Extreme Charity

Today is supposed to be my turn to present a speech. I participated in a race to complete all of the project within the Toastmasters communication manual. But, because I basically tend to procrastinate, no surprise there that I would be preparing my materials on the last minute.

I remember a couple of projects at the end of the communication manual was pretty easy to do. So, I thought, "Arghh... Alright I'll give it  ago." I notified my VP of Education that I'll try to make up something but I can't promise anything (so she won't expect much). I tried to thought of a topic that was something I know very well of and very passionate about. I know I've always been good about giving, doing charity, and actually has a couple of good experience regarding that, so I chose the topic "extreme charity". Afterwards I chose a project that will suit my topic - which I had decided on "persuade with power". To be honest, I thought it was a difficult project to do, but looks like I nailed it!

WHAT IS EXTREME CHARITY?
It's an odd name, isn't it? I translated it directly from the phrase "sedekah ekstrim" in Bahasa Indonesia, which literally is "extreme charity". So, extreme charity is an act of charity where you give up a large sum of your wealth which the amount would make you feel very nervous and worried about giving it away.

Some of the famous people who give away a large chunk of their wealth to charity, who is also known as philantrophists, includes Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Warren Buffet. From the sirah nabawiyah, we know the famous story of Abu Bakar who donated all of his wealth for the development of Islam.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRY EXTREME CHARITY?
1. It will give you sense of happiness and make you feel richer
2. No one has ever become poor from giving
3. Empowering our those in need
3. God's math is not 1+1=2

Because I'm Proud of My Identity

Blog ini memang dari awal sengaja ingin dibuat dwi bahasa, suka-suka penulisnya lagi kepingin pakai bahasa apa :). Dan kali ini sepertinya lebih mudah mengutarakan cerita ini dengan bahasa Indonesia. So, here we go...

Identitasku sebagai seorang Muslim selalu aku bawa kemana-kemana. Orang akan mudah mengenali bahwa aku adalah seorang wanita Muslim. Ya, jilbabku yang selalu dengan indahnya menutupi auratku sejak kelas 1 SMA.

Akhir-akhir ini fenomena Islamophobia semakin menjadi-jadi di Australia. Mulai dari reaksi terhadap Lindt Cafe siege dan kemudian insiden penembakan di Parramatta. Selalu ada rasa was-was di hatiku setiap kali berjalan di area publik di suburb yang mayoritas penduduknya adalah non-Muslim karena tidak jarang juga Muslim (terutama wanita) mengalami tindakan rasis. Alhamdulillah, aku beruntung bekerja di perusahaan yang menjunjung tinggi perbedaan dan memiliki kolega yang memperlakukan aku sama seperti yang lain.

Hari Jumat lalu adalah salah suatu hari dimana aku sangat bangga pada diriku, terutama sebagai seorang Muslim. Manajerku mempersembahkan sebuah penghargaan bagiku di dalam pertemuan business update di kantor di hadapan orang banyak yang mayoritas non-Muslim. Saat itu adalah saat dimana akhirnya aku bisa menunjukkan ke khalayak ramai bahwa orang Islam juga bisa berprestasi. Dan aku tidak perlu banyak bercuap-cuap, cukup aksiku saja yang membuktikannya. Because action is louder than words. 

Penghargaan itu aku dapatkan untuk kontribusiku selama hampir satu tahun terakhir. I've been juggling between three things: BAU, adhocs, and volunteering, and never dropping the ball (based on managers' testimonial). Sejujurnya aku merasa kerjaku kurang optimal dibandingkan tahun lalu, tetapi alhamdulillah for everything. Setidaknya aku dihargai lebih dari sekedar gaji. I love my job.