Month: November 2024

November: A Whirlwind Month

November has been super exhausting physically, mentally, and financially. Yet somehow, here we are at the end of the month, staring at the last chapter of 2024. Time moves fast, eh?

This month felt like a spending spree. I went to so many places trying new food spots, attending events, exploring. It was fun, but let’s just say my wallet has seen better days. On the bright side, some extra work came in (finally!) toward the end of November, so maybe it balances out?

November was also about trying new things. Not just fun stuff, but also stepping into situations that made me reflect and grow. I’ve learned to be more firm, clear about what I want, and what I don’t. The funny thing is, though, some things stay the same. I still like and dislike the same stuff. Consistency is comforting, I guess.

If I had to sum it up, I’d say I’m grateful. For the chaos, the calm, and everything in between.

Now, 2024 has only one month left. Bismillah, may all my plans run more smoothly, and may happiness find its way to me. I know, wanting to be happy sounds cliché. Emotions are just part of life. But hey, as a human, I’m allowed to hope that things can work out in my own way, right?

So, yeah. Catch you on my next post!

Sunday Strolls with Nguyễn and Thái

Last Sunday I left Bogor in the morning to meet up with Nguyễn and Thái, two friends from Việt Nam, at a Aneka 57 Café in Jakarta. They were visiting Indonesia and somehow, I ended up being their guide for the day. Honestly, I was a little nervous and I mean, I’m the local, so they were counting on me (and let’s just say I’m not good with directions). Also it’s been a while since I explore Jakarta.

We started our day at Masjid Istiqlal, the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia. Fun fact: we’re required to wear modest clothing there. So, if you’re wearing something short or (for women) not wearing a headscarf, the guide will lend you a robe to cover up. Anyway, we got lucky because the guide also took us around and shared some really cool stories about the mosque’s history. Definitely one of the highlights of the day!

By the time we were done, we were soooooo starving. We stopped at Aming Coffee Juanda, a cozy Indonesian café in Little India. The food was so yums, flavorful, simple, just what we needed after walking around. And the coffee’s really something!

Next stop: Kota Tua Jakarta. We took the KRL (commuter line) to get there. Hehe, I brought my Vietnamese friends on the KRL. At Kota Tua we just wandered around and soaked up the old-town vibes. The area is full of history, and walking through it felt like stepping back in time. It’s one of those places that’s perfect for a laid-back afternoon.

Finally, we hopped on the TransJakarta bus together before saying goodbye. After that, I headed back to Bogor, feeling happy with how the day turned out. It was fun exploring the city with them—they’re such great company. Now I just need to figure out where my next adventure will take me!