May I introduce you, Mr. & Mrs. Sulistyo

They are my awesome parents. Living in Bandung, enjoying their retirement happily. Finding new hobby such as gardening, or simply doing their old hobbies without any limitation such as traveling (before pandemic, of course), cooking (my mom’s only, of course), or watching movies (this is my dad’s, for sure).

My dad is retired now from his long long long years of careers. Most of his career spent in Bontang, the city I was born. He loves watching movies and TV series. We spent many times hunting laser discs (do you still remember this thing?) and DVDs. He recorded my very first Disney cartoon using video tape, so he’s the one who’s responsible of me being a Disney freak like today. I remember he did a lot of sport as well. I remember seeing his photos wearing baseball and basketball jersey. He showed me his tennis racquet once. I cheered him playing volleyball. He was the commodore of sailing club Hobie Fleet 132 for 3 periods. He was also the chairman of Bowling club in Bontang, and actively joined Persatuan Bowling Indonesia for East Borneo. He played golf as well, of course. One of my fav memory with him is when he run along with me, while I was driving my yellow mini jeep (for kids) when I was still a toddler. So yeah, no wonder I love watching movies and doing some sports until now.

Looks like a fun dad, right? To add it up, he’s never leaving a day without….a dad jokes! Every call I have with him is full of puns. He told me once, he’s calling every person named Mohammad Ali (from the yellow pages book) and asked them when they would back boxing again. Or, when someone mistakenly called his phone and looked for Sony. He pretended to be Sony’s friend, Ericsson. If…you know what he meant.

My mom is also an extrovert, just like my dad. She has a lot of friendship that she still manages. Friends from her elementary school, high school, law school. Friends from her organization in Bontang. Even my dad’s school friends become her friends now. Nope, not only in Facebook, but they spent some times together, traveled together, had reunions, attended to the wedding party of the gang’s children, and so on. She loves to cook. I learned a lot from her. I love the way she teaches me how to cook. She always lets me get into the process 100%, regardless the result. Thus, I gain my own experiences, learn from my mistake and know how to do things in kitchen. She cooks for everyone and I think she always feels alive when she cooks.

My mom used to read a lot. But since she had to wear reading glasses, she barely read. But I remember she was an active member of our town library. Every week she always brought new book to read. And not only one, she brought 2 or 3 books to be read for a week! When we moved out from Bontang, the books are only belong to either me or her. So yeah, now you know where I got that sporty, geeky, extrovert, and love to cook in spare time kinda person.

Growing up with them, I learn so much about life. I learn about finding your true love and remain loving them until the rest of our life. My dad still often whispering to me about how beautiful my mom is and my mom always wants to spend most of her time close to him. I learn about parents love. No matter how funny you think it is, it’s still the strongest kind of love. Since I was still in elementary school, my mom always did fasting every time I had exam weeks or final test. It still continued until I was in the university. It still continues until now, let’s say, when I have a high promising job interview or a very important meeting that I have to present. Knowing her praying for me at that particular day just strengthen me and boost my confidence.

Simply to say, I am who I am because of them. And I’m forever in debt to them ❤

A bucket list.

When being asked, “which one you prefer, mountain or beach?”, I always answered “City!”

Oh, please don’t judge me as a spoilt city person. The main reason I’d answer that is because I just love civilization! I love visiting museums, learning cultures and native languages, exploring local market or simply sitting down at the plaza or park just to feel the neighborhood ambiance.

There are many places I’d love to visit. But if I must choose, here are the top list on my bucket list.

Pyramid, sphinx and The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities,
British Museum
Petra, Jordan
Jerusalem
Acropolis & Acropolis Museum – Athens, Greece

Well, all of them, history and culture related. Haha!

I have the same reasons for Egypt, Jordan, Jerusalem and Greece. All of them are one of the oldest civilization in the world. Many great stories, myths, philosophies, and learnings from each of them. We can say those civilization built the way the world we know nowadays. Knowing the reason behind all of those stories or some small details of their thoughts, it already excites me just to think about it.

But why British Museum? Even visiting their website and seeing their online collection already gives me chills. It provides us direct access to 4.5 million objects. Each collection reveal the fascinating stories that transcend time. From china dynasties, Americas stories, and most importantly, I found so many historical objects from my country. They have more than 1,500 objects that is related to Indonesia culture and history. From the domestic tools, weaponry, bank notes, cloths, and figures from several ethnics. Don’t get me wrong. Considering most of Indonesia Museum’s condition and Indonesian people who are not really interested in visiting museums, I should be grateful those historical objects kept in British Museum.

So what’s your bucket list?

Once upon a time…

A memory could bring you a shiver. Either it’s frightening, embarrassing, traumatizing, or exciting. Memory could bring you to a sudden cold feet. It could also strengthen you somehow. Sometimes, I have a conversation with myself just for a self reminder. You know, such as……

“Do you remember on the first time you can ride 2 wheels bike?” You’re so proud of yourself you felt like you could master anything in the world. Don’t stop learning.

“Do you remember that time when your friend approached and complained on something silly you’ve done that could jeopardize your class relationship?” Oh, you were more than silly back then. Don’t let the emotion cloud your decision too much.

“Do you remember when you won that Futsal championship as a captain?” You can be a good leader. Don’t underestimate yourself.

“Do you remember when that Airport guy told you that your luggage was still left behind in Singapore when you’ve just arrived in Amsterdam?” You survived back then. In fact, you were so creative on surviving. And most importantly, you kept calm and just laughed on the situation. Don’t stop surprising yourself.

“Do you remember your first heartbreak ?” Oh, you cried a lot. More than it should be. It feels like you can’t trust anyone. But then you pray and pray and try again. You finally found the one even after several heartbreaks. Don’t ever give up.

“Do you remember when you finally step out of your comfort zone?” You were so brave. Don’t stop believing in yourself.

“Do you remember the first time your parents told you that your granddad passed away?” It traumatized you. It was your first deep sadness. Even before 5 years old, you already understood the meaning of love and family. Keep that in mind, will you?

“Do you remember your feeling every time you’re surrounded by your close ones?” You feel blessed. Grateful. You feel content. Just, don’t forget about it, will you?

A memory. A kind reminder.

What things make me happy?

I never thought that this question will be hard to answer.

"Isn't it easy and simple? You love traveling! You love reading books!"

After a long contemplation (read : 1D1N thinking, couple of time spending in the toilet, keep asking Abang or staring blankly into my laptop screen), I realized that traveling and books are not the one that makes me happy. They’re just the bridge for me to gain the happiness.

I feel happy, when I visited new places, I could speak with local people using their local language.

I feel happy, when I traveled to new country, not only I tried on their local cuisines, but also know about story behind why they prepare such cuisines that way.

I feel happy, when I came to a museum, I learned a history about places or public figures. It usually made me love them more and more.

I fell happy, when I read a book or had some chats with local people, I learned something new that you would not found simply by googling it.

Seeing local people smile, and the feeling of being welcomed that came afterward, that what makes me happy. Finding a small trivia excites me like finding a hidden gem. Not only experiencing new things, but also experiencing it thoroughly and wholeheartedly.

I feel happy when I feel welcomed/belonged/engaged/close to 
some books I read, places I visited, and some people I knew. 

Isn't it easy and simple?

A Brief History of…me!

Talking about my personality, we need to have a bit of some steps back. People always thought I’m an Extrovert. A sanguine. But, was I always like that since, say, my childhood ?

I wasn’t that type of little girl who’s always confident. I did not smile when I was on the stage. My voices were barely heard when my friends and I had a vocal group. I never been in a front row. Neither been the one who started a conversation. I was having fun only with my close friends. I rather be spending most of my time in my room, playing by myself or reading books, than meeting my friends outside school.

So how did I change to be present me? There are 2 moments in my life that took a big part of it.

2001. I joined theatre club in my middle school. I still remember how my feet was frozen, my voices were trembling and my heartbeats felt like a burst in my chest. And it was happened during practice only! Thanks to my wonderful friends, I took notice that they seemed fine after they’ve done their reading. I started to practice my breathing technic. It helped to calm the nerves. I found a good rhythm in my heartbeats. I finally can think clearly and put my scattered energy into focusing on the script and stage management. Step by step, I gain my confidence. I applied the same breathing technic into the class. And I apply it again and again until now. Before a futsal match, before a presentation to my bosses at work, or sometimes before I need to start a conversation with a stranger.

2010. I traveled to Berlin. Even though I went there with my friend, I spent mostly of my traveling time by myself. I applied the same breathing technic every time I got lost or had to ask questions in Deutsch. But something struck me hard during this first solo traveling of mine. I saw a very different perspective of the world. Humanity is still out there everywhere. Stereotype could turn out to be a mistake. World is colorful with its people, cultures, religions, foods, songs, etc. I realized it back then, if I’m not open up my mind, I won’t grow. If I’m not pushing out my self to be brave, I’ll learn less. If I’m not stepping out from my comfort zone, I’m not going anywhere.

So here I am now. An ENFP. Sanguine – Phlegmatic. Never tired to try something new (tho, some people might think I’m bored easily~). Still love to spend some times alone to read, write, or paint. Yet, always enjoying every moments to meet new people, have new friends, and listen to their stories. Yes, I’m still easily nervous in front of people often. But when I controlled my breath, focusing my energy, thought the positive outcome, thought about the colorful world, I managed to smile on the “stage” 🙂