Remembering Willy Buntaran and Arief Kusnanto

About a week before Willy Buntaran and Arief Kusnanto disappeared on Mount Putri, Willy and I climbed Mount Pangrango. The two of us climbed from the Micro-wave tower, Saturday afternoon. We had previously climbed this mountain with Karno, Marulam, Eddy Anggoro, and many other friends who climbed the mountain together. The first mountain climb was to Mount Salak. Then with Mapala-UI to Mount Gede.
Then with Frans, Farida and Budi to Kadang Badak.
And now we want to try climbing together, Arief and I. On one Saturday, both of us took a bus to the peak of Gunung Gede through Puncak Pas, Micro-wave tower. Climbing slowly and steadily upwards. The plan was to reach Kandang Badak if possible, because we didn't bring a tent. We also didn't bring a stove and kerosene or gas. Really amateur crazy reckless, only bringing dry food. Because it was raining and we were tired, we slept on the back of the road. On the footpath. We chose a slightly sloping ground with an angle of about 30 to 45 degrees, to prevent submerged in water. We slept wearing only jackets and raincoats. I still remember chatting with Willy before going to bed. About everything beautiful. Future plans.
" How your school in YARSI, Arief?"
" I try to enter FKUI again next year", Arief said
If I think about it now, it was really dangerous, because snakes, scorpions could kill us. Nekat! Was I afraid? it might be not, I was young and strong.. Early in the morning, we woke up, had breakfast with the supplies we brought, then continued to go up again until we reached Kandang Batu, then to Kandang Badak, then turned right to Mandalawangi Square (alun-alun), Mount Pangrango. The most beautiful place in the world!

Climbing fast so I can see the sun up there. Finally arriving at Mandalawangi Square it was already too late. The sun was already high above, although it had not reached its highest nadir. Take an Edelweiss flower, as a sign of "pride" that I had reached the top. Pray quickly praising the greatness of God, and be grateful to be able to see His greatness. Because I had to go down and should arrive at Microwave-tower before dusk. With this experience, I really needed to buy a good backpack for camping supplies. I bought a backpack at the Senen market, A big and strong backpack. The seller said it belonged to the TNI. A few days later Arief came to the house. Arief said :
"I want to climb Mount Gede - Pangrango this Saturday with Willy. The plan is to climb from Situ Gintung."
Then I offered to Arief,
"I just bought a good backpack,  Arief. You need to bring it, so that it's easier to climb."

 

Later, all friends heard from Willy's sister and from Toni Sutono, Arief's cousin,
that they had not returned home. Help came from everywhere. Mapala-UI mountain climber search team: with coordinator Henry Walandouw (Nani's husband) and Rudy Badil, Mapala UI had just lost one of its founders Soe Hok Gie and Idhan (Dhanvantari Lubis, my classmate at Kanisius). And Wanadri-ITB Bandung. The search center was in Situ Gintung. Consumption and accommodation were provided by the Buntaran family and the Kusnanto family. All searched, explored to Mount Putri, voluntarily, selflessly...
Stay overnight in Cibodas, in a resident's goat pen (thanks mas Gito)

Farewell Willy and Arief, we remember you both.
Remembering your spirit to overcome your weaknesses, by climbing mountains!

 

petrus

Blood Donation

                                   Blood donation 110th, 06 Sept 2024

I promised myself, if GOD gives me health, then I will donate blood.
I asked GOD to extend my life by 5 years. I calculated that I donate 4 times a year, 

so I can donate blood 20 times. Without realizing it, 5 years have passed.
I am grateful and continue to donate blood 3 times a year 4 times.
Then I had to postponed for one year because I went to a malaria area in 2008.

Thankfully during this one year waiting time, 

Blood Canada needed my AB, Rh+ blood for research.

I could not make a plasma donation.
The first time,i donated plasma,  I felt itchy and numb around my lips.
It helped after I got Cacium lozenges. 

The second plasma donation, my whole body was shaking.

Finally the nurse said that I could not donate plasma anymore.

Covid arrived
I got ADRS at Diamond Princess in February 2020. 

Praise the Lord I was treated at Yokohama hospital, Japan.
After that I assumed, I couldn't donate blood.
Then I started to donate blood again after seeing a poster "Blood Canada needed you"
In August 2021 I started donating again with trying to do it more often.
I am grateful that I can donate five times a year.

First time blood donation
 I donated blood for the first time as a student of FKUI.
Because all prospective students are required to donate blood.

The most memorable was when I donated blood for the second time.
My niece Shinta was seriously ill and needed a transfusion. I gave my blood to her.
Not just my blood, but my heart, mind and everything... and she was cured!

Then I routinely donated blood to PMI in Kramat Raya, Jakarta.

Moving to Manado 1983-1988, I continued to donate. Only the request was not much:

"We will call if your blood is needed."

Getting healthier by donating blood

Until now, I feel healthy and fit. 

Blood donation plays a lot of roles in making the body healthy. 

Blood cells have a 120-day cycle. 

Therefore, the body accelerates the production of new blood, 

with the donation 

Learn more

Ompung-Manis own all this

Tuesday, March 30, 2021 GOD is the owner of my life
I have been lifted from the valley of death by the mighty hand of GOD.

Farida and I, along with 4 Canadian friends, went on the Diamond Princess cruise: 20 Jan to 4 Feb 2020. However, 04 Feb, we couldn't leave the cruise when we arrived in Yokohama; because we had to be quarantined. On February 7, 2020, I started to get sick. Luckily Farida didn't. I coughed, first a runny nose, then a dry cough; no appetite, vomited once, wanted to sleep all the time, headache and body heat. When the heat reached 39.5 Celsius, which could not be reduced with anti-heat medication, I was finally treated at Yokohama Hospital. From 11 Feb to 6 March, with a diagnosis: ARDS, Covid-19 pneumonia.

12 February breathing became increasingly difficult, and the team of doctors recommended that I be put on a ventilator. I refused, because I remembered my father who, after being put on a ventilator, couldn't talk until he died. But the children and wife continued to recommend,

“Now there have been many advances in medicine. Just follow the doctor's opinion...",
Finally, on February 13, I agreed, and on February 14, the ventilator was installed.

In the ventilator, I felt like I was in a very hot room. At the tip of the foot you can see bright red and yellow flames. I'm afraid of death. I call the LORD Jesus.
“Jesus come, Jesus come.”
I screamed even though no sound actually came out. 
"Come Jesus, let me hold Your robe, and I will be healed."
"Where's your promise, where? Where? “
“YOU said, ask, knock, and you will receive.”
" Where is YOUR promise?"

"But I don't want to be taken home, I still want to see my grandchildren grow up."

Then there was bargaining with the angel of GOD. Then my life history was rewinded. All my ugliness and sins were shown. Negligent, stingy, arrogant. Suddenly a voice was heard "I own all this!"

I cried, regretted and repented. "Jesus, heal me..." That was my request many times while crying. Then I didn't remember anything, and I faintly heard Doctor Kawai's voice. Apparently it was February 20, the ventilator was removed, and I was moved to a regular ICU room. "I want to remove all the pipes, IV lines, is that okay?" asked Doctor Kawai.
I can't say anything, because actually I'm scared, my body is very weak, my hands can only move a liitle. What if this tool is removed? From the window, Farida was seen nodding her head: "Just agree, just follow the doctor's orders." Yes, what else do I want, I nodded my head, and all the tubes were removed, even the special IV tube for inserting medicine and taking blood samples was removed too. A few minutes later this special hose was reinstalled. Since then I have gotten better. Practice sitting, walking a little guided, then walking alone with an IV pole. The doctor gave me a plan to leave the hospital,
"When things get better, you will be moved to a regular room. Then if everything is fine and the PCR results are negative twice, you can leave the hospital."

I asked: "When can I leave the ICU?", the doctor didn't answer, then left. Only the nurse answered: "When everything gets better," but there was no definite time.
I don't want to die, and I don't want to be disabled. I immediately, as best I could, continued to practice with enthusiasm. If I'm not sleepy I'll walk, try a little, only 10 minutes, 3 times a day, and up to 3 x 30 a day. I can urinate with a bottle and when I defecate I have to get out of bed, only with the help of a nurse. This is when I feel hopeless and useless. Luckily the nurse was very kind, until she was asked what her hobby was. "Sing." Then nurse Izume asked me to sing along: "I just called to say I love you." Stevie Wonder.

In the Ventilator room: 14-20 Feb. Then ICU room 20-26 Feb. Next in a regular room 26 Feb--6 March. On March 6, I left the hospital and went to the hotel to meet Farida again. I could slowly walk to the shops around the hotel. Thank goodness we got plane tickets so quickly. In two days, March 8, 2020, we flew back to Ottawa. And get the additional bonus of upgrading to Business Class

From my wife's notes, it turns out that I actually died on February 17th.
15 Feb: Petrus was in bad condition
16 Feb P was worse
17 Feb P there is no hope..
18 Feb… eh my condition is improving, there is eye movement. 19 February the general situation is getting better. Labs are improving, and extubation is planned for Feb. 20, if everything continues to improve.  
Praise the Lord ! Luckily Farida didn't get Covid, so she was able to help me who was sick, confused and delirium.

Farida could stay overnight in the same hospital, with special exceptions. Previously Japan hospitals were only for sick people. Farida was given a room at this hospital from 14 February to 1 March. Then she moved to the hotel March 1.
I am very grateful for the help, attention and prayers of all friends and relatives, especially my wife and children, who have tried to knock on the door of God's heart. I received prayers, fasting, and Holy Mass. Those who pray for me are not only Catholic friends, but also Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and non-religious friends.

Arrived in Ottawa at 1 am, early morning 9 March 2020. 16 March Farida invited me to walk to the park near the house. I could walk for 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, then 30 minutes until I could walk for an hour. And so on, then I tried to walk 1 hour every day, five times a week.

I practice breathing with DB-R tai chi, and Ping Shuai Gong for 30 minutes, plus one hour of meditation every day. I made a lot of progress. Grateful, once again grateful, to be able to meet and play with the grandchildren. With them, I could jog around. Only the throat dries quickly, and still gets tired quickly.
All this happened because of the blessing and help of Almighty GOD. That pulled me from the valley of death. GOD gave me the opportunity to live again with a plan, which I didn't know. What I know was and is that GOD asked me to invite other people to come to HIM to enjoy the same blessings that I experienced. Amen.

Go-i dan Rosa to Ottawa, Oct 2021

 SFO- Etobicoke

Toronto

Niagara Falls

Ottawa

Montreal

Quebec City

Montreal to SFO

Austin - Ottawa, 21 August - 01 Sept 2024

August 04 - 07:
Ottawa - Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh - Nashville
Nashville - Texarkana
Texarkana - Austin

August 07 -21, in Manor, Austin
Set Internet
Safe Haven 
Meet Noni - Gabe and tante Sylvia

Painting garage

Meet David in College Station on August 15
Lily stay with us 
Alex came to Manor

August 21 - Sept 01, 2024
Austin - Lake Charles, LA Lousiana
Montgomery, AL Alabama
Charlotte, NC North Carolina
talking with Danny
Charleston, WV West Virginia
Pittsburgh, PA Pennsylvania
Niagara Falls, ON Ontario
Toronto, ON
Ottawa, ON
Quebec City, QC
Montreal, QC

Diamond Princess, the 2nd time

Diamond Princess Cruise: San Diego - Yokohama , 12 Feb - 10 Mar 2023

We went with Diamond Princess again. The first time: 20 Jan - 4 Feb 2020... but until 06 March 2020 through Yokohama Hospital safely. 
With this special cruising. The only Diamond Cruise crossed the Pacific Ocean, for repositioning to its regular Japan route.

Cruise 26 days, plus Pre Cruise in San Diego: 2 days dan Post Cruise in Kyoto 3 days, Nagoya 2 days

Hawaii: Oahu, Maui cancel, Kauai
Guam : Guam, Saipan cancel
Kobe:
Toba:
Yokohama:
Tiba kembali di Yokohama, 10 March 2023. Nostalgia dan bersyukur 🙏🏽

Kyoto: Nojo
Nara: walking from top through Todaiji to the Nara train-station
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kinkaku-ji : Golden Temple
Fushimi Inari-taisha : Red-Temple


Nagoya: Meeting Romo Priyo Susanto MSC and Romo Kiky Kuntag MSC
in Nabana no Sato, 

Catatan post Covid 2020- 2021