WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE A GEMINI

I'm kind of a proud gemini here, being a kind of person who loves to have fun, be random, easy going, and creative. Hmm, don't be surprised if I look excited almost all the time because I get impressed very easily. As a gemini, knowledge is my first love, and arts is my other half. Sometimes I'd spend the entire day learning about something new, like learning astronomy or even a conspiracy theory, and the next day I'd hop into other things like trying out a new recipe I just found in my grandma's vintage recipe book. I pay attention to every details I see. Antiques are my favorite for their unique details and designs. When I go to the malls and see those beautiful clothes, dresses, and shoes on the display, it's not the style that catch my attention, it is the patterns and colors. Colors, especially bright and pastel, are my favorite. I decorate my room with colorful details and it has been my personal wonderland ever since.

Oh, and being a gemini means... you have multiple personalities. One day I can be quite serious and then random the very next day. I can be quiet when I'm around this group of people but very talkative to that group of people. I can be very angry and upset but after a few minutes I act like nothing happens. I'd listen to loud music like Dream Theater's (my favorite progressive metal band) but after I'm done with them I'd go to Disney playlist. I'm just... unpredictable. 

Geminis are usually friendly and easy-going. They love to learn about others and have light conversations with new folks. But careful not to piss them off, they're good at hurting your feelings. 

As a gemini I tend to think a lot and some would think I'm daydreaming. Even the simplest and unnecessary details would keep my mind busy. I like to wonder about what kind of ingredients they put in my daily body lotion and what kind of effect they have or who's the first one to touch the milk box I just bought, and then I would ask some deepest questions I can ever think of to myself, things that involve the mystery of the universe, God, etc. 

Astrologists agree that a gemini's heart is in their head, and it's true. They don't like to burden themselves with deep feelings because they already spend their time and energy to think. But once they get hurt or upset, things would be different and you'll feel the difference. 

Hmm... I couldn't think of anything else right now because there's just too much to say. Typical problem among gemini, haha. Let's just go to typical gemini problems then:

1. Gemini have hard time to fall asleep,

Since they have 12398049580293840 thoughts in mind. This is probably why they look sleepy during the day, too. 

2. They can't stand/sit still, 

because, look! balloons! and you can see the moon from up here!

3. They don't like to wait,

Unless they brought books or games or music player or laptop or photo albums or phones or dogs or crayons or playdoh or puzzles with them, anything that distracts them from boredom. 

4. They hate being ignored,

Especially after a loooong talk/text.

5. They are impatient,

which pretty much explains point number 3 and 4.

6. They'd rather multi-task than doing things one by one.

"Fast is good." - my teacher

7. They love to argue.

It's like gym for their brain. 

8. They get bored very easily.

They'd be cranky once they get bored. 

9. They hate to obey rules with no good reasons/purposes. 

Maybe if you break the rules, weird shit would happen and they just don't want you to see it. Who knows.

10. They are sarcastic.

Do I need to explain this to you?

11. They are flighty. 

Bad at making decisions because they have too much things to consider. 

12. They're good at manipulating a person.

A gemini's dirty skill... something that I'm not really proud of actually. 

And here's a conclusion for you,

gemini are awesome. 

HARI TERAKHIR YANG BUKAN AKHIR DARI SEGALANYA

Ternyata benar apa yang dikatakan Einstein; waktu itu relatif. Mungkin bagi yang lain, 3 tahun itu terasa lama, tapi bagi gue dan teman-teman, 3 tahun terasa terlalu singkat untuk menikmati nikmat dan pahitnya masa-masa SMA. 3 tahun yang lalu, gue datang ke sekolah ini tanpa mengenal siapa-siapa dan tanpa mengetahui seluk-beluk sekolah gue yang baru. Rasanya baru kemarin gue datang ke sekolah dengan rasa campur aduk dan pada akhirnya mengajarkan diri gue sendiri untuk mengenal satu  sama lain. Bahkan gue masih inget betul hari pertama gue disini kayak apa. Tapi tanpa terasa, hari ini adalah hari terakhir gue bisa duduk di kelas bersama teman-teman yang lain sebagai teman seperjuangan dan bersama guru kami, para pahlawan tanpa jasa. 

Gue sudah terbiasa dengan komentar orang-orang tentang sekolah gue karena jauhnya emang amit-amit. Tapi ketika ditanya kenapa gue memilih sekolah itu, gue masih belum bisa menjawab. Gue sendiri nggak ngerti kenapa bisa nyasar kesini, padahal di kota gue ada banyak pilihan sekolah-sekolah yang sama bagusnya. Jujur sekolah ini pun biayanya lumayan mencekik keuangan orangtua gue, apalagi karena bokap gue sudah pensiun. Gue nggak tega sama mereka, tapi di balik semua 'kesulitan' itu gue selalu merasa yakin bahwa gue datang kesini dengan satu alasan.

Dan ternyata, hari ini perasaan gue terbukti kebenarannya. Akhirnya gue sadar bahwa tempat ini adalah tempat dimana gue dibentuk untuk menjadi seseorang yang lebih baik. Gue menemukan teman-teman sejati yang selalu bersedia mendukung gue dan juga guru-guru yang telah mengorbankan waktu dan energi mereka demi kami. Suka dan duka yang gue alami disini adalah pelajaran-pelajaran moral yang paling berharga di masa remaja gue. Masih nggak percaya hari ini benar-benar hari terakhir kami diakui sebagai murid SMA, karena minggu depan kami sudah tidak diatur oleh jadwal, setumpuk buku pelajaran, dan kelas-kelas yang disusun sedemikian rupa. 

Gue bakal kangen bersusah-payah memikul tas berat ke lantai tiga sampe jungkir balik tiap pagi, base class, rela-relain mampir ke kantin demi gorengan dan jajanan murah lainnya, duduk di meja kantin tiap lunch time, godain guru-guru, gangguin Tusti, membuat 'eksperimen sendiri' di lab, dan kegiatan-kegiatan lainnya. Gue bakal kangen sama teman-teman gue; yang sekelas ataupun yang lebih muda, atau yang duduk satu meja pas jam istirahat, dan teman-teman seangkatan lainnya yang telah mewarnai masa-masa SMA gue. Tentu kalau namanya ditulis disini satu-satu nggak bakal cukup, kasihanilah bloggernya. Tapi rasa terimakasih saya begitu besar pada kalian dan juga para guru, dan saya harap saya bisa membalasnya suatu saat nanti dengan membawa harum nama sekolah kami lewat kesuksesan saya di masa depan. 

Oh iya, meskipun gue sudah merasa sebagai orang yang lebih baik, tentu saja gue tetap memiliki kekurangan. Yang pernah saya sakiti, baik dengan sengaja maupun tidak, mohon maaf yang sebesar-besarnya. Mari kita saling mendoakan dan saling berjuang agar pas wisuda nanti kita semua dinyatakan lulus dengan hasil yang membanggakan. Hari ini memang hari terakhir kita menjalani jadwal sekolah pada umumnya, tapi ini bukan akhir dari segalanya. Masih ada tantangan-tantangan lain yang harus kita tempuh untuk menjadi seorang alumni yang berprestasi. 

A SAD NEWS

I was shocked to hear that one of my junior high school friend has passed away this morning due to illness. Strangely though, during this hectic moment I've been thinking about her too lately, remembering how hard she worked to pass the junior high national exam. She failed in all tryouts and some of us, even herself, began to doubt her ability to pass the exam, but it didn't stop her on studying harder and harder than anyone else. She would open her books in the bus and ask her teacher and friends to teach her. At the announcement day, she felt pessimistic and told me that she might not make it, but then she put the brightest smile on her face when our school principal told us that all students in class of 2009/2010 have passed the test. Her hard work has paid off, and she could continue her education in Java.

It's hard for me to believe that our graduation day would be the last day I could see her, but I guess she deserves to be in the Higher Realm to rest.

RIP, my dear friend. You will always be missed.

RENUNGAN MENJELANG UN

Seperti yang kita ketahui, UN semakin dekat. Oleh karena itu, rata-rata siswa-siswi kelas 12 pun mulai disibukan dengan berbagai persiapan UN baik itu di bimbel atau di sekolah. Belum lagi persiapan-persiapan yang lain untuk memenuhi syarat kelulusan seperti UAS dan Ujian Praktek. Pokoknya, kelas 12 emang tahun paling sibuk semasa SMA.

Hari ini akhirnya gue selesai UAS, jadi sekarang mulai intensif belajar UN. Tapi menjelang UN, bukannya makin giat belajar gue malah makin tepar. Yang lain mungkin sampe niat belajar tiap hari, dari pagi sampe subuh. Lha jangankan begadang, nahan kelopak mata sampe jam 10 aja gue nggak kuat. Gue nggak ngerti kenapa bisa begitu, padahal niat awal gue untuk mendapatkan NEM yang tinggi sudah bulat, sampe-sampe gue harus menulis target gue di cermin dalam kamar biar bisa gue pelototin tiap hari. Tapi tetep aja, ujung-ujungnya tulisan itu tidak memotivasi gue.

Kemudian gue kepikiran; UN itu hanya salah satu syarat kelulusan SMA, jadi tidak akan menjamin apakah seseorang bisa masuk PTN apa tidak. Terus, ngapain harus capek-capek belajar/ikutan TO? Ngapain harus begadang tiap hari kalo ujung-ujungnya angka-angka UN yang manis dan indah itu tidak membantu gue untuk bisa masuk PTN yang gue mau? Toh yang penting cuma lulus atau nggak, jadi dapet nilai 6 atau 7 pun semestinya nggak masalah. 

Setelah berpikir begitu, gue sadar bahwa mungkin itulah mengapa gue makin malas belajar buat UN. Sesungguhnya, sejak awal gue emang nggak setuju dengan diadakannya UN. Kalo buat syarat kelulusan doang, kenapa nggak dari nilai raport aja? Kan masih ada SBMPTN, buang-buang tenaga dong kalo harus belajar dua kali. 

Tapi setelah merenung lebih dalam lagi, gue sudah sudah terdaftar di salah satu bimbel sejak semester satu. Gue sudah difasilitasi dengan berbagai persiapan UN oleh bokap-nyokap, dan tentu saja modalnya nggak sedikit. Akan sayang sekali kalo ujung-ujungnya hasil UN gue pas-pasan, padahal gue sudah mengorbankan waktu dan tenaga gue untuk itu. 

Oh iya, PTN yang gue idamkan itu termasuk berat, jadi tentu saja konsekuensinya gue harus belajar ekstra untuk meraih cita-cita itu. Walaupun sekali lagi nilai UN gue tidak akan menjamin apakah gue bisa diterima di PTN tersebut atau nggak, sekali lagi gue merenung; di masa-masa kuliah nanti, apalagi di PTN, gue pasti akan sangat sibuk dengan berbagai tugas, apalagi yang gue ngincer kedokteran. Mau nggak mau gue harus siap mental dan tenaga, harus siap untuk bisa begadang, tidur-tidur ayam, dan tetap fokus pas kuliah. Nah, kalo gue bisa begadang untuk belajar UN ataupun SBMPTN, itu akan sangat membantu persiapan gue untuk kuliah nanti. 

Meraih cita-cita itu emang bukan perkara mudah. Pasti ada saat dimana kita harus menghadapi tantangan yang kita nggak suka, seperti UN, karena dimana ada manis, pasti ada pahit. Walaupun emang bukan syarat masuk PTN, tapi nggak lulus UN pun dampaknya fatal. Kita nggak bisa lanjut ke SBMPTN kalau UNnya aja nggak lulus. Jadi mau nggak mau emang harus tetep dijalanin, dan intinya kita harus berusaha semaksimal mungkin untuk berhasil meraih apa yang kita inginkan. Semua itu perlu usaha, bukan? Lagipula, pasti puas banget kalo pada akhirnya jerih payah kita bisa terbayar.

Semangat yaa yang nasibnya sama! Good luck to all 12th graders! :D

VINTAGE GIRL CRUSH

I'm really into oldies lately; listening to 40s songs, watching 40s movies and looking through vintage fashion. The classics will always remain classy, I think.

And then I looked at the good ol' vintage girls. Boy, I instantly have a girl crush on them. There's something about these girls that made them look beautiful in their own way; simple makeups and fashions yet still classy and elegant.

So here are some of the girls:

1. Veronica Lake

Her 'peek-a-boo' hair was her trademark. Sadly, she had trouble dealing with her mental illness and troubled life. Still, this beauty had the charm.

2. Audrey Hepburn

She looked like my friend, kinda. Anyway, she was a sweet girl with a sweet heart; after being famous for her appearance in movies, she became a humanitarian.

3. Adriana Caselotti

She was the voice cast of Snow White. She had a beautiful, stunning voice that everyone adores. I personally think she'd make a perfect Snow White cosplay too.

4. Vera Lynn

Also known as 'The Forces' Sweetheart' for her contribution to Second World War soldiers during those darkest days through her touching songs. She is now 95 years old.

Good old times, indeed...

DAVID THE SOLDIER

He was one of the Second World War sweethearts,

and he was also a loving husband and father.

He used to own everything he needed and he loved;

a family, a house, a comfortable living room, a bookshelf full of illustrated books...

But he had to go away, along with other brave men of the country,

and he never come back.

He was not a victim of the war, he was the one who wanted to end all of the chaos.

He got what he wanted, except one...

to see his wife and daughter again.

But perhaps, they'll meet again, some sunny day.

You may not know him, but he is still alive and I have his soul, his heart, and his memory.

He regretted everything he has done, but I want him to know that he has taught me a valuable lesson about love, affection, bravery, sacrifice, and compassion.

Goodnight, David.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

Soft and warm blanket,

Huggable teddy bears,

Lots and lots of colors,

Grandma's cakes,

Vintage collections,

My dog,

The rain,

The bed,

Rainbow,

Chocolatey treats,

Frozen yogurt,

Falling stars,

Anything blue,

Indonesian food,

Cheese,

Watermelon for a hot day,

Ladybug,

Butterfly,

Wearing someone else's sweater,

Nature,

Ancient sites,

Good books,

The Sims 3,

Fairytales,

Turtles,

Sushi,

Homemade foods,

Action fig. and graphic novel collections,

Lovely body splash,

My affirmation tree,

My artwork as a kid,

Color balloons,

Cute stickers,

Aromatherapy candle,

Astronomy,

Google Doodle,

etc, etc, etc. :)