Dream

You know what.

I've been talking much about me loving to live my childhood life over and over again. Toys, cartoons, shorts, cat socks, kawaii backpacks, weird cutesy stuff in general... but never had I mentioned this one thing about childhood, that had always been a dream I desire to make true since I was a kid.

This one thing I had always wanted to see. This one thing so far off reach, that I thought it wouldn't ever come true. And after 10 years of claiming my extended childhood life in this blog, I would today tell you what this one thing is.

Well it's the

True Theme Park

I know, that sounds sad. But no, don't get me wrong. Don't mistake "Theme Park" with "Amusement Park" okay, because of course I've been to the latter so many times during my childhood. I was talking about THEME PARK, a park, themed, to something, that of course has elements of kiddy stuff I've always loved.

Indonesia has none of such kind -not until several years ago when finally we have a quiet big theme park in Bandung, but not the international one. We have a quiet amusing amusement park, and yes, it was entertaining enough to fulfill my childhood standard but, it wasn't themed. It has no connection to any cartoon, any stuff I usually saw on TV, and my imbecile heart demanded more. So yea, going to a real theme park, remained a dream to my young self.

Then I saw it assembling.

When Universal Studios opened its door in Singapore. It became my first ever theme park experience. Taking photos with Woody Woodpecker, sliding The Mummy rides, flying with Transformers coasters, and bringing home real Sesame Street dolls it was like, UNFORGETTABLE! But I was only 20. And being an ambitious, restless and never-seemed-to-be-satisfied young adult as I was, still, my heart said that it wasn't just the ONE, yet.

And it grew.

Two years afterwards, when I found myself in the midst of Tokyo hustle. Since the very first second I made myself sure that I'd be going to Japan, I couldn't stop planning to visit Disneysea. Tokyo's very own Disney theme park. And it's Disney, for God's sake. Something I always claimed I devote to. Something I could relate to much better than any other thing in this earth. Something that contains memories of my childhood more than what my photo albums could show.

My first intercourse with... Disneyland.

That day was one of the best in my life. Exploring Disneyland like a true kid, seeing characters I've always loved and buying all the magical things my money could affort, I was like, speechless even until the second I'm typing this shit. I was carried away by the visit indeed, but I still didn't feel like it was enough. Of course it wouldn't be enough, it's THE theme park I've always wanted to visit. Time was too short and that's when I realized, it wasn't yet a dreams come true.

And it went on.

Another two year had passed, and I earned my chance again during the trip with my company. To Hong Kong. And this time, it was the real Disneyland. The classic counterpart of Disneysea, with pure Walt's magic across the park. It did more justice than Disneysea. I got to ride more rides, watched more shows, buy more toys -and it was the best buy I've ever committed in my entire life! and most importantly, saw the final firework. This time I swear, I thought I've had enough. I've felt like all the waitings, all the grievings and believings, had all been paid off. But apparently it didn't end there.

And universe wanted my heart to see more.

Only three months apart, I arrived in Australia. Not just Australia, but Gold Coast. The country's Theme Park Capital. Where one of theme parks I've always desired to visit since I was in pre-elementary school stood upon: Warner Bros. Studios. Bugs Bunny, Superman, SCOOBY DOO oh God! It was much more relatable than Universal Studios no offence, and to be a child again there, only with myself, I ACTUALLY SCREAMED MY WAY INTO THE PARK!

Probably the best roller coaster ride I've ever tried in my life.

Again, I thought that was it, at least for the year. But the dream I've always made for the last 20 years or so was just too big to stop there.

And the best thing ever, happened.

France. And Paris. And what was the first time that came to my childish head, when I told myself that I was actually going to Paris? Yes of course, Disneyland Paris. The core of all Disneyland in the world. The mecca of Walt Disney magic, and the happiest of all the happiest places on earth. It was a hassle to reach the place, but I'd kill myself if I gave in to that matter.

To actually set foot there, I still couldn't believe myself even until now. Even until I checked again and again all the photos I took there, and all the characters I encountered, and all the unnecessary yet heart-fulfilling stuff I bought. I literally visited every single corner, making myself sure that if I missed even just one little thing, no matter how small it was, then I'd miss it forever because only God knows if I could ever return there.

I was alone during the visit, again, but I think that was the best way to do it. Because I could appreciate the place however I wanted. Because I could choose any rides, stopped anywhere, cried to anything that touched my inner childhood emotion, however I felt like. Because by this way, my heart could feast the atmosphere however long it desired.

And so, my dream fairy tale ended there. For now. Of course I wanted to feel more, and of course there are more places to conquer but, I've always kept it a secret.

Because as Cinderella said,

"If you tell a wish, it won't come true."

But after last year, after I realized that wow, I visited three different world-class theme parks in just a year—a number even higher than what I've achieved for the first 23 years of my life, guess I'll take it slow for now.

I need to just sit back first,
Then tell my heart later that,
I'm ready to fulfill more dreams.

Because a dream, is a wish

My heart makes

The Toy Story

Have I told you that I'm a big fan of this Disney craft?

Well, I am telling you now: I am.

Back then, just when Toy Story was out, I was entirely rooting for the animation. Toys in general were the center of my world, and seeing them alive in this movie was, something. So I had always felt jealous of Andy because of course, I wanted to own all his toys.

But it was pretty complicated to make it come true. The real toys would cost me weeks of begging and gallons of tears. The happy meal toys would cost dozens of chickens and burgers for me to eat. The replicas, just weren't powerful enough to satisfy my budding OCD need. The best thing I could do was just to draw em all on a paper, in their actual sizes, cut it all and acted like those 2D thingy were real toys.

As I grew up, things weren't necessarily getting easier. The toys were kept coming, in their real sizes, which I was extremely dying to have, but I was just in the middle of my highschool and campus years. Which means, I had no money to buy those expensive toys.

Having all Andy's toys remained only in my dream.

Until working days came, and Japan happened.

I knew it'd come. I had anticipated it because it was Japan, the land of imagination and childhood. So when I was walking around this hobby store and found one of Toy Story's gems on top of a shelf, the long lost hope for reclaiming Andy's toys slowly emerged from my barely-breathing childhood spirit. So without thinking much, I bought the toy.

Mr. Potato Head.

Which was definitely my most favorite. So returning to my dorm, I created a throne for this grand discovery. Not only because Mr Potato Head was my #1, but also because it was my first ever as-seen-on-TV sized Toy Story figure. It was a very tremendous moment. Because I realized that my journey to having Andy's toys, after almost 20 years, had finally begun.

My collection didn't change much for almost 1.5 year, until last month. Yep, my Hong Kong trip. Which included Disneyland in it. Ever since the amusement park was mentioned by our tour operator, I had this plan of hunting the toys. Anything, anybody. I told myself not to think much about the money, because one, you're working already, and two, you've had a better Disneyland experience in Tokyo, so dedicating this one for shopping would be really really fine.

The day finally came. My coworkers and I arrived at Disneyland. I acted normal, but my heart was beating hard and my eyes were wandering scanning where the toys were. I saw no clue of them until about 2 hours later, I spotted these two hanging out at a booth. I began trembling, but I stayed cool. Until I entered a store and saw them seated nicely on a shelf, with one other toy. So there were three of them, and I knew I couldn't buy them all at once. It was such a crazy and frustrating moment, deciding which one(s) to buy. But after thoughts and deliberations, not just with myself, but also with the help of my coworkers, I made up my mind and bought the two main stars. Yes,

Sheriff Woody, and Buzz Lightyear.

Fuck. Never thought this day would actually come. These two, which could only appear in my screens, or in front of my eyes without me being able to buy them because it cost a fortune in Jakarta, yes these two, could really be mine. No more replicas, no more stupid figurines, no more fvckin paper toys, it's now a real deal. I'm not exaggerating it, really, but I'm proud to buy them. Even some coworkers of mine said that they regretted their clueless-ness about these toys and not buying them. Yet here I am, typing this story with those two by my side.

It didn't end there. Remember the other toy I had difficult time deciding whether to buy or not? Well, ever since I left the park, I admit that I couldn't stop thinking of it. My friends said that I made a right decision because it was Woody and Buzz, for God's sake, you score! You don't need that other one. But then, it's not everyday that I could find the toy. But then again, it was too late. We left Disneyland, and now it was time for us to return home. Leaving the city, leaving the immigration desk, leaving my opportunity—and approaching a Disney Store.

Yes, for God's sake, what are the fvcking odds? Disney Store, at the airport? Just several steps away from the officers, and there it lied gracefully in front of my broken-hearted self, calling me inside to see if I still had the chance. And yes, I did. The toy was there. I doubted at first, but come to think of it, it was God's call. Rejecting it, and I'd be sinful. So I lined up at the cashier, made my last payment and went home with another addition to my Andy's toys collection:

Jessie the Cowgirl.

You've suffered enough, Jessie, you're not going to be left behind anymore. I will always love you.

Now you can imagine how hard it was in the store in Disneyland when I had to decide which one to buy, eh? Because it's Jessie. Buying Woody and Buzz is everybody's default and instant call. But buying Woody and Jessie could be good too, because then I'd have both the cowboy and the cowgirl—and buying Buzz and Jessie couldn't be wrong either, because they're an actual couple!

But hey, that difficult time had gone. And now instead of having just two toys, and calling myself foolish for abandoning the other one, I have them three, plus Mr Potato Head.

Jeez.

I can't believe it all happens.

This may seem nothing to you,

But it's a very big thing for me.

It's childhood, and faith.

So this toy story of mine,

Won't stop here

Check Two

So I've crossed the second point on my list.

I had an awesome trip with my company.

And that's not the only highlight.

In this second visit to Hong Kong - Macau, I brought back my book. The book I wrote, about the two cities. And I had my second experience in Disneyland. And I went here and there for the second time once again, and ultimately, I met one of my best international mate, also for the second time.

Well, first time's a blast,

Second time's a wonder, eh?