It’s not a dream, but a reality that you wish for.

It’s the 30th and hey - I’ve been here for over a month now. On my own and the longest I have ever since I started venturing to study abroad. Maybe it’s time to reflect back on some reality check? 

Getting education and living abroad is one of those dreams that people aim for. Everyone wants that, right? Aside from all the good things to yourself, you also get the validation from the people around you and the society in general. 

But it’s not as easy as packing your bags and live happily ever after. The painful selection process is only the beginning. And when you land on a different land, that’s when the dream is kicked out of you and the new reality hits. 

In this new realm of reality, everything is not just 180 degree twisted. It is 360 degree twisted. It’s literally everything around you. It's a new life we are talking about here. If we look back to it, it wasn’t really a dream that you wished for. It was more of an alternative reality you wished for and it has now come true.

But if a new reality also means a new me, I guess I'm also liking a new me, too. He's another person I never thought I could pull off. The journey is long and it's only the beginning. Here's for more to come. :)

Dear 2015 me, you can finally do it.

It has been 20 days since I packed my bag, left home, and flew during a pandemic to come to London. 20 exhaustive, hectic, demanding, happy and sad days. Nevertheless, it is still 20 days that I am on my own.   

Throwing back to exactly 6 years ago, I would be in contrast. I was packing my bag and flew home from Paris because I couldn’t handle to be on my own as I was supposed to do a semester exchange in Warsaw, Poland. “Just come back home. I am so dizzy because of you” said my mom. I guess I was too young to actually know what I signed up for.   

But it has been 20 days now that I am on my own, even though it is 6 years later. But I believe I can really do it this time. I’m going to make not just my friends and family, but also myself, proud of my strength, my independence, and my new achievements.   

Special shout-out to my boyfriend who has always been there for me since day 1 and for my family who has always supported me in a lot of ways I could never count. Thank you.