Terus salah satu wasiat dari ibu yang berhasil saya temukan suratnya agar anak-anak seluruh keluarga tetap bersatu, tetap berpegang pada tali Allah, dan kami anak-anaknya diminta tetap saling bersilaturahmi. Oleh karena itu, kami membentuk grup yang bentuk grup diisi anggota-anggota keluarga dari kakak, saya sendiri bersama adik. Wasiat lainnya agar semua anggota anggota memperhatikan saudara perempuan satu satunya. Dari 9 bersaudara di keluarga saya.  Hanya 1 saudara perempuan. Sisanya semuaya laki laki. 

KENANGAN : Selama saya di SMA di Bekasi (86-89), saya tinggalnya di kamar di sebelah kanan ini, tampak jendelanya.  Kenangan indah. Ini rumah kenangan. Saya pernah tinggal di rumah ini bersama kedua orang tua bertahun tahun lamanya  Foto  Asep Haryono

Namun kakak yang tertua, ya, Sukanta, juga sudah berpulang. Jadi tinggal yang tersisa ini ya, tinggal delapan bersaudara kumpul dalam satu grup keluarga. Jadi walaupun kita berbeda-beda tempat, berbeda lokasi, ada yang tinggal di Jakarta, ada yang tinggal di Bekasi, ada yang tinggal di Bogor, Kakak yang paling jauh di kota Kalimantan Barat, tetap bersilaturahmi dalam grup.

Sebuah satu manfaat dari digital ya. Kalau kita nggak harus bertemu secara fisik, kita bisa ketemu di grup, seolah-olah kita bertemu secara langsung. Dan sekarang pada saat ini, saya sudah tidak punya kedua orang tua lagi. Saya kini sudah Yatim Piatu (tidak mempunyai ayah dan Ibu atau sudah ditinggal ayah dan ibu wafat) dan saya akan terus bersilaturahmi dengan saudara-saudara semuanya baik secara langsung, baik melalui sambungan Telepon walaupun obrolan di WhatsApp.

Karena saya adalah salah satunya anggota keluarga yang tinggal jauh dari keluarga. Semua kakak atau abang saya berada di Pulau Jawa, di Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang. Saya sendiri berada di Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat.

saya mengucapkan Milad Tahun kepada Ibunda tercinta 8 Februari 2026 yang jika Ibu saya masih hidup di bulan Februari ini sudah berusia 88 tahun tahun 2026 ini. Ibunda Almanu lahir di Semarang pada tanggal 8 Februari 1938. Jadi beliau masih hidup, beliau berusia 88 tahun.

Saya sebagai salah satu anak almarhumah, mengucapkan Selamat Ulang Tahun Ibu. Semoga Ibu di sana mendapat limpahan dan rahmat Allah SWT, Allah mengampunkan segala dosa-dosanya dan menjadikan kuburnya jadi taman-taman syurga. Saya menulis artikel ini dengan terharu dan insya Allah kita akan segera bertemu lagi.

Ibu, tunggu aku

Mari kita kirimkan Al-Fatihah untuk kedua orang tua kita, baik yang masih bersama kita maupun yang telah lebih dulu berpulang. Hargai setiap detik kebersamaan sebelum semuanya hanya menjadi kenangan
. 

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"

Tag : Indonesia, Keseharian - Asep Haryono | Welcoming the Arrival of 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijri - Powered by Blogger

Tomorrow night, Wednesday evening or Thursday night, is expected to be the beginning of 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijri or 18th of February . The coming of the holy month of Ramadan is always a special and meaningful moment for Muslims, both in Indonesia and around the world.

What Does Fasting in Ramadan Mean? .
Fasting in Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this month, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn (before sunrise) until sunset. But fasting is not only about staying away from food and water. .

It is also about controlling our behavior, words, and thoughts. Muslims try to avoid bad actions such as lying, gossiping, or hurting others. Ramadan is a time to become more patient, more grateful, and more caring toward people in need. It is a month of spiritual growth, self-discipline, and stronger connection with God. Through fasting, Muslims learn empathy for the poor and appreciate the blessings they have in daily life. .

However, as usual, the official start of Ramadan in Indonesia waits for the decision of the Minister of Religious Affairs through the isbat meeting based on moon sighting (rukyatul hilal). This announcement is very important because it becomes a guide for Muslims in starting the fasting month together.

In general, people in Indonesia follow the government’s decision to keep unity and togetherness in worship. Even though many people predict that Ramadan may start tomorrow night, we still wait for the official announcement.

Personally, I and all Muslims have prepared ourselves to welcome this holy month. The first night of Tarawih prayer will be a hopeful beginning, and the next day we will start the first day of fasting. May this Ramadan bring blessings, health, and peace to all of us

Breaking the fast can be done anywhere, including in places like the one shown in this photo. People can enjoy free snacks or meals for iftar, both adults and children, at the local mosque. Photo by Asep Haryono
.

Tradition and Meaning of Ramadan in Indonesia
In Indonesia, from Sabang to Merauke, Muslims begin the day with suhoor before the Fajr (dawn) prayer. After the Fajr prayer, fasting begins and continues until Maghrib (sunset), which is the time to break the fast.

Fasting is not only about holding hunger and thirst. Muslims also learn to control themselves. We avoid bad words, gossip, harmful actions, and negative behavior. Ramadan teaches patience, sincerity, and self-control.

Personally, I want to make Ramadan 1447 Hijri (2026) the best Ramadan in my life. I want to improve myself, increase my worship, and use this holy month in the best way possible.

The Tradition of Iftar and Togetherness
One strong tradition in Indonesia during Ramadan is providing food for breaking the fast. Almost all mosques, prayer rooms, and Islamic centers provide free iftar meals for the congregation.

The purpose is to strengthen friendship and unity among Muslims. Many people come early to the mosque to break their fast together before performing Maghrib prayer. The food and drinks usually come from donations. Everything is given free to everyone, including travelers who cannot go home in time.

This is ‘Pasar Juadah’ in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. People buy various foods and drinks here to enjoy when breaking their fast. Photo courtesy of Prokopim Kota Pontianak/Ruai TV.

Another popular tradition, especially among young people like Gen Z and Gen Alpha, is sharing “takjil on the road.” They give free snacks and drinks to people at traffic lights or on the streets before sunset.

In Pontianak, West Kalimantan, there is also a special Ramadan market called Pasar Juadah. This market sells many kinds of food for iftar, such as traditional cakes and snacks. The atmosphere is lively and exciting before Maghrib.

The Tradition of Tarawih and Qur’an Recitation
One important tradition during Ramadan is Tarawih prayer. In Islamic teaching, Tarawih is a highly recommended sunnah prayer. Almost all mosques in Indonesia hold Tarawih prayer every night during Ramadan.

In Indonesia, some people pray 11 rak‘ahs and others pray 23 rak‘ahs. Both are correct and have strong religious foundations. There is no need for debate. Muslims are free to choose according to their belief and habit.

Tarawih is performed after the Isha prayer. After that, many mosques continue with tadarus, which means reciting the Qur’an together. Some people read one juz every night so they can complete 30 juz by the end of Ramadan.

This tradition strengthens faith and builds togetherness during the holy month.

Closing
In closing, I hope that I and my family can carry out all Ramadan worship activities well, starting tomorrow, God willing. May we be able to follow all the good deeds of Ramadan without any shortcomings. I pray that this Ramadan becomes the best Ramadan in our lives. Ameen.

Finally, I would like to say to all Muslims in Indonesia: Happy fasting in the month of Ramadan. May our fasting this year be the best in our lifetime. May Allah give us health, protection, and guidance so that we can complete this holy month with full blessings..

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A Message From Asep Haryono

 

"Thank you so much for your time here. I really appreciate your precious moment here as well.  Please leave any comment down below.  Let me hear from you.  Greetings from Indonesia"