LCY's 2015 in Review

Is it just me or does this year go a lot faster than previous years? But still, this year has been a special year in its very own way. A whole bunch of first times, hellos and goodbyes, laughter and tears, satisfactions and disappointments, and so many others that sum up to an amazing 2015.

And here I present my top 10 of 2015 that made this year shine. Pure personal preference.

After much contemplating, I've decided to just start with number 1.

1. Jeju Trip

The first thing that came into my mind when I wanted to write this blog post. Wait, actually, it is the exact reason this blog post exists.

The trip was just a lot of first times all put together. First time boarding an airplane, first time taking a trip to somewhere far, first free and easy travelling, first time arranging travel itinerary, first time getting lost, first time feeling the autumn wind, first time climbing up a mountain, first time riding a horse, first time everything.

It was a sudden decision. In July, My sister and I noticed a public holiday in September, right in the middle of the week, though our trip was a week before that due to the cheaper air ticket (yes, it was a budget travel). Asked our parents for permission, checked our accounts and made sure everything was within our budget, and that's it.

After that was weeks of planning. Searching for flights and hotels with low rates, choosing places we wanted to go (the hardest part), planning our itinerary (but we ended up changing almost everything we planned. Well, things just don't go according to plan, right? Always expect the unexpected.), and waiting for D-day to come.

The trip was amazing. An unforgettable experience that's so addictive that I encourage everyone to try travelling to a place where the seasons and culture are different from where you're from. (But make sure it's within your budget. Or work harder and earn more money.)

Me? I'll make sure that I travel again and I'll definitely re-visit Jeju. Come to think of it, I owe this blog and myself quite a number of posts.

2. Reunions

From the start till the end of the year, all sorts of reunions have taken place. The annual family reunion (the bigger family, I mean) during Chinese New Year, a small reunion with my best friend in high school, class reunions and school reunions.

Reunions usually lead to either never ending talks or we're-not-so-close-anymore realizations. But never the less, reunions are reminders of how far you've come, and how much you've changed. Looking at all those people from my past, makes me think of what I was like when I'd just known them. The it's-been-a-long-time-since-we-last-met-s were sincere.

So, thank you to the big occasions like Chinese New Year, public holidays, friends who got married, friends who celebrated their children's first month. All these helped to make reunions possible, no?

3. Family Time

No, we didn't have a family trip this year. But personally, I think that I've spent a lot of days with my family this year, a lot more than 2014. I went back home more frequently, and, thanks to the long weekends, got to stay for several days (read: enjoy my comfy bedroom more).

And another thing that marked 2015 as another special year is: wefies. Yes, wefies. I just realized that we took a lot of them this year when I was going through my phone's album. A big thank you to the monopod too. It served its purpose very well. Hopefully there's more family quality time in 2016.

4. Korean Class Friends aka Lelah Entertainment

Funny name, no?

I knew most of them last year but it was only until this year that we got close. And within a year, we've arranged a whole lot of things. Our teacher's birthday, a surprise performance dedicated to our teacher, an outing with the class, ramyeon party, birthday parties which don't go according to plans, farewell gift and video preparations, and so much more.

I've spent most of my time with these people aside from staying at the office, I think. Thank you all for colouring my life. Thank you.

5. Na Su Jeong Ssaem

My Korean class teacher. Same age. Same blood type. Same hobbies. But taller, stronger, more athletic, taller, prettier, nicer, sweeter, better at cooking, better at music, better vocals, taller. She's amazing. Her eyes can smile!

She came last year, but this year is the year when we got a LOT closer. It's amazing how fast she learned Indonesian. And it's also amazing how I could be so attached to someone after knowing her for merely a year. Her farewell party was one of the best parties in 2015. And her rendition of Taeyeon's Can You Hear Me was the best one I've heard.

She taught me a lot more than just Korean. She gave me a lot more than just lessons.

Now, she's back in Korea, married, and expecting a baby. We still keep in touch. She cancelled her trip here due to her pregnancy, so I promised her that the next time we meet, it'll be me going to Seoul to meet her there.

Oh, now I need to save more money~~~~~~~

6. Taekwondo

Another thing that proves dreams do come true. Something that I've always wanted but never had the chance to do it. Something that started abruptly in March. My Korean teacher asked if I wanted to join. I said yes and, voila, still bad at it.

It wasn't just a self defense lesson. I can really feel that. We're trained to be discipline, to believe in ourselves, to act as a group, to have self respect and to respect others. Sure it gets tiring from time to time (every single time, actually, not to mention the mental pressure), but those who persevere win the game, right? It's not easy to get a black belt.

Well, actually, I just wish that I can do well for the next lesson. Dreams come true if you dare to dream, but they also need hard work.

7. Life Lessons

Every year, with all that has happened, life offers me new lessons. This year just seemed to be so much of it that I think it deserves a spot in the top 10.

I learned to let go. (Actually, I'm still learning, but yeah, you know what I mean.) Some things will stay and some things will leave. It's a natural phenomenon. You need to accept it, not understand it.

I learned that you need to make time for things that you really want, that you will make time if you really want them. And if you, for any reason, can't make time for them, admit that you don't really want them that much.

I learned that dreams do come true, if you dare to dream, dream hard enough, work hard enough and persevere.

I learned that things change. Everything changes. People change. Situations change. Stay optimistic but keep your feet on the ground.

I learned to always expect the unexpected.

I learned that looking back is necessary. Don't dwell on it, but do some reviews.

I learned that you are you no matter what others say. Live your life. Live your dreams.

I learned that I still have a lot to learn.

8. Food

I took a picture of almost everything I've eaten in 2015. Looking back, I've eaten quite a number of nice stuff. Wow, I've had a really good year. It helps when you have a friend who's really good at baking, and a number of friends who knows where to find good food.

Perhaps I should do a post, a slideshow post, dedicated to all the food I've eaten this past year. *thinking hard*

9. Birthday

Mine, of course. With two meant-to-be-a-surprise-but-I-knew-beforehand birthday parties, I've had an amazing birthday week. Free sushi due to it being my birthday plus a handmade chocolate cake full of strawberries on top, with Daehan Minguk Manse's picture, I love this year's birthday.

Still, the meant-to-be-a-surprise-but-I-knew-beforehand part was really hilarious. How could both surprise birthday party be found out by me accidentally? Both!

10. Singing Competitions

Now this is surprising, totally unexpected. I wouldn't even imagine myself doing something like this a minute before going on stage. But I learned a lot. Conquered my fear. Learned to learn. And both competitions were amazing experiences. Again, who would have thought that I would enter singing competitions?

Well, that basically sums up my 2015. Pictures coming up as soon as possible. Oh, and the Jeju Trip posts. Oh, and save more money. Ah, and the food slideshow. And 2016!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

=============

Lidya C. Yowendro

151231

Graduation "Thanks to" Part 2: IF Zero Nine Classmates

I couldn't have enjoyed my undergraduate days if it was not for the existence of my IF Zero Nine classmates.

My thanks to..

To My Classmates, IF '09 STTI alias IF Zero Nine

Thank you to each and everyone of IF Zero Nine members. Dari ketua Ricky hingga si anak mas Ardi, each and everyone of you who have added smiles to my days. Thank you for accompanying me, for bringing me laughter and happiness, for creating troubles and problems for me to solve, and most importantly for filling up my days with colourful memories for me to reminisce from time to time.

Di sini, ada sesuatu yang ingin saya akui. Waktu awal masuk, karena saya daftarnya sendiri alias tanpa teman, saya melangkah memasuki ruangan kelas dengan pemikiran 'saya ke sini untuk belajar dan bukan untuk berteman'. Jadi, waktu itu saya sudah menghipnotis diri sendiri, bahwa untuk seterusnya, I'm going solo.

Tetapi, selesai pertemuan pertama, saya sudah dapat memprediksi kehidupan saya untuk semester-semester ke depan. Saat itu, saya menyadari bahwa kelas ini ceweknya nggak banyak, anggota kelas ini ribut dan banyak komentar, banyak yang suka merokok, meskipun rata-rata ramah. Untuk selanjutnya, semuanya pasti akan kacau.

Saya masih dapat mengingat dengan jelas, pada awal masuk saja sudah 'diganggu' Ricky, yang ujung-ujungnya menjadi ketua kelas. Jujur, sampai sekarang juga saya bingung mengapa dia yang dipilih.
Lalu, selain saya, hanya dua mahasiswi dalam kelas, yang duduk di belakang saya, Merlin dan Elli.
Dan dua orang super tinggi yang dengan penuh rasa nggak tahu diri duduk di barisan paling depan, menghalang pandangan saya, Kelvin dan Agus.
Kemudian, orang pertama yang mengajak kenalan dengan saya, lokasi kenalannya tepat di depan tangga menuju lantai satu, anak kesayangan keluarga IF Zero Nine, Ardiyansyah. Maaf, Di, harus saya akui juga, waktu itu, saya kurang ingat nama Ardi.. Peace, yah...

Dan seiring dengan berjalannya waktu, segalanya berubah. Aneh sekali. Saya juga nggak tahu awal mulanya dari mana dan sejak kapan. Pokoknya, suatu hari, tiba-tiba, saya terbiasa dengan keributan ini, bahkan otak saya juga menjadi encer dalam hal melontarkan komentar-komentar yang bisa membuat orang lain pusing, meskipun saya nggak melakukannya di dalam kelas. Saya mulai terbiasa dengan cara kalian meramaikan suasana, terbiasa dengan pertanyaan-pertanyaan nggak nyambung yang kalian lontarkan pada dosen, terbiasa dengan kehadiran kalian yang entah sejak kapan saya beri label 'teman'. Tiba-tiba saja, I'm not going solo anymore.

Banyak sekali kenangan yang kalian berikan kepada saya. Karena kalianlah, saya tidak menyesal menyelesaikan studi di STTI. Saya belajar banyak dari dosen, tetapi, saya belajar lebih banyak dari kalian. Bagaimana membuat dosen pusing, bagaimana bersifat ramah pada orang yang baru dikenal, bagaimana memberikan perasaan nyaman bagi orang yang berdiri di depan kelas, dan banyak lagi. Saya sendiri terasa perubahan dalam sifat dan pemikiran saya. Asal kalian tahu saja, kalian turut berkontribusi membentuk diri saya yang sekarang.

Terima kasih, sudah mewarnai tiga tahun dari kehidupan saya ini. Tiga tahun yang tadinya sudah saya cap akan merupakan gambar hitam putih, menjadi lukisan berwarna-warni yang begitu indah karena kehadiran kalian, terutama Diki dan Agus, yang bersama saya dikenal tiga sekawan dalam kelas. Yang lain jangan cemburu, ya.

Diki, yang dikenal sebagai geng saya dalam kelas. Terima kasih atas dukungannya selama ini, terima kasih selalu percaya pada kemampuan saya. Dik, jangan pusing hal-hal kecil lagi ya, kan banyak yang udah Diki lewati. Kalau masih mau curhat-curhat, lewat FB atau Whatsapp aja, aku pasti baca kok. Stay happy, my friend.

Agus, geng saya no.2 dalam kelas. Si jangkung yang sering menyerah duluan sebelum mulai dalam hal belajar, ujian, dan membuat tugas. Si tangan beruntung yang selalu mendapat urutan yang baik kalau disuruh undi untuk urutan presentasi. Please bro, believe in yourself.

Kelvin, satu-satunya orang yang bisa saya ajak ngomong tentang K-Pop dalam kelas. Orang tertinggi dalam kelas yang selalu menjawab dengan 'ga mau' tiap kali disuruh maju, dan alasannya selalu 'malas' tiap kali ditanya mengapa. Kelvin, be more diligent.

Ardi, adik kesayangan dalam kelas meskipun bukan bungsu. Anak mas yang selalu membuat suasana ringan. Kalau tiba-tiba memanggil saya, pasti tentang f(x), terutama Amber, meskipun dirinya bukan fans mereka. Si pemilik otak encer yang banyak komentar menggemaskan. "Kenalan dong, nama saya Ardi," katanya selesai hari pertama kuliah, setelah mencegat saya di depan tangga. Stay cheerful, bebek.

Amat, bang Jajang, Merlin, Elli, bang Herman, bang Ricky, bang Ade, Sudi, Guruh, dan anggota IF Zero Nine lainnya, yang juga ikut memenuhi hari-hari saya dengan kejadian-kejadian yang tidak terlupakan. Bagi yang namanya nggak disebut, jangan tersinggung, ya. Yang penting kalian mengaku kalian adalah bagian dari IF Zero Nine, maka masuklah kalian ke dalam daftar saya ini.

Postingan ini saya dedikasikan khusus untuk IF Zero Nine, setiap orang yang termasuk di dalamnya. Thank you all so much for colouring my life. I won't forget you.

The ELF Me - 1 Year Anniversary

2nd October 2011, I accidentally watched their A-Cha MV while my sister was watching it on the desktop in our living room. Her friend tagged her on facebook, nothing more, nothing less. She knew some of them and started introducing those some to me.

Out of curiosity, I searched their videos on youtube, and I came across this video. At that time, I thought, "Wow, this guy really can sing."

Okay, I admit. During that whole A-Cha MV, he's the one who caught my eye. And after watching the video of him singing live, all of a sudden I became interested in him. So, with the help of dear Google, I got quite a handful of his information.

Then, I went on to read from Wikipedia about this group called Super Junior. Because of him though. When I realized that there were two sets of names: the stage names and the birth names, I decided to just memorize Yesung's, plus his birthday, since it's quite impossible to memorize all 13+2 of them. Well, that's what I thought at that time.

But within an hour or so, all their names and birthdates were glued in my head. From the eldest to the youngest, no problem.

After that, I watched another video of them, Super Junior Show episode 18, if I remember correctly, about their Thailand trip. The video was taken way back in 2006. Their cheerfulness totally mesmerized me.

And all of a sudden, voila! Call me an ELF, Ever Lasting Friend.

Some days later, a friend said to me that she became their fan during the early part of 2011, and she also said that during these later months of 2011, her passion seemed to have died down. She's still their fan, but not as much as before. So, in conclusion, she told me that as the days passed, I would not like them as much as when we were chatting.

And today, 2nd October 2012, I believe she's right.

Now, after a whole year have passed. After learning almost (Note: just to be modest) everything about this group. After experiencing quite a number of things with them and the other ELF, just imagine, in an amount of time as short as a year, a lot of things have happened to them, and us, good ones and bad ones. After all these... I don't think I like them as much as a year ago.

I like them more than a year ago. Can I use the word love? It's such a strong word. LOL.

After knowing them, after realizing how much hardships they've been through, after understanding that this group that brought me so much laughter has endured so many hurtful incidents. They survived. With their tears and sweats, they've achieved so much. And yes, they deserve all of them.

I learned a lot from them. A whole lot.

Not giving up, giving all you've got, and working hard doesn't always give you what you've dreamed of. But if you are patient enough, if you are willing to keep going, you'll see that miracles do happen and dreams do come true.

I am proud to say that I'm a part of ELF, a part of the sapphire blue ocean. And I look forward to my 2 year anniversary post. 1 year down, forever to go.

It's not end, but and...

슈퍼주니어오빠들...
늘고맙고 사랑한다,
영원하자 슈주엘프...

Graduation "Thanks to" Part 1: Lecturers

I couldn't have graduated if it was not for the help from these whom I am going to list...

My thanks to..

To My Lecturers, dosen-dosen STTI

Thank you to my lecturers.. Dosen-dosen STTI yang keren-keren. Bu Heti, Bu Fitri, Bu Liza, Bu Ela, Bu Dwi, Bu Siti, Pak Icak, Pak Andi, Pak Toha, dan semua dosen lainnya, pernah mengajar saya, baik yang menyebalkan atau tidak. Thank you for teaching me, for giving me all those knowledge, pdf and ppt files, assignments, stress, and everything else.

Khususnya kepada dosen-dosen yang sudah menemani saya, mengobrol dengan saya tentang ini itu, I am going to miss our time together.

Bu Heti, dosen pertama saya, sebab kelas pertama saya adalah kelas algoritma Ibu. Ibu juga dosen pembimbing KP saya, dosen penguji prasidang skripsi saya, dosen pertama yang membuat saya merasa "Ah, I enjoy coming to campus just to chat with this lecturer." Terima kasih banyak, bu... I'll miss you...

Lalu, bu Fitri.. Dosen, yang menurut saya, paling keren di kampus. No offense untuk dosen lainnya. BUT! Ini dosen, sudahlah ada playlist Super Junior, dengar lagu-lagu BoA, update status FB dengan bahasa Jepang dan Korea, and.. Guess what? Sensei yang satu ini punya KAKAO TALK! AND! You know apa statusnya di KaTalk? "Sexy, Free & Single"!!! She's just plain cool! OK, mungkin persepsi saya tentang kerennya dosen satu ini sangat terpengaruh oleh SJ. But, hey, ini satu-satunya dosen yang saya panggil "Ibu", "Sensei", dan "Seonsaeng-nim".. Percakapan, sms, chatting di antara kami itu campur aduk bahasa Indonesia, Inggris, Korea, dan Jepang. Keren, kan? Dosen yang sms saya setelah prosesi wisuda, untuk mengucapkan selamat dan "don't forget me", serta pemberian semangat "ganbatte kudasai" dan "hwaiting" dengan huruf g yang berderet-deret. Saranghamnida, seonsaeng-nim!

Bu Ela, dosen sidang KP saya yang juga bertanggung jawab atas perpustakaan kampus. "Bu, nanti saya datang ke perpus lagi, ya.." Itu kalimat yang tiap kali saya ucapkan saat meninggalkan perpus, baik karena mau pulang atau karena ada mata kuliah. Waktu wisuda juga, ibu tidak lupa mengucapkan "Nanti ke perpus lagi ya.." Ibu, do you know how much that means to me? I'll miss you too...

Bu Liza, dosen pembimbing skripsi saya, yang bersedia menunggu, membimbing saya sampai lewat jam pulangnya. Dosen yang langsung SMS dan Whatsapp saya begitu ada berita apa-apa tentang sidang dan lainnya. Yes, that's right! Whatsapp! Dosen saya yang satu ini pake Whatsapp! Mantap, kan? Dosen yang selalu bilang, "Ah, kan Lidya. Bisa dipercaya, dong." Terima kasih atas dorongan semangatnya, bu!

Bu Dwi, dosen yang selalu selalu selalu tersenyum, dosen yang paling mudah tertawa.. Dosen yang selalu membantu saya, tanpa saya meminta.. benar-benar selalu loh.. Dosen yang ga pernah marah walaupun saya ganggu.. Iya, satu-satunya dosen yang saya ganggu saat sedang menunggu jemputan atau nggak ada kerjaan.. Nongol di ruangannya tiba-tiba, lalu duduk dan nggak pergi-pergi.. Bu, I'll miss our time together.. titip salam untuk kura-kura imut itu, ya, bu~~

Thank you to all my lecturers, each and everyone of you.. Thank you so very much! Terima kasih untuk semua dosen-dosen saya!

10 Things I Must Do Before I Die

It's been such a long time since I last posted on this blog..
Sorry, bloggie..
I've been quite busy..
But I'll make sure I post here regularly..

So........
The title of this post!

10 Things I Must Do Before I Die

It's actually from a twitter trend: #10ThingsIMustDoBeforeIDie.

Just put in spaces between the words and take away the #, and you'll get the title.

The things on a list like this change from time to time. It's totally normal, since what you're into at a time may not be the same with what you'll be into a year later. So it's perfectly fine if you change the things on your list. :)

10 things I must do before I die [120828 (which means August 28th 2012) version] :

1. Buy a car, my own car, with the money I earned. Preferably a Honda Civic or a Toyota Camry.
2. Volunteer at disaster sites.
3. Watch Super Junior live, which includes attending Super Shows, fansigns, fanmeetings, or/and live performances.
4. Write a book and publish it, or rather: write books and publish them.
5. Able to speak fluently at least 5 languages.
6. Travel alone to a country where I've never been to before.
7. Fulfill my promise to my parents: a room with television, DVD player, laptop, Karaoke with Surround sound system, unlimited internet usage.
8. Travel to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
9. Make my parents proud.
10. Earn a lot of money. Yes, of course.

Well, the list is a bit, umm..., funny?
I don't know..
That's what's on my mind right now.

Oh, and to those who read this, you can do the same! List down the 10 things you must do before you die! It sort of lets you know what you really want right now.

Till next time!

What A Wonderful Birthday!

30th June 2012

I woke up to a surprise today.
A cutely wrapped present on my desk. In front of it, two decks of printed photographs of Yesung oppa!
I haven't even opened this cute present from my sister yet. So I'll update on the detail tomorrow.
After that, I took A LOT of photos of the gifts..
Of course, along with the presents I bought for myself, namely SS3 DVD and Opera Japanese Version.
It's all about SJ. Yes, I know.
I like it this way!

Some time later, due to my careless tweet to @shfly3424 oppa, I received birthday greetings from my ELFISHics family and fellow ELFriends. Ah... Something I'd never expected. Sweet~!

So my birthday started with several surprises.
Then my friend sent me a 'Happy Birthday' message.
And, later, another friend said so through Facebook, so I logged in after being inactive on FB for several days.
Then, another friend commented on that FB post, a 'happy birthday' greeting~
These three, my best friends during senior high and junior high..
Ah... It's amazing!

Later in the evening..
The first friend (reference: the part before this), and I had a dinner.
More like a dinner with a loooooooong chat...
We chatted for three and a half hours, which we believe was not enough.
But what to do about it. It's already nine and we needed to go home.
But I did have an amazing time chatting with her. So happy!

Oh, miss NvL just sent me a message! How sweet of her to actually remember my birthday!
Touched!

And!
The last two hours of my birthday, due to the time difference, is also Leeteuk, Super Junior's angel leader's birthday..
(It is an 'is' as it shall always be so. Unless one of us suddenly change our birth date, which is impossible.)
So, it's a 'Happy Birthday Teuk Oppa And I' during that two hours..
Plus, SJ's 6th album 'Sexy, Free & Single' was released during that time!
Great!

This is the first birthday I celebrate as an ELF, and I celebrated it SJ-style!
How could I not?
The 6th album's online release and Teuk oppa's birthday were during the final two hours of my birthday!
Super!

Special thanks:

Thank you to my sister, Diana. I have no idea when you prepared this. And the most amazing thing is, I chose the wrapping paper you used to wrap the birthday gift. A total =_= very unexpected. But I love the presents, really! Jeongmal!

Thank you to Ifa. You've not missed my birthday even once since we knew each other during senior high. And chatting with you has always been an amazing thing to do. Thank you for your early sms, and that dinner. Let me treat you next time!!!!!

Thank you to Chi, ELFISHics family, and all ELF who greeted me a 'Happy Birthday'. Let's all 'fighting' together! kekeke...

Thank you to Melly and Sukina. Full name! Yes! Because this is a formal(?) thank you speech from me. Thank you both for remembering my birthday and greeting me. How many years has it been since we met in junior high? Thank you so much!

Thank you to NvL-Dai, aka, Novilia, who had brought me so much laughter during our senior high school days. Thank you for your greeting, but most importantly, for remembering my birthday. That meant a lot, miss 1101! :)

Thank you to SMEnt, for releasing Super Junior's 6 jib during the 1st of July in Korea, because it's still 30th of June here at that time. I know it was not a gift for me, but, I'll take it as one.

Thank you to the time difference between South Korea and Indonesia. The last two hours of my birthday was daebak! I managed to say 'Happy birthday Teuk oppa and I', I managed to listen to 6jib songs on my birthday, and it was my first birthday celebration since I've become an ELF. Thank you!

And to all the above and those who read this, THANK YOU! XIE XIE! KAMSAHAMNIDA! ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU! TERIMA KASIH! GRACIAS!

Ah! What A Wonderful Birthday!

Start of May - End of April

April's officially over!
Now, let's see how I did during the month.

• reach chapter 2 of my thesis. (=_=)
• Well, I managed to finish the 1st chapter. So, I guess this could be counted as done.

• finish character design for my novel. (^-^v)
• I didn't manage to finish character design, but I finished the plot writing, which, at first, I planned to do later. But then I figured that I'd need the plot to get a better grasp of how I wanted the characters to be. But then again, this is not done. Keep it up!

• finish 2 short stories.
• This I did. 2 short stories + 1 unpublished fanfic waiting to be edited. So proud of myself.

• learn 3 Japanese lessons.
• I relearned the 1st to 4th lessons instead of learning the new ones. I'm having more interaction with Korean now so I think I need to brush up on my Japanese. Hence, my relearning.

• learn 1 new piano piece.
• This I failed. LOL. How can I be so direct? Apparently, during the first half of the month, I was still learning the previous sonatina. And the first movement of another sonatina during the second half. So... Oh well...

Entering the month of May, I'm using a new system. I'm just going to tell myself 'No procrastinating. Time management.' and things like that.

I've set a target to finish my novel by August 24th of this year. (Yes, that's a special date~ my Jongwoon oppa's birthday~ ♥ ♥ ♥)

I'm reporting again on 31st of May.
:)

I Am SJ Biased

A song being played on radio : This song's not bad. Need to take note.

The same song being played almost every time I tune in : How many times are they going to play this song in one single day?

***

SJ song being played on radio : YAY! Perfect timing!

The same SJ song being played every time I tune in : This radio station is the best!!


========================================================================

See the difference?
kekeke..
I am so totally SJ biased~
What can I say?
I am an ELF after all~ XD

April's Special

April's Special Events :

Today is 4th of April!!
Dancing Machine, World Anchovy, Lee Hyukjae, Eunhyuk's birthday!!!!
Happy birthday, Oppa!!!!!

A lot of things are going to happen this month.
There's SS4France this Friday, 6th of April.
Captain Choi Siwon-oppa's birthday on the 7th.
SS4Shanghai on the 14th.
Kangin's release from the army on the 16th.
Zhoumi's birthday on the 19th.
SS4INA on the 28th and 29th, which I can't attend.

Hey! It's all about SJ!
LoL.. I guess I'm very addicted to them, but seeing that I'm an ELF now, there's nothing I can do about it.

Then again, there're also... *drum rolls*
My final exam, the finally final one, of my college life, which will be held from 9th to 12th.
The start of my finally final semester, with the thesis as my last, one and only subject.

Uh, it's less than the SJ list~
Oh well~

April's Special :

Ringtone : Mr Simple and Shake it up, both by SJ... kekeke..
Calender quote :

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

April's Target

It's already the fourth of April, time passes so fast..
Sometimes I really wonder what I have done during these three months of 2012..
It's like I've wasted the beginning of the year..
Well, one thing for sure, I finished my job training, which means one step closer to getting my degree~
But now I have another problem, I have no idea what to do for my thesis~
Aigooo~~~

Seeing how I'm totally slacking, postponing things, and procrastinating these days, I am 100% sure that I need to do something about it.
Writing down my targets and publishing them like this is one way.
Reason : I always keep promises I make to myself~ kekeke...

So here's my "April's special" target list :

• reach chapter 2 of my thesis. (=_=)
• finish character design for my novel. (^-^v)
• finish 2 short stories.
• learn 3 Japanese lessons.
• learn 1 new piano piece.

That's all I can remember now. I think I'll add some later on...
The deadline, the most important part, 30th of April!!

Tribute To Pencil of Mine

It’s been a week since my dear pencil was declared out of service.

The Meeting

I bought the pencil in 2004, back when I was still in senior high school.

Several weeks after my enrollment, I went to a local bookstore on my way home. I used to have this weird habit of dropping off some distance away from my home and then walk the rest of the way. It’s stupid. I still think it is.

So, on that particular day, I went to the bookstore which is located in a mall. At first, I just wanted to do some window shopping. I had nothing to do and I was on my own. As I was taking a look at all the stationeries sold, I randomly picked it up. Then I remembered that I haven’t a pencil in my bag. So, after playing a bit with it (it was a mechanical pencil, after all), I decided to buy it. It cost me a mere 1,500 Rupiahs. Quite a bargain since I’ll be using it for the next seven years.

The Time Together

All the way from when I was in the first year of my senior high school to the graduation, the pencil had accompanied me through the days. It had left its traces in my binder, notebook, exercise book, scrap book, text book, and even exam papers.

I used it to scribble numerous things:

-                 Song lyrics on my textbook and binder

-                 Weird doodles on my textbook, notebook and exam papers (yes, exam papers)

-                 Little notes on my notebook, textbook and exam papers.

-                 Story ideas and samples on my scrap book

There’re still a whole lot more down the list of scribbles, but well, I guess it’s almost the same for everyone.

Then, after I graduated from my senior high, the curiously long-lived pencil went with me to Singapore as I furthered my studies there. For the whole year I stayed there, it accompanied me in almost everything that concerned writing. And, just like how we went there together, I brought it back with me: safely placed in my pencil case which I brought around with me to everywhere I went.

During the days of my “incubation period”, it was not of much use though it never left me. Or rather, it never had the chance. :)

Since I enrolled in a piano lesson, it was put to great use as I did the theory exercises. And things happened so fast after that. I started my college life at a local campus, where my dear pencil was my primary weapon. I used it every single day.

I was really proud of it (and I still am). I would show it off to others, saying how long I’d used it and how it’d accompanied me through these years.

As I started to write again, my faithful pencil journeyed with me to the world of my imaginations. It put to words what my mind had to say.

The Goodbye

On the 15^th of July 2011, I accidentally dropped it during my piano lesson. It had experienced numerous of such falls since I bought it. But so far, nothing had happened.

But that last fall was an exception. It was the pencil’s fall to demise. Something in it broke and caused the mechanical pencil to lose its mechanical ability. I couldn’t use it anymore.

At first, I didn’t realize anything that was out of the ordinary. I clicked on it several times. Nothing happened. I opened it. Something dropped out. It was then that I realized I’ve lost my faithful companion for good.

My heart thumped a bit harder for a second. I felt a sudden loss. It sounds exaggerating, but it’s true. If you have something that has accompanied you for so many years, you’ll know the feeling when it leaves you ever so suddenly.

It has experienced so much. It was crooked because of the way I hold it when I write. The iron ornament has rusted. The insides were somewhat black (the colour was transparent blue). So much different from how it was before. But still, it’s my precious pencil.

To the pencil that has accompanied me throughout the years,

R.I.P. My Faithful Companion

Pencil Of Mine

2004-2011

P.S. I’ve bought a replacement for it by the way, from the same bookstore. I sincerely hope that it can accompany me for as long as its predecessor did, if not longer. :)

Yours sincerely,

Lidya Yang

Dreams do come true #1

It was the year 2000, if I remember it correctly..
I started to change my 'ambition' to a pianist....
I was still a kid (and I think I still am)....
I wanted to be able to play the piano...
I pictured myself playing the piano...
I thought "That would be so nice"

Year 2004, my third year of junior high...
The last several months....
I knew and realized that the ambition to be a pianist was not quite realistic...
But I still dreamt of being able to play a piano piece...
Even one would suffice...

Year 2005-2007, my senior high school years...
Days were hectic, full of activities...
I admit, I almost, just almost forgot that I had this little dream of being able to play the piano...
But I guess it stayed too long in my heart and mind in the past several years...
I couldn't forget...Yet I couldn't make it come true....
At one point, I told myself "Dreams don't come true...They are just dreams after all"

Year 2009, April...
The year in which my life took a huge turn...
The year in which I made a huge decision....
The year in which I experienced a lot of which I never thought I would...
There's a new music course in town....
My sister and I wanted to enroll, so we asked for permission...
My heart said "Finally" while my mind whispered "Don't be too sure"
We went there and asked for information...

Year 2010, October....
I am now having trouble arranging my time...
I have college lessons, English and Mandarin lessons....
I need to help out at my parents' course...
I have assignments waiting for me to take a good look at them....
And I have to arrange my time to practice my piano pieces everyday...
Yes, I enrolled...And I have been learning for more than a year...
Now, my heart says "You made it" while my mind shouted "Remember to practice everyday!"

The first step is always what's needed...
If you want to go to the other side of the road, you'll have to take the first step to cross the road..
I went to the course and enrolled, that was my first step..
Now, I'm just trying my best to finish this race...

Years ago, I was dreaming...
Now, I am fulfilling my dream...
As I am now watching and experiencing my dream coming true....
GO FULFILL YOURS!

Last Week Of October 2010

I'm now entering my 4th semester of my university life...
It's arriving faster than I have expected...
Or is it because of the time that goes by so quickly?

I haven't made any improvements concerning my stories..
I have a lot of ideas...
But.....

I wonder why there's always a 'but'...
Still, I make this silent oath to myself...
That I will finish a story..a full story, within half a year..
I'll have to work hard, I know...

I'm learning Japanese now...
Finally....
I guess dreams do come true....
Well, about dreams coming true..
That's another story..

But, people, believe this!
Dreams do come true, with a condition...
You yourself must do something...
Make a start...
If not, a dream is still a dream.....

Bye for now~

a smile a day

A smile, just a simple smile~

This morning, when I went to buy breakfast..
It was not a special thing to do..
But I had a special encounter..

It was a stall like any other..
The food was not bad, i would give 3.5 out of 5 stars...
A little too spicy for me..
Well, I had no idea what else to eat, so I chose the stall..

When the stall helper handed me my food and I asked for a pair of chopsticks...
Then she replied," Chopsticks? OK!" (in indonesian, of course)
She said that with a smile..
A wide, warm smile..A smile so cheerful that it stunned me for a few seconds.
When she put the chopsticks in my hand, again she gave me that smile of hers..

Pardon me for saying this but, she's not someone that you would call 'pretty', let alone 'beautiful'..
But her smile...
With that smile on her, i would say that she's 'charming'..
You don't see that kind of smile quite often these days..

It's the kind of smile that cannot be put into words easily, which I am trying to..
I felt the warmth and sincerity in the smile of hers..
I instantly understood why there are so many quotes, emails, and advices asking us to smile each day..

I don't know if her smile made her happy..
But it surely did made my day~
I'll be going back there for sure..
Mainly for the food..

But especially..
for the smile~

A smile, it may be simple, but it does wonders..
so..
SMILE!!!
^-^v

early may

It's May already~
Time really flies~

This time, i think i'm on to something new~
an idea that came to me just several days ago~
so now, i'm deciding on the names~
the title~
n whether to write in english or mandarin~


jiayou bah~~!!!!!

better than none

Okay...so today started off normally..
i get up, realised that i was late n hurried through everything that follows the ritual of waking up..

But as the evening draws near, i started to get more n more nervous..
especially after my father said,"ok, but slowly"...

i couldn't hide my excitement..
i'm sure it was obvious n the happy feeling was written all over my face...

YES!!
finally for the first time...
I'M DRIVING TO CAMPUS!!!!
woohoo~~~~~
n i did well (obviously, as expected..lol)

even though this is the first drive to campus, which normally would mean that since it went well, it should be more likely for me to drive to campus more often...
but~~~~
the schedule of my classes just had to change after this week n that with my schedule being changed this way, i just had to go home after 9 everyday~~~
YAH!! VERY LUCKY INDEED~~~
with this, today'll be my last time driving to campus on my own in this semester of study...

MY WISH?
i can get more chances to drive to campus~~~~
hahahaha....
may my wishes and dreams come true~~~~~

KEEP SMILING~~~~
^-^v

late review~~

ok, so i didn't manage to do a review of year 2009 when 2010 is arriving...
but glad that i celebrate chinese new year too...
hahaha...

so!!!
here's my review of 2009 n the year of ox...

in this past year, a LOT has happened...

i lost a kin, but i gained a lesson..
i'm rejected by a uni, but i gained an experience...

i made a decision, an important, deciding decision...

i started my university life as an undergraduate...
i learnt a lot of new things...

i ended up staying in tpi...
but now, i have the chance to play piano, to drive a car, to watch taiwanese films through cable tv...

now, i have a laptop, i can go online everyday...

i lose somethings, but i gained several others..
i'm not sure whether i'll regret the things i lost, but i'm sure i'm happy with what i can do right now...

NOW!!

MY NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

1. piano practice must be an everyday habit

2. write at least 3 stories before the year 2011

3. EARN LOTS OF MONEY (money's essential people, admit it!! ^-^)
4. revive this blog!!

that's my new year resolution for now...
i'll add them when i think of some others....

ciao!