I recently turned 21. Even though I’m not ready yet with the idea of turning myself to be a (slightly) better 21-years-old me, it seems like I can’t retreat from my own battlefield either ask the time to go slowly, right?
Because time flies so fast.
At least I know that the only thing I can do is keep moving forward and embrace the fact that:
“I’M 21 AND (SLIGHTLY) STRONGER.
As a recently-turned-21 person, I’ve noticed that there’s only a few things were different (and, on progress to be different) at me, so far. I’m not yet a full-package person in finest quality. I know. Today, I just feel like being… me; the old one I used to be, the person I used to know.
However, since today is the very beginning of 2017 (actually, I’m a bit late), I thought it is the perfect time to tell you about my 2016. Of course, the first-place reason is because I wrote nothing last year and I would love to share the recap about the things I’ve crossed off last year based on my 100-list: a random list of 100 things I’d like to experience in life.
THE 4/6 THINGS I CROSSED OFF OF MY LIST IN 2016:
ONE: GETTING ON A SWING NEARBY THE BEACH.
To make it way cooler, I can say that: the swing IS NOT ONLY nearby the beach, it hangs on the big tree grows on high cliff while the beach is around 50 meter below your feet! Seriously, it is really cool… and also pretty-dangerous, though.
When I sat on the swing, I could see the borderless sea underneath—the inviting waves asked me to come. Yet, I was pretty scared at that time because… what if I stepped on the bad scenario, such as instead of enjoying the breeze on the swing, calmly, yet I ended up throwing myself into the sea from the height?
However, at least I could own a pretty-cool photograph with a cool pose on it—because... I was scared yet I smiled. Thank you, Wawan! (He is the photographer).
TWO: LEARNING BASIC KOREA
Actually, it is not too urge rather than learning on how to increase my TOEFL or IELTS score—since both are basic requirement I have to fulfil to get any scholarship, mostly abroad. Yet, one day, I just feel like: why not learn new things everyday on learning basic Korea, as well I love challenging myself, too.
Otherwise, you might want to know, I do love watching ‘The Return of Superman’ (if you do not know yet, I suggest you, please do not watch it because it kinds of addicting). Every time I watch it, I feel pretty upset since I can’t understand what these kids are talking about—without reading the subtitle. I just heard, gobble-gobble, aigo, jinca, eottokke, blah blah blah… that’s not even close, and I need to stare at the subtitle in case I miss the topic.
I mean, reading the subtitle may help me understand their conversation, besides it can improve my understanding in English—the subtitle is in English. But, the probability of losing their cute face is bigger because I give more attention reading the subtitle. And you know, keep rewinding the video is not a good idea, either.
So, here I am, learning basic Korea, all by myself, even the only thing I know so far is: their common exclamation.
THREE: SENDING LETTER TO MY BEST FRIENDS, SECRETLY.
For those people who know me well, they would know that actually I’m kind of pretty-romantic person. Not because my mind is transparent so that you can read it in ease, but because that’s the way I am.
At that time, I was thinking that it would be fun to give them something as the way to show off of how grateful I am to have them by my side. Anonymously. By chance, there’s a secret-agent promotion popped out on my class, where they were able to send roses, equipped with letters, to whom it meant to be. I bought two packets, for Nai and Syiff, both were red rose with special letter overwhelmed with love. I sent it to them anonymously and ready to pretend know nothing about it as if they asked me.
At first, I was pretty satisfied (and also happy) because the secret-agent said, both of them were so happy when received the packet. Yet, in the end, it was kind of failed because I didn’t know how they found out that I was the sender. That’s why I am brave enough to write their name in this post. How failed it was, I hope both of you still love me, Nai and Syiff. \m/
FOUR: EXPERIENCING SNORKELING.
It is well-said that I’m a good-enough swimmer, especially swimming-pool swimmer. So, the idea of experienced snorkelling was pretty underrated at first. Well, snorkelling is only floating in the water, and with a life vest on, snorkelling should be really safe, right? Yet, I couldn’t cross it off until then, I got a chance to experience snorkelling when I was on my KKN-period in Gampong Jaboi, Sabang.
As a nice place surrounded by the sea, it is really easy to bring yourself into the nearest beach on foot. At that time, I was unintentionally invited by Mas Priyo to jump into a boat owned by local people and followed them to fishing in the sea. Until then, Mas Priyo handed me the snorkelling gear and smiled, “Let’s do this!”
So, I was there, floated.
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So, how about you, guys? How many
things you can cross off of your list last year? I hope you have superb experience
too like I did.
Love, Ash!



