On leaving UI

4 August 2007
It came so suddenly. I was really surprised. I did not imagine that my prayers are always answered very quickly.
It began with reading a small advertisement in a newspaper. Being idle at that time, I decided to send an application. To my surprise, they contacted me. The interview went very well, so did the test. Within two weeks, they called me again offering something difficult to resist. They did not bargain for the salary, nor did they withhold me from working somewhere else outside the office hours. For the first time, I get an offer of a permanent officer, as long as they are happy and I am happy, they will continuously employ me. So smart are these people at the Embassy. After asking the opinion of many people, I eventually succumbed to the generous offer.
However, actually for the very first time, I don’t feel relief leaving a job. But as probably I have decided earlier, it’s time to say good bye to the English Department. Oh, how I will miss my students and colleagues in Depok! I really enjoyed working for the Department and I recommend everyone, especially my students who are thinking about their future career aspirations, to consider joining the university. It’s been truly a privilege to have worked at UI and to know the best brains in the country. However, at this stage, I still want to explore something new and I do hope that my time at the Australian Embassy will be time of exploration– to really see whether I can someday work at a larger scale and accomplish what I have been dreaming of since I was a child.
Earlier today, I attended a career counseling class at Perkantas National Headquarters. I was so touched to hear the life story of Abraham Lincoln, that pious sixteenth President of the Land of the Free, told by the speaker. Do you know that Lincoln got bankrupt more than twice and failed to win the election more than four times? But he did not quit at times of crises. God prepared him actually to face the greatest crisis in the history of the United States, when slavery was abolished and the civil war threatened the unity of the nation. And he came as a champion. He put an end to slavery and reconciled the nation. If you have read his second inauguration address to the people of America, you will certainly be moved, "With malice towards none…." This is one amazing person. After so many years of war and hatred, he has malice towards none and he has no bitterness after all the failures that he has faced in life.
I am much better from Abe Lincoln at this stage actually, because when he was 26 he had been bankrupt so that he had to pay his debts in the next 17 years of his life and he had failed to attend a law school. I have not done that. I have no debt and I have completed a master’s degree. Let’s just hope that I can stay better than Lincoln in the years ahead :).
Returning to the main topic, I have promised not to return to Depok unless I have a doctorate at hand. Nevertheless, it does not mean that I will leave UI for good. I am still going to be around Salemba and PPB. So, it’s a fond farewell for Depok and a rather unprecedented welcome to Kuningan. Good bye Depok! So long my students and colleagues! Hope our paths cross again somewhere, someday.
Another door opens itself before me, and another one closes behind me. "When the Lord closes a door, let no man open it, and when He opens a door, let no man close it." With this in mind, I will move on.