Year in Review: ありがとう 2018

Should’ve written this earlier but I was busy watching movie so I’m typing here counting down to the 2019. This year is not a really productive year, I spent a lot of time enjoying my “normal life”, not really growing my instagram nor blog, pause when I feel tired of the social media life. Sorry if this post doesn't sound as excite as before, because idk why I just don't feel like writing this (actually). But it's an annual post so I have to do it.

1. I unlocked another travel destination: South Korea (Seoul, Incheon, Busan)
Didn't plan to visit Korea this soon, the original plan was going to Japan again but my friend suggest Korea instead. Well, challenge accepted! Anyway, it's not a good idea to visit on summer :) It's freakin' HOT!! Overall it's fun, food are good (super good actually), shopping heaven, I knew I'm gonna miss the food. And shopping. And the vibe. Wait, is it everything?

2. Visited a lot of Instaworthy and nice places
A lot of new cute cafes and places popped out this year. Most people go somewhere for the sake of taking nice and instagrammable photos. I try to visit those places and share them to those people who haven't known. Get it? lol It's for my personal satisfaction as well, because I do love cute stuff/ places. You can check them on my instagram or the blogposts I wrote here.

3. Went to Pulau Ayer with some bloggers/ influencers
This one is also my favorite moment of 2018, I was invited to join some blogger and influencers trip to Pulau Ayer, we did a lot of fun activities, and I got close with 2 crocodiles (lol)- blogger fellas. You can read the post here.

4. (Finally) bought an iPhone
Long story short, after dropped my phone last year and changed the lcd screen, I SMASHED it again when I was in Busan. Yes, literally smashed- I dropped it in the toilet, haha. I was so speechless when I saw the lcd condition :) I have been wanting iphone for awhile, didn't buy it before because the budget was not enough. This year I thought I could afford it, so yeah.... finally bought iphone 8+, it did improved my photos/ content quality, I will just call it an investment.

5. Learning and upgrading my photo editing skill
Thanks to the new phone, I finally have a lot of free space to install editing applications! I tried a lot of apps and trying to share it to my followers on instastories. You can check it on my profile if you want to know ;) >> @japobs

6. Sharing is caring
Sharing my editing skill and cute places I found with my readers/ followers on Instagram. Some people asked me why I want to share all those "secrets" with them. I do blogging to share something useful, so why I have to keep them all for myself? What's the point then...? I really wish my contents somehow can be helpful/ inspire others to do something (positive). I know I'm far from a nice content creator, but I'm still trying.

7. I... somehow got into a relationship (ha!)
This one is nothing I expected about in 2018. I've never had one since I was born, lol (personal decision). This time, I don't know how but it just clicked, so.... let it be.

8. This is annoying, but my PMS symptom is: CRYING!!
Seriously, I was known as the most annoying b*tch when I'm on my PMS period, the super moody girl and just being mad at everyone, lol. Now, triggered with simple matter and I will cry my eyes out. Such a drama.

9. My outfits are getting simpler and simpler and simpler
......to the point it just look lazy. To the point I just looked like didn't take a bath. Haha. Sometimes I still wear proper outfit tho, when I have the mood to dress up. What kind of "fashion blogger", hhh. Still, I just want to be real and show outfits I wear because I love doing it. I'm gonna show more efforts in 2019, I wish.

10. Joined the gym and lost around 8kgs
....just to gain another 5kgs in the end of 2018, hahaha. I finally joined the gym because we got discount from the company. I also tried to eat cleaner than before, avoiding junk food and snacking for a while and it really worked. Then I went to Korea (well, it's part of my diet motivation), ate like a monster there, then I couldn't go back to my "healthy lifestyle" after that, hahaha. I still go to the gym tho, just not as intense as before. Sooo, in 2019, I really want to try again!

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That's all, dreamers! Wish you a better year ahead (me too!) Jaa ne, see you next year :))

Year in Review: ありがとう 2017

It's the time of the year again! Always write this post on the last day of each year, very last minute to be exact. I don't really want to say this year is the best because I somehow feel like I achieve less this year. But some BEST THINGS did happen to me and I am very, very grateful. Well, there is no artwork for this year's post, just 2017 best nine of my Instagram posts. Overall, you can see the best things happened to me in 2017 from that one pic: solo trip to my dream country, Japan. Went crazy by dying my whole hair into purple-pink and finally went back to dark hair. Now, let's talk more about those highlights below!

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1. Solo Trip to Japan

Hands down to my biggest and best decision I've ever made: solo traveling to Japan after those years wishing, waiting, and crying. I'm not from a rich family and going to Japan seemed so impossible to me. I really thankful that I have this stubborn heart when I want something. I didn't want to give up to the circumstance and did nothing nor depending on others because I realized nobody can make my dreams come true but me. People asked me why I'm so brave to go to Japan all by myself, and I actually could easily answer that. I always love Japan so much and when I can make it happen, why do I have to wait for others to accompany me? I didn't want to wait for other people and ended up postponing my chance. Because at that one point, I suddenly realized that my timing to visit Japan had finally come. There are a lot of things that made me think like that, believe it or not. In the end, it was the best decision I've ever made. I could enjoy Japan to the fullest because I went there alone. I could have some time to think a lot, about what I want, and that maybe my crazy dreams are not really crazy after all. And finally, my goal to write about Japan travel in this blog can be achieved. Although still have so many posts queuing, hahaha. Let's wish for more trips coming!

2. Senpai Noticed Me (lol)

....well, I actually thinking to write this point or not, hahaha. Maybe I'm being weird and extra and anything you call it, but it's okay to tell you what I actually feel, right? I've been following some people since forever because we all have similarities- love Japan. I'm not the type of person who begging for "follow back" so I was so excited to be finally getting noticed by them and they followed me back. Maybe sounds exaggerating but it actually means a lot. First, @rainbowholic followed me just before my trip to Japan. I still remembered how I freaked out at the train station (lol) and messaged her to thank her (omg what did I do...) I was thinking whether to ask her to meet up or not, but sadly it turned out we couldn't meet there because her parent also went to Japan at the same time. Then, after my trip, my photos were featured on @japanloverme and @gogirlmagz, and suddenly @jessyamada followed me. LIKE WHAT?! She said she saw my Japan photos and love it. Cryyy. She is one of my favorite blogger who loves Japan too. And she loves One Piece also. Lastly, I also just realized @cominica also followed me back months ago (not that long actually). They're all Japan lover bloggers who I look up to tho :")

3. Write More Travel Posts, Especially JAPAN

Yes, I finally write some Japan travel posts: tips and tricks, preparation, guide, things to do etc. which you can check from this complete list. You can also check my others travel posts by clicking this category: travel. While writing these travel posts, I realized how much I love doing it. I also wrote some on past years, but I can say I improved a lot this year. Rather than just blabbering about how I feel about certain places, I also tell you how to get there, what to do there, and some useful info about those places now. 

4. Being A Talent for All Things Hair Indonesia

I got a DM from them, asked me to join a casting for All Things Hair Indonesia. I was always so afraid of this kind of things and usually just answered "no", but not this time. I decided to give it a try although I felt uncomfortable to step out of my comfort zone. I'm afraid to be in front of camera because I have so many insecurities T.T But I also want to make myself proud so I just said "yes". Who knows, I even passed the casting and chosen as one of the talent............ Ha! I think the video haven't published yet tho. Ah, one of the reason I went back to dark hair is for this shoot. They wanted me to dyed my hair into black/brown color and after gave it some thoughts, I decided to dye it. I can always dye my hair into pink or any color anytime but I can't always get that kind of opportunity, right? Good job, self :))

5. My Style Transformation

Hmm, not that much but I did change a lot this year, personal style wise. As I said on one of my Instagram post, my styling game has changed. I used to be hold back and wear just enough because I was afraid it'd be too much. I could actually give my 100% but instead I decided just give 80-90% I love head thingy like hats, bandana, headband but didn't really wear it because people would give me the weird look. Actually, (again) thanks to my Japan trip this year, I saw a lot of stylish people in Tokyo (especially Harajuku area) and gained my confidence. It's okay to be different. I am better in expressing myself through my personal style now. Also, people (and fellow bloggers) told me that my style is unique, quirky, one of a kind, or just "so-you", and I'm really thankful for that.

6. More Self-Love

Oh, well. I did the same terrible thing last year, won't call it a mistake tho. Or is it? When I got a chance to get over it, why I was faced to the same things? I was afraid and defensive at the beginning, but sometimes going with the flow could really kill you, you know hahaha. Thankfully, I've had this feeling about everything that happened so it didn't really surprised me after all. And it was me who decided to stop because it's not worth it at all and I was just wasting my time, and self-value. In the end, it was just my fault for being too stupid. I also started to approve myself with all the flaws. Trying to stop thinking about my insecurities and not following the "standard", and think I'm unique and it's okay to be different instead. 

7. My Blog's Growth

This year, I got more beauty event invitations, collaboration posts, product review, and some projects for #BigDreamerBlog and I really grateful for that. Looking forward for more opportunities to come next year! I also feel like this blog has improved so much from years ago and I'm so proud. I will keep writing about things I love here. 8 years since I started a blog and still counting :)

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I think that's all for this year. Tomorrow is the fresh start and I'm planning to be more productive and "crazy" in 2018 so I can unlock another dreams. Also be more positive and can calm my chaos mind about somethings I keep thinking these days. Jaa, Happy New Year!!!

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Year in Review: ありがとう 2016

Seriously, time flies so fast! It feels like yesterday when I was writing 2015 year in review and I'm writing another one here. A lot of things happened this year, good and bad, thankfully most of them are good things tho. I've learned a lot, I've met a lot of new people, I've done something I thought I wouldn't do (or feel), I've experienced something hurtful, I've tried new things, but on top of that I'm really grateful for this year. It's like a new world for someone introvert and don't-want-to-care person like me (please, no more "bodo amat" next year). Enough of blabbering, let's just hop to the point: highlights of 2016. Go!

Learn something big and important in my life: His timing.

I know it's too soon to get into slump but I did feel so depressed because there's nothing went as I wished for. I've graduated from university but not yet get a full-time job, I was freelancing tho. I was pressured to get a "proper job" because people were asking me "Have you found a job?", "Where are you working now?", "Why haven't you got a job? You've graduated right?" blablabla. It's not like I'm not trying, I tried but it just didn't go well. The worst thing was, I started to lost faith about God. It's like I didn't get what I prayed for. I failed here and there but in the end, I surrendered to Him and decided to keep in faith, once again. I was still trying tho, visiting job fair and stuff, hahaha. Then, suddenly, my friend told me that the place he's worked for was looking for designer and I decided to submit my CV and portfolio. It worked like magic, I was called for interview and test, then got accepted on the same day. You guess what, I didn't even talk to that friend for a long time although we're always in the same school. 

Got my first full time job

Ah yeah, you just read the long-story-short above ;p I'm still working there right now. I'm thankful that my first job offers me a lot to learn and it suits my passion too. I also meet a lot of great people who are much more experienced and told me about anything I need to know. And yeah........too many things happened because of this section of my 2016 life. HAHAHA *then cry* let what happened in 2016 stays in 2016 :")

Cerita Kita Contributor

Udah pengen ikut sebenarnya dari dulu, tapi emang karna banyak alasan aja akhirnya lupa daftar dan batal ikut. Tahun ini juga udah berkali-kali buka website mau daftar tapi ada aja alasan buat akhirnya close tab and forget about it for awhile. Nggak tahu juga gimana akhirnya I decided to sign in and realized my age already pass the age limit after I hit the submit button, hahaha. I actually grateful that I realized it after I submitted the form, karna kalau nggak aku pasti nggak akan daftar. Turned out that I was chosen as one of the finalists. Yeay! I chose fashion as my interest and asked to do styling + upload flatlay photo to Instagram. I didn't really expect to win but you know......I'm one of the winner and officially became the contributor for their website! So sad that this month is the last :(

Gogirl! Apprentice
Sometimes, one thing will lead to another thing. Because I was chosen as one of the Cerita Kita contributor, I was also offered to be the apprentice for Gogirl! magazine. Gogirl! is one of the most popular magazine in Indonesia and I've read it since forever. Who knows, one day I'll be writing for them? Although it's for their website (not for the published magazine), I still got a very amazing experience! I actually kinda worried I'm not good enought at first but turned out I still continue writing for them after the 3 months period :)

What We Like Featured Blogger

You see, as long as you want to try, opportunities will come find you. I saw some of articles on their website and turned out I can easily sign up and write there (not yet become their featured blogger) so I wrote my very first article: How to Style Sukajan. I forgot the exact time but they contacted me and offered me to be their featured blogger. How can I say no? I'm writing there since then, I think it's been 8 months now. I wish I can keep on writing good articles there! Oh, I must mention that thanks to this, I met a lot of new friends who share the same passion: poke Stevie Wong and Michele. I hope I can meet another fellow featured blogger in the future ;)

Write about 160++ articles (WhatWeLike, GoGirl, Cerita Kita)

I can't even count the exact number but I think I wrote a bunch of articles this year. Outfit post, product review, event report for this blog; articles for What We Like, Go Girl, and Cerita Kita. I'm also a content creator (animator, video editor, curator, motion graphic designer, you name it hahaha) at my office so yeah, it's already part of my life now. There's time when I feel overwhelmed and all I want to do is forget everything and sleep, but I really love what I'm doing right now.

Featured on Cosmo Girl! one full page!!!

Have talked about this in this post: Dreams do come true. It's like one of my biggest satisfaction this year :))

Dyed my hair

Okay...this is one of my best; craziest; bravest decision this year: dyed my hair pink, then turquoise-purple hair later. I've wanted to dye my hair since 2013 and my mom wouldn't let me. So when I already earn my own money, let's just go for it, lol. It felt so weird at first because I was afraid it didn't suit me, plus people were staring everytime I pass. As time goes by, I became more confident with my hair color, especially with this second color ;))

First step achieving my dream: checked!
Will tell you later! xD

Solo escape to Bogor

Yes...I got even crazier this year. I do love watching movies alone or sitting at the cafe and working on stuff alone, but this is the most random impulsive thing I did: escaping to Bogor just to ride bycicle at Kebun Raya Bogor and toge goreng hunting. HAHAHA. I was just too stressed about something and met too many people continuously at that time so I need to recharge myself alone *introverts problem*. Haven't posted about it at this blog tho :( I haven't edited the video T.T Will tell you more in the future post, okay?

I'm really blessed and grateful much more than last year because I got closer to God this year altough the process was kind of hard. A few weeks ago I heard some news about one of the studio that I failed to be accepted and really really thankful that God didn't let me get what I wished for back then. I learned that we can plan, but all the decision is with Him. That's why there's saying "Do your best and let God do the rest."
I don't think I do something big this year, but there are so much little things that make my life better. Butttt......I failed to do some of my 2016 resolutions such as: Making lookbook videos or any other fashion/beauty/lifestyle related videos T.T Will make it comes true next year!!! (Maybe new year resolutions in separated post, will see). That's it. Wish you a really HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

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Year in Review: ありがとう 2015

Wazzup, dreamers! New year is coming, so as usual I'm gonna make a Year in Review post just like 2011, 2012, 2013, and last year 2014. This is the 5th year I update my blog on the last day of the year, while I started to make a year in review post on 2013. I will make sure to always make one in the future.

This year has been awesome, I gained a lot of experiences and opportunities for myself and this blog. I also met some new friends, although I'm still that socially-awkward girl who loves to spend time alone. Basically these are some highlights of 2015:

1. I passed my final trial or the so-called sidang akhir

I passed the biggest concern of my university life: Final Project; Thesis; you name it. After spent a few months, I finally made it. 

2. Stayed in Bandung around 2 months for internship

After my final project, internship is my last condition to graduate. I actually could find one in Jakarta but I wanted to have my internship in another city, which is Bandung. I want to experience new things and explore new places, that's why. Although I couldn't go to many places as I thought (like Tangkuban Perahu or Bukit Moko because I was all alone), I'm glad I could go to cute places that I can share with you. You can read them in Bandung Diary series ;)

Morning run in Bandung

Three Bears Cafe

3. Got my first paid collaboration offer for this blog. It's finally happened!

I start blogging as a hobby and addicted. Of course there are some stories behind this blog, I'll talk about it later, in one post...hopefully. Years later, I began to think about getting income from this blog, to the point I was so stressed out about many things. Thankfully, I could calm myself down and enjoy blogging again. Work hard and passion will never betray you ;)

4. Start making travel videos
Watching travel video has always been my favorite things to do. There are some things you can't show just in still images. Missed my chance to make one when I went to Jogjakarta and I regret it so much. I'm motivated to travel more next year!



5. Popcon Asia 2015

My first art event: Popcon Asia 2015. It was tiring but fun days, and I will be there next year (I wish). I plan to sell various products, from stationary to fashion items. Wish me luck!

6. Featured on CosmoGirl! September issue

I didn't see this coming x) It's my 2nd time to be featured on local magazine, hehe.

7. Being a Star Clozetter, featured on some fashion Instagram accounts

 

I'm offered to be one of the Star Clozetter and for more about my feature on fashion instagram accounts, you can check my achievements page ;)

8. Graduation

The most important moment this year: I'm officially graduated. Good bye university life! It's been tough and long journey but I don't regret anything. I found what my true passion is during those 4 years. Met some close friends, crazy sleepless nights, bunch of assignments, sweat and tears, and too many to mention.

Here are some outfits I post this year, gonna make more style post next year!

I just realized that I wore a lot of black and blue/denim this year. Chopped my bangs because without it I'm not Mei, lol. My grandma protests a lot but I'm more confident with my bangs, so gomen ne. My bangs also have been my trademark hairstyle, to be honest when I grew out my bangs, it's always because of these things: Me in the elementary school thought that girls with no bangs is pretty; I was too lazy to cut le bangs because I had to prepare for high school national exam; the last one was because (again) I was too lazy to cut it because of Final Project.

Yap, that's it! I learned to be more faithful and thankful this year. Wish you a better year ahead ;)