Throwback to 2016

Ha let's see!

After enjoying six months of hiatus, I finally made appearance in this late night of the first month of 2017. Nothing really serious happened, I probably found something (productive) for me to do. Running out of topics since I just popped out to my blog, so the idea of 2016 might be good.

2016 was tough but I enjoyed it. Many things happened and I am grateful for all of it.

Too much happened in 2016 as I recalled. It was the last year of my high school days, plus the year of me getting into university. The first four months of 2016 was quite difficult, I remember. National exam was pempering you and yes, school freaked out during that time. I remember many people having emotional breakdown since we had not prepared much for National Exam (including me). But I also remember teachers giving us advise, asking us not to worry much, and telling us that they would also do their best to help us.

Then, one of the best memory I got from my class was the Pensi Days. Basically, all classes have to perform their own perfomance (for us, we choose musical drama). It was totally hectic at first, imagine how to coordinate 35 people with different kinds of personality. But that what makes me I am today. I learnt a lot at that time, on how I should trust people and how you should not let yourself do all the work (I used to be that kind of person HA). In the end, the drama came out successfully and after we watched it, we ridiculously laughed on what we did. I think that answered all our hardwork.

After all those hectic days finished, we were so happy. Running on the school yard and yelling "SCHOOL IS GODDAMN FINISHED!". Some even started the "tandatangan baju" trend. Anyone who's been in high school can actually relate to that euphoria. We were young at that time, we did not care what's beneath us and what we are going to confront next.

My class decided to throw a sleepover farewell party. It was touching moments: talking to each other, watching all over our class photos, doing "manokhata" (saying sorry and thank you for all of us), having fun like there's no tomorrow (we did drive up to 60km/h late at night), nevertheless, I think the morning of that day, I was quite sure that it was the last day of my high school days.

As the end of my high school days came, I started to worry what was I going to do next. I was accepted to a private university but I wasn't sure that was the choice I wanted. Most of my friends already finished all their university thing. I was only sure about one thing at that time: "I am going to be accepted at public university." My parents, of course, did not really agree. They wanted to send me off abroad (usual reason: it is safer abroad). But then, they agreed to it and I worked for SBMPTN.

Then the dilemma of being in science class and choosing science major creeped me. My parents, again, did not agree. They asked me to choose Accounting, which was quite a turnover for me. Lastly, I made two choices: taking IUP UGM test for Accounting major (since there was no social-based lesson test, blessed it) and SBMPTN for Architecture major at ITB.

Giving myself the two choices did not really end well. I was quite in dilemma for months, thinking how my future would be if my parents detested my major. Later on, I still did my SBMPTN but yeah, not seriously enough. I think, at that time, I was thinking of making the failure of my SBMPTN as the reason of not being an architect.

Yes, I was accepted in UGM, which was one of my best decision I made. (Not to mention that it was the effect of my father's choice: Accounting)

I cannot help but learn much there. I met many great people, inspiring people, and it motivates me for the first semester. I am happy for it and terribly grateful for this experience. I am sure I did terribly good deed in my past life to get this experience.

"University life is difficult, different from your school life," said everyone. Believe me that is true. Imagine you can only meet your family twice in a year (Even holiday during Chinese New Year is just a bonus). Departing from your high school friends and thinking that they could be in Jakarta, Bandung, even abroad. If you see from this side, it was quite depressing.

But face front, look at what are you going to have. You will be meeting new friends (though you think that your high school friends are better), but it doesn't hurt you to be friends with them. If you have a chance to live alone during university life, be grateful for that experience. It will help you a lot in future.

That's here I am, thanking God for what I have. In university, you can experience what you want to experience. You can take every chance you want to take. It depends on you. I joined two organizations and these two organizations feels like home for me. They are my family there, in Yogyakarta. Never to regret your decision. Do not wait to choose the best decision, but take a decision and turn that decision become a great one. I believe, you will be happier in this life! Good luck.

That's a glimpse of what I have earned in 2016.

Lots of Love for Oh Hae Young Again

Drama: Another Miss Oh / Oh Hae Young Again
Revised romanization: Ddo Ohhaeyoung
Hangul: 또 오해영
Director: Song Hyun-Wook
Writer: Park Hae-Young
Network: tvN
Episodes: 18
Release Date: May 2 - June 28, 2016
Runtime: Mondays & Tuesdays 23:00 

After many attention and popularity to the latest hit mega drama "Descendants of The Sun", I thought that I would take a lot of time until new good drama arrived. Heck, my intuition was wrong.

This drama tells story about woman named Oh Hae Young (Seo Hyun Jin) who suffers a lot because another woman (Jeon Hye Bin) has the same name with her. Because having same name yet they are so different in appearances, people call her Regular Oh Hae Young while the other woman is called Pretty Oh Hae Young. The problem between them arises when a man, Park Do Kyung (Eric Mun), who was dumped on his wedding day by Pretty Oh Hae Young, ruins another Oh Hae Young's wedding without knowing that she is not the Oh Hae Young he has known.

Another great rom-com drama has arrived! I am in 3-months-long-holiday and I am suffering because nothing good happens to me. I don't know if I should appreciate this moment before starting university days or not. So, I found this tvN drama and its rating is climbing high right now (broke Cheese in The Trap record), I thought I should start watching this drama and I don't regret it.

My emotion and feelings are being turned upside down because of this drama. In one minute, I find myself amused by its visual. The next minute, I find myself laughing so hard. Next minute, I can feel the pain of the characters. The emotion in this drama feels so real, thanks to great actors.

Seo Hyun Jin successfully delivers this role. Oh Hae Young is so sassy, says what she think and doesn't care what people think about her. She doesn't even hesitate to confess. Those personalities of her makes her so lovable. On the other hand, Eric Mun successfully shatters my heart into pieces and repairs it all again. I think I already fall too hard for him, like Oh Hae Young.

For another point, this drama has great side characters and all of them are so unique. Park Soo-Kyung (Yeo Ji Won) and Oh Hae Young's mother (Kim Mi Kyung) are my favorite. I heard from news that Yeo Ji Won adlibbed a lot and she is jjang! Kim Mi Kyung also should received award for being the Best Mom. She resents her daughter a lot yet deeply inside she cares so much about her.

she rules the world haha

She tried to abandon her daughter but then just regret it because she loves her so much <3. uri mama bear.

Besides them, don't forget to mention the Duckling Squad!

This drama is visually beautiful, the cinematography is great. The producer had done great job. The soundtrack are lovable too. I can't help myself but reciting "I rememberrr..." all the time. Probably I am going to miss this drama a lot when it is over.

It's so pretty, I can't help but admiring the details.

 This drama is currently airing with 13 episodes and will end at the 18th episodes. I am wishing that everything will go well for this drama until the end.

yes i fall too hard on him which, i should not. My heart aches for you like crazy.

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella Review

This is one of my old post of my last blog. I thought this was one of my favorite author so, I include this in my new blog.

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

I have been craving for Sophie Kinsella book for months. Finally, I got the opportunity to read her new book. And, Sophie Kinsella has never put my expectation down.

This is her new young adults book which I found very fresh and hilarious. I cannot stop myself from giggling and laughing. She invents the best ridiculous humour and scenes.

This book tells us about Audrey’s life, which is simply disrupted by her mental problem. By reading this book, it tells us so much about life, going down, going up, slipping down, picking up again. The choice is in our hand. Life is not going to run smooth on us. We will face problems, it might be small problem or big problem and we just have to face it. Sometimes, everything will not run as exactly as our thoughts. That is just how life works. Same as Audrey. As she pushed herself over and over -to avoid the jagged graph-, life just did not want to let her having a successful line graph. It teaches us to be patient and kindly face whatever the problem we have.

Sophie Kinsella created the best family as the family helped Audrey to recover from her disorder. Her hilarious mum, addicted to Daily Mail and always tried to create everything based on the Daily Mail. Her super clueless Dad, always had no power against her mum. Her sarcastic and smart older brother, Frank who was addicted to LOC -games-. Super cutie Felix tried to ruin mood in the family every time. Lastly, her sweet new boyfriend Linus –I mean the sweetest thing ever-. They all made me finish the book happily.

As for the plot, I do not expect anything. But I was quite curious about the backstory, how Audrey got the mental disorder and it looks like, Audrey had no intention to explain to us. So, I keep my hopes down and just guess until the end of the book.

For Sophie Kinsella’s books, I do not expect any thrilling plots or super amazing story. I just hope I can escape world for a while and have fun while reading her book. And, I truly enjoy this book.

3,5/5

Crash Into You & Dirty Little Secret by aliaZalea Review

Berada di tengah tengah kesibukkan kelas 12 SMA bener bener menguras waktu. Nyaris selama kelas dua belas ini, novel-novel tak pernah saya sentuh (kecuali pengarang-pengarang yang memang notabene sudah menjadi langganan)

Well, akhirnya libur Paskah alias long weekend kemarin saya memutuskan untuk memilih beberapa novel untuk dibaca. Pilihan saya akhirnya jatuh ke novel-novel aliaZalea, Crash Into You dan Dirty Little Secret.

Novel-novel aliaZalea ini bertema romance yang menceritakan Nadia (Crash Into You) dan Jana (Dirty Little Secret). Kedua novel ini cukup populer di antara teman-teman saya, akhirnya saya pun penasaran dan ingin menghabiskan waktu dengan membaca buku sejujurnya waktu saya banyak saya habiskan  untuk bermain game

Crash Into You menceritakan Nadia dan Kafka, teman semasa SD, bertemu lagi setelah 20 tahun tidak pernah saling bertemu. Karena masalah sewaktu di SD, Nadia sangat membenci Kafka hingga ia masih mengingat dan menyimpan dendam terhadapnya. Lain dengan Kafka, yang sudah menjadi seorang dokter spesialis Jantung, merasa senang bisa bertemu lagi dengan Nadia.

Love and hate relationship memang sangat umum di novel-novel romance, dan saya menemukannya kembali di novel Crash Into You. Novel ini menggunakan bahasa yang ringan, mudah dipahami akan tetapi pilihan katanya sangat disayangkan, seperti beberapa kali tokohnya menggunakan kata 'shit', dll. Memang, dalam hidup yang sebenarnya kata-kata seperti itu tidak bisa dihindari, akan tetapi dalam menulis, kita memiliki banyak pertimbangan dalam memilih kata. Jadi, saya tidak terlalu suka dengan pilihan kata penulis.

Alur ceritanya mengalir lancar, akan tetapi saya banyak menemukan hal yang tidak logis selama membaca novel ini. Saya tahu, Nadia menyukai postur tubuh dan wajah Kafka. Dia juga suka menghabiskan waktu dirty talk dengan Kafka. Tapi, apakah hanya dengan itu sajakah ia jatuh cinta dengan Kafka? Dan apakah hanya dengan itu saja semua dendam yang ia simpan dalam hatinya hilang dengan mudahnya?

Walaupun dengan rasa aneh kenapa Nadia dengan mudahnya bisa jatuh cinta dengan Kafka tanpa alasan lebih lanjut, kemampuan aliaZalea menuliskan chemistry Nadia dan Kafka sangat baik. Selain itu, novel ini juga memberikan kita pesan untuk jujur apa adanya dan buang semua gengsi itu jauh jauh. Jika kita lebih memilih gengsi, rasa penyesalan akan selalu ada.

Lanjut ke novel selanjutnya, Dirty Little Secret.

Dirty Little Secret membawakan tema yang berbeda dengan yang disuguhkan novel-novel pada umumnya yaitu mengenai Jana yang tidak sengaja hamil di luar nikah, tidak ingin mengaborsikan anaknya. Lain dengan pacarnya, Ben, meminta Jana untuk aborsi dengan alasan bahwa ia tidak siap untuk menjadi seorang ayah. Jana, akhirnya, memutuskan untuk lari dari Ben dan melahirkan serta membesarkan anaknya sendiri. Delapan tahun kemudian, Jana hidup sebagai single parent dengan kedua anak kembarnya, Erga dan Raka. Masalah pun mulai muncul ketika Jana tidak sengaja bertemu lagi dengan Ben.

Untuk novel aliaZalea yang satu ini, feelingnya lebih saya dapatkan. Saya menyukai tokoh yang ia ciptakan, Jana, yang lebih memilih untuk melahirkan anaknya daripada aborsi. Aborsi memang sering dilakukan oleh pasangan yang hamil di luar nikah, dengan alasan belum siap menjadi orang tua, masih muda, belum sempat menggoreskan karir yang kuat, dll. Pilihan yang dipilih Jana sangatlah sulit, apalagi mengingat orang tuanya yang menginginkan dia untuk menjadi seseorang yang membawa kehormatan ke dalam keluarganya.

Ben, tak terkecuali seorang brengsek, yang merasa belum siap menjadi seorang ayah. Terlanjur melukai hati Jana, ia akhirnya ditinggal dengan rasa penyesalan selama bertahun-tahun tanpa mengetahui bahwa ia memiliki anak. Setelah bertemu lagi dengan Jana, dan tahu kenyataan bahwa ia memiliki anak, ia dengan perlahan-lahan berubah. Mencoba untuk menebus kembali kesalahannya. Ia membuang karirnya yang sudah dibangunnya dengan susah payah di AS dan memilih untuk mendekatkan dirinya pada kedua anaknya.

Di sisi lain saya juga menyukai rasa dia sebagai Ibu yang takut jika anak-anaknya yang sudah ia besarkan sendiri selama 7 tahun lebih memilih untuk tinggal dengan Ben. Rasa insecure yang dialami Jana membuatnya untuk push Ben jauh-jauh dari dirinya. Akan tetapi setelah melihat kenyataan, tidak bisa dipungkiri bahwa anak-anaknya akan lebih bahagia jika tahu mereka memiliki ayah. Kondisi yang Jana alami merupakan kondisi yang sulit dimana ia harus memilih pilihan yang bukan menguntungkan dirinya sendiri, tetapi demi kepentingan anak anaknya.

Dengan segala hal yang dibawa aliaZalea pada beberapa bab awal, saya berakhir dengan cukup kecewa. AliaZalea tidak menjelaskan bagaimana sulitnya Jana menjadi seorang single parent, apalagi dengan fakta bahwanya anaknya kembar. Anak kembar yang dua kali lipat lebih susah diurus. Sayang sekali karena jika hal itu dibawa oleh penulis akan menjadi sesuatu yang akan left a good impression.

Memang sangat disayangkan perjuangan seorang single parent tidak begitu dijelaskan di novel ini tetapi, kehadiran dua anak kembar Jana dan Ben sangat menyentuh. Adegan dimana Ben pertama kali berkenalan dengan mereka dan mereka bermain bersama sangat menyentuh. Saya sempat bertanya-tanya kenapa Jana bisa ingin kembali lagi bersama Ben, mungkin anak-anak inilah jawabannya. Anak-anak inilah yang membuat Ben berubah dan mereka membawa kedamaian ke keluarga. Suatu pesan mendalam yang ingin disampaikan penulis dalam novel ini.

Sama seperti novel yang sebelumnya saya baca, novel ini juga menggunakan berbagai pilihan kata yang tidak saya sukai. It still lacks of some points in writing, which makes me difficult to interpret what the writer means. But overall it is okay, most of Indonesian novels are like that, it is unbearable.

Dari dua novel aliaZalea yang sudah saya baca, tema cerita yang dibawakan hampir mirip sehingga alurnya mudah sekali ditebak.

Rating:
Crash Into You : 2,5
Dirty Little Secret : 3

Reply 1988 - Best Slice of Life

I tried to overcome and forget my over working mind by finding some good drama to watch. And I was really glad that this drama just came out when I needed it. It was one of the best drama I have ever watched.

This drama started well, with comedy all around and likable characters. The storyline was well-thought and well-written. It is been ages since I was amused by amazing plot-cutting scenes and surprising scenes in the end of the episodes (since You Who Came From Stars, I think).

The year of 1988, the producer made it lively. I terribly wish I could live and see things in 1988, how can they live without any handphone or gadget? Walking around with walkman, wearing denim all over, waiting for National Singing Competition's winner in the end of the year. I think it is one of the best time to spend.

As I said before, the characters are so likable. Duk Seon, a girl with bright personality who always cheers up the mood around her surroundings. Jung Hwan, cold-looking guy which is actually very caring about his surroundings especially his family. Choi Taek, Go-player who wins a lot of competition-he lacks of common sense which makes all of his friends care so much about him. Sun Woo, mature and nice boy, who is a good son and good brother in his home. Lastly, funny Dong Ryong, he has low grades which makes him difficult to enter any kind of college.

 

Not only them which is likable, we cannot forget their families too. One of my favorite is Jung Bong and Jung Hwan's Family. Their dad always cracks stupid jokes and no one seems to laugh at his jokes (except me). Their mom, was looking angry all of the time, but it was funny that most of the family member are afraid of her. Jung Bong too, no one would guess that he is a romantist type! Although he is sort of awkward, he is so funny.

Taek's Abuji also

The actors were exceeding my expectation! There were a lot of critism towards the actors in the beginning, but as soon as the drama started, it was gone. Hye Ri rocks Duk Seon, I cannot imagine other actor played Duk Seon's role. She overcame the acting idol's stigma. I can see why the producers defending her in the beginning. I am not surprised if she is going to win many awards and get offered dramas after this drama.

She is just natural.

Good Luck watching this drama, you will not regret.

She Was Pretty, Another Second Lead Syndrome

As this show are going to put an end this wednesday, I decided to have a go in writing about what I feel about this drama.

I was totally screaming, laughing, smiling, having mental breakdown throughout the drama. Hence, one of the main reason is Choi Shin-Hyuk.

"Jackson!" *imagine the most unappropriate and weirdest face of Siwon*

At first, the main purpose of me watching this drama is Park Seo-Jun. I watched his drama with Hwang Jung-Eum and was totally in love with him. I mean, who does not like super mysterious writer. I seriously look forward to watch his charming face in the TV. Well, I got super excited about this drama and... things just do not happen as I imagine.

Instead, I fall in love with Choi Shin-Hyuk.

Choi Shin-Hyuk is potrayed by Choi Si-Won, a famous idol in the group Super Junior. I was not biased in him but after this drama, well. I was totally into him.



Choi Shin-Hyuk, I think, is the best character in the drama and is potrayed perfectly by Siwon. He has funny and outgoing personality. After he met Hye-Jin, he felt nothing is more fun than being with Hye-Jin all day long. He made fun of her, laughed together with her, took care of her. I mean, who could not fall in love with him.

"Panty, Deputy Chief Ji!" 

Shin-Hyuk is the main comedy of the drama. I mean, comedy is him. He is the reason why I laughed crazily during watching the drama. And the reason my heart broke into pieces too.

I hate having a second lead syndrome. It feels like you give your hopes up while you already know what is going to happen in the end. It hurts while watching your favourite character suffered so much.

Lastly, I am not really excited anymore to watch the last episode -my heart broke into pieces- but I hope for a happy ending for all the characters. I hope there will be some scenes of my sweetheart Shin-Hyuk. I cannot accept if he had gone away like that.