You'll Survive

People come and go.

How many times have you said goodbye? Lots of times, I bet. Like so many people out there, I hate goodbyes and farewells (who doesn't?).

A few weeks ago, I had to say goodbye to my boss for the past four years. It's a bit dramatic since he decided to leave quite abruptly - before his contract actually ends - and with a bit of drama-rama (and some baggage left behind!!). I was feeling lost because we are actually in the middle of reorganizing everything in the office. Mad, sad and abandoned, I felt the whole situation was kinda unfair to us the staff. Because of some dispute between the higher authorities, we were left alone - and without any guidance how to proceed with the tasks until the new boss comes.

I remember when my old boss said to me, "So this is it, kiddo. I wish you the best things in life, and I know you'll do fine." I was between hugging him and punching him since it was easy for him, the one who left, than to us, the one who'd left behind.

Not long after that, I got news from my personal trainer (PT) in gym, the one who had made me keeping up with healthy life for the past six months. He said to me that he will move to another gym - quite far from my place- to pursue a better opportunity. I was devastated since I like him and his trainings a lot. He's the one who always supported me whenever I wanted to give up. He's the one who made me realize that it's possible to change your way of life - even though you're already in your 30s and haven't done sports for a decade.

And just like that, he's gone, after transferred my training to another PT.

I hate goodbyes. I hate losing people. But here I am. With a new boss coming my way (he'll be here next week and rumors said he's worse than my previous boss, but we'll see!) and a new PT in the gym (my first session with him was yesterday and surprisingly went quite well!!)

Yes there are some adjustments to make, some things that I still miss, and some differences that are hard to take. But guess what? I survive.

Yes, people come and go. But I'll survive. We'll survive :)

33

I'm turning 33! Can't believe it that time flies really fast, especially this year. I still remember when I came to the office last year bringing the delicious cake from Secret Recipe, and visiting the Indonesian Book Fair buying lots of presents for myself :D

One of the most important decisions for me this year is to bring back the healthy lifestyle. After giving up sports during my 20s, I guess it's time for me to start doing it again. So I joined a gym in my apartment building and for the first time in my life, have a personal trainer :D

Of course I would love to lose some weights, which women in their 30s do not want to? :D But the most important thing is, I have lost so many beloved people - friends and family- for the past few years because of illnesses. Yes it's true that God knows when is the best time for us to leave this world, but that doesn't mean we don't need to live a healthy life.

I want to see my kid grows old, and I want to spend the rest of my life with my loves. And it doesn't matter if we choose running, or going to the gym, or lift heavy things, or certain kind of diet, as long as we are happy doing it, and keep on the main purpose of living a healthy life, it's all good :)

Cheers for another good year! :)

Jubilare, Bandung 23 Nov 2013

Yay or Nay?

1. Religious schools
Is it better to enroll your kids in religious schools instead of some international/universal (non religious) schools? I studied in Christian and Catholic schools all my life, and I was thinking to do something different with my son, giving him different environment. But turned out, Christian and Catholic schools are the ones that will accept students who were born in odd months like October or November (other schools suggest us to wait for another year). So I guess I will have to reconsider my options. Strong based of religions might be good, but I would also like my kid to have more diverse environment, and know many kind of people. Hmmm..dilemma, dilemma.

2. Being friends with your ex(es)
Is this something that people do because they want other people see them as the "cool ones"? Oh yeah, we hung out together last night. Me, my husband, my ex and his new girlfriend. Is it true, that you could forget everything that has happened in the past and start a new kind of relationship without any baggage left behind? From boyfriend to bestfriend, is it possible?

3. Having another kid
Yep.. this has been a dilemma for quite some time now. I have lost count of how many people asking me the sacred question "Jadi kapan nambah lagi?" Because hey, who said that having more than one kid (or, having a kid at all) is mandatory? It's a choice. But sure, lots of great things coming from having more than a child. The more, the merrier. I have known a US Professor who said to me once, "The best thing you can give your kid is a sibling". Awww...really??

4. Getting a PhD
Is PhD for everyone? I admire my mom who could still obtain a PhD in her 50s. Even me, in my 30s, doesn't have that much energy! Well, I had my master's degree and it is quite an accomplishment for me. But yeah, sometimes I was wondering am I a PhD material? I'd rather do another master's than plunge into 4 or 5 years of research. I always thought myself as a more horizontal person than a vertical. I got bored easily, I love to do many different things. But still, a dreamy cloud of PhD still hanging right there close to my head.

5. Living far from family
This is my neverending dilemma. I would really love to live in another place right now, having a whole new adventure. But to think of going away from my big, fat, chaotic family, had always made me sad. It scared me to death if I have to receive a bad news about my family when I am faraway from home. I just got back from Bangkok the other day for a conference. And I remember how bad I felt when I heard that my Dad was hospitalized when I was away. It broke my heart to think that something could happen when I was not there - although of course anything could really happen anytime. But still.

So what do you think of my dilemmas? Are there more yays than nays?