Interview with Maria Oey
When and why did you started with speedcubing?
I had no interest with Rubik’s cube and even started to dislike it when my son disturbed my night rest because of the noise it makes. I wondered why he was so addicted to such kind of toy hahahaha and then I recalled myself being a little girl addicted to puzzles, my favourite was back then the ‘Fifteen Puzzle’. After the The Netherlands 2006 competition I have been tutored by Ton Dennenbroek, starting of to learn how to make first layer and afterwards I learned how to the layer by layer method. My first solve was around ten minutes and ever since I have been hooked to the Rubik’s Cube, I must thank Ton and Rama for getting started with this wonderful hobby.
How is life in a speedcuber family?
Living with a speedcubing family is a Blessing for me, even since I got started with cubing I have been practising both with Tom and Rama, but currently I am the only one who still actively solve cubes, sadly enough.
How do you feel beeing woman in man’s world?
It is true that most of Rubik’s Cube solvers are men, but I feel that there is no differences between man and woman in the world of Rubik’s Cubes. In my opinion I only see motivated solvers in all of them.
How are you experiences as a Christian in the Muslim world?
My experiences as a Christian in Muslim world are wonderful, I was raised and grown up with Muslims people. My best friends were and are Muslims, I know Islam as well, I call them as my family and during my studied at law faculty univ Trisakti, Jakarta I have learned about Islam law too. When I was a little girl during Ramadhan I went to a Musholla ( Small Mosque where you can learn/ study about Al- Quran) together with my best friends and I just sited and waited for my friends after that we were go to my house or their house to take eat together. I missed that a good times :(:( If I compare the situation in general at that time and now in my country is a bit different because of 911 I guess ( sorry if I’m wrong) but I still have many Muslims friends from my study at Univ Trisakti batalyon 14 PARA ( where I have learned how to be a soldier for student so I’m handy with Colt 45 AKA 16 etc etc ) Last year when I was in Jakarta I met them and we had really good times together without thinking and talking about religions. Most of my old Muslims friends they are wearing a Jilbab ( cover their hair,neck and body) but we still have fun with our jokes so I didn’t notice any difference when we were young. Be honest I feel a bit irritating if people who doesn’t know about Islam and talking only a bad things.
Be honest I feel a bit irritating if people who doesn’t know about Islam and talking only a bad things about Islam and Muslim , Islam is a religion and Muslims are the people with Islam religion. So I have respect for Muslims and also a Christian and another religions people or Non religions people. To me the personality and character inside and be an example of the people is more important than religion, friendship is not about the religion. Since I live in The Netherlands my eyes opened that friendship is not based of religions but you can make perfect relationship with your own religion, I’m a Christian but all my friends are from any corner of this World and I have respect to them all. In Indonesia all my favorite cubers are Muslims, I have good relationship with them all just like Wicaksono Adi, Ardianto Satriawan, Nathan Azharia, Jihan and many other Muslim cubers, I’m blessed that I can have a good relationship with them I feel really like my own family. So I don’t have any problems with Muslims people around me. And I know how to shake hands with a Muslim male who doesn’t want to touch another female hands except his own family I have also respect for it.
I’m totally have no problems as a Christian to organize Rubiks Competitions in Muslims country ( as Indonesia and may be next competition in another Muslims country) because as a Cuber, I only count how to compete/ organize Fair and Fun Competitions not about Religions Competition.