The Balance of Environmental Condition in Dormitory UNSOED within Student’s Lifestyle

This issue rose from several problems near the Faculty of Cultural Studies; it was about the environmental condition of dormitory UNSOED. The environment of dorm relates to the students’ lifestyle who becomes the main occupant of the dorm whether the students have got a comfortable and conducive dorm environment for learning, socialization, self-development, and the character building or conversely. In this case, people who live in dorm should create a sense of togetherness in keeping the cleanliness, security, and cooperation in keeping dorm infrastructure. However, those things will be connected with varieties of community issues that create disturbances, such as a low awareness of the occupants in keeping cleanliness of dorm, dormitory facility issues that should be improved, and the performance of the entire dorm occupants in achieving good infrastructure.

Dormitory Perspective

The dormitory established in the middle of July on 2010. It locates at Dr. Soeparno Street, Karangwangkal, Purwokerto, precisely in the middle of UNSOED campus complex or opposite to Soesilo Soedarman field. This dorm consists of five floors which have various facilities as a place to stay for a group of students who are studying in UNSOED within a specific period in order to get educational goals. There are 24 rooms on each floor with a capacity of three to four people per room. For sanitation, it is available with 8 bathrooms and toilets on each floor which are equipped with electricity and water. Then, there are also a living room, multipurpose room, TV room, kitchen, and parking area. The cost of renting room is very affordable for students who come from outside Purwokerto. Student will only pay for Rp.1.500.000 per year. The payment can be paid through a bank account.

There are kinds of different religion, ethnics, and cultures inside the dorm life. This makes the students should be able to create a harmony of life in tolerance, togetherness, and peace. The students’ lifestyle become the spotlight that will contribute to the surrounding environment, especially in keeping the cleanliness of environment in order to create a healthy lifestyle, building a good communication with local people and also participating in maintaining the security in dorm.

Student’s Corner

Wednesday (17/6), four female students who were met in the dormitory were available to do an interview directly. By doing the interview and direct observation could determine the main problems in dormitory. Students shared their own experiences and complaints free during the interview.

 “I have lived in a dorm since 2013 until right now. I come from Cilacap. In my opinion, the renting cost is very cheap. I often get arrears but the dorm party never gives additional charge or fine to me. However, the learning atmosphere in dorm is quite uncomfortable because my room consists of 4 people who come from different departments. Sometimes, the room looks messy. Then, other facilities should be improved, such as water problem that ever damaged in a week. This problem ever leaded to the difficulties in getting clean water, especially for bathing. Sometimes, the water is also dirty and not clear. There are only several bathrooms on the 1st and 2nd floor which have its functions properly and on the 3rd floor the bathroom clogged. In addition, we also get a shortage of land for drying our clothes. We only use the balcony for drying. Even though, it is already provided a spot for drying the clothes on the 1st floor but it is too far from my room. I am lazy to go there.” say Dwi Oktaviani, Biology, (2013).

Besides Dwi, there were 3 other students who shared their experience during staying in the dorm. Second, there was Ruri Nur Saswori, Biology (2012). She explains, “I feel happy staying in this dorm since I studied in UNSOED on 2012. Luckily, I only live with my one roommate, so I feel very comfortable and conducive.  However, there are several things that must be improved, especially for the dirty, unclear, and dysfunctional water problem which makes us feel uncomfortable. Not only that, the cracked floor also must replace into the newest one. I hope the cleanliness of bathroom will be improved too although there is a per-block schedule to clean the bathroom. Even there will be student who has to do her schedule, but if she does not do her duties, she must pay Rp.5.000,00 as a fine. Furthermore, the money is used for buying other equipments. The fines will be taken by the treasurer per block. Of course, I will not get any fine or charge if I pay late for the renting cost.”

The next opinion will be explained by Umi Fadhillah, Biology (2012). Umi pointed to the performance of dorm superintendents. She said that she complained about the existing security guard in the dormitory. In her opinion, the securities did not do their duties optimally than in the previous year that they did the duties better. Also, the performance of receptionist decreases now. She said that there were few of them who moved to elsewhere. Then, she also stated other points which related with the dorm, such as the bathroom and water problem. It still becomes the major problem even it often organizes annually. However, there is no any further realization of this bathroom cleanliness. Thus, the atmosphere in her room is very conducive because she thinks that her room is soundproof; I love staying here.

Last, Laili Uswatun Nadlifah who is as an English Literature student (2013) states, “I only lived in dormitory for 6 months. I decided to move because of a few things that made me felt uncomfortable staying in the dorm, especially in its cleanliness. First, I felt little bit confused why many of them were lazy to keep the cleanliness even the occupants were girls in this dorm. Second, the water problem was the reason why I moved. Water tended to dirty, yellow, and not clear. These condition made my face got acne. Then, if there was a blackout, automatically the water did not work well, so that made me hard to get water for bathing. It can be suffered in a week. Terrible! Third, the floor was also dirty because cats played along the hallway free and it tented to drop the trash. The lack awareness among of occupant to clean up the trash was very terrible. Forth, the thing which made me frightened was there were many insects which are called as 'Tomcat'; it was quite dangerous insect for my skin; it stuck on the walls. I shuddered seeing it. Last, the bathroom facility became the reason why I moved because some of bathroom doors broken, especially for the bathroom door on the 2nd floor. In addition, dirty bathroom atmosphere also made me feel uncomfortable.”

     Someone cannot lie about the inadequate public facilities, such a dormitory. Students who live in the dormitory feel about the dorm condition obviously. The interview and investigation stated clearly about the dorm environment today. As an occupant, students shout their own right to ask about the new dorm infrastructure. It concerns to water problem, bathroom recovery, superintendents improving, and how to build student awareness into healthy environment. Students think that how a comfortable the dorm will if the dorm parties renovate some dorm facilities, such as changing the water drainage into the clean, clear and good functional water for sanitation, renovating bathroom facilities into comfortable bathrooms, and asking for superintendents performance. Besides that, other students also suggest to creating student awareness in keeping the dorm environment, especially for clean living. The things can be achieved if all parties take their own role to create a harmony of life in dorm. In addition, timely payment system will be affected to the improvement of dorm infrastructure in order to get convenience dorm for students. 

Movie Review of “Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast”

Have you ever seen a neverbeast, a big and scary monster with the green eyes and covered with white fur and black stripes? You will find this creature in a cheerful fantasy movie of “Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast”.

It is one of the Tinker Bell movie series that focus on a Tink’s friend, Fawn and a big monster, Gruff. The story started when there was a green comet felt to never land, in Pixie Hallow. It meant that there would be something happened to the Pixie Hallow. People in the Pixie Hallow noticed its existence. Of course, Fawn and Tink knew that. Fawn is as a fairy that describes as a curious, brave, lovable, smart, cheerful, and loves with animal kind, she can conquer the Gruff. However, sometimes, Fawn becomes a trouble maker that leads some trouble in the Pixie Hallow and makes Nyx as an ambitious fairy caretaker difficult to control Fawn’s act.

“One day, when she trained some rabbits near the forest, the rabbit suddenly ran to the bushes. What happened! They heard a roar of an animal from deep forest.  Fawn felt really curious about what kind of roar it was! She flew until deep of forest and tried to looking for clues. Then, she saw something, yup, that was some animal fur under the rock and some big footsteps. She decided to follow the footsteps. Luckily, the footsteps pointed her to a big cave. She was little bit confused to come to the cave. Bravely, she flew into the cave and saw a big animal was sleeping. There was a torn in its foot and Fawn tried to pull out the torn. Unfortunately, Gruff disturbed and noticed Fawn. Gruff got angry, roared hard sound, and hurled down Fawn out. This roar heard until the Pixie Hallow. Some of fairy caretakers in Pixie Hallow noticed the sound. Finally, Nyx informed to the queen Clarion and made sure if it was going to fine. Nyx and the other fairy caretaker investigated that sound came from. Nyx watched Fawn’s act every time.”

               A big monster which came in the middle of Pixie Hallow becomes the spotlight of the movie which released on 12 December 2014. A movie which is produced by Michael Wigart really got attention from all ages, especially for kids. It has a gorgeous and clear animation which is helped by the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The music is also suitable and unites with the plot. The movie is full of good messages, such as inquisitiveness, action, independence, humor, emotional intensity, and also teamwork. The new impression of this Tinker bell series is shown by Wigart by showing a good relationship between fairy and animal kind, especially a furry monster who only lived 900 years told us a proverb, remembers! “Do not judge the book by its cover”. You will see in that actually, Gruff can be a quite loveable.

               Life in the Pixie Hallow was very harmonious. All people were kind and helped each other to complete their necessity. It is very good to apply in our daily, isn’t it?  Since Gruff and Fawn being friend, Fawn helped Gruff to build 4 high towers that adjusted with four seasons in Pixie Hallow, summer, spring, autumn and summer even she did not know what the tower was for. It means that teamwork is important in aiming to a real goal. For the action is shown by the Fawn’s act who always wanted to domesticate Gruff, she found her own way without any fear to the big monster. Being friend with Gruff became the happiest that Fawn could do. They gathered, played, and helped each other to build the next tower. There will be the shocking moments when you see Tink who almost died because Gruff flapped his tail to Tink until she fainted. Then, when Fawn wanted to help Gruff to fight against the storm, finally she died. However, there was inquisitiveness that occurred from the Gruff that could make Fawn to be alive because Gruff transferred her absorbed storm energy in his body to Fawn. At that time, Gruff showed his love, affection, care, and loyalty to Fawn. The legend of neverbeast was solved by Gruff and Fawn’s help. Gruff should continue his hibernation for many years later. Last, Pixie Hallow lives in peace forever after.

          “Not to follow your head, but follow your heart”.

          “When friend must separate, and tears comes down”.

Wearing My Hijab

Today, you will see if there are many women who wear casual and fashionable hijab. I always think that women who wear hijab always look very beautiful. They try to get closer to Allah. My father and Mother never push me to wear that Hijab. Of course, I just wear hijab every Friday when all students should wear hijab too in my school. Since I was in the kindergarten until senior high school, I loved to keep my long hair because I saw that Rapunzel in one of the Disney princess characters had long hair and I wanted to be like her. I also preferred to wear skirt, sleeveless dresses,-t-shirt with navy blue jeans, and cardigans. I remembered that I often wore sleeveless dress with jeans everywhere but now, all things have changed. I tried and realized if I should wear my Hijab.

This story happened when I was in the third grade in senior high school. I never guessed if I wore my hijab now. I got some inspirations from people surrounded me especially one of my best friends, her name was Nurul Fadhilla. I called her Dilla. We were getting friends since we were in the junior high school. We met in an English course and until now, we still kept our relationship. She was one of college students in the biology department, in State University in Jakarta. We ever talked about the Hijab because both of us did not wear hijab yet. Finally, I forgot when she decided to wear hijab. I remembered that it was on her first grade in senior high school. She always looked beautiful with her hijab. I considered if I was one of her fan because she was a girl who had some dreams, inspiration, and very a creative girl. She was very smart, diligent and kind-hearted. I loved being her friend. Then, she never missed to share every good thing to me. How kind she was.

There was a simple thing that I caught from her. She says to me, “Meilinda, I know wearing hijab is big decision for a girl teen like us. There are many obstacles that we will get in doing our good decision. Of course, in this term we used to our thought and intent to be better one. I know Allah will always help us to be better mei. Wearing hijab will make us better even we intend that only for Allah and you will get thousand of blessings after you wear it. If you are not wear the hijab now, so when? Pray me if I always be your best friend. Please keep our communication wherever we are mei. Do not forget to share every your interesting and best stories to me’. Her words were very amazing.

Finally, I got Allah’s guidance to wear my hijab. When I failed in my SNMPTN test, I felt depressed because I failed to take my scholar as nutritionist in Institute Agricultural of Bogor (IPB). I felt that I could not make my parents proud of me. I did not know why I stared in the mirror. I took mom’s veil. Then, I started to wear it in my head. I looked something different in my face. I felt calm. One day, my mom and my younger sister asked me to go hangout in order to lose my stressed. We went hangout look for something. At that time, I wore my hijab and that became my first time to wear it. I started to feel comfortable with it even my mom looked surprised with my change.

I remembered what Dilla ever said to me about wearing hijab. If I did not wear my hijab today, so when I would wear it, and I realized this my turn. I learnt, learnt, and learnt to better for my commitment. Finally, I decided to wear my hijab until right now. Of course, this became the biggest challenge for me. Wearing hijab meant that you should makeup ourselves to be closer with Allah. We should change our bad attitude, how to speak, and keep our emotion. I knew it was little bit hard for me but if I tried, I did. Wearing hijab really gave some of big changes in my life. I tried to change my bad attitude, my lifestyle, my habit, and controlling my emotion.

For example, I could change how the way I dressed up. I decided to replace my short skirt and dress in my wardrobe. Then, my parents gave me money to buy some of long shirts and skirts, veils, and many more. They really supported me. I did not want to miss every single thing in my changes. Learn and learn is my goal. I learnt to always keep my pray time and did not forget to read the Al- Quran every day. By doing that, you would get calmness for your life. Stay focus to the right and positive things to increase my good points in myself.

How I controlled my emotion also became the hardest part. I have considered myself as a moody person. I eased getting bad mood when there was a bored or disappointing thing.  I wore hijab and I should be calm girl. It meant that I should control myself from a big anger. Anger leaded you into bad things. That was the point. I should manage myself more and more. Be friendly and stay in the stable emotion would be better.

Besides improving my good points, I should finish my studies and made some of achievement for giving pride to my beloved parents. I loved them very much. I believed that Allah always helped people who wanted to change to better. My father has supported me every time until I was here, in the Jenderal Soedirman University. I came here because of my parent pray. I would not suppose to be like now without them. Mom, Dad, I would be your best daughter someday. Pray me for these.

Furthermore, I could not explain how I felt happy today because I already got Allah’s guidance to wear the hijab. It became the best moment in my life that have changed me into a better one. I thanked for many people who always supported me and gave some inspiration in wearing my hijab. I will always learn into a better person. 

A Black Woman, My Inspiration, Oprah Winfrey

Today, people have their own an idol or inspired person who plays a significant role for their life. I also have my own inspired person who comes from a black-skinned woman. She is Oprah Winfrey. She is an actress and also an entrepreneur. Most people know about her now because she is very popular in the world by her own TV program, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”. She is Oprah Gail Winfrey who was born on 29^th January, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi, U.S. Her parents were broke up. When she was child, she grew up with her cruel grandmother in the ranch, she named Hattie Mae. However, when Oprah was six year olds, her mother decided to bring her to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Oprah lived with her mother, two step brothers and sister. She lived in the middle of poverty that was why her mother should go to work. This thing leaded to the uncaring situation to Oprah. Her mother missed her growth and made always went out from house. She had a difficult childhood. Unfortunately, she was mocked at school and got sexually abused at an early age from her 19-year-old cousin who was taking care of her at home. At that time, Oprah was 9 years old. Then, her baby was not saved. I learnt something from this case. Someday, if I were a mother, I wanted to care my children very well. Even though, I was a carrier woman. Her mother could not tolerate Oprah’s behavior, her mother sent Oprah to live with father and step mother when she 14 years old to Nashville. Living with strict and discipline father made Oprah promised herself if she wanted to change herself to be better. He also gave a full of affection, care, and love to Oprah. Oprah went to school until he could reach up to her college since she lived with her father. She felt really better. She got her confidence to struggle something until she has stood in the midst her victory without any pain now.

Since I was in the junior high school, I started to get to know more about Oprah’s life. I was very interested knowing her when my English teacher course told me about her. I often watch The Oprah Winfrey Show in order to improve my English skill, such as listening, reading, and pronunciation. I hear about what Oprah’s stories in the TV. Her TV show always focuses on issues of self-improvement, spirituality, education, humanity and self-help. Even though Oprah had a very terrible childhood, I thank if I am not in her position. From her case, I learn about an honesty is very important, especially with our parents. She also inspires me in the journalism side because Oprah very interested in journalism. In this forth semester, I choose journalism as my specific subject. She very inspires me that no matter the worst or best someone’s life background if we focus in our interest, someday we can achieve our goal. I learn about the way how she can communicate with her viewers well as professional host and speaker. Oprah also teaches me if we should be a helpful person. Try to be a generous person. I try to help others if someone needs my help. Toleration becomes the important role in the society.  You should not distinguish each other when you help someone. Be wise for this and people will love and care about you. She very motivates me in optimizing our self confidence, talent, and chance. Never underestimate someone from their life background because we will not who they will be.

The Importance of Library in Faculty of Cultural Studies

In this modern era, the existence of library still has a significant role for students whether at schools or universities. The function of library takes a big position as an important facilitator for students to support their studies, researches, getting further information, and also a good place to visit for refreshing and increasing their mind by adding knowledge with reading books. Library is known as public facilities which provide some information from reliable sources. Either schools or all universities in Indonesia have provided library for the students in order to support their studies. Commonly, every library has different facilities and quality, so this thing will be affected to the visitors. A good library will have a complete serial of books, latest and informative encyclopedias, and various reference books that can support student activities. Library facilities, atmosphere, and comfortable place will also attract students come to library.

A library Faculty of Cultural Studies, Jenderal Soedirman University has a sufficient library to support the student activities. It has contributed a significant impact for students. This library has varieties of books which are related with students’ necessities. There are approximately of 6000 copies books which consist with the different title and source, such as English-Indonesian dictionaries, Indonesia- English dictionaries, Indonesian dictionaries, poem anthologies, some English grammar books, literary books, varied of materials for the thesis, English encyclopedias, English or Indonesian magazines, newspapers, and many more. This library opens at 07:30 AM until 04:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Students can borrow the book only a week, if they forget return it, they will get charge Rp.300,00 per day. There are only 3 employees who manage all kinds of library affairs. They are the head of library, one librarian, and another serves library services.

The existence of the library must also be balanced with reading awareness at campus, especially for the students. It can create and strengthen the effectiveness and optimization of the learning process through the implementation of various service functions, such as counseling services, consulting, and learning. Library gives an important role for creating reading as habit for students. Library is called as a bridge which has an important contribution for opening wide access of information, as well as providing accurate data for the process of making reference sources for thesis, assignment, research, and others. Those can only get by reading. Therefore, in this modern the habitual reading should be enhanced among of students.

The Effectiveness of Library Function in Faculty of Cultural Studies

As a reliable facilitator which delivers trusted news and information, there are many things that people can evaluate the function of library at campus. It can be seen from how big the interest of students reading at the library, facilities and services are available in the library, the atmosphere of library, the collection of books in the library, and the hospitality of librarian. Today, the interest of reading at campus quite reduces. It can be seen from the quite atmosphere in the library every day. There are not many students in the library in their spare time.

Tuesday on 21^st April 2015, Mr. Ariyanto as a librarian said, “Generally, students who come to library tend to borrow books for the task, look for sources for thesis, studying, playing laptop, and reading books. There are at least 100 students who visit the library every day. However, it is not included with students who do not note their presence in the attendance book, so the librarian cannot accurately record all the visitors.”

Here is the data of visitors in Library Faculty of Cultural Studies from 2012 to 2014 which base on the library record.

Thus, the increasing effectiveness of library must be controlled with several things that can build student interest in reading. First, adding the library facilities, such as internet network or wifi, larger room, additional chairs, and computers. Second, the number of employees in library Faculty of Cultural Studies should be increased because three employees are not enough to manage the campus library affiars. Third, the adequate book collection is also the most important component for the library. Library should provide kinds of newest book collection to attract students. Forth, library must create a comfortable and quiet atmosphere, you know that library tends to have a quiet atmosphere and as a good place for reading. In addition, Mr. Ariyanto said that the library in this faculty should have system of computerization which makes students have a special identity card for entering the library. So, they should not write their presences on the attendance book. If these things can be actualized, of course it can increase the student interest in reading books at library.

The Incredible Moment Trip to Ayah Beach

This was my favorite trip since I lived in Purwokerto, a small city with thousand of memories. I met with lots of friends who came from different cities. They were very friendly, interesting, kind, and humorist. We often went to hangout, played, and travelled together to explore kinds of tourism objects and natural places in Purwokerto. I felt very happy met and travelled with them. Someday, one of my friends had an idea to plan about our first semester holiday. He thought that we had to make a fascinating holiday in this semester. We should try to explore other natural places, except Purwokerto. Finally, he suggested us to go to one of beautiful beaches in Kebumen. It was Ayah beach which was one of good places to visit. I never went there before. I agreed with this plan and my friend did. After we finished our middle examination, we planned when we would go there. It was on January 21^st, 2014. My friends and I took motorcycle to go there. However, this was my first time that I had a long trip by riding motorcycle. I quite worried with this, but others tried to convince me if it was going to be okay.

I felt really excited with tomorrow’s trip. I could not sleep well at that night. Then, I decided to prepare all things that I should bring for tomorrow. The next day, we gathered in front of my boarding house to wait for others. There were around ten people who would go there, including me. We had prepared anything. I thought that it was better for us to get a breakfast because we would take long times journey. It took around two hours to get there.  After that, we could start our journey. I felt very happy. Luckily, the sun shone bright at that time. I could also enjoy the view along the road. It looked really different because in Jakarta, I never got this view. I could see the beautiful carpet of rice fields, small rivers which flow with clear and clean water, and the rows of pine forests. I did not find any traffic jam here.

Unfortunately, four of us left behind and finally we got lost. We forgot about the direction to there. Some of them went to Ayah beach and others got lost in around Jatijajar cave. My friends and I were panic because we separated with others. I asked a villager directly to get to know about the direction went to Ayah beach. A forty year old man tried to explain the direction to go ayah beach carefully. After that, we thanked to him and started to continue our trip again. I called my friend to wait in one place that near from Jatijajar area. Thirty minutes later, we met in that road. Then, we continued our trip. One hour left, we arrived at Ayah beach.

There were no any visitors in the beach. Perhaps, it was not holiday time. I only saw some fisherman, kids were playing in the sand, and us in the beach. I enjoyed the view.  The beach had beautiful sight. The spreading of sands, clean water, and fresh atmosphere made me felt free. My friends and I were sitting in the seashore to enjoy the view and others were swimming and making a sand castle. We played and enjoyed as if we still were kids anymore. I saw there was a mountainous which stood surrounded the beach which is fulfilled with lots of plants. The coconut tree as if said hello to us. The wind blew smoothly and whispered in my ears. The waves run to us as if it wanted to catch us. The sun made us forgot from its heat. I saw the seashell spread along the seashore. I decided to take some and brought it home. I thanked for everything I have seen today. How great a God’s creation is. I could not explain in any words. Day turned to noon, we had to come back. I felt, I was doubt to leave this beach which had a wonderful panorama.

For the second time, I felt very worry. I told others how about we stayed in hotel near the beach for a night. I was afraid if it would dangerous had a journey at night. They did not agree. Suddenly, I had a good idea. I decided to stay a night in my grandma’s house which was not too far from Ayah beach. Then, they agreed with my idea. I phoned my grandma to ask the permission. She said that it was okay, but you had to be careful along the journey because there were some many big trucks at roads. We went to my grandma’s house. After several minutes, we arrived. Also, my grandma was very happy when my friends and I came. I did too because I could see their condition if they were fine. Then, my grandma asked to cook the instant noodle because there was no any food left. I cooked for them. After we finished our meal, we shared about our last moment. We talked until late night and few others slept because of tired.

The next day, we had to go back to Purwokerto. I took a bath, and prepared things that I brought. I tried to wake up others because they were still sleeping. I talked to my grandma if my friends and I should back soon. After all finished, we continued our trip to Purwokerto. I could not explain anything, except I felt very happy, even I also felt tired. The togetherness made me happy having friends liked them. I thought that we had to make the next fascinating journey somehow. This was my favorite journey which I ever had.

Take Me to the Future

Time goes so fast.

Day turns to night.

Memories change, even life goes on.

People change, my childhood disappeared.

Children laugh, play, and smile.

Freedom sets them free.

Daddy, could you tell me if I could still be your little daughter?

Tell me that the maturity is not a cruel thing.

Mom, could you tell me the way of a girl should be you?

A strong woman with tons of affections.

Fear wraps me, worry haunts me.

Growing up..

It seems like things will never feel like before.

I see something, future.

It hurts, people are busy.

Forget about us, and will they realize?

Time, memories, togetherness, and happiness

Feels like I am in blue.

Daddy, will I have a man who protect me like you?

I get falling in love with.

Will he hurts me, please tell me if it will not.

Be thankful for the right one.

Carves the fear, dreams of perfection

Do more what makes you believe.

Stay positive, learn from yesterday.

Future will take you.