I used to had this habit of making annual kaleidoscope which kinda summarise a year, but I changed it last year with an annual review inspired by David Ly Khim (davidlykhim.com). Well this year, I'm gonna make some modifications. I'm gonna write my own style. A review of 2016, introspective one, but kinda summarise things up too, and I'm gonna add one section about my next goals (or just call it resolution. Or plans.)
This one is gonna be a long post.
But waaay shorter than last year review.
(Brace myself.)
Let's get started!
Looking back and reading my 2015 review gives me chills. I said back then "2015 was a big thing" and it really was. But I guess it keeps getting bigger that 2016 was huuuge. For me. David said something about pointing out differences by zooming in and zooming out our life, and when I see the bigger picture, I truly have changed. Well, changes are everywhere anyway, right?
2015 is big and a long journey.
2016 is even bigger, huge, and a smooth journey. The highlight of 2016 is me getting engaged! Yeay!!! And he, is the one thing I value very much for making me into this me right now :)
1. On self improvement.
2016 was actually boring, if I didn't have the big thing happening: my love life going the right direction. I didn't do much outside office, because, you know, works. I came to cherish my college life so much since I realise that was the only time I had so much spare time to improve myself. Real improvement for me, not for any company's sake. Working is just like school all over again. Monday to Friday. Morning to noon. I had no time to go to bank, no time to join any kind of community (I used to get German lesson twice a week), no time for liqo either. What made it harder was that I lived far from campus area, far from anywhere actually. I didn't develop any significant skills last year, I didn't gain more on how to add value to myself, while I should've done it. What went well is I did maintain my weekly exercise though, for the first two quarters. We did zumba after office hours, yoga every Saturday morning, and swimming afterwards.
So, for self improvement, I'm a little bit disappointed with myself for not giving more time for "me". Should have done better than that.
2. On love.
Well, I, improved a lot on this. I learned to behave in meeting his family, in my own big family, I compromised, I learned to be patient, I... well, pretty much I change to be a better me, for me, and for everyone around me.
He proposed, he met my family, I met his, mine met his (which was also my best birthday gift ever, since it's perfectly on 11th of July), we got engaged, it happened so fast and smooth as if the universe conspired and that kinda convinced me that every easiness I got was the sign that this is the fate. It's meant to be.
Even though it's not the way I predicted before, the good news is that my love life going in the right direction. I used to think I might get married at 25 or so, but I have been destined to tie the knot at 23. So be it.
Also, in 2015, I learned something called the love languages. Thought it was easy to adjust for the one you love. For example, your significant other's love language is text, so you show your love in sweet poems, in delicate words, in written morning hello, in supportive quotes, etcetera. But in 2016, I learned what if his/her love language is totally out of your comfort zone? What if you can't write such sweet things? What if you're incapable of doing what s/he desires? What if your love language is totally different than yours?
You adjust.
So, for love, I did learn a lot.
I did change a lot.
But at the same time I didn't change at all.
I believe we are who we are, in any relationship, it's just us repeating our style but with different person.
And I am grateful I have been with the one who makes me more.......me.
:D
3. On career and education choices.
I am a firm believer that women should be able to balance the three important things in life: marriage, career, and education. And I, have been very lucky to experience all this (because you know, a lot of people die young before getting to the phases).
I chose to do this and that because of many reasons. One of my big choice last year was my choice of resigning. I said different things to different people, depend on the context. But to be honest, I am a kind of person who thinks deeply and makes decisions carefully. If I had come to one point, it must have been gone through a lot of considerations. So, yeah, it was based on many reasons not just one.
One, I was lost. No direction. Maybe I was just bored, maybe I was overloaded, maybe I needed guidance and mentoring, maybe this and that. Bottom line is, I was lost. Or, at least I felt like I was lost.
Two, I couldn't be working under the same roof with him. It was still at the early stage for our relationship, but whether it's going good or not, I already knew I wouldn't want to be in the same office with him. So yes, I had to get out.
Three, I am on my way pursuing my grad school. I had planned this since 2015, thought I could make it while working, but turned out I couldn't. I had no time to do all the necessary documents, to write the essays, to ask for the reference letters, to take the IELTS test, etcetera.
So, for career and education, I'm still on my way figuring them out. That's enough said.
4. On habits.
I quit doing Path. Mainly because I had poor connection, but I also came to a point where I read this advice of not sharing anything you have for your own sake, and I'm glad I quit Path. I still do posting something sometimes on Instagram, but I minimise posting anything with my face, unless it's me with other friends. I came to a point where I read this article about how it can really lead to bad things. And because I like writing. I find it's soothing. I am the kind of person who saves the story until finding the match picture to come along. It's the story that attracts me. I am textual person. It's the worda that matter to me.
I'm on my way of healthier lifestyle. Drink ridiculously big amount of water. Eat ridiculously big amount of fruits. Exercise daily. That's the big 3.
I missed cycling so much. I have been replacing it with walking and jogging and swimming but nothing feels better than breathing the fresh air, your legs hurt after a few miles, the impulsive stops every once in a while, the sweat running down your face your hijab and shirt got all wet 😩
So, for life habbits, I'm pretty much satisfied with current condition, though I missed some of ols habits and determined to have them back anytime soon.
5. On family and friends.
I kept forgetting my resolution on keeping each other in contact. There's always me at the end of the year regretting on how I should've spent more time with the loved ones.
I barely made time for my old friends. There were works and the engagement preps and the grad school preps. For the first two quarters I remembered I had time with my college friends, NYE to Solo, one time Agung visited Jogja and we had pretty decent dinner at Holycow, also made some time to Bandung for Arjun's wedding with KKN friends (he's getting his baby!). I remember I talked with Farhan at the time we were in Bandung, how I was proposed to marriage, how after this we're all on our own because all of our friends get married and move out of town, how we're gonna miss us. Then we came home and two days later he made a poem titled "Bandung Dua Hari Lalu" which was beautiful ♥
Time went by and I spent most of my time with my office mates, who are also fun! I had Karimun Jawa twice! Hahahahaha I remember how I craved for Karjaw when I was in college and last year I got two! Allah is The Greatest. The first time was with my fellas. The second time was with Gotix team and we got free diving eheheheheee. That was my first time and I enjoyed it much.
Last trip with friends was Bromo. Kind of an impromptu trip, but we made it finally. I decided to join since I thought this was my last time spending time with my friends being single.
Should have done more travels.
I should do next year.
(Got the traveling partner already)
The big family trip was to Balikpapan last year. My father is currently working there and we visited him after several months he's there. He goes home every week, but still. It was a great journey since that was my first time stepping my foot in Borneo. The difference surely was the green area. A lot more green there. Also the higher price, mainly for foods. And the seafood was also great! Gonna come back there definitely.
I also decided to come home after resigning and spent more time with my family, since I truly realise this was my last seconds with them being single. I already missed so many parts of my siblings' growth and I regret it. The only thing I regret in life is that I didn't give enough time for beloved ones. So last year I was determined to make up my mistakes and I did come home.
6. On life.
Everything led me to think that I did so many mistakes in the past and I told him this. I thank Allah for giving me him as my partner, I finally made peace with my past. I figured out that everything ahead of us is better than everything we left behind. Everything I have been through is my lesson not to make the same mistake.
7. On to the future.
So, 2017.
Last year I made so many vague, immeasurable goals. Then I remembered I have always written my specific goals since 2011 and I'm gonna do it again now.
All of the things in check list must have been checked by 31st December:
I will get married
I will get through a lot of test (and nail it!)
I will fix our home in Cileungsi
I will buy a bicycle, well, two for us
I will join liqo routinely
Well, I guess I still need "vague" goals to do it daily:
I will keep in touch with family and friend (text and call daily)
I will keep the daily exercise
I will do 365 writing challenge
I will keep drinking 2-3 liters water a day
(That list can stil be updated :p)
Originally posted here: blogspot/2017/01/2016-in-review.html
Read my 2015 review here:
blogspot/2016/03/2015-review.html?m=0
