Gracias, Dos Mil Dieciocho

2018 was "Year of Preparation"

Well at least that's what I said when I welcomed the year.

Initially it was about preparing to living abroad. Preparing for masters degree, preparing for working somewhere outside Indonesia, preparing for THAT!

But then as you know, life usually has its own, preparation.
So instead of preparing for those dreams I've been dreaming for,
I ended up preparing for something else this whole year.

Which apparently, was

Preparing for Greater Goods

As it turns out the term was beyond just around traveling context, or career context, or of course way so far from academic context—it's about all of those, in one.

Let's take a short, one year ride back to the beginning of 2018.

It began oh so pleasantly. In January I just finished my trip to France. My first ever European trip, which I couldn't really successfully move on from. Too grande, too beautiful, and I gotta admit that this trip, along with the fact that I was on the brink of getting tired of my work, made me think that this year would yet be another one dedicated for traveling. And oh was I so true about that!

Throughout the year, after France, I did six fucking more trips! SIX, for God's sake! I didn't even know how I could cope with that! Financially, bureaucracy-wise -giving the fact that my EX-company only grant me one annual leave per month, and more than that would mean that I got my salary cut- not only about the policy, but about getting the permission for my boss, because, HELL, what I do at work, it's a team work so the more I traveled the more I ruined the pace. But then again, I underwent all six trips nicely, with not much drama -as far as I know... So yea all those trips, I guess it helped me prepare myself to be oh so much better in the world of traveling. And negotiating, and compromising, and hard working, GOSH, a lot, really!

Like my trips to Bali. Oh yeah, I did twice of them this year. One during the religious day of silence, and the other one is for a friend's friend's wedding. See those motives, really uncanny, eh? People who don't travel a lot see me as a very avid traveler, that I now am on the stage that I go to Bali no longer for holiday purposes, but for something, greater!

Then my trip to Korea, who seemed to be normal, actually, but giving the fact that it happened two months from Bali, and a fucking three weeks after Macao, damn, my colleagues start questioning me if I was overpaid -which pissed me off, actually, because it wasn't for my salary cuz I had one of the suckiest paycheck on the company so it totally thanks to my saving skill in which I didn't go out and hangout and buy food and snacks as much as they did, GOSH, I feel like I wanted to slap them for saying that.

So yeah, back to my trip to Korea. It was my annual trip, actually, so like any other annual trips I ever done, I haven't been there. But it turned out to be so amazing, so socially and personally powerful that my five-month streak of can't-seem-to-move-on from France suddenly vanished! I did stuff people don't usually do when in Korea, made friends out of my solitary holiday, and it was always been fun to see how people would react the way I travel.

The same thing applied to my trip to Japan, too. Which happened five months after Korea, and only a month after my second Bali. At this stage I really didn't care about how my friends would react anymore, because I think I was already hinting of leaving the company anyway. I didn't care about how many days of leave I needed to request, how much works I needed to abandon, FUCK, I didn't care anymore! And it turned out to be one of the most refreshing escape I ever done. And on top of that, this trip to Japan was to fulfill my thirst of F1 -yet another fucking uncanny reason to visit Japan I bet not a single Indonesian had ever thought about it before, and to have this amazing social visit here and there -which I'm pretty sure NO ONE could ever equal the way I treated Tokyo as if it was my hometown.

And here's one more trip I didn't know would leave a mark on me. I didn't even see it coming: Macao. Not as a traveler, but as an influencer. Gosh, those days of being treated as royals... I just discovered how life as influencers were totally amazing. At first I thought this could be the life I wanted. I've been working so hard building my travel writing career, and being a travel influencer could be the peak of all, and all this shit of "preparation" blah can switch from preparing what I've always tried to prepare, to preparing myself in becoming an influencer. Turns out, it was a silly consideration. The trip opened my mind about how, -should I use that word?- well, unsuitable a life as an influencer to me. The trip eventually prepared myself to become a more, let's say, pure, unfake, and smart traveler I knew I would always enjoy being.

And that, leads us to other things I achieved this year. My fifth book, the one with Australia. It was out this September. Followed by my FIRST EVER DestinAsian article, on October, right before I flew to Japan—see? All this year was all mostly about traveling! And these works specifically, they helped me prepare to be the more ambitious travel writer I've always dreamed of becoming.

But hey, that didn't mean that I ditch work at all. To my surprise, I actually did well on my advertising side. My ideation skill got honed, my presenting skill got loosened, some of my thoughts and ideas were actually come to life that really helped building my portfolio, I got more chances to work with the company's high-ups and with clients, I won pitches, but as the cherry on top of everything, it was when I made it through to Young Spikes finals. It's the fucking major proof that I'm a worthy adman, and it helped me preparing myself to be a better one.

But again, as I mentioned before, it was money that had me thinking twice to stay. My urge to learn and do more of ideation and advertising grew oh so big, and hell yeah Ogilvy could provide me even more. But I got to be realistic, so out was I of Ogilvy—a decision so big and so brave, but I know it's a part to prepare that GREATER GOODS for me so, yeah...

The resignation marked the end of my 2018 journey.

I quitted the company with no fixed plan of what to do, and which company would take me, after this. I just wanted to show the world that I had all the courage to do whatever I thought I was afraid of, and to show that my preparation had been completed that I'm now ready to embark something greater.

So here I am in Madrid, in the middle of my 21-day-long Spain-Africa journey which is the longest I ever done, waiting for the clock to strike twelve and 2018 turns to 2019, unemployed yet celebrating my bravery to move on.

But before that,

Muchas gracias, 2018.I really enjoyed this year!

Whoa.

I've never ranted this much about my achievements.
But I'm sorry I can't help but being so proud of myself.
Because I've done such great preparations all year long.
And I know next year, something big is coming along.

Guess it's time for some
Redemptions?

The Power of Five

It's been a while since I gave birth to another child.

Let's take a look back to these past... three, four years? I published my first book in 2014, out of my Vietnam trip earlier that year. I went to Hong Kong and Macau in 2015, and my second child came out to this world by the end of the year. My grand journey to Japan led me to another kid, born only several moments after my Philippines book—both in 2016.

I didn't do any big trip in 2016, and was too busy in 2017 so there was this one year time of childless, until this year, 2018, FINALLY, 

My Australian Joey is Here!

Mate, don't get me started on how the process was. Dreadful -well there you go, I voluntarily explained it anyway. No, not the content because God, would I think twice to retell my Aussie trip in a book and relive that crazy amazing journey???

It's really THE, process, that was so... long, and draining.

See, 2017 was a shitty year in terms of my career. I mean, it was good, but hell it was crazy packed. I barely breathe mate, and that's why I only got to travel once -the big one was once, but the small ones were quiet a lot, thank God. Then 2018 came, and it was like a fvckin redemption to me, as even so far, I've been doing like, what, three, four trips??

It's only natural that finishing this book was super slow, and gotta admit, sometimes I lost willingness -and hope- in actually working on it.

But it's so unfair to give up to him.

My fifth kid, the first one out of Asia, the breakthrough after one full year of publishing no books—the power to see him up on the shelves was so high I forgot the fact that I barely have time and energy to wrap him up!

But the power of five don't lie.

He's out now with his brothers and sisters.

God, FIVE!

I still can't believe it, but my kids

Can be Power Rangers!

How Mind Works

"On one fine morning, there was a lean guy riding a cab to work. He was on his way to his client's office for an early meeting, when suddenly he wondered about, how fun it could be, if what he does for life, is covered on the media. What a weird fantasy, he then told to himself, while tossing a dumb smile out of the car window."

That lean guy, was me.

It was actually a silly thing, that thought. It randomly just popped out of my head. Well, not so random because by that time my cab was passing in front of one of my friend's building where he works for a notable local radio station. He's a pretty successful friend of mine, an announcer, also a rapper. I remembered just earlier this year, he was invited to a hip TV station to perform, and yes, it all made me having this weird fantasy of appearing on a media.

Well, there's no harm in dreaming yes?

And so I went on with life, acting as if that was just another typical morning thought of mine—some leftover from last night's dream.

Only this time,

The dream is much more powerful than mere night's dream.

Walking out of the client's reach, thank Gooodness, I could finally reach out to my phone. Lots of texts were there already, and I was kind of expecting those were from work. But not really.

Two of those texts are unusual—they came from non-regular texters of mine. One was even unknown. The other one being from my publisher, which always gave me a mini heart attack -of joy- seeing her name on my messenger. So I opened her messages, and was startled like a spineless little boy encountering an aligator by the swamp.

It was an invitation.

To a local radio station owned by the publishing house that published my books. Oh yes, it was about my book really. They wanted to interview me for my newest book, in their "Book of the Week" section on the following day—that day's next day. So I didn't think twice. And turned to the unknown texter whom apparently the one I had to confirm my availability to.

All set, and I was just standing there. Still at my client's office. Just standing there, doing nothing, smiling, trembling, with some tears clogged around the corner of my eyes.

It was shocking to me figuring out that I was actually embarking on the life I had been dreaming about. That what I had been working for this past two years was starting to open more paths in my writing career. That I'd be like my friend had been doing.

But that's not just it.

There's something else beyond just "dreams come true"

That made me stunned and speechless to the core of my soul.

It was my mind.

I really don't know how it works. To have the scheme came to reality just several hours after the wondering, it scared me more than amazed me. And I'm not telling you any lie here. I literally had that weird thought of me being covered, just before I received the invitation. I literally envisioned myself being on that TV show, instead of my rapper friend, and got asked this and that about how I did whatever I did.

But let's just be grateful and clear-headed here.

At least it was something good, that became true.

And the interview on the next day, it went really well. I had to leave my work for a while, as it was held after lunch. But I didn't care, this was a stepping stone to me. And everybody was there to see me stepping that stone. My family tuned in from home, my friends raided me with supports, and, this is the best part for me: my co-workers recorded the show and forced me to hear my super annoying voice back in the office! Haha!

All and all, it was an experience I'll always cherish.

With the radio announcer!

---

"On one fine morning, there was a lean guy riding a cab to work. He was wondering about how fun it could be, if what he does for life, is covered on the media—yet apparently the exact next day, his so called fantasy turned literally real."

Well.

Sometimes I just can't stop thinking

About how my mind—no. It's beyond that.

Sometimes I just can't stop admiring, about

How God works

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

Three's A Party

The last two months have been a skyrocketing time of life.

Between works, friends and family, passion and interest,

All juggled in balance, and I'm starting to get a hang of it.

Sounds like something to celebrate eh?

Yeah, and for that, enter my third book.

Cheating Philippines in a form of "Let's Go to Philippines"

This one underwent a crazy long journey.

Finished right after I gave birth to my first book, only a couple of months after I arrived from Philippines. Sounds easy? No, because although I have the script done so quick, the search of the publisher wasn't of that easy. But yea, all the struggle was worth celebrating.

And the process wasn't so bad, though. The writing part relived my journey. Then after my first rejection, I found another publisher in which bringing me new air, new hope, and... New task, too! Why, they wanted me to make the script their way so, I had to revamp it all the way. But who cares, because this meant that I had to get in my Filipino Party once again! It eventually led to a second rejection, though, but hey, it was all fine. Until finally, after my second book was released, I found the one that I've been looking for: THE, publisher for this book.

Two total major revisions.

Two years of editing and waiting.

But again, all the struggle was worth celebrating.

Because all my sacrifices finally paid off. And rereading, retouching, also reworking my script made me not only once, twice, but four times doing my Philippines pistas over and over again.

Moreover, this book celebrates so many aspects in my life. About how productive I am—and my family couldn't be prouder to see me striking three books in three consecutive years -oh and yes, of course, I brought them to a surprise bookshelf visit thing, just what I did last year and two years ago. About how cool I am—and My friends applauded me for this superb achievement. And about how I am now more and more connected to the world of writing and publishing—the publisher, being so different and so supportive from the previous ones, kept in touch with me and my precious work through social media.

Can't say much about this.

I'm truly proud of myself. I so am.

Beyond grateful of what I've achieved, too.

Because I now have three (plus one) babies.

And I feel like there are more to come.

So yeah.

One's a company,

Two's a crowd and

Three's a hearty

No Worries, You're Doing Good

"Realizing that you're closer to 30 than to 16, and you're screwed."

This is one of the scariest quote I ever read. Both numbers are like, two of the most important numbers in life. One is the age where you depart from childhood to early adulthood, and the other one is the age where you have to be all ready for maturity. I've passed the first one, and I am now halfway to the second one.

I came across that quote several months ago, then I freaked out because, damn, I'm so close to being 30. But when I did my math, I cooled down a little. I was still 23, so it made me right in the very middle—7 years to 16, 7 years to 30. No need to feel screwed. Yet.

I laughed as if I would still be 23 forever.

Until finally last week, the number left me.

Yes, I birthday-ed. 24 took over.

And now I'm closer to 30

If you don't get it, the greeting means "awww, 24, really???"

Honestly, I kinda lost the excitement of welcoming birthday because of this. Because of this feeling. Because of this fvcking quote that now I'm hating. I'm drifting away much further from teenagehood, and shifting ridiculously closer to the phase where I should think about settling down. No more irresponsible tidbits. No more reckless trips.

Things got a little rougher thanks to one of my dearest friends. He wished me a happy birthday, and to have a joyful last year of being "18-24". Got it? The age group in registration forms and stuff? Yes, it's my last year belonged to the group. Next year I'll be under "25-35", and it didn't even come to my mind until last week!

Plus, exactly on my birthday, I tuned in the TV and caught an episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. It was "The One Where Everyone Turns 30". Fuck, yeah? What are the odds? I know it sounds like I made it up, but trust me, it happened. Well they turned 30 while I turned 24, but still, the feeling, it was all the same!

If I could whine a little, this year shouldn't be hard like this. It should be next year. The time when I'm in the middle of my 20s. The time I can consider as my silver age. Now with all these universe conspiracies, I think I must give in to feel the "dark moment" a year earlier.

But then again,
Come to think of it,

Well, it's okay.

Because looking back to what I achieved so far, I shouldn't have fallen too deep for this. It's not that I've been doing nothing all these times, that I should be worried of getting older.

As a matter of fact, I did quiet a bunch. Two published books, kickass trips, overseas internship -this is the best thing I ever done in my life, good career, good money. I should be grateful instead of anxious. I've successfully completed many things that most of my friends, or people my age -or even older- never even think about doing.

I went to an interview several weeks ago -in which position I failed winning because of some salary disagreement, and these interviewers -there were four of them, for God's sake- asked me what kind of thing I was currently aiming for. Without further ado, I chose "money". Not because I'm materialistic, nor because I had nothing else in my mind but money, no, not those. I then told those people that money was what I was aiming for, because

"I felt like I've done much. I've fulfilled many of my passions, accomplished most of my dreams, and now I feel like I want something more realistic."

And then I smiled to myself, in front of those people. I smiled because I just realized how I was so true about that answer. About how I've been here and there, doing this and that, while people my age were struggling with their office hours and boring routines. I took granted of how ambitious I was, yet so powerful and driven that whatever my ambitions were,

I could reach it.

My first ever permanent job.

Covered in Fashion TV Magazine.

Trip to Harapan.

Trip to Pahawang.

Trip to Krakatau.

Published on MyTrip Magazine. Great timing, because exactly one week after...

You know this scene: my second book.

And exactly one day after I showed my new book, I had to say a temporary goodbye...

To have this beyond amazing Japan trip.

Then I returned to Indonesia, went back and forth to Bali (this pic was Ceningan tho)

Until finally I wrapped up my last days of being 23 in Singapore.

Well.

Not sure if I've given credit to myself but umm, here goes: I'm so proud of me. And now I don't feel like I need to fear being 24. Because being older means that I have to achieve more, and unlock more potentials in me.

And oh hell yeah, I'm looking forward to that.
So no worries, Vicky, you're doing good.

Plus, on that episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S I was talking about, Rachel's boyfriend Tag was 24 -she turned 30—THIS EPISODE WAS MEANT FOR ME. He was still playing with the scooter, unsure about his life, and the gang (especially Rachel) still sees him as a youngster.

One of the scenes I hate so much because they're actually really cute together.
Now I hate it even more because I'm turning 24. Pic's from here.

So really,

Vicky, oh my dear,

Really there is no need

To feel screwed

Total(ly) Solar Eclipse

At first I didn’t really feel like joining the euphoria.

I was just too busy to bother thinking about that.

But moments prior to the big day, I started to sense the splendor of the phenomenon. It’s like, a very great and important day was coming to town. The similar sensation to expecting Eid or Christmas. Only bigger, because it had been all around the media for the last one year.

And the people, I never felt such enthusiasm before. Maybe because it’s a once-in-300-years opportunity? I mean, in 30 years we still can see a partial solar eclipse, but as for TOTAL solar eclipse, on the same track that’s going on this year, well, it won’t happen again until year 2316 something.

It reminds me a bit to the part of Naruto I’m currently watching. There’s this project initiated by the villain to create an illusion moon (“Tsuki-no-me”) that can send anybody to the realm of imagination, where people can live inside their best dream forever, leaving the chaotic real life behind. I mean, well, it’s pretty different to what‘s happening now, as this Tsuki-no-me is obviously objected by people, while our solar eclipse phenomenon is positively expected. But the uproar of the anticipation feels the same.

The terrifying Tsuki-no-me. Pic's from here.

Well that’s what I was thinking.

Until today, exactly just now,

I saw the real eclipse.

No, I was at home. And Jakarta was only served with around 80% of the eclipse. Island of Belitung in the west, and city of Palu in the east, are the ones who were exposed to 100% of the eclipse. And both cities were aired by the national televisions.

It was pretty odd here at home. The morning sun feels like dusk, bright but sunset-like bright. And praises can be heard from nearby mosques. A situation I never felt before. I mean, it’s normal to catch Islamic praises in the morning, but when the situation feels like it’s about to get dark, it doesn’t happen everyday. Well but that’s all, no significant thing happened.

Knowing that I might not get the full experience of this solar eclipse, I switched to my TV because I knew I could get something more with it. And of course I was right.

The footage in Belitung and Palu, clearly showed how a total solar eclipse is supposed to be. From its partial form one hour before the full version, to the seconds when the moon fully covers the sun. It was pretty intense, and breathtaking. Especially when the my screen switched from a normal sunset moment screen –well, a ‘sunset’ at 7:30 am was not supposed to be normal but, yea– to a complete dark in one second. Literally in one second, as if there was a giant was suddenly standing in the way. Then the eclipse ring appeared on the TV. And people started to shout Lord’s name. And the news reporter cried.

I was just watching from home, but all those things that came out of my TV really touched me deep inside. A phenomenon once in our lifetime, was revealed before my eyes. I couldn’t imagine if I was actually there in either Belitung or Palu, standing upon an open air space, seeing the best dark of my life. I might shed a tear.

Well, I didn’t really have to be there to shed a tear.

I cried already, seeing all those on my screen.

Because you see, it was that beautiful.

The majestic total solar eclipse. Pic's from here.

Then you see, I was just stating the obvious throughout this post. You may be able to get these facts from news portal or something, mine is just explaining what I know –which is soo little– and not much about the scientific reasons of the phenomenon.

Still, I’d like to get in the mood of this total solar eclipse thingy.

It’s bad enough that I didn’t even bother thinking about traveling to Belitung or anywhere around Sumatra, just because I was busy with something I can always do again later. While this exact phenomenon, will never appear again in my life.

Thank God I still get to see it at least on TV.

Sensing how crowds crumbled in tears of gratitude.

Completely realizing the fact that they—I mean, WE,

We are TOTALLY nothing

Compared to Him

Arigatou, Ni Sen Juu Go

It's that time of year all over again.
The end of year, welcoming a new one.
This might be a rough goodbye for me.

Because this year,
Has been too good to be true.

2  0  1  5

The Year of  緊湊的樂趣

Now what the hell are those Chinese letters all about?
Last year's theme made sense and now, what are these?!

Okay, chill, dude.
So for 2015, I claimed it as

"The Year of Compact Fun"

Yes, those Chinese letters literally mean "Compact Fun" (well, not sure if it does literally mean that, because I was using Google Translate but, yea, at least it'll be somewhere around that phrase).

I made it in Chinese because by the time I was generating my new year's theme, the only plan I had for 2015 was my trip to Hong Kong and Macau. That's all. But I don't know, I had this sense that somehow in 2015 I'll visit somewhere else just near those two places, say like, Korea or, Japan maybe? So yea that's why I came up with the idea of using Chinese letters.

And by "Compact Fun", well, it was sort of a hope that in 2015, I'll have an unstoppable back-to-back kind of fun. Some endless fun. With no break. Eternal fun.

Which turned out, to come true.

Because since my trip to Menjangan for the new year, then went on to Hong Kong and Macau, then my second book project, then started working for SOGO and the side jobs, then all those local trips up to the ultimate two-month Japan adventure, until finally now, I'm in Bali again for another new year,

It was indeed, surprisingly compact.

Just like what I expected.

I didn't even, even know how.

It worked just the way I wanted.

Now.

2016 is ready to replace my favorite year.

And it seems like I need to find a new theme...

But you know what, I can't decide now. It's too early, maybe after a week or two I'll come up with something. And maybe after I know what I'm going to achieve for 2016, I'm not going to spoil it too much here and just let it flow for the whole year, see myself if it's going to be so much relevant like this year or not.

Although I'm pretty sure it will be.

And oh, I think I have a little sneak peek of what my theme will nearly be about. This is a mural quote my Japanese friend spotted in Harajuku for me, and I kinda like it.

Saucy.

Yea well,

Whatever I'm going to have for 2016.

I must give all the credits first for 2015.

Thank you, you crazy year.

I seriously didn't expect you to be this striking.

To be this great, to be this enchanting, to be this--

Oh fvck, I can't even find the best word for you.

Well just remember that you,

Have been the best year so far.

And all the things you've done to me up 'till now,

Will linger on me forever

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

Who's Getting a Book Now

Hey blog, what's up?

HAA hahaha yeess I'm talking to you again now. Wow--what?? Are you accusing me of been hiding something from you again and this post is the part when I'm confessing?? How could you do that to--okay, yes, I'm here to confess something again.

Sorry I been concealing this for so long but,

I actually been working on my own traveling book.

And since it's out in the bookstore now, there's no harm telling.

Well, in my defense, I kept sending you signals that I planned to make a book out of my Vietnam trip ya!? Let's take a break and look back to my posts about Vietnam. See? See? See!? I said, "Well I'm sorry I can't tell much about it. I have plans of where to spill more things about Vietnam." didn't you get what it means?

Okay whoa sorry I'm here to confess and apologize now, not to make a scene.
And maybe to briefly tell you how this magical thing could actually happen to me.

Trip to Vietnam was too affecting for me. It was crazy unforgettable, with all stuff I did alone, all people I met along the way, God, I can't just waste it, I talked to myself. So I had this idea to record everything in a form of a book. Because I know, a blog couldn't -and wouldn't- hold all details anyway.

Spent the whole February and half of March working on everything from A to Z, before I finally sent it to a publisher. At first I didn't expect them to want to publish the script I proposed because, they're like the top publisher in here. But then, God really loved me because it was reaching my birthday when they mailed me back, telling me that they were interested to work on the script. I was trembling all week long.

Since after that, the times of struggling kept coming. Worked on the revisions, checked and edited the proof, I did so many editorial stuff I never even learned before. Those were actually fun because, it was what I like! What's not fun was, the waiting process. When I couldn't do anything about it, but to wait and to keep myself in the loop about the on going stages.

Until last week, my editor said that the book was going to be out on Monday, August 25th. It drove me crazy. I don't know why, I mean, I knew it'd eventually be released, it was not a shocking-unexpected news. But then, ya, I was totally energized. But the climax happened on Friday, August 22nd.

I was passing by the bookstore, and slowing down near the traveling section, when I saw a blue book I knew I was so familiar with. Because I've been too many times exposed to that cover. Because I was the one approving that cover. Because that was the cover of my book.

I went out of control. Flashed straight to the nearest praying room and cried in joy. All the waitings, finally paid off. But still I have to wait for the best time to show this book to my family. And then to everybody, right after my family. Because of course, I'd want to show that first to my family.

So last Sunday I brought them to the bookstore. It was a really weird invitation because at first my brother didn't really want to come -he's not a really big fan of books- but I somehow insisted all four of them to join me to the bookstore. They gave in tho, maybe because I started to be all nerdy and freaky. Then I walked them to the traveling section. Stopped near my book, turned around and face everybody before saying,

"Guys, all these times, I wasn't unemployed
for nothing. I made this."

Then entered my book. Right to their faces. Their stunned faces. Seeing my name written on the cover. Dad was speechless, mom cried. My brothers started shaking my hands awkwardly. We spent like almost half an hour taking photos of the book. And me.

Crazy day. I've been dreaming about that scene since, wow, I don't know when. I always pictured it before I slept, when I was doing nothing, basically, almost all the time. And it went the way I wanted it to go.

That day, and that August 22nd,
And that day when I got the emails from my editor,

God, will forever be in me.

"Cheating Southern Vietnam"

Never thought I could go through everything. Alone.
Well, not that alone because I always have a place to lean on.

So thank you, Allah Almighty.

Check Seven: Final Touches

So done are all the preparations.

I went through the sixth term, first steps of my final assignment, internships and also Ramadan, I got my own American visa, also had a little escape from all those stuff, had enough sponsors and now, it's about time to leave.

Mom's been worrying about my wardrobe, dad's been warning me to take tons of photos, my brothers kept listing things to be bought, while I... Concerned more about changing my bracket rubber color to red and blue. That's simply what final touch means to me :)

Oh well.
Who knew this day'd come so fast.

So God, thanks for making everything work.

Now I'm coming, New York

Check Six: Sponsors and Partners

We closed the sponsorship offer.

It's time to prepare all the publication media right away.

So it's Bukit Asam, BNI, Mandiri Syariah aaaandd, KMI, as the backbone of our trip. Oh God, never thought that we'd earned so much helps from them. We can't even think the best way to thank them enough.

Also, we get the publication reinforcements from Kompasiana and Suara Jakarta.

My...

Several steps away to New York

God, please make it work

And thanks for the sponsors it grew us smirk

Check Four: Visa & Tickets

We passed the most crucial part.

Stuff that guarantee us, going or not.

After all the time consuming internships and busy Ramadan, we started to get down to visa application. The preparation was nerve-wrecking and hectic, but thank God right by the end of the day we were told that our visas were accepted.

Felt extra excited and mood boosted, we went straight to airline offices all around South Jakarta and again, thank God we could book the best deal. It's Etihad -or Emirates, ya? I forget, it's something starts with E- anyway.

About the fare, don't ask about the fare.

Money's not really what we concern the most right now.

I mean, we still have one whole month and anything could possibly happen.

And I'm sure something good

Is waiting around the corner.

Okay...

Several steps away to New York.

God, please make it work.

And don't worry America, I'm not a turk

Check One: Sixth Term

Somehow, this post is quiet outdated.

But anyway...

Final exam of the 6th term finished almost a week ago, thank Goodness, and it means that I've passed the first step before New York!

Okay so after this term, yesterday, I only had like four days of holiday before the semi-professional work started. So last weekend, I went to Singapore and I'll make a separated post to talk about it.

Today, I'm starting my internship at BBDO Indonesia as a copywriter.  I now am typing these things right from their office, near the window and hey! I got my own computer :') Ahh thank God, it's what I've always been waiting for.

Now about the 6th term, enough talking about the 6th term.

It has ended and I'm just letting my God Allah Almighty to do the rest.

So...

Several steps away to New York.

God, please make it work.

Now ad world, I'm ready to lurk

Final Overview

Mei 2013, adalah bulan tergak banget sepanjang perjalanan pendidikan gue.

Tugas bertaburan, kelompok beragam jenisnya, deadline dimana-mana.

Tiap hari mulut ngeluh mulu minta cepet-cepet diabisin itu bulan.

Juni dateng, hectic seketika.

Ya, minggu pertama langsung UAS.

Tujuh mata kuliah, satu sit-in, ENAM take home.

LIMA diantaranya dijadiin tugas kelompok dan

EMPAT diantaranya, well... Nerve wrecking.

But somehow, God's on my side. He knows that for the whole semester, I've been busied by enormous number of assignments, back-to-back, big-time-killing deadlines, as well as the presence of some dickhead useless people.

God's on my side.

So for this final exam,

He made it smooth for me...

... Like for the researches

Jadi di semester ini ada dua mata kuliah penelitian. Satu Metode Penelitian Kualitatif, satu lagi Riset Periklanan. Dua duanya, hemmmmmmmmmmmmmm gabisa diungkapin dengan kata kata. Sumpah, time consuming, mind screwing, pokoknya $#%@ banget!

Selasa di minggu pertama, itu deadline buat MPK. Gue dan temen sekelompok gue udah mati-matian ngejer hal-hal yang belum keisi dan swhooshh, ketika deadline menyapa, langsung ajalah dikumpulin. Setelah itu hanya berserah diri pada Allah saja yang kita lakukan dan taraaa, dapetlah nilai B+ :') Bahagia?? BANGET!

Sementara Riset Periklanan, well, entah kenapa gue dan kelompok gue salah milih brand buat diriset. Alhasil satu semester ini ngejalanin semuanya dengan berat hati. Tapi gimanapun juga, apapun harus dihadapi. Jadilah kemarin kita melakukan presentasi dengan hasil seadanya, tapi performa semaksimalnya. Kinda smooth, and the lecturer enjoyed. But I'm not brave enough to talk about scores now. Only God and her that knows.

TELADAN group, from left to right are Cika, me, Pus, Fierda and Kinta
We do the research about IM3 anyway, that could explain the dresscode.

With the lecturer, Mbak Nadia

... Also for the baby task

Talk about a successful assignment my group and I made, I have one. Di mata kuliah Hard Sell, dosennya minta kelompok gue bikin sebuah aktivitas promo buat sebuah online baby shop bernama Bilna.com. Pernah denger? Nggak kan pasti? Nah apalagi gue. Dan temen sekelompok gue, yang semuanya cowok.

But when it came to the presentation day...

"As I expected, when a group is 'crashed' with something they're not relevant to, eventually they'll come up with something brilliant. And I'd say that I might consider using these promos you proposed."

Itu yang dibilang dosen gue seselesainya kelompok gue presentasi. Gila pengen nangis rasanya. Perjuangan gue ke PIM pulang pergi ngebusway, selama dua hari (hampir) berturut-turut, dan keterbatasan data yang kelompok gue dapet karena susah banget minta ke Bilna nya, semua itu... Paid off really, really well...

A long, tiring evening at FatBurger with Yabes (left), Olip (middle) and Ridho (the photographer).

Everybody, with Mbak Anne in the middle

... Especially for the teatime clip

Oke, ini bagian yang paling epic nya.
And it happened today, so I can still feel the glorious moment.

Jadi untuk mata kuliah Eksekusi Pesan Audio Visual, gue dan kelompok gue dapet brief buat bikin PSA Sariwangi yang ngajak targetnya buat ngebiasain minum teh 15 menit sehari. Dan itu harus dieksekusi sampe ke bentuk iklan TV beneran. Cool nggak? Nah hari ini, semua hasil shooting dari anak Reguler sama Paralel ditontonin rame rame.

And at the end of the screening, the lecturer announced the best two clips according to her. Kelompok yang pertama menang adalah rekan sejawat gue, kelompok Paralel. Udah riuh nih ceritanya. At least we secured one spot. In case the other spot is awarded to the opposed teams, yeaa... 50:50 laahh.

Nah. Pas diumumin kelompok yang satunya lagi, itu yang namanya Rifky Ramadhan Amin udah kayak menang kuis dapet tiket gratis nonton konser Pitbull, plus sesi meet and greet dan karoke bareng, trus Pitbull nya kayak sadar akan potensi rapping gue sehingga gue pun dibawa ke Miami buat kolaborasi bareng.

Yes, that was my team who won the other spot. Senengnya bukan main. Karena gak kayak beberapa kelompok lain, kelompok gue sama sekali gak pake bantuan outsource mahasiswa broadcasting buat jadi kru. That's one. And two, the main reason why I screamed like a retarded bastard, was because both spot was obtained by my class.

Remember last year, like, really last year, on the same month of June, there was the same head-to-head competition like this, and neither team of my class won the match? Yea, now we call it even. Revenge is sweet. Especially when you know that your class of four groups, swept all spots from those six groups of theirs.

TG+F Group from left to right, Gilang, Utha, me again, Abi, and the girls from the research team

The whole class with the lecturer standing on the very middle, Mbak Tari

Okay I'm a little bit carried away.

No, I'm not bragging about these stuff.

I'm just so proud of myself, for my efforts,

And my teammates selection