SATU TAHUN

Satu tahun lalu, aku untuk pertama kalinya menginjakkan kaki di Melbourne Airport. Pertama kalinya melakukan perjalanan jarak jauh tanpa keluarga. Pertama kalinya memberanikan diri meninggalkan tanah air untuk waktu yang lama.

Satu tahun lalu, aku bersama tujuh orang teman-temanku memulai perjalanan kami di Victoria, Australia. 

Satu tahun lalu, aku mulai mengukir ceritaku di Melbourne.

ONCE A FAMILY ALWAYS A FAMILY

It felt like a few weeks ago when I flew from Jakarta and cried my eyeballs out on the plane. But I've been here for a year now. Time passes too fast!

To be honest, I feel that my experience and journey here is not enough. I need longer, maybe another year, two years more even because I feel I haven't gotten enough experience, there are still many things I want to do.

During my stay here, many things happened which of course will be an unforgettable life experience. I met many people who will always be important in my life. They became the biggest part of my life in Australia. It was them who made my life here extraordinary. It was this family that make my stay here more meaningful and unforgettable.

I don't even know how to begin explaining how grateful and blessed I am to have a chance to get to know them since last year. This family has been a big part of my Aussie life. Days I spent with them were something I'll be forever grateful for and I can't thank them enough. 

SAMPAI JUMPA RINGWOOD!

Terima kasih untuk segalanya, Ringwood. Kamu rumah buatku. Tunggu aku pulang ya!

Ringwood Clock Tower

HOW I STARTED MY 2019

Eastern Beach, Geelong, Victoria

Hey, 2019! I have so many great lessons that hopefully can make me a better person in this new chance. I don't have complicated new year resolutions this year, just something so simple and relatively easy to do. I believe I started this year very well. I hope you're good to me '19! 

CHRISTMAS 2018

This year, I was very lucky to able to spend Christmas with the most loving and beautiful family I've ever known in Australia. I'm forever grateful to be a part of this family for the past year. No matter where I am next year, they'll always be my family. 

Merry Christmas! 

WEEKEND DIARY | PART 16

This has been an emotional week for me because I've finished my job as a language assistant. I had farewells at two schools where I worked, said goodbyes to the students and staffs. I wasn't ready. I'm not. I wish I had another year. 

However, this was a great week to celebrate the ending of my work here. Even better on the weekend because I've been caught up with some people that I really want to catch up with, went to places I've been meaning to visit and more than that, made me happy!

MENJADI BU VERA DI AUSTRALIA

Awal tahun 2018, aku terbang ke Australia dengan amanah menjadi seorang guru bantu atau language assistant di bawah pimpinan Department of Education and Training (DET) Victoria. Perasaan cemas akan memulai pekerjaan baru, tinggal dengan orang asing, dan bahkan, berbicara dalam bahasa asing. 

Namun, seluruh kecemasan dan kekhawatiran itu hanya ada di kepala. Ketika tiba di Ringwood tanggal 28 Januari, aku disambut oleh pelukan hangat Graham dan Donna Harris - yang kemudian menjadi orang tua Australia-ku. Sore itu aku di ajak berkeliling sekitar rumah, pergi ke taman, berjalan-jalan di pusat perbelanjaan, dan bahkan kami bertiga makan es krim bersama. Sejak hari itu, hari-hariku di Ringwood selalu luar biasa.

WEEKEND DIARY | PART 15

This weekend, I met up with the other language assistants at St. Kilda Beach. It was a great catch up to finally sat down and talked. I met with Diane quite often but with the others, we haven't been since March! 

It only took us 9 months to finally meet up again. I really wish we could have more time together. I couldn't be more grateful for this language assistants program to bring us, all around the world, to be able to have good times together in one place with one language. It's not goodbye, it's until we meet again. All the best luck guys! 

WEEKEND DIARY | PART 14

Akhir pekan ini, aku dan beberapa teman language assistants dan IKAN berkunjung ke rumah Ibu Maria Obrowski di Greensborough. Beliau dengan berbaik hati mengundang kami untuk makan siang bersama sembari merayakan hubungan baik kami selama hampir setahun ini. 

Aku bertemu dengan Ibu Maria karena beliau adalah salah satu anggota VILTA. Pertama kali bertemu di konferensi internasional tahunan VILTA dan sejak itu beliau sudah seperti keluarga. Memang benar kata orang, ketika kita tinggal di luar negeri, kemudian bertemu dengan orang dari tanah air itu berbeda. Ini sudah kali kedua kami berkunjung ke rumahnya, pertama kali ketika kami makan malam di hari Idulfitri. 

Terima kasih, Bu Maria. Insya Allah ini bukan terakhir kalinya kita bertemu ya. 

WEEKEND DIARY | PART 13

This weekend, my Aussie family and I went to William Ricketts Sanctuary. We found the place when we went back from the Rhododendron Gardens last week and it was just, "Yap, we're going to that place next week!" 

I have never been to this kind of place before - I'm not even sure we have art sanctuary in Indonesia. For me, this is a very different place. I love it! The atmosphere is so peaceful, quiet, and yet so eerie at some point. I don't know, there's a sense of haunting: probably because there are many eyes from the sculptures or maybe because of the quietness.  

Anyway, these are some snaps that I took. Enjoy ;) 

WEEKEND DIARY | PART 12

The fresh air, the flowers, the scent, the beautiful view...Here are the highlights from my well-spent Saturday with my favourite people at the National Rhododendron Gardens. 

RSC GALA CONCERT 2018

My Dad loves classical music - we have three shelves filled with CDs, heaps of Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi, Grainger, Bach, Tchaikovsky and more. So I'm pretty familiar with their music since as long as I remember -  and I love it. Like I said, my music taste is strange from classical to alternative rock to experimental rock. 

I always want to go to the orchestra. It's one of many dreams that I have with Dad - I remember there was one day we were stuck on traffic as per usual and we listened to the classical music, it was almost 7 pm and the sun was setting. We talked about one day we should go to the orchestra concert together and he said, maybe not in Indonesia since it was not really popular. We will, Pip! 

Long story short, I found out my school, Ringwood Secondary College would have a gala concert. Of course, I worked myself to find out more since there was no further info at the school website. Three weeks ago, one of my year 11 students told me that I could book the ticket on a specific link and he emailed me, thanks, Patrick! Later that night, Ben also sent me an email about the event details. Lucky me!! I clicked on the link and booked myself in - and of course, told my parents. 

Last night, the night finally came. I was very excited! While I was getting ready, I facetime my Dad. We talked for about 20 minutes. It was solid a great conversation - a father and daughter, very excited about music. 

So, here are some highlights from last night annual RSC Gala Concert. I didn't have a great sitting position, should have gone 30 minutes earlier! However, I had an absolutely amazing night. I cried when the senior string played Percy Grainger's song (one of my Dad's faves), absolutely beautiful! 

All of the performers!

THE JOY!

Last night was incredible! There's no word can describe how happy and grateful I am to have such an amazing experience like that. Thank you, Vance Joy, for making all the years I've been waiting to see you perform in person worth the wait. 

Big thank to Didirri, Jack River and Cub Sport, you guys are amazing! And also, for my amazing concert companion, Zain, for keeping me sane during the night. It was simply one of the best highlights of my life. 

Here are some of the joys! 

WEEKEND DIARY | PART 9

The weekend starts on Friday night, am I right?

Friday... I didn't do much on Friday but it was quite a productive evening. After work, I relaxed with a cup of vanilla chai latte and then had a shower. Later, I cooked dinner - my Aussie parents are away for a golf tour, so I'm all alone! :(

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (MIFF) 2018 - W.2

MIFF, HERE WE GO AGAIN!

I'm so sad my film festival weekend comes to an end! We've been having so much fun on each day we were coming and watching the movies. This last weekend, we booked two movies. We spent our weekend for so many quality conversations about life and everything in between. And also pancakes! Two days in a row, Baby! 

To say that MIFF wasn't one of my best Australia highlights would be such a vast understatement. I will definitely come back next year if I have a chance! 

So... Here are some highlights from this weekend. Enjoy! 

Day 4: Saturday, 11 August 2018 

The Kindergarten Teacher (USA) 

Director: Sara Colangelo 

Language: English

Genre: Drama

Goodness! This movie is a rollercoaster ride from the beginning! It's easy to fall in love with all the characters, it felt so real to watch them living their lives. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a remarkable actress, no doubt, but in this movie, I can see her best work. Might be my most favourite movie of her. When I watched this movie as if I was inside her head. The way she thought, behaved, gestured, everything just adds more depth into the story, thou the story itself is definitely one of the most interesting, complex movies. 

Rating: 5/5 

Day 5: Sunday, 12 August 2018 

Sorry Angel (France) 

Director: Christophe Honoré 

Language: French

Genre: Drama, Romance 

What I love about French movie that it is always paying so many attention to the art and culture of the country, takes it as a tribute. The beauty of French cinema in a way they tell the story is so visible in this movie. Sorry, Angel is one of those movies that plays in audience emotional side without romanticise or glorifies the unfortunate events. 

Rating: 3/5  

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (MIFF) 2018 - W.1

Finally! 

I booked 10 movies and I could not be happier than this. Watching movie always has a big part of my life and to have a chance to go to Melbourne International Film Festival, sit in the same room with people who share the same passion with me, where we enjoy (and cry!) the movie. This event is definitely something I'm so proud and grateful for.

We booked for 5 days on the weekend, couldn't make it for the special screenings or pre-events because of work duh, but we had so much fun! We were having blast during each day, each movie. There were some moments we cried together (and others at the cinema too!), laughed and most importantly, we loved every movie we watched. 

Here are some highlights from our first weekend! 

SELAMAT BULAN KEENAM, RINGWOOD!

Iya, sudah genap enam bulan aku dan kamu saling mengenal. Kamu yang menjadi saksi proses pendewasaanku. Kamu yang menjadi saksi isak tangis dan tawaku, mendengar lirihnya ucapan syukurku, bahkan menertawakanku saat aku lari-lari karena hampir ketinggalan bus, menggelengkan kepala saat melihatku tersesat. 

Ringwood, hari pertama aku tiba, setelah melewati malam yang berat di Melbourne karena kurangnya komunikasi yang berakibat salah paham, aku langsung tahu kalau kamu akan menjadi tempat yang paling berkesan selama aku tinggal di Victoria. Bukan hanya karena kamu tempat tinggal pertamaku di luar negeri, namun juga karena aku tidak hanya tinggal disini. 

I create a life.

WEEKEND DIARY | PART 8

I spent my Saturday relaxing at home, organised my room, did some washing and ironing, had a nice family dinner and went to bed early. On Sunday, I forced myself to get out from the bed - I know myself if I stayed in bed, I would not get out until dinner time. I hate when I'm being unproductive. So, instead of doing something hard, I took a shower, applied my makeup and went to the mall, had a nice lunch and then went to the cinema to watch Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. 

The weather was very nice this Sunday afternoon. When I got home around 4 pm, I grabbed my book and went to the park behind our house and enjoyed the sunshine before it set! This has been a pretty easy weekend. I tried so hard to get my wellness back to its balance. I'm a work in progress and that's okay. No rush. No need to be that hard again. Whatever happens, let it happens. 

This week was a big change for me. I made a big decision of my life and others. This decision was not easy to be made. Honestly speaking, I never thought I would have to take this way. So, for the past few days, I took my days carefully and I will keep it that way. This is not going to be easy but I need to get my shit done. I need to get my priorities right. 

I am my priority. My wellbeing, my mental and physical health. 

Cheers to the eye and mind opener weekend! 

A LUNCH DATE WITH MYSELF

Today I had a date with myself as an apology for being too hard lately, for having bad thoughts and hating myself for something I did not do. More than that, this date was also a self-appreciation and a way of thanking myself for being very brave to fight those demons inside my head and for not giving up.

Anyway, here are some snippets of my fine Thursday. Treat yourself, girl! 

I bought myself flowers because she loves it.

WINTER

I always love how the sky looks no matter how the weather is 

and then

I met you and it feels the same