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!

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

Settling Down, Part Two

I liked today, again.

Just when I thought making the most of living life in this city could only be done during weekend, I had a wonderful Thursday instead. Well, no wonder, because it was a holiday. But still!

The holiday was of the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad ascension. As a religious man, the presence of this day gave me an ultra inner peace. Everyday's a holiday for me -as I'm a freelancer who works from home- but when this day came, I felt that exact joy felt by people who works and having a long weekend.

On the very same day, my cousin's held his wife's shower at his house, which is just steps away from mine. I got to dress in koko suit, got exposed to the verses, met my relatives and of course, had that typical family reunion pleasure.

What made it even better was because I planned to catch Europe on Screen again. This time, it was a spontaneous call and I was to go alone. This plan ignited such awesome mood since the time I woke up in the morning. And nature decided to conspire.

Rain

I usually hate this thing. But today, the rain was of that nicer type. It was somewhat slowly pouring shower, rather than a drenching waterfall-like one—a kind of rain in which my tiny umbrella can handle. The chills, the breeze, I felt like I was in the middle of a tropical rain forest, riding an elephant having the freshest day of my life.

Ride

Of course the elephant of my Jakarta rain forest, is TransJakarta buses. I originally didn't expect much for today's buses because, one, it was raining, and two, it was TransJakarta. You don't expect much for TransJakarta, and that's the tips. But surprisingly, my ride that day was enjoyable. Passengers were civilized. Ambiance was hectic-less -everybody seemed to be in the mood to be the prophet's best ummah. It took less than an hour to downtown Jakarta, making it so suitable for spontaneous decisions.

Book

A nice, well-written Agatha Christie's "A Caribbean Mystery". And tranquil beats of Filous remix ran trough my earlobes. Can you imagine how serene my feeling was? Nice cold ride, sitting by the bus window, raindrops dripping next to me, music playing on my ears, plus a good reading in my hand. Get myself indulged doesn't always require expensive meals or fancy activities!

Show

Of course, on top of everything was the Europe on Screen itself. It was not the film that became the highlight of all these -although yea, the film, "Tabu", turned out to be a romantic drama I adored a lot. It was the fact that this kind of thing, shows or somewhat, being accessible to Jakartans—that was what made me so grateful about today.

You see, until recently, our main means of entertainment revolves around malls, and malls only. I really long for high quality shows or events we can easily enjoy as easy as New Yorkers wake up in a weekend morning to decide, "Oh, I think I'd love to catch The Lion King today in Broadway". The show today was in Institut Francais Indonesia, right in the heart of Jakarta. It was more like a culture space, rather than a commercial venue. And reaching the place, despite the distance, is as easy as whining. It was so awesome to be able to get out of house and ended up somewhere non-malls!

Phew.

It's not soon, I guess, but obviously, my city is transforming to the one I've been expecting. When we're reaching that stage, and I got to feel this kind of peace everytime I leave my house, I'll be totally in deep love with my hometown.

Just in front of the venue, and there it is, the central of Jakarta.
And yes we could walk, that's the best part of all!

Really.

If settling down in Jakarta this easy,

I swear I'll never again think about

Residing overseas

"Game of Thrones", or "Perebutan Takhta"?

This has been the greatest anxiety of my literacy life.
Picking books never been this complicated before.

V I C K Y   A M I N ' S

.(weird) chronicles of

"A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE"

Well yeah, I know.
But no, I ain't mainstream.

I haven't touched even a single episode of its TV series version. I promised myself not to start doing that, before I read all the published books. Five of them now, yes? So it shan't be long to finish all and get myself exposed to the series, and let myself craft some smart-ass comparisons of the book and the show.

But no, it's not that easy.

It all began when I saw the book in local store. "A Song of Ice and Fire #1". "The Game of Thrones". It was the Indonesian version, so it sounded more like, "Perebutan Takhta". To be honest before the show boomed, I had no idea at all about "A Song of Ice and Fire". Just when my friends in campus started talking about the show, I began to be aware of it. And when I saw the book, and it was already in Bahasa, well, there's no harm in trying to join the euphoria, no?

At first, my plan was so simple. I just wanted to enrich my Indonesian vocabulary. Plus, the red cover of the book looked really amazing - yes, I judge the book by its cover. So I brought home this 1000 something pages book, and got myself mesmerized by the world of Westeros and beyond. The story was amazing, the characters were many - you may know that I have this weird obsession of some stories with a bunch of characters, and Sansa was pretty. Story-wise, no negativity. George R. R. Martin instantly came into the second place of my favorite author, just below Agatha Christie. But delivery-wise, I was pretty... Tingled.

It was fine, although, I was pretty much disturbed by some inconsistencies found in many ways, like... Translations, mostly. Some terms and names, in the Indonesian book, were translated. Like the houses slogans - it was "Dengarkan Raunganku!" instead of "Hear Me Roar!" for the Lannisters. Some others, on the other hand, were not - "Littlefinger" instead of "Jari Kecil", "The Neck" instead of "Leher". Well after all, it was okay and I was pretty convinced to stick with my plan.

But then the second book came. "A Song of Ice and Fire #2". "A Clash of Kings". Or should I say, "Peperangan Raja-Raja"? It also came with the same great cover, but the inside, totally wrecked. So disappointing!

The inconsistencies were much too intolerable. Typos were everywhere. And there were this unnecessary repeat of chapters, as much as 100 pages! I mean, okay, I know, it was 1200 pages or so, creating extra works for you guys, but I don't care! You took the risk of getting the copyright, and publishing it in Indonesian, so do it good! I was, and still am, on the verge of regretting my decision in buying this version.

Then again, I can't stop doing this.

Collecting the Indonesian versions of it.

Which will come from the same publisher.

I have the first and second book, both with the same cover only different in colors and symbols. These covers and how they just harmonize, it fulfills me inside out! And I'm literally looking forward to the next cover—will it be green? Will it be blue? I'm more psyched to see whose banner will be on the face of the book, rather than finding out what will happen to Jon Snow!

Look how they are beautifully crafted in an identical yet unidentical way. How do you feel if
the third one is not the same? Well, nothing, I guess. It's just me and my weird fetish.

My OCD shit will definitely kill me if I ruin the pattern by stop buying the book from the same publisher :)

Damn.

What should I do next?

"A Storm of Swords", or...

"Badai Pedang"?

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.

And Then There Were None

Ten guests were invited to a mansion in the Soldier Island, owned by the mysterious Owens. Ten guests, ten different individuals and backgrounds, with no ideas at all about each others, and about the Owens whom never even showed up. Ten guests, trapped inside the island due to storm, no one could go out and no boat pulled over. Ten guests, one died down to nine, one died down to eight, seven, five, two, and then there were none.

What did I feel right after? Merinding. Tangan sama kaki udah kayak ayam opor, bulunya bangun semua. Mesti gue jelasin lagi gak sih kalo gue suka sama cerita yang banyak tokohnya, trus satu per satu mati? Yang lebih serunya lagi, kan kita gatau kan ya siapa pembunuhnya, jadi YAGITUDEH! Dan yang gue suka adalah, serial killing ini bukan tanpa alasan, 10 orang itu dibunuh karena mereka adalah pendosa!! Mommy :( Pokoknya kalo baca buku ini, jangan pernah buka halaman terakhir karena disitulah nama pembunuhnya ketauan dan untungnya gue udah belajar dari pengalaman kan, jadi ya gue tahan ajadeh kayak b3'0L.

Duh tapi gak kuku nih kalo gak spoiler.

Nih deh ya, gue kasih kisi kisi biar seru

"The Killer is not a killer.
But at last, The Killer is the killer."

Image source: here

Mockingjay

Instead of cooling down the fire, Katniss Everdeen ignited even bigger flame towards Panem. Capitol under President Snow destroyed Katniss' home District 12, and she was brought by the opposed to the abandoned-but-independent District 13 to prepare some rebellion acts. They were taking Capitol down, by making her as the symbol. The Mockingjay.

Oh, this gon' take a long time. So...

What did I feel right after? Heartbroken. Inti dari buku ini adalah perlawanan, ngerebut kemerdekaan dari kebengisan Capitol. Dan tau kan apa yang terjadi kalo orang berusaha ngerebut kebebasan? Perang. Dan tau kan apa yang terjadi di dalam perang? Orang orang tewas. Sumpah ya, gue udah susah payah ngejalin hubungan delusional sama tokoh tokoh di buku ini dan... Ya mati aja gitu. Capek hati, capek ketakutan, bahkan gue secara harfiah deg degan beneran pas lagi adegan selokan -ini personal highlight of the novel versi gue, menurut gue endingnya justru kurang nampol. Gue capek sebenernya mau bilang ini tapi serius deh Suzie,

"I HEART/HATE YOU!"

Oh wait, I'm not finished.

One thing that disappointed me was, the death of Boggs and Finnick that felt like, easily forgotten. I mean, I know, Katniss was in a serious trouble and needed to rush out but... At least tell us more about how devastated she was about their deaths because... She knew them well. Even better and longer than she knew Rue. She sang for Rue, why couldn't she mourn even just a paragraph for her favorite commander, and her flirty-and-funny-partner-in-surviving-the-cruelty-of-Capitol??

But then again, it was okay.

Whatever you write, Ms Collins,

I adore it anyway :)

Image source: here

P.S. : So today is Indonesia's 68th independence day. And Indonesia's still broken, on major aspects. Well let's just learn from Panem, government, that they needed like 75 years before people started rebelling. So you fat bastards still have like, 7 years left to work things out. Or else, see what we can do :)

Anyhow, Dirgahayu Indonesia!

Catching Fire

Katniss survived The 74th Hunger Games. Her victory ignited the rebellion of whole Panem. President Snow saw this as a threat. Along the Victory Tour, he forced Katniss to settle down all the people of twelve districts not to act against Capitol. Or else, she placed herself in danger, along with her loved ones. Meanwhile, the 75th Hunger Games was going to be held. This third quarter is a special event, with some new rules. Unfair rules. That had Katniss back to the arena.

What did I feel right after? Awalnya sih biasa aja. Penasaran, emang. Tapi selama tur kemenangan itu isinya gak begitu ngagetin. Nah pas udah masuk Hunger Games ke-75, baru deh tuh mulai seru. Apalagi karena peraturan Quell (istilah buat Hunger Games kelipatan 25) yang dibacain Presiden Snow itu sangat amat mencengangkan dan gue sendiri sampe lompat lompat gak percaya abis ngebacanya. Haha I won't tell what the rules are, cause it will be an annoying spoiler then. Nah dari situ sampe abis bener bener gak ada obat serunya.

"Ms Collins, I LOVE YOU!"

Image source: here

The Hunger Games

Katniss Everdeen. A tough lass. A cunning hunter. A backbone to her family. Lived in District 12 of Panem nation where there was this big tournament called "The Hunger Games" held annually in the center city of Capitol. Each of 12 districts should send a boy and a girl to join the game, killing each other in an extreme arena and be the only winner. Peeta Mellark was the 'lucky' boy from District 12. While the chosen girl was Primrose Everdeen, Katniss' spineless little sister. She wouldn't ever let her little sister die in the game. So she replaced her.

What did I feel right after? Stunned. Gue gak nyangka ada buku seseru ini. Mungkin ini semacem gabungan Tekken sama Final Destination kali ya, dimana pesertanya ikut turnamen tapi pake cara apapun biar lawannya mati (tombak, panah, semua yang berbau thriller muncul disini). DAN GUE SUKA YANG KAYAK BEGINI! Haha lebay yak. Tapi beneran deh. Cerita yang konsepnya survivor semacem ini, yang tadinya tokohnya ada banyak, trus nyusut nyusut sampe tinggal beberapa orang doang, ini favorit gue. Masalah alur? Action? Gaya bahasa? Pembawaan? Oke banget pokoknya, berasa nonton film. Satu sih yang bikin gue geli. Love story nya haha. Soalnya gue ngerasa si Peeta Mellark ini agak mirip seseorang yang cukup deket sama gue. Jadinya selama gue baca, gue ngebayangin doi dan pas lagi adegan cinta cintaan gitu gue jadi geli sendiri. Nah masalahnya gue gak tau mirip siapa. Ada yang merasa mirip?

P.S. : Film nya udah mau rilis tanggal 23 Maret nanti aaaaa pasti keren deh...

Image source: here

Murder on The Orient Express

Trapped in a blizzard, passengers of Orient Express were shocked by the death of a man inside the train. Detective Hercule Poirot, who was on the same train, felt like he should do something before the train could move again, letting the suspect free after they reach the nearest station. But thanked to the snowy weather, he and some other folks could investigate at least 13 people and settled down the case right before they arrived.

What did I feel right after? Mikir, tapi seruuuuu! Gak boong ye, pas udah tau siapa pembunuhnya, gak bakal ada yang nyangka kenapa bisa begitu. Gw sih selesai bacanya udah lama. Tapi barusan gak sengaja kebaca lagi trus ketagihan lagi deh huehe. Panjang sih emang ceritanya, bertele tele pula. Tapi semuanya bener bener diluar dugaan loh. Yang udah gw sangka sangka dari awal buyar semuanya pas udah sampe ending. Dan menurut gw, kasus yang tersangkanya sebanyak itu bikin tambah seru. Setiap orang punya alibi masing masing yang makin bikin pusing. Udah ah, baca sendiri deh mendingan.

Image source: Google