12 Hours to 2017

Dear reader,

I suppose 2016 for me, is one of those years that I will cherish forever. The hard work from previous years finally paid off. And yes, every bits of hard work will pay off at the end. I'm still a believer in that to this day. So here's a quick timeline and some of the highlights of my year:

January:
-Finished an interior design project for girls' bedroom.
-Got a new clients for interior design projects as a freelance designer.
-Got the honor and opportunity to be a presenter for a classical recital at a concert hall, before a crowd of around 700, presenting the event in Dutch.
-Went on historical tour around Surabaya with my Dutch class students, being mesmerized with Surabaya's colonial buildings and its history.
-Applied to UCL.

February:
-Finished custom chairs I designed for a family member and sent them to their town.
-Finished an interior design for an education institution.
-Back on upper brace.
-Got accepted at UCL.

March:
-Super hectic interior design project through the whole month.
-Went to check furniture that I have designed at the craftsmen.

April:
-Got 2 new baby boy nephews!
-Got invited for a free 2 weeks Dutch course in Jakarta by the director himself.
-Met a my high school desk mate coincidentally.

May:
-Disney and cartoon themed concert as a violinist with an orchestra.
-Still working on the interior design project.

June:
-Another Concert.
-Furniture delivered
-Met friends for iftars.

July:
-Ice skating after 14/15 years.
-Designed another interior design project.
-Ied in Jakarta.
-Went to Jakarta for Scholarship interview.

August:
-Got a scholarship!
-Did a Dutch course in Jakarta for two weeks
-Living like a Jakartan for about 3 weeks, KRL, gojek, etc
-Back to Surabaya, ended my Dutch class, packed my stuff.
-Got an award from the mayor for having voluteered at the language house for 1 year.
-Applied for UK visa
-Back in Jakarta

September:
-Granted UK Student Visa.
-Meet larger family that I didn't know existed. Gathered around family from both mother and father's side.
-Depart to UK.
-Orientation Week.

October:
-Starts school as an MA student!
-Went looking for artifacts at the Thames' bank

November:
-Knitted a shawl (after a long hiatus) for my friend's birthday
-Met an old friend I haven't seen in 13 years!

December:
-Winter concert with string orchestra.
-Went to york for 4 days
-Went ice skating at the Natural History museum ice rink
-NYE in London!

So overall I would divide the year in three parts:

Part 1: Throughout early 2016 I was working on interior design projects as a freelance interior designer. I worked on an education institution, offices, cafe/restaurant, children bedroom, private residences, kitchen sets etc. I have also worked on the furniture that I have designed and also worked for projects for my Dutch class.
Part 2: Around July to September. This was probably the most hectic part of the year. For this part I went back and forth Surabaya-Jakarta. I had an interview at the end of July, a Dutch course at the start of August, made new friends. I stayed in Jakarta, and lived like a Jakartan. I rented a room in Tebet, commuted like a local. After I finished the course, I wanted to apply my student visa from Surabaya and was hoping that I'd depart from Surabaya to the UK. So I went back home to Surabaya. However there was a problem with the system which then requires me to apply for visa from Jakarta, so the next day I packed up all my thing to get to Jakarta and the UK. I did not expect to leave home that soon, but well I was excited so... yeah. I stayed for around 2-3 more weeks in Jakarta until I was ready for the UK. In the meantime I spent a lot of time with my families, going to Bandung and basically just having a great quality time.
Part 3: September the 17th. I still remember it clearly as I was floating above the clouds, and I realized that these clouds are different from what I am used to seeing. It was all clouds (London the grey!), no gaps and as the flight attendant announced that we have arrived in London, I just couldn't believe it. Because I don't know, I felt that ever since I left Belgium, I have craved to get back to Europe, always. Whenever I'm in Europe, I feel at home. And the rest is exploring London, getting to school, meeting new people, made new friends, learned much! Things that I will probably write in another post.

I am so grateful for all the things that have happened 2016. I feel like one by one, my dreams are starting to come true and I am very very happy and blessed! God is just too good. Never stop working towards your dreams and the things you love, little did you know a bunch of bonuses come along with it. I am so excited of what 2017 will bring and I hope so are you. I hope us all an amazing year ahead. Happy New Year 2017!

Cheers,
Yasmin


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TOEFL IBT Note Taking Tips

Image
Are you new to TOEFL IBT? To give you just a very short introduction, you'll be challenged to read, listen, speak and write. What’s the difference with other TOEFL tests or IELTS? The most significant difference of TOEFL IBT with other tests would be that it is done online, your speaking will be recorded in an amount of time and the test requires you to take notes. Well here’s the thing. Your note taking skills will be very important and will pretty much be your savior. Your notes will not be graded, but it is by creating an effective one, that will help you not only answering the questions but moreover it will help you understand your way of thinking. I am writing these tips based on personal experience and they seem to be quite effective (at least for me). I hope these tips will help you as much as it has helped me. The note taking tips that I’ll write about is for listening, speaking and writing. While taking notes, you will likely be doing it while reading and listening,
Read more

Skin journey: How I cured my skin. I went French!

Dear readers, Ever since I moved to the UK I realize that my makeup consumption has increased quite drastically. Trust me I did wear makeup, but just as simple as setting powder and some BB cream if I am in the mood. Heavy make-up special occasions only. But this past year I have been using makeup pretty much everyday. BB cream, sometimes foundation, concealer, not to forget I also use a primer underneath, you name it. My skin type is basically sensitive and acne-prone. So if any product does not work on my skin, just wait a few days and zits will start to come. I knew that. I was just stubborn. You see like many of you, I see makeup as fun. Who doesn't like looking 'better' right? But from the accumulation of makeup I have worn over the past few months, I have successfully grown and harvested myself an amount of zits and oh the bonus, acne scars! It sounds disgusting, I know. Apologies. For all of you having had acne, yes, yes. It is frustrating! It is painful and c
Read more

Living with Braces and Retainers (Wire/Hawley vs Clear/Essix)

How much of you has gotten braces and retainers? Yep some of us have been through it all. May it be for health reasons or for the sake to get that perfect smile. Whether you're still wearing it, going through the retainer phase, let's agree that those years are just about discipline! The discipline of actually cleaning your teeth in a way you kind of never did before (not saying that you never clean your teeth before, omg that would just sound bad, why am I even writing this? lol never mind, ignore the voice in my head babbling. So, I meant cleaning in a good way, seriously!), you get used of more that just one tool to clean your teeth, that mental preparation of facing the facts that some of your teeth must be taken out, monthly visits to the dentist (my dentist is a living witness of me growing up), wearing retainers everyday, cleaning them, put it in the case and try not to lose it honestly. So well, I am going to share you bits of my story. I had had braces for 6 years
Read more