A cup of matcha, a sip of gratitude

This morning, I stumbled upon a post on Instagram.

Instead of thinking about the challenges in your life, why not count and celebrate little blessings?

Let’s rewind a bit.

For the last three weeks, I almost had no days off. Maybe two Sundays, but those were spent on house chores and groceries. So yesterday, Saturday, the adrenaline wore off and I could finally “hear” my body and surprise surprise! it was exhausted. I needed a full day of rest. But still, Saturdays are for important things first: I took my daughter for her flu vaccine, then we did some stationery shopping. Oddly, Medan’s traffic was unusually heavy. I was worn off after lunch and decided to go home.

Then came today. Sunday. I planned to go to CFD, but my friend has been sick since Friday, and going alone didn’t feel appealing. My daughter had her coding class, and I still felt as drained as yesterday. I decided not to let the day slip away. I grabbed my bag, put on my helmet, with no plan in mind. On the way, I remembered a matcha place I saw on TikTok, and had noticed a few paper bags from the same shop in my office. Someone clearly loved it. And here I am, at Mtch Bar Medan.

So… about those “little celebrations.”

A different kind of "performance" review

This July, I had the unexpected chance to be the MC for an office event. My very first time MCing anything, ever.

The invitation came out of nowhere. HR called me in the week before the event. Apparently, they needed someone who could be MC in English. And while I’ve worked as an auditor for three years, not once had I used English formally in my role. So when this opportunity landed on my lap, I knew I couldn't let it pass.

But of course, as soon as I said yes, the insecurities kicked in. That inner voice? Oh, it had a lot to say.
"She speaks better English than you."
"He’s way more charismatic on stage."
"You? You’re just lucky."

And yet, thank God, I’ve lived long enough to recognize that voice. Not as truth, but as fear in disguise. I didn’t try to fight it this time. I let the thoughts come, let them echo, then quietly watched them pass. Maybe those people are better. But this opportunity didn’t land in their inbox. It landed in mine. So I’ll take it, own it, and if I mess up, well, then I’ll learn something.

Tak apa-apa even when it's hard

‎Tak perlu tunggu dunia ramah. ‎Cukup beri ruang buat lelah. ‎Tak apa-apa jika merasa tTak baik saja. ‎Kalau bisa jangan lama. ‎Kalau bisa ingat hal lainnya. ‎Hal yang baik walau terasa tak seberapa. (Tak Apa-Apa by Bokinana Family)

I stumbled upon this song when it was just released, and somehow my situation at that time connected deeply with its melody and lyrics. And here I am again, reminded of it. As I sit in CFC at BIM Airport Padang, sipping an orange juice I only ordered so I could stay here for a while, I’m thinking about the last five days.

I went home to attend my friend’s wedding, which was only a 20-minute drive from my house. This time I went with my friends, and I had to leave my daughter behind since it was just a short trip. Those days were filled with slow mornings, cafe hopping, and reunions with friends, old and new. Sitting here waiting for my flight back to Medan, saying it’s difficult to leave feels like an understatement. But life goes on.

My husband is the kind of man who puts others first. Sometimes I get annoyed when his decisions don’t align with mine. Yet when I’m the one he puts first, I can’t help but think, “How could I love him more?”

Maybe that’s what life is about: holding the mix of exhaustion and joy, of wanting more while being grateful for what’s already here. I can sit with my tiredness, acknowledge it, then slowly let it pass as I return to my daily tasks. At the end of the day, there are still little things: an orange juice in a noisy airport corner, five days of togetherness, words I keep close to my heart, that remind me life is worth savoring, even when it feels farrr from easy.

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Bandara Internasional Minangkabau

Between bites and movie credits (Nonnas)

When you think of a place to eat to satisfy your appetite, you probably think of a famous restaurant or café with a lot of positive reviews about the taste. But let me ask you something. Have you ever been to a place where you didn’t expect anything at first, but when you went there, you just felt this strange comfort, like you were exactly where you were meant to be? It sounds deep, but you know what I mean, right? That feeling when you sense the universe quietly arranging things so that, in this exact moment, this is where you belong. You become aware of yourself, your surroundings, and what you eat suddenly isn’t just about what’s on the plate, but everything around it.

Ctrl + Alt + Cry

Tired, but these legs keep walking

Losing focus, but my brain keeps talking

Needing quiet, but I still keep speaking

Fingers sore, but they just keep typing

Back is aching, but I stay in my seat

Head is heavy, can't call it a defeat

Eyes staring at cells that never ends

Spreadsheets and files that never pretend

I scroll, I click, again and again

Each day feels the same, stuck in this chain