2011 and 2012

It's a new year!

Can't believe how fast time flies until it sweeps out from beneath your feet all of a sudden. 2011 was a great year for me. I got to experience a lot of new and accomplish some greats as well. 

MY 2011 HIGHLIGHTS

• January 2011, me and some friends had the chance to have some time to enjoy our holidays in the beautiful island of Bali. We were there for an amazing 4 to 5 days and had the most fabulous time. From getting lost on the way to a certain beach location and ending up at an even better one (Dreamland beach, and yes - it really is a dream) to making an early trip all the way up north through the cold and rain to do some dolphin watching on the coast of Lovina. No wonder I've heard so many foreigners who come for a quick vacay and end up spending the rest of their lives there instead. Definitely going back again with friends when I can.

one of the most beautiful beaches in existence

• February - May 2011, I landed a copywrite internship at one of the biggest global advertising agencies here in Jakarta. And despite the fact it being mandatory from my university so I could graduate, it was still a very important experience that I was lucky enough to have gotten. Since it was a big company it enabled me to see first-hand what the advertising world is really like. I gained so much knowledge of the field of work and how the industry rolls. I gained an expanded network of contacts, which is also very important in work. The internship helped me to understand what I liked and didn't like about advertising and ultimately whether or not I felt it was the right path for me to pursue. I might not think I'm cut out to work in advertising anymore but at least I can now try a different path I've always been interested in that still has everything to do with writing. And if I ever try work in Ad again I have this experience to lean back on.
• May 2011, me and my parents spent some quality time together - in Hongkong! I've actually been there once but just by transit when I was a little girl. It was a short whirlwind trip but still the best, nevertheless. I was especially pleased because besides me finally getting to "experience" Hongkong, I was happy for my parents that they got to take some time off from working so hard and enjoy their fruits of labor. Still madly jealous of Hongkongians and honestly wouldn't mind if I had to live there.
• June 2011, I got to actually watch one of my favorite football clubs play right before my eyes! Being the big football fan I am, I instantly intended on buying a ticket for Liverpool FC's Asia Tour, which unfortunately wasn't in Indonesia but luckily was in Malaysia, our neighbor country. I saw the likes of Dirk Kuyt, Lucas Leiva, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and all the other boys I adore from the club. Sadly there were some absent players from the tour for one reason or another but to be able to be in the same stadium for MY club's live game was fantastic and I will never forget it.

my boys in action against the Malaysia NT! (ignore Raul on the left... traitor)

• July 2011, I passed my final thesis trial and earned my Bachelor Degree in Communication Science. I've always had the urge to graduate as quickly as I could, so to finally be able to do it and move on to the next stage of my life was definitely one of the biggest things to happen to me in 2011. It's that feeling of tremendous accomplishment after you've worked so hard for a long time. It didn't hurt that I managed to graduate with a 3.59 GPA either.
• November 2011, me and one of my dearest and oldest friends went to Singapore and it was kind of a spontaneous trip. It was the longest trip abroad I had over the year, 6 days and it STILL wasn't enough. This year has definitely put my travel ambitions into overdrive. We had the best time and since we both wanted to really know Singapore we basically explored the whole country in that week almost doing everything you could imagine. Another country I fell in love with, for sure. Going back again when I have the chance!

the amazing Song of the Sea lights show at Sentosa, Singapore.
definitely recommended.

• December 2011, landed my first official job since graduating at a renowned english newspaper here in Jakarta. Although my current job position isn't really my number one interest (proofreading - my real interest being reporting and writing) this is without a doubt going to benefit me in the long run, no matter how long I work here. Another pro about this job is that I actually enjoy working here. How many people - especially fresh grads - can say that about their job? Not that many.

No wonder I loved 2011 so much, right? And those are just the highlights, I didn't even mention the bits and pieces that were as lovely as well.

But obviously we can't stay in the same year forever. 2012 is here whether we're ready or not. I do have the highest hopes that this year will be as amazing, if not even more than last year. But I'm on the fence about making a resolution for 2012, as the tradition dictates. I don't think "resolutions" would be the right word, I prefer the term "goals" because there are tons of things I'd like to accomplish.

2012 

1) GET ANOTHER JOB AND MORE EXPERIENCE

Since my current job is pretty flexible and on-shift, I really want to find another job to do in my free time. It has to do with writing, writing, and writing - wherever and whatever kind of writing. Gain as much experience as possible to shed my green.

2) MAINTAIN THE BLOGS

These two blogs should help me make a habit out of writing regularly so in turn my writing can get better and better. This blog has been a bit more neglected than my footy one but I promise to myself that I'll even things out. In this digital era and the industry I want to eventually be in, having a blog is practically a requirement.

3) LEARN A DIFFERENT TONGUE

I've always wanted to do this and this year I'm taking up the chance to learn French. I'd also like to learn Spanish but for now I think I can do with learning the basics on my own. French is more complicated so I think having professional help from the start would be better. English is kind of so last year, isn't it? Another foreign tongue that would be useful to know is obviously Chinese but nobody can force me to learn that maze of a language.

4) GET OUT OF HERE

By study or work, I'm making it my biggest goal to finally go abroad like I've always wished to do. I've already lined-up blueprints on how to do this in my head and looked for the best possible ways. I'm a bit doubtful but at the same time I have the utmost confidence that I will actually be able to accomplish this in 2012. I just hope the Mayans are wrong.

These might not seem much to some but they're very much key to making everything fall into place the way I want. Didn't someone famous say simplicity is everything?

Bring it, 2012!