About Making Choices

Thursday, July 24, 2014

One day, me and my boss were starting a random conversation. He suddenly asked me about why Asian kids seem like to follow whatever their parents wants. They always pick a "safe" major in college, so they can own a high position in a company, or they ended up to work for their parents company/business. So Asian kids sounds like don't have their own choice and live forever under their parents wings.

Note: my boss is Balinese.

Basically, our parents always want and give the best for their kids. They have a hope, someday we can contribute in our social circle in the future (istilah gaulnya jadi orang yang berguna buat masyarakat). That's why (sometimes) they have high expectations on us. So they try to "convince" us that their choices are the best, and that will make us ended up to study a major in college, based on their choices, such as medical, business, law, etc (if you are an Asian, you probably get it).

Sounds familiar already? Hey you, my dear Asian friends? :P

Let me share a true story. Me and my brother have been that kind of situation before. I always wanted to study major like communication or journalistic, and my brother wanted to study music. At the end, I got my major in Chinese Education, while my brother still having fun (not a sarcasm tho) on his medical major.

Before you judge anything on both of us, let me continue this story...

At the first place, I was mad and upset with myself and all the situations that made me "have" to choose the study-in-china-with-a-major-I-never-wanted-before option. But the only thing why I chose to study in China, just because I got full scholarship and that time, my family was going through a hard time. It was almost impossible for them to pay my college fee in private university, especially in Jakarta. Aku berusaha logis aja. Lagi nggak ada uang, terus dikasih beasiswa penuh di luar negeri. Serasa dijatuhin uang dari langit. Orang pinter nggak mungkin nolak, 'kan? 

I still remember when finally I was on my first year in college, I was grumbling almost everyday. Yah namanya bukan jurusan pilihan. Sometimes I forgot this was the choice that I've made, but yeah I made my choice clearly already, and the rest is a history.

The point is all about responsibility. Doesn't matter what choice that you've made, you have to be responsible for doing it. When my parents put their hope on me, I am also trying to "convince" them back that I am being resposible on my choice. Although I couldn't study the major I wanted, I still can learn about it on a world called internet. These days, you just google anything, and bam! You'll get what you need. Sometimes, I hate people who have a mindset like "kan kamu udah kuliah capek-capek dapet gelar, pulang malah jaga toko". I mean, helloooo, who are you? You don't have any permission to judge someone's life. And excuse me, have you ever started your own business, so you can say words like that? Well, as long as you are happy with your own choice, it is really okay. Make your parents proud, is another great bonus.

The funny part when my Mom always reminds me about someday I'll be thankful to her about anything that she has told me, and I guess she's right (gosh, mom is always right!). In early 2014, I was asked for being a Chinese tutor in a resort in Bali, because of my major. That's really something for me. And after that, I finally wrote and published my very first book. You see, I am doing my life here.

It is not about I am a Chinese or Asian and you aren't. It's all about our personal choice. Your life doesn't depend of what people say about you.

"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibilty
-Eleanor Roosevelt 

If you are doing something right now that not even related to what you have studied in the past, I am telling you now, that's okay. Everything is fine as long as you enjoy it and being responsible. As in my case, I really want to always make my parents proud while doing things that I love. 

P.S. This is a video by CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pasific in Entertainment) for #IAmCampaign. This is a story by our favorite Michelle Phan. Apa yang diceritakan Michelle somehow related dengan apa yang aku tulis di atas. Semoga menginspirasi, ya!


Pictures Perfect

Saturday, July 19, 2014

"We are all made in different personality and we are unique by our own way. But one thing we know, God has made us become a family. And it wouldn't be changed forever." 




Monday Favorites #2

Monday, July 14, 2014


Happy Monday everyone, how was your day? I hope everything is going well. Feel super great since this morning when I woke up. And as I remember, I was even screaming "what a beautiful daaaaay!" when I just opened my eyes, and realized it was pretty gloomy outside hahaha. Whatever, I should do this every day because it really feels good. 

This happy-good-mood brought me here to post another Monday links. Some my favorite links for this past week and I think that would be great if I share them with you all. Sharing is loveee, right? So here we go! 

(1) Personal Branding by The College Prepster
I never thought about personal branding for this blog, but this old post from Carly was like a ringing bell for me. This blog has been running since early 2010, I slightly remembered why I decided to begin this blog, the point is, I want to take this blog seriously. I am kinda curious how I "publish" my trueself through this blog for all this time, so personal branding is kinda important. And about business card, I have mine already since  Jesrisoles was born (I feel so proud when I handed my first business card and everytime I meet someone for business requirement, I'll hand over my card :P), but still I want to make another one. Maybe another design with the title "blogger/writer/entrepreneur/" under my name. Awww. 

(2) "You never know who you're inspiring" by Maxie
This post is like a little morning call for me (thank you Maxie!). Beside thinking desperately about how we are going to inspire others, please note this. Everyone's watching you. Every move you make, every words you say, people pay attention to you. We never know that our life is important for someone. So, live well. 

(3) "Oh My Coffee" by Dinda Puspitasari
Dinda's blog is my new favoriteeeeee! I started to follow her on Instagram because she has those cute illustrations and personal style (gosh, such a talented girl!). This link is a random post I found, but I was like "oppssss" when I read it. Oh my coffee, maybe I should cut my caffeine too? ): 

(4) 7 Ways to Sleep Better Tonight 
My sleep hours is kinda messy since I have this crazy working shifts. I used to go for bed at eleven, but now is really impossible to go to the bed on that time. I am trying to stack my pillows well, sprinkling my body with bedtime powder for baby in lavender scent before sleep (sometimes it works), and listen to my piano instrument playlist. I was thinking to move over my bed, because the position right now is really close to my working desk, which is not really a comfort zone (because my phone, my tablet, my laptop are near my bed, duh!). Having a really beauty sleep is hard, if you are a good sleeper, you are so lucky. I promise when I finished this post, I am going straight to my bed.

(5) Bali's Best 5 Hidden Beaches 
Andreas sent me this link and he asked me to seek these beautiful hidden beaches, I said yes. Bali owns much of beautiful, gorgeous, and romantic beaches ever. Some of popular beaches are full of tourists and I almost cannot enjoy the real itself anymore. Andreas will be back next week here and wish us luck as a beach seeker!


Well, that's it. As my promise, I am ready to bed now. Have a good night people, don't forget to stay awesome in the next morning. Sweet dreams!

Monday Favorite Links is a blog feature where I share something inspiring or lovely from the internet world. You can also share with me your favorite links on the comment box below! (: