Agus Maulana Attabrani

TK Barunawati Denpasar, SD Muhammadiyah 2 Denpasar, SLTP Negeri 2 Denpasar, SMU Negeri 4 Denpasar, International Relations Department Gadjah Mada University, College of Arts and Sciences (KOMABA) University of Tokyo - Japan

Full Time College Student, Traveler, Photographer

Sport Department of KOMAHI 2004/2005; Treasury Department of KOMAHI 2005/2006; AIKOM (Abroad in KOMABA) 2006/2007; Independent Mountaineering; NY Beach Boy Football Club of Legian - Kuta

Football (espc. Italian League and Milanisti for Life), studying, reading, research, PC freaks (half otaku), eating, joking, flirting (i have to quit!)

Diplomacy (G. R. Berridge), Indonesia's Foreign Policy (Michael Leifer), The Clash of Civilization (Samuel P. Huntington), Mustafa Abd Rahman's books - a well written reports from Middle East -, A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government (Nakae Chomin), Bushido: The Soul of Japan (Nitobe Inazo), A Modern History of Japan: From Tokugawa Times to the Present (Andrew Gordon), Working with Conflict: Skills and Strategies for Action (Simon Fisher et.al.), Security: A New Framework for Analysis (Barry Buzan, Ole Waever, and Jaap de Wilde), Negotiation in Social Conflict (Dean G. Pruitt and Peter J. Carnevale), The Norway Channel – The Secret Talks That Led to the Middle East Peace Accord (Jane Corbin), Making Peace with the PLO – The Rabin Government’s Road to the Oslo Accord (David Makovsky), Arab Politics – The Search for Legitimacy (Michael C. Hudson), Political Islam – Essays from Middle East Report (edited by Joel Beinin and Joe Stork), and more...

Cold Mountain, Mind Hunters, Euro Trip, Van Wilder, RRRrrr..., Jay and Silent Bob : Strikes Back, Sponge Bob The Movie, JFK, All The Presidents Man, Rose Red, The Intepreter, Jackal, Miss Cast Away, and more...

Alternative, Rock, Certain Pop Rock, Rock Mellow (80's), Hip Metal, Selective Jazz, Oldies, (Well-established) Punk

Liputan 6, Seputar Indonesia, Voice of America, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Sesame Street, Hagemaru, Samurai X, Masquarade

Aquarius

My family was the first who used to call me with my middle name. Maulana, by its real meaning based on Holy Koran means “Protector”. It is often heard on Moslem’s Friday Pray when the Imam utters these verses (ayat): “Allah does not burden any human being with more than he can bear. Everyone will enjoy the credit of his deeds and suffer the debits of his evil-doings. The believers say: ‘Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not place on us a burden as You placed on those before us. Our Lord! Lay not on us the kind of burden that we have no strength to bear. Pardon us, forgive us, have mercy on us. You are our Protector, help us against the unbelievers.’” (Al Baqarah/the Cow: 286).

Maulana, originating from the 19th century’s history, refers to name of a Muslim man revered for his religious learning or piety (Concise Oxford Dictionary). In Arabs, it means “Our Master”. Yet, my name has different sense when it comes to my nickname. By just using the four first letters of my middle name, you’ll find my sobriquet. Longman Advanced American Dictionary showed us that “Maul” has at least three meanings: 1) to injure someone badly by tearing their flesh; 2) to badly defeat someone in a game or competition, or to severely criticize someone or something; and 3) to touch someone in a rough sexual way.

This year I celebrated my 23rd birthday and I am pretty happy to live my life. As a boy and teenager, I was raised, educated, and well take care in my beloved home town Denpasar, Bali. My first three years was spent in Kuta beach before my whole family moved out because my father worked on his business in our old shelter. This year is also the 20th celebration of our present house where we have stay since 1988. It is located in the capital of Bali province of Denpasar and strategic enough based on daily activities. That is a place where I want to spend the rest of my life, dedicating myself to societies and its surrounding environment.

The year of 2003 was a year of turning point for me. As I was expecting myself to be one of college student in Jakarta but then I guess The One has another plan for me. And, here I am now studying in my last year of being student of International Relations Department, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta. At the moment, I am working for my final thesis or graduation paper. I write about my interest in US Foreign Policy and its relations with international politics. For those who don’t apprehend with political science, you may easily get bored when you meet me for the first time. But, just give five minutes to get along with anyone of you. I am confidence that I can give you self-satisfaction and leave a deep impression about a man who’s devoted himself to his discipline if you let me to. To be honest, I rarely talk unless it is necessary and I only talk in two circumstances: 1) I talk when I want to talk or 2) I talk when it is badly needed.

I am expecting my graduation this year. Normally, students in my present department spent between 3.5-4 years of education until their final phase of their study. I have finished the whole theory (141 credits) in three years but I couldn’t finish my study the next semester. I was planning to write my graduation paper in 7th semester before I leave for a student exchange program in Tokyo, Japan. It was October 2006 until September 2007 when I followed one year student exchange program in the University of Tokyo (Tokyo Daigaku). It was called AIKOM that stance for “Abroad in Komaba”. Komaba refers to the name of one of the campus, besides Hongo campus, that located across Komabatodaimae station, just a few minutes away from Shibuya. What a wonderful one year I had, both for sharpen my analytical thinking related with my discipline and also unforgettable experiences with colleagues from all over the continents. I am looking forward for another trans-border linkage making like I did before. I neither exaggerating myself belong to particular tribes nor overemphasize about my nationality. I am a moderate who love and serve my country in my own way.

In the near future, I haven’t decided yet what exactly I want to do although I have some rough schemes. My parent wants me to continue my study further to Master degree. I also think about that as a good idea and, for me myself, if only I can fund my own study without discomposing or burden my parent’s financial condition, I will take that way. But for now, let just worry about the thesis as well as the graduation’s plan.

Putu Ayu Saraswati, my dearest love who wait for me in tremendous patience and loyalty all these years.

AIKOM-ers 2006/2007: Melissa, Joaquin, Rafi, Daniel, Mike, Jack, Claire, Nico, Helena, Heiko, Yong Hi, Victoria, Sarah Liu, Tom, Nhung, Sarah Palmer, Xavier, Coline, Jason, Liangzi, and Xinxian.

Class of 2003, International Relations Department, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta: Andre, Adit, Bombom, Alvin, Andi, Anita, Arifa, Ascana, Aulia, Aya, Danu, David, Didit Lala, Didik, Elok, Ira, Emma, Erwin, Fika, Firman, Rara, Galuh, Gege, Gonda, Hagi, Hanif, Hentri, Dayah, Ibe, Indra, Joe, Listya, Lita, Lori, Ela, Reta, Iqbal, Bush, Ina, Neindar, Niki, Nuri, Yoga, Billy, Ria, Risca, Rully, Septa, Septy, Shohib, Sitta, Devi, Dian, Ami, Vivi, Wahyu, Wahyudi, Tyas, Windu, Yosie.

KKN PPM UGM Unit Bantul B Sub-unit Kembangsongo: Roy, Ronald, Bas, Tyas, Christine, Fifi, Zindy, Alvi, Uni.

Friends from SMUN 4 Denpasar, SLTPN 2 Denpasar, SD Muhammadiyah 2 Denpasar, TK Barunawati, as well as childhood folks.

Undisputable best debating team I ever had in my life: Ni Putu Giri Putri Setyawathi (best 2nd speaker) and I.B. Yudha Prasista (best 3rd speaker).

11th Generation of Sispala Bhuana Yasa, SMUN 4 Denpasar: Adi Kusuma, Andika, Teja, Alit, Eka Satyawati, Suryana, Adi Yuliartha, Dimas, Joni, Epik, Aris, Olis, Raysa (in memoriam Radit, Ratih).

Ni Yon Beach Football Club (NY Beach FC), established in Denpasar, play for international glory on Double Six Beach, Seminyak/Legian, Badung: Gung De, Krisna, Oka “Jaran”, Suryawan “Combe”, Oky, Ari “Bendjol”, Opan, Wirahadi, Agus Primantha.

Other member of “No Name” Band: A.A. Ngurah Agung Lanang Teges (Lanank, drum), I Gusti Ngurah Oka Wibawa (Coco Botax, guitar), and Dewa Putu Oka Pertama (Pokax, bass). Let’s rock again with our hip-metal and punk musics!!!

“Zoragaso” the fascinating Social Squad SMUN 4 Denpasar ever had: C-Lo, Ayu, Gek Dian, Dwi, Mina, Yuni, Jeffrey, Tini, Nagi, Nagining, Nita, Kuzazi, Perdana, Aik, Priesta, Satria, Sefcho, Subin, Ami, Wahyuni, Kobo, Winata, Yuli, Nyit-nyit.

My 2005 ALSA UI English Debating Championship’s Team: Gek Nana (IR ’04) and Titut (Management ’04), as well as old fellows of EDS UGM (Wini, Thathit, Ari).