Islamic Book Fair 2013

Last night was the closing ceremony of Islamic Book Fair 2013, the most prestigious book exhibition in Jakarta I thought, if we cannot say in Indonesia or even in South East Asian. The book fair was so popular that many large buses came from all over the surrounding areas of Jakarta, from the very first opening day until the last day, bringing so many people, both old and young, including primary schools students and tiny kindergarten kids. What a fantastic view! This was one of the differences between Islamic Book Fair and the other book exhibitions held in Jakarta.

Another Islamic Book Fair’s greatness was the visiting of foreign publishing houses` representatives. I remember in the opening day I saw a bunch of foreigners. They were sightseeing between a publishing house’s stand to another, speaking a strange language which I presumed Turkish and dragging some luggage. On the last day I visited the book fair, I saw a couple of men looked like Indians, one of them was very tall, still dragging big luggage, which later I found out that they were Malaysians.

I also remember when eleven Malay people from one of Malaysian book publishers came and visited our publishing house in the third or fourth day of the Islamic Book Fair. They came intentionally to our headquarter after their visit to our stand during the book fair. They seemed curious of what makes Indonesian world of books so lively and high-graded, especially after they had seen the Islamic books phenomenon here with their very own eyes.

Not only adults like me, small children and young students showed the same enthusiasm in searching and buying books through this wonderful exhibition. I still clearly remember how a pack of primary students crowded a publishing house’s stand and bought many Arabic books, of course with their giggles and cheerful chats. Can you imagine what did it like to be among them in a long queue? Nevertheless,  I was happy to see their passion in books, but I wondered if they could even read them.

In my first visit during the opening ceremony, I bought "The Choice" witten by Ahmad Deedat (the original English version) at IDR 62,000. Very very very cheap for such a valuable book. It was truly a bargain.

This 12^th Islamic Book Fair was definitely crowded with people. Especially in the last three days of exhibition. It was really a tiring journey through the ocean of book lovers, but it was indeed worth doing. However, I hope they hold the book fair better next year, especially in managing the praying and ablution areas.

 

 

The Right Person Is..??

 

 If true love is so important to everyone,
then why is that we have so many issues on finding it?
I know, we fear rejection, want attention,
crave affection, and dream of perfection..
But in the end, Life is what happens,
when you’re so busy making other plans…

True love is not easy, they’re hard work. It’s about compromise, growing together, etc, etc. But if it’s the right person, then it’s easy. Looking at that girl and knowing she’s all you really want out of life, that should be the easiest thing in the world, right?

I know the odds are, the love of my life isn’t gonna magically walk through that door. I’m the only one with the power to change my life. I’m the only one who can attract a woman to me. I cannot stand by idly waiting for a woman to come along and sweep me off my feet. It’s not her job to do so.

But, how do we know about “the right person”? Because, as far as I concerned, It’s not always easy to see someone’s true colors. Sometimes, we must look beneath the feminine spell to find that fragile ego. Ignore the sparkle of the jewel, bring the truth out of the shadows, to see the real beauty of her smile..

Besides that, true love doesn’t happen right away, it’s an ever-growing process. It’s like Engineering, It has phase for “developing”. There is Issued for Internal Review, Issued for Approval, Issued for Design, and Issued for Construction..

The Real Truths..

You see, we shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. On the other hand, if someone wants to be a part of your life, they’ll also make an effort to be in it. It’s just stupid to insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth, because if they know your worth, they will create a space for you.

But, somehow, I don’t know what a privilege it is to grow old with someone, who doesn’t drive me “insane”, or doesn’t humiliate me beyond repair. But, the thing is, it’s about two people being true to each other, even when they are separated in distance. I mean, remaining faithful is never an option, but a priority. Loyalty is everything.