Поехали! Here We Go!

Russia.

I bet that name is the most mentioned nation throughout this half year. And last year. And all the years back to the day when Russia received the honor, to be yet the next host of the world's biggest, most-celebrated sporting event.

Yea, the

World Cup 2018.

Pic's from here.

Damn. It's been 4 years already!? I remembered World Cup 2014 when I was all so vocal about football, acting like I know the sport more than anybody else haha. I re-read all those post as I needed to find some reference to start this one though, and got to say, it seems like I really enjoyed Brazil 2014. I'm surprised by how I could make such analysis match to match, from the very group stages all the way to the finals. And I must say, I envied my 4-year-ago self for having the euphoria and all the time to do that!

Honestly, if I can be frank, and of course I can be frank because this is my blog: I really didn't feel the euphoria of this one. Well I claimed the same shit on the last World Cup, but when I tracked back to 4 years ago, my very first post about the tournament, and my claim about oh this World Cup, I didn't feel it yet was posted right before the opening ceremony.

Look at this post now.

Kick-off were kicked off. Russia had opened the tournament with a big win 5-0 against newcomer Saudi Arabia -which most people joked they lost because they skipped celebrating Eid night and play the game instead. Several other games were played, and here I am with the very first post.

But I don't blame myself.

I was busy from all the works, I was still recovering from the emotional roller-coaster caused by the Champions League final, and I knew eventually I'd be on the track and follow all the things happening in Russia, even without me trying hard to do it.

Plus, I knew who to support. Unlike the clueless 10-year-old me, the imbecile 14-year-old me, and  the not-yet-mature-but-acting-like-a-mature 18-year-old me, the 26-year-old me is quiet firm about whose side I'll be cheering upon, thanks to the awesome 22-year-old me. It saved my time from all the warming-up, pointless deliberation posts leading up to the kick-off, so I got to write straight on the D-day instead--which is, this post.

So yea, I said it.

No warming up rambles,

No pointless deliberation talks,

I'm here to say I'm ready for

Yet another awesome World Cup!

Poyekhali, Rossiya!

Best I Ever Waste

If you track back to the past few years in this blog, you can make one conclusion when it comes to talking about Ramadan.

That it felt so quick that it left so soon, faster and faster every year.

Well I know it's just my subconscious mind talking, because time is constant. But I guess I should give in to the fact that it will always happen every year, because, I don't know, maybe I've matured enough that I now understand the true meaning of Ramadan, and that makes me enjoy every single second of that month? I don't know. What I know is that as years go by, it gets easier for me to go through the holy month, it gets clearer for me why we have to do fasting, and it the inside of me urges myself to do all the prayers that I tried so hard to deny doing as a kid.

That sounds like a good spiritual progress to me right?

Yea, right.

Internally, I may sound ready to face Ramadan every day. Externally, I feel like it's me against the world.

Because my works are crazy.

So crazy I didn't even have time to breathe. And everything seemed to pile up exactly this month. Lots of deliverables and deadlines, three shooting days and countless editings, countless proof-readings, countless meetings, I swear I gave a lot of time for these works. I only managed to do two tarawih's. I only got to break the fast with my family on the weekend. I did only two iftar reunions, one of which was even with my coworkers so I don't think I should count it...

I'm not trying to complain here because I love my jobs. It's my choice and I actually enjoy what I'm doing so if I'm blaming my jobs, it'll feel like I'm a two-faced heartless bytch trying to manipulate the situation and make it seem like I'm the vulnerable victim--so no, I'm not blaming my jobs.

I just want to express my... well how do I put this up? My grief?

My grief of how things didn't work out the way it's supposed to be ideally working. The grief of... why, just when I feel like I'm spiritually ready to face Ramadan with complete willingness, when I feel like I don't want to miss out more prayers in a day, when I feel like I'm in my BEST self... I couldn't do it, and WASTED the momentum instead?

If you track back to the past few years in this blog, you can make one other conclusion when it comes to talking about Ramadan.

That when it left so soon, it broke my heart.

This year it breaks even worse, because I know I wasted something that could easily be the best. Call me a saint, call me a pious or what not. But I've never felt so broken to be left by yet another Ramadan.

May Allah give me blessing this Eid.

And let me and my family say hi to Ramadan again.

Next time I'll try harder

The Toy Story: South Korea

Remember how I began my Toy Story journey last year?

Yea the story of how I started to buy the real-size toys from Toy Story which I couldn't seem to be doing when I was younger. Well actually it technically began in 2015 when I got Mr Potato Head from Japan. But last year I hit the jackpot of the three main stars in just a single trip to Hong Kong and then I realized that this ritual couldn't just stop there.

And so today, I'd like to tell you the continuation of the story.

It was when I traveled to South Korea. I mean, it's Korea. I never expected myself to bump into any toys, let alone Toy Story toys, LET FVCKING ALONE real-size Toy Story toys. There's no Disneyland in Korea, not even Disney Store. So my trip was really all about nature, culture, and those travelers' actual goals. Not Vicky Amin's goals.

So it took me by surprise, and by delight, to spot a very charming, unassuming toy store nestled in the craze of food places and clothes shops of Jeju's busy city center. I stepped inside with not much expectation, only to be mindblown by the existence of one doll sitting by the corner of the shop.

Bullseye the Horse.

My hand was snatching the doll on its own command. It wasn't made of real quality leather like the one in the films. It wasn't coming with the box, nor any stand, so what it could do was just sitting around loosely or dangling helplessly. But it WAS THE REAL SIZE.

I didn't care much about anything else because it was the real size. I already have Woody, Buzz, and Jessie at home so bringing Bullseye would complete my Toy Story 2 collection. I only had just one concern, though: where was it made? Because if it was just a random toy produced in Korea, just a random doll made for girls to pick out of other unbranded bears and Sallies, I might not gonna go for it.

But then the tag was there. The tag that showed this toy's quality. The tag which confirmed that this Bullseye deserve a spot in my room with rest of the roundup. The tag that says "TOKYO DISNEY RESORT".

And that was it. Without further ado, I brought the doll to the cashier and saved Bullseye from its uncertain future.

But my Toy Story in Korea didn't end there.

Just when I was about to make the purchase, I see one other toy that caught my attention. Not one of those main toys, but important enough to make me think of buying him as well. It's

Wheezy.

It was a literal doll, not a plastic-made squeezy toy like he's supposed to be. But again, he was of the real size. And any real-size Toy Story toys would really matter to me. And on top of that, it's Wheezy.

He didn't have a nice back story in the film. He was abandoned all the way up the shelf, hidden behind the books, showered in dusts. He was about to be sold at the yard sale, but Woody saved him. So I thought, this was my call. I had to save him.

Plus, when I checked the tag, apparently he was also coming from Tokyo Disney Resort. He must have been in the same place as the Bullseye doll I was about to buy, MY Bullseye. They've been through the same journey, been through the same disappointment from not being chosen by the kids who entered the store, been through the same hardship. It'd be a sin if I separate them today, and so, with not much more consideration, I brought along this Wheezy doll.

Now you may think I'm crazy, to having such nonsense thoughts only to buy toys. Well I must say I am. I'm really sensitive about this kind of thing. Nonsense things.

As for these toys, the idea of them traveling from Tokyo to end up in a random toy store in Jeju, only to be brought to Busan and Seoul and eventually to its final home in Indonesia, it amazes me already. These toys have the stories of their own, which I would never know exactly how it went, and that alone gave me more reasons to bring them with me.

Sadly I have no proper photos of them boat. These are when we were on the
ferry to Busan, on the exact day I bought them :D

This Toy Story game is evolving to not only about me.
It also talks a lot about them

The Playlist From Korea

No, I'm not going to confess that I'm a fan of K-Pop.

Although I got to admit that I like one or two songs.

I want to tell you about a story. Yea, yea, another trip. Regular destination though, it's not like I was traveling to somewhere out of people's common sense -although there was one destination from this trip that was quiet anti-mainstream I'm really proud of going!

It's to South Korea.

Right? Regular. The destination. As for the trip itself, umm, I don't know, it felt a bit different, because otherwise, why would I want to make a big deal out of it here on my blog?

So you know I just returned from Macao last month. Crazy. And I'd REALLY love to brag about how my traveling plan could eventually be so packed it's not even midyear yet!? But yea, not now. Because I want to talk about this South Korea trip now. Which was TOTALLY lacking of plans -because all my energy were drained from Macao- and lacking of excitement -because I've been so emotionally squeezed from work BECAUSE I LEFT FOR FVCKING 6 DAYS TO MACAO AND LESS THAN A MONTH LATER I WENT AWAY AGAIN TO KOREA, DO YOU THINK MY BOSS WOULD LET ME GO EASILY AND HAPPILY!?

Ah well, so yea, in summary, I departed to Busan unplanned, I even brought my laptop along with me to keep up with works I hadn't done -I swear this was the first time... I once brought laptop but it was to Japan in which I had to do my internship, not a real trip for a holiday- and help me arrange my itinerary because I seriously hadn't plan anything! I arrived in Busan just to catch a flight to Jeju, which was the real first stop of this trip.

And this, honestly, was the highlight of my trip.

Jeju was amazing. The nature, the weather, the food, and the people I met. Oh, the people I met. Since the hour one -not day one, HOUR ONE- I met this American guy whom apparently had the same plan to go to this -erotic- museum. So not wasting any more time, because it was already late at noon, we went to that -erotic- museum, saw all the -erotic- stuff, and bought some -erotic- souvenir, while BOTH OF US WERE GUYS WHILE OTHER VISITORS WERE REAL COUPLES HAHA THAT WAS THE BEST TWIST! We then had dinner at local Korean izakaya near our place, had a heart-to-heart talk and got drunk -on each others' stories, duuhh. We were so "Meant to Be" roommates.

The next day, our ways were no longer "Crossroads". We had different plan this time, so I went to see some awesome nature with my new Japanese friend. He was another beautiful touch to my Korean trip. Because on top of those places which was originally stunning, his companion was so amazing as we shared lots of common interests. The best one would of course be each meal time, with lots of jan-ken-pon -original Japanese version of "rock-paper-scissor because hey THE PORTION OF KOREAN SHARED FOODS ARE SOMETIMES GIGANTIC WE HAD TO FAIRLY DECIDE WHO GETS THE MORE FOOD- and sojus -ahh let's not start talking about this because being high with a Japanese is the best thing you have to do at least once in a lifetime!

On the third day I met both guys separately, but I don't think I'd want to talk more about this because now it seems like this blog post can exceed the length of a football field. I want to jump to the fourth day, which was the last day in Jeju for all three of us, but those guys left earlier in the morning and left me totally alone, realizing that since ever my trip started,

This was the first time I was actually by myself.

Damn. "Those Days Are Gone" man. They really left. It felt so empty without those two basterds. And I swear I never felt so lonely being a solo traveler. I tried hiking, but the bus going to the mountain was the same that I took with the American guy the day before, so it didn't really work out. I bought some toys, which cheered my up a bit, but the street where the store was was the one I always had dinner with the Japanese guy every single night. I left Jeju heartbroken, riding a ferry, and I swear that dusk on the ferry deck, where I tried to defend myself from the crazy spring wind while staring back to the island, was the worst goodbye ever. And it was only Korea, for God's sakes... but "All the Stars" were weeping with me that night.

I woke up arriving in Busan. And it rained. Well it rained almost the whole two days of my visit there, so clear that the universe knew well how I felt. The city was amazing, so amazing that it became just like a regular tourist visit. Because I didn't make friends with anybody. So yea, let's say it was just like "The Middle" stage.

Things got a little bit better when I arrived in my final destination. Seoul. Supposed to be the main dish of the trip, and that's why I put it on the last stop. And good news is, I made friends again, and a lot! My roommates were awesome too this time: a Chinese guy who did work-out a lot -during his trip to Seoul, please note it, and this American-Iranian guy who joined on my last day in Korea. We hung out only once, though, because we seemed to have a whole different plan. But I also met this Singaporean college student during my exploration, and this American-Mid-Eastern guy whom I thought would be my "Redemption Song" because on our first meet, it was totally a match. He even invited me to join him and his Korean gang to have dinner and party the next day -which was also my last day, because it was Saturday Night.

And so I did. It began really well, I bonded really strong with his group, which consisted of two Korean girls and two Korean guys. We ate, we talked, we played some Korean drinking game, and went on to the clubs. It started to be kind of blurry, and the next thing I know, I went to the base camp already with one of his girl friend -which was his closest friend, but until today I can't remember her name!- and one thing led to another, which I think those guys had a big fight, so everybody left, and I got stranded. Good God I met a Korean guy and we hung out for a while until I was good enough to go. I was so grateful to meet this angel who looked after me, but still, my mind was still on the gang. It was so random!? And I still couldn't figure out what happened. It was "Like A Riddle". A nasty kind of riddle, because it happened exactly on my last day, leaving me leaving Korea with this roller coaster of emotion.

Fvck, it's like I'm playing my own K-drama. All I want was just a nice, enjoyable journey. Well it was nice, and enjoyable too though. But the bitter twists here and there, duh, that I couldn't really handle. But all and all it was a tremendously amazing trip. And believe it or not, I miss it like crazy already.

Not sure "What I Miss Most" though,

But obviously it wasn't the buildings.

It may most likely be the people,

But I guess it wasn't quiet it.

I think it's the sensation

Of playing along in this dramatic Korean Playlist of mine,

Which didn't have the typical beautiful ending I always see.

But it sure does have the one that made this trip really,

REALLY amazing:
"Love Scenario"

Royals

This is a story of a conventional guy,

Going a bit more... modernized.

Meet Victor.

Victor is a writer. Conventional type of writer. He writes books, and contributes to magazines. One day, he feels like he needs an update for his books. So he conventionally reaches out to a potential partner that can possibly sponsor him, and enable him to give his book a little touch up. He then seals the deal, but apparently, his usual conventional approach just can’t go anymore...

Let’s say this Victor guy is, me.

Some of my travel books are old already. Three-four years old, this year. Super urged to update the info inside those books yet not willing to return to those destinations on my own spending, I had this idea to reach out local tourism boards of the places I covered: Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, Philippines, and Japan—introducing my books to them, and wondering if they have any programs that probably can... well, sponsor me some trips in exchange of a book publishing.

Half of them responded, to my surprise, because at first I didn’t expect much. See, I’m THAT, conventional to the point that it’s enough to just see my books hanging by the shelf, and that’s all, no other efforts whatsoever to amplify them, DESPITE ALL THESE DIGITAL POSSIBILITIES duh and I’m working in a digital agency wth is wrong with me... VERY WELL! So half of them responded, and eventually, only one that I actually sealed a deal with.

Macao Government Tourism Office.

They’re so excited. AND GOOD GOD SO WAS I?! Their original aim was actually to gather these social media influencers with lots of followers and engaging blogs, but what I offered them was too tempting. Still, they asked if I could do something in digital, just so the profile of these people they gathered could be uniformed and fairly compared. And me, being an ambitious -yet sometimes irrational- human being as I always have been, agreed to their terms.

And so it began,

The digital transformation of

Vicky Amin and Cheating The World.

I’ve never been so active in social media as the one behind all these cheating thingy. Prior to my departure to Macao I worked my ass off to boost my online shit and earn the presence in social media, gain followers and act as if I’m a selebgram.

Then off we went to Macao. Me, and four other REAL selebgrams with TONS of followers. Since the very beginning I was introduced to them, and their Instagram personalities, I felt somewhat, intimidated. Because hey, they’re influencers and hello, I’m just a... influencee?

It didn’t last long though, the feeling only grew at the beginning, because whenever I remembered I have my book, that ultimate weapon which brought me to where I was, while they didn’t have any—it restored my confidence. And I always secretly convinced myself that, obviously, I’m one in a million. In this case, in five. Because the other four have exactly the same ability while I, was unique.

This was when I realized how world had switched. Decades ago internet stuff would be the foreigner amongst conventional approaches. But can you see it today? I'm the only one who writes in REAL OLD FASHION, while those people around me, they write it on their blogs and websites, never actually smell their works like what I always do when I buy my newly-released books! I'm feeling so exotic during my trip to Macao.

But I have to admit. My life in Macao, it’s like a king. The journey to and from the city was so so -BUT FLIGHTS WERE COVERED SO WHO AM I SAYING THAT IT WAS JUST A SO SO!? But the service there, Gosh, so this is why all those people are battling to steal the attention of sponsors by selling the number of followers—IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE TRULY TREATED JUST LIKE A CELEBRITY!?

Our five-day trip was completely covered by a van. We didn't commute by public transport. We had a personal guide. We ate five to six times a day, all in renowned restaurants or cafes, with lots of menus to finish. Our hotel was five starred, I think. We were taken here and there for free. We were given access to shows, performances, observation decks, exclusive screenings, workshops and classes, all those things that would cost us hundreds of Hong Kong Dollars, well, THEY GAVE IT ALL! I’ve never imagined myself as a social media influencer but this royal life was real!

In exchange to that, all of us should post shit tons of contents everyday. IG posts, IG stories, web articles when we return home, la la la. Those four selebgrams had been doing this kind of stuff for ages, and they had the audience, so they did it as easy as posting their own personal social media status. But then again, there's this guy who was so clueless of what to do, and had no audience too, uhh, who's his name again? Victor? No, IT'S ME!

To be honest... No, I didn’t enjoy it.

Oh sorry, not the one treated like a king because of course, I enjoyed it.

I didn’t enjoy being a selebgram.

It seems like a true life for the other four participants in my Macao group, but no, it’s not mine. I can’t, I can't act like I'm hosting a vlog channel. I can't instantly post to IG Story, something I just see during my trip. I can't immediately post whatever cool Instagramable stuff to my feed, no, I don't want to busy myself too much, while wonderful foreign things are happening around me.

I'm just sticking to my conventional approach.

No, it doesn't mean that I'm ditching my digital assets because heck, man, no matter how hard I'm trying to see social media negatively, I must admit I see opportunities with all these tech things. And of course, I'm so open to this kind of partnership again because WHO THE HELL WANTS TO LET GO OF SUCH ROYAL LIFE!? It's just, getting such treatment is not my biggest goal.

Because it means that I have to let go of some real explorations I could actually do when I'm traveling myself.

Bow, before King Victor and His Royal Crown.

Now to me, THAT,

is the real definition of

A royal life