Homework

When you were child, when and where did you finish your homework?  There is a GENERAL RULE among the pupils that homework should be done early in the morning at school. Fortunately, I’m the one who break that RULE. I was “forced” to do it at home, yeah at home thanks to my mom.  Every night my mom always checked whether I have finished my homework or not.

There will be 3 rules apply from my mom :

If I have not finished it, my mom would say, “Let’s do it together.”

If I said that I have finished it, my mom would say, “Let’s check it together.”

And if I have no homework, my mom would say,” Let’s study the upcoming chapter.”

And I found those were really annoying.

My mom is just a high school graduate from SMA 9 Bulungan, Jakarta (one of favorite high school at that time and she always brags how great her high school is!). Unfortunately, She couldn’t continue her study due to financial problem and as the eldest child she had to work to help her younger brothers. However, she is a strong believer that education can change someone’s life and I was raised by that belief. I am going to share the proof how education has changed my life surely.

When I was in elementary school, I was a bullying victim. I was over height and my skin was super-tanned. Entering fourth grade, suddenly my life had changed. I got the first rank in my school and became Elementary’s Next Top Student. “Wow, my mom’s military-homework-training, actually worked!” Somehow, the bullies became nicer to me, well that’s because they wanted to copy-paste my homework, but I didn’t care. Because what I care the most is, every time I got the rank my mom would give me a present.

At first, my intention to study hard was for gifts. But then, it changed. When I was in junior high school, it was very hard time to our family. My father’s business went bankrupt and he lost his fortune in stock market. Thankfully, my mom still worked so she could support the family. At that time, we  had a tight budget.  During the crisis time, do you know what my mom did?  Every extra penny that she earned was used to pay my courses.  Because of her, I could learn English from native speaker which was quite expensive at that time. 

People were calling her crazy and saying that she was dreaming.When I asked her, why she did it, she answered ,”I know how it feels when my parent could not afford my course and I don't want you to go through the same way. I would rather invest in your education than anything else, because it would give you a better life.”

At that moment, I promised to myself that I will study seriously and make her proud. This promise becomes my never ending homework.

Her belief in education is finally proven. I  still remember how we were crying together through the phone when I told that her daughter was accepted in Universitas Indonesia and was one of two invited students from Batam to study there with scholarship. People that used to insult her with her craziness suddenly stop. 

Me and my Mom,  I don't resemble her a lot since I am a copy paste of my father

I thought that her hard effort in supporting higher education would stop once I got in the college. But you know, the truth is she never stop. In my college, it was quite common if the students join The conferences or competition abroad. However, I know that even though we obtained sponsor to support us, we still need to pay by ourselves for the rest.  Surprisingly, my mother used her bonus and some of her pension funds to support me to join competition and student exchange abroad. "CRAZY! your daughter is already smart, no need to spend more," said one of her close relatives. Well, she didn't care with those words.

I am grateful for all things I have now days. At least, I could help my family and my younger brother's study. These are because of the my mother's support and her praying. In the few months, I will continue my further study in United Kingdom through scholarship from LPDP /Indonesia Endowment Fund Education. Before continuing study, LPDP provides us with departure preparation or called PK (Persiapan Keberangkatan). The interesting one was my mom's name became one of the answer in Pre Test created by LPDP PK Committee. Well, she deserved it! at least the rest of 125 awardees finally know her name #lol

If you asked me whether my mom is still annoying or not, well she still is! but just a little bit. She is still a mom who love to "kepo" her children and also happen to be a huge fan of Korean dramas. Nothing change in my mom, but there was a significant change in her daughter.

"Education could change someone’s life and long life learning is our never ending homework"