MY FAVORITE HOUSE VS MY DREAM HOUSE

There are two different houses that have different meaning in my life; they are my favorite house and my dream house. My favorite house is the house that can make me feel that I am on holiday, while my dream house is the house that makes me feel I am the luckiest person in this world. I do love both houses. Nowadays, I am confused because I need to make hard decision; I need to choose one of them. I want to stay in my dream house, but I really like to stay in my favorite house.

My favorite house is my parents in law’s house. It is located in Seririt, about 23 km from Singaraja to the west. He house was built in 25 acre land. It is higher than the surrounding area. The gate is not so far from the main road. Near the gate, there are a garage and a catfish pool. I need to go up and follow the path to find the house. Along the path, there are frangipani trees on left and right sides. They give natural and Balinese atmosphere. At the end of the path, there are a small fish pool, Pelinggih Penuhun Karang (statue or place for the spirit of the guard of the house), and sekepat (kind of gazebo). The gazebo is the most favorite place for me because from the gazebo I can see green hill if I face south, rice field if I face east, and sea if I face north. The west side is not as interesting as the other sides; I can only see the roofs of the neighbors’ houses. Near the gazebo, there is a mango tree. It makes the gazebo is shady and become nice place to take a rest, enjoy the wind, spoil the eyes, and feel the holiday atmosphere.

Meanwhile, my dream house is in Singaraja. It is only 15 minutes from my campus. It has minimalist style with orange and white wall. There are a pelinggih Penuhun Karang, small yard, and a garage in front of the house. I put more than 20 potted roses, jasmine, and other plants in the yard. I plan to have more flowers and plant grass to make my yard green. In my back yard, I have planted several plants too. I will use the backyard of my dream house to be out door dining room with small kitchen. This house is called dream house because after saving for several years, finally my husband and I can afford to have our own house. I feel lucky because I fall in love with this house at the first sight; I think it is perfect house for me and for my children, and I can convince my husband to buy it because the house covers our requirement, such as, small house with a garage, front yard, back yard, three bed rooms, and two bath rooms. It seems perfect for me, we can afford it, and we have it.

I enjoy my time living in my favorite house. I have been living there for almost four years. I like to be there although I need to take a long journey every week day to go to campus. It takes 45 minutes for me to drive car by myself to go to campus. It is so tiring, but when I arrive home, I feel fresh again because while walking on the path, I can see the rice field, see the sea, see my son in gazebo, and hear his yell “mama datang…mama datang…mama datang…” I am so grateful that great moment becomes part of my daily life. On the other hand, I want to stay in my dream house because it is my dream to have our own house and I really like that house. I am so confused; I don’t want to lose the natural view of my favorite house, but I really miss to spend my day in my dream house. It has been six months since we bought the house, but we still live in Seririt. I wonder when we will move out.  

THE MINISTERS

When I was taking master degree, I found myself became closer to three young women.  We often shared and discussed theory, knowledge, and information, and also helped each other in any situation. After having a long discussion, we agreed to name our group ‘The Ministers’. It was just for fun, actually. It had nothing to do with political issue or the ministers of president in this country. It meant each of us became the ‘expert’ among us who knew better about particular thing. The Ministers consisted of Education Minister, Information and Communication Minister, Fashion Minister, and Health Minister.

The first minister is Education Minister. She is IGA Lokita Purnamika Utami. She was the one who always finished the project or assignment earliest. Once she got an assignment or project, she would make it as soon as possible. When the others started to think about it, she would say “I have done, I just need to print it out.” It could motivate us to do the assignment. She was the leader of the group. She was not chosen; instead, automatically her leadership aura led us in any moment. When we discussed something and had different ideas, she was the one who ended the discussion and took decision. Sometimes we enjoyed it, but sometimes we just followed her because we were fed up to do more discussion.

The second minister is Information and Communication Minister. Her name is Kadek Sonia Piscayanti. She has good network and knows many people well. She was the one who was mostly in charge to call or text the lecturers, for example to confirm about lecturer’s attendance or projects. The leader of the class or korti was very glad to let her do that.  Besides, she likes to share current news she has got. When she says something or tells a story or a gossip, she always tells it dramatically and full of expression so that she can make us become emotional, melancholic, enthusiastic, excited, or others. A simple and uninteresting story can be a fantastic story if the story is told by her.

The third minister focuses so much on the appearance, starting from hair, make up, clothes, to shoes. That was why she was nominated as Fashion Minister. This beautiful woman is Nyoman Karina Wedhanti. Our togetherness make us realize that she dresses up because she really likes herself to be beautiful, only that, not to attract men’s attention. Sometimes people have different and wrong perception about her, but she has never cared.  She is easy going person and never takes it into account. She said to us that it is impossible to manage everyone’s perception, but at least, they pay attention to her. She is beautiful, easy going, and very considerate. She does not want to be the most beautiful of all and hope the other women look ugly. Many times in my life, she protests me about my make up and she cannot stand to take her beauty case and become my make up artist. If I refuse, she will directly say “Keep silent! Keep still! I want to make up you ‘ala me’.” I can only let her satisfy herself. 

Last but not least minister is Health minister. That was me. I was nominated as the Health Minister because they thought I was health freak. Sometimes they thought I was exaggerated and then they said “Don’t worry!”, “take it easy!”, “it will not kill you!” or “it will not harm you!” They did not like me when I acted too much, but they love me in other way. When we were together and they needed something related to logistic stuffs, they knew where to go. For example, when they were thirsty or hungry, whey would come to me because everyday I usually brought mineral water, bread or cookies, apples, and sometimes lunch box. Also, I always prepared myself with tissue and hand sanitizer. That was why they said that I brought anything in my bag except magic jar.

Today we are not as close as the time when we were taking our master degree. We go back to our office, deal with tight schedule to teach and supervise our students. For me, it was great experience together with those young women and to be a part of ‘The Ministers’.