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carpe diem

when life gives you lemon, suck it anyway.




Untuk orang-orang yang selalu ada,
terima kasih karena selalu ada, 
selalu mendoakan, 
selalu memikirkan, 
memberi perhatian dan semangat. 
sekecil apapun
maaf karena sering kali tidak bisa selalu ada
karena di masa kehidupan saat ini, dengan kesibukan yang berbagai rupa 
percakapan sekecil apapun bisa jadi sangat berharga
dan makin sadar bahwa waktu adalah uang, sangat langka tidak perlu disia-siakan. 
banyak hal penting yang bisa dipikirkan dan dibicarakan, 
hal-hal yang membangun baik karakter, pola pikir dan wawasan, kebijaksanaan. 
membentuk hidup yang bisa membawa manfaat buat orang lain dan membawa sukacita. 
senyum. 
bahwa boleh berambisi, boleh bermimpi 
tapi jangan lupa berjuang 
dan jangan sampai mimpi itu menyakiti orang lain. 
karena ada harga yang harus dibayar. 
mengajarkan bahwa menjadi ada bukan sekadar raga tapi juga jiwa,
adalah terutama
terima kasih
untuk pelajaran tentang mempergunakan waktu dengan sebaik mungkin 
supaya setiap hal yang dilakukan bisa diselesaikan dengan efektif. 
untuk beropini dengan bijak, 
jangan ragu untuk berpendapat dan mengutarakan ideologi yang kamu percayai, 
karena dengan begitu orang bisa menilai karaktermu. 
untuk melakukan segala sesuatu dengan sepenuh hati
jujur pada dan tentang diri sendiri, 
itu yang akan membentuk karaktermu dan membuat orang lain menyukaimu. 
untuk menjadi rendah hati, 
utamakan orang lain, 
tapi jangan sampai lupa sama prioritas hidup; 
kadang lebih baik jalan sendiri daripada jalan bersama tapi nggak maju kemana-mana. 
manfaatkan waktu yang ada sebaik-baiknya, 
seberguna-bergunanya, 
karena belum tentu yang kamu inginkan punya dua nyawa.
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To fulfill my promise to myself about writing regularly for the blog, here's the story of a year experiencing new life in Japan. 

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Half of 2017 and 2018 have been the greatest ups and downs of my life so far. At some point, that particular period of my life felt like another bubble which coexist with my 'normal' life but shouldn't be mixed up. There were lots of changes, trials and errors, getting to know new people then separated by distance.
It all started in early 2017 when I received an email from my university about exchange application to Kwansei Gakuin University, Nishinomiya. Though I was supposed to be in my final year that moment, I find it interesting and challenging for me to try and see how far can I go through this kind of competition. Considering that I have more or less connection to Japan after my first trip back in 2016, I feel like moving abroad is something I kinda need to escape the identity crisis I experienced at that moment. The good amount of scholarship that will be sufficient for my living cost also added more good reason to go. After a long consideration and whatnot, I ended up applying for the program and chose to take the full year program (Fall-Spring semester, which is 10 months). Great. I could keep my sanity and focus on building networking while also doing a bit of research for my undergraduate thesis, keep every single opportunity tight.
I submitted all the documents needed and waited for nothing to lose. And I was finally able to pass all the documents screening, motivation letter screening, grades, and face-to-face interview and have to be ready for the further process. I was thrilled, before the actual battle begun. April 2017 was the beginning of all the preparation process so I give it all. At the same time, misfortunate conspiracy happened a month away from my departure, that I was rejected for the scholarship with the current condition that I have paid all the pre-program administration so I couldn't step back. That was the down turn. My impulsive and ambitious decision took all the consequences even to the closest people. I have to survive and take responsibilities for what I decide. Escaping reality is never gonna be the best idea. It was just a bridge to get into another trouble and what's left is the option to hustle. So hustle it is. 

One gorgeous side of the campus
Regular view on my walk to school

Orientation week for exchange students

First month of living in Japan was though. I was filled with anxiety of making new friends and also thinking about how I ended up being a bitch for my impulsive mind. The introvert side of my dominating the whole orientation week, so I only managed to befriended with just a few both at school and at the dorm. My routines was walking to school alone, get into classes and stay silent, sleep in the library or reading once in awhile, then go home and lock myself in my bedroom. That was all for two weeks straight. I went out with some Japanese friends on weekends, the rest was just a boring life. By the end of the orientation period, I was able to make one more friend who ended up become my BFF for the whole year. One suck month saved gracefully. I started to gain confidence to get to know people and was able to engage more in class' discussion. That's when people really remember my name and listen to how am I doing that day. We had group breakfast, did stuff together, took day trips, cooked yummy foods, midnight movie marathon, while also managed to do group works in between. All the fun dorm life that I dreamt for has finally came true. 

Friends from EASE 2015, first people I hang out with in Japan

My circle grew a little bigger with these girls

My very first proper hiking to Mount Rokko

Second month went smoothly, thanks to my new BFF! While also thinking about how to get another scholarship and part-time jobs, I was able to enjoy studying so much compare to when I was home. I even got to choose a topic for my undergraduate thesis about minority group in Japan. Super fun. Decision to seize the day and enjoy every moment of it was helped, again, by the universe that I could experience the whole new study atmosphere with student from all over the world. Most classes was an eye-opening, some because of the actual material, some other because of the fruitful discussion with various perspectives. Not only at school, dinner chit-chat at the dorm was very deep and meaningful. We discussed about literally everything, even the most fundamental issue like transcendental matters. Arguments were common, but everyone of us took it easy and be cool afterwards. My miserable life was somehow getting better and better. Though I hadn't been able to control myself for some things like buying food until the third month, but I kinda get my life together. November was a little bit gloomy because it was my first autumn in my life that my feeling was kinda washed away with all the falling leaves. Homesickness started to hit me somedays, especially with Indonesian food craving. But I freaking love being a first-timer for autumn and survive the coldness. Even for me, the weather  was just perfect to walk around everywhere without sweating. I also got to experience the actual halloween, only I wasn't really in the mood to put on fancy costume like other people.

Halloween Party!
Best Christmas Eve dinner. Ever.
December! Fourth month was jolly and full of festivities. With mostly European and American surrounds me, I could feel the Christmas vibes from the beginning of the month and it was warm. Even though Japanese themselves don't particularly celebrate Christmas, people at my dorm made it feels like the real Christmas. Cakes, wines, secret Santa gifts, and many more. It was also my first time to have a proper Christmas Eve dinner and get together. One of the unforgettable moment of my life. Oh yeah, I almost forget to mention that I did celebrate Christmas in Japanese way, which was by pre-ordering KFC bucket and had it for the night after.

Japanese cooking class for school project

School Field trip to Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
Year changes. Crap! January seems like time was drained so quickly. After the whole festivities, I was bumped with the fact that some people who stayed for one semester started leaving and the dorm got empty. Winter break was coming too so some people went out for couple days. With the limited amount of money that I have, I couldn't get around Japan so much. But luckily after a couple saving months I was able to book a 3-days trip to Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go, one of my favorite destination in Japan! That winter break was the first time I experienced snow after forever and it felt sooo nice. I enjoyed every single part of the plan, forgetting all the coldness through my bones. At the end, winter break wasn't that bad because I could get out for a bit, even got to know my friends even better after the trip.

Our regular nights with regular people
Indonesian food night!
February to April was the winter semester period for all one year exchange students. We got busy with another short courses. Nothing was extraordinary since university felt so empty. However,  some good news appeared during that period to. I was so desperate that I couldn't continue my life in Japan because of cash-issue but cupid sent me love in an extraordinary form. After a long wait, I was able to get information about one scholarship that I might get the chance to accept. While preparing for winter semester, I was busy collecting informations about the scholarship also the requirements. Some people involved in that process were the actual angel who helped me despite the phone and text terrors I gave. So it was basically it.

These people made the trip even better!
How to end the semester right: go clubbing
Long story short, I was finally able to get scholarship for my second semester. It was such a relieve to study without having the burden to think about money. Some new students moved in to the dorm and it got packed again finally. I was able to get to know some new students who then became my other good friend, while also hangout with the same folks from the previous semester. Fall and Spring semester felt so different with so many changes that happened in a short time. The people, the season, dorm, and especially my own state of mind got to experience a whole new level. During the second semester I was able to take some classes which were even more useful for my research. I met some people who then became my source of information. I was also able to catch up visiting places I couldn't visit the semester before. I could see cherry blossoms in real life, even did the picnic as typical Japanese do during Spring. What was even more special, some natural disasters happened couple times during that period. Typhoon, flood, earthquake and heatwaves happened week after week closer to the end of the semester. Hence, I managed to see all the good and bad of life so I should be grateful for everything.

Our favorite Sensei!
Casual drinking night with Mabuchi Sensei (the guy on the right)
Changes and encounters have changed me then. Ten months was not too long, but long enough for me to create a different life pattern than the one I had at home. Special occasions every month were celebrated not in the way I used to do it, but that was a pleasant experience for sure. A lot of people come and go, some I keep in touch with, some acquaintances I keep the networking, the rest was just people I'm grateful to know. Every single experiences and knowledges gave even the littlest perspective and really improve my arguments. It makes me learn how to be less reactive, to think more before I actually say words. Even in the social life among Japanese in the neighborhood, I gained a lot of insights that are useful for my character building. I might be missing another year of university, but I obviously gained way more than what have lost.

My regular running view


Months and months after, I still miss my exchange life. I would say it there was more laughters even if tears drop in between those laughters. I miss living few steps away from my friend, I miss the beautiful library with comfy chair to sleep, I miss having lunch box by the university lawn, I miss late-night shenanigans and train catch-ups, I miss my usual afternoon run by the riverbanks, I miss Timmy the Turtle, I miss all of it. Japan was, is and always be in my heart.
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Kala itu, delapan tahun lalu, tujuh gadis berseragam putih biru duduk di depan ruang kelas mereka, bersantai sembari menunggu jam pelajaran tambahan untuk persiapan Ujian Nasional Sekolah Menengah Pertama dimulai. Salah satu dari mereka berujar, "Eh, kita kan bertujuh, gimana kalau kita kasih nama 'semes' untuk gang kita, mirip sama nama boyband yang lagi naik daun". Pertemanan yang akhirnya menyatukan enam orang Muslim, termasuk satu orang laki-laki yang kemudian bergabung dalam kelompok, dan dua orang Kristen, termasuk aku.
Lahir dari sebuah keluarga Kristen yang taat tidak lantas membatasiku berteman dengan teman-teman berkeyakinan lain. Orang tuaku bahkan mendorong aku masuk ke sekolah negeri, agar aku punya kesempatan untuk memahami dunia yang sangat beragam. Sayangnya, gejala gegar budaya di awal tahun ajaran mendorong aku untuk hanya berteman dengan orang-orang yang aku kenal dari kelompok persekutuan doa Kristen di sekolah. Aku tidak sama sekali antipati, namun sering kali menolak ajakan untuk sekadar berkumpul di kafe sepulang sekolah.
Meski lambat laun aku mulai bisa beradaptasi dan bersahabat dengan beberapa teman Muslim, tetap aneh rasanya ketika kami kemudian sering berkumpul pada bulan Ramadhan untuk mengikuti acara buka bersama, ketika aku bahkan sama sekali tidak berpuasa. Teman-teman tetap mengundangku datang, "anggap saja ajang reuni" kata mereka. Satu hal yang menarik perhatianku, mereka ternyata tidak pernah sekalipun mengucapkan 'Selamat Natal' atau selamat-selamat lain saat aku merayakan hari raya keagamaanku. Aku tersinggung. Apalagi beberapa saat kemudian muncul isu pelarangan mengucapkan 'Selamat Natal' oleh salah satu lembaga Muslim. Hal itu tanpa sadar memengaruhiku untuk semakin mengurangi intensitas untuk bergaul dengan teman-teman Muslim di sekolah.
Sampai pada akhirnya di kelas sembilan, aku terpilih sebagai anggota panitia acara kelulusan. Di situlah aku yang awalnya merasa minder untuk menjadi satu-satunya panitia yang beragama Kristen, kemudian berani untuk membuka diri. Menunggu mereka sholat bukan lagi menjadi masalah, toh rapat di hari Minggu selalu dilaksanakan setelah ibadahku selesai. Berteman dengan mereka ternyata tidak seburuk itu. Aku justru mendapat pemahaman baru tentang Islam yang sebelumnya sama sekali tidak aku ketahui. Aku juga memahami bahwa toleransi memiliki makna yang lebih dari sekadar mengucapkan selamat di setiap perayaan.
Toleransi adalah perihal kemampuan kita untuk berinteraksi dengan orang lain tanpa terlebih dahulu melabeli mereka dengan label-label sosial mereka, yang bisa jadi mereka dapatkan melalui paksaan. Karena bisa jadi, apa yang kita ketahui hanyalah pintu gerbang menuju istana megah yang berisi pengalaman-pengalaman hidup yang luar biasa. Bahwa toleransi adalah usaha berkesinambungan untuk menjadi sejajar dengan orang lain, tanpa berusaha untuk menarik mereka ke posisi di mana kita berada. Kini, ketika aku telah memiliki pola pikir yang jauh lebih dewasa dibanding diriku kala itu, aku mulai bisa merenungkan pengalaman itu.
Apakah menjadi minoritas adalah takdir atau pilihan? Dan apakah minoritas merupakan ide yang benar-benar ada atau hanya sekadar pola yang dibentuk untuk mengkotak-kotakan manusia? Menjadi minoritas harusnya bukan menjadi hak istimewa seseorang untuk menuntut perubahan, tapi melakukan perubahan.  Kesempatan untuk membangun dialektika perlu dimanfaatkan untuk memahami lokus, sehingga perjumpaan dengan seseorang untuk pertama kalinya tidak akan lagi mendorong kita untuk secara otomatis menempatkan diri dalam hirarki kami dan mereka, tapi kita.

Salatiga, 7 November 2018.
Ditulis untuk Aksi Jalan Damai #KitaMinoritas
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It was on a winter break that I finally have a little time (and willingness) to romanticize a trip I did to Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. I got a lot of blast because it was my first actual trip outside Kansai area after the whole semester studying abroad and my first decent snow experience which make me overly excited, since the city I lived wasn't snowing so much. I never dreamt about traveling with friends to a complete strange place which I only saw the pictures from Instagram. Never did I really plan about this trip which eventually became one of the best memories I made in Japan. Everything feels pretty surreal and magical.
It was me and five other friends on the bus headed to Kanazawa. It took us 6 hours by a night bus from Osaka to Kanazawa station. Early in the morning we were welcomed by snow falling the whole day. I did expect the snow, but never really think how cold would it be to walk all day under the snow, and I figured out that I will not do it ever again, especially without a proper winter boots. With the basic knowledge of the city and some help from the hostel staff, we started our trip walking (literally) around the city. It wasn't that bad to walk from one place to another since most touristy destination we chose were mostly located in the city centre. We got to see the central traditional market, the charm of Kenroku Garden which were fully covered with snow, warmed up ourselves at 21th Century Museum of Modern Art, and found a little old Japanese town which was kind of dead due to the snowstorm.

The landmark of Kanazawa city JR Station. You can access the city by JR train or bus. For me, I chose night bus from Osaka and got of at the bus stop just beside this train station and it cost me 4,000 yen one way. 

Kanazawa Omicho Market is the central and the biggest traditional market in Kanazawa. As the typical Japanese traditional market, you will easily find fresh seafood around that you should try. Any types of fish, scallops, sea urchin, octopus, and many other seafood you can find starting from 500 yen. One speciality from the market is surprisingly oden, a kind of steamed seafood skewers which is very warm and nice to eat during winter. You can get each piece for around 200 yen.




Kenroku Garden is one most recommended place to visit for the charm it has in every season. So if you plan to visit Kanazawa anytime soon, don't need to worry if the garden won't be as good as it is in a different season. The garden is located in the centre of the city, right beside the castle so it is not really hard to find.



To be able to get into the garden, you are required to pay for around 330 yen and walk around this part.


From my personal observation towards Japanese, museums and art museums are a thing if you are traveling to other cities. They have such an attachment to educate themselves while spending their leisure time. No wonder 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is very famous, also for its iconic 'underwater' exhibition room. As can be predicted from its name, this museum exhibits mostly modern art 2Ds and 3Ds, and always changed every 3-4 months.





Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art costs me around 800 yen to get inside and explore  some part of the exhibition. We should pay more for other special exhibition. If you don't want to pay, you can still enjoy few installation outside the museum. 

With a little exhaustion left from the first day, we went to Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture to spend the day exploring the area. We took a day bus which take us there after nearly 2 hours drive. Thanks to the heavy snow from the previous day, we got to see the best view of the traditional Japanese folk house made of wood and straw with a little breeze but no snow which makes it even more perfect, even if we couldn't get to the observatory deck. The whole village was just white and beautiful, but slippery too. Regardless, we still did a little hike to see the view from atop and it was kinda worth it. For me personally, it was the best moment I had in my life so far because I've been dreaming to visit this place for a very long time and it finally happened.

There are many other alternatives to reach Shirakawa-go. I paid 1,750 yen one way for the bus from Kanazawa. You can also go from Takayama or rather stay overnight in Shirakawa-go itself. 




Last day was sunny and a little warmer that we went to the old town district or known as Higashi Chaya District with those Japanese old style building and lots of shrines. Also, we went to small local brewery across the street which I recommend to enjoy a chill day in the city. We wrapped up the trip by going to an onsen inside APA hotel, just beside Kanazawa station. 




Kanazawa Oriental Brewing.
They serve varieties of tap beer from stouts to IPAs. My personal preference was the IPA because it wasn't too stiff yet not too plain either. It costs me 700 yen per glass, normal price to get a glass of craft beer in Japan. 

After all, what I love the most from the city is that the less touristy and quiet atmosphere that makes it very comfortable to enjoy. We don't have to struggle a lot to take pictures without being photobombed (despite the fact that I was too excited on the first day and my phone screen broke). You can also find many accommodation options from cheap bunk-bed hostels to the fancy five-starred hotel. For me, I stayed in Blue Hour hostel, 6 minutes walk from the station, and I paid for 2,500 yen per night which is very decent for the cleanliness and hospitality. If I was given a second chance to visit Kanazawa, I would visit the samurai house which used to be the real samurai house in the past time.  Nonetheless, I would say that Kanazawa is my most favorite city in Japan, so far. 
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I know it's been two years after the program, but since I'm a hardcore procrastinator and I wanted to share the story before I write another (or some other) blogpost about Japan, here it is. 

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This post is dedicated to the 40th years celebration of East Asia Student Encounter (EASE) program, held annually by Satya Wacana Christian University (Salatiga, Indonesia) and Kwansei Gakuin University (Nishinomiya, Japan). I am very grateful to be able to join this program both in Indonesia and Japan. But before I jump to my story about what I did in Japan, I would like to give a brief explanation about what this program exactly is. So, as mentioned on the program name, EASE is a program that unite students from Indonesia and Japan. Members will stay together for two whole weeks and join some activities related to the establishment of good relationship between two countries, Japan and Indonesia. EASE will be held alternately every year, Indonesia for every odd years like in 2015 and 2017 and Japan for even years like 2016. To achieve the brotherhood and union of two countries, participants will be doing a culture sharing program, food sharing program, trip to some tourism destinations, paper presentation, homestay and many other activities so they could have a better understanding about culture of two countries. Participants are arranged to stay in one room contains two people from different country which will be changed every day, so they can also learn how to interact and be open minded to people with different background. I never really interested a lot into Japanese pop culture, neither to the traditional culture. My only interest is about the city landscape and the beautiful traditional architecture in Kyoto, other than that is just merely a knowledge. Inspite all, I took the opportunity to join the program, just because I always love to go travelling to many places and experience new things and this program is a way closer to fulfill my interest. Nearly after we finished the program, I fell in love with the culture and society which were bizarrely interesting and slightly different even though it is also an Asian country.
On my second opportunity joining EASE program, I visited Japan, as it always held in turns between Japan and Indonesia every year, with 11 other members and a lecturer. The trip started from August 21st to September 3rd, which felt too short for me. Well, it was a pretty exciting trip because it was my first time going to Japan and I've dreamt of going for years. And by the time it finally happened, I was just all excited and thrilled! So there we were, arrived in KIX early in the morning and directly went to KGU Uegahara Campus in Nishinomiya (approx. an hour from the airport). It was a really nice summer breeze which was not too hot and not too humid, slightly different from what I expected. The city was nice, it has the homey atmosphere, not too crowded and not too quite. What I love the most is how tidy and clean the city was, totally different from Salatiga. The campus itself shows the mixtures of modern and classical architecture, dominantly painted in brown. It gave me such a good first impression.

Kwansei Gakuin University, Uegahara Campus



Oh, by the way, this blog post will not consist of my travel itinerary, transportation fee, accommodation price and food price because it was included in the program fee. So, I will only give a short brief about the trip plus my personal opinion about the country. Long story short, I didn't just stay in Nishinomiya but also visit some other cities like Hiroshima, Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka. Each of them has a special characteristic which were really astonishing. Among those cities, my most favorite city goes to Kyoto. It represents the beauty of Japanese traditional culture, implemented to the city landscape. Every little details in the building was amazing. I feel like thrown back to the emperors era by just visiting the village. Since the city becomes one of main tourism destination in Japan, visitors can easily find kimono rental and walk around the village plus take pictures in front of the famous Kiyomizu-dera. Another thing that I love from Kyoto is of course, matcha or green tea! We can find matcha everything and it taste originally like matcha, a bit different with matcha that I ever taste in Indonesia. I also loving the fact that everything is super walkable and just perfect for sightseeing.

Yasaka Shrine

Higashiyama District

Kiyomizu-dera




Was able to try on yukata or the traditional Japanese clothes and walk around in that. So hard, though!

Cold soba. Not really a fan but worth to try.


Second favorite city goes to Hiroshima. I'm not really sure whether it was really my favorite city or it's just because my trip begun in that city, but a strange (yet beautiful, I don't know how to describe it) comes when I strolled around the city, especially when I visited Hiroshima Memorial Park and Museum, I can feel the atmosphere of massive destruction during World War II. It saddened me more when I saw the terrible pictures of atomic bomb victims. Regardless of what happened over six decades ago, Japanese government has successfully rebuild the infrastructures and brought the economy back to normal. All I can see now is the spirit of peace which being delivered to all people especially to foreigners who come to the city, so everyone can maintain those spirits to prevent another war happening in the future. I guess if you ever visit Hiroshima, it would make sense that the huge impact of how history was made through wars and defeats force us to learn and fathom that it shouldn't happen again now or in the future.
Also, my favorite thing in Hiroshima is the okonomiyaki (or Japanese-style savory pancake)! I found out recently that you can find two different style of okonomiyaki which are Osaka style or Hiroshima style. Since Hiroshima style okonomiyaki became the first thing I tried, I was quickly into that and it was just awesome.


Hiroshima Peace Monument. Was built to commemorate the tragedy and the victims. 


A-bomb Dome. The only original building left after the bombing. 


Crossed the sea to visit Miyajima Island which is very famous for its Itsukushima Shrine.


Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki in the making

Tried out washoku as well! It is a full-set Japanese style lunch.


The other two cities I visited, Kobe and Osaka were just like normal big cities I saw in other countries. Crowded and all you can see is shops and restaurants everywhere. The feeling you get is more like a westernized part of Japan which slightly dominates the Japanezy feeling. Or I can say that Osaka and Kobe best describe Japanese pop culture and stuffs like that. Not really my favorite, but I did enjoy it too. I spent some more time in Kobe because I had an opportunity to stay with a host family who live in Kobe. It makes me kind of more connected to Kobe rather than Osaka. On top of that, Kobe has this one part of the city called Kitano which is Westerners residence. It was so pretty especially with the gothic English-style buildings all around the area. Also, the port area was also a great place to hangout with some shopping malls as well so it's a on stop hang out place. As a bonus, I went to Himeji Castle with my host family. It's located just beside the city of Kobe so it was such a nice bonus trip.
Osaka, as I mentioned before, is a best description of Japanese pop culture which is more lively and young. It can be seen especially from the areas around Dotonbori where you can find anything quirky yet interesting.

Dotonbori



Shinsaibashi. One of the longest shopping arcade in Japan. It's all tourist everywhere and a great place for shopping. 


Oyakodon

Made our own chopsticks! Super cool!

Ijinkan Museum in Kitano Area

Ramen Taro. One of the best ramen I tried in Japan, and still become my favorite. The best part is that they give you unlimited kimchi for free and the marinated pork meat in the ramen. 一番好き!

Kobe Harbourland at night


Himeji Castle

Me featuring the whole member of my host family


Tried out another washoku with grilled eel. 


Japanese style home dinner

---

After all, the trip wasn't just merely a trip. For me personally, the trip became a really effective bonding time with my new friends whom now I call family. Spending the whole two weeks together with various heads was a real deal. It was also such a week full of drama, that I also wasn't able to endure even though I was the student leader that time. Nevertheless, memories were still being made beautifully and I still cherish every now and then. Talk to the people, both my Indonesian and Japanese fellas, hang out together and just tell each other our most favorite moment of the program is just feels amazing. EASE program made us understand how to communicate with people from different socio-cultural background. It teaches me more about how to be more considerate, respecting every ideas given by others, and tolerance despite all differences we have with other people. If life is an unstoppable learning process, that occasion might be one small step in a long-cycle of self-being. 

Here I'll put more pictures other things we did beside the trip as a proof that we weren't just go there to have fun but seriously do works too!

We cooked nasi tumpeng from scratch to introduce our Japanese friends what Indonesian (specifically Javanese) eat to celebrate important events, in this case celebrating the success and unending friendship of EASE. 



Culture sharing party. 



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About Me

Andiline Thea Pranasari.
Central Java, Indonesia.

Ambitious procrastinator who always try to gain better everyday. She has plenty random deep-thoughts, that's why she writes. Sometimes.

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