Looking back on 2018, and welcoming 2019

Happy New Year 2019 Everyone!
May we have a blast and wonderful days ahead.

I want to begin this post with some reflection on my goals I wrote in my 2018 post. If I look back, I found that some of it is just a mere imagination with no actual realization, while some of it I could lined them off proudly. Here are my 2018 goals.

2018 goals

Yoga and other physical exercise twice a week at least

Read 52 books a year

Savings for future travel adventure

Write 5 blog entries at least each month

Bring Flying Balloons Puppet to be one of performance group in Indonesia

Bullet journaling

Pray

Take a deep breath before starting anything

Learn Spanish and Japanese again

Finding and seizing opportunity to study again

Last year, I thought that my most difficult goal to be accomplished is staying with my exercise regime. There were days when I could done 30 days exercise challenge while also there were months where I totally forgot to exercise. It was awful.

Other things that I cannot achieve last year was read as many book as I could. I only completed read 5 book. I know for sure that I want to read more book in this 2019. Goals that I could not realize this year also blogging every single month at least writing 5 posts each month. I am so sad that there were months were I have not written anything at all for example February, August, and September. I do not want to make an excuse, but, there are events that I was preparing, such as Flying Balloons performance in Galeri Indonesia Kaya on March 2018.

For me 2018 is the blogging revival for me, since I have not written much on 2017. The year 2011 will be the highest number of posts that I posted on this blog. Nonetheless, the number of posts this year is double up compare to 2017 and I am looking forward to do more on blogging on 2019. 2018 is the time when I signed up on blogger perempuan. I never thought, that I could brave enough to join it. Since I know that I might not be as active as other member, buut taking this step shows that I care about this blog. On early December 2018, I bought domain for this blog. I said to myself that, I need to do this seriously, not only as a way to practice my English but also as a platform for me to share what I like as well as sharing story about the group I am managing, Flying Balloons Puppet.

Looking back to this blog and how I made this during high school, I never imagined that I blogging till this day, it was already 8 years! I thought at first, that the blog only for doing my high school assignment, but it turns out to be a platform where I share my story, any random story I have in my mind, really.

2019, new year, new spread

Blogging is not the only goals I cannot accomplish, of course, there are lots of thing that I could not accomplish within 2018 but at the same time there were opportunities along the way. I am blessed with 2018 and how it turns out. I have a steady job, now I resigned. I get married with an amazing partner and plan to move out together. I helped and involved more in Flying Balloons Puppet in 2018, thank God, we had a wonderful year.

This 2019, I will not share my goal here, but I put it on my bullet journal. There are constant goals that I want to do this year just like any other year before. What makes it different is that, I want to create monthly goals to help me create baby steps towards my yearly goal. I think, that kind of goal will help me a lot. Bullet journal is one of my savior last year. I keep up with many things which I knew that will be overwhelming. Anyway, like beginning of this blog post last year, I want to share my bullet journal setup! I am excited to share it with you.

As I mentioned before on my blog post, I already prepare new refill and some tombow pens.

Future log

Little calendar for Flying Balloons Puppet

See you 2019!
Cheers

A year with bullet journal

Merry Christmas for everyone who celebrate this joyful day!

I hope you can spend your time with your loved ones.

Today, I want to share with you my year with a bullet journal.

I never realize that I already keeping up with bullet journal for a year. It is such an accomplishment for me. Checking my bullet journal on and off to see if there are tasks that I missed is become a common thing for me. Even though some people go for a digital reminder, but I feel that writing it down makes me remember it more.

So, how is it?

I think, personally, that I enjoy the experience and obligatory I might say. It is fun to write down your tasks and to-do lists as well as decorating your bullet journal. The benefits of bullet journalling in 2018 for me is I could actually make something into a habit. I doubt myself when it comes to try something new and consistent in doing so. But, bullet journal this year is become an eye opening journey. Of course, there is a day when I will not look at it at all, even I missed June, I guess. After that moment, I try to prepare the next month ahead, so that I could prepare and actually do it.

For the design and template, I choose black and white with really simple line and decoration. I rarely use color in my bullet journal. Sometimes, I put a bit of color in it but I prefer a black pen and some minimalists line. Why? During 2018, I have a lot of schedule and tasks that I need to get done so that I do want to spend more time in decorating the journal. I prefer something easy and simple. But, I do not know maybe I will experiment more in my journal next year. I still not sure about it, but let’s see.

There are things also that I wish I did before jumping into bullet journaling. First, I probably need a bigger journal, my A6 midori notebook is a bit to small. If only I bought another one, it will be easier for me to decorate it. But, I am glad that the journal can be refill as I want. Second is, I need to use more thicker paper for the refill, so that I could actually draw something in it. For this one, I will just glue another thick paper for a spreads which I want to draw on. I think that besides all the mini size and limitation of my bullet journal, there are always some way to work around it. Overall, my bullet journal experience is a blast.

I cannot wait to start a journey with bullet journaling in 2019. I already bought some supplies. I have watch many bullet journal setup on youtube and instagram, many of them mentioned about tombow dual brush pen. I am intrigued by the color. It has a quite range of grey and black. So, I bought 6 tombows and some refills of my midori notebook with dots pattern.

I am so excited to share it with you how my 2019 bullet journal spreads are.

See you in the next post!

DIY: Produce Bag

Hi!

I am back with another do-it-yourself entry~ It’s been a while since I posted about making my own stamp. You can check it here.

So, my sister wants to start less waste lifestyle. I am so glad that I have someone in the family that want to start making an effort. I have been trying to do the same here since couple of months ago, and still learning how to do it. I will talk about it later. Maybe in the future post.

She asks me to sew her some produce bag and large tote bag. Then, I decided to make a little tutorial on how I made the produce bag and the tote bag. If you interested with this project or want me to make one package of produce bag and grocery tote bag, contact me through instagram. 

Let’s start making!

Materials that I need:

1. Cotton Fabric: It is a scrap fabric from when I made a lounge pants. I still have some of it and decided to use it instead of buying a new one.
2. Threads: white
3. Threads left over from my little business while ago. (I might return and do it again, let see)

Tools:

1. Fabric Scissors
2. Thread Cutter
3. Pins
4. Sewing Machine
5. Measuring tape
6. Marker or pencil
7. Seam ripper

How I do it:

• I randomly measure three sizes of the produce bag. It is probably around (Large: 36 x 25 cm, Medium: 30 x 20 cm, Small: 15 x 25 cm) I plan to make two for each sizes. I use the cotton fabric and cut it into 4 pieces for each produce bag.
• Line all the fabric and start sewing. I show how I do it in the picture and scribble below. I wish I could make a video on how to do it. But anyway, this is how I explain to you guys.

I sewn the each top of the produce bag to make a crisp top part

Then, right side facing together, I sewn each side and also the bottom part

Here is how it looks like

• After that, I make some space for the loop for the drawstring of this produce bag. I use some threads I found in my house.

Finished one.

• Ta da! Your own produce bag is done

For the totebag I will post it on the next entry. I hope you enjoy reading this. Comment or mention me on Instagram how you make your produce bag.

See yaaaa!

O tsuku roi: Repair

Personal photo

I spent one of my sunday noon repairing my old pair of jeans. I have it since I was in Junior high school, it is about 10 years ago. I love this jeans, but I cannot wear it now. There is a hole in the knee! I am dying~ It is my favorite pair. Actually, TBH, I already planning to mend the hole with an old scrap of jeans and some embroidery threads. But, I procrastinate a lot. It is almost 3 months since I start this project. 3 MONTHS! It is the longest time I ever procrastinate a project.

I have no pants left, not in my wardrobe nor in my laundry. I need to do something. I made it and finished the project with proud and pride. You know how it feels when you finish something you think you will never finish? That is how I feel. I randomly stitched some embroidery thread, yellow (my least favorite colors), burgundy, and blues. I have no black thread left, so I need to work this color out.

I posted on my Instagram stories, and my friend told me it is called o tsuku roi in Japanese which means repair. Repairing is not that common today, especially when it comes to clothing. Fast fashion to blame? Or the way we live? When it comes to clothing, I do not own many clothings right now (even the word not many cannot guarantee I only have ten pieces of wardrobe). It is one of way to live conscious life. I know it is far from less waste or zero waste lifestyle. But it is my effort to be more conscious about what I left behind.

Clothes, who does not tricked by the fast fashion and how cheap you can get to style yourself, right? You can follow the latest trend and own a fashionable clothes only for hundred thousand rupiahs even less in some store.

According to Merriam Webster,

“Fast fashion is an approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers”

The term quickly and cheaply will be the highlight to this meaning. I have watch a documentary about how fast a fashion industry today. Even, in one of famous fast fashion brand, they could change the whole wardrobe in their etalage every three weeks if I am not mistaken. When we buy something/ clothes, have we ever think how many times we use it? How long it will last in our wardrobe? I have seen many clothing items have been thrown out, and the sad thing is we cannot easily recycle it. I am not trying to judge you or everyone who into the fast fashion, I guilty as well, I bought stuff from those brands. I just wondering, how can we change the way we consume something. How it will be impacting our lives?

Personal Photo

I want to learn and be more grateful for what I have. Repairing a pair of jeans that I wear almost half of my age now is a kind of respect on how it is ended up in my closet. A labour that spend his lifetime making those jeans, from cutting the fabric, dye the jeans, and pack it up. Also, a journey way before that material came into the fabric. I guess, repairing one pair of jeans will not harm me at all. It is helping healing myself at the same time.

A pair of jeans that come to live and stay with me for another years.

Sori di Negeri Lembuna: Pesta Boneka #6

Photo from @fatimahartayu

Hi!

Kembali lagi dengan cerita tentang keikutsertaan dan proses Flying Balloons Puppet di Pesta Boneka #6. Hari ini, saya mau cerita tentang pengalaman kami berkolaborasi dengan seorang seniman Australia bernama Gwen Knox.

Untuk Pesta Boneka #6, kami membawakan karya terbaru kami yang berjudul Sori di Negeri Lembuna. Karya ini adalah karya kolaboratif dengan seniman Australia bernama Gwen Knox. Sebenarnya cerita tentang Sori dan Lembuna yang akan kami godok bersama ini sudah pernah kami pentaskan sebelumnya di Solo pada acara Solo International Performing Arts (SIPA) 2018. Namun, untuk kali ini kami ingin mengakomodir cara bekerja dan juga ide - ide yang akan hadir selama proses kreatif kami dengan Gwen.

Sori di Negeri Lembuna adalah cerita tentang seorang gadis yang bertemu dengan penunggu sungai yang berada di dekat rumahnya. Mahluk itu bernama Lembuna, seekor ular dengan kepala kerbau. Cerita ini berasal dari cerita di Sungai Pemali, Brebes, sebuah cerita yang cukup terkenal di sekitarnya. Kami ingin membuat pertunjukan yang menunjukkan sisi lain dari cerita tersebut di mana sebagian besar bercerita tentang penunggu yang jahat dan selalu meminta tumbal atau korban manusia. Mungkin saja, itu semua karena ulah kita manusia yang suka lupa merawat lingkungan sekitar.

With Gwen Knox after the performance. Photo from @fatimahartayu

Jadi, bagaimana rasanya menggabungkan dua cara bekerja yang berbeda menjadi sebuah karya kolaboratif. Jika saya melihat kembali, cukup mengejutkan hasil dari kolaborasi tersebut. Saya yakin bahwa latar belakang kita juga mempengaruhi bagaimana kami bekerja dan menciptakan sebuah pertunjukan. Awalnya teman - teman cukup kesulitan mengikuti alur dan laju kerja dari Gwen, tapi perlahan dan pasti kami bisa memaksimalkan cara kerja ini dalam proses kami.

Kesempatan ini bukan cuma menjadi cara kami memperluas jaringan, tapi juga menjadi tantangan untuk bisa berkompromi dengan cara kerja masing - masing. Secara pribadi saya pikir, ada latar belakang cara kerja yang berbeda antara Gwen dan juga kami. Tapi, komunikasi yang terbuka dan juga keinginan untuk belajar membuat perbedaan itu tidak menjadi batasan bagi kami untuk berproses dengan Gwen. Gwen sendiri sangat teratur dan terorganisir menyangkut latihan dan juga bagaimana membangun cerita yang akan dipertunjukan. Dia sangat mengerti bagaimana melogiskan aktivitas ke pertunjukan. Selain itu Gwen juga membantu kami untuk menyederhanakan cerita yang kami buat. At the end of the day, kami merasa Gwen sudah seperti nenek kami sendiri. Dia sangat sabar menghadapi tingkah laku anak - anak yang umurnya terpaut jauh. 

Semoga ada kesempatan - kesempatan lucu dan asyik yang akan hadir ke depannya. Untuk kegiatan pertunjukannya, nanti akan saya share lagi.

Sampai jumpa lagi!

M

Stepping into a new journey

Hi!

I have been busy with all the planning for an event on the end of October, it was a success!

Now, here I am writing a momentos about what happened yesterday and what will happen in the future. I am sitting on my office chair writing this entry in my laptop while imagining laying around in a beach towel. You know how it feels when you miss your hometown, try to pretend that I was there.

Yes, when you see the title, you will be wondering what is it about. Stepping into a new journey might refer to new career path, new study, new hobbies, and even new life. I am stepping into new door with my long time partner, Rangga. Back then, we never thought that we will decided to be together, and we actually committing to make it happen this year. A lot of trouble, ups, and down of course. Nobody is perfect but we try to support each other. Having a commitment with someone is a big job, I guess. It involves a big effort and commitment to able to put this step into your timeline.

For me, marriage is not the goal. It is just a part of reaching my life’s goal. People might have different understanding and approach to this word. When I was younger, I am afraid of it, all that responsibility and tiny bits of it. Then, why finally I get married? First, I do not find any other man who are compatible enough to face my regular up and downs as he does. I feel comfortable and irritated around him at the same time, because basically we are totally different. Second, he is such an awesome person. He knows what he is doing and he loves it tremendously. That is a quality that I adore about him. People said that you should know by your heart when it comes to marriage, but I guess heart is not the only things we have to lean on, right? I believe that my decision to get married is not only because I am in love with my partner, but there are also logical reasons that I thought about.

When we decided to take a step further, we know exactly what we are going to face, not alone though, but together. I believe that both of us creating a support system to reach our dreams (It’s not only a common dream, but each dream that we have individually).

So, how was the celebration of our union? To be honest, super tiring but exciting at the same time, can you imagine! I am so thrilled that many of my good people were there to celebrate it. We planned to have a very simple wedding with only a wedding ceremony, but believe me, in Indonesia, wedding is not always about you and your partner (for me at least, the whole family have each of their part on the wedding). That day, we greeted hundreds of people during the reception, trying to keep smiling in spite of that tight undergarment which makes me bathed in sweat. I was exhausted. The reception ended and I slept the whole noon.

After that hectic day, I finally have a perfect holiday with my partner and some of our friends. We rented a villa near Kuta, Lombok. Enjoy a sunset, swim at night and play game in the pool, snacking and talking about random things. I know that life is good and I am so blessed.

Road ahead is a mystery but I have a hands to hold to walk along and enjoy the view. Thank you for reading this cheesy entry. Anyway, I will be back with another story on our performance in Pesta Boneka #6. Yass!

Xoxo

M

Pesta Boneka #6: Pertemuan kembali

Photo: Instagram @pesta_boneka

Hi!
Kali ini, saya pengen cerita tentang Pesta Boneka #6 dan pertemuan saya kembali dengan festival ini.

Sekilas cerita tentang Pesta Boneka dan bagaimana kami bisa terlibat di dalamnya, jadi di tahun 2014, saya Rangga dan Ditto merayakan ulang tahun Ditto dengan mengunjungi Pesta Boneka #4 yang diadakan bulan Desember 2014. Saat itu adalah pertemuan pertama saya dengan dunia teater boneka dan juga acara yang sangat menyenangkan ini. Bahkan kami jadi berkenalan dengan penonton setia Papermoon yaitu Mba Anggun, Mba Vic, dan Mba Iin yang waktu itu bantu menjaga stand merchandise. Hampir selama 3 hari acara, kami akan menunggu pertunjukan selanjutnya di booth merchandise Papermoon bersama mba - mba ini.

Lalu pada tahun 2015 awal, Rangga membentuk kelompok teater boneka bernama Flying Balloons Puppet yang sampai saat ini kami jalankan bersama. Di awal tahun tersebut, Rangga dan saya berkenalan dengan Papermoon. Rangga banyak berkomunikasi dan berdiskusi tentang teater boneka dengan Papermoon. Hingga pada tahun 2016, Flying Balloons Puppet berkesempatan menjadi bagian dari Pesta Boneka #5 dengan tema “Home”. Kalau ingat lagi, “Home” tema pesta boneka 2 tahun lalu menjadi sedikit tanda bahwa kami sedang dalam perjalanan kembali ke rumah (dalam hal ini teater boneka) dan bagaimana festival tahun tersebut membentuk kami yang sekarang. Ada ucapan yang menarik yang diucapkan Mba Anggun, dari groupies menjadi peserta Pesta Boneka. Menarik karena, pertemuan dua tahun lalu membawa kami kembali menjadi bagian dan penampil di Pesta Boneka #5.

Pesta Boneka #5 menjadi batu loncatan dan juga pijakan pertama kami untuk serius menggeluti seni pertunjukan ini. Terutama untuk saya pribadi yang tidak memiliki latar belakang teater. Pesta Boneka #5 menjadi panggung kedua saya sebagai pemain boneka. Bahkan sejak saat itu kami sebagai grup lebih bergairah dalam menekuni bidang ini karena kami menemukan rumah kami. Pada Pesta Boneka #5 kami membawakan pertunjukan berjudul “NATUH” yang sangat minim secara bentuk (menurut saya pribadi, pertunjukan yang cukup buruk). Momen tersebut membuat NATUH berkembang sampai saat ini dan bahkan sudah dipentaskan 7 kali. Kalau bukan karena Pesta Boneka #5, saya yakin ceritanya akan jadi cukup berbeda terlepas dari dukungan yang datang dari berbagai pihak setelah itu di tahun berikutnya.

Photo: Instagram @pesta_boneka

Saya pribadi sangat excited akan mengikuti Pesta Boneka untuk kedua kalinya sebagai peserta tahun ini. Pesta Boneka #6 akan dimulai sejak hari ini tanggal 12 Oktober 2018 hingga 14 Oktober 2018. Flying Balloons Puppet akan membawakan cerita tentang Sori dan pertemuannya dengan mahluk penunggu sungai bernama Lembuna. Kami berkolaborasi dengan seorang seniman teater boneka asal Australia bernama Gwendolyn Knox. Saya akan membuat entri blog sendiri tentang proses bersama Gwen untuk pertunjukan ini. Cerita tentang Sori dan Lembuna kami angkat dari mitos yang berkembang di Brebes tentang penunggu sungai Pemali. Kami ingin menceritakan kembali mitos dengan sudut pandang dan cara yang berbeda. Hal yang menarik dari pertunjukan ini adalah kami akan mementaskannya di sebuah kolam kering yang terletak di pinggir sawah. Untuk tahu bagaimana pertunjukan kami, jangan lupa untuk hadir minggu sore ya.

Sampai jumpa di hari Minggu, 14 Oktober 2018 jam 4 sore di Desa Kepek, Bantul teman - teman!

Puno: Letters to the Sky, the kind of performance you wish to watch only once in your lifetime

Photos: Instagram @papermoonpuppet

Hi! It's been a little since the last time I write something here and I missed it.

It might be a little bit late for me to review a performance by Papermoon Puppet Theatre entitled Puno: Letters to the sky. But, let me try to express how I feel and experience after I watched this performance.

When you read the title, you might guess two things, the performance is not worth to watch or is it too bad to watch. I know I am not an expert when it comes to reviewing performance, especially theatre. But, I feel like I need to express myself in a certain way. I need to remind you that this review has no basis a.k.a it is a personal review. I have no background in theatre critics or such. I am just an ordinary audience stunned by this performance.

I knew Papermoon from Rangga. We watched Pesta Boneka #4 in 2014 to celebrate Ditto’s birthday. It is my first encounter with puppet theatre. I never watched Papermoon’s performance before, except the one in Pesta Boneka #5 when it collaborates with Thai’s puppeteer Jae. Rangga has watch it several times. In this performance, Rangga involved as additional puppeteer and join the tour in Southeast Asia before Puno finally came back and perform in Jogja.

I cannot wait to watch it! When the ticket was sell for the first day, I plan to go and bought the ticket by myself. Before, we arrived there, I saw that the ticket already sold out. Dang! It was fast!
I guess I am lucky, Rangga got one free invitation for me. Yaaas~ I could finally watch Papermoon.

The performance was held for about 5 days included the general rehearsal and media preview. After I got back from work, I would go there to wait for Rangga. Everyone asked me, am I going to watch Puno on that day or not. I said, I will watch it the last performance on the last day. I am not prepared for it to be honest.

The day I had been waiting finally come, I got a little bit nervous after I ordered a ride and on the way to the venue. You know that feeling when you are going to face your fear. That is how I feel. When I arrived at IFI, there was already a line of people queueing to enter the auditorium. I got the middle seats, the perfect spot to watch it. The show started.

Photo: Instagram @papermoonpuppet

It was begin with a part where Puno (the father) and Tala (the daughter) walking around and buy an ice cream. The scene is sweet and funny. But I did not laugh, at all. I was so nervous waiting for the scenes come one after the other. I thought and said to myself, enjoy it, do not expect anything, just be there. I could enjoy it but once the moment when Puno cooked dinner for Tala, tears starting to build and I could smell my dad’s fried rice. I said in my mind “sh*t, this can’t be happening this earlier. I expect some tears will running down but not this early”. I am not going to tell every scene from this performance here, because I am not trying to make a comprehensive review on how it is but rather how I feel and think about it.

I swear to God, I will never watch it again. Once is enough for me to feel all the flood of feelings and memories that fleeting from every scene in Puno. If you expect the glamorous and fantastical performance, you will be disappointed by Puno. I tell you why, the performance was so simple, no big and extravagant surprises. But, that is the strength of this performance, it brings you to daily tasks and activities you experience in your life. It makes a connection with you without having to think so much about what is going on or what is this performance trying to tell you about.

Papermoon is really capable to deliver such a delicate performance. It does not need a big stage to awed you, because that is not what they meant to do. They want to touch you right to your heart. For me, it was like hit me right to my deepest heart. Losing someone is never been a pleasant experience and each one of us has its own defense mechanism to deal with it. The topic is so close to us, close to me to be exact. I lose a lot of great people in my life. I lose my best friend when I was in junior high because of cancer. I lose my dad when I was in high school and I was there with him when he took his last breath and that freaking machine start to create a long beep sound. That was a nightmare to heard it, but I realize I am trying so hard to stand on my feet. Puno reminds me of that moment. I am crying really hard and trying not to make any sound.

Bravo and standing applause for Papermoon who gave and delivered such a performance. Thank you for all the team and the puppeteer who works really hard everyday to give us a gift after watching the show. The gift is for me, memory of losing someone is always there, waiting to come around, but there are way greater things that will happen. Because the one who left us will always be watching us.

After I watched and finished all the tears. I questioned myself, I sat alone and silent for the rest of the night. Remembering the loved ones and thinking how performance could do that to us. What is exactly the point of making performance? Is it a way for us to reminding all the things that happen in our life? Or is it a medium to tell story that we try to hid for such a long time. I think the performers always know by heart why they doing it, right?

I am still wondering how amazing it was to be able to share story and memory with people we never meet before through performance.

I guess, that is all what I want to tell.

Hasta pronto!

My favorites restaurant in Pisa

Screenshot from Google Street View

Hi!
I am back with old story of my exchange life 3 years ago.
I know it is a little bit too late but this is one of way to remember it (I know I will remember it by heart but I want to write about it here)

Even though my trip to Pisa only for two days, it was wonderful!
Italy is famous with its pasta and pizza, and I personally love those dishes. I would never let the chance to eat the authentic italian cuisine right from where it is originally from.

We arrived in Galileo Galilei Airport around 5 p.m., the flight from Beauvais to Pisa is around 2 hours. Since we did not have any baggage. We decided to walk to our homestay. I booked the room from Booking.com, the accomodation was good for an affordable price. I chose large room with extra bed since I would stay there with two of my friends. We stayed for a while, unpack, and took a bath. After that, we decided to walk to the city center to find something to eat.

It took around 30 minutes walk from our homestay to the city center, and it is a little bit windy there. I found that the city is not that different from Indonesia except the buildings. Hahaha. We walked for a while and we finally decide to went inside one of the restaurant in the city center. At first, we doubt that the price would be expensive for student tourists like us, but it was affordable and the taste is super!

Personal photo

It will be weird to say that this place is my favorite restaurant in Pisa since I am not visiting other restaurant. I only visited two restaurants here, and for me this restaurant is my favorite one in Pisa so far. If I have a chance to go back to Pisa, I will definitely visit this place again and check out another restaurant around it.

Personal Photo

When I looked back to this trip, I know why I like small city, because it is easy to get around and it is not too crowded. Even though Pisa is a tourist destination but I find that it gives a warm feeling I use to get in my hometown.

Personal Photo

I will be back with short story on my exchange life soon.

Cheers,
M

July and all plans for the rest of the year

Hi!
Since last month, I rarely post any entry on my blog. I was busy with many things.

As I did on May I will share my bullet journal spreads to you. I think this month is still the same with minimal and simple layout. During these past months doing the bullet journal I realized that I feel more organized especially when it comes to the appointment and tasks I have to do every week. Even though, I hit my rock bottom with this new habit on June, where I barely updated my journal. I need to get back on track this July, with many plans to do and goals to achieve.

I want to change the journal to bigger size but this one is really compact and easy to carry around not only in my backpack, but also tote bag or other small sling bag. I might change it next time, but I love this one and I think it will stays longer. Since I love this product, I also bought some for birthday presents. If you are interested with my bullet journal, you can check it out here.





This month is a start of many plans for the rest of the year. Not only for Flying Balloons Puppet but for me personally. I will prepare something big on October. Flying Balloons Puppet will be joining Pesta Boneka #6, Puppet Biennale Festival held by Papermoon Puppet Theatre since 2018. I will share the story of this one later on.




Me and Rangga also will prepare an event that will be held on the end of October. I guess, the end of this year will be awesome.

July also will be a month where me and my best friend start to write on our medium account, please check us out here Relatable Reality. This blog meant for people who needs some reality check, hahaha. No, kidding, we just want to share what is our reality. We are more than happy if you guys follow us, read, share it because you feel related to what we experience.

Book needs to finish this month is Spark Joy by Marie Kondo, I bought it by end of June. I will share any books I will read on every month. I guess it help me to keep track on my reading list this year, which is actually on its lowest point.

Hasta pronto,
M

Resep Kue Lebaran Andalan Keluarga

Photo: Pexels (Josh Sorenson)

Halo semua, gimana puasanya? Sudah ada yang batal belum nih?
Semoga puasa dan ibadahnya lancar ya di bulan Ramadan ini.

Nggak kerasa lho sebentar lagi kita bakalan menyambut Idul Fitri, gimana persiapan kue - kue buat menyambut tamu kamu. Di post ini, saya bakal bagi sedikit resep kue kering yang saya dan keluarga selalu buat menjelang Idul Fitri. Setiap tahunnya ada beberapa kue yang wajib saya dan kakak - kakak saya buat contohnya ada Kastengel, Nastar, Goodtime, Kue Kacang sama beberapa menu baru yang kayaknya 5 atau 6 tahun belakangan ini juga meramaikan meja ruang tamu di rumah Ibu. Kalau favorit saya itu Goodtime sama Chocolate Stick doooong, semua berbau coklat itu emang selalu bikin hati senang gak sih. Tapi tapi, yang berbau keju juga gak kalah bikin hati meleleh kaaan.

Hari ini mau share resep Kastengel yang kami bikin menjelang lebaran. Siapa tau tahun ini kamu ada rencana mau bikin kue sendiri. Berikut resepnya ya.

Resep Castengel

Bahan:
-Margarin 500gr (Blueband cake cookies)
- Gula halus 3/4 cangkir
- Vanili secukupnya
- 6 kuning telur
- Maizena 3 sdm mujung (optional)
- Butter 5 sdm (optional)
- Susu dancow putih 1 sachet (optional)
- Keju edam parut 3 sdm mujung, sesuai selera
- Keju cheddar parut 1,5 kotak
- Tepung terigu 1 kg

Garnish:
Kuning telur untuk olesan
Keju parut

Cara membuat:
1. Mixer semua bahan kecuali tepung hingga putih mengembang.
2. Ambil adonan secukupnya campur dengan tepung sedikit demi sedikit hingga bisa dibentuk. Giling dengan rolling pin ketebalan 0.8cm, cetak dengan cetakan castengel. Lakukan sampai adonan habis.
3. Oles kuning telur dan kasih keju parut diatasnya.
4. Panaskan oven, panggang hingga warna kecoklatan.

Photo: Dokumentasi Pribadi

Yaaaas, gampang banget kaan. Semoga resepnya bermanfaat ya. Hehehe. Kue - kue ini nggak cuma bisa jadi suguhan di rumah kamu lho, bisa juga jadi bingkisan buat orang - orang terdekat. Sesuatu yang dibuat pakai hati pasti sampai juga ke hati.

Cheers,
M

DIY: Easy Personalised Stamp

Selamat berpuasa people!!

It has been quite a long time since I wrote about Do-It-Yourself post. During Ramadhan, I prone to lay on my bed all day long, especially when today is weekend.

But Ramadhan is no excuse to lazy out all the time. I remember about my DIY stamp and plan to make more of it for my bullet journal! Wuhuuuuu. So, if you curious or need reference for activity during Ramadan, stick around ya.

All the things that you need:
1. Scissors
2. Cutter or x-acto (optional)
3. Glue gun with glue
4. Eva sponge
5. Pencil or pen
6. Used Cardboard, Woods, or other material you can use as the base of the stamp

I forgot to put the glue gun here, but anw you can use your kind of glue as long as it will stick the sponge to the base.

I think this DIY is no brainer and it turns out really cool. You can spend your time with your little sisters or brothers, even with your kids making this easy DIY stamp. You should keep an eye on the use of scissor or cutter while making this with little human, kay?




First thing you have to do is draw the design on eva spons with pencil or pen. You can use whether scissors or x-acto to cut the design. I randomly drawing on the sponge, or if you find cute illustration on the web you can print it out and use it as your guidance. To make details, you can use the x-acto. After the design was cut, now you can glue it on whatever surface you wish (they act as the base of the stamp). I use old cardboard boxes I could found gather around the studio.




Tadaaa! It is done! Let’s see how it turns out in my bullet journal.

The left one is a bunch of triangles while the right one is a home

I think I will come up with another DIY post.

See yaaa!

M

My New Year

Happy new year!
God! It is already a quarter century. I cannot imagine that I finally stepping into this next stage of my life.

There are more years to come and embrace. Even though I have know ideas how many years left for me, but I want to take a long deep breath to welcome my new age. There are goals need to achieve and experiences to feel.

Lots of love,

M

ArtJog 11: Enlightenment

Hi! It is such a long time since I wrote about a trip I make to exhibitions.

Last weekend, on Sunday morning 6th May to be exact, Me and Rangga went to Jogja National Museum to see ArtJog 11 Enlightenment. It was the third day of the event, it is open from 4th May to 4th June. So, spend some of your time and a little amount of pocket money to see this annual art event.

I woke up early and get ready while waiting for Rangga. We went to eat my favorite Sate Kambing Muda in Batas Kota near PASTY before heading out. I will create another post about this place, and you have to visit this restaurant. It is recommended!

First time I went to ArtJog was in 2015, so it is my third year. I always enjoy myself while going to this event, my inner child is tremendously happy. I love something pretty, beautiful, and extravagantly strange in a good way since I was a kid. I feel energized when I see artworks and understand how the artists put their time and mind into it. It is like having a child (I guess, not human child, but you know the feeling when you creating something and it is already alive?).

My favorite artwork will be the commision work for this year ArtJog by Mang Moel, Sea Remembers: About The Invisible Ones and The Ones That Escape From Our Sight.

The work is made by 70 artisans who knits all the yarn and combine all the pieces into a giant underwater world. When you see this work, you will be fascinating by effort to create such world, mysterious and radiant at the same time. Underwater full of mystery and beauty, it is like what we are. The are deep riddle that lies within oneself. That is what I perceived from this artwork. Sea remembers, it does, like our memory of loved ones, like our memory of sad event, like our memory of happy day, sea was like our mind. There are a lot of things unseen, or hidden by purpose. No one knows.

intermezzo. jajaja

There are other artworks that have been my favorite for this past years, the one by Syagini Ratna Wulan. I knew about her when I saw her 100 white lockers in Biennale 2013. I saw her artworks as well on Artjog 10, and I love how she play with lights and colors. Like what she present on this year ArtJog, lights and colors. Lights and colors can be perceived by each person differently, it is the matter of our perspective. There is one room painted all green by Hiromi Tango called Healing Garden, this green room reminded me of Eko Nugroho works for Biennale 2013, you can see my post about it here.

One of artworks that drew my attention is Everlost by Fajar Abadi, a winner of Young Artist Award for ArtJog 11. It is a boxing sack filled with snacks. The competition of snacks industry in Indonesia is quite big, people try to develop the most innovated snacks, you can find a rainbow variant of snacks all over the country. I like the colors of this work and how it portrayed the highly competitive snack industries.

I suggest you to go to ArtJog on workdays, after lunch or in the morning, since the place will not be too pack with people. When there are too many people, you will get distracted a lot, and people will take sooooo many pictures in front of the artworks. Maybe, it is just me, because I do not feel comfortable when there are too many people around. Crowded places makes my head dizzy. People even will queue in certain artworks which considered popular on social media, so it will be hard for you to read the concept and enjoy it.

I am looking forward for next year ArtJog!

Ticket: Rp 50,000 (you get coupon that you can redeem in Potentiarte for a Winsor&Newton brush!)
Website: http://www.artjog.co.id
Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/9qbygDcqrKw

Moving Our Studio Out

Photos: João Jesus on Pexels

We’re moving out!
Yees, our studio will move from old house the new rent house. The place will be quieter and calmer, even though the one we use as our studio is in the same area, the new place surrounded by trees. Yaaaaas~

After a short discussion, we chose to move out because we need a place where we could rehearse at night without disturbing any neighbors. The place that we use now is too close to people, even though we try to maintain the sound and work hours, we think it will much better to move out. Actually from this post I would like to tell about packing stuff and moving out. I am not an expert in packing stuff but I am moving from one place to another place almost 5 times since I live here in Jogja. Why? My friend asks me all the time, why I would like to burden myself with packing all my stuff from bed, to glasses. I like new place and I feel refreshed when I put all my favorite things in my new room. It does not mean that I like to live as a nomad but the thought of packing and organizing your favorite clothes or book to their designated boxes makes me feel good.

Yeah, I know that it will not about my personal belongings while we moving our studio out but all of our tools and works. All those things means a lot to us and we want to put them practically and safely during the moving.

Moving out and moving in takes a lot of work and energy. Trust me, it does! But, when you know how to put all the stuff you wish to bring to your new place. It will be so much easier and stress free. What you actually need to prepare?

Time
This is definitely number one thing you have to prepare. I always prepare a little time a month before moving by making list of stuff. By starting ahead and slow, we will not be hustle when the time to move out come. I start with putting stuff that I might not use for the rest of the month.

Declutter Old Stuff
Decluttering your old stuff. I usually do this, once or twice a month even though I am not planning to move out. But, reviewing what you actually use will reduce amount of stuff that will you bring to the new place. You would not love it when you just put clutter to your new place, right?

Boxes
Since, our studio has several plastic boxes where we put all our tools, we only need extras boxes for books and kitchen utensils. If it is hard for you to differentiate the boxes, you can color code your boxes with tape, in Indonesia the boxes we bought usually has its product mark in it, it’s easier to differ one box with other.

Cleaning Kits
This one is important too. Separate you cleaning kits, so when you get there, you can do all the cleaning that you need to do. No need to grab it inside the boxes.

Transportation
Check out what mode of transportation you will use during moving your belongings, consider how many things you bring and how long it takes to get from your old place to the new place.

Food and Drinks
Prepare snacks, easy to make meals, and drinks. Unpacking your stuff will take a lot of energy. So you need energy booster for your body and mood.

Music
I will put my favorit jam during unpacking, or choose any other things that will make your activity more fun.

I hope it helps you guys with your next moving. I am looking forward for better work environment and more creative process to welcome in the new place. I will create another post about our new studio next time.

Cheers,
M

Between Work, Study, and Hobby

source: pexels

I always want to write about this entry for quite some time. It is a kind of post that contain reflection of what I am doing right now. Life could be intriguing but yet it has a lot of surprises that wait to open. I have never thought that I will stay in Jogja after graduated. I love studying, I would like to continue or taking another school year on cultural diplomacy. But, for now I need to focus on work and things that I love to do. Have you ever cross a moment when you feel confused to decide whether to pursue your work, degree, or hobby? I guess, I haven’t been there completely but close to that moment.

I always remind myself that, I will take another path which most of my family will not going to attend. The only road that would define myself as I am not anyone else. Before graduated from my master degree, my sister told me to looking for a job. I am glad I listened to her advices. I have a full time job now, I also study, and manage my puppet theatre group. Someone then ask me, how can you work, study, and do your favorite things? I could manage it somehow. Do I have another degree from my study? Of course not. Where do you study? Everywhere from everyone I met.

I considered myself lucky to work in startup, I learn an array of new things I would never imagine I would take while in school. I also could still have times to manage a puppet theatre group and we performed in Jakarta on March! Isn’t it amazing when your work could offer a chance for you to study as well as a time to develop yourself on your other passions? I think that for a starter, I would tell you a story how I ended up working in startup.

As I mentioned before, I am looking for a job while working for my final thesis. It is a struggle to adjust with work life and study but again I am so blessed that my first official job is in a startup. Kulina, is an online catering service that provided lunch for professionals in Jakarta. I work in marketing team. When you work in startup you will see yourself in another dimension with your mates that work in big company. Why? Because, you work and study hard with your peer members to help the company grow. While, the big company already stable and the problems they face will be different from startup, that is my opinion. Kulina gives me a chance to learn something new and I believe that I will use that knowledge for me to develop myself as well as for my puppet theatre group.

I heard some of my friends told about how they work in certain job or company that sometimes pushes you to be someone else. Even one of my friend resign from her job because she could not handle the environment. Again, I always thank God for the road I am now, even though I do not have a stable position like all my friend who work in government but I have more freedom to develop myself as an individual. I know people will say that, “you do not know how long it takes for the startup to be a unicorn”, “what happened if the company should laid off its employee if no more investor invest to the company?”, but can we appreciate what we have now and do our best in whatever things we do? Life is an amazing playground.

How about study and hobby? I hope I could take another degree in cultural diplomacy in the next two years, but I am preparing myself now. In fact, I also study while I am working. How come? I learn things from Kulina and my workmates. I consider that studying. Hobby, I could not say that my hobby is puppet theatre, but the process of making puppet and discussing the ideas makes me excited. I think that puppet theatre is a way all my childhood dream are all about. I always love all the things that pretty and it makes me happy to create something from scratch. Even though I never have a dream to be involved in a performance group, but Flying Balloons Puppet really open up many doors for me.

Wow! I talked this much. For you guys who worked in Jakarta that feels the struggle of finding the lunch that totally understand you, you do not have to wait no more. Check out and subscribe Kulina! You could get discount by using my referral code MEYDA2.😉

I may come back with another story about my job in Kulina and Flying Balloons Puppet. Tell me in the comment what do you prefer to read.

Cheers,
M

Start May with lots of self love

Welcome May!
How was your April? I hope you find joy in every little things.Time flies so fast, it is already the mid of year and we will welcoming Ramadhan in just two weeks.

May
For me, this month offer a lot of opportunities for me to look back and take a deep breath. Time to exhale all the complicated pile of bad thoughts that I collected since May last year. It becomes my time to unwind, also a time to rejoice all the good vibrations. As what The Beach Boys said “I’m picking up good vibrations”.

I would like to start this month with lots of self love. What is self love? For me, self love is when you show your gratitude of what you are and what you have. Sometimes we feel so down that we blame ourselves or our body for something we cannot control. It happens, but I guess we need to love ourselves more. Self love does not mean we are selfish. It is different. Selfish more about, you do everything for yourself or your own good without concerning people around you. While self love is all about loving your own self, your body. This month is a time for me to recharge all the energy I spent last year, this is like a new year for me. Self love means that I want to appreciate my body more, I want to say thank you for what my body and mind do for me for these past 24 years.



What can I do to love myself more?

First,smile.
Not only because I am happy I still me. But, it gives positives vibes for my body and mind. I grin a lot, almost never express myself to the world (I do express how I feel to my closest ones).

Second, stop comparing yourself with other. I know, it is hard and I keep doing it until now. As I grew older, I realize that comparing yourself with others will not make myself better, but I feel less. Let’s embrace every little thing that we have.

Third, healthy body is healthy mind. I get sick easily, and from last month I try to do yoga to clear my mind and move my body. A little bit of exercise will do good for your body. I am no expert in exercising but I am trying to give my body a chance to stretch and move.

Fourth, food. This is my biggest challenge so far. I eat sporadically, I never cook my own food, and I eat a lot of deep fried food. This month, I want to start cooking for myself, preparing meals and veggies to eat and snack on. I am looking forward to this step and I am super excited! (Also nervous a bit, can I cope with cooking for myself) I do not want to be hard on myself, but try new thing is never wrong for me. And, yeah, that is all what I want to do to start this month.

In this post, I also would love to share my bullet journal spread. It is already 4 months consecutively since I start my bullet journal. If you wonder how I decided to organize my life through bullet journal, you can check my bullet journal post. I prefer a clean and simple bullet journal, but when I feel like to decorate and doodling here and there I will do it. I guess, there is no strict rule how you should do your bullet journal, right? I feel more organized and I actually forming a habit to check my to - do list and important date or appointment in my bujo. I don’t know why, I prefer something written in the paper than digital reminder. Maybe it is because, I write it myself, so I remember it better.

This is the layout of May spreads!


I put another Yoga Challenge again this month, since last month I cannot stick with it from date 20 until the rest of the month.


The layout is so simple, I could die with happiness. Btw, the stamp on my bullet journal is my DIY project. I will post about it next time.

Let’s create an amazing new year!

Cheers,
M

Gadis Daun Jeruk

Hi hi! I am back with another story about Flying Balloons Puppet project. I hope you guys enjoy reading this one ya.

Gadis Daun Jeruk, dari judulnya saja langsung bikin pikiran kemana - mana nggak sih? (I mean jadi berimajinasi) Kalau saya sudah pasti membayangkan seperti apa gadis daun jeruk ini. Sebenarnya apa sih Gadis Daun Jeruk? Terus apa hubungannya judul ini sama proyek Flying Balloons Puppet?

Jadiii, Gadis Gadis Daun Jeruk adalah buku cerita bergambar yang ditulis oleh mba Rinda Maria Gempita dengan Ilustrasi dari mba Wickana. Ceritanya, sehabis pentas NATUH di Galeri Indonesia Kaya Maret kemarin, saya bertemu dan berkenalan dengan mba Rinda. Dia cerita tentang ketertarikan dia pada bagian shadow dari pertunjukan kami dan berharap kami bisa berbagi di acara launching buku Gadis Daun Jeruk ini. Terus kami sempet ngobrol sebentar. Obrolannya kami lanjutkan melalui Whatsapp, mba Rinda juga kasih e-book dari bukunya ini. Saya share ke temen - temen dan sebagian besar kami suka pakai banget sama bukunya.

At first, ketika kamu mikir tentang buku cerita bergambar, kamu bakal bayangin kalau ceritanya totally buat anak - anak kaan? But, no no, Gadis Daun Jeruk punya sesuatu yang berbeda dan menurut saya pribadi hal yang diceritain itu dekat banget sama kita - kita yang umurnya 20-an bahkan 30an. Kenapaa? Karena bukunya bercerita tentang mimpi dan kesempatan kedua. But, I will not spoil you with the whole story ya. Better check out the website dan order bukunya (Bukunya limited edition lho).

Setelah ngobrol dengan temen - temen dan juga mba Rinda kami mutusin buat menghandle project untuk launching buku Gadis Daun Jeruk di akhir bulan April ini. Menurut saya sendiri, Gadis Daun Jeruk itu punya kedekatan pribadi sama saya. Saya pikir semua orang punya mimpi - mimpi dan kesempatan - kesempatan yang sempat dilupakan dengan segala hecticnya hidup yang sungguh luar biasa ini. Selain itu, buku ini juga ditemani ilustrasi apik dari mba Wickana. Inget fusion di dragon ball gak? Nah, buku ini fusion yang oke buat cerita dan ilustrasinya.

Sebenarnya untuk shadow play sendiri, kami, Flying Balloons Puppet sudah beberapa kali berkolaborasi dengan teman - teman pengkarya seperti penari dan juga kelompok teater di Jogjakarta.

Buat yang penasaran dengan buku Gadis Daun Jeruk dan juga penampilan kami, datang yuk ke Paviliun 28, Sabtu 28 April 2018.

See you there!