Raven and Her Random Stories 2.0

I'm not stealing the title from Ed Sheeran's song by the way.

Even though I was born in Padang, I have no memory at all about living in that city. My parents said we moved to Bukittinggi when I turned a year or two years old. So I spend my childhood growing up in a small town on the hill. I remembered every weekend, my parents would drive to Padang to see my relatives there and to have a taste of "city" even though Padang was not that a huge city comparing to Jakarta (obviously) or Bandung. 

Bukittinggi was so small that you can even reach some places by walking. One time when I was third year in elementary school, I went back home with my brother and his friends walking from our school to the market (but my parents insist we walked very long until we almost reached home). And since this town is located on a hill, the weather is super chilly that you cannot leave home without wearing a jacket. Or at least that's what I experienced. It was my home until my family decided to move in 2002 due to my dad's upcoming position in Palembang. 

Jam Gadang, 2018 (taken by moi)

We went back to Padang almost every year since my late grandmother still live there, and I always looked forward to visit Bukittinggi. This mudik tradition stopped since 2014, but fortunately in 2018 my parents decided to spend our last Eid week holiday to Padang and they rented a car so we could drive to Bukittinggi. I felt so nostalgic and happy even though we were just there for a day. It was not enough time, I admit that. But I hope I can go back there soon, when we are safe enough to travel again. 

So... I forgot to post this yesterday.

But it's okay, I still want to continue writing because I still have that groove. Not to mention today's topic is about my favorite book. 

2020 is the year I went back to reading, just like I've mentioned previously here and there are so many good books I've read (mostly I read what a mutual on Twitter has recommended and please check her book blog here!) but I think this one put a special place on my mind.

We have a saying in Farsi. It translates ‘your place was empty.’ We say it when we miss somebody."

"Each of you comes here today hopeful, wanting in on the game. A month ago, you were in med school being taught by doctors."

I started watching Grey's Anatomy in 2012, getting the copy of season 1 from a pirated DVD shop near my uni (I think most old unpaders know the shop's name. I wonder if that place still exists until now). It was recommended by a senior in my organization because she mentioned this show a lot on her twitter so I gave it a try. In short, this show is just SO ADDICTIVE AND I CANNOT STOP! MAKE IT STOP! SOMEBODY SEDATE ME!

And eight years later, I'm still watching this show.

Grey's Anatomy aired their first season in 2005, it's about five doctors who's doing their surgical residency in one of the foremost hospital in Seattle. The main character, Meredith Grey, was the daughter of famous female surgeon in the country and she admitted she was kind of screwed. Unbeknownst to her, she had a one night stand with the new head of neurosurgery just the night before her first day. 

Yes, I know the storyline has gone downhill due to departures of some main casts but somehow I still enjoy the show. Grey's Anatomy is able to highlight some social issue such as domestic violents, mass shooting, racial prejudice, alcoholism, crisis of faith, etc. but the current season highlight the current worldwide pandemic without romanticizing it. I also love the dynamic of each characters but my favorite is obviously the friendship between Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang. HANDS DOWN, BEST FRIENDSHIP ON TV EVER!

I have two siblings, both of them are older than moi. I am more closer to my brother, who is only three years ahead of me. Even until now, I used to live with him and his wife until their daughter was born and they decided to live closer to my sister in law's who's just like 10 kms away. Sometimes he comes here visiting (or more likely doing inspection whether or not I keep this place cleaned enough for a human being lol), and thankfully since he doesn't live that far, my brother always offered help when I needed. 

My sister, on the other hand, lives in Surabaya with her husband and two children. Back when I started picking University, my dad wanted me to go the same uni with my sister so we could live together. It didn't happen because I didn't get accepted (and deep down I was thankful because I don't think I could handle living with her lol). On the other hand, she has been a very supportive sister though. We weren't really that closed growing up because she's five years older and she entered boarding school when I was in second grade. 

Even though we have grown up but our parents don't want us to grow apart. That's why they created this WhatsApp group so we could share news with each other, sometimes we video call too with addition of the toddlers (but let's be honest, my parents just wanted to see their grandkids lol). Let's just hope we still have each other's back until we're older. 

Growing up, my family and I used to do road trip a lot. Usually it's around Padang - Bukittinggi then when my dad moved to Pekanbaru we did Bukittinggi - Pekanbaru, when we moved permanently to Palembang then we tried to do Palembang - Padang every lebaran since my late grandmother still lived in Sumatra Barat. One thing I remembered is the music we played during hit the road. 

My dad said, music kept making him awake during a long drive so he's quite picky for a music. He always chose something upbeat like Queen, The Police, The Rolling Stone and also Linkin Park. But sometimes he also played Indonesian bands such as Sheila on 7 (this was played during a long drive from Bukittinggi to Jakarta back in early 2000s) Dewa 19 (during a road trip to Pekanbaru in 2001)and Peterpan (this was on mudik lebaran 2004 if I recalled correctly). Sometimes we did carpool karaoke just to entertain ourselves, and this was back when James Corden had a segment on his late night show lol. This was the power of music for me, to bond with my family and entertain us during a long road trip.

I think that's why I cannot leave home without my earphone and music player. Before Spotify era, I used to have MP3 player when I stored some songs I would love to listen during a bus ride or a flight back home. I just need something to accompany my long ass trip or tiring commute because sometimes reading makes me queasy and ends up having a terrible headache, yikes. 

PS: yes, I know this was posted on December 9th instead of the 8th but still... Appreciate the effort, guys. 

If you're familiar with the title... You're either old or having a good taste in music. Yes, it was a lyric from ABBA's song Mamma Mia! 

But I am not going to talk about ABBA today, It's Mamma Mia! The Movie that will be the topic of my blog post. 

Credit: Netflix

 I'm loving the the prompt of the sixth day of #30dayswritingchallenge because it's about being single and happy. 

I'll tell you something. As a 27 year-old woman, I have never been in a committed relationship. Ever. 

*MAJOR GASPS* 

NOT EVEN IN HIGH SCHOOL WHERE THE PUPPY LOVE STARTED HITTING WHEN YOU REACHED PUBERTY????

Yeah well...

I used to be that kind of mischievous teenager who loved teasing her friend who's having a crush or significant other, it's just my nature I guess. I did however, had a crush with the guy who happened to be a student council president where I was one of the election committee. I can say we're quite closed but not that closed since he was my senior, but occasionally we often teased each other. But it was just a crush, it faded away as I graduated first (he had to repeat a year in high school due to being an exchange student while I skipped a year). And that's it, I never really had an attraction with someone else. 

Some people might think it was an anomaly. I used to, but then having some friends and acquaintances who were active in Muslim organization in University who all of them are like "no dating policy." I don't feel like it was weird anymore. Eventually, some of them found their spouse in other scenario and as far as I knew, they loved it and enjoyed it. 

Man, that sounds like I'm a hopeless romantic, huh? *cackles*

Maybe I am. I've never really bothered with relationship and marriage kind of stuff anyway. Maybe some of you think I'm an aromantic/asexual/demiromantic/demisexual. The thing is, I don't want to put myself into a label because I'm afraid it will offend those people who have figured themselves out.  

I'm happy with what am I right now. Maybe one day I will figure it out or find a person who's willing to spend the rest of his life with. But for now, being in a committed relationship is not on my top priority. 

 Ten years ago, I got accepted as a pharmacy student in Universitas Padjadjaran. As someone who has never set a foot in Bandung, I have absolutely no idea that actually my campus is not located in the capital city of Jawa Barat neither heard about Jatinangor at all. The first time I visited Jatinangor was exactly when I got accepted and we rode a Damri bus from Dipati Ukur which took like an hour to reach the location. I thought "damn, bruh. It's so far from the city." Back then, Damri was the only reliable transportation but it only operated until like 5PM or so. 

This was taken back in... 2015 I believe?

Living in Jatinangor was my first experience of living far away from parents. Basically Jatinangor (and Bandung) is the place where I became an adult (am I and adult? I think I am). I learned how to manage my monthly allowance, cook (yes I started cooking way back then but currently I'm doing it more often), wash my own motorbike (but then I gave up and decided to take it to the showroom), grocery shop, and everything else. That town (or village? I have no idea lmao) was not really a magical place, the weather sometimes could be very hot and humid but it's often become too cold that you couldn't leave without a hoodie. In 2015 I moved out from my dorm in Jatinangor to Bandung because I didn't extend my annual rent. Occasionally I still come to Jatinangor for administration purposes but still, I do miss living there and enjoy the simplicity. 

If I could visit a town right now, I would love to visit Jatinangor just for sentimental reasons. The last time I went back was two years ago for big Pharmacy reunion and it was just a short visit. I did however, have a plan for coming to Bandung and Jatinangor by the time I've finished with my thesis but sadly c virus happened. Will I ever been back there? I hope so. 

According to Oxford dictionary, Starstruck means very impressed by famous person such as actors, athletes, etc. On this 3rd day of 30 Days Writing Challenge, I would like to talk about a particular memory of mine that related of being starstruck. 

CAROLINA. FREAKING. MARIN!!!!!

(For those who doesn't know, Carolina Marin is three time badminton world champion and 2016 Olympic gold medalist, the one and only European females who can reach those achievements and I love her since I watched her competed in Japan Open 2018 against Nozomi Okuhara. Unfortunately she had to retire from Women's Singles final at Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2019 and suffered from ACL injury)

Well, my first starstruck moment was on Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2019 (and I have written about that here) but meeting and taking photos with a reigning Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion is rare, dude! I might be a little bit bragging here lol but well I occasionally asked some athletes (mostly European ones) to take photos with me and some other friends but it's quite difficult to get Marin.  

Usually 1-2 Days before the tournament started, the athletes had an opportunity to practice on the venue. So I went to see Marin testing the court on Monday, right after I had a meeting with my thesis adviser with a friend. At first we just wanted to see her and yeah, tried to get a photograph. It was like a mission impossible since I don't think I've ever seen a badminton fans in Istora was able to have a photo with the World Champion. By the time she and other athletes were done with the practice, we (and some other fans lol) rushed to the exit and see if there is an opportunity to ask her for a photograph. We had a little bit difficulty to ask her since Marin was surrounded by some sort of crew (who I just knew that they were from Amazon Prime for her documentary series) so it was so crowded and I was like... "Well, looks like we ain't gonna get her photos." But then one of the other people tried to approach her and they got it! Me and my friends got a little bit of hope that we could get the photos and my friend had prepared her cellphone camera. Man, I was so starstruck with her presence and almost missed the chance! But fortunately my friend was quick and she got a photo of me with Marin, then we exchange places and I got to take photo of the World Champion with my friend. 

We were the last ones who asked the photograph because by the time we had done taking photos, Marin was picked up by the hotel crew. WOOHOOOOO!!!! I think I shouted a little bit "Good luck for the tournament, Marin!"  Before she left. 

That moment would be one of the few best memories that happened in 2020. What's yours? 

It's only the second day so bear with me, guys. 

2020 is not an easy year, I admit that. It started with a flood (like 12-hour nonstop rain hitting Jakarta and Bekasi) and then another flood and the pandemic, I am amazed I could face this year. As someone who lives by yourself, it is not easy to face this pandemic all by myself. At least there are several things that keep myself happy and sane in the middle of this situation.

FEATHER: Represents Badminton.

PAPER: Represents Book. 

Reading (and getting books) was an old pastime that somehow I left behind for a couple of years. I used to be a person who always get a book on hand when I'm on trip (although 98% is because I bought that book on Periplus at the airport lmao) and those who patiently waiting for a month for my Harry Potter books being delivered to my dorm. This year I started reading again and surprise surprise, I managed to read 70++ books until this was written. I don't exactly remembered how I started reading again, maybe because of the pandemic that forced us to get stuck at home and I ran out of movies and series that needed to watch (I haven't subscribed to streaming service earlier this year lol) so then I tried reading again. Or maybe because I followed @literarybase on Twitter where people put some book suggestions, deals on several bookstores and etc. I wouldn't say that I am a biblio... something or any other kind of label where some . I'm just a.... maybe I can refer myself as someone who enjoys reading for fun. I forgot exactly how fun reading is. Let's just hope I can keep continue reading even though there might be other things that keep me busy later. 

PEPPER: Represents Cooking (and Food)

Since pandemic started, I spend like 98% of my time staying at home. I always loved the idea of cooking, enjoyed watching Masterchef (but not anymore because the Indonesia version is just full of shitty drama and I can't afford cables to watch the Australia or US ones) and some cooking channel on YouTube. But cooking? Before the you-know virus hit the world, I rarely grabbed a pan unless for reheating some food in the refrigerator or making instant noodles or frying eggs. But then I realized that cooking can significantly cut my meal expenses and with the help of tukang sayur who usually comes in the morning/noon, so I started cooking my own meal. 

There were several times when my cooking got too salty or too much chilli or even bland because I forgot to put salt but well, like it or not I'd end up eating them because I don't like to waste it. YouTube cooking channel is my big savior for some cooking idea and not to mention my mom is always open for question when I needed it. Right now I can make beef meatballs (from scratch!), chicken shumai, wonton, parathas, egg roll, and etc. But yeah there are times when I'm too lazy for cooking and ended up buying some nasi padang instead but I do feel the joy of cooking especially when the result ends up good.