september ceria

1. People speaking on the phone everywhere (almost literally), especially in the bus 2. People saying "excuse me", "Please", "Thanks", "Hi There" 3. People - especially men - opening and holding the door for you 4. The cold breeze 5. Walking in the rain, and suddenly your umbrella turns upside down 6. The cloudy sky (never thought I'd say this) 7. Studying in the library til midnight without anyone to bother you 8. The smell of coffee - first thing in the morning on your way to uni 9. The tourist 10. People speaking in a language you don't know (or know but don't speak) 11. The public transportation, going out at night or even early in the morning - and feeling safe 12. Variety of food - from various places around the world 13. Seeing bits of your homeland - like a becak in a market for example posting this picture, just because the name of the bank

haven't updated anything this past month... oh well, I just realized I've been in my hometown for a month now! Jogja is as hot as always. It's getting more crowded. I have a lot of free time in my hand -- too much, honestly, because I'm starting to be blank most of the time. it's good in a way as I can see my friends - whom I haven't seen for some time - but in another way, my brain is 'degrading' already (is that even a word? does that make sense?) on a brighter side, I have a chance to eat whatever I want to if the time and money permits! :) PS: it snows in London, heavier than last year *sigh*

when you have less than 48 hours left in a city where (almost) everyone feel welcomed. it's kinda sad, really. had the last farewell dinner with everyone. came home for another dinner for another party (it's a birthday party actually). it feels weird, knowing you may not be able to come back (soon -- well, I hope I can come back for whatever purpose later in the future, but it may not be for the same purpose). this past couple years has been terrific. now that I think about it, seven years ago, I never thought I could go this far (literally and figuratively). there are some things I regret for not doing, but I believe if I work harder in the future, I will be able to do more things that I wasn't able to do this past couple years. I must thank a lot of people for helping me to go this far. I find it funny that it all started with SMS. perhaps, in the future, I must send more SMS to more people. LOL. ah well, it's Christmas eve, everyone... merry Christmas!

when you finally are going to go home (maybe for good), but the tube service may be disrupted because of a strike (that's the cheapest way to go to heathrow) and the express train to airport won't be working either (the most convenient transport to airport). am I supposed to pay for a taxi? or to sit on the bus for more than 2 hours - while changing every 20 minutes or so? damn it.

went out today, after some time not using my camera to take lovely pictures of food, I finally managed to do so. and London was so busy today because of PrideLondon march which remind me of New Year's eve. well, not entirely similar, only the way we walked towards Marble Arch and met a swarm of people coming from the opposite direction - I suppose from Trafalgar Square [and, we couldn't move unless turning the other way around - haha]. anyway, this East Street is a restaurant around Soho area, London. In its website, it says it serves "exciting and varied cuisines of East Asia" which include (to my surprise) Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan and Korea. I wonder what "East Asia" exactly means though, since to my comprehension, if looking at the menu, only those menus from Japan and Korea can be considered as East Asia of origin; while the others are Southeast Asian. but, well, it's all Asian anyway. :D and I did...

ah, i just realized. been here for a while, but i hardly wrote about my impression of london. it's summer already. weather is nice, though sometimes it's terribly hot in my attic room.  about a month ago, I eventually made up my mind to reorganize my room. as a result, now my study desk faces the window directly to allow sunlight; hence hopefully prevent me from laziness view from my window, yeah it's a sunny day when I first wrote this draft, that was my first impression on London's summer. but I must take it back as summer days are often not so different than any other days in London, be it winter, spring or fall. like today, it's now 13 degree Celsius - and don't ask me about rain or wind coz it happens almost every day. I just went back from uni.   one day, I came back from school and got on a bus. I sat with an African lady who talked on the phone since I got on, up until she got off - which took about 40 minute. but that's not an un...

some clothing brands have already started to display their spring collections - since two weeks ago. however, London hadn't become warmer since then as it suddenly got colder again these past two weeks - just after (almost) everyone I know said spring had knocked our door. but today, I went out to a flower market in Columbia Road - near Shoreditch Town Hall (20 minutes from where I live - by bus) , and voila ! the sun shines so brightly and it's only 15degree Celsius.  I love today's weather!  I've already started to feel hot with my current coat. Yea! ah well, whether it's spring already or not, I don't mind. as long as my assignments get done before due date. :) so, here's some of the picture's of today's walk in a nice weather. my favourite corner near Columbia road (brick wall not like other side of the road), filled with nice little cafe offering breakfast menu and there were two street musicians performing ...