In memories - STC '08

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...

Alhamdulillah, the story's finally ready. Maaf agak lama. Saya tidak hebat menulis, beberapa perenggan mengambil masa yang panjang untuk ditulis. Kalau bosan, juga maaf.

Sekadar ingin berkongsi...

Summer Training Camp (STC) 2008
Location: Five Pines Campsites & Ohiopyle, OH
Date: July 4 - July 6, 2008

July 3, 2008
We departed from Vanderbilt at around 11 pm, an hour late from scheduled. We drove two cars, a Malibu and a Mitsubishi rented from Enterprise. It was kinda long journey for a short trip, but we hoped to learn something there. And alhamdulillah we did. =)

July 4, 2008
At 7 am, we had breakfast 4 hours before reaching Pittsburgh. Everyone's was just started to get refreshed but some were sleepy since they stayed up driving and co-driving (including me!). Arrived at Pittsburgh, sis. Fatin wasn't there, she was in Buffalo fetching our friends there. So, we just went around the town a little bit until Friday prayer time.

Pittsburgh is a really nice place. One of us said, "This really looks like in Europe." There're lots of bridges, old buildings, museums. At 1 pm, we headed to the Islamic Center and had Friday prayer. We met a Malaysian family, Kak Yati's family. Their son was going to STC too, and he's still a high school student. Since sis. Fatin hadn't arrive at Pittsburgh yet, we planned to go to the campsite together with Kak Yati. She invited us to her house to rest for a while, and then we headed to Five Pines Campground.

The directions was correct but we couldn't find the place. There was a chain blocking the entrance, so we thought that's the wrong place. But it isn't. We headed back there, and alhamdulillah, few cars were there already.

We divided the tents and lanterns for brothers and sisters, and we started building up the tents. Kak Yati helped out a little bit before heading back home. An hour or two later, more people arrived.

That night, we had dinner cooked by NY sisters, syukran jazilan! =)

Everyone was asked to sleep early at 11 pm since there'd be owling activity at 2 am. Later then, the campsite was quiet except for some who stayed up for hirasah.

July 5, 2008
At 2 am, all campers woke up and brought into a part of hiking route. Everyone was placed alone for 10-15 minutes. That time, it was totally dark, even the moonlight didn't brighten too much. I spent that time thinking and dzikr. Alhamdulillah, all sisters came back with the same number, no one was missing. Later, we prayed Solatus Subh and had rest until 7-8 am.

We started preparing breakfast at 7 am. We had sardines sandwiches and some pizza left the day before. In between, everybody clean up themselves and got ready for the next activity - hiking!

It's been a long time - 3-4 years, I missed the 'real' hiking a lot. Thanks for the brothers for choosing the good hiking trail. It was really great. We had few activities at the top - games, snacks time, mind refreshing time. The hiking isn't only for physical challenges, but also to get us closer to Allah's creation. How small we are compared to the greatest Creator of all creatures. MashaAllah...

The food committee came a little bit earlier to start cooking. Unfortunately, there were some unavoidable problems - resulted that we only started cooking after 2 hours! Allah knows best. We finally finished cooking the bihun just before 'Asr. We ate together, with cakes (who sponsored this? jazakallahu khayr! =)) and prayed jam' Zuhr and 'Asr.

Later then, brothers had a recording session for STC '09's trailer. And sisters.. we had games - named "Can't See, Can't Hear, Can't Speak". We had fun together, and the most importantly, I got to know them more at this time. =)

At night, after prayers and dinner, it was campfire night. Everyone participated to allow themselves to speak out. I learned that, don't be afraid to speak out when you can. There's a lot of thoughts in mind that we should share it with others. More practice okay?

Later then, we were back into the tents. I slept outside near the campfire. Tidur berbumbungkan langit, bulan, dan bintang - one that I missed since years ago. And I was supposed to do something, but the sleeping bag was too comfy....

July 6, 2008
We woke up at around 5, prayed solatul Fajr. And we started packing. We had to clean all the 'selut2 & kotor2' because of the raining day on Friday. The breakfast was scrambled eggs sandwiches.

As early at 8.30 am, we checked out of the campsite to the Ohiopyle Recreation Area. I'd say it's been a great experience to camp here. InshaAllah we'll make it better next year. ;)

Heading to Ohiopyle, I guess there were 6-7 cars (or more?). We parked at the biking starting point, and water rafting group headed to our starting point. I was kinda excited, remembering the first time I went water rafting in 2005 (thanks to Kak Maz for pushing me to go till the last minute!). The fee was around $80 but it was worth it. Dah lama tak excercise! I got sunburn, and still until now. huhu~

5 of us in the boat, 6 including the guide, we spent 4-5 hours on the river ( I forgot the river's name). He talked a lot and he's cool too. He brought us to some of the route that most of the others didn't go. Nice huh? ;) Thanks a lot.. erm, I forgot his name. Sorry..

And, it was the end of STC. We met for the last time at the parking lot (I missed the photo session!). And our Vandy trip went to Pittsburgh with Sis. Fatin and Kak Yati's family. And at around 12 midnight, we drove back to Vanderbilt.
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Overall, alhamdulillah! There's a lot that I can learn - camping stuff (how to light up the firecamp!), know new people, and mainly, the purpose of being in the wood with Allah's great creations. Though I felt uneasy in few things, I guess it's just for myself to handle it.

And probably, it will be the last STC for me. If Allah permits, I might or might not be in the States for Masters, but we'll see. Jazakumullahu khayr to all committees and participants for being there. InshaAllah, let's meet next at the Muktamar (location will be announced soon!)

Bersyukurlah diri ini masih bernafas, kuharap Islam akan tertegak kukuh di bumi Allah satu hari nanti. Hayya hayya~