spring to summer
It’s the time of the year where the temperature hits you hard but the sun is only setting two hours before midnight. I feel like I have a lot more time on my hand, which has been a strange feeling. The winter wind is still blowing but the summer sun is starting to burn. The dilemma of weather predictions is identical to the human’s emotion at the time. Should I use more layers? Will this be too hot? Do we want to play it safe or just challenge the breeze of the day? No one is ever sure about it.
During one of my busiest weeks of academic life, I am occupied with other thoughts of human emotion. The emotion of my own, to be exact. I came so far from where I was a year ago, from a full lockdown in my house, Bandung, to being in someone else’s house renting a room on their third floor and pursuing a degree that I never knew would be this complex. Life can take you anywhere, they said. What I didn’t expect is that it could take you anywhere when a piece of you is still in the same place you used to be. I still would prefer Asian food over anything, and I am still thinking about the small coffee shops in Jakal (Jalan Kaliurang, Yogyakarta) every now and then.
I am happy and content with how things are going right now. I am forever grateful for the opportunity and the privilege I got in being able to live the life I have right now. A bit of a life update: I am on my fourth block, about to start my thesis later after the summer break (still have no idea what I need to do, should probably start asking my seniors what I can expect), and I am writing this in between my break (I am working on an assignment at the moment). Just last week I went to Stadspark in Groningen three times a week. Twice was for a run, and one is for a social event (I had so much fun!).
The weeks before, I managed to finish a book titled Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (which I always just refer to as Japanese Breakfast because I always forgot her name). The book left a sting in my heart and I can’t stop listening to her songs ever since (I am listening to one as typing). I haven’t been going to Amazing Oriental (an Asian supermarket here in the Netherlands) lately, but the next time I am going I will probably relive some parts written in the book by Zauner and I know for sure it’s going to be sappy. I also went to Utrecht and Den Haag the same week and was able to release the stress in between the hustle of the block. It was three days well spent with some of the people I cherish the most here in the Netherlands. I even tried ziplining on Den Haag beach and was able to take a relaxing night walk in Utrecht.
That’s more or less about everything that has been going around me. If you’re reading this, thank you for taking your precious time to read bits of my life update that has started with a little sentimental side of me and has now ended with an absurd ending because I am simply just pouring out my emotions and thoughts in this little public diary of mine.
