Assalamualaikum Beijing: Book Review (a minor spoiler alert)

Beberapa waktu lalu, saya berhasil menyelesaikan buku karangan Asma Nadia yang berjudul "Assalamualaikum Beijing". Mungkin telat banget ya karena buku ini sudah difilmkan dan sayangnya saat itu saya kurang tertarik untuk menontonnya. But things change, I really want to see the film and read the book when I know that it isn't about love only but also about woman who struggle from autoimmune disease called APS. Syndrome APS ini merupakan penyakit autoimun yang membuat darah penderitanya kental.

Buku ini menarik dari sisi plot cerita karena membawa misi spesial: meningkatkan awareness tentang penyakit Autoimun (AI) di Indonesia. Yah, walaupun cerita utamanya tetap tentang percintaan sih.

Bagi sesama penderita penyakit AI, buku ini menyuguhkan sebuah harapan. Harapan di mana bagi para penderitanya kadang sulit terwujud seperti sembuh, punya pasangan yg baik dan cinta mati, punya anak yg lucu-lucu. Bukannya mustahil, tapi perjuangannya is not as simple as we think. If normal people have to struggle 50 times, then this extra ordinary people need to fight 100 times harder than the other. 

Overall, buku ini saya beri rating 7/10 karena I really can relate to what the main character feels and what she's been through. Bahkan di beberapa halaman saya sempat menangis ketika membacanya. Kalimat-kalimat yang ada di dalam buku tersebut sungguh mengena.

Adakah yang tau di mana saya bisa menemukan dvd original film ini? I really want to see this film, kindly let me know ya!

Kiss,

NS

A (long) break

Hello October, 

Thank you for your amazing start. After such a long discussion, deep thinking, and thoughtful negotiation, I am officially having my medical leave until next year.

Due to my health condition, I was advised to take a break from work and have some rest. Fortunately, my office and my bosses fully support and understand my situation. Normally, I am not eligible to take medical leave because I haven't work as permanent employee in 3 years and also the period of that leave is only 2 to 3 weeks. 

I was thinking to quit from work as le husb said that health is our first priority. It was a difficult decision for me. I am afraid I couldn't get such an amazing job like this. However, when I gave them my sad letter, my director offered such a tempting things. He said "take a little break. Set things and rules as you want but don't quit. You can come to office twice a week if you want. If you quit, I am afraid you will regret your decision. Why dont you try to have a break and see what it feels like. You already helped me a lot of things and now it's time for me to help you" he said.

It was a tough choice for me. To quit or to have break. And finally, here I am. 

I cant thank my head and my director  (and owner) enough for what they have done for me.  I feel valued and honoured. 

Warmest regards,

Nada Salma