Journal of 2018 and Message to Myself

Well,

I must say 2018 is a very interesting year to me. Many things happened, which I cannot simply conclude in a word.

I traveled to many places this year, which is such a big achievement. To keep the balance between your work and holidays, I may have been blessed since not everyone had this chance.

On January, I went to Thailand. Bangkok and Khao Yai to be exact. It was such an interesting city to me. Thai was developing a lot and it reminded me of Seoul. The moment I went to Khao Yai, I just remembered the first time I went to Gapyeong or Pocheon. Even though it was not a big city, the air was so fresh and quite clean. January was the month when the temperature at the lowest, so I was having fun going here and there with a calming breeze and less sweat on my body.

The Bangkok city itself was well organized and also the transportation. I like it very much when I was having no difficulties to go here and there even though I was not familiar with the language and Thai words.

On February, I went to KL to celebrate my besties birthday. I remembered that I was still at Surabaya for a factory visit after having a function testing with my clients, then hurriedly went back to home at 11 pm, packed things, rested a bit and went back to airport at 3 am to catch flight. Such a restless month. What amazed me was my medical check-up during March showing a very healthy result. No indication as I expected. Wow.

From March to April I went to Surabaya for my works so often until I remembered that I stayed the first week in a same hotel then moved to my usual hotel for another 2 weeks. I was so done with Surabaya back then. But since it was less traffic jam and the food was great as hell, I could not complain anymore.

On May, I went to Japan, like finally. It was the highlight of my travel, since I prepared it by myself from months. Getting there was like a healing but with a lot of fun. I tried the Shinkansen to travel between Osaka - Tokyo and found out a lot of different culture between both cities. It was raining hard during May and I could feel winter breeze but I had no preparation for the cold weather so I was struggling to survive.

What I upset the most was my ultimate artist planned to have concert during my visit, but once again I did not really know how to buy the ticket since it was really limited to the fans, and being a fan required you to have Japan address. So I let that moment go.

But the trip to Japan was really meaningful to me until I felt there was a part of me left there so I had to go back again. Oh I will, believe me, I will...

On June, after Ramadhan and Eid Fitri, I was going to Hongkong, Macau, and Shenzhen with my whole family. I was in group trip and realized that I could ot stand to travel in a group. I now know that I prefer to go alone and exploring the country by myself, having some research, plan the itinerary, decide how to commute from one pace to another, searching for cheapest flight in preferred date, and looking for a strategic place to stay. I enjoyed every moment when I was preparing all of it and when I explored it like a local. I felt so free when I was given a day free to explore Hongkong.

On July, I went to Penang with my little bro. Then not too long after that, I went to Kota Kinabalu as a volunteer for my company. Although we were having less volunteering work but only city tour instead. But at those times, I got to know and close with different people from different countries, also different city in my country. Such an interesting experiences.

I recharged my pennies during August~October but went for a short trip to Jogja on September.

It was for the next trip to Seoul (again) on November. Seoul must be my most favorite city since I was too familiar with everything of it. I understand (a bit but enough) the language, conquered the transportation mode, and accustomed to the culture.

And also, the highlight of the trip was no other than... Going to Fly to the Sky Concert for the very first time of my life! Sadly I knew there was no chance of them to come to Indonesia and having concert so I must go by myself to see them. And it came true. I did not know how to express what I felt before, during, and after concert. Until now, I still had no idea what I just experienced. Was it real? Did I actually have a chance to see them in person and listening them live?

Anyway, I marked several places during this year, which is great. I was living my life as I wanted to, as I wished for. But it led to many thoughts, that I wanted to created a new resolution for 2019.

To never let my impulsivity take control of me again. Most of my journey in the past 2018 were results of the impulsivity, so I did not want to let myself controlled again. I have to reduce traveling and start saving money for any long-term plan.

Even though I still have no idea about my future plan, it is still good to save earlier. It is not really too late, said myself to my other self.

Well, that is my major resolution. Let's start with other resolution and also, a message to myself during this last moment of 2018.

Dear me,

You faced many things this year. But still, you marked nothing. Keep finding what you desire and live as you want to, not what it is supposed to.

But you also fulfilled something. So give your heart and mind a break, treat them nicely.

You found something, you lost it, that's normal. Not everything was under your control, let it go.

You started to get to know yourself better. Keep making yourself happy and satisfied, and explore more.

If you want to kick some a**, think about the consequences first, then do it with no doubt. Keep it to yourself only if you think it's not worth it.

Slowly but sure, the clock is ticking. You live in a place with constraints. Don't try to break them but make yourself to expand as much as possible.

And please remember this.

Everything changes. Either you or whatever around you that change. Fight or flight. Don't take a flight when you initiate and involve in ongoing fight. But you are already enough avoiding the battle. Time to suit up now, dear.

Wishing you another remarkable journey again next year...