A Year to Remember. Goodbye 2010 :’)

Well, it’s 31st of December 2010. The last day of 2010. New Year’s Eve.

So let’s take a look back at my #2010memories. (Check out the last 2 post, labeled #2010Memories for the quick summary of it all :D From Love, Friends, Family and School ;D)

2010. The end of seventh grade, the start of the eight. I know, I had high expectations for this year, and some of them didn’t really work out.

Bad times, good times. Wonderful times, unforgettable moments.

2010 has been a roller coaster. And I have written down everything that has happened in this past year, and soon, it about 2 and a half hours, 2011 will have arrived.

And if anything, this new year will the start of a new beginning. I mean, seriously, a completely blank slate. So, I’m gonna spend this blogpost, writing down my New Year’s Resolutions. I work best in organized thoughts so, let’s start with…

Family.

1). No more fights. Amen.

2). Spend more time with the family. Actually start letting them into my lives a bit, talk to them, be more honest.

3). Spend more time with my brother and sister. Help them out.

4). Start helping out more around the house. Like keeping my own room clean, for starters.

5). Keep more in touch with the big fam, all the relatives outside of Jakarta ;)

School.

I know I’ve let my grades slip a bit. And I’m honestly freaking out on how my 1st Semester Report Card will turn out. So I promise and wish that my grades will turn back to pristine conditions, and not let them slip again. Here’s how:

1). Spend more time studying, REALLY studying. Work out a schedule, showing what subject, what subchapter to study/review. Make it detailed and organized.

2). Learn to manage my time more wisely. NO MORE SKS (Sistem Kebut Semalem Haha -..-), CHASING PROJECTS SO CLOSE TO THE DEADLINE!!

3). ORGANIZATION! More specifically, my school notes! Really should tidy them up and right them neatly!

4). Sleep well. Sleep according to sleeping hours. Seriously, no more dozing off at school. Haha -.-

5). Pay more attention to my extra-curricular activities! Remember you signed yourself up for these Kai! So stick with them ‘til the end, even if their starting to become a pain!

5a). Never neglect WRITING CLUB ASSIGNMENTS! That includes possible upcoming VIER stuff!

5b). SCIENCE CLUB! Don’t disappoint Sir Didi again!

5c). AYC! Continue the after-plan! THE ENGLISH BOOK HOW EH?

5d). Modern Dance Class! Ekskul Kai, be there, no excuses, even if Yudhi’s forcing you to do something else say NO! (hehehe peace Yudh). Practice, practice, practice!

6). Kai, seriously. Do your Math Homework. Hahaha. No, seriously.

Friends.

1). Never forget the power of GPRS <3

2). Spend more time with friends! Especially my old besties, can’t forget them! :D

3). BIRTHDAYS! Can’t forget the important ones! Really put and effort into buying friends presents and giving them memorable surprises! :D

Love Life. Hehehehehe.

1). My Resolution on this? Well, I guess this is more of a wish. In 2011, I wanna still be with him. Until the end, make it through the year at least. Maybe for the rest of my life.

2). Show him I love him more often. Possibly every day.

3). Never let go of that “cheesy” side of love. Never be afraid to say “I love you”, “I miss you”, call him “sayang” or “sweetie” or “honey, even in front of others. Be a 5-cheese pizza B) Haha.

4). Be... more myself around him. Forget my inhibitions, let goes of my nerves. I can be me around him, when we’re alone, just the two of us, but around other people, I guess I kind of freeze up. No more of that.

5). Be more patient with this. Don’t expect too much. That’s worked so far, really, and he has surprised me again and again :D

6). Stop thinking about the past. Stop comparing myself to his… ex-es.

Personal Resolutions.

1). Give myself more credit. Stop underestimating myself. You can do better than this, Kai. You just gotta believe it.

2). Open up a little. Stop living in your head, in your own world. Let others be a part of your life.

3). GET OUT THERE! Start shaping the future the way you want it to be! Start becoming the person you could only dream of! Follow your dreams, your wants, your wishes! Dance, sing, maybe even cook! Anything you want is within your reach! :D

4). Stop living in the past. No matter how you miss, it won’t come back Kai. Just… start mapping out the future. Live in the moment!

5). Don’t let failure stop you so easily. If you fail, try again. If you fall, get back up. Get your spark back, Kai.

Hmm. I guess that’s pretty much it. I really hope that 2011 will become the start of a new chapter in my life. I’m fourteen, and God forbid, I won't let my life stop now.

And one last thing:

“HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! GOODBYE 2010 AND HELLO 2011! LET’S MAKE IT A GOOD ONE! :D”

–Karin Novelia, Welcoming A New Year

Aloha, Pak Agus

Today has been a pretty bad day for me. I woke up this morning feeling so ready to go to school. But in the end I couldn't because this annoying little cough that surfaced just after I came home from Singapore, turned for the worse. Now my throat is sore, and my voice is on the verge of completely getting lost. When it does come out, I sound like a croaking frog.

On the up-side of sick days, as always, was extra sleep time, some very needed R&R, and something most kids wouldn't probably agree to, a chance to get most of my schoolwork done.

But amidst of my sudden energy boost to get to work, my spirit was dampened just this evening.

I was sitting by my Doctor, Doctor Indra's table as he wrote out a prescription for my sore throat, when my Mom suddenly shoved her BlackBerry into my face. At first, I thought she was going to tell me a corny joke, or the latest gossip moms like to talk about these days, but when I reluctantly read the single line of news, there was no more I could do than to blink back in surprise.

Pak Agus. Elementary PE teacher. Passed away?

I couldn't even register what was written on the screen. For the first few seconds, I didn't even want to believe it.

I still remembered the last time I saw Pak Agus. I remember it as if it was yesterday, because it really was only yesterday. It was after school, and as always my preferred route towards home passed the Elementary's Einstein Hall. I saw my little sister walk into the TU, and followed her to take her home. I saw my Mom, also waiting inside, the small room, Pak Agus sitting on the receptionist table.

I can still picture his face. He was smiling, having a nice conversation with my mom. I could see the wrinkles converge at the corner of his eyes, as he laughed about something, seemingly happy. Seemingly fine.

I passed the BlackBerry back to mom, as she asked the means of Pak Agus's passing. She kept reveling in the fact, that she had talked to him just yesterday, without realizing that would probably the last time she would talk to him. The last she would even see him.

A heart-attack. That was what took him away from us. From his family, his friends, his beloved students. A way of dying so sudden, it would practically be painless. All I could think about then was Why? Why now? Why ever, for that matter? Was death that merciless to take away someone who's time hadn't even come?

The doc came back with my medicine, and I said thank you and left, my heart felt heavy.

I felt like crying. Oh, man, I felt like crying so much. But I didn't wanna do it in front of my Mom. Nor at home for that matter, in front of my Dad, sister or brother. But it hurt a lot. Hearing such awful news. My heart was aching. I couldn't bear it.

But I held the tears in. I convinced myself that not crying, didn't mean I didn't care. Not crying meant, that I was being strong. Being strong so as to not make others sad, or worry about me. And being strong for Pak Agus, who surely is in a happier place now.

Instead, I had a flashback moment in the car. I remembered the days back in Elementary, when I was being taught by Pak Agus. For someone who's a bit athletically-challenged, PE wasn't always such a favorite of mine. Sure, I would give my best, but in the end, I'd be really wiped and wasn't able to master any techniques.

But, with Pak Agus, I found a new joy to learning PE. He pushed me to try even harder. He pushed me to believe in myself, to believe that I could. In the end, I wasn't a master, but he helped me to improve.

I still remember a moment back in the 6th Grade, the year I truly miss dearly. It was coming around time to face the National Exams, and also the Practical Exams. The one that worried me the most was PE. Doing forward somersaults were not my forte.

It was after a day when I had had PE. We were practicing doing our rolls, and I of course was hopeless at it. When dismissal time came around, I knew I would be picked up late, and I decided to hang around the gym. It was completely deserted, just me and the lone basketball.

Then, Pak Agus stopped by. Now that I think about it, I don't really know why he was there. He just was. And even until now, I'm glad for that fact. He asked me if I was ready for the PE Practicals yet. He asked in his sort of taunting and playful way, but I openly said no, I wasn't ready. I couldn't even do a freakin' somersault.

He laughed, and since I was feeling down at the time, it irritated me a little. But what he did next, still gets me even now. He pulled out a green mattress, the thin ones we used for practice, and told me try again, at that very second.

I thought he was kidding, at first. But since no one was around, I was confident enough to try. The first attempts were a failure. So much, I was even laughing at myself. But because, I kept trying and because Pak Agus was there to help, and support me, by the end of the day, I was able to do it.

When Practicals came around, you know how much I got in PE? An 8. I know, it's not a 8.5 or a 9, but it was the highest I ever achieved, and so yeah... I'm grateful for it.

Pak Agus is a guy I remember with a moustache. A guy who would tell corny jokes, and had a hearty laugh. A guy who became a PE teacher, who taught me for about 3 years. A guy who taunted me when I failed at PE, but supported me 'till I succeeded. A guy who inspired and taught me, and gave me all the more reason to become a teacher.

And to Pak Agus, wherever you are now, I hope you are happy and satisfied with the life you have led. I believe that you're in a better place now. I know that you are going to read this, and you are smiling right now. I just want you to know, that without you I wouldn't have been able to have done the things that I did. The things that you taught me to do. What you showed me, was beyond mere PE. You taught me to believe in myself. And for that, I want to say THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart.

Even though it's still a bit hard for me to imagine, to walk past the Elementary building, without being to able to say hi, or even see you again, I feel somewhat stronger. Though this is sad news, I'll remember in every step I make the things you have taught me. I'll only become more determined now in PE class, to raise my grades, not just for me, but for you as well.

Goodbye, Pak Agus. You've truly been a great PE teacher and friend for me.

And somewhere, someday, I know we'll get to say Hello to each other again.

So for now, I guess the best thing to say is, Aloha! :)

--Karin Novelia

Long Time, No Write :P

Hey, faithful readers. You've probably noticed it's been like 2 ½ weeks since my last post (It's not like anyone's updating their blogs either :P). Sorry for neglecting my awesome (?) blog, but I guess I've been busy. Okay, let's start off with a quick recap.

The next week after my last post, I had to face the final exams. In the past few years, when the finals loomed very, very near, I found myself turning into some kind of freakin' study-bot. The minute I get home, after a shower and snacks, I'd lock myself into my room and study, usually late into the night or, when there's something good on, I rest up by watching TV.

So yeah, I found myself doing just that this year too, but not as intense as in 5^th/6^th Grade, cuz I get off school a bit later than I'm used to and can't take a long nap. Heck, I even snuck in an hour of two playing Trauma Team on the Wii.

(Game Cover right there. For all you Trauma Center Fans, a MUST-PLAY!)

After tests were over, I felt confident that the results would turn out well. But school wasn't over just yet. We had a few days left to see each other, namely through class-meetings and farewell parties. I missed the first day, Friday, cuz I was supposed to go to the doctor to see if this continuous illness could get cured before it relapsed again. It got cancelled in the end, but I was feeling better so no harm done at spending a whole day at home :P.

The following Monday was a bit of a drag. 7F wasn't much for competing but oh well, we tried. So, I practically spent the whole day just wandering around with my BFF, Cindy (Love ya! :D). Then we hit the highlight and climax of the whole year: The Last Day of School.

Normally, the last day of school would be thrilling yet at the same time depressing. Sure, it's bye-bye to homework, tests, lectures and projects, but it also meant bye-bye friends :(

It was entertaining though, seeing the performances of Grade 9 (particularly the role of a certain tukang bakso in 9D's Romli and Juminten.) Ha, ha, ha.

But strangely enough, I felt simply adamant this year. I wasn't really all that saddened to see 7F go, even though I tried to hype myself up and get nostalgic, I just couldn't. Guess, I'm just fed up seeing you guys :P. Kidding aside, I look back on the days in 7F and cringe and smile and laugh and roll my eyes, and though I won't be tearing up over it, I will kind of miss it all.

The start of the year was rocky, but we pulled through in the end. Guess there's one left thing to say: GOOD RIDDANCE! (Alright, I'm joking again, and yeah I'm not that funny.) Seriously though:

"Thanks for a crazy year, guys. This year was a total learning process, and we've helped each other improve a lot. I know, we weren't the perfect class, but hey, not much in life is. I wish you all lots of luck in life."

:') I'm getting a bit teary-eyed for some reason now. It's probably the chili I just ate, but something tells me it's not.

Anywaaaaaay…. Yeah. It's over, my days as a 7^th Grader. But my days as an 8^th Grader is just around the corner, and I for one, will face it head on. Friday was Report Card day, and it was a bit… meh. Don't get me wrong, my grades were fine, I just don't like having to sit through a conversation between my (talkative) teacher and (even more talkative) mom (haha, peace. Still love you, guys! :D). The best thing though, was after that me and my mom celebrated at Harvest (yum!).

My past Weekend was fantastic, if not a bit awkward. Leaving the latter bit out, I had a blast with my family and realized how much these guys mean to me even though they're a bit dysfunctional. Ha, ha. We watched this:

Karate Kid @ Central Park Blitz. It was a cool movie (Jacket On, Jacket Off ahahaha), hilarious and touching, if not a little sadistic (seriously, Cheng is a machine *shudder*). It was a great way to kick off my holidays.

A Little Word of Congrats:

1. To all 7^th and 8^th Graders at St. Laurensia JHS Congrats for passing this year. Wish u all the best in the next.
   
2. To all 9^th Graders, especially my brother Billy: Congrats on your Graduation. Keep Moving On, Best of Luck :)
   

That's it for now. Just got exciting (and TERRIFYING!) news. Must get to sleep now. OMG! See ya!

Signed,

Sir Writes-A-Lot