Pursuit of Happiness

Project 1: The Ice Breaker

Pursuit of Happiness

by Dewi Erita

I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Dewi Erita. I am a college student at Universitas Indonesia, Faculty of Public Health. Today I’m going to talk about myself. Aristotle said that knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. If I can add that “knowing each other can make us feel like family”, right?

I was born and grown up in Bandung. Some people realize that I’m Sundanese from my accent when I speak Bahasa Indonesia. That might be correct. My parents came from West Sumatera. In my nuclear family, I am the first child. I have four siblings.

My first college is in health polytechnic, midwifery department. I learned Anatomy, Physiology, Pregnancy, Labour, and Child Care subject. In the first year, as a student, I did Health Basic Clinical Practice in Hospital. I still remembered several patients when I was in emergency room. There was woman came in weakness condition. Actually, she drank baygon, an anti mosquitoes, flies, and cockroaches product. She was trying to suicide. Another patient, teenager, came with unconscious condition. Then about several hours, his heart stopped beating. In my second and third year, I did midwifery practice in Primary Health Care. As a student, I practiced how to help mother for giving birth. The great moment was when I saw big smile in woman who become mother after 9 months pregnant. I feel happy.

After graduate, I worked as a midwife. I was not enjoyed. I decided to resign. I was trying to find the job in another place. I applied for midwife job in many places in Bandung. I did selection then I failed. Then, I went to the other cities such as Sukabumi, Yogyakarta, Madiun, Depok, and Jakarta. I still haven’t got job.

When I was unemployed, I did many things such as joining writing club, following seminar, doing volunteer activity, and so on. I have many times to do my hobbies but I almost have no money. I keep trying to find the job whatever it is. Finally, I found it. I worked in famous boutique. After that, I moved and worked as a therapist. I feel bored.

I started asking myself about what my purpose of life, what I really want in this life. I just want to be useful for many people. I am interested in health so I decided to continue my study in public health. I am learning as a student again, meet great people, and went abroad. I am really happy.

Pursuit happiness is not easy. When I desperate and tired, I start to dwell on this statement:

“When you feel tired, run slowly, but don’t stop, just keep on running. Keep running to pursuit happiness.”

Thank you

Depok, May 24^th 2017

(This draft has been presented in UI Toastmasters Club on May 24th, 2017)