Throwback: Away from Home

curling like a kitten in her favourite bed. Photo: Pexels

Home could be a person or a place actually. Home could be anything. Nothing will be easy when you live far away from your comfort zone, and I knew it from the beginning when I jumped into the train that day. There was no one that could help me but myself. That moment, I need to be more independent and mature. I should left behind the crying baby I was used too when a difficulties come to strike me down. I know this might be hard for me, change was a hard word for me, but  I want to be a better person within this process of changing.

Being away from home means that I should be settled myself in Castellon as temporary home. I am actually a person that affects by mood so easily but I can handle it as long as I have a place of my own there. I have my own bedroom there and for sure, that was my little kingdom. I am a kind of person who does not need a big room or full facilities bedroom, as long as it is enough for me, it will be enough. I wrote this post to tell you how I miss my small, cozy room full of memories in Castellon.

The flat I lived in, consists of several rooms, and one of them was my room. It was not a big also not too small for me. The color of the wall was soft purple or lila, there was only one bed, one cupboard, a study desk and a chair. I love the big windows, because it is so bright that I did not need any lamp on during the day. I used to exercise and do some yoga there. I decorate my desk with bottle I got from juice and pudding. I also kept an acorn I found in Parque Ribalta on my very first day in Castellon. All the things I thought interesting I put on my desk, included some books for school and sketchbooks.

My study desk with all the things (stationeries, make up, accessories). Photo:  Taken from my phone

The way I decorate my place there in Castellon not that different from what I do in Jogjakarta. As long as I have enough space with all my favorite things, every where I live it will feels like home. (wink) My little room in Castellon hide all laughs and cries while I was there. Even when I got sick and did not move at all from my bed. There are a lot of things that I thought about while I was in my room. Thinking about where my life are directing or what should I did after this exchange program. All small detail of my life was like a carousel of summer night market. Going round and round. I never had that kind of serious thinking before. Indeed, everything is changing while I was away. Castellon is a great town, I enjoy daily stroll from one place to another place, but when I got home, the only place I was heading is my small room in Calle Sidro Villaroig (Plus fridge full of foods!)

So, for everyone who just started to live faraway from their hometown or family, create your mini sanctuary where you can crawl at night and lit a candle or simply curling under blanket with your favorite books with you. Be brave little owls, the world are bigger and wonderful place to explore. Spread your wings!

MUST SEE: 5 Fascinating Places in Pisa

Hi, again!

I haven't talk much about how I spent my time while I was an exchange student. I had a chance to travel for a little bit. One of the place I have been to is Pisa. Even though I spent only two days in this beautiful city, I wanted to share with you which part of Pisa you should take a look when you visit it. 😉

Here is 5 interesting places you could visit while you are in Pisa.

Vintage Market!

I put this first because I love vintage things and the place is amazing! I think personally, that the traditional market is one of attraction that I would never want to missed while in Europe. The vintage market open every Saturday, located in of Piazzas called Piazza dei Cavalieri. I regret many small things I ended up not buying, so better look up for pretty and cheap vintage goods. Mark your calendar and enjoy a fine and fun weekend in this event.

Vintage Books.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Piazza dei Cavalieri.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Giardino Scotto Garden

Giardino Scotto Garden located near the Arno river. It was once a fort built in 1468 then later made it as palace surrounded by many green spaces. Unfortunately the fort and palace was destroyed and garden is the only thing that survived.

 Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

 Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

It is a really great place to enjoy a stroll with friends after exhausting day getting around Pisa. The garden open until around 7 p.m. You can find a big tree standing tall within the garden. I enjoy the attraction of small playground with my friends. It was indeed a great day.

Botanical Garden of Pisa

Botanical Garden of University of Pisa is one of the garden that you need to visit while you are in Pisa. Actually we accidentally found the entrance to this botanical garden. I have read about it before, but since we do not have any internet balance, we just walk around the city with maps in our hands.

Again, Pisa is a small beautiful town and spending an afternoon in this garden is worth it. The entrance fee is 2 euro, if you are student it will reduced to 1, 50 euro.

Green house full of little cactus! Wish I could bring them all home.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

The leaning tower area

This is a must see sites while you are in Pisa, the Leaning Tower! I did not enter the tower since it was closed during winter, and only some building around it that open. I only walking around the sites while enjoying the sun in the green grass spreads around the area.

 Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Leaning Tower Pisa. Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Sightseeing along the Arno River

To finish the day, you can walk along the Arno river to admire the beauty of this city. If you had a chance, you could visit the well-known mural by Keith Haring

Alongside Arno River.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Colors!  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

Here is Italian Gelato to ended the post.  Photo courtesy: Meyda Bestari

That is the end of this post. Hope it will help you guys out. Enjoy your day in Pisa! Ciao!

24 years of life

People born with a reason. I still believe in that phrase. You are here for a reason, and each individual are searching, realizing, and doing things based on this reason. And here I am searching for the reason I live.

The year passes by like time does not care whether you are alive or die. This post I dedicated for the day my mom delivered me to this world and how I survive these past 23 years of my life. Born in a happy and religious family is shaping me to be who I am today. I am glad that I am me. There is nothing that could compare how much my parent, family, and sisters has given to me all these years. I am blessed.

When you grow up, you might exposed and intersect with many different people and situation that give you lessons, happiness, and other feelings which at some point will be too overwhelmed and push you to the edge. Everyone have their own problems and stories. You might face your biggest fear now, or you might find your happiness. Both is made only for you, that is why you are special. Each handprint, footstep, and laugh are different, embrace it. You might get into bus, car, or train today. Then enjoy every little bit of the journey. You have a reason to live and someday each of us will find it.

Here are a note to myself and everyone who is going through phases in their life. I write the note in Indonesian. Hope you enjoy it.

Lahir

Segenggam debu berkilau ditiupkan

Nafas berhembus pelan

Teriakan melengking mengisi penjuru ruangan

Tuhan menuliskannya jauh sebelum hari ini tiba

Lahir

Tumbuh

Dan saatnya terbang

Dunia berputar dengan irama langit

Begitu juga denganmu

Menari antara bising dan tabrakkan kecil yang terjadi apa adanya

Tidak berlebih

Ataupun kurang

Ketika darah mengucur, ataupun air mata terderai

Tawa pecah, atau amarah sedang berkuasa

Tenang

Semua ada waktunya. Dan setiap detiknya dibuat oleh dan untukmu seorang.

Jalan tak akan pernah sama

Karena jejak kita berbeda

Percayalah

Cahaya datang dengan cara yang menakjubkan bagi setiap orang

Yogyakarta, May 17th 2017

Introduction

Hello people!

In this post, I will tell you about my goals on October. A new month, fresh beginning!

I never write on my blog for quite a while. I missed it, really. But, as the time goes by, I have been busy with my responsibilities. Guess what? my final thesis is on the way. It is quite hectic and crazy time. It feels like it tries to catch  and eat me alive! I mean, it is a job needs to be done before the year end. Even more, I have to divide my attention to project I have been working on, puppet theater project that will be perform in the end of the year. Also, I have a good news. I got a job! really excited and nervous all in one. But, I am happy. Yeah~ Adulthood is coming its way.

Anyway, as introduction, I would like to dedicate myself in the 30 days blogging challenge. How exciting is that! I like writing but I have a bad traits when it comes to keep my mood in writing. So, I think by taking this challenge I could, at least, create a good habit. I found this post about month of blogging challenge from Pinterest, But, unfortunately, I could not provide the source of this brilliant idea. Search the keyword, and maybe, maybe, you will find it. Let's continue, as the first post on this challenge, it said that this one is dedicated to be a introduction to the whole month journey. 

For everyone who never read my blog before, let me introduce my self. I am student that currently working on my final thesis. The kind of girl that you will find carrying books and papers, walking carelessly, and usually fix her glasses back to the position over and over again. I know that the internet world can be cruel sometimes, using photos for their advantages without permission and even worst using someone identity to create dating online profile, despite all the harm the web world could offer, let see the bright side, someone like me could talking endlessly about her life and mission in this blog. If you read this, there will be two possibility, either you ignore it totally, or curious about me then you scroll all the way to the beginning. I might be flattered if you scroll all the way down. 

This is what actually happen, if I start mumbling. Words will flow and I don't even know what I am talking about. Ah! Introduction! Sorry, totally forgot! I think that would be enough as introduction, right?

See you tomorrow

Packing Adventure!

Here I am, sitting in my rent room looking at the pile of clothes and stuff lying around my floor. Being away for a semester abroad is definitely a new thing for me. Once a year I will pack for getting back to my hometown, I bring a medium suitcase and a backpack, almost every year like that. Now, I need to decide which shirts, or simply which jeans I will take with me for my study. I have to fill my Delsey medium suitcase and a backpack for a five months travel abroad. See? It will be crazy. 

Hola! Actually, those line already expired since I am in Spain now! I haven't finish the post before take off to this beautiful city of Castellon. I manage to bring my medium suitcase, a backpack, and a sling bag to began my journey this year. There are things I regret and glad about bringing those items.
So, let me start this post by making a list what inside each bag I bought.

The Suitcase:

1. Pack of Underwear
2. 2 pair of jeans
3. 1 pair of formal pant
4. 1 Batik Skirt
5. 2 lounge pants
6. 1 Sport pant
7. 1 Blazer
8. 1 Coat
9. 1 Windbreaker
10. 2 Sweaters
11. 6 shirts
12. 3 t-shirts
13. 3 undershirts
14. 3 scarves
15. 15 headscarves
16. 3 inner headscarves
17. 2 pairs of shoes (Flat Boots + Wakai)
18. 3 socks
19. 1 pattern tight
20. 1 school backpack
21. Jarik
22. Bed Sheet
23. Souvenirs
24. Make Up
25. Toiletries
26. 2 Towels (Big + Small)
27. Stationary
28. Traditional Spices Paste
29. Extra Ziploc Bag
30. Small Hanger

The Backpack:

1. Laptop + Charger
2. Camera + Charger +USB
3. USB Drive
4. Important Documents
5. Stationary
6. Watercolor pad + Watercolor
7. 1 Bag of Clothes (in case)
8. 1 zipper bag of toiletries
9. Empty Water Bottle
10. Extra Locks
11. Small make up bag
12. Eye Mask

The Sling Bag

1. Passport +Visa
2. Ticket + Boarding pass
3. Wallet
4. Glasses + Case
5. Headset
6. Mobile Phone
7. Notebook
8. Tic Tac
9. Tolak Angin Candy

So, that is the list of things I put on my suitcase, backpack, and sling bag. I am glad I bring some of my small hanger, so I could wash and hang things on it. I regret, I do not bringing much spices, snacks, and other foods from Indonesia because you know what even though the price of groceries here are affordable for European city and there are a lot kinds of yogurt, milk, butter, cheese, and bread. You will still wanted to feel the taste of your home town so bad (I already spent 4 days here and I want to eat Nasi Puyung so bad!) I am glad I bring some of my organizer box, so that when I unpack some of my necessities, I could put them nicely. :)

I do not pack so many clothes, it is only taken a half of my suitcase. There are some other stuff I decide to throw out of my suitcase the last minute before I go, it gives more space for things I probably bring back home later on (yay!)  I suggest you bring power strip, so that you could charging some of your electronics at the same time. I manage to put all of the stuff in my bags, thanks to Ziploc bags!, there are vacuum bag out there of course with more expensive price if you prefer, but the regular Ziploc bag help me a lot to save space and organize my suitcase. It is so bad that I do not take the picture of my suitcase after I put all of my stuff. Maybe I will update the post, when I pack home (still in January though :p)

Good luck on your packing adventure!

Here, you can download packing list that I make.

Xoxo,
M