I had a very good feeling about this summer.
When you think that it would
be the best time you’d spent, you are not actually thinking about the time, but
the moment you will cherish. The people, to be accurate. And that’s when I
knew, I am going to have my best summer.
[1]
I left my current living
place, Jatinangor, on 17th June. I moved to Jakarta because I had an
internship. My very first internship and it’s going to be fun. I officially
became an intern on Secretariat-General of People’s Consultative Assembly of
Republic Indonesia, or to be short, Sekjen MPR RI. I assigned on Protocol Division
where I helped Ibu Rika on arranging upcoming events. My first day was terrific
because I had to attend the first meeting with East Java provincial government
upon the country visit from China. As days went by, I used to attend more
meetings, prepare the materials, welcome the Ministers and several important
people in my country. I also had very humble co-workers; Mba Eci and Mba Lita.
Well, I got no same-level friends. I got experienced co-workers. I got
experiences. Funny thing, tho, when you got the chance to see live
demonstration every two days in the afternoon, as you walk to home. Twisted
story, unfortunately, the demonstration even cannot be heard when I stayed at
office. Sad.
[2]
Every summer won’t be
completed without these people, my bestfriend/slash/brothers. This summer spent
in lovely ways, three of us visit an art gallery. Then, Naadaa and I walked
around two iconic buildings of Jakarta; Masjid Istiqlal and Cathedral Church. Glad
to see this 6 years of friendship still going on and going deeper. Timmy and
Naadaa currently studies in US, and what could be much happier thing other than
get the chance to meet your unbiological brothers? Extremely happy.
 |
| 1st brother: Timmy |
 |
| 2nd brother: Naadaa |
[3]
This one is going to be the centerpoint of this summer. I
was volunteering in Jogja and Magelang for IOAA (International Olympiad of Astronomy
and Astrophysics). I assigned as the coordinator for Team Leaders’ Liaison
Officers, and also to become an LO for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, Lithuania,
Mexico, and UK. Each country has 2 team leaders, so I had 10 on my hands. Well,
this is a new thing for me to talk about astronomy that I can say, I knew
nothing. I only knew there were 9 planets on our galaxy, the sun and satelites,
the stars, the comets. Other things I learned as I got closer with each team
leaders. The biggest challenge was to speak with Kyrgyz’s leaders because they
only speak Russian. But that’s what made me close to Kazakhs and Ukraine as
well, because I definitely brought them with me to talk with Kyrgyzs. The one I
got very close was Sandor, an Oxford postgrad student, a Romanian, a gold
medalist on previous IOAA. He brought me to the roof only to stargaze and
successfully enforced me to bring him to ride the elephant on Borobudur. Silly.
Emm, team leader from China and Canada also got my eyes because they are just
wonderful, smart, humble, and funny. I remember how the leader from China
played with the LOs, took selfies between the last meeting... he’s so funny. I
miss you, Yan Dai, if only you read this blog because he even cannot open
facebook when he arrived in China. Sad. And next, Sina, an Iranian, a student
in Canada, a gold medalist from previous IOAA together with Sandor, a very
humble and shy person. The fling of Ajeng, my LO partner. Ah, he is indeed
beautiful, he even bought Ajeng sajada. Sweet. I should mention Mr. Charles
Barclay, the British man, the lovely dad, where I really enjoy to talk with.
Also, Mrs. Nurzada and Ayzhan (Kazakhs), Mr. Gediminas and Audrius (Lithuania),
Daniel and Mike (Mexico), also Aleksandra and Dzarkhyn (Kyrgyz).
Not to forget, the fabulous Liaison Officers. I couldn’t
imagine if it’s not Ajeng, Robi, Atika, Alief, Dita, Risa, Rina, Alfian, kak
Ari, Affa, Piyut, Qurro, and Yusi, I might be bored. I even found my treasure
in Ajeng, Robi, Atika, Alief upto now. I spent time to talk, send voice notes,
pictures, sarcasm, even we cried together, tho only through Whatsapp or
Instagram. I definitely love these kids!
And, the one that really catch my full attention is
Putas. Don’t get it wrong, but yes we called ourselves bitch, because we are
that kind of people who don’t care about what people said, we just go on catch
our dreams. lol. Putas consists of the LOs (team leaders and students), Medical
team, and the Anchors. Until now, we spent our time together; we celebrate
small and big things, we do gossips, we educate each other because yes, we came
from various background and that’s why we love each other, don’t we? Putassian
are David (NTU); Istiffa, Stevent, Stela, Izza, Anggi (ITB); Dhany, Katwang,
Ijal, Mela, Cio (UI), Atika (UB), Alenda (UGM), Evan (Ubaya), and Naldo and I
(Unpad). These are the persons you would not underestimate because they set
their work standard and attitude high, and they are the persons you cannot stop
when they say yes to their dreams. I can’t resist. Proud.
[4]
I continue
the summer trip to spent more days in Jogja with David, Izza, Leonard, and
Ardhy. Ardhy, who studies there, brought us to many hits places like Kebun Buah
Mangunan, Hutan Pinus Imogiri, and Taman Sari. We drove around Jogja, ate
signature foods, bought things, took photos. All I can say, Jogja will never
fail you. The best stress relieve. The most welcome city of Indonesia. Happy.
[5]
I cannot not spending summer holiday with high school
friends, so there we were. We went to Bromo, a pretty accidental trip. Together
with Fira, Naadaa, Rony, Angga, and Laras, I spent 12 hours trip to Bromo. And
Bromo was serene. My favorite part was when it still 3 in the morning and we
still on Savana, I look up to the sky and what I saw was wondrous; Southern
Sky. I remember the time of stargazing on Magelang which was not better than
this. And at that moment, I wish I had my astronomers beside me to tell me the
story and myths about stars. The longer I look up, the deeper I fall in love.
We are reaching the end of summer, yet
wishing the summer would last.
Summer, oftens, become the best time to
build good memories.
Looking back, my previous summer also
so lovable that I spent with lovely person.
I still have something to do at the end
of summer, and all I got to picturize Summer 2015 is, it is perfectly painted.
p.s. plus, there's no other season where you could have a fling,
just like summer does.
