Ep. 2 - A Day in My Life (Blog Edition) // A Random Sunday

On Sunday morning last week, I did my makeup and hair with Little Mix’s Confetti album blaring from my phone speaker. Having been obsessed with it a few years ago, getting ready while singing along to those songs felt like something out of the Hair music video scene. Girls don’t do what Simon says, but this girlie loves getting prepared to meet some friends!!!

Moving on to my fit for the day, I decided to wear a simple gray blouse, a pair of skinny jeans, and a tiny gold-colored necklace (which you couldn’t see in this picture, sorry):

By the way, I had just done my nails the day before. It was my first time switching from chili-red to tomato-red and I thought it was super pretty. Do you like it?

After the blush, lipstick, and some peaceful moments with my hair straightener, it was time for me to go to the meeting point. I went there by bus. (I can’t fathom how practical my life has been since the advancement of public transportation service in Jakarta. I wish its utilization would grow in line with the increase of its fleet so there would be fewer traffic jams to be stuck in.)

Thankfully, the street was clear in the early morning. I arrived at our meeting point 45 minutes earlier than promised. After all of my friends had gathered, we went to the airport to put a checklist on our main agenda for the day: saying goodbye to a friend going abroad. Since it was the opening of a brand new academic year—or perhaps it was just people being people, collectively deciding that it was an incredible time to go on a vacation—I saw many waving farewells to one another.

I didn’t document any pictures in the airport though, because: 1) I was a little overwhelmed by the gazillion of people there; 2) I was starving so I went to Beard Papa’s stall as fast as I could and forgot about the world while I ate; and 3) It was a private moment which was not mine to share. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder… if I had children one day, would I hate the plane that took them off abroad and brought them back only once a year?

My friends and I left after spending two hours in the airport, giving the family a space to spend some more alone time. Since all of us were hungry, we went to a mall nearby to have lunch. Upon further consideration, we chose a restaurant called Gomachi Japanese Butadon. I copied what most of my friends ordered: a bowl of butadon (grilled-pork rice bowl). It was really delicious.

Lunch was then followed by a random 10-minute photo studio session…

…and after that, church!

So, “Rejoice” was the topic the pastor brought up last Sunday. He started his sermon with his friend’s experience years ago battling brain cancer. The doctor told his friend that he only had three months to live. Instead of wallowing in sadness, his friend went to live his life, joining new communities that invited him to play football together and sing in a choir.

Much to everyone's surprise, his friend lived three months after the diagnosis. After a year and he still lived, he started to go to a sailing school. It was three, five, ten, and more years after that, and he still lived and was now married, with two beautiful children.

“How could he survive? He had no money to undergo the chemotherapy procedure,” the pastor continued. “It turned out that once, during the critical three months when he was having a convulsion and his parents could only give him medicated oil, a pastor in a small village he lived passed by and said, ‘Don’t forget to rejoice. There is God’s help for those who rejoice.’ My friend has always rejoiced since then. It's his medicine.”

(I share this in case someone out there needs this important reminder. Also, I want to let you know that if you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to contact me at kailemra@yahoo.com.)

After attending the Sunday service, my friends and I went to Supermal Karawaci to visit the famous Timezone. I was that-day years old when I found out that it was the biggest Timezone in Southeast Asia. No wonder the place was huge.

Like a bunch of kids, my friends and I tried some of the games, but I steered clear of the roller coaster due to my scaredy-cat status. I was so excited when our group decided to play Boom Boom Car though. It had been sooo long so it was fuuun!

Another highlight I need to share is perhaps the bowling session. It was my first time bowling and I was so bad at it that I had made a mental note to write those exact words here. Glad that my skills increased a little after that. I managed to catch up with the other after getting five chances to try and ended up in third place.

Oh, I also got a strike!!!

Since I had expected to be at the bottom of the list, it was certainly a nice surprise.