I spend most of my time abroad. The places are not what i'm proud of. But my ability to adapt.

0-3/4
Almost every stages of my life I spent in a different places. Let's go back to 1994. During autumn that year I was born. Yes, it was autumn in Berlin. I grew up there only until I was 3 almost 4 years old. I vaguely remember what happened with me during my toddler period.

3/4-12
Then we, my family, had to fly back to Indonesia. You know how harsh Jakarta is? I bet you know! But, I survived. I spent my pre-school days and my elementary school days there. Air pollution, noise pollution, flood and etc. were my best friend. I even took public transportation to go home from school (that time I was only 12).

12-18/19
Not long after I graduated from elementary school, we had to move again. This time to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Well, similar faces, slightly different language and different attitude. I went to secondary school there. Public school. They all speak either Malay or English (but Indian speak Tamil and Chinese speak mandarin? cantonese? well not sure). First three months were the hardest. I barely know anything. But as the time flies, I was able to speak and socialize like locals. Even taxi driver or bazaar ramadhan makcik or packik would recognize me as malay. And won't believe that I'm actually Indonesian. How cool was that?

I thought my ship has sailed in a comfort Island. No. I have to transfer school. Still in Kuala Lumpur but different school, different environment. After I finished what so called PMR, I transfer to Indnonesian School of Kuala Lumpur. It was like back to Indonesia but still in Malaysia. We speak Indonesian, which I am still good  at. 3 years are well spent there. Experiencing a lot of unbelievable things. Sadly, school days has to end. I graduated.

19-?
My plan is, that I pursue my study in Kuala Lumpur as well. But, the reality tells different story. I had to move to Hamburg, Germany. Well, you were born there (Germany), you shouldn't have any problem with that. Unfortunately, I was only 3 that time. And now I have to be that person again, who doesn't know anything. Have to learn from the bottom. A year has passed. I thought I will pursue my study here in Hamburg. But, no. I have to move to Halle  now. Preparatory course before university.

I don't know why, when I just feel comfortable. I have to move and feel uncomfortable again. Whenever I feel that I'm settled, I have to move and trying to settle down. So far I live really well everywhere. Problems are normal and I am able to overcome it.

I'm proud of myself. :)

But, can I go back to 12-19? and let the time stop.

Selamat Hari Raya everyone!

This year's Ramadhan had a different feeling. After a month devoting myself to god, praying even harder, reciting Qur'an oftener and doing only good deeds, I feel like I'm ready to become a better person. I think I graduated from this training with a flying color. I really hope that during Ramadhan I built a tons of good habit.

And now it's Syawal. And it also means RAYA or LEBARAN or Eid Fitr! This year would be another year of celebration far away from what-so-called home, Indonesia. Even tough I have my family here, Raya or Lebaran without the whole complete family is still incomplete. The day before Raya I was pretty sad. Listening to all time fave Lagu Raya (Raya song) in Malaysia, I cried. I miss the Raya vibe both in Indonesia and Malaysia. It just feels so much different here. We did celebrate Eid, we did have ketupat and opor (signature dish in hari raya) here. But without my granpa, aunties, uncles, cousins and other relatives, it still feels empty though I have a lot of friends here.

A year ago, I was very excited. I have never celebrated Eid in a country, which muslims are only minority. Turned out, it's just another gathering with Eid prayer as opening. I really used with the idea of celebrating Eid for the whole month of Syawal. In Malaysia they celebrate Eid or they having Raya for the whole month. Or the idea of family gathering and doing halal bi hahal (catching up with one another) having to see new cousins, nephew and eating lots of yummy foods. And here in Germany, we did celebrate Eid. But only on the 1st Syawal (or 2nd as well perhaps, depends on which day is the 1st syawal) but with friends who we already considered as a family.

But it's okay. At least we are still able to watch Ramadhan coming and going. And we still able to celebrate Eid fitri and do the prayer. Alhamdulillah.

Taqobballahu Mina Waminkun. May Allah accept all our ibadah.

Best Regards from Hamburg.