The page turner escapes

Books are my bestfriends. I go “meeting” them every time I have an issue in my life. When I’m tired, stressed, or sad. When I need to relax and take some breaks. In short way, it’s my escape routes. My short getaway. Books help me to move my mind entirely to another life. To put myself in some characters’ shoes or to imagine merging into some historical events. Books are like a rest area in my daily life. Places where we can finally pull the hand break, take a deep breath and have a short walks enjoying the views.

I like a lot of books though I don’t read every kind of books. I mostly read novel, historical fiction, historical events, travel/journey stories and sometimes some autobiographies or books written by famous public figure.

Talking about novels, I read some of the pop culture novels such as Harry Potter, Hunger Games, LOTR & The Hobbit, GOT (haven’t finished the entire series) and Robert Langdon’s series. I also have a thing with dystopian novels. Some of my fav authors, the one whose books I ran into when I just need a short get away, are Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Andrea Hirata, J.K Rowling (also her being Robert Galbraith), Dan Brown, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Haruki Murakami and John Green. Their books rarely disappoint me because I just surrender myself and emerge to their fantasy. Most of their books are the real “rest area” that I mentioned above.

I also read some historical stuff. Fiction or non-fiction. The latest historical fiction I love is The Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. I got emotionally attached with the main character. My standard of a gentleman is changing way much after knowing Count Rostov. You can read my review of the book in this blog here. Meanwhile, historical events book that I recently love is The Choice by Edith Eger. This book is full of emotions and feelings that lets you swept away in it. It combines 2 of my fav things, history and psychology. Not only Edith told us about what happened during her being a prisoner war, but also how she struggle to thrive and heal from the her trauma. It gave me chills and inspired me at the same time.

I rarely read non-fiction books. Non-fiction books I read mostly is the one written by some public figures or their autobiography. I fell in love with Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, after reading his book Ride of a Lifetime. It taught me well that being success means being persistent and have faith. You don’t need to be that genius such as Mark, Steve, Elon, Bill or Jack. You may start your career from below. From an employee of a company. As long as you have faith on yourself, there’s always a way for success.

That’s what I like about books. Not only it feeds my imagination, but it’s also strengthened me. It opens my mind and gives me a different perspective. The more different perspectives and an open mind I have, the more calm, wise and humble I become. Some books like Buddha by Karen Armstrong and Filosofi Teras by Henry Manampiring really taught me how to sweep away my negative feelings, so I can think more clearly to face this busy and fast pace world. Exactly the strength I need.

The perks of being the only child

Day 11 of 30 days writing challenge’s topic is talk about siblings. The thing is, I’m the only child. I don’t have any siblings. So, should i write…..nothing?

Haha, kidding! Let me tell you, the perks of being the only child.

Some people always thought it’s great being the only child. Every time they found out that I’m the only child, it’s always “wow, that’d must be fun!” and never “ooh, that’s must be lonely!”. Well, is it?

Actually, Your parents could be (a bit) overprotective. I told you once I could only join the field trip during my high school if, and only if, my mom join the trip as well. I didn’t join my middle school field trip because my parents were too worry that I needed to spend every nights on the boat (Live on Boat) in the rural area of East Borneo. My mom gave me permission to ride a bike around the housing or to school when I just reached 8th grade. I could have a boyfriend when I reached 21 years old only. Every day I have to let my mom knows every time I go to office and go back home. My curfew never changed even though I’m married now; 9pm is always considered super late night. And to add it up, you don’t have any siblings to share the burden. Still think it’s fun ?

IT IS fun being the only child. You own all of the toys. Fight over PlayStation’s joystick? Huh, What kind of activity is that? Envy over your siblings clothes? Please…you want to try mine? All of the attention is yours. You’ll get the best toy, best clothes, best phone, best gadget, best educations, and best experiences. Not only that, You’ll spend a lot of quality time with your parents. You travel together, make fun to each other, and most importantly, have a nice bonding only just the three of you. You learn a lot about being an adult, because you always tag a long to your parents. You feel like it’s easier to open and share your burden to your parents, because it’s only just the three of you. It’s fun, sweet, warm and full of happiness.

There’s a stereotype that being the only child, we will be spoilt. No no no, I’m far from that. My parents let me to choose everything in my life. Which college to go, which company to join, and which man to be married with. As long as it’s a positive activities, they’ll always support me. They let me to have language courses (so far, English, Deutsch and Japanese). They’re okay with me playing futsal, though in Indonesia futsal is still considered as man thing. My mom always let me (if not to push) to do house chores and learn on how to cook. When my school grade was getting worse, I got scolded and grounded. My parents will give and do the best for me. Well, it’s kinda hard to see it that way when you were still kids, but, again, I am who I am because of them. And I think being the only child really is a blessing in disguise for me 🙂

Happiness is…

Everything changes during this pandemic. We’re forced not to have our usual activities outside, not to hang out with our dearest friends, not to hug our parents. We’re getting stressed. Everything seems so biased, confusing and frightening. We’re questioning everything. Including, when will we be happy again? Or even worse, will we have that same old happiness again?

There is an old saying from Latin proverbs, “He is not happy who does not realize his happiness.” One thing I learn from this pandemic is that the happiness is already within us. We just need some times to find and realize it.

I used to think traveling makes me happy. It indeed makes me content. Meeting new people, exploring new places, finding hidden gems, learning about history and culture, tasting local cuisines. I feel like I’m living the life to the fullest every time I go traveling. But, am I happy enough after traveling ?

I always love reading books. It’s my short get away, especially after a long tired day full of meetings and deadlines. A short escape. I always read a book before I go to sleep, after having a nice hot water shower and light dinner. For awhile, I can merge into a whole new world, by only wearing my pajamas. I’m relaxed. But, am I happy enough once I close the book every night?

I love sharing stories. That’s what this blog and my other social media all about. My chat with friends mostly about me sharing my experiences, books I read, or places I visited. I love sharing my learnings, in the hope that it’ll inspire my friends as well. It feels like…..it completes me. But then what? Is it enough to make me happy?

To answer all of those questions above, it’s not to answer it at all. If you feel happy already, why do you have to question it? It’s there. Within yourself. You’ve found it. You just need to realize more of it.

The beat that tells.

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Grew up with MTV when the TV channel still the real Music Television, I knew most of the latest songs albeit living in a small remote town. Almost all of my girls back in my hometown started their love of music from some boybands. My 4th-6th grade was filled with me fangirling those boybands such as Backstreet Boys, The Moffatts and Nsync (no, I’m not a Westlife and Boyzone fans, sorry!). At 7th grade, I started listening to those pop/alternative/rock band such as The Cranberries, Linkin Park, Coldplay, and Maroon 5. Not to mention my Dad’s love of music influenced me as well. I love Jazz music because of him, I listened to Genesis and one of my fav rock band of all time is Deep Purple as he kept listening to their songs (until now. He even still remember how every guitar sounds or every drum beats in each of the song). I listened to music anytime, anywhere since I was a kid. While studying, working, driving car or in the MRT, reading books, painting, writing or even taking bath (Yes, I even have a Bluetooth speaker in my bathroom now). But, is music just a back sound for me? Or is it something more?

Because of the music, I cried in Coldplay and Backstreet Boys concert. Listening to the music I grew up with, live right in front of me, just gave me chills. Coldplay concert felt like a state of the art, a spiritual event. It’s too much that I didn’t realize there were tears in my eyes. I actually expected that I would cry during BSB concert. I mean, I like them since their first album until now! But I thought I’d cry when they sang “I want it that way”, no idea why I cried on “As long as you love me” instead. I guess I just couldn’t believe I saw them standing there, singing that legendary song, only meters apart from me.

Jazz music always has a special place in my heart. The first time I listened to it, because of my dad, I couldn’t understand any good thing in it. Thanks to my Dad consistency, Jazz music is always here every time I need to relax or get inspired. In fact, we kinda have this family tradition : Java Jazz. Almost every year my parents attend that biggest Jazz festival in Indonesia. I joined them some times. We made a list on which jazz artist we’d like to watch. Some times my mom and I just sit on the floor at the back row while enjoying the music, while my dad busy on taking pictures and listening to the music from the front row. I was kinda hoping I made my Dad proud when I got into the volunteer team of Java Jazz 2010. Just because.

Music is more like a soundtrack in my life. Every track in my life has its own music. When I was winning, when I was so stressed with all of those deadlines and traffic jams, and just like everyone else, when I was brokenhearted. It gives me more power, encouragement, bravery, or just simply a smile over all of those memories. Music is always there when I have to face my sadness, or helps me to be inspired and gets me more concentrating on something. It always accompanies me through thick and thin.

Day in the life (of a single and happy person).

Imagine you woke up in the morning feeling fresh as the result of a good enough sleep. Or a bit dizzy, because you were awake until late finishing those exciting and engaging novel or TV series.

You checked on your phone, open your social media, laughed on some silly animal video, replying your friends comment of your previous IG/FB stories or feeds. Then, you drag yourself to bathroom, preparing yourself for works.

Imagine it’s the normal situation. Old one. When we all still went to office, meeting our colleagues in person. You arrived at your office, feeling regret for not having breakfast at home. But you had that colleague who’s always up to any quick breakfast suggestions. You had your breakfast together, gossiping about yesterday’s meeting and preparing your mood for a long day of working.

Then, it’s your usual weekdays office hour situation. Tensed meetings, yet still manage to joke around within (or got additional gossip materials ?). Lunch break with your colleagues (still talking about the gossip you got from the meeting). Or sometimes a nice quick reunions with your old colleagues or school friends over the lunch break. Your mood boosted up as there are so many funny things to laugh about, or burden to be shared. You’re ready for the next working hours.

You finished early that day. Try to race with the traffic hours as you had workout / gym class. Or another fun dinner with friends. Or those happy hour! Or maybe you just too tired and decided to call it a day. You went home, listening to your fav radio or fav soothing playlist. Or made a mental note what kind of dinner you’re gonna have at home (how about that burger joint from Bali that just recently open nearby? hmm…). You had your dinner while continuing that TV series. Probably had a nice conversation with your parents or room mates. You checked on your phones and found a new cafes/gallery/places in town that you haven’t visited. You put it on your weekend plan, telling yourself “this is a great place for a me-time!…..wait, I think the one of the boys/girls ever told me about this place. I’ll invite them as well”. You slept early that day, feeling tired yet exciting for the next weekend that you’re gonna spend with best friends or for a me-time.

Sounds fun right? Did you miss anything?

You woke up checking on social media on your phone, not for waking someone up. You had your lunch/dinner without checking on someone “Have you eaten?”. You were so focus with your work without thinking you need to pick up someone after office. You were so free that you could have dinner with friends, workouts or any after office activities. Or free trying out some new activities on the weekends. You slept anytime you want without have to inform someone. You felt more connected with your family and close friends. You somehow felt content and full. You’re happy and grateful.