What does it mean to be a patriot? Many people have Ideas of what it means. But I believe right now many people are confused. With the recent assassination attempt of former president Donald trump, it brought to light the very distinct beliefs of many people. Some people might think that he was just messed up or maybe his decision was induced by drugs or peer pressure. But I believe he knew what he was doing. Everyone has their own beliefs although some are wrong, they still believe them. Some with powerful zealous. I know captain America isn't the most influential person in the world, but he said something that resembles my thoughts exactly for this man Thomas crooks. In a conversation he was talking to maria hill when she called the twins nuts for letting a scientist experiment on them. Captain answered with “right who would let a German scientist experiment on them to help protect their country.” Maria hill replies with “were not at war captain” “they are” was his response. Did you catch that? He told her that their zealousness was the reason they did it. It was because of their love for their country that they would go to such lengths. Crooks shouldn't have done what he did but he did it because he thought it was for the best. He didn't think trump was the best thing for his country and when he deduce trump was going to win the election. He decided to take things into his own young and capable hands. He knew it would most likely mean his life would end but he was willing to sacrifice his life because of what he thought was right. I by no means am happy about the assassination attempt. But I do know everything happens for a reason. I know God has a plan for trump and for Thomas's family although they might not see it yet. Ok back to patriotism. So obviously trying to kill the former president isn't what patriotism is, I think we all can agree. So what is it then. I believe it is knowing what the founding fathers meant when they created the constitution. Why they made it and why they created this country in the first place. What are the answers to these questions? Well, they created the constitution to protect our freedoms to keep our country inline. to remind us of why they created this amazing country we are fortunate to live in. They wanted us to have the freedom they didn't have when under British rule. They wanted us to know our worth and to know how great of a people we could be if under God. They wanted to show the world how strong we can be when united as one nation. They knew how to work together, to communicate and to sacrifice all they had for the good of all people. There are people in this country who are accusing the founding fathers and other historic men/women, of genocide. However, we know that without sacrifice there is no reward. Yes, the American forefathers' hands were dripping in the blood of men who fought against there freedom. But they did it to protect the lives of millions of others. Evey country has blood stains that can't go away, no matter how hard you scrub. True patriots should know the history of your country. Why we believe in what we believe in and why others believe what they believe. Being a patriot doesn't only mean wearing a don't tread on me shirt or a I plead the 2nd although exhibiting freedom of speech is definitely needed at times. We need a filter, something that tells us what is acceptable and what is not. That is why we have laws and morals and the knowledge of right or wrong. Some men and women have abused this filter turning off crucial factors in it. I as a Christian have the holy spirit to filter my thoughts and feelings to give me control over my actions and irrational decisions. That is why the founding fathers called us “one nation under God.” They knew without him this nation wouldn't stand. That is why I believe our country is falling at a rash and horrifying speed. We got rid of our filter. Being a patriot is not about killing for what you think is right it is standing for freedom, not only for yourself but for your family and whole nation. Not backing down when they press you against the wall hoping you will lose your beliefs and faith in the creator of the world and people you are fighting for. That is what being a true patriot means. Stand strong, hold fast, and keep believing.

We moved to Vancouver in August 2016. I've never been to Vancouver before, but when we first got off the plane at YVR's Arrival, it was nothing like Beijing's T3, but the staff was friendly and the airport felt warm and welcoming, crowded with people of different colors and wearing different clothes, carrying different things; "it's just an airport" I thought, "doesn't mean anything, everything will be the same here, just like what dad said." And you know what they say, "daddy's always right!" The flight was smooth with only a couple of small nudges here and there, and the landing, man, the landing was phenomenal ---- everyone applauded for that landing ---- and while smiling and clapping, we felt a sense of belonging. I was excited and exhausted when we finally got out of the airport, through the custody and all the paperwork. I wanted to rest; I imagined there will be a perfect bed waiting for me in a perfectly polished house, just like everytime in hotels in Japan, Korea, Europe... Every time when we travel ---- better, actually, because this time, it will be my new home. My parents' friend came to pick us up, and as we drove through the already-turning-red maple trees and clusters of giant trees, good, I thought, perfectly organic and Canadian, this should be fun. After running to the supermarket a block away and changing the batteries, the keys finally worked, opening into the lobby. There were four matching Matcha green sofas and a fake furnace with shiny plastic orange lights. The lobby led to two long hallways and two elevators; this all looked vaguely familiar, and the idea finally hit me when we reached our apartment door with "116" written on a metal board ---- this all looked too much like a hotel and nothing like a home. I ran up and opened the door, hoping something drastically different would be inside, like what happened in Narnia or Coraline (alright maybe not this one). If Emily Dickinson called hope "the thing with feathers," I think it has been plucked, seasoned, roasted, and served on a silver platter in my heart. My brother yelled "cool!" and dashed in; my mom took off her glasses; my dad sighed and said, "This. Is all... temporary." The walls were a pale white color with messy brushstrokes of grey, the floor looked like it hasn't been cleaned for centuries, you can find balls of grey fur and candy wrappers everywhere, and in the middle of everything was a sad looking purple sofa-bed with a broken upper left leg. The place spelled out despair for you nice and clear. It was the definition and textbook example of what's not suitable for human habitation. I have never wanted to come to Canada. The decision was made for me. My friends, my grandparents, aunts, pets.... everything familiar was left back home ---- my life was back there. My mom came closer and hugged me. "I understand," she said, "I know, it's hard for you. It's hard for all of us; it's hard for anyone who has had the experience... an opportunity, the blessing, to see a bigger world. We didn't want to leave either, but this is the best choice made. Sometimes we'll have to sacrifice some old memories to make new ones." At the time, I didn't really think much about what she said. Why couldn't we hold onto the past and move forward at the same time? Thinking back, when I was acting childishly hysterical in the middle of that dusty apartment, pessimistic with no hope whatsoever, I was dragging a shipping container-full of old memories and nostalgia. In reality, I didn't lose anything, while the past adds to me, it doesn't define who I really am.

America the great? Yeah right! Born into a country Where Hatred Is loved. Corruption Is accepted. Don't be fooled This country Broken. Free? No! Are we Citizens? No! We are Prisoners. The innocent Evil The evil Innocent. A country Where I am Hated No! Broken Not loved for the personality within. We are Broken Help! We need Love! My Heart. Broken My Country Broken. My Will. My Purpose. My Spirit. Still Alive.

Life is a choice, whether you intend to be beneficial or not. Having the potential to make the world a better place doesn't make you a better person, but your choice does. Many people want a beautiful world but less do the actions to create one. To serve in making the world a better place is my choice. I've found the authentic value of life and happiness in helping others and I believe, the humanity will never embrace the ultimate harmony if we keep on glorifying words over actions. One should start and empower others. One should take a small step then move forward to the big one. This is the story of my experience in moving to 'the big step' of my life! It all began when I was in freshman year of college. I joined my first charity activity in freshman year and at that point, I realized that actually I can do little things that might create some changes. Growing up in the center of metropolitan city, Tangerang, made me witness a huge distortion and undesirable truth of people's low education and life quality in my hometown, Pontianak, once I moved back there. Henceforth, I dedicate myself to some volunteering activities, concerning in education, which consequently create my awareness of the problems and potential in the community. Language is bound with culture. Indonesia, as a country full of diversities, has approximately 724 languages and most of the people, especially in rural area, growing up speaking their local language before learning Indonesian Language . Hence, to people in rural area, having skill to be able to communicate in English is quite difficult to achieve while on the other hand English is really useful to broaden the horizon. I was thoroughly disappointed knowing there is no club for students in my university to develop English with their peers. Their willingness to learn English is slowly vanished. The problem prevailing in my university acted as a stumbling block for youths to grow and create progress which subsequently led me to create a difference.I've dedicated myself to teach English voluntarily and it's a great pleasure for me but I know this small step I took is narrow and never sufficient. Therefore, I and my friends from Joint Untan Organization developed an idea to create Tanjungpura University Model United Nations (MUN) Club so the students can improve their English and sharpen their critical thinking towards international issues at once. We managed to create this club from zero. We acted dauntlessly by joining the biggest MUN Conference in Indonesia, iMUN, which made us sacrifice a lot of effort since our university didn't give much financial support. We did fund risingall by ourselves and I even took a part time job. The reasons why I wanted to join iMUN conference, because I realize I'd gain a lot of knowledge and exeperience gained from the best national MUN Conference, know precisely how MUN works and build relations with other participants so they can share their experience and support the new Untan MUN Club. Our goals were successfully achieved! A month after iMUN we opened Untan MUN Club enrollment, our friends from iMUN Conference help to promote Untan MUN Club through instagram so we get recognized by other MUN Clubs. I was chosen as the (Secretary-General) and we've managed the weekly meeting and daily discussion in our Untan MUN Club online group. I've accomplished the little step to make betterment. From my experience in developing MUN Club, I've learnt that I'm a person who can develop new ideas, do tremendous effort for myself and others, able to bring back the experience and apply it to my community immediately. Serving needs a graceful heart and soul. We can serve people even through simple things like smiling however, we'll serve better if we do it with heart and high self-quality because our actions will subsequently affect others' future. Teaching English and Buliding the MUN Club in my University were some smalls step that I took to help making this world better, at least in the community around me. I never thought those things would help making the biggest change in my life that I've exeprienced so far.Those small steps led me to become a grantee of one of the most prestigious fully funded exchange scholarship, UGRAD Exchange Program, that enabled me to spend one semester in the US. It was one of the things in my bucket list that I thought I'd never achieve. It was a big step that I took which not only changed my life but also people around me. For my experience wouldn't be mine solely. Zoroaster was right "Doing good to others is not a duty, is a joy, for it increases our own health and happiness."