Once in a Lifetime

Now tell me.

When else can you get the Olympics, world's largest and most prestigious sporting event even bigger than the World Cup, to be hosted in Japan, world's most advanced-yet-traditional nation which is the closest developed country from your home?

Yes. In 2020.
And I don't think the opportunity will easily come again anytime soon.

So to be in Japan for the 2020 Olympics, would be a once in a lifetime experience.

Right?

Because the timing couldn't be better. The world of traveling is on its peak. The country is on top of everyone's list to visit. And if you're my age, in which we're turning late 20s this year, well, you have enough budget to actually fly yourselves to Japan, pick one or two or more matches to watch and then BOOM there you go, having the time of your life.

Also, it's Japan. They're known to have such extraordinary attention to details. They're known to be extremely creative. They're known to be out-of-the-world perfectionists. To be watching the Olympics, in Japan, I couldn't even imagine how spectacular their offerings in the Opening Ceremony, in each match, at each venues, in its people, throughout the merchandises and trinkets across the country--IN EVERYTHING!

But you know what also happened in 2020.

The fucking pandemic.

Forcing the actual Olympics to be rescheduled.

And my dream of a lifetime has to meet its end.

I've told this many times but I think I will never get over it.

Ever since I knew the 2020 Olympics would be hosted in Tokyo, I told myself I had to go no matter what. I love the city, I love the country, and I love that kind of sporting event I swear I turned freaky everytime there's this kind of thing.

I booked my flight to Japan in September 2019. Exactly after I returned from Italy, done at the office because there was this sudden flight deal appearing. My friend told me that I was crazy for deciding so quickly and so spontaneously but hey, I've been planning to do this for so long! And so I got a seat in a SINGAPORE AIRLINE flight, paying only ONE POINT FUCKING FIVE MILLION RUPIAH for a trip TO TOKYO! Yes I just had to mention the price too, so you get why I will never get over this.

Late February 2020, the pandemic started to grow. Early March 2020, we began our supposed-to-be-short-but-eventually-lasted-for-more-than-a-year WFH arrangement. Mid March 2020, I grew anxious of my plan, still hoping that the fucking pandemic would out of the blue pop off the earth and things returned normal. And finally, in late March, my nightmare came true.

The 2020 Olympics would officially not be done in 2020.

I lost it. Lost my mind, lost my sanity, lost myself. Lost from Covid. Yes it would still happen in 2021 but I just knew that things would not going to be easy. Worst come to worst, the Olympics would still be happening but with no spectators.

And that was apparently true.

Tokyo 2020 started today, in its National Stadium.

With no one there to watch their hard works.

I feel bad for them, honestly, but well, it's Japan. THANK GOD, it's Japan. Because if this were to happen to other countries, I'm pretty sure they'd forfeit. And looking at how the preparation went and how the Opening Ceremony was done perfectly just know, I don't feel like I need to pity them.

It's ME that I should pity.

Because after all those plans, all those emotional feelings and excitements budgeted for the upcoming Olympics, all those fantasies of flying to Japan alone to meet new friends from other nationalities where we'd be going to several matches together to cheer upon our own countries, compete as fans, but then left the venues as friends again only to continue traveling together to see the beauty of Japan -- well, all those SHITS and WHAT NOT, were never meant to come true.

As I am sitting here, just in my bedroom, with Japan National Stadium inside my laptop screen and not before my own eyes, and those dreams of my once-in-a-lifetime Olympics experience drifted away.

I know... I could always go for the next Olympics.

You know, as part of my traveling gigs.

Just how I do it with F1 grands prix.

But again, this one is Japan.

It's not just about how I come to the country to watch the games and that's it, no. It's the experience, it's the matches, the venues, the people, merchandises and trinkets across the country, THE EVERYTHING, which Japan does, which I don't think can ever be done by other host nations.

Well I just hope Japan would step up and once again try to play host for the Olympics in near future. So near that I could still get to watch it life. And when that opportunity comes, I'm sure it'll be a good revenge which I will really REALLY look forward to.

And IF that opportunity come,

I can't tell how grateful I will ever be.

For I'll get another chance to see something

That I thought would only to happen

Once in my lifetime

The Social Trip

Now let's talk about the trip itself!

Yea, yea, the main goal was to watch Formula 1, but of course I wouldn't miss the opportunity to explore Japan and go straight back home after the chequered flag, eh?

So yea I did take the opportunity to improve my Japan glossary. Visiting new places I didn't go before -Nagoya, Asakusa and Sumida, Daikanyama, Shimokitazawa, Kawasaki, Yokohama, Hitachi, Izu, dang, I made the most of this trip! Experiencing some new cultures -JapanGP, mud onsen, seafood izakaya, sunakku, karaoke. Doing some amazing childish stuff -Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, Pokemon Cafe, hopping on and off every toy and cartoon stores and game arcades.

Lots, eh? I know. But if I could only pick one highlight that I really, REALLY enjoy from this trip, and made it as the title of the whole journey, I could easily say that the theme of this one would be 

The Social Trip

Should I explain more on this?

Well, okay I think I should.

In each of my trip, my SOLO trip, since I'd be having no one to talk to, I'd be somewhat 'forced' to make friends with people. To talk, at least. And he or she could come knocking into my life from anywhere! Be it during my long haul bus or train rides, or even flights, or my room mates, or people I ask help taking my photos, people who gang up with me on a visit to some attractions, people whom I meet at the hostel's common room, people who participate on the same tour service with me, ANYONE!

This trip specifically, I meet lots of people from so many layers of my trip. And since it's Japan, where I have lots of histories behind me, I have some people I already know whom spared their time to meet me again during this visit, making it even more qualified as that "SOCIAL"! For the F1 itself, unfortunately, since it was super high paced, I didn't meet anyone. Well, I was so busy too, jumping from one place to another thanks to my curiosity to operate my new camera.

But when I reached Tokyo, the amazing touch of this Social Trip began, amazing people from all walks of life starting to appear, forming myself another trip I will forever reckon as "Amazing".

The True Japanese Pal

Whenever I'm doing a trip, I will always work my ass off to meet at least one TRUE local, not an expat who's been living long there, or a pure-blood who's been overseas for some time and making their way back home for some time—no. A true, local, who's living their whole life in that city, who doesn't even speak English on a daily basis. God created Naoyuki for my trip this time.

And I couldn't even ask for a better companion. He introduced me to this traditional Japanese breakfast restaurant, then spared his time to accompany me to Yokohama, in which I never visited before, and he showed me around from the daylight to nighttime, seeing this and that, riding trains and boats, eating more and more, showing me some sides of Japan I never knew should I never met him.

The Local Duo

I know a friend who had a Japanese friend. And this Japanese friend had another Japanese friend. And so whenever I think of Japan, I always think of this Local Duo. Their names are Nana and Maya. I've known them since 2015, on my very first visit to Japan. I even met Maya for some more times as she traveled quiet a lot, including to Indonesia. So coming back to Japan without catching up with them would be a total sin, I guess.

We only met once during this trip, but it was amazing for real. They took me to this traditional izakaya where I discovered yet a new Japanese menu I never tried before: sea urchin, and half tuna which needs clam to peel and eat it! The journey wasn't just finished there. Just when I thought our meeting was over, Nana got this super brilliant idea to bring me to yet another Japanese local gem. A traditional snack bar named sunakku, where we can DO FUCKING KARAOKE! AND HELL YEA OF COURSE I SANG! Digimon's "Butterfly", my all time favorite anime anthem, sang right in the heart of Japan, in front of some locals -excluding my friends, of course, and got applauded too, I swear this was the best traditional thing I ever done not only in Japan, but in my entire traveling history.

The 'Local' Duo

Remember my ex-colleague from Ogilvy who quitted her job to move to Japan whom I labelled as the "Swag-chan"? Yes I met her for this trip, along with her husband who's even more swag I think she learned how to be swag from him. Her name is Ratu, anyway, and her man is Aril. We met at this local band gig -and by 'local' I meant Indonesian, with Indonesian organizer and of course Indonesian crowd, and now you know why I put apostrophe in word 'local' eh?- and had some dinner together. A bit random, because I didn't expect to feel so much like at home while I was in the heart of Tokyo, but then it's something new I never experienced!

The Colleagues

Nope, not from Ogilvy. These are my other colleagues, who were actually based in Tokyo. I think I've told you this before that I have a part time role in this travel website called JapanTravel, and it's the one who actually brought me to Japan for the first time, with its internship program—so yeah, of course I made plans to meet them this time!

I went to their office—well, OUR, office. The building was not the same with the one I visited in 2015, so it was my first time there. Meeting all the colleagues I met 4 years ago, meeting some more that I've only been able to chat online, meeting the CEO I never actually had the chance to have a face-to-face talk, and all were so excited to welcome me! I thought that was it, but then I was told to wait for the lunch break because they were planning to take me to some katsu place nearby -wanna hear something sucks? I just had that breakfast with Nao before coming to the office...

Now, wanna hear something amazing? It wasn't just with one, or two of them, but the whole team of six came to have lunch with me! I felt like I was a star for the whole noon but of course that's not the highlight. To hear their stories about how works at the office done was the thing I really enjoyed from the lunch because hey, working in Japan has always been my dream, remember?

The Roommates

Okay meeting locals, and people I actually have known, are things that could be considered, well, piece of cake. The real deal is to get myself acquainted with people I never known before, that had the same goal with me: fellow travelers. And where else to find them but at the place where I stayed at? Good God I made friends from my dorm room with not only one, but two people! They were my neighboring bunk mates, coming from the US and Norway.

I forgot the name of the US guy, because he was there for freaking work, and so we could only catch up at night after he'd be done with his workshop thingy. The Norwegian guy's name was Jacob and since he was in Tokyo for traveling, I got to talk to him more. The highlight for all three of us was when we were accidentally all home at the same time, and the US guy had this amazing sparkling sake drink -which tasted like Moscato- and he invited us all to come down to the traditional tatami dining room to sit together and just have a chat, getting to know each other much better -though still I couldn't remember the American guy name ha ha. Some simple gestures that really add up to my amazing Social Trip :)

The 'Soulmate'

Lol that's a pretty strong word to pick, but I'm afraid I couldn't find any better word that suits this guy. Meet Ramtin, a German-Iranian traveler who shared quiet a lot of common interests with me. He wasn't a member of my room, but we were regulars of the hotel's main living room so yea that's where we met. There were actually other people hanging out with us too back then, but somehow I just clicked more with Ramtin. And so we decided to extend this friendship to the following day.

We made an appointment to meet at Shinjuku the next day -an area I never cease to love, that he hadn't visited yet because this was his first time in Japan- to explore around, talk about our traveling stories, future trips, interests, jobs -which he didn't yet have because he was still freaking 22 FOR GOD'S SAKES! take photos of the amazing skylines and its buildings, as well as Shinjuku Godzilla too, eat off the streets -we did some random super tiny yakitori stall in Omoide Yokocho! and, here's what I liked the most, did some arcade games in which I never tried before!

Oyea, this is that "a lot of common interests" I was talking about. The guy was also trapped in childhood. We played Mario Kart and some zombie survival game, went to a freaking Crayon Shinchan store, and saw the real Mario Kart parade strolling around the streets—ALL IN WHERE THEY ALL COME FROM THAT IS TOKYO! I really enjoyed his companion because hey, we didn't only do the tourist stuff. We did what Japanese do!

The Fight Club

So Ramtin and I actually started from here. One night, after returning from Pokemon Cafe -fuck HOW CAN I NOT LOVE THIS TRIP!?- I crashed by the hotel's living room. There were two guys playing PlayStation, and guess what the game was: Tekken -LIKE, SERIOUSLY, COULDN'T THIS TRIP GET ANY BETTER? It was Ramtin and some blonde guy which later I discovered was from Germany, who were on the console.

Tekken is like, totally my game. So I was just sitting there, looking at these two amateurs fighting like noobs, waiting for one of them to start feeling insecure for being stared at by me. And it worked. The blonde guy offered me to play, and of course being an Asian I refused at first, but after some pushes I gave in, and the joystick was all mine. And so was the game, because Ramtin sucked at it. The blonde guy replaced him, and he sucked too. I was like the master of the night, and we all laughed and started getting to know each other and bonded and stuff, and they began being frustrated they started questioning me how I did those amazing capoeira shit with my Christie Monteiro and Eddie Gordo.

Our loud asses invited more people to the TV area. Two more white guys joined the game, one of which claimed he played good. Well, we'll see? We then had a tag team tournament instead of just one-on-one fight, and hell yeah that was so cracking entertaining. Of course the newcomer lost in the end—he gave quiet a fight though, but no one can tame my Brazilian moves. The tournament happened for a fair long time we switched characters and even partners for several times. The fight, the moves, the moment some of us realized we picked the wrong fighter, the laughter, the curiosity of how to hit and kick, for the love of God, we had so much fun. At some point we even laughed our hearts off the staff of the hotel shush us to shut the fuck up LOL HOW CAN I BOND WITH THESE PEOPLE SO FAST JUST OVER A GAME!? I fucking love this game night with these strangers 2 hours ago I didn't even know existed!

The Midnight Howl Pack

Well, of course the game session would have to end somehow. However even after the console was shut down, we didn't have the will to break the club. Yet. So we just chilled by the sofa, me, Ramtin, the not-so-bad-at-Tekken white guy, his Canadian friend John who had been playing guitar while watching us fight the whole night, and this newly joined hippie long-haired guy named Samuel from Lisbon, Portugal. Ramtin's German friend bid us farewell already because he had an early flight to catch.

At first I was only talking with John and Samuel, about, uhmm, cracks and marijuana -now you know why I labeled Samuel 'hippie' eh?- being legalized in Canada, and easy to find in Portugal. Then others joined the talk, and the talk grew to more topics, and then when we got tired of talking, only John's lazy guitar tune left to be heard.

And so it began...

One of the most memorable nights in my entire traveling life.

John started strumming something familiar. You know, songs with iconic guitar tunes which only by hearing the chords, we knew what it was. I forgot where he started, but I think it was John Mayer's "Stop This Train". Because of course.

We were just sitting there, me resting my side on the sofa and Ramtin in front of me -or does it count as next to me? John sitting on a high chair behind the sofa so he was technically adjacent from us, and the rest of us were like either next to John or behind me, letting the tunes swayed us away. It was so smooth, flawless and really hypnotizing, maybe because it was already late and we were all so tired from the day exploration -and of course, drained from the Tekken fights- or maybe because John was as much as good as John Mayer himself.

He finished. We sighed, so deep. Then I had the idea and ask him to add vocals, just so we can have a better, deeper moment. And he picked "Who Says", again by John Mayer. Good choice as it was so easy to listen to. And fucking relaxing oh God I just can't...

I knew all the lyrics of the song by heart, but I took 'em for granted this time because hell was I blown away by the tunes! So it really surprised me when John reached the end of the song, and the lyric I've always known so much, hit us directly to our heart.

Oh I guess you know which one :)

Though if you don't, just please bear in mind that the words were so powerful and... spot on. Ramtin and I looked at each other when that verse was sang, our lazy heads lifted from the sofa and our eyes wide open when they met, our jaws dropped in excitement and our hearts filled with pride of achievements. I'm sure everyone else by the sofa felt the fucking same thing, because the timing couldn't just be more precise.

John finished, we sighed again, even deeper this time, plus some tears clinging at the very end of both my eyes. I couldn't describe more of what I felt that night. It was really beautiful, yet spontaneous I bet not even a single one of us did see this coming. We then decided to call it a day—well, night. It was such a pleasant closure and I really didn't want to spoil it so I'd just bring it straight to bed. We bid farewell one another, and for most of us, it was the last time we ever seen each other.

Fuck.

It's crazy how I could meet and engage with so many people, old friends and new ones, in just a simple 6-day visit to Tokyo.

It's even crazier to think that the connection I made with the new ones, who started from strangers staying under the same roof, could be that meaningful and deep though it only lasted for several hours—and after that, we'd be strangers again.

I swear this city, FUCK, it's not only beautiful on its tourism level—it now has this amazing charm for me to get connected to people from all walks of life, which now made me look Japan in a whole new perspective.

Who says I can’t get stoned?
Plan a trip to Japan alone
Doesn’t matter if I even go
Who says I can’t get stoned?

Well it is true what John Mayer said:

I really can, and I really did, get stoned.

Only this kind of stoned is the stoned by

Such beautiful people I met during the trip,

To Japan Alone

この声枯らして

Let's talk about Formula One.

Guess I haven't really done it this year.

This season has been... well, not so bad. But as always, I will never be tired and losing interest to rant about F1. The races, the cars, the drivers, the transfers -oh, the transfers... a different post will be made to talk about this soon, anything!

Including, of course, the plan to once again watch a race live.

So I did Singapore two years ago. The closest possibility from Indonesia. It was a blast, giving the fact that my favorite guy Daniel won the second place. And of course, because it was my first ever Grand Prix.

Then last year I was in Malaysia. Oh, that one was a complete package. Real circuit, real fans -the one in Singapore is made of 90% concert goers, eewwhh, real atmosphere, real activities, all packaged with Daniel -again- making it into podium after giving such a good fight, and then completed with me actually seeing him with my very own eyes, OH MY LORD, that was the best!

Now I did the closest, then the second closest -though we had to say bye to Malaysia :(- and I guess it's only natural if this year, I maintain my streak, to come to yet another Grand Prix, not so far but at least an upgrade from the last one.

Yea, the choice was

Japanese Grand Prix

Well, well, well. Another crazy, spontaneous decision I ever taken, THAT, I'm totally proud of. Because, hello, THIS IS SUZUKA! One of the drivers' most favorite circuit, and obviously the favorite Grand Prix too because of the atmosphere and the fans OH MY GOD EVEN JUST TYPING THIS MAKES ME WANT TO GO THERE AGAIN :((

This time was a quiet new experience too, as I had to go quiet far from where I stayed, to the circuit. Unlike in Singapore where I could just walk, or in Sepang where I just needed to board a shuttle bus and then bam, I was already at the circuit gate.

The nearest big city from Suzuka is Nagoya, which thankfully I haven't visited yet, so it was just like a big big coincidence. From Nagoya I needed to take a train to, umm, I forgot the name of the station, but it was like a one-hour ride. From there I needed to switch to a smaller local train to Suzuka, and from the train stop, I still had to walk for another 20 minutes to reach the circuit.

HOWEVER. I didn't mind at all, because even from Nagoya, even from the very first moment when I had to wait for the very first train, ALL THE F1 FANS WERE THERE TOO! And that's why I said it was such a new experience to me!

Then the atmosphere now. Gosh, I can't even start on this one. Suzuka was so alive! Well, Sepang too, actually -especially because it was their last Grand Prix ever, but it was just different in Japan! The fans wearing weird costumes, the enthusiasm all expressed in Japanese, the shops selling lots of trinkets, IT'S LIKE WATCHING ANIME OF RACING!

My ticket was valid for all three days of the race. It's much more expensive than the one I bought in Malaysia -of course, buddy, it's Japan, so the class was a bit lower too, only a wooden bench without shelters. And yea, it was just the beginning of autumn in Japan, so summer rain was still pouring -don't ask me how wet I could get, and then dried again, then wet again lalala BUT I DON'T CARE BECAUSE IT'S SUZUKA! One thing a bit disappointing was, from the bench I sat, there were no screen for me to update everything on track. I had to walk a bit to the other part of the class, but then, when I found a screen, the commentators were in Japanese...

Oh, well, it's the ambiance that I bought, no?

Still I spent the first day moving from Tokyo to Nagoya, so I missed the Free Practices. But on Saturday, ho ho ho, of course I wouldn't miss it for the world! Went there early to check out the circuit and by "circuit" I meant THE WHOLE circuit. From the entrance, to the shops, the theme parks, the inner circuit, and of course my own seat category. Doing this so for the race day, I wouldn't need to do that all over again and would just focus on the race itself.

Qualifying started, and ended so quickly -because, well, I didn't know what was going on... and with my whole body soaking wet, I went to the main stage area of the fan zone because I knew something was about to happen: the drivers on stage!

I didn't get to do this last year in Sepang for some reasons -lateness reason- so I was damn ready for this one. For Massa, as he was the first one I saw on stage. For Kimi. For Mika Hakkinen. And finally, and this is why I'm writing about this, FOR DANIEL RICCIARDO AND HIS RED BULL GANG -oh yea, including Max too- OH MY GODDD!!!

I'm being a crazy fanboy again, just like last year. Daniel didn't make it on top this year in Japan, BUT STILL, even if he starts from the back, I'D SCREAM FOR HIM!!! So he did the interview, speaking some Japanese words that cracked the audience up, and finally came to the middle, fvcking closing in to me, and my scream was like, damn, oh getting so louder! That was one of the highlight of this Grand Prix to me.

As for the race day itself, honestly, it wasn't that enjoyable. Again, thanks to the no-screen and the no-English-commentators -one of a few pain in my ass for watching a Grand Prix live. HOWEVER, again, it was the atmosphere that I bought. So I sank deeper in every event, from the drivers parade, the marshalls that performed some fantastic car-imitating gig, the first lap, the laps that followed, and blended in with my surroundings, savouring every weird yet unique fan tidbits and their reactions, EVERY. SINGLE. THING, and I enjoyed it all!

Plus, the spectators helped building the hype. People around me consisted of fans of different F1 teams, so it wasn't so intimidating. But most of Japanese were shouting for Scuderia Torro Rosso team, which was a bit confusing to me, but when I asked an F1 store guy at Nagoya Station why they were so into the team -yea, when I was buying the official Red Bull jersey, I just realized that the engine of the team was Honda. And of course, Japanese would cheer for Honda.

Plus, it was the very first time I'm traveling with a decent camera. That could also snap different kinds of situation. So instead of complaining about how I couldn't really enjoy the race, I wandered around the seating area, took pics of everything I found interesting—until the next thing I know, the race was over -Lewis won, of course, yay. . . . . . . .- and here goes the best thing of this Grand Prix.

The Circuit Visit.

But no, it wasn't like last year. No breaking in, no cage destroying, no running into the track like a free gazelle. It's Japan, remember? So when Lewis passed the chequered flag, people started to get down the seating area, approaching nearer entry gate to the circuit, and, as Japanese would be expected to do -although there were more people there and not only Japanese- queuing.

That was quiet hilarious. I mean, when I was standing on the line, I recalled what happened last year. When people went mad and crazy and didn't really think of being arrested by the officials for trespassing something not really certain can be passed or not, and poured over the circuit. Today, just a year later, everyone submissively waited on a freaking line, missing the podium scene though could listen to what happened there from the megaphone, then kept waiting in uncertainty.

Then the gate was opened. Oh my God. My heart was beating fast. I'M ABOUT TO ENTER SUZUKA!!!

And so I stepped into the track.
And it felt like a pilgrimage.

I almost lose it. I was so close to actually cry. 15 minutes ago 20 cars I just saw on the track, which I could usually just see on the TV screen, were running along the roads I was walking on exactly right now. I could still see the tyre marks here and there. People even touched it in awe. They also picked some unusual debris from the track, hoping that it was some sort of a leftover from the cars they love.

Of course I was doing the same. Touching the roads, picking up stuff, taking photos, lots of photos, and capturing mental pictures of everything I saw around me. For it was Suzuka, one of the world's F1 haven which everyone loves.

It took me almost two hours I think, to explore every corner of the circuit. Yes, EVERY. CORNER. It was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity eh, so why would I rush things? Plus it's not like I had other things to do after this anyway, so, of course!

Also, I think it was because it would be my last time wearing Danny Ric's Red Bull cap—and I guess it was also the main reason why the whole race wasn't quiet fun for me.

Dan is leaving Red Bull.

It sucks actually, to know that it'd happen. For the past three seasons, past three years and past three Grands Prix I watched live, it was always him that I cheered upon. In Singapore when he finished second and just so close to Rosberg. In Sepang when he finished third and almost lost it to Vettel -I won't forget how I, the only Red Bull fan among Mercedes Petronas patron, shrieked every time Ric almost dropped his position. And just now in Suzuka, though he didn't do quiet well anyway.

Next year he'll be with Renault. Oh of course I'll still be supporting him, but I gotta be real, I'm pretty sure I won't see him that much on top of the grid anymore. He'll be playing mid-pack, with the Force Indias and Haas's. It's just, it'll be weird not to see his name gracing the Top 6 that much.

Well anyhow, I didn't really think of it that much when I was on the track of Suzuka. I just wore my Dan cap with full pride, and Red Bull banner on my back as a cape, then trace every single inches of it. All the way from the moment when the sun was still striking, until it gave in and concealed itself behind the iconic Suzuka ferris wheel. And the whole track turned purple-ish and quiet, slowly left by satisfied motor-racing fan.

And I stepped out of Suzuka, with my voice all dried out,

And full awareness that this has become another amazing,

Memorable Grand Prix.

And as I walked back from the circuit to the station, with oh so many other F1 fans around, I talked to myself that this has got to continue. Always. Watching a Grand Prix live, it CANNOT end here. I need to make it an annual ritual, I don't care if it comes with my annual trip, or separated, but this has to happen every year.

Because it's not just about watching the race.

Not even about supporting a certain favorite driver.

It's about the atmosphere. Being one with the likeminded people.

Your people.

And together with them, scream until

Your voice withered

Match Thirty One: Who's Bigger Now?

You know when you're not the best team,

You tend to play more relaxed, loose, and easy.

Serious, of course, but not much under-pressure.

That's what I felt for

Japan vs Senegal

Group H, again

Pic's from here.

Probably one of the most entertaining matches yet.

I told you, this group is apparently more appealing than others. The bigger ones were to Colombia and Poland, though they're not as big as Brazil nor France. The smaller ones of the group, Japan and Senegal, whom at first may not be the preferred spotlights, turned out to be crazy fantastic. On each of their first games, they were remarkable enough to each kick the "bigger" teams' asses 2-1. Now with such confident, they're scheduled to meet each other,

And it was a kickass match!

Senegal scored first, through Mane. It wasn't of a quality goal, but it was Mane -YNWA!- so I kinda enjoyed it. Japan then made a counterattack through Takashi Inui, and this time it was a quiet beautiful goal. It was a 1-1 tie now, and gotta say, I felt satisfied already if the match were to end that way. But I might not want to post about them if it actually ended there.

The game got crazier from there onward. Japan, especially, through stars Inui and Osako, attacked like they were not Asians -I'm so proud of their performances!!! But that doesn't mean that Senegal just stood still. 19-year old Wague made it 2-1 and brought the team up in the air for a while. Yes, for a while, because only 8 mins later, the newly-in Keisuke Honda made it back to a tie, scoring his 4th World Cup goal, which completed his record of always scoring in each World Cup he entered -twice in 2010, once in both 2014 and 2018, making himself the World Cup Asian top scorer.

It really was an enjoyable match. Both were strong and aggressive, neither played dirty, and the supporters! There was this viral video showing two Japanese and Senegalese supporters were singing together in joy after the match, so friendly and merry, and guess what they were singing! Once Piece theme!!! Lol wait let me check... ah, here it is!

FREAKING HEARTWARMING!

The two of them once again left the pitch unbeaten, and they deserve it. Next on the last matchday of the group, they'll each once again meet the so-called bigger teams.

And maybe it's THE time to show,

Who the bigger ones are

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

四代目 — Fourth

In the world of Naruto, there were four respected forefathers.

Heroes of the ninja village, honored even before the anime started.

The first one was the pioneer. Powerful, admired, someone everybody look up to. The second one was dependable. Quiet yet impactful, supporting what was lacking from its predecessor. The third one, was full of potentials. Determined, and timeless. And the fourth one, was the most dynamic, and the star of the village.

Ahh, the fourth one. My favorite.

Everybody deared the fourth one, for his high quality.

And that's exactly what I wish to have, in my fourth baby.

"Cheating Central Japan"

Don't ask me how I did it, because I barely believe myself. To have a fourth book while my third one was still fresh from the oven, it was beyond expectation.

And this one is about my best trip so far. The trip I had always been dying to have. To a country I had always been dying to visit. Doing lots of things I had always been dying to experience. All those stuff I did, now is in a form of a book.

Well I'm not going to tell how I did the book, and how I showed them to my family in our favorite surprise-I-am-having-another-book-now corner -it all happened just the same with previous ones. I'm actually here to state how I wish this baby can bring me to a new level of, being an author.

Because it's Japan.
Everybody loves Japan.

And having this one can provide me to a wider range of readers. They who are seeking to have the same experience I had, they who are longing to enjoy the wonder I felt—and I'm sure there are literally millions of them. No wonder why my publisher didn't think twice accepting my script.

And having more readers can allow me to unlock more doors in me. With their encouragement, their criticisms and suggestions, their supports, and of course, their money. Until eventually, all will lead me to more and more places on the globe I can visit, and more and more babies I can give birth to.

So, am I done?
Of course not.

I'll be having the fifth, the sixth,
And it'll be going on and on even after
Naruto loses its counts

寂しい

Ever since I returned from Japan,

I still haven't got the spirit to go back working at the office. I'm still enjoying my life working for the Japanese company from home, and doing some other projects. So I got lots of spare time, and--wow, hold it. It's not what I'm going to talk about.

Okay.

Ever since I returned from Japan,

I still haven't completely moved on.

Best trip so far.

Well, I've always said that after finishing one trip.

But seriously, this one, is crazier and incomparable.

Giving the fact that it's a trip I find really, really immaculate, I never want the memories to fade too quick. So I write many memoirs about the journey, I keep contributing for the company I did my internship with, and, this is the one I like the most:

I watch K-ON.

I stood here, right where they were standing. Pic's from here.

An anime about a school band, consisting of five female high school students. Despite the title ("K-ON" derives from word "keionbu" which literally means "light music"), most of the episodes tell about the girls' daily routines like finishing homeworks, going on a vacation, arranging their club room, and many other non-music-related stuff. Yet so rich in Japanese day-to-day dos.

And that's why I love the show.

Watching K-ON reminds me a lot to the country I've been, and am still in love with. And it's smoothly created with delicate human gesture, natural dialects and intonations, and most importantly, 100% representing Japanese high school students. Unlike any other anime which sometimes can be, too much. Like Naruto. But still, I love that bastard ninja.

I've watched the show for quiet some time before I flew to Japan, but after my trip, everything seems to be much more relevant. How they go to the convenient store, how they arrive in Kyoto Station and visit the major tourist destinations, how they eat the soba sandwich I once ate in Osaka, damn, I'm now one million steps closer to the girls.

And of course, you know what happens next.

I'm emotionally invested to the show.

I have spare time, remember? So I spend my afternoon on Monday to Friday to get myself closer to the girls. And weird things have started crawling inside my mind ever since.

Like the fact that I began to think that Mio is cute and could be a perfect girlfriend. Mugi, too. And Ritsu could be a best bud I can do crimes with. I also constantly laugh to their jokes -the humour it's really my kind of sense, I imitate the way they speak as a part of my Japanese practice, I can even relate the feelings they create to each other, and the feelings that they are feeling.

Including the time they performed at the school festival on the senior year. Yes, their last performance. Finishing the top-notch play, they returned to their club room, and started recalling that performance they just did. One thing led to another, and they began to imagine how would their life be after this, after high school, when they go on separate ways and can't spend time together again. And being girls, high school girls, of course, they cried.

When Mio (the one on the very right) started crying, I began to lose control. Pic's from here.

The scene was so touching I even shed a--kidding, I didn't cry, I just, well--okay, I was going to deny, but no, I'll man up now. I cried. I knew exactly what they felt, and I felt like I was so close to them so, I also cried.

What made me feel worse that this episode remarked the end of the show. Literally. The anime is about HIGH SCHOOL music club. When they are to go on for university, of course, the club has to be broken up. But apart of the fact that "I feel close to the girls" thingy, which I'm pretty much disappointed because my bonding with them will end soon -am I starting to sound like a weird otaku guy now!?- it also upset me that, I was going to lose my main channel to reminisce the journey in Japan.

You see, I traveled there alone.

I met people, lots of people, but that's all. It's not like they were 24/7 with me during the trip, and it's not like they're available 24/7 for me to talk about the trip with.

And that's why I hated it when these girls left.

But yea, that's the price of solo traveling.
All stuff that happened, only matters to you.

Damn you, Japan.
I miss you

I Don't Know How I Did It

2015 is reaching its end.

Never thought that this year will be the time of my life where I focused really big on,

Career.

Ugh, career. One thing the 2010 me had always avoided from. Because the word relates closely near to adulthood. A stage of life even the 2012 me had always denied about. But what could I do, as I grew up the 2015 me finally gave in and worked a lot on, career.

But it turned out to be a fantastic year.

As I got my very first permanent job. In fashion retail industry. Shite, what a new experience no? Although still, my part was revolving around writing — but fashion? I must give credit to myself because I survived nine months for this main job.

"Main job". Oh yeah, I had side jobs too. "Jobs". As in two side jobs. As a web and social media administrator in film industry, and copy and Twitter writer in a music event. Fvck, more new experiences? I mean, film? Music? Those were all so not me.

But then I got to do all those three jobs, for learning. Lol kidding. Of course, for the sake of money making. I had this big BIG plan I had never done before, that really needed big BIG money so, I took the risks of taking those three jobs.

So, it seemed like I was forced to put off my real passion, eh?

Yes, "seemed like". But no, I will never abandon this part of me.

Traveling.

I kept on pursuing this one. Having my second baby the Cheating Hong Kong & Macau, publishing another article for MyTrip magazine, and of course, going on real trips to Harapan, Pahawang, and Krakatau - and it was all Indonesian trip, for God's sake I'm so proud!

But ultimately, of course,
When it comes to traveling,
In the year 2015, it's undoubtedly

My internship to Japan.

It happened all of a sudden. The vacancy was open in January, right when I was working on my second book while searching for a new job after doing my trip to Hong Kong and Macau. Then I got that job in fashion. Yet two weeks after, the manager from Japan interviewed me via Skype, and then boom, I got the internship.

Then I started to prepare everything like, everything, to get me safe and sound to Japan, while I was also doing my job. Then I realized I needed more money for this project so I took the film job. Then I discovered that I could still bare a little more responsibility for more money, so I took the music job. Then for three crazy months, I had to do three crazy so-not-me jobs, all for the crazy trip I had been dreaming about since I was like, three years old?

And I kept surprising myself even after arriving in Japan. Six weeks of non-stop exploration, four weeks of which were assigned with one mandatory article per day. Other interns failed in meeting the requirements but I, with my crazy obsessed freak trait, eventually produced 28 posts and saved myself by earning the promised money for completing the task.

I don't know how I did it.

This year generally, and that internship specifically, really taught me more than all the things I ever done in my life, combined. It opened my mind about my true strength in pursuing my dream. About how I can get whatever I want, with my own power. About my actual potential.

And I'm sure it's not even half of it.

There's more of me I need to unveil.

There's more skill, more opportunity,

More and more things I can benefit

That for the time being, I still

Don't know how to do

Living Life

It’s been an unbelievable month.

I didn’t even get a chance to update my blog.

From my last post, it wasn’t clearly said why I resigned my position in SOGO, for what reason I was brave enough to jeopardize my growing career, and why so sudden.

Well, I’m going to tell you guys briefly, because at this moment I just realized that I have a spare time to write on my blog.

So.

I was accepted in an internship for a tourism website.

The name is JapanTravel.com, and I’m required to do it in,

Of course,

Japan.

This was really crazy. I mean, the day they interviewed me and obviously gave me this sign that I was accepted, the craze started there. I mean, this is like a mixture of everything I dreamed of. Writing, traveling, and, Japan.

Long story short, five days after I resigned from SOGO I flew to Japan right away to start the program. And that explains why I had no chance to update, eh? My main job in this internship, is to explore Japan and write about all its tourist attractions. Sounds too good to be true, yes?

Well, it is.

Even up ‘till now I still couldn’t believe that out of 1.000 applicants, they picked me. Invited me to Japan, in which I’ve always been dying to visit. Assigned me with writing tasks, in which I’ve always been improving at. And on top of all, gave me chance to cover topics of traveling—in which I’ve always been trying to put my life within.

And so far it’s been a job I’ve always dreamed about since I was a little. Got a pack of name cards titled ‘reporter’, earned privilege to take photos of something that regular visitors aren’t allowed to, living life as a true journalist.

I carried my small notepad everywhere I go. I brought my laptop to cafés so I could work while sipping a cup of hot chocolate –that’s what I’m doing like right now. I asked this and that, in limited Japanese, just to find out details to complete my articles—oh, my God. I’m living life of my dream.

But now I’m near to the end.

It’s been five weeks already I guess, and I have to remember that this journalist thingy is just an internship. And it's just temporary.

Say hi to my kitty notepad and the drink I've always ordered in COFFEE shops.

But I change my mind.

I'm gonna take back word ‘just’.
And put it somewhere else better.

Because in this 'just' internship,
In this 'just' one month traveling,
I learned a lot, too lot actually.

And at least soon in Indonesia

When I'm feeling down or something,
I could always say to myself that once,

I lived life other people
Could 'just' dream of

Second Child

Second child is something.

I looked up to my aunts from mom and dad. Both are the second child of their own sibling lines. Aunt from mom, she's a fighter. From what I see now, and from what mom told me about her, she is, was, and I'm pretty sure she'll always be damn tough. Then my aunt from dad, she's the central of my big family's attention. A determined lady I've ever known in my life.

But they're just a glimpse of what I know about second child. My complete belief, of course, comes from my own little brother. A nerve-wrecking guy. Independent as fvck. A kind of guy we can rely on.

Now what is this second child thingy all about?

Well, it's because I want those qualities from my closest second-child relatives, to be inside my very own second child:

"Cheating Hong Kong and Macau"

Don't ask me how,

I could barely believe myself.

Right after my trip to Hong Kong and Macau, I didn't waste even one second and started working on this book right away. Then I sent it to the same publisher I did my first book with, and the next thing I knew, we were doing the book process all over again.

By that time I got a job already. Several jobs, actually. So the editing process was somehow pretty packed. But still, I enjoyed it like, hey, I'm doing this again, which means that I will have another book displayed on the book store!

So I made it through everything, and did the same scheme I conducted last year. Bringing my family to lunch, forced them to the bookstore, and entered the book right before their faces. It took us another 30 minutes photo session just by the bookshelf, but hey, who cares.

What I cared is to see this spark of pride on their eyes.

This sense of trust about my bright bright future.

Oh this is a good sign.

My second child will be the point where my family begins to let me go. To let me do whatever I want to do. To let me off to the world. Which I actually am doing now, as this second I'm currently in Japan for the pursuit of my travel writing career.

Japan? But how--when--why--

Soon, okay, soon I'll tell you all.

Right now is about my book

And how to wish him the best

For what he's doing in Jakarta.

While I'm doing my best here

In Tokyo

Cherry Blossom From The Green

This time, I’m pretty sure that I’m officially a fan of Asia’s Next Top Model. For the previous two cycles, I started watching weeks after the season’s premiere, got held back and kept watching only to know who the winner was. No plan at all, it was spontaneous and impulsive.

However for this year’s cycle, got to be honest, I literally waited for it. The premiere date was on my calendar, and the girls were exposed to me from the very first second of their appearance. And as always, the one that I noticed first when the lineup was revealed was, yes, the girl from Japan.

Her name is Barbara Katsuki

Marie and Sofia's successor. With surprisingly the exact same rank: third runner up –this starts to be very suspicious.

Like the first two girls, Barbara with her green Brazilian and pink Japanese descent ‘outfit’ outshined everyone. Well there was this American-Hong Kong girl and this French-Thai girl, but hey, it’s Japan what sipped within Barbara and nothing can beat that. And like the first two girls, again, she’s super polite. Super down to earth, speaking with this super cute minimalist English-Japanese accent… Argh!

Unique as always, polite as always, okay that’s typical. Only this time, what stood out more about the Japan representation in AsNTM, was actually the physical appearance. Out of three Japanese contestants, Barbara’s face won my heart. And her moderate height, taller than Marie yet shorter than Sofia, it’s just perfect. Plus that body of hers—oh don’t get me start with that.

Do I sound like I’m making a big deal out of her too much? Well, it’s because I actually adore her. And maybe subconsciously because I also adore Japan. In which I have plan for it, but later on, not now.

What I can tell now is,
Following the theme that I set for myself lately,
I’ll try to explore Indonesia more than anything else at the moment.

Therefore on top of Barbara, there are these two I know everybody will got my back for adoring them. Because yes, they’re from Indonesia.

Gani and Tahlia

Gani. She’s been so consistent from the very first episode and oh I’m pretty sure she’ll win the competition. Too much adoration shown by the panel, too much praises thrown from the guest judges, she’ll definitely kick those Singaporean and –especially– Filipina asses.

And Tahlia. Our Scarlett Johansson. She’s so special I don’t even know how to describe it. It was such a nerve-wrecking moment watching her on the show, seeing her up and down, until finally she was on the bottom two with Gani. Worst episode ever, seriously. And that was the point where I realized that the show is Filipino-centered, with two Filipinas holding crucial roles on the panel, and that Amanda girl always being saved.

But I don’t care.

Despite the unfair tendency within the competition, Gani and Tahlia showed that Indonesians can climb up the wall without any nationality bailout. That the fairest flower from the green land called Indonesia, can also blossom internationally.

Oh, Indonesia.

Never been this much in love with you

Images: not mine at all, I forgot where I earned it ;(

Black Dahlia From The Red

I know I been saying this my whole life, but I'm gonna say it again. I'm a reality show junkie. Once I start seeing one episode of anything, I mean it like, ANYTHING, I'll be there for the rest of the episodes until I figure out who the winner is, on the season finale.

So Asia's Next Top Model was last year. The contestants were all gorgeous that when cycle 2 started, I began to mock the new girls because they were no prettier than cycle 1 ones. But then when I was exposed more to the series, I got my faves. And once again, the top of my list is filled by the girl from Japan.

Her name is Marie Nakagawa

Sofia's successor. With the exact same rank: third runner up. Damn she should've been the winner because she won best photos more than anyone else.

She's shorter than Sofia -well, Sofia's too tall for anybody else. But one thing I like from her is, that she's black, and Japanese at the same time. That's just so unique! She looks exquisite with the skin it super matches her red-dyed hair. And when she was given the makeover, with that afro-kind-of hair, damn she's Whitney Houston!

And I also like her attitude. Looking not too much like a girl from Japan, but her gesture is sooooo Japanese. Super polite, bow before everybody, just what I always expected from Japanese women.

I think it's because I'm in too much love with Japanese. That every single girl, with a whole different mixture of descents and culture, always succeeded making me adore them.

Or is it,

Simply because,

Japan women are all

Blossoming flowers

Image source: here