JBR Bali - Java Part 6
Exams and Graduation
Well the exhilarating weekend is over, after the delights of the excursion, Sunday was full of study, study, study for there was a 1 hour 'quiz' to be completed on Monday morning. It was a combination of many parts, listening, comprehension, completing sentences and a multiple answer section. The hour passed very quickly and with some apprehension I handed in the answer sheet to Casper Kundak (Guru & co-ordinator) who had set the exam. To all three of us (Pete, Viv and Me) Casper remarked, after a brief look at them, 'It looks like you are all around the mid 40'mark'. My god, I thought, 'That's a fail' but quickly woke up to the fact that the marks were out of 50 and therefore, it became a good pass. Close shave that one.
The next, and final for me, exam was on the last Friday 18th January. Fortunately we had ample time for revision and just before the test, an hour of revising with Casper from a previous test paper. Also I had enlisted the help of Septi and Yusuf at Quality Wahid from time to time. They kindly threw questions at me from left and right field, checked my comprehension, checked word knowledge and generally helped me revise the lecture subjects. Thanks guys you were brilliant.
Friday morning dawned, the exam was at eleven just after morning tea. All levels would take their respective tests with the marks accumulating towards their final score a further 2 weeks away. (Vivian had 4 weeks left) For me it was make or break, one final chance to get a good pass.
The exam sheets were handed out by Kris, another lecturer but for one of the other levels, not we three level 2 students. It was 2 hour test and Kris explained how we had to proceed - written work very similar to the test last Monday including multiple answers, more comprehension and knowledge of sentence structure. I addition we had to speak in Indonesian on 3 out of 5 subjects for 15 minutes. Now 15 minutes doesn't seem long in the scheme of things however, when you are faced with it, it seems a dam long time.
Half way through the paper I thought I'd finished, sat back, relaxed, and breathed a sigh of relief. After 10 more minutes I was randomly thumbing my way through my answers and to my horror found 2 pages of unanswered questions, the pages had somehow got stuck together and I'd missed it. Not panic stricken but, with due haste I started to correct my mistake. I was lucky because the questions were good and I knew most of the answers. I just scrambled through when Kris said, 'Clive it's time for your oral work.'
I can't remember all the 5 themes however, I selected 'Compare your home town to Salatiga', 'How does your family spend Christmas day' and 'Describe your experience in Yogykarta'. I'm not too sure how I got through those items but I certainly spent more of my allotted minutes on the 'Comparison' subject followed by 'Christmas' with Yogy coming in last - 3 minutes I think.
After my earlier error I came out of the exam feeling a little worried. Both Pete and Vivian echoed my thoughts, they had the same feeling. I was to find out how I fared that afternoon at my 'Graduation' ceremony however, I think the others had to wait until Monday for their result.
We all gathered on the verandah (Serambi) in front of LTC building no 2. On the floor there were many mats, carpets, food galore adorned the coverings. With backs to the wall I could see an Iman and 4 elders. We, the students, Friends of PIBBI and admin were in attendance. Javanese hats had been given to the students including me and they were to be worn. Everybody was madly taking photos. Finally the Iman began to explain the meal in much the same way as the Iman at the evening meal in Tanjung a week earlier. The cones of rice, the eggs, the way fruit was laid had a special meaning. One of the lecturers interpreted as he went through the routine.
The final explanation involved me and young Robyn because the oldest person being fed had to ceremoniously break the cone and serve the youngest person with their food. Thus it was, that I being the oldest had to serve Robyn, being the youngest present, her meal Looking back I don't think I was overly generous however, being a buffet she could always come back for more.
Soon after we had eaten, I spied the figure of Prof Daniel Daud Kameo SE. MA Ph.D. coming up the path. It was nearly time for my 'Graduation'. Frances Sinanu, who I might add is a beautiful, beautiful lady, opened the proceedings with a short speech and I was not at all surprised when she called on me to respond....................in Indonesian.
Summing up all my knowledge I slowly made my response, thanking all and sundry, praising the structure and administration of the course and, naturally, promising to return one day. That was not a hollow promise for I certainly will get back to Satya Wacana some time down the track. Additionally, I promised to be an ambassador for the PIBBI, another promise I will keep, part of which I am now doing by writing this report.
My speech was over and now I was to find out if all my efforts had been worth it. This was the Graduation moment. Prof Kameo came forward and responded. He asked me to keep my ambassadorial promise, I affirmed that I would. Prof Daniel also explained that prior to the 2 terrorist bombs and subsequent travel warnings the course had stalled. In the past they had up 150 students attend the PIBBI courses. This course had only 18 participatants - a massive reduction in numbers.
My very good PIBBI friend Yunias (Nias) Monica came forward, gave Prof Daniel my Batik Graduation scarfe which he draped round my neck, She gave Prof Daniel a blue folder, Clive has participated well Prof Daniel said, he has performed well in all facets of the course and I have pleasure in telling you that he has 'PASSED' the course with 'Distinction.' Boy was I pleased, yes it had all been worth it. Much merriment, had shakes all round, the odd kiss yes it was a really good day and it hadn't even rained as it usually did each day. At about that time
As I looked at the explanation certificate I saw my individual marks,
Class participation 32.80 out of 40
Class and homework 19.38 do 25
Test 1 8.30 do 10
Test 2 18.83 do 25
79.31 100
Yes I was well pleased.
As I said my farewells I gave each of the course administrators, and friends of PIBBI an Australian theme T Shirt and a small clip on Koala, to students from Singapore, a similar but larger Koala and a packet of clip on Koalas with Aussie flags to the other students who had organised an Australia Day function which sadly I would not be able to attend. I was told they would become 'Drop Bears' on Aussie day.
The 2 week course cost was AUD$1290 inc home stay. As I had opted out of that facility a refund of AUD$112.5 was due. If you are interested in participating have a look at (Web site not alloed by admin, what a shame) where you will get a vast amount of info on all facets of the course.
Back at the Quality Wahid Hotel I finished packing ready for the short flight back to Bali next day and 2 days of R & R. No more perkerjaan rumah (Homework), no more prep for lectures, no more up at 5.30 each morning and yes, a few more Bintangs than I had enjoyed in the previous 2 weeks. Before I left the hotel I went and said good bye to an old 'Ibu'who used to beg in the Jalan beside the hotel and whom I had 'adopted' during my stay, explained that I was leaving and left her with my final donation. Goodbyes to Septi and Yusuf, Jenny at reception and I was off. My 13 nights in Quality Wahid, a 4 star hotel came to less than AUD$500 what a bargain!!
I checked in at Patra Bali and found that I had been upgraded to a deluxe suite by a former Balihai employee, a real bonus. At the beach the crew of traders recognised me from the distance. One of them, Nyoman used to call me 'Hooligan' when we visited in August and her voice was loud and clear as she yelled 'look hooligans back', peals of laughter and a long chat.
Later I got to the spa, I had the RP100,000 foot, back and face massage from Ketut, dashed off to Supanova to get Sam and Louise a further supply of Martha Tillar products. Meg and Louise had also asked me, if I had time, to go to Seminyak and 'Joy' jewellery. This I did having first obtained 'Precise' instructions regarding what to buy. AUD$350 later I emerged with 7 pieces which I must say, as jewellery goes, looked pretty nice. Now I've got to get the money back!!! Incidentally, if you do go there to buy goods remember that there is no EFTPOS, all cash. OMG was my wallet bulging!!.
Not long after being back in Bali one of the beach traders a remarked about the Javanese, 'were you careful', 'did you have any trouble,' 'Orang Java tidak baik' (Not good people). As I said to that person and I now say to you, 'What a lot of bulls..t. on the contrary Orang Java Baik sekali - Very good people, Ramah - Friendly, Orang senang - happy and yes, very very trustworthy. No matter where I went in Java I was always greeted with smiles, was treated well and very much enjoyed being there - Orang java sangat baik - Very good people. The myth is laid to rest!!!
A couple of visits to Cyber Café where I ran into Wybe (DB), Billys esky but nobody from the forum was there. A short walk to Sammy & Susies for a chat with 'Smudge' Lots of rest, another massage and my 2 days were over. Late flight with Garuda back to Melbourne and another epic trip to Indonesia was over.
Clive Matthews
Photos can be viewed at (not allowed by admin sorry)
Clive M