I can’t believe what a difference a year has made. I moved on, took a huge turn in my life and walked one step braver than I was… perhaps 2017 was one of the toughest year in my life. Started off with an ‘almost-forever’ love life (at least to me), and ended the year by changing a completely different part of life.
And yes, since most of us are loving throwbacks as much as we love making memories (especially in the beginning of the year!) I have committed to finish my 2017 highlights in my own version with more texts and less pictures, hoping to see that my writing skill is actually getting better.
MOURNING DECEMBER – 31 December 2016: I spent the last NYE in Thailand — while the country was mourning to the lost of its king, we delved into their NYE ritual by doing prayers, lighting candles, and donating money to the temple. I guess this experience taught me another way of tolerance — I still remember how sincerely excited they were to serve us free noodle soup when they knew we were only travellers that might have the possibility to solely be present for free food instead of exploring their culture, but respectful gesture like this we all can simply mirror through Buddha’s core values. Joining their mass prayer was also tickled the spiritual side of me despite the different rituals. If all religions have the same God, wouldn’t God hear me although I prayed through different medium?
Mass Prayer for The Dead King
UNFINISHED STORY – 2 January 2017: Roughly at the same date and time, I thought I could finish one whole reflective 500-words article to tell the world I have decided to be committed in love and would finally, happily tie the knot after recovering from my past toxic relationship that ended in early 2015. But I am grateful that I did not finish the article as two months later, we slipped the love away with all the constant drama followed us along and turned our faith into dust. I went through another failed relationship once more, but I knew that every relationships taught me a little more about myself and what kind of guy I really wanted in life. It wasn’t a failure, it was another good life lesson.
BEACH AND SURPRISES – 7-11 January 2017: Phi Phi Island was in one of my top ASEAN trip bucket list but heavy rain did not grant my wish. I spent the last couple of days in Ao Nang and found some new experiences there to treasure: met my long-gone colleague that currently lives in Dubai, mud-hiking in bare feet, and made new friends. It wasn’t really saddening for me although I didn’t manage to reach Phi Phi — I love beach vibe just as it is, and how nice it was to simply spent couple of days chilling by the beach, reading books and assembling all the random puzzles I’ve been keeping in my head into some beautiful fancy words I love.
Railay Beach
Sunset in Ao Nang
Mud Hiking
HOME AND POISONED – 12 January 2017: My coming back trip to Jakarta was supposed to be made special for my parents’ anniversary, but it turned out pretty awful — I got hospitalised the night our family had dinner just to find myself diagnosed to having a typhus due to stomach infections. I think I ate too much random stuffs in Thailand… I mean, the street food and oh the scorpion skewer (dammit)!!
If you’re thinking to explore developing countries, please serve yourself a typhoid or hepatitis A shots prior to your journey. I mean, I grew up with enormous amount of street-food intake hence I thought my stomach would have been exposed enough to germs and bacterias — but I was dead wrong.
(But thanks to these crazy besties for a little live stand up comedy session in the hospital)
YOGYAKARTA AND THE LOST MEMORIES – 29 January – 7 February 2017: After paid hundreds of visits to this little gem of central java in the previous year, Yogyakarta gave a different sense to me now that it felt like home. There were familiar faces and places that thrown me a set of list I desperately wanted to visit. There were some food I craved and drinks I fancied. Although still feel a little different without him, I embraced this moment to explore another perspectives I would never see when I am not on my own – making friends with other backpackers, making plans and observations around town, making dreams one step ahead to (maybe) reality.
LOOSING MARISA – 14 February 2017: When you meet the right person that clicks, you just knew. And it always hurts every time they left, but I think I am getting used to saying goodbye. Spent the last couple of days in Melbourne with Marisa before she came back to Jakarta — unlimited girls-talk sessions with sleepovers and fancy lunches, not to mention the crazy night out when we got kicked out of the bar while getting a free taxi ride back home after the night incidence (sounds like a good karma isn’t it?). With her, I found a sense of balance. A romantic sense of friendship where we can relentlessly find each other in different facets of life, while being independently comfortable in our own skin. Other than the fact that we are exactly in the same age and sort of at the similar stage of life, Marisa has always been herself with me, and I am glad that until now we are still in touch, checking upon each other every now and then. I met her only in 2016, and still glad that until today, although far away, the chemistry stays.
Oh, trust me, she’s pretty.
ARTIUMNATION, 11 March 2017: It might be a little rough and bumpy with a lot of misunderstandings when working with some proud young people, but their creative vision amazed me. They turned their pride of nation to a beautiful dance and music performances, making it very entertaining to watch. I’d rather be a humanist than nationalist, but regardless, I am still proud to be part of this amazing cultural night where I sang on stage with other Indonesian singers for the first time, with distinctive modified folksongs arranged by a beautiful, young Indonesian musician. I am a proud sister. *SOBS*
A PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE – Somewhere in April 2017: I’ve known this friend of mine for quite a while, but this time I took a time to explore the way he lives his life in between my constant fight with myself. He was in his 44, living a life with unemployment salary supplied by the government. He created his own zone and living peacefully in his own excitement. I probably have been running a fast-paced, exhausting life chasing dreams and empty loves only to find myself feeling disappointed once again, but he taught me to slow down, breathe in the nature, and being grateful to a peaceful coexistence. It amazed me how a human like him can still find his gratefulness within solitude for years! Sometimes what I need to learn is how to actually lower down my expectations and buckle up for worst times like this… I think nature really told me to stop running. *throwing away my running shoe*
After our peaceful run in the park.
NOVEMBER MOON FIRST PERFORMANCE – Somewhere in April 2017: This is why I love throwbacks – it reminds me of where I should have been gone while every so often I might turned to a different route. Robert and I have been wanting to give our duo a go, but my packed schedule never let me focus on my music. I think I will not let this happen in 2018… *PUTTING SOME CAPITAL LETTERS IN MY TO DO LIST 2018* In April 2017, we finally gave ourself a chance to perform, in open mic with less competition and easy bookings, but I guess it’s time to level up our game this year.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA, AND TRAGEDIES – Somewhere in April 2017: My head was uncomfortably everywhere and some good friends of mine thought joining them to Mornington Peninsula would be a good idea to refresh my mind. But when I am in the middle of a mess, I knew I would be the mess. My bad vibe was pretty obvious although I forced myself to just lived it up, not to screw everything for some silly reasons. I knew how anxious and depressed I was although Mornington and the laugh of the squad was as beautiful as the chirping birds in the clear blue sky. It was me, it was all me and my vulnerabilities, and he tried to break it once more with all his stupid dramas. I think my failed love story has enforced me to overthink a lot of things that has happened in the past. I think I have never been fully being myself. I think I was too altruistic to follow what everybody wants instead of what I want. I think a lot of things that happened in the past, happened because I did not take over the power I supposed to have within me. How could I make someone else happy when I am not happy myself?
I would save some other very important transitions of my life to Part 2. *quickly rushed myself to another business*
SundaySerenades 