Starting New

One fine day, it will be your turn. You will leave friends, lovers, and possibilities for the chance to roam the world and make deeper connections. You will defy your fear of change, hold your head high and do what you once thought was unthinkable: walk away. And it will be scary. At first. But what I hope you'll find in the end is that in leaving, you don't just find love, adventure, or freedom. More than that, you find you.

A Hong Kong Short Getaway

30th of November. The end of said month. 

Approximately 2 weeks before my departure. Trying so hard for not rolling on the floor while hyperventilating.

So here's what happened on the last few days...

I'm Okay, But I'm Not, But I'm Okay

An illustration with no actual correlation with the following texts. Thank you.

"Oh, I can't believe it's November already," The author says as she slowly dust off figurative cobwebs across her virtual space.

"My most favourite month, yet the time I'll be looking so pathetic for being older..."

".. because indeed I should've stayed 17 or at least 21 years old for the rest of my life," she mutters as she releases a big sigh.

A Studio Ghibli Exhibition Comparison: Tokyo vs Jakarta

Who doesn't love at least a Studio Ghibli film?

The magical studio from Japan has filled some portion of my childhood (and university years) not only with magical fairies, dragons, and cute, mysterious black ball creatures, but also courage and determination. 

Established in 1985 by the four finding fathers: Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, Toshio Suzuki, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, Studio Ghibli quickly found its way to the international world since the Oscars nomination and win of one of their feature-length film, Spirited Away.

I personally first introduced by the studio when I was in the fourth grade. I suddenly came across Spirited Away in a local bootleg DVD shop and decided to give a try to watch it. (I know this is so illegal, but somehow without them I wouldn't know Studio Ghibli that fast, haha!? ;_;) Long story short, I love it. Following years later, internet had grown more and more useful than it was, and I used the chance to watch some of the films online. (once again, don't try this at home, kids. It's illegal)

I fell in love particularly with some of Isao Takahata's films: Whisper of the Heart, and Only Yesterday (Check out an amazing video essay I found here. And I bought a Whisper of the Heart book on my first visit to Japan!) Anyway, I love Seiji Amasawa. :}

Their success keeps on and on, until now, in 2017, Indonesia finally held Studio Ghibli film screenings in several theatres! It is a part of a bigger event called World of Ghibli Jakarta, culminating in a mega exhibition held around August to September 2017. I was beyond lucky to be able to visit TWO different Studio Ghibli exhibitions both while in my visit to Tokyo last year, and the recent one in Jakarta.

Missing Japan

When I told people I've known and friends that I'll be back to Japan for the third time, most of them said, "Of course you will!", or "I know right?! Japan's amazing!".

And boy, how I could not to not agree with them? I love being in Japan.

Even after I went back home with fatigue all across my body due to a long, extended travel this summer, I still insist that I can't never get tired of Japan. What makes Japan so special to me, and the majority of people who were visiting?

Departing to Hogwarts

Another one (and hopefully) serving as the finale of my British Summer Days travel journal. I've been having such a wonderful times retelling some of my travel highlights for my first time ever in Great Britain.

I had the best days ever in my life to be literally super honest. :}

And now I'm crying because I can't wait for another visit. :'(

How to Successfully Cross The Abbey Road (and Other Stories)

I love how travel made you speechless, but ended up turning you into a storyteller. Out of many journey I've been through, I've came across hundreds and thousands of many forms of stories; tiny to huge. The last journey across Great Britain is no exception. Eleven days is enough to made blabs indefinitely here, and told comedy routines to my friends every time they asked me "How's London?" or "How's Edinburgh?" or "How's Liverpool?"

Today, I compile these tiny stories into possibly several posts, just because.

While in Edinburgh: Day Trip Suggestion to the City of Literature

After I spent some days observing the beauties of the pier city Liverpool, I took another train and ventured to the northern side of the Great Britain; or as known as Scotland. Taking a short trip to Scotland back then might be a little bit risky due to lack of planning and I was being unsure that we can make it there in a shorter time, but boy, I really was wrong.

I was quite surprised that Edinburgh has a lot to offer me as a nerdy, book-binger, Harry Potter freak. It now all made sense to know that Edinburgh is known as one of eleven UNESCO's cities of literature (in which all them are going directly into my bucket list :}). You should probably put Edinburgh as the city you should really visit on your first trip to the UK. Or maybe spend up to a week just for Scotland.

I Found My Haven at House of MinaLima

Since Harry Potter and The Cursed Child (a sequel of Harry Potter in which I regard as a grotesque fanfiction) theater show is ultimately sold out for the rest of this year, why not experience Harry Potter at London in another way which will cost you less?

This particular place has been in my bucket list since it was initially launched on last year, and this UK trip made me finally accomplish it in just one year span. God, I couldn't be more grateful for it.

A Very Beatle Pilgrimage: Day Trip Suggestions For Every Beatlemania at Liverpool

I could easily said that this is the umpteenth times I said somewhere across the web or in person: "You know, I love The Beatles". I am also their loyal merchandise hoarder and subscribed to every news about them (even though that sounds utterly weird as the band itself disbanded almost 50 years ago).

If you happen to be a great dedicated fan of the Fab Four, you might want to add the city where John, Paul, George, and Ringo was born: Liverpool, into your bucket list. I longed to smell the sweaty salty seawater from the pier of Albert Dock and find out where the heck does those lads found inspiration to their songs ever since as long as I remember. The day was finally came as I set my foot to Liverpool for the very first time at the beginning of this July, as a part of my Great Britain journey.

Every Bibliophile's Dream: The Ultimate Harry Potter Walking Tour at Oxford!

I used to peruse mountains of books in my spare time back then in my youth. From the incredibly enchanting JK Rowling's Harry Potter (that keeps being one of my biggest fandom that describe myself), Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, they shaped my becoming until this very second.

It was quite a surprise to know that the three following authors came from the same background as an Oxford student or scholar. Every year, millions of people are visiting the world's oldest university, from solely sightseeing purpose to actually having the chance to study there.

Plus, it's also pretty much known that some of our beloved Harry Potter scenes were shot inside some rooms and locations at University of Oxford.

For me, a visit to Oxford will never complete without the twist of literature. To satisfy my curiousity, I joined a 'Harry Potter Walking Tour' held by Footprint Tours, which is available every weekend. The tour lasts for 2 hours across plentiful locations at Oxford.

British Summer Days

The trip was a super magical, with a punch of surrealistic one.

The idea of this journey came a very long time ago, back then in my first year of university. I was committing myself to step my foot to this abundantly special country by the time after I had my graduation on last June.

When the time finally came, I couldn't help but jumping around, crossing dates, and hoping I could really fast forward and skip the whopping 17 hours on board. But man, I swear, the excruciating flight was paid off that I was seated at the right spot of the plane, so I could see the entire Central London at the perfect angle, for the first time.

Life So Far, and The Pursuit of Life

Remember the time I was nearly depressed I wrote everything off in here? Or the time I finally coped my anxiety by retreating myself from civilisation for roughly two days? Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm so relieved to say that this post will be the end of my 2017 struggle trilogy. At least for now. Sigh. Here it goes, my own version of happy ending:

I got an offer to study in London to continue my artistic endeavour. 

Read Books and Be #auuwsome: A Review on Big Bad Wolf Sale Jakarta 2017

I believe that access to books must be as easy as possible. Buying good books can be a challenge for people living in the third world country, including Indonesia. Most of the people might say that books are too expensive, or not really well distributed. Nevertheless, The Big Bad Wolf Sale Jakarta proves its worth as an oasis in the midst of our confusion for an access to worthy books.

I am so lucky to got a chance to visit the preview sale of Big Bad Wolf Sale yesterday as a blogger representation, so I can share my experience there in this space of mine. I was accompanied by several friends (because a ticket can be used for up to 2 people!) that happened to be book lovers squad. If you miss the preview sale, you can always sign up as a member of Big Bad Wolf so you can get a one VIP pass for the next year sale. Anyway, this year's sale is much bigger than last year, and there are extensive variants of new books for you to discover!

You Should Turn Off Your Social Medias For A While, Too

If I could describe March 2017 in a phrase, it would be: a trainwreck. I messed up everything. I barely did anything, whether it was for keeping me busy (e.g. freelance jobs, commission works) or even for my own personal pleasure (e.g. binge-watching TV shows, reading a pile of unread books in my library). I spent most of my time staring at blank walls while listening to random songs on Spotify. Sometimes when it was late at night, I could broke down into tears so easily. I felt empty. I felt a large void inside myself.

I even wrote this in this blog in the midst of my emptiness.

I felt everything will went even worse if I keep myself occupied by staring on my phone for hours.

One day, I decided to went on a little vacation to Sangiang Island, an island nearby Anyer Beach, without being active in social medias. The vacation will be for 2 days, hence it made me turning off my social medias for 2 days too. Turned out my decision for staying away as far as possible from social media for 2 whole days might be the best decision I ever made.

(An Updated) 15 Facts About Me

Hello bloggers, readers, and stalkers! I'm so happy to announce that I'm currently in a blissful mood to write something more in this blog. Plus, Janice tagged me in this wonderful 15 facts challenge, so let's give a try on it!

The last time I wrote facts about myself, it was probably 3 years ago when everyone suddenly tagged me in their Instagram posts to let me know that I should really write my own facts. I think it was 20 facts about me challenge. I remember posting a pencil and marker drawing of myself that didn't even resembling my face. And then, I scribbled a big "Novreica" on it, scanned it, and then posted it. The original drawing ended up being in my Starbucks tumbler that I rarely use.

Graduated and Now, What?

Have you ever been doing almost nothing for the past months and suddenly you start to question everything that ever happened in your life? I am. In this very second. I believe, and most people said, that we've all in this state once, twice, or even thrice; depending on your education status quo. I can imagine in my case after being too busy with college assignments, projects, social life, no sleep, and so on for the past three and a half years, I am faced with the void. Nothing.

I know I've been dreaming about doing nothing for some times during my college life, but heck no, not for this long. Instead of doing something better (like doing some profitable freelance work, volunteering, etc), I've been contemplating my life. I came across some points that, still, I can't pretty much solve.

Am I really doing what I love? Am I doing it right? Should I be an artist or a graphic designer? How do I start? How do I find the thing that I truly love? Why do I always expect things so high?

... And it sucks being in love in the midst of all of this. Nevermind.

South Korea in Pictures and Words

2017: Escape the Ordinary

Long time no blogging. Pardon my laziness toward this blog. I swear I'll write more in 2017, hopefully. *fingers-crossed* By the way, I wish you a super late happy new year! May this year brings you a lot of more challenges and may you achieve everything you wish for! *clanking the glasses* *fingers-crossed for the second time*

Before I start anything 2017 in this blog, I would love to reminisce a bit about what some people thought as the saddest, the most badass, the most in history with celebrities deaths: 2016. Ah, 2016. The time of struggle, yet the time I actually accomplished something. The most prominent one might probably when the time I actually graduated from my university. The whole one and a half years of struggle, poured in this blog for anyone who really cared to read.