Indonesian Night 2010

It has been a year full of days that reminded me of being an Indonesian to the fullest. I don't know how else I can ever describe it, but what I meant was that it was a 365 days of myself as the president of the Indonesian Student Association in the United States (PERMIAS-Athens OU Chapter). Those hectic days, full of hard work, which sometimes I didn't even know what it was for. But most of the times, I always knew that's at least the least I can do for my country. And most importantly, it has taught me of how to run an organization, consists of people from different backgrounds, different mindsets, ideas, and personalities.

What I would claim to be the peak of those days, the ultimate moment that will stay in my mind forever was the night when we celebrated the Indonesian Night at our campus, Ohio University. It happened for three hours in the Baker Ballroom hour, where magic came as we transformed the whole 250 invitees more than 10,000 miles away to the other side of the world. It was a fantastic night, I can still recall those golden lights and the gleaming passion from each of us. Friday, February 12, 2010, from 6-9 EST.

The road was never easy, as I told you. People were busy with classes and what not, while I have to make sure that we did enough preparations for the annual event. But I was thankful how I was blessed with an amazing team of colleagues (but now I feel of them more as brothers and sisters), who would be willingly more than happy to always help and back me up. Anton Sutandio, the project leader; Amanda Athenia; the design and publication officer, Dyah Ariningtyas; the decoration, arts, and "everything" officer; Ahmad Faizuddin; the food and logistics officer, Faishol Adib, Tolhas Damanik, Eny Winarti, Widyasari Listyowulan, Citra Yuwono,Karmila Machmud and family, Ali Sobirin,Lindra Dharnella, Rezia Usman, Lenny Handoko, Alexander Supartono, Nowo Rivelli, Anton Wiranata, Pak Yojo and family, and Pak Fauzi and family, and everyone in PERMIAS which I might not be able to mention one by one. It was a sweet team work, and we have managed it, we have proved that we are one despite all of our differences.
One week before the show, things were not put in places yet, if not chaotic at all. Some tickets were not sold yet, and we were busy practicing the dances and songs while at the same time struggling with our midterms. I was also still not recovering from a damn winter flu at that time. The only thing that seemed proper was that the Indonesian Embassy in DC had agreed to give us some sum of money to help.

On the D-Day, I was almost collapsed, provided that I had to work on my midterm of the literature class, while I needed to shop for the show after practice at 4 am in the morning!. We would run here and there, decorating the venue, bringing some stuffs back and forth from Gordy, loading foods and stuffs, and whatever that needed to be done. At our last practice on the very spot, things were still cracky. But God is great, we did well on the show. People seemed to be happy, even all PERMIAS members said they were able to enjoy the performances. Pak Totok, the attache from DC was more than happy, Pak Ammarell, our advisor could not stop smiling, and I myself felt relieved and so proud of my friends.

It was a night of Serampang 12, Wayang, Yapong, Panji Semirang, Indonesia Pusaka, Medley Songs, Angklung, but above all, it was a night to celebrate our friendships, in this foreign land, away from where we came from.

Written by Renzy :)