" my name is Amabel Soewondo , and usually called as Bella!*
I was born on 11.06.96 from the Soewondo's family,
whom loved music very much!
I'm just an ordinary girl who loved my family, friends, everyone and especially HIM "my GOD" an extraordinary Lord and I hope very much that I could be a professional violinist!! :)
A picture of my little ordinary family ! Peter Soewondo , Susan Gondo and Amabel Soewondo
There was a couple whom had their wedding ceremony on 26th of September 1993. Their names are Peter Soewondo and Susan Gondo. At that time, Peter was a branch manager of one of the biggest worldwide security. It named “Securicor”. Susan was a secretary of Japan Plastic Company named Itochu Corporation. She had a baby girl on 11th of June 1996. She was 51 cm tall with weight 2.8 kg. The only child and didn’t have any siblings. Peter and Susan were a little bit confused by giving the baby girl named. And they wanted to give the girl name Winona. But, Peter was afraid of Winona had become grandma, how could she always be called with Nona? It made she’s stills a child. They did cancelled by giving the name Winona to their child. They were also called that girl, Naomi. But one of their families did not agree with the name Naomi. Peter said to Susan “How about giving our baby name Amabel?” So, people called them Bella. Bella was coming from a Latin word, it means loveable. Then they decided to name her with Amabel.
Peter loved to play piano in jazz style. Peter’s father was very talented in playing all musical instruments. Peter had his father talent too. But, Peter was good at the piano. They had absolute hearing. Susan was a diligent woman. She was a professional piano teacher too. Her mother also taught her a piano. Amabel Soewondo was born in a musical family. Bella also had an absolute hearing. Unfortunately, her grandfather Rachmat Soewondo couldn’t play a violin. It was the only musical instruments that he couldn’t. But don’t you know? His grandchild Bella could play a violin. Rachmat was very surprised and thank to Father in Heaven whom had given such an unbelievable moment in his life.
Almost 6 years long, this tiny girl Bella got many trophies and award from the international and national music exam and contest. Since the year 2000 until 2006, Bella entertained parties with her beloved violin. Susan Gondo, her mom and her grandfather’s band always accompany her to merry the situation at the stage. She taught by a professional violin teacher in Surabaya namely Mr. Paul. Bella also could play some others musical instruments, such as piano and drum. Bella had learnt violin on her early age 3.5 years old. She could play the piano tones since 2 years old. When, she was 3 years old, she had started her piano course and always won the first award. Every morning, she always sits on the piano chair. But, she had the lesson in her 3 age. It was so early against with the other children. She loved to dance and action at the stage. People called her “Young Actress”.
Bella got MURI award in her 4 age. “The Youngest Professional Violinist in Indonesia”. It caused, she could play more than 100 songs in 6 months. And none of the melody was wrong or incorrect. It perfectly the same voice and there wasn’t any false. She also always got the high scores for the Royal Violin exam and she was also the youngest from the other contestant. Day by day, has past so fast.
Last time, she was 4 years and now, she is 14 years old. Every people became older every second, the black hair turned around to grey hair and even white hair. It means that we have become older. She was studied in Gloria Junior High School. She had many friends and DESIRES her best friends. She got good result for her exam. But sometimes she had the score that she didn’t want. She loved English and Mandarin subject. Bella is an easy going girl and now she is in the nine grades. Momentarily, at the end of March, she will face the national exams from the government.
Every day, Bella always practices violin with her mom. Routinely of a musical girl with lots of course she is join on. She has mandarin course also on every Saturdays. She sometimes feels lonely, because she didn’t have any brothers or even sisters. She filled her day with study all the time. She rarely watches television. She thought that Indonesia film didn’t have good effect for people whom watched it. Otherwise, Indonesian film made bad influence for people. It has much difference between Indonesian film and American film. Bella sometimes like to tease her friends, but she was a good girl. And she supported her friends.
She loved her parents so much, her family and especially her Father in Heaven. She had an ambition since she was 3.5 years old to become a professional violinist around the world. So, she could make her parents and everybody proud of her. And she promised that she won’t be an arrogant person if she had success next 10 years. Because, she has to remember from whom she got her talent and who had take care and loved her from long time ago up to now. She was so thankful to everybody, her parents and God! Did you want to know who Amabel Soewondo is? If you wanted to know who is she? Came to Gloria Christian High School and find which one is she. Okay? Good luck guys!
In the year 2007, I was 11 years old. I decided to move to Gloria for my Junior High School. When I was elementary I studied in Saint Clara Elementary School. The first day in Gloria, I got Orientation Study Event in my new school. I met new friends from different schools. After I passed my 7th grade, I was in the 8th grade. At that time, I found many best friends whom were not all from my class; there were some from the other class 8A and 8D. But, there weren’t any of us from 8c class. I also had my beloved family called 8B POLO family. Every recess, I always ate together with my best friends, had fun together, shared our sadness and happiness. And then; it became our routinely for about 3 months until we decided to name ourselves as “DESIRES “. It is contained seven girls. The meaning of DESIRES is from our name themselves. Adel, Bella, Fenny, Ivena, Stella, Kathleen and Silvy are parts of DESIRES. We have our own characters and personality. But we can complete each other. We have brilliant ideas to make something special for our friends’ birthday party, too.
Adela Tanujaya
Each of us has our own character and we are different. But we can complete each other with our difference become good best friends. Even though, sometimes we have a conflict with our best friends but we can quickly solve it. Now, I want to tell you about our personality life and our hobbies. Starting from the meaning of the word D, this consonant word is taken from my friend’s name called, “Adela Tanjuaya“ or we called her as “Adel “. She has two elder brothers. She is the youngest and the only girl from her parents’ children. Her parents love her much and her both brothers do, too. She was born on 26th of November 1996; she is the youngest among others in DESIRES. She has some hobbies, such as: shopping and travelling. Last 2 months, she went to Singapore with her boyfriend, his boyfriend’s mother and the boy elder sister. She did lots of shopping in Singapore with them. She loves her boyfriend so much and she does love the DESIRES, too. Eventually, she is a part of DESIRES.
Amabel Soewondo
Next, I wanted to tell you about myself. The second word of desires is taken from my name “Amabel Soewondo” or usually called as “Bella”. I was born on 11th of June 1996. I don’t have any siblings and I am the only child from my parents and also called as Soewondo’s family. I love my family so much, they are very important for my life. I had a similar hobby with my grandfather who had passed away 8 years ago in 2002 when I was still 6th years old. Our hobby was playing musical instruments, but we had a difference. My grandfather could play any musical instruments except a violin and he could write song, too. But I can’t play all musical instruments likes my grandfather; I only can play some musical instruments. I can play a violin, a piano and a drum. I am very thankful to GOD that I can play a violin and I am good at this strings musical instrument. I love my best friend so much, they were always supported me and never let me down. I also have another hobbies like swimming, reading novels about Twilight Saga in English version, I dislike reading story in Indonesian language. I felt it weird. I also love to have some travelling and composing songs. I’m an easy going girl and a patient girl. I have got brunette hair, because of that my friends sometimes called me “Bule”, even though I am not an American girl, I am a Chinese girl who was born in Surabaya. Here, I had a special quote for my desires.” DESIRES are round it has no end, that's how long I want to be your friend forever! “
Fenny Sekar Sari
Third, it is about a girl who has long smooth black hair, called Fenny Sekar Sari. The third of desires is taken from “Sekar”. She always celebrates her birthday during the summer holiday, because her birthday was on 1st of July 1996. My friends and I, usually call her with” Kembang”. Why do we call her like that? Because, it really funny! In Javanese language, flower was called as Sekar. She was a very creative girl and good at English. She had an elder brother and the different age about 5 years. She loved designing clothes, that’s why she chose fashion design for her school extra in the academic 2009-2010 year, when she was in eight 8th grades. Wauw! Don’t you ever think of? Desires are very perfect! Fenny loves desires much and do much things for desires. Fenny quotes that”best friends complete each other, like me completing mine, DESIRES ♥”.
Ivena Lionda
Then, I want to tell you about this girl. Someone who has also brunette hair and she is so cute! Namely “Ivena Lionda” is very good at English. She has an elder sister and also a younger sister. Oh, she totally likes an American. Hahaha.. She was born on 30th of August 1996, a week after Silvy’s born day. Come to my school if you want to see this girl. Now, she is composing her own novel but sometimes, she stops composing it because of much homework from school. She loves reading books, that’s why she composes her own novel; she can imagine things that others can’t do it. Maybe in the future she is going to become a worldwide author. And however, I never been her classmate starting junior high school up to now. But we are best friends! Good friends. I’ve told that “we are one, DESIRES!”
Stella Candra
Hey guys! Take a look this picture. Don’t you think that she is a weak girl? I don’t think so. She has a super power even she is very thin. It is very surprised me. She is the oldest among others DESIRES, her birthday is on 26th January. Tante Stella is her nickname. But it isn’t her real name. Her name is “Stella Candra”. She loves reading comics, hanging out with friends and designing clothes too. She has an elder sister. She often debates with Adel, about silly things. They are really funny at that time. Stella quotes that “we should share our happiness and sadness together, that is the symbols of DESIRES”.
Kathleen Gozan
This girl was born on 16th of March 1996. She has very long black hair. She is really funny. If she has her hair cut, she does always grumble by herself. Because, she doesn’t like to have her hair cut, she wants to have longer hair again. Her name is “Kathleen Gozan”. She is the oldest child from her parents. She has two younger siblings; there was a younger brother and also a younger sister. Kath is good at playing badminton. She can smash and match the game easily. But, if she competes against our sport teacher Mr.Wahyu, it is a small percentage to win it. Mr. Wahyu is very strong and good at every single sport. It is amazing! Kathleen is very exciting every time when she goes abroad. She has been too many foreign countries. Her hobbies are reading books and shopping. She tells us that “She extremely loves the DESIRES”.
Silvy Gunawan
Last but not least, a girl who is totally super genius in Math! She wears glasses and she loves to design the letter. She has many pens color collection. She just celebrated her birthday on last Monday, the 23rd of August 2010. Her name is “Silvy Gunawan”. Some people called her as “Iphii”. That is so hilarious. She loves to read books. Oh noooo! She reads a book or novel so fast. Maybe someday, she is an author to-be. She looks like the Einstein’s daughter, because she is an extremely clever girl. Hahahaha. She has made a quotation for DESIRES. “With love, honesty, trust that makes DESIRES will always be together”.
That’s all about our profile. Every people have their own ability but we also have some lack. No one is perfect in this world, except our creature GOD! I am glad that I have best friends like you are Girls. Time we share together will stick on my heart and mind, because you are the most important ones. You are such a special gift from God for me, to fill my emptiness life. Thank you for your times. Once we are parts of DESIRES, we will always be parts of DESIRES forever.
In the 2009-2010 academic years, I entered into 8B class. Many of my seventh grade friends were in the other classes. We were separated one by one, even though there were some of my 7C friends still be my classmate in 8B class. It was a new class for me. We started to know each other, introduced ourselves. Ms. Adhy was my homeroom teacher. She was very talented in art. She was also an architect. Every morning, we started our school with reading our bible, sharing about our problems. Every Wednesday, we had devotion. Every class has to cooperate and serve this devotion based on the fix Gloria school’s schedule. I had a very perfect class.
Eight.b's homeroom teacher
We had Ezra, who was expert in playing a drum. He could know exactly the beat and modify that into a nice song. We had Candys, Sisca and me who could play a piano. And I also could play violin and drum, too. Jessica and Fenny had nice voice. Eight B had some boys who could play basses and guitars very well. They were Ferry and Greg. It was amazing! We had a completely band and class. This perfect class had some students who good at sport, there were Virtue, Sam, Ferry, Willian Johnson, and Candys. They were good at basketball. We had Hadi, Ezra and Virtue whom were very active and they always made our class lively! And also, William Darren and Cliff, they were really genius and diligent. We had a girl called Fenny Sekar Sari or we called sometimes Kembang because In Javanese, flower was called by Sekar. She was very creative. She had long black hair and very smooth.
There were 19 students in our class; it contained 7 girls and 12 boys. This class was full of boys. Eight B students and Ms. Rina chose our friends Samuel Santoso to be our second semester chairman and William Johnson to be our vice chairman of our class. Some boys were very talkative. Every time, we were noisy at class, Sam always shouted loudly so we could keep quietly during the lesson. In my class, the boys were more hyperactive than the girls. It was really funny. Hahaha.. Some boys were very under controlled. They acted as like as what they wanted to do and never think of anybody else. Because of that, many teachers complained about my class, because my class was the noisiest class in level 8.
Why my class was called as Polo family? I wanted to tell you about the history of Polo family. One day, it was Thursday and there was an economic subject after the Geography. Usually, we had the Economic before the second recess, so our teaching and learning time won’t be cut by the recess. And at that time, the teachers inform us to skip the second recess; so that the boys were not in the mood. Then they did as like as they want. The boys were always busy in talking. While that, I didn’t know what they were talking about. Actually, they were talking about the history of Marco Polo and writing down on the paper. Until the teacher, Miss. Vicka, knew and took the paper. However, they still kept talking of Polo. Marco Polo likes adventure, so the boys informed us to be named to our class with POLO Family.
8BVS7B - go back to door
In 18th of August 2009, we, Polo Family fight until won the champion. Gloria Junior High School celebrated the Independent’s day of Indonesia with some competition. And eight B won all of them. 2 competitions which we won in the first place and the other competition we won in the second place. Isn’t that amazing? I was very proud of my class. We always compact and we had Ms. Adhy who supported us every time and never let us down. Last year, on October we had a traditional Indonesian day which is called”Youth Congress” or also we called if “Sumpah Pemuda “where we had to use traditional Indonesian costume. I was very shy, but we had to be confident because we had prepared this for one month before, it was an enough time for preparation. We made a yell –yell for our class. We also choose our smart students such as Cliff and William Darren to be our class volunteers for the Quick and Smart Competition.
Ms. Adhy taught us how to draw and imagine what you wanted to draw. Every student who had their birthday, Ms. Adhy would give them a Silver Queen chocolate. But it was ended by the first semester. She had to leave us, because she had to move to her new house to the west area. She wasn’t teaching us anymore, she would be an architect. We were very sad. We have our last Christmas Celebration 2009 with Ms. Adhy. We ate together and watched Madagascar movie at school. The last day, she said goodbye to us. But, we could contact to her. She said that we shouldn’t be sad and crying, because she would always contact us and never forget our POLO Family class.
Ms. Chatarina Rinanti
And in the first month of year 2010, her place was replaced by Ms. Rina. She was the one who would be our second homeroom teacher. Ms. Rina was also our new Indonesian teacher, she helped Ms. Tiwi in teaching eight grade Indonesian subjects. She was a new teacher, but she loved us as Ms. Adhy loved us. Ms. Rina was a very patient homeroom teacher. On 4th of February 2010, Polo family decided to give a surprised for Ms. Rina’s birthday. Ms. Rina was panic because why we hadn’t come yet to the class. She looked for us anywhere, while we were preparing the birthday cake at the canteen. And suddenly we sang Happy Birthday to Ms. Rina. She was 24 years old now. We were very glad that Ms. Rina wasn’t angry to us. Ms. Rina had done the best for us and as her students, we thanked to her by celebrating her birthday.
I learnt many things about Jesus, education, and also music that taught by Mr. Dicky. We were Polo Family, which always supported each other. It was our courage. On the end of June, the school education had over. It was the time to know my study report during the second grade. And I was the one of the five best students in my class, who got good mark in every subject. I really thanked to God that I could pass it on without any bad mark from the twelve subjects. I had my school holiday starting on 15th of June up to 13th of July 2010. While the time had passed so fast until we went to the next grade. We were separated each other. There were three classes for the last grade in junior high school. And we still made a small reunion. We had our first reunion on 30th of July 2010 at classroom. We met each other and shared about our new class. I had many experiences in my life with my POLO family and I would always love POLO family. Eight B was the best class in my life ever after! Because of the 8 grade, I had learnt many things from my homeroom teacher and my classmates. And POLO family would always be forever and ever; staying deeply in my soul.
The first time I learnt musical instruments was piano, and at that time I was still 3 years old. My piano teacher suggested me to learn a violin; she said that I was a talented little girl in music. So, my mom decided to bring me into a violin course in Melodia. I starting to learn a violin six months after I learnt a piano. I was still a tiny girl in 3.5 years old. I had also joined the Yamaha piano competition. And I won the first place for that some Yamaha competitions. For the first time, I learn a violin from my violin teacher is named Mr. Paul Situpang. Many songs were taught by him. He was a very talented in playing musical instruments. He was ex-my mom's violin teacher. He had a perfect pitch. He could hear exactly every tunes which I played. And I also had a perfect pitch. I could hear the chord of the song and also the melody of course. My teacher taught me the basic one, the concerto songs and technique for the best performance.
In 2000, I could play many songs with my violin. The first time I played in a wedding party in USA, it was my aunty's wedding party. The unforgettable moment, Jaya Suprana, the owner of Muri (Museum Rekor Indonesia) invited me to entertain a special wedding party and played my violin. WAUW! That was very amazing, right?! I always entertained people wedding with playing five songs in every party. At the ending of this wedding party, Jaya Suprana invited me to come into the stage to get aMURI award“as the youngest professional violinist in Indonesia”.I was extremely suprised that I could get this unbelievable award that many people wanted to get this. I got this award free, not like the others. They wanted to get this award by buying this award. This award was very expensive. But Jaya Suprana gave me a free MURI award. And I thank to Lord that I could get this award inmy 4 age.
From that time, my name was suddenly booming, the Indonesian TV channel such as: RCTI, TPI, SCTV and Indosiar invited me to join in their TV program. Also there was children magazine like Mentari, Nyata, Bobo and Jawa Pos Newspaper's Award. My name was registered in those newspapers and magazines during the MURI award. I played my violin in many wedding's entertainment. I could play a violin together with singing on the same time. It was the best moment in my life, that I could get this award. The Guiness World Record also wanted to give me the Guiness Award, but I had to go to United Kingdom. So I decided, to decline this award. I was so sad, but maybe the other time I could get that.
My grandfather could play any musical instruments except a violin and he was very talented on it. He had a sound system store and a band. When I played in people wedding party, Varianada Band also support and accompany me. However, my grandfather had passed away when I was 6 years old. The last night before he passed away, he still accompanied me with his keyboard in Sheraton Hotel which the last job was for him before he left me forever. He had five grandchildren, but I am the only granddaughter, while all of my cousins are his grandsons. And the only one who could play violin was me. And I hope I could be as famous as he was. He was my idol, I am so proud of him until now. He really wanted me to play violin, and he was so suprised when I could play the most difficult instrument. It’s really a miracle from GOD.
High Scorer's Concert
My father also could play musical instruments such as piano (jazz arranger) and drum. My mom could play a violin and a piano,too such as me. She was very good at playing a piano. Long time ago, she was a piano teacher and an English teacher. She was a very clever woman. HEY! I also could play four musical instruments, piano, violin, drum, and a little bass. In this October, I will start to take a guitar course, too. I wanted to be like my grandfather, could play many kinds of instruments. I hope in the next 10 years, I could be an arranger and a professional violinist, too in the world. When I was 5 years, I joined a Royal violin exam and I got the highest score forABRSM grade 1 violin. And I was the youngest that got distinction. Last year, I jumped from grade 1 to grade 6 violin exams and I also got the highest score too. In September 2009 I joined 2 kinds of instrument in ABRSM (ASSOCIATED BOARD OF ROYAL SCHOOL MUSIC) exams for grade 6 performance. There were a piano and a violin examination at the same time. It was a difficult preparation for both exams performance because it spent many hours in practicing for both instruments. But finally I got a good score. I was very happy. And next 2 months I will take the violin exams performance for grade 8. That was the highest level. I hope that I can achieve the good mark for this time and that was my ambition in this time!
We know that United States of America is also popular called as Uncle Sam’s Country. America is also one of the biggest continental in the world. It has 4 seasons, spring, fall, winter and summer. Winter is very cold, that is the reason I love this place so much! But, summer it's also nice because they have two months summer school holiday. United States also had much festive occasion, like Thanks Giving Day, Halloween Day, Eastern Day and Christmas Day. Arriving at the airport, I felt so familiar with this place, even though it was the first time for me in America.
The weather is very friendly. It's cold! I loved it. Many people want to go to America. But they told that America is very expensive country. I don’t think so because many America products are made in China. WAUW! Why it could be like that? America is a big continental right, so actually they can make by themselves, in their country. But most of those products are made in China, because China has many cheap human resources with the highest population in the world. Uncle Sam’s Country currency is in US$ America and it also one of the most expensive currency comparing to others in the world.
And in this huge country, I had ever had the best moment in my life. I played my violin in my first wedding performance. My first violin show was held in this Uncle Sam’s Country not in Indonesia which I was born. And at that time, I was still a tiny girl in my 4 age years old. It was a long distance by plane to USA, it spent around 24 hours and we also couldn’t directly go there, we had to transit into two airports : Changi Airport Singapore and Narita Airport. Japan is the last embarkation before I went to America. I could buy some cute souvenir in Narita Airport.
Marriot Hotel Airport, SF
I played violin in my aunt’s wedding. That party was held on 16th of September 2000 in Marriot Hotel, San Francisco. It was opposite the airport, so we could see that the airplane takes off and landed. I was so happy to meet my far distance cousins whom I hadn’t known their name, but I had played with my cousins called Michael and Matthew. Michael was 2 years older than me, but Matthew was a year younger than me. I was the only girl that still very tiny. We played in the garden, running around it and jumping on the bed with shout and laugh loudly. That was recently all children did when they were still toddler. 6 months later after I met my relatives in San Francisco, I received the MURI AWARD from Mr. Jaya Suprana
And at that time, I was still studying in Saint Clara Kindergarten. And after this moment, I became more famous and many people booked me to entertain them in their wedding party. Every weekend, I had job for entertaining people’s wedding party and even week days, too. I could play Cotton Eye Joe, that played by a very popular violinist Vanessa-Mae. Beside that I also could play Chinese and Indonesian songs, too with my violin and singing together at the same time. The bride and the groom usually request their own song. I learnt many songs from their requests so that I can add more and more songs vocabulary.
A shark wanted to eat Bella.
After I played in my aunt’s wedding, she brought me to visit many wonderful places, where the most people played in there with their children such as Anaheim Disneyland which is located in California, Lego Land, Knot Berry Farm, Sea World located in San Diego, Universal Studio, Fisherman Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz where long time ago they placed prisoners, but now it is used as the tourist site, it is liked an ancient museum. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of modern wonders in the world. Many people visit this bridge at night for seeing the beautiful scenery from it but also many people take suicide, too .
The best placed that I loved very much was the Anaheim Disneyland. I stayed at Disney Resort for four nights. I spent my time played in Disney and shopping in Disney Downtown. In the evening, before the Disney time for closing, there was a farewell party. It was very fascinating. In this place, I could ride the boat of the Small World, Jungle River. And I also could ride the carnival, too. But I had ever been in this Anaheim Disneyland for 3 times in my life. Last year, I had also visited again to Anaheim Disneyland. However, during my 4 age, I couldn’t play all games, because yeah I was too short and my height could not achieve the standard minimum of the measurement. And it would be dangerous for me if I still insisted on it.
In the Lego Land, I had a problem. While my dad went to the toilet, I was sitting alone on a chair with my dad’s bag beside me. And suddenly, there was two American people switched their bag with my dad’s bag. I scream loudly until my auntie came and angry to their people. Their people were very afraid to my auntie. Hahahahaha… But, they gave back the bag to my dad.
There was the most delicious ice cream called Ghirardelli ice cream. My aunt also gave me fresh milk. Yummy!! I went to the Fisherman Wharf by San Fransisco tram. And we could have sightseeing the China Town. Beside that my auntie brought me to the Alcatraz, she rent a boat. This boat also could bring me and parents to see the Golden Bridge closely under this bridge. My auntie had lived in San Francisco in their own house around 12 years; she finished her master in this Uncle Sam’s Country. So that’s why, she knew many places in United States.
I was so glad; I could have my first performance violin in my Aunt’s wedding in there. And of course, I could meet them in America. I could go to the wonderful places. America was very famous with their greatest technology. I was so lucky to go to this Uncle Sam's Country.
Everyone has its own talent, so we have to use it for our future life. That is the precious gift from our Creature, GOD! I thank to Him, because He gives me a precious talent in playing musical instruments. And I hope in the next 10 years, I could become a professional violinist. That could make my family, especially my parents will be proud of me. We have to develop our talents as mentioned on the script of the Bible, Matthew 25:14-30 about The Parable of the Talents.
