The Journey | First Decade of 21st Century (Part I)

2009 is ending and 2010 is coming soon.

It's not only about a new Year but a new Decade of 21st century indeed.

So, what have I done so far and what's happening within the first decade of 21st century? Let's see what I still have in my memories.

Year 2000

It all started in 2000. When the new millennium arrived, I still remember the 'chaos' around the world, talking rigorously of what would happen to this world upon the new millennium. In my memory, gold and silver colours were in fashion and the world seemed to get ready to the arrival of other species from other planets (or probably it's only me watching too much TV or movies). Also, I imagined that the traffic would be up on the sky, the cars would be flying around and traffic lights hanging around the sky. Now, when I'm thinking it back, I'm sure that it's only my exaggerated imagination.

Then, for my own life, I just started my junior high school. It was my first year back then and I thought I was still being a very naive girl and looked quite nerdy with the 'Dora-style' hair, thick-glasses, and very skinny body. Perhaps, in Simpson's, I will be a kind of Milhouse's best friend.


Year 2001

I still can clearly remember what was happening in the second half year of 2001. That time, I was in the third year of junior high school and my elder sisters were taking Mandarin private course. Back then, I was totally not interested to join them, but my parents told me to try for one or two times joining the class and see what would happen. So what really happened was I always fell asleep (coz the class was held in the evening, around 7-9pm).

Then, something truly happened. It was when Meteor Garden series firstly aired in Taiwan. So my sisters managed to get the Mandarin course in a language centre and this time, I joined along (it's not that I had been interested, but I thought I wanna do some stuff for afternoon school activities). Then one day, my friend told our teacher that she had this Mandarin DVD (of course it's pirated) of Taiwanese TV Series. So, our teacher allowed me to watch it for few minutes before class ended and those few minutes had actually changed my life.

It changed my life to the extent of my interest and my skill in Mandarin. I was suddenly getting very interested of watching these TV series, and along with it, I managed to get significantly higher grades in my Mandarin course. So, from 50/60 marks that I usually got for the test, I suddenly could easily achieve 90/100 marks. Haha!

And that was lasting for one year as my dad said that he was lazy to pick me up from Mandarin course, and so was I to keep 'maintaining' the course (and now I've got some kind of regret as I'm quite deaf for Mandarin while people are increasingly using it, d-a-m-n).

Year 2002

At the end of 2001, my second elder sister came to Australia for continuing her tertiary study. While I am 7-years apart from my eldest sister, I didn't have a close relationship with her. Yet, as there were only two of us, slowly but sure, we were getting close. As the saying goes, 'If something happens (esp. bad times), the family should be united'.

Then the big flood came to my hometown.

In 2002, Jakarta, especially in Kelapa Gading where my home is located, got a big flood. It wasn't a natural disaster, in my opinion, but it's rather human's fault. While we should had been concern with the environment, people just care about building more shopping centres and the more luxury, the bigger, the better (like what they thought). The good side is, I could feel the other people's feelings when they are facing disaster. And it's really a disaster, not something that you can play around like kids having fun with rain drops.

After the big flood, while the water could reach 1-2 metres high

Year 2003

Hmm...I don't think I have a particular memory. It was my first year (followed by second year) of high school. I was getting less nerdy with contact lenses, longer hair (good bye Dora), yet still became a shorty skinny girl. At first, I couldn't believe myself wearing grey skirt, as it means that I was in the highest school level. Still, what's the difference? I was still less interesting girl and even became a sharp and mean girl (that's what I thought of my self back then).

I still remember that I could hit the boys with a very sharp ruler (as it was made from metal) and I accidentally cut his hand (slightly). I was feeling guilty but I thought if I want people to respect me, I need to be fierce as I'm only a small and weak girl.

During the second half year of 2003, I wore braces for the first time. The reason why I did that, I forgot. Probably this is one of the attempts to get my self more attractive as a girl? (as I didn't think that I'm girly enough compared to my peers). I still remember the first few days I wearing the braces. I was totally quiet, only said some necessary words and my friends said that world suddenly became peaceful (huh!).

Anyway, I'm sorry guys for not being able to post any photos for each year. It's because I lost all my files the other day when I formatted the computer, so I'd lost all of my old pics. 


Year 2004

This year could be one of the most non-significant years within my first decade of 21st century. Let's see.

I was in my second year (to final year) of high school. What I can remember is the high school life which was full of exams, assignments, pressure from teachers, etc. But, it was getting better when I started the final year. Dunno why, but I think the toughest year in high school (or junior high) is the second year. While in the final year students are forced to study very very hard to pass the national final examinations, we, as students, do not want to waste our last moments in high school (means having more fun and getting slacked).

So then, my lazy study period begun. I admitted that I had been quite slacked, fallen asleep in class, copying my friend's notes afterwards, and asked for permissions for going back home earlier (i.e.: having appointment with dentist, attending university's information day, etc).

Year 2005

While I was quite slacking, I was totally aware of the importance of the final of final examinations. I was studying hard for that and got the fruit of my efforts eventually. Becoming one of the best students in my high school was one of the greatest and proudest achievements I have got so far (but it was high school after all, now, I don't think I can ever get it anymore).

And I graduated from high school. Yeah!

It was happy and sad moment at the same time. Happy as I was finally free from the obligations of going to school (now I prefer that obligation). Sad as I had to leave my friends and I was sure that we would never be the same anymore.

Then, on 26 September 2005, I arrived in Sydney. I was excited and afraid at the same time. I was excited to be in overseas and I was afraid of facing different life in Sydney. But I promised my self that I would work hard, either in study or working, so that I can survive in Sydney.Within the first month, I successfully got a job, first-time job as a casual crew member at fast-food restaurant, Hungry Jack's.

I remember my first days, still naive and totally unconfident. It wasn't easy though, being an international student and had to work at the same time. That time, I thought I would spend my whole life in Sydney only for studying hard (so that I could get high marks, as I initially thought) and working (so that I could finance myself living in Sydney). I thought I would never get a social life like the other students.

But later on, I proved my self that I was wrong.

Year 2006

It was my first time moving out in Sydney. Because of one situation that I couldn't specifically mention here, I and my sister had to find another place to live. And we eventually managed to live in one of my sister's friend place. It was an apartment where we share the rooms just like the other international people do in Sydney.


But there was a special thing, as I had to live with a dog.

Back then, I was totally afraid with a dog. Then, my sister's friend had a small dog (Maltese kind) and he was very cute. I didn't like him at the first time as he kept barking on me and my sister. But her friend said that means the dog was actually happy seeing us ( I didn't believe it though, I thought he was a naughty and dangerous dog). Yet, we had no choice and I finally had to live in the same room with this dog. And I loved him since after.

Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, the dog had to be given to someone else. I really missed him even 'till now but I'm sure he's living very happily now.

By the way, I have another memory from 2006. In June 2006, I and my sisters, joined a 5-days tour to Hong Kong and China (Shenzhen). It was my first trip to those places and we got a chance to visit Hong Kong Disneyland that was just opened for few months.

@ Hong Kong Disneyland (while we were still quite skinny)

@ Madame Tussaud's Museum (noticed I was still wearing braces)

Year 2007

Another big flood happened in Jakarta. I didn't plan to come back to Indo during summer holiday (Dec 2006 - Feb 2007), yet, my mom told me that there was a specialist (for my certain health condition) that I might need to give a visit to. So, after having the exam of summer course, I managed to come back for 3 weeks. I still remember that time in Indo, my family looked pretty awful and messy. Then, I realised how people need to be tough when they face a disaster. Still, the good side is, I could feel my family bonding got tighter.

Unexpectedly, during 2007, I had been returning back to Indo for 3 times (i.e.: every semester holiday). It was because my second elder sister got married on December 2007.

Three sisters with our cousins

Also, during the second half-year 2007, I spent more times hanging out with friends. While previously I just studied and worked hard, I realised that I still need a social life to get my life balance. Of course, it will affect my financial balance.

But I wasn't regret it at all as I got more values than money. Like going to Snowy Mountain and tried skiing and kept falling down the hills for several times.

*to be continued*