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I woke up this morning to the fact that today would be the last day in 2011. Some say NYE is overrated but I am still excited to welcome a new year in a few hours. Plenty of things have happened in 2011 – as I have guessed in the very beginning.
Concluding from the past years in my life, I believe every single year, God (or, if you don’t believe in one, The Universe) always gives us a handful of surprises. I have learned that life has many ups and downs. Sometimes we can be very happy about it; while on other points, it will feel like it is kicking us in the ass. Nonetheless, if there is one thing I could hold on to, it would be that every single thing will be beautiful when it is at the right time and the right place.
The year began (and is ending) with a very hard time for me and my family. I had to make some decisions and tried my best to be the martyr to “save” everything, everyone that I love. I don’t know whether it would pay off or not but I am glad I had been able to do the best I could for my mother and my family. It was a quite scary time and, like it or not, it has pretty much changed the way I think and see a lot of things. I have realised that most “reality shows” (including news) are not that real; and I have learned that some people will ride on your misfortune to look good. On the other hand, I have also learned that no matter how “low” you are in your life, some people will always be there for you. :)
In 2011, I have also been asked to endorse a number of brands for a few months and I am very grateful about that. I have learned a lot from so many people, experts in the industry. So, thank you so much, Multiply, Coca-Cola, XL, and BlackBerry for asking me to board the ship and join the cruise with you guys. It has been a great, great journey!
My mid-of-year was celebrated with the second Indonesian Youth Conference. It was such a mesmerizing moment, because my dream finally came true once again. The visitors tripled from 2010 stats, and although I am no Program Director anymore, I still feel that we have made history once again.
I did get the chance to travel to Switzerland. I went to Geneva to speak on behalf of Asian youth as a panelist in “Global Youth: Leading Change” session, which became a part of the High Level Panels in 100th Session of the International Labour Conference. I shared the stage with Monique Coleman, UN Youth Champion. A few months later, thanks to Om Triawan Munaf & Euro RSCG Jakarta, I participated as a Delegate in One Young World Summit 2011 Zurich.
Another highlight would be on traveling. Before I arrived Geneva, I went to Nice for a few days on a backpacking trip. It was great – my first backpacking trip ever! :) In July, I went to Bali to attend Regional Entrepreneurship Summit, and for the first time drove a stick-shift outside Jakarta (and almost crashed a tree, oh well).
Academically, not much had happened. I had to launch a business for a class project, but it turned out that we really loved the idea so we have decided to take it beyond the assignment. With some friends, I joined business plan competitions and brought a couple of trophy back to campus, for the first time in my life. I also participated in the committee of Regional Youth Leaders Conference and BINUS International Debating Championship (I had never been a part of university events committee before).
In terms of social life, not much has changed. I am aware that I am still pretty much the same damsel. I have met a lot of new people but my closest friends remain the same. I have become more and more attached to my IYC mates, as well as my girlfriends since junior high school.
As for love life, I am glad that this year, I will be celebrating NYE with the same person. A few days before IYC, Ryan acquainted his turning point: the birth of Indonesia’s stand-up comedy community. Since then, he has secured an internship with his dream work place, Imaginary Friends Studios, joined the Stand Up Comedy Indonesia (Kompas TV) competition, and won first place. Ryan and I can’t predict the future, but I endearingly hope that we will stick together as long as we could.
I am pretty sure that my 2012 will be full of surprises as well. I already have a few plans coming up for the year, and I must say, I am tremendously excited about it.
My two-cents to face 2012 would be: Britney Spears said we have to live each day to the fullest; Bruce Lee said the first step to be immortal is to live a life worth remembering. And, yes, dreams come true, if we put much faith in them and tons of hard work to make them come true. ;)
Happy new year!
