#Travel: Catalonia, Barcelona, and Everything in Between

Just few minutes before landing on El Prat International Airport, we flew over the coastline of Barcelona and immediately I said, "Now I know how love at the first sight feels like."

I'm in love with Barcelona, with Catalonia, with Spain.
I'm in love with their warmth and breeze.
I'm in love with the the people I love, with the ones who stay.
I guess, I'm just in love all over again. 

En route to Catalonia

I remember you sent me a postcard from Montserrat almost a year and half ago. I didn't manage to reply, I never had a time to visit Spain, although I really wanted to. 

But I was thinking about you while I was in Bratislava last year, about the what ifs, about the possibilities.

Life never ceases to surprise me. At least that's what I learned after those sleepless nights.

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Bought the tickets to Barcelona, finally.

I'll see your smile in La Rambla next week, take me to the Carretera de les Aigües.

And we will be watching the sunset in Montserrat.

Love,

F

My Master's Journey in Germany

So I haven't talked much about my master's thesis that has taken me approx. 7,5 months to finish. It was quite overdue, due to several shortcomings happened along the way. Well, might say it was probably normal compared to my bachelor's research which took 10 months to complete (but it turns out to be my first publication, thanks Ibu Endah :')). I think if I were asked what would be the most important thing in taking higher education, I wouldn't say it's a hard work that play a major role but I'd rather say it's a persistence that keeps me going.

Let's put aside any motivational phrases here, for we want to be more realistic. We all live in different circumstances in which no one knows what will happen. So generalizing that everyone will experience the same things would be invalid (and putting Instagram-worthy phrases will be then, lame). That's why I said the most important thing is to be persistent. Persistent to achieve the goals you've set before in whatever condition. That's it.

Since I'm majoring in resource management, my master's thesis was more about (drum rolls) economic analysis. For someone whose previous educational background is focused on natural science, I found myself quite inferior in the field. Yes, I have several professional experiences in resource management, but it couldn't stop me from feeling dumb if I had to argue with my team (supervisor and colleagues) - most of whom had resource economics background.

The fact that I had to take one extra semester to compensate my 6-months leave that I took to do my internship last year, has become a little pressure. Apparently, taking the remaining courses, doing the master's thesis, and going through a process for a job position at the same time was more challenging than ever. Not to exclude a personal-emotional matter happened some time ago. But again I'd say it's persistence that keeps me progressing, even at slower pace, at some points.

I can still recall my first weeks being a master's student, having an "after-class session" at Schneiders, fixing my poor German, and drooling over Indonesian foods I missed the most. I can still recall the day I left Bayern to do my six-months internship in Nordrhein-Westfalen. I can still recall the day I got a bouquet from my team in Essen on my last day with tears flowing on my cheeks, because I am forever in their debt. And I can still recall the days I had to begin my research project with a broken feeling.

Long story short, it was a tiring, remarkable journey. I will definitely devote this to those being my support system during these ups and downs. The time I can finally feel that distance doesn't matter, if the people you love are just one call away. Also the best people I found here in Germany that I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I once said that resigning from my previous job in Indonesia and pursuing one of my life goals outside my country is one of the best decisions that I will never regret in my life, regardless of twists and turns. The knowledge, the precious experiences, the pride, the bitterness that I will pass on to no one but my children. 

I would definitely say yes to anyone asking for my opinion whether or not they have to go. Of course, at their own risk. Of course, without exaggerating that living/studying/working abroad will be always lovely. 

Because in the end,

It was all worth it.

Because the dream is finally yours.

Love,


F

Letter to Daughter: To Read

Dear Jani,

I wonder if later you will ever want to know why I wrote so many letters for you and why I wanted you to read them later.

That's because I'm very selfish.

I want to give you something that will stay with you for years, for I want you to learn what has taken me years to learn.

I may not be the best teacher for you, but I want you to learn through my stories, my journey, my experiences. I want you to not do the mistakes I did but I want you to do the things I wish I have done.

I want you to go further than me, I want you to go more miles. That's why I love keeping postcards from every place I have ever been to, they're all for you.

I want to tell you stories before your bed time, about the melt-water from glaciers I tasted in Norway, about a stranger I met in Croatia, or about the most delicious Pho I have ever had in Vietnam. 

I want you to find someone, that you can talk anything with him. About the cheapest way to go travelling, about the bizarre Scandinavian music you love to listen to, about the furry bipeds in Star Wars or about why do wind turbines have only three blades. I know it sounds weird, but please, go find someone you can be weird with, find someone whose weirdness and intelligence are compatible with yours, because that would be the greatest feeling ever, because that might be the reason why I chose your father.

But Jani, above all, I want you to read. Just like what my mom has taught me. Read before you talk, read before you do, read when you feel right, read when you feel wrong. Read to find the answers.

That's why I wrote all these letters for you, for my children. I want you all to read, there you can learn.

P.S: I don't want to push you to read the books I read, but I promise to introduce you to The Little Prince. You will understand later.

Love from here,

F

A Colorful Monochrome: Greetings from Düsseldorf

This morning, I was strolling around the downtown of Düsseldorf to find an interesting thing or two. One year ago, this city was a stranger when I first came, not more than a boring monochrome trying to catch my attention. I was too busy, probably.

A year later, I found the city by the river stole my heart in a second chance.

It's colorful, it's pretty.

It's saying, 

"Welcome back, gorgeous."

I checked my phone and replied an unanswered text: "I love you too, I'm finally here again."

Greetings from Düsseldorf,

F.