In 2013...

It's finally the end of the year, the last day of 2013 that I'm bittersweet about meeting. Just like every year, I suppose, every year has to come to an end and a new one is on its way. And like every ending, comes a beginning. Before 2014 arrives, I would like to look back on this year which really really has been an odyssey for me. A roller-coaster ride that gives me thrill. I think 2013 is the year that I learnt a lot. Because it is when I officially stepped inside the school of life. Which is also known as social school. You're out there, in the world. No longer in classrooms.

It's the dawn of the last day of the year. And here I am writing all these. Looking back at the past 364 days have been really quite overwhelming both in a good and bad way. I suppose so many things happened in this year that I truly feel "heavy" as I look back on these days of 2013. Well as many things happened, so did I learn a lot of lessons. I am definitely a different person than who I was, 364 days ago. So, thank you for that.

So here are the list of lessons I learnt in this year. And also the list of things that happened too.

In 2013 I learnt that the only person who can fully feel your own achievement and accomplishment is yourself. The only person who can truly feel the joy of the path you chose is yourself. Not your parents, not your siblings or your friends, but yourself. And you can feel it more when this decision, this path you take, is made by you and your heart. Because at the end of the day, this is your life. You're the only person in charge of your happiness and how you feel about everything. In my case, I am truly proud of what I've achieved in the past 3 years, or 11 years of my life. Because these years truly shape who I am today. Without them, I am not the me today.

 I'm really proud of how far I've come thus far

In 2013 I learnt that there's so much more things you earned in school, rather than just a certificate and a title you'll get at the end of it. I'm proud of my diploma, I think it is the biggest achievement in life, in terms of academics (since I will most probably not go to a university). My hard work for the past three years have been paid off and I am happy with my final GPA. But I am also proud of the things I learnt outside the classroom. Socialising with people, leading people, the camps and trips I went to have shaped who I am today too - and not just what I learnt in the classroom.

 When riding a boat, don't just think of the destination, enjoy the view!

In 2013 I choose to believe that school is a place I go to earn knowledge and not a place where I solely go to, to secure a place in the workfield. If I learnt how to make pizza, can't I make pasta for dinner? Surely I can make pizza for lunch next month or something.

In 2013 I learnt that life is tough, so don't make it tougher. Like what Confucius once said "Life is really simple, but we insist in making it complicated". And well sadly I learnt too that the only person who make your life difficult is yourself.

 Life's tough so... Don't make it tougher!

Also in 2013, I learn that doing what you love is tougher. Especially when what stands between you and your dreams is your heart. If you go either way, it will cost you, your heart. I've been stuck but well I will just keep on doing what I love and when there is a will there is a way.I've always believed that dreams are like pollen grains that are hanging on bodies of bees. We simply cling onto them, not knowing when we'll land on a stigma of a flower that would pollinate it and grow into a fruit, which is the fruit of our labour. So instead of losing hope, I will still cling on to the things I love doing.

 Always remember that a seed planted won't flower overnight

In 2013 I learnt that things happen for a reason as always. Life may not give you the reason three hours or a day after a particular event happened. In my case this year, life gave me a reason to why I should return home 7 months after I'm back. I made the right decision to go back, not just for myself but more for the others here. I couldn't imagine the things that are going to happen if I don't return back. So yes, life gave me the reason why I should go back, 7 months after I'm here. And I'm pretty cool with that. Everything surely happen for a reason!

 Things happen for a reason. Like how you can walk on this sandbank

In 2013 I had my first solo-trip to Bali. And it is truly an exciting and eye-opening experience I will never forget. Taking a morning stroll along Kuta beach, then panicking trying to find a shelter cause there was a sudden storm.Walking along the streets of Ubud, looking at the arts and crafts over there. Have a sip of tea in a local shop. Walking along the streets of Kuta at night where everyone asked me to go inside bars, and I choose not to be drunk alone heh. It's an eye opener, because after this trip I fell in love with traveling alone.

 Sunset in Uluwatu, March 2013

In 2013 I learnt that traveling alone is wonderful. People associate "alone" as something negative and sad. When I told people that I was going to Bali alone or that I went to Bali alone, most of their response was "Why?" and they told me that wouldn't it be a sad experience. I hereby recommend everyone to travel alone at least once in your life (especially when you're young) because it will truly open up your horizon, and well hopefully, like me, you'll enjoy the experience. But please do your research before the trip, and keep safe when you're at your destination!

Here's to more solo-travels!

In 2013 I also learnt that going to concerts alone isn't a bad thing at all. I went to quite a lot of concert/symphonic band concerts alone in Singapore and I think it's quite normal. At least I'm going there to either support a friend, or I'll bump with someone I know. This year, my favourite band, Sigur Ros, came to Indonesia. And since no one in my family listens to them except for me, I decided to go alone because I wouldn't want to miss this chance! It was my first time watching a concert in my own homeland, and my first non-classical concert alone too. And it was an amazing experience. I love Indonesian Sigur Ros fans, and I was able to enjoy the concert to the fullest - cause I was able to move, and do, however and whatever I want. Takk Fyrir Sigur Ros!

Istora Senayan, 10/5/2013

In 2013 I graduated from SP. I have formally ended my polytechnic education, and most probably (or actually) my institutional education since I will most probably not continue to a university (long story, shan't talk here). I have obtained a Diploma in Biomedical Sciences and it is my highest achievement in life in terms of education. I have graduated with my target GPA and I'm proud of that too. It is rather sad to realise that everything has come to an end, because I truly enjoyed my 3 years in polytechnic. I'm so ever thankful to the lecturers who have taught me (Special mention to Dr Simon Tan, my FYP mentor) and to all of my friends, whom I have forged friendships and carved memories with. I will miss you, and I am still missing my days there, actually.

 Photo credit to SP

You only graduate once!

In 2013 I left Singapore for good. The eleven years I spent there, from my days learning English at NYU language centre in 2002, my primary school days in Pei Tong from 2003-2005, Tanglin Secondary school days, from 2006-2009, and last but not least SP days from 2010-2013, were really the best 11 years of my life. I've learned a lot both as a student, a small kid, a teenager and a young adult. And I'm ever thankful for the experience to study abroad since young. I've learned the value of independence and diligence. I've cherished the memories, friendships and relationships I made with the people there. I have treasured the flavours of solitude, which I truly miss. Singapore will always be a second home to me. Going back there will never feel like going for a holiday. It's just like going back home lor. Cause nothing seems foreign to me there.

 My room. Missing the mess, and everything else.

In 2013 I had a taste of the working life. Returning home, I began to help my father in his business and well, though I don't "formally" have a job here, like I don't have a fixed working hour and stuff, I still tasted the working life. I caught a glimpse of the life I might probably have to live here? I suppose? And well, working life is... Tough, in many ways. School's definitely more fun. But we can never stay forever young (we can feel forever young though). So yes even up till today I'm coping and coping with this transition. I hope in 2014 I get to pass this transition gracefully and beautifully.

 Hope I can grow beautifully like this green Shamrock

And in 2013 I had a taste of growing up. I turned 21 in July and to be honest, it feels... Nothing. I mean it feels normal, not sure what's the big deal of turning 21, why is everyone feeling so afraid of growing up. You're not alone, don't worry! But I surely had a taste in growing up. The times when you realise you're no longer teens and you begin to think about life more and more. I suppose, growing up means a lot of things. Like when you begin to hold responsibilities by yourself. When you begin to separate your rights and your wrongs. When you begin to get more confused with life (congrats!). When you get puzzled by your own actions and you're confused with what to do. Many people say one of the most difficult times in your life is in your 30s, when you have to juggle a career and a family. I think the twenties are also one of the most difficult times of your life. Because you're exploring, and trying to define who you are. And yes, it's very difficult to do that.

 Quoting Avicii's song

"All this time I was finding myself, and I didn't know I was lost"

In 2013 I learnt that the older you grow the lesser time you have for yourself. Well the older you grow, the faster, and the more the amount of things that will catch up with you. Your job, your responsibility and this and that. And yes you will have lesser time for yourself. When I mean for yourself, I'm referring to the times where you can do things that you want to do. Be it having a cuppa in Starbucks, or cooking your meals. Or simply lazying around the bed watching TV or surfing the net. You'll have lesser time for traveling too. So yes, in this year, I took every opportunity to be alone. Because I know the older I grow, the lesser time I have for myself. But I believe in the saying I come across with. "We don't find time, we make time". So yes, I think I'll need to plan my time better to enjoy some me-times.

 Alone time is ALWAYS welcomed!

In 2013 I learnt that school is more fun that working. The big big difference between these two is simple. In school, I will only get stressed when there are exams nearby, or when a big project/assignment is due. But once I got through all these, I can take a breather and do the things that I enjoy. It seems like I just need to brave through one storm, and once I get pass through it, I get to take a breather for a while before braving another storm. Whereas in working, problems never stop appearing heh. Because I guess in work you don't only have to deal with your "work", but you're also dealing with the people and everything else around you. So yes to my friends who are still schooling now, please enjoy your days there.

2013 has been... A year. Really. If 2012 was a year of patience to me, then 2013 was a year of change. It was a year of change because well, of the things that happened above. And change is the only constant in this world so I accept that and I learnt this year that you have to go with change, not go against it. It is when you go against it that you'll find everything wrong.

2013 was a year I wish wouldn't come because I knew in the beginning that this year will be the year where I'll be returning home for good. And well I really don't want to leave that sunny island but I know I have to. Time has proven to me why I have to. But like I said before I'm truly thankful for these 11 years because they have truly shaped who I am today.

When 2013 begins, there is nothing much that I was expecting out of this year. I don't know why but I feel emptiness within. When 2012 begins I was really hopeful, and I begin to jot down the things I want to do and such. But this year was pretty much different. I didn't write a lot of things, and well the end-result was quite surprising actually - I learned, and did more things that I expected myself to. So it's good that this emptiness actually bears a fruit.

In 2013 I learnt to not get over ambitious with resolutions. I think resolutions should start small, and small and achievable, and manageable and yes, I think these resolutions are easier to achieve. And I think cut it with the "lose weight" "travel a lot" "do a gazzilion things" resolutions. Instead of listing down all the places you want to visit, just pick a few and really work towards planning it, to achieve the resolution. Make your resolution SMART - Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, Time-specific. Wow I still remember this! Hehe. (No I actually just remembered the S, M, R, T).

I have a few failed resolutions. I promised to blog often although I'm back here and my posts are actually cut by  62.2%! And yes it's quite depressing. But well I have my reasons too. I wanted to do a scapbook of my poly days when I graduated and once again it never happened. But well I'm quite thankful that I actually managed to keep most of the promises I made to myself. Which I shall not post here heh. So yeah, it's a game of give and take I suppose.

Alright, what a long post, and what a long year it has been. A lot of things happened and a lot of lessons learned. I'm sure I've learned more than what I've written above. But these are just the main things that I've learned. Thank you 2013, the people, the events, and everything else in between for the lessons learned and the memories cherished. This year of change has officially come to an end and well, here I am saying my farewell to you.

2014 is coming up ahead. I have yet to write my new year's resolutions and wishes and hopes and dreams. But well, here's to everything in 2013, and to a bright new year of 2014 ahead. Once again thank you everyone, especially those in Singapore, for making this year a truly memorable one for me. Goodby 2013! Thanks for everything really!

So long, and goodbye.

Best of 2013 - Part 2

Hi everyone again. Yes I could have blogged this series of best of 2013 in the past 8 days but they never happen. So I'm just going to end it off here since tomorrow is the last day of the year damn! Ah well, I'm going to write a really long post about the year tomorrow so do watch for it! Here's the 2nd and last part of best of 2013. And it's about travels.

[] Best of 2013 - Travels []

Since this year, I've decided to add a new resolution to every year. And that is to travel to a new place that I've never been before, if possible out of my country, every year. And this year I'm glad I went to a couple of new places and it's pretty nice to know that. I have plans for next year too and I'm going to make it happen. I love traveling to new places. Like I said isn't it such a waste to not see the world while you're walking on it, living on it? Right right? Hehe.

So yes let's begin to new place number one and that is Thailand! I've never been to Thailand. The only time I went there was for a 2 hour transit in Bangkok Airport while I was heading for Sweden heh. This year at least I managed to travel there. In Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi woots! Looking forward to more adventures in the land of smile. 

 Wat Arun, Bangkok

In March I headed to Bangkok and Phuket with Jolene, Melissa, Sharon and Weilun for our grad trip! We spent 4 days in Bangkok and another 4 in Phuket. I really love Thailand. Everything about it like the food, the places, the people. Well I kinda dislike the heat heh cause Bangkok's pretty humid but living in Singapore for 11 years I'm really used to it.

Somewhere in Phuket

Phuket's pretty lovely as well with the lovely beaches and bustling night life. Will never forget those times swimming in clear blue water with fishiiies haha. And somehow Thailand really reminds me of my country too. Just that everyone speaks Thai there (duh). And the food really suits my tongue. I really really love som tum AKA papaya salad.

Krabi!

And just recently like 2 weeks ago I just went to Krabi with Adeline and Jeslyn! I kinda prefer Krabi than Phuket because Krabi is more chill. But when it comes to night life Phuket excites me more. And yeah I just love how chill Krabi is despite of it being a tourist place. The locals are nice too and yup, beaches are lovely. I really hope I can explore the other provinces in Thailand! I just love the country and hope I can come back there one day :)

Train odyssey to Bogor

As for Indonesia, well I went to a few places I haven't been before or haven't explored before. I suppose one is Tasikmalaya, for my sister's friend wedding and another is Bogor which I took a train with together with my cousins last month. I think my country is a beautiful country and seriously speaking, there are so many places I've yet to explore. Exploring more new places in my country is definitely a new year resolution for 2014!

Sunset in Uluwatu

And to end off this post, I just wanna say that this year I learnt that traveling alone is a wonderful experience! My solo trip to Bali taught me that. Alone doesn't necessarily mean emo and negative. It's an eye opener which I highly recommend to everyone. But of course safety comes first so do research on the place you wanna go before you leave.

 Here's to more solo-travels in the future - and one adventure in 2014.

Best of 2013 - part 1

Hello hello I'm here again, at last. After countless times of asking myself to blog, I finally drag my fingers on the keyboard to type here. But anyway, it's another winter solstice! Wow wow time surely flies. I just made tang yuans (glutinous rice balls) last night and gonna have to eat them today, according to my age + 1 according to tradition so yep.

Anyway, usually I'll do reflection of the year kind of thing right. For the past two years I've been reflecting on the past 12 months of the year during the last 12 days of the year. But hmm I feel that... This year I wanna do something different. Besides, I feel that not every month has something really special to reflect about. I'm sure there is, just that this year feels really different. Anyho so yeah I'm just going to give the highlights of this year. Be it events, concerts and travels.

So today, let's talk about best of 2013 - concert edition!

[] Best of 2013 - concerts []

This year I actually managed to go to a few concerts, great ones. It's kinda sad and regretful that it was only last year that I started going to concerts apart from symphonic band concerts. Like Corrinne May and Sigur Ros concert last year, were my first two concerts! How sad right. I should and could have went for more but well, I'm glad this year I managed to do so.

In January this year I had a really eargasmic 12 hours thanks to Laneway Festival Singapore! Managed to catch a few of my favourite bands/singers there. Like: Of Monsters and Men, Kings of Convenience, Gotye and Kimbra! And I managed to discover awesome music as well, coming from Alt+J, Bats for Lashes and the other artists. Really nice!

Being under the sun, singing and dancing to Little Talks by OMAM, dancing to "I'd Rather Dance with You" by KOC, which sadly was one of the two songs I caught them singing cause I was late haha. Seeing Kimbra's explosiveness and then ending the whole day with Gotye singing Somebody That I Used To Know. Listening to Alt+J while laying on the grass was also therapeutic. And getting lose in Nicholas Jaar's music was lovely as well.

Laneway was such indeed an Indie Heaven! Thanks to Lizzie and her sister for helping me get the 4-bundle ticket price. It's cheaper heh heh.

Then in January I was ecstatic to find out that Sigur Ros had decided to come to Jakarta in May for a concert! Akthough I was kind of worried that the day will fall during my graduation or something. But thankfully it wasn't. In fact it was like 2 weeks before so I quickly went to buy the ticket, a festival ticket, and it became the first concert which I went to, alone. And it was truly a wonderful wonderful experience. So worth everything!

The night Indonesia sang Hoppipolla with Sigur Ros!

I could still remember waiting outside Istora Senayan waiting to go in, 1 hour or so before door opening. I could still remember getting goosebumps seeing the band taking the stage. I could still remember the goosebumps I get when Yfirbord started playing. And how my heart skipped a bit when Jonsi sang the first line of the song. I could still remember shouting in joy when the screen dropped during Ny Batteri. The moment where we sang Olsen Olsen in chorus, and Festival too. Where we only stopped until Jonsi said "Thank you very much" then. 

I could still remember tearing up during Hoppipolla when Jonsi hit the high note during the part after he sang "Og ég fæ blóðnasir, En ég stend alltaf upp". Singing Hoppipolla with the audience was definitely something I'll remember for life. And then simply losing myself during Popplagid, where I stopped recording, taking photos and stuff. When Orri beat the hell out of his drum and everyone seems to "lose" it. Including me. Where I feel like I got possessed and be lost in a trance, only to regain my consciousness after the concert came to an end.

And the concert felt like a dream that I would never want to wake up from. Istora was a dreamscape where I escape from reality for that 2 hours. And when everything comes to an end, I just simply feel sad about everything else that comes back to me. Well, Takk Fyrir Sigur Ros for coming to Jakarta for the great concert! Definitely one of the best nights of my LIFE!

And last but not least I got to watch Richard Clayderman in concert as well! It was in June and he's really my piano idol since young. Listening to his songs in my dad's car, and collecting his CDs and so on. He's the one who inspired me to learn the piano and his songs will forever stay with me. It was such a bliss to get to meet him, get his signature and even shook his hand! I thanked him for the music and told him "Tres Biens!" and he even wished me good luck and all the best. Wow, my childhood dream just came true that night haha. Merci Beacoup!

And this is not a concert but watching Phantom of The Opera in August was definitely a highlight as well. It's so amazing! Another childhood dream come true. Still remember playing the main theme in Pei Tong, with the Angklung and Kulintang ensemble, and then from Broadway Essentials in TSMB, and of course with SPSB during my first IBM concert. To watch the musical with my eyes was just amazing. I'm seriously lucky to have the chance to catch it! :)

Hmm come to think of it 2013 was a not-bad-year for concerts. I get to tick off my bucket list for concerts, like watching OMAM live, cause I thought I'll never be able to do so haha. And then watching Richard Clayderman in concert, and catching Phantom live. And to catch Sigur Ros again in my homeland was definitely one of the greatest experience in life. And hey, I learned that going to concerts alone is perfectly fine. So here's to more concerts in 2014! Even if I have to go watch them alone. 

It's just sad that I don't live in Jakarta so... I have to travel there to catch concerts.

Alright that's all from me now. More of Best of 2013 coming along! Have a great Sunday everybody. And happy winter solstice! :)

Thailand Trip II

 I was in paradise indeed

Hello hello! I'm now back from my Thailand trip a few days ago! On Wednesday to be exact. But I went to meet Jing jing and her friend, Faith, in Bandung on Thursday and Friday so yup. The trip was so awesome! Had been feeling really empty due to the withdrawal syndrome I'm having yesterday. It's so... Haha, well the usual thing, after returning home from a trip.

Won't give much details to the trip but here it is anyway!

Met Jeslyn and Adeline last Sunday (8/12) at Bangkok straight away! My flight landed at 16:30 Bangkok time. Took the train to Ratchaprapop station and we met there. Walked to our hotel to drop off my luggage and we went for dinner at MBK, at the MK restaurant! Seriously good roast pork and duck there omg. Seriously THE bomb haha. So good!

Spent the rest of the evening walking along Pratunam, and got my sister 3 shirts there.

The next morning we're off to Krabi with our flight at 11 AM. Reached there at 1, and explored the Ao Nang area first before heading to the beach. And heading to the beach made us go back to the hotel to change to our swimwear cause we can't stand it! We just simply want to swim at the beach haha. Oh and by the way, Ao Nang beach is really beautiful!

 Ao Nang beach!

The next day we went for a 4 Islands tour which we booked before the trip. Actually we went to 5 islands (yay!) haha well not really "went" to 5 islands but at least we were there. First island was Tup island, which was connected to the second island, Chicken Island by a sandbank! It's really cool, but we didn't get to walk across cause the tide was getting higher.

 Boat at Tup island

The third island was the... I forgot the name oh dear. But we went for a short snorkeling trip there which is fun too. Umm I find that the water wasn't as clear. But seeing the fishes made me happy hehe. Went back to Chicken island for lunch again, then we headed to Porda island for a nice swim too in the clear blue waters! And lastly we headed for Phra Nang cave which I found out that Phra Nang is a sea-goddess and people prayed to her to seek blessing. Very interesting indeed.

 Phra Nang cave

And we headed back to Krabi, had an interesting ride back to our hotel, where we had to stand outside the transportation truck cause it was full hahaha. Cleaned up, went for dinner at a nice Muslim restaurant and ended our last night in Krabi with a SUPERB traditional Thai massage (for me and Jes) and Adeline had a great foot reflexology too. And we decided to have supper by buying food from 7-11. I wish we had nice food at 7-11 here!

 Sunset in Ao Nang

For the last day we just had breakfast and spent the rest of the morning walking along Ao Nang for the last time before heading to the airport. Jeslyn stayed back in Bangkok as her sister is coming to join her while Ade and I went back to Singapore/Jakarta respectively. Oh man, I swear I really don't feel like going back on that day. Krabi was just such a lovely place!

And then on Thursday I headed straight to Bandung to meet Jing Jing and her friend, Faith. We went to the volcano (Mt Tangkuban Perahu) first exploring the place there, and then to a Factory Outlet (Rumah Mode) and PVJ for dinner at Pizza e Iberra which is great! Friday was spent with last shopping trip at Jalan Riau and then we had a nice massage too. Seriously a great week for me. Just too awesome! No wonder I'm having severe withdrawal syndrome.

 Ratu crater at Mt Tangkuban Perahu

Oh well, all good times must come to an end, but well I really enjoyed myself. So thank you to Jes and Ade for making the Thailand trip such a wonderful one! And to Jing Jing and Faith as well, I'm glad to be your host and I hope you enjoyed yourselves in Bandung! :)

What a great way to end my year!

Alright I'll stop here for now. I'll write more about my trips soon, maybe :P

December

 Clouds of Tasik

I'm rather slow but well, somehow I always, or I don't realise that we're already entering December. We're already inside the last month of the year and well, we're only left with 26 more days even. It feels rather quick and sad that the year is coming to an end but well, like I said the last time I somehow can't wait for this year to be over. So yeah, what's coming for us I wonder.

December is probably my favourite month of the year. It's the month of reminiscent, the last month of the year, where I bid goodbye to this chapter of my life while feeling eager to anticipate the next. With the increased frequency of rain and the drop in temperature, it just makes reminiscing something inevitable really heh.  So it's my favourite month. For a sentimental person like me.

It seems rather weird to realise that the year is coming to an end when it feels like yesterday that I opened my diary and think of what to write, to expect and to hope for this year. And now here I am thinking what have happened in the past 339 days. And yes it feels sad too that I wrote very little in my diary. Because I don't have the time to, somehow.

So I decided to reuse my diary for 2014 - save the earth and save the papers.

Been long since I blogged so here's a few update I guess. Last Sunday I went to Tasikmalaya, which is is town about 6 hours drive from my hometown! Went there with my sis and her boyfriend to attend her friend's wedding. Once again, it feels weird to attend a wedding of someone whom you know (rather close) when you're young. Time flies! Anyway happy wedding to the new couple, may this new chapter be a happy and great one for you! :)

Tasik is really quite a big town but I really find the streets rather empty. Maybe because it is big and the population is spread well throughout the city, unlike my small hometown where everyone seems cramped inside haha, and thus looking crowded-always. I was having diarrhea when I was there and it wasn't pleasant at all. Urgh, but well I survived so yeah.

Heading back from Tasik we went to Cipanas to attend another of my sis friend's engagement! Wow! Haha, oh man my primary school friends (or seniors) are getting married. It seriously made me feel really old haha. Anyho all the best to her too for the engagement. Looking forward to attending the wedding hehe.

Aaaaand 3 days later I'll be off to Thailand with Jes and Ade! Yes I know the situation over at the capital is a bit bad with the riots, but I'm glad to hear the news that the condition is starting to ease. And I hope by the time we go there the condition will be fine again and we'll just have a great time at the land of smile. I seriously can't wait to go, because I've been really looking forward to the trip, and I really need a holiday haha. So yes Sunday come faster! :P

Alright that's all for now I suppose. May December be a great month ahead to close this year. And happy reminiscing folks! :)