Starting a New Life Abroad

January has come and nearly gone, just like that

With quite lots of peculiar things have been happening in my life recently - home, work and family-wise, I’m not too suprised I barely can remember what I did yesterday, or where I was.

I was sick a few days ago and should taking bed rest.

Someone I love got engaged a couple of weeks ago, Soeharto passed away, a good mate is leaving England next week, and some people are curious with a rumour that I’ll be visiting Rumbai again soon.

I went to see Kawin Kontrak, Otomatis romantis…(asu tenaannnnn ga lucu…standardddd) 2 weeks ago.

Blue skies are gone now, the familiar thick grey clouds have returned…..rainy…..

I know this post is so random.

Speak soon!

This note should have been my first post ini 2008…yeah right.

‘Tis time for the much delayed retrospect/contemplate/look back at 2007.
Since I’ll be away again next week, it’ll probably be hot already if I keep postponing to write this supposedly-first post of the year.

I’ve just gone through my archives to see the post I’d written last year (blog is indeed brilliant for people with narcissism and selective memory like me!) –

I’m gonna post in a fairly similar template.

Life in General
Here’s a significant highlight: I turned 26 last October! LOL.

I was in Bandung that day and virtually had no birthday blues.

If anything, I was quite happy to be able to spend my time with my family and close friends. I pampered myself at home, had an early dinner with my love and went for a meal with my mates in Kemang. It was all good.

Work
Several short-term projects nearly drove me bonkers in early 2007!

I totally spent my work at office this year, no fieldwork anymore…. Only sit-sit and shit….But it was indeed rewarding when deadlines were met and good feedback was received.

Towards the end of last year, things at work were absolutely horrible.

Impossible deadlines coming out of nowhere, a control-freak neurotic boss and his meddling underlings and a spat between a team mate and the boss. I wish I could say that it’s all water under the bridge now but a meeting which took place just a few days ago turned out to be a wake up call showing me that some things are not quite settled. Someone has to tell that crazy boss of mine that his expertise in management should come in handy for himself, not just for others.

On the other hand, my work team has never been this solid! We’ve won several tenders, carried out good quality projects and been well referenced as return.

Relationships
With family, there’s just been so much happening - there were significant times when I’d lost my cool and even felt frustrated. A closure towards the end of the year had helped and caused new issues at the same time. But I believe as long as there’s a good will, I’ll find the way.

Several good mates have left Jakarta to return to their home countries. I was broken-hearted, and still miss them loads every day nevertheless how frequent I touch base with them. I’ve also rekindled my relationships with old friends and made some new ones locally and across the globe. I met someone blogger that I’ve added to my fellow-bloggers-turned-to-real-mates list (you know who you are!).

To describe my man-and-woman adult relationship (hmmm… sounds dirty!), I can put it in one short sentence: I’ve never been happier! (I feel myself smiling while writing this.)

Travelling
I was pretty lucky to get so mobile in 2007.

I went around South-East Asia with low cost budget airlines (Air Asia), Singapore , Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok with backpacker traveler style around December.

It was my first time visiting Bangkok. I had a chance to roam around 3 coutries. I also flew and stayed for a few days in there, which was magical beyond words. I fell in love with the lion city within seconds of my arrival. I think I’d love residing there.

I flew to Spore after almost 2 years since my previous visit to the country. The trip was unexpectedly very rejuvenating. I went there with my parents and sis,

In October, celebrated my birthday in Bandung.

On my last trip, I had loads of fun with several old and new faces, and definitely had the privilege to meet a couple of lovely little new faces. This reminds me I need to write my travel notes to Singapore soon!

Cinema
I would say that I am fan of all Indonesian movies. Unfortunately I still haven’t managed to love the horror theme.

Overall, 2007 was great! Honestly, I’m in no position to complain. I went places, learned new stuff, read good books, saw good films and made new friends. I’m even committed to a new hobby. I bought my 2nd digital SLR camera and now enjoy my moments behind the camera more than in front of it.

I’m pleased that I’ve achieved several goals, and one of them is traveling with my family and my lovely man that I loved much….wht mannn???

Superstition or not, I find years that end with even numbers are more unpredictable and rather crazy in nature - at least for me. So I think I’ll be wiser and more careful in doing crazy stuff this year. It doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be as impulsive or exciting, but perhaps some strategic reasonable planning will play quite a role.

In the mean time, I’m psyched because March already holds a few travel plans for me! I’m going up to KL with my lovely sis. This travel plans will be all no-work-related but hey, I’ll surely hope to make those trips fun!

Anyhow, I know I’ve already welcomed 2008 with a post, but I’m sure there’s nothing wrong with proposing another toast and some more wishes.

May this year bring us all a good life, and the humbleness to appreciate the life itself.

PS. Less drama and more fun will be very much appreciated.

I’m on my first week at work in 2008.

So far, so good. I notice I’ve been working in the same company for seven months now.

To tell you the truth, it’s the first time I stay on the same job this long.

Here’s hoping for a scholarship offer coming my way, which I personally (rather conceitedly) don’t think it’s too much to ask! Cheers!

I was planning to write a more meaningful, sort of contemplative first blog post in 2008 looking back 2007 (duh!), but I’m nursing jet lag at the moment.

I didn’t get much sleep last night. I’ve got a headache and dried blood coming out of my nose every time I sneeze.

It’s actually not as bad as it sounds, but I’m barely holding my head straight and keeping my eyes open.

Thus, I can’t really pull off any serious brainwork now, i.e. writing a better blog post.

Anyway, here’s a belated wish for a fabulous new year! Whee hee! This very second, my very instant, short-term and quite ambitious goal is to be able to sleep at a normal bed time, instead of acting like a zombie at 3 o’clock in the morning.