unsaid but hopefully well written

I don't travel frequently but I've been doing that at least once a year for 3 years now. What actually appalling to me, rather than the journey, is actually the planning part. I have always love to plan, but the best thing about planning a journey is the sense of relieve, knowing that I do know where to go and where to be and how to go and do. After that, the sense of accomplishment for figuring out half of the trip (like the buses and accommodation and some destinations) even if I might not be on schedule at all.

I didn't have any travel goals for the past three years. I just went somewhere and coming back home. I don't plan a trip with friends either since most people choose beaches or mountain as their getaway trip and while I appreciate the beauty of nature, I'm pretty clear about what I like to do when I travel. I like to take public transportation like locals, looking for city scale models, wandering around the city, and having the sense of being independent (since I don't have to depend on people when I wanted to reach a destination and just hop on the public transport (and that was my take of being independent :))).

But at the end of the year, my friend asked me to contribute on her newly found traveling website. It was what actually triggered me to do more traveling this year. Well, I need to have things to write about, right? Other than that, it gets quite addictive, this whole traveling experience.

So, my travel wishlist so far has been... a lot. I wanted to save up and go to Japan this autumn, because I have always wanted to go there. I wanted to go to Hongkong and Macau for no particular reason (mostly because both place doesn't ask for visa). I also wanted to go to Thailand for its Chao Praya River Cruise (I lovvve being in a river cruise. It's too bad I missed one in Seoul). And I've wanted to go to Vietnam for quite some time now because even though the country haven't got a very good public transportation system, they had a railway that goes along its coastal. They said it takes days from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh, but I've been wanting to try that... just because.

And even though it's very far-stretched, I wanted to go to The Strand in New York (ever since it became the setting for my favorite book; Dash and Lily's Book of Dares). And Iceland. And South Korea again (and again and again. Can I just live there?)

Anyway, I wasn't that optimist that I can fulfill my travel wishlist in 2017 (considering I wasn't allowed to go alone anymore and I'm such a cheapskate by heart) but on my lifetime, who knows.

Meanwhile, I will stick to my current plan for 2017.

1. Semarang and Yogyakarta

I have a friend in Semarang and I have promised her that I would take the train to visit her. To tell the truth, at first, I have no interest in traveling inside my country because of the whole thing about being independent traveler and my interest in a city. But nowadays, I've been thinking that I need to take my chances.

And for Yogyakarta, I hope my friend would take me there (take your chances, right?) and maybe we can visit the Upside Down House.

2. Seoul

Okay, this is silly but when I thought I have finally finished with my korean addiction, I stumble upon this band that is holding two concert every months for 2017 (SCREAM INTERNALLY). That is the major reason, but mostly, I just want to be there again.

3. Singapore

My brother is going and of course I HAVE TO tag along. Besides, I wouldn't miss a chance to plan a trip and visiting the neighborhood I haven't been to on my last trip.

But above all, my travel goals in 2017 would be to loosen up and take as much memories (and silly and memorable pictures) as I can. After all we don't get to be young twice.

Cheers for more insights from traveling this year.

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2016 : Reading

a year in a glance February 02, 2017

Okay, so it's February already and it's sooo late to write about 2016. But I've been busy with this and that in January and in the midst of that manage to write some drafts about 2016, so I just decided to post it anyway.

My first 2016 moments would be about reading. I read this and feel entitled to make a post about my reading in 2016 since I'm a self-acclaimed self avid reader.

In summary, two milestones of my reading on 2016 were me purchasing a bookshelf and going to Big Bad Wolf. Also I didn't keep track of my reading in Goodreads so that I didn't aware of how much I was reading this year. At least I got some of my instant favorites.

First of all, my first bookshelf.

okay, so this is when it was first arrived. right now, it's kinda cluttered

Before this, I didn't have a bookshelf. I used to put all of my books on a closed cabinet and overtime it got full and I have piles of books I just bought and another were scattered in my room so I can just pick them up anytime when I want to need them. But then I had a major clean up and decided that I don't want to have my books scattered all over my room. And since I didn't have my bookshelf yet, I put all of my books in two boxes and put them away for a while. Trust me, for a person who got excited on the idea of book's spine, that wasn't exactly a good experience.

On the beginning of this year, my family went out to department store and while I stay at home I told my father that I might want to buy a bookshelf. So he updated me of the models on sale, I decided on one, and he went home with a bookshelf. Little did I know that buying a bookshelf requires me to be a bit impulsive (and less thinking). The same day, my father build the bookshelf (I was so sure I can do it myself until my father takes over) and we moved it to my room, after getting rid of my old closed cabinet.

I remember that I wasn't in a very good mood that day and arranging books into the shelves got me so happy. I mean you have endless choice of arranging my books. By title or author's alphabet, by size, by year of purchase, by series, by publishers (local and import), by language, by colors... I decided to go with the size though sorting by colors would look so pretty.

Up to now, I have rearranging my books twice and keep it filled up. I'm pretty sure I'm up for another shelf next year.

The second one is Big Bad Wolf.

I went to Big Bad Wolf 2016 twice. The first one was on early days with a friend of mine and the second one was a week later with my family. I had to admit that I didn't buy that much (only 4 books for me, three of them I didn't really into). But the experience of going itself was fun. Well, you got to be in a hall full of books in good condition and cheaper price, I even lasted for hours twice not buying things and just looking. That's how enjoyable going to a book fair for me.

Also the books I purchase on the BBW 2016 inspires me to read a more diverse genre. Recently I only read young-adults with light love story, and I don't really into those I bought on BBW. Maybe I just need to branch out of my genre.

Of all books I read this year, I have several that was a memorable experience. And here they are :

1. The last two books of Gallagher Academy by Ally Carter.

I have the first four book in translated version and really enjoy reading it. For the last two, I got it on e-book form. The story hasn't lose its charm even after years that I instantly hooked by Cam and her friends' story since the first page.

2. First and Then by Emma Mills

I wasn't going to buy this actually. I'm about to pick another (one of them was Sophie Kinsella's Finding Audrey) and decided on this one mostly because it's cover and it's back cover's synopsis. Turns out I'm loving this book to theb point of reading it in one sitting. The book is witty, with story not only about teenage drama but also about growing up.

3. The Unexpected Everything and Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson

I read the books without expectation at first and that what makes it better. Especially Second Chance Summer. Spoiler alert, though it sometimes annoying how the main character was hurting people around her because she was hurt, it was all part of growing up and coping with her own emotions.

4. Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

My favorite one. I can't believe that this is actually a book about a girl suffering from mental illness because I laugh so much and so hard. The book is funny and deep at the same time.

5. Riuh by Kinsia Eyusa

Once, a long time ago, I found this uber cute short-story on tumblr and I've been following the blog ever since. Not too long ago, she open a pre-order for a book of her writings and I just can't miss the chance, so I jumped on it and not even regret anything. Riuh is one of the best written thing I have ever read, and it makes me happy. Because, you know, read things that makes you happy even if no one understand why would you be happy reading that (unknown).

Hope to read even more awesome book next year and cheers for more diverse genre.

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It's Okay Not to be Okay

note to self December 12, 2016

For once in a while, for when the sky was not as blue. For when the oranges taste just a bit too sour and for when the day was scorching hot.

It's okay not to be okay when you feel like you had disappointed someone. When you think that you choose happy for you and wary for them. You just can't pleased everyone. You win some, you lose some.

It's okay not to be okay. To close your eyes and ears just for a bit longer. To mute the others and to go on with your life. You don't need to hear everything sometimes. You don't need to try to see every good in every thing. Life is a lesson, you don't get perfect score every time anyway.

It's okay not to be okay and write a thing or two on your diary. It's okay to vent out for a minute or two to your best person, they will understand. Your problem is not insignificant and it's okay not to be strong every time. It's okay to cry for reason you can't articulate. It's okay to hug the person closest to you just to feel a bit warmer inside. It's okay, they will understand that it's okay for you not to be okay for once in a while.

And it's okay that you are such a sensitive human being who overthinks anything. It wasn't a total weakness and at least you know that you are. And those feelings that overwhelm you, they will fade out. Eventually (even though I read somewhere that it was such a lazy word, there's just some things we don't have the power of). It's okay to watch two or three episodes of your favorite tv shows just to make it aside for a while. It's okay to feel gloom again after that. You should now, tou gloom less with every distraction. It's okay even if what distracts you seems petty or insignificant. Everyone had their own way to cope, and your way is okay.

It's okay to admit that you are lost, angry, sad or confused. It's okay to lose the battle as long as you try to get back again. It's okay that you are not as strong as you think you might be. It's okay to loosen up. It's okay to be weak just for this rare times. Your life wasn't flat, it has ups and downs. So it's all okay, it's all right even though it wasn't alright.

Dear self, it's okay not to be okay.

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Creative + Blogging, a Sharing Session

holiday November 27, 2016

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Last Sunday, I went outside (cheer).

taken from here

Di awal minggu lalu, teman saya tiba-tiba ngechat via instagram, ngajakin saya untuk ikutan event-nya Hijup : Inspirasi Wanita vol.3 : "Berawal dari Hobi, Kreatif Jadi Produktif". Salah satu pembicaranya adalah Miranti Andi Kasim, co-founder-nya LivingLoving. Saya kebetulan lumayan sering baca blog itu dan suka banget ngeliatin setiap post nya yang bisa bikin even the smallest thing sounds super fun. Narasumber yang lain adalah Indah Nada Puspita, seorang fashion blogger yang saya udah pernah dengar namanya sebelumnya tapi belum pernah baca blog nya. Karena ini formatnya sharing session, saya jadi penasaran hal apa yang akan mereka bagi, terutama karena saya lagi pengen banyak nulis di blog dan lagi seneng-senengnya crafting lagi. Jadilah saya semangat banget untuk ikutan (plus event-nya gratis hehehe).

sharing session dari mbak Miranti from LivingLoving

Kedua narasumber itu cerita tentang awal mula mereka memulai blog masing-masing. Nada, bilang kalau blog-nya berawal dari tugas IT jaman SMA. She needed to make a blog but she wanted to make it as if it wasn't a class assignment, katanya supaya ikhlas ngisi blog-nya. Therefore, dia isi blognya dengan hal yang ia sukai, yaitu fashion. So she posted her things and there, she got the best score.

Sementara Mbak Miranti memulai blog-nya setelah ia resign dari pekerjaannya. Bedanya, dia nggak sendirian dalam memulai. So it was started online on 2013, though she and her partner started writing since 2012. Mereka juga udah memutuskan bahwa tema besar blog mereka adalah home decor, which is a thing for both of them. Makanya, meskipun banyak banget yang mereka cover, mulai dari traveling, sampai resep makanan, it all came back to their big theme.

Dari cerita mereka, keliatan banget kalo mereka sangat passionate sama apa yang mereka lakukan. Meskipun begitu, Nada bilang bahwa ada juga masanya dia jenuh sama kerjaannya. What she said then is kind of funny but very true. That when she feel bored, she won't do anything, but then she will be bored by not doing anything. Well, at all cost everyone's need a break, right? I like how she stated that what keeps her going is support from her readers. Dia bilang, hebat banget orang bisa se-support itu sama orang yang nggak dikenalnya. Saya sendiri ngerasain, as a reader, just how powerful people's post can be. Kalo emang kena dan bagus banget, pengennya si orang yang saya baca tulisannya itu nulis terus karena mereka sharing good and inspiring things, and that is heart-warming. Plus, itu ngebuktiin juga sih masih banyak orang yang aktif di internet dan bukan haters. That somehow give hopes :)

My favorite part is waktu ada pertanyaan tentang gimana mereka bisa percaya diri untuk sharing hal-hal yang mereka nggak punya pengetahuan formal tentang itu. Secara Mbak Miranti dan partnernya adalah lulusan komunikasi dan Nada juga bukannya belajar tentang fashion di SMA.

Nada pun cerita tentang isi blognya yang kebanyakan tentang mix and match baju, which is what effortless for her. Tapi ternyata nggak semua orang bisa semudah itu memadu-madankan warna dan pakaian. Dia pun merasa hal yang dibaginya ternyata ada banget manfaatnya buat orang lain.

Sementara menurut Mbak Miranti, ada plus nya juga karena dia nggak ada basic pendidikan formal tentang hal yang ia share di blog. Dengan begitu, ia bisa melihat dan membahasakan materi blog nya dari sudut pandang orang awam, sehingga pembacanya juga lebih mudah menangkap isi tulisannya.

Hal yang paling kena banget buat saya adalah slide terakhir-nya Mbak Miranti, tulisannya Start Somewhere. Biasa ya, yang klise-klise itu sebenernya yang paling gamblang maksudnya. Nggak pake alesan lagi, kalo suka sesuatu ya dilakuin aja. Seperti yang Mbak Miranti tambahin juga, kalo mikirnya cuma uang doang, lama-lama kita jadi nggak sincere, padahal, kita cukup yakin bahwa sharing is caring. Jadi followers, fame, sama income nya sih mestinya bonus aja.

Making Painted Necklace with LivingLoving (demo aja tapi, huhu nggak kebagian)

There, cerita saya ikutan event-nya Hijup yang ternyata seru dan lumayan bikin saya mikir juga soal blog yang suka kelamaan ditinggal ini. Semoga makin semangat untuk nulis ya. Let's start somewhere! :)

ps. maafin segala foto low-res yang di atas ya huks. need to do something with the layout (and phone's camera)

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On the Weekend

Daily Life November 26, 2016

As I worked Monday to Friday from 9 to sometime-after-7-but-definitely-not-the-day-after, I treat my weekend as sacred. Going out on weekend should be minimum, even more on Sunday. I would rather be at home, wishing for Monday to come slower.

What did I do at home, then? A lot. But mostly sleeping and streaming korean everything, from dramas to tv shows to idol performances. I can finish up to 6 episodes in one sitting, or a full episodes (with roughly 20 minutes per episode) of web dramas. Back then, for me, going out on weekend is exhausting. Why do I have to spend another time outside the house while I can do nothing at home? The time I use for going out is the time for catching up to sleeping and watching shows I had missed. It's like refreshing before another hectic weekdays.

Long story short, I spend most of my weekends at home. With occasional family's day out for dinner or grocery shopping or visiting relatives' house. But then, I brought some canvas pouches home (from my friend's wedding souvenir) and start doodling on it. It made me realize that I have things that I like to do, and I can do them without making me feel tired on the weekend.

I started with buying myself a watercolor set for brush lettering, and practice on it. Then, I made my long overdue traveling board. After that, I went book binding, reading more books on the weekend, visiting places (even if it's just malls with some friends), going to workshops, meeting people, decluttering my bookshelf, going out more often with my family, and the latest one, which I got hooked recently; crocheting.

Apparently spending my weekend doing something gave me an even more meaningful weekend. That not resting on the weekend is not draining, on the contrary, it is recharging. I got to do things that I thought I don't have time for, I'm having fun with myself, and since I only did those on weekend, I don't get bored with my activity. I can alternate between crocheting and book binding, or staying at home and going out or reading and watching my drama episodes.

Despite the initial purpose, spending time sleeping or idling in front of the screen watching some episodes actually makes me tired. Even more it makes the weekend goes faster (imagine that you start watching from 8 am, 3 episodes later, it's already 11. Meanwhile the lead actor haven't do anything yet). I learn that it's nice to have choices and it's even better when every choice is equally fun.

Cheers to more productive weekend ahead!

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unsaid but hopefully well written

Pottery Class

Grow Out of Things

2016 : Traveling

2016 : Reading

It's Okay Not to be Okay

Creative + Blogging, a Sharing Session

On the Weekend

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