As I was packing away my things preparing to leave London, I realised a few basic things. That in order to move on, you cannot take everything with you. No matter how much you have invested in something, the emotions and memories that is within this one thing, you cannot bring it with you because it is too heavy. If you try to force it, there will be a huge price to pay. Perhaps it is better to let go of things, especially heavy things, and move on lightly.

Who knew that packing clothes can be so philosophical.

Everyone is born into different circumstances. Everyone have different goals they want to achieve. If I ask you, 'what is the most important thing in life?' What would you answer? I think that when we find the answer to that question, suddenly a lot of things come to light. Suddenly, we have a sense of purpose. I think it is a very difficult question, one that requires time, contemplation, self-reflection, good and bad experiences, and passion. It is also an answer that is never unchanging. For me to find my own answer to that question, I'm really glad! I feel like I can move forward in life with confidence. No longer lost. How about you?

Hello everyone, good evening!

I am now back in London. My room is dimly lit in orange with a piano recital playing through the cool night. A messy bed, adorned with loose leaves of scribbled notes, and a dozen dog-eared books scattered here and there.

In other words, I have returned to my 'nest'.

Even though I love my home in Indonesia, it sure feels different here in London. Night time is dark and silent, no television, just my music and the sound of the train and cars outside. I cook my meals, make my bed, do my laundry, vacuum the carpet. Almost completely uninterrupted, in a space that is dependent on myself. Since it is so small, it is easy to take care of.

I guess life is good wherever I go. It all depends on the inner self.


Anyway, it's just another 5 months in London ^^ I am excited to move on! Explore the next chapter in life. My life is soooooo good... Thank you.

Every time I come home to Indonesia I plant more. The cress is almost fully developed now, and I started to grow some basil!! I bought supermarket basil and here they're left to root in a glass of water. I hope it works.

Labels: basil, cress, gardening

I'm in Indo now!

Planted some cress seeds which I brought from London. This is Day 1-3 progress, amazing speed of growth!! Can't wait to see them all grown

Labels: cress, gardening, Plant

Recently my life has been strange. I could never sleep before 2am, and never wake up before 10am. I couldn't attend any of my morning lectures and meetings, I'm always late. I'm always rushing off running then panting and sweating and tired from the rush to make it in time. I haven't had the routine called breakfast in weeks (I used to). I haven't been able to focus on any schoolwork. I waste my time staring at the computer screen idly clicking away, or playing games on my phone. I constantly feel like sleeping in the day. I get drained after a few hours of work at uni. I judge and criticize people more than I ever did. I can't speak properly, and my mind feels clogged. My body feels sore daily. My feet are always cold in the night. I've spent weeks feeling like I have done nothing at all. I have no motivation, I feel inferior to the people around me who have passion for what they do. I haven't had a to-do list in months stuck on my wall. I've been so dependent on technology, on the virtual, and when it fails me it really upsets me. I feel like I've been floating around in time, just waiting for it to pass. I've been putting away things that bug me like cleaning my room. I've been eating constantly, all day, and all I could think about is when to eat next.

Seriously. What have I been doing? I have never felt like this before. So useless...

I desperately need motivation and will...

I'm so proud of OZZ whose stylish rock band just released the trailer preview of their first music video!!!!! This is their single, FINAL STRIDE by Shadows of Hyenas. Please support them by spreading the word, liking, sharing, listening to their music. OZZ is the founder of this band, on the bass and he wrote the songs. He and his band mates have worked really hard, so please support them! :)





Shadows of Hyenas

Facebook page:   http://www.facebook.com/ShadowsOfHyenas
Youtube channel:   http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCizxc5JzeF7sxvzY8sJgQ2Q
Band page (stream music):   http://www.facebook.com/ShadowsOfHyenas/app_178091127385



Thank you! :)

Labels: asian, band, debut, final stride, Melbourne, music video, ozz, rock, shadows of hyenas, single, trailer

Hello readers!

Coming home from campus today, I felt completely exhausted...
I guess it's February.
In Jakarta it didn't really matter what month it was, since I was always commuting by car.
But in London it makes a huge difference...
It wasn't too cold, but still chilly. And oh boy, the wind was so strong...
Lugging my laptop, cables, DSLR camera, and some design books, walking uphill with my heavy coat...
It really took the energy out of me.
So tonight I did no work and instead healed myself with enjoyable tasks @.@

Recently, I keep hearing/reading people say things like "It's February, are you crazy?!" or "We should eat more fruits since it's February. Don't want us to get sick."
Even though January air was a frozen chunk of air, February is like fighting the typhoon each time you step out of the house. Uweh...

Anyway, that is a photo of me and my classmate holding "Elephant Bell Pepper!" and "Grandpa Orange!" cute aren't they?? xD


My project booklet is due on Thursday, I'm worried about it...!

Yesterday I read a fiction book after a long long time... It wasn't a particularly thick book but I finished it within 2.5 hours... It was quite surprising. I think I have been reading a lot of very challenging books since enrolling in master's degree that my reading skills have evolved!!! Charizard!

Good morning everyone!

It is February 1st today. A lot of things in life are changing, moving, morphing.
The cold winter months are ending and green shoots are emerging from tree branches.
Friends, family, career, language, studies, health, countries, cultures, future.
So many things constantly revolving in my mind these days.
Anyway, if I can become a better person, I am happy.

Labels: cooking, japanese, onigiri

Labels: 2013, digital painting, london, snow

Hello everyone! Good evening~

Today I did a lot of studying and research. I have not been this productive in a long time!!




Recently uni has been difficult for me. I drift by the words from my coursemates, 'most importantly, just pass!' But today I remember my father's words. He always told me that it is okay if I cannot be as good as other people. As long as I have done my best.

It is difficult to close one eye when you know something is not right. When you know that millions of chickens are bred in terrible conditions and handled roughly, tortured and killed young, it does not stop people from eating KFC. When you know McDonalds is killing forests with the unreasonable use of paper for every sale, it does not stop us from eating McDonalds.

The more you learn about the world, the more difficult it is to live blindly and guilt-free. As they say, it has nothing to do with age. It is how much you have let yourself know about the world that makes a mature person.

Do I miss being young and not knowing anything? I thought I would but apparently not. I am sorry for the world and other souls in the planet that suffer for the deeds of selfish and obvlious human beings.

It is sad that being human, it is so difficult to live a guilt-free life considering all the damage we have done to the planet. I feel so sorry, at the same time I feel confused and don't know what I should do.

I guess for now, I can help raise awareness. Please spare a few minutes to watch these videos about the Indonesian rainforest.



Today's simple tip on helping the planet: don't throw out a piece of paper if there is still a blank side. Print or use both sides. Keep paper that can still be used!
Thank you everyone