Old time glory

I was about to go on my bike to the university library by the time one of my bestfriend send me a massage about ITB's enterance exam result. Two of my juniors in high school got accepted there. Of course i am totally happy with that. I am happy for them.

But then i starting a conversation via a BB messenger with a friend of mine. A special friend, I must say. I then said to her that i'm sharing the happiness that currently in the air of Jakarta. And i remember how happy I was when i received an email that confirming my admission in Universiteit van Amsterdam almost a year ago. I still exactly feeling the joy and happiness of that very sweet moment precisely. That's why i absolutely understand how it feels to get accepted in the university of your dream.

On that particular night, i was in the internet shop in the front of my rented room in Kampung Kukusan - Depok. I were plugging my own laptop there, checking my email. And suddenly one email knocked me out. It said, i am accepted. My first reaction was running to my room, screaming, yelling, jumping. I'm sure i disturbed the peacefulness of the building that evening. That emotion is simply too good. I get what i've been dreaming for the last two years, back then.

Without many thoughts, i borrow my bestfriend's motorcycle to come home right away after the announcement. And suddenly many friends congragulated you via sms and phone calls. That was awesome ! Feels great and so right. Arrived at home, i exchanged tears with my mother. A very warm hug as usual. My father of course also very happy.

Then the conversation still goes. We talked about our last dinner at the restaurant in nearby Kebayoran Baru. She asked me whether i still remember or not. How could i forget that evening, for God's sake. It was a special night, at least for me. I still remember precisely that i borrow my mother's car, as well as borrow my brother's "Topman"shirt in checker red. I were totally happy at that night. I can tell that my eyes were shining while i'm spilling out my talk. My eyes were talking. It was simply a perfect evening. Just too damn sweet to remember.

Those last few weeks before my departure are one of the best periods of my life. Ever. Few celebrations with closest friends and family, several intimate talk with colleagues, and of course several farewell moments. It was a great moment with great people. Simply glorious, yet too sweet.

And now here i am, in the the university library. Instead of doing my assignment, i'm busy writing about those glorious moments. I can't stop smiling since about 30 minutes ago, already. Somehow i feel more pressure over my chest. It feels like it has lesser spaces. I'm happy by remenescing those days.

--
Indahnya masa-masa itu selalu mengingatkanku akan betapa manisnya Jakarta. Terlalu manis untuk tak dapat tempat di memori. Walaupun juga tak sedikit kegetiran disana. Masa muda dengan semua romansanya, kesombongannya, keangkuhannya, dan kebodohannya. But yeah, for the sake of the old time glory.

Copenhagen

I finally got another opportunity to write a trip report after my first one about Bunaken, North Sulawesi - Indonesia. On this one i gonna write about my trip to the capital city of Denmark, Copenhagen, as well as Malmö, Sweden (in the next post).

My plan about visiting Copenhagen started few months ago after i can't manage to get a ticket for John Mayer concert in my city, Amsterdam. I don't know why, but the concert ticket of that cocky-yet-awesome musician got sold out too easily in most cities that he visit in Europe. Within two hours after the sales open for the Amsterdam show, it suddenly sold out. Rather than being upset, i look at his website and found out that the nearest city (without a visa application obligation) will be Copenhagen. Then, i successfully managed to got the ticket. Hence, basically my trip to Copenhagen is simply because of his show.

I flew with KLM. The flight took like an hour from Amsterdam. And as usual, I travel as a stand-by passenger. The golden rule of using a staff ticket is that : no booking, but can be listed. And as long as there is a seat in the plane, you can board the flight. That morning, the check-in counter officer told me that the flight was full. There's no more seat left on the economy class. So, he gave me the seat in the business class. What a blessing. Cheap ticket; business class travel, although it was only an hour flight.

As most of the Scandinavian city, Copenhagen is not cheap (at all). For that reason, hotel is not a choice for me. I booked a very small private bedroom in a hostel nearby the central station of copenhagen. The hostel is located on Vesterbrogade. 6 minutes walk from central station. I took the train from Copenhagen airport to the city that cost me around DKK 69 (around EUR 9.30). For that reason as well, i decided to take no public transport, i will only travel by walking around the city.

After check-in and put my bag on the room, i started my city sightseeing. I never been to anywhere in Scandinavian countries. I only counting on Lonely Planet : Copenhagen encounter that i just bought the day before my departure. Referring to lonely planet encounter, there are several must-seen objects in Copenhagen. I started with the city square (Rådhuspladsen). Beside the city square, there is a well-known theme park called Tivoli Garden. That's also a must-seen object (according to lonely planet), but because the entrance fee is expensive, i decide to not go. i'm on budget travel.

from there, i keep walking to the northeast of the city along the shopping street of Frederiksberggade. I'm heading to the most iconic port of Copenhagen: Nyhavn. Nyhavn was constructed by King Christian V from 1670-73, dug by Swedish war prisoners during the Dano-Swedish War in 1658–1660. There, i took a canal trip like in Amsterdam. I didn't expect that they have such a canal trip in Copenhagen. But in fact, it turns out that by taking a canal trip i can see so many places that probably i can't reach by foot. The canal trip last for an hour, and i paid around DKK 60. I can tell you that the canal trip is one of the best way to enjoy Copenhagen.

I kept heading north east to see Amelienborg Slot. According to Lonely Planet, Amelienborg is made up four rather staid 18th century palaces around a large cobbled square. During that afternoon i also got a chance to see the changing of the royal guard. They look like the royal guard in the Buckingham Palace, but its own way of course.

On that first day, i was looking to see the most iconic sculpture in the whole Copenhagen. It is the Little Marmaid. You can find that sculpture in the shore before Lystbadehavn. It located beside Churchillparken. On that day i really looking forward to see it, but in fact, it turns out that the Little Marmaid was on her vacation to Shanghai to visit The World Expo. The city government really bring the original sculpture to Shanghai to promote the city. So, with a little bit disappointment, i can't manage to see it. Too bad. I walked very long on the first day, it almost 20 km from the central station to the little marmaid, back and forth.

On the second day, it was raining and a little bit cold. So i decided to go to the National Museum (Nationalmuseet) nearby the Christianborg Slot. The national museum is great. From the ancient Danes history to the modern day of Denmark, it gives the explanation of all of that period. Moreover, the entrance to this nice museum is free.

On my last day in Copenhagen, i only visit The Round Tower (Rundetaarn). It is one of the oldest observatory in Europe that still active. I paid DKK 25 to get the ticket and walking through the round way until the top, then continued by few stair steps. You can see the city center of the old copenhagen perfectly from here. Just like in Monas, Jakarta. I like this tower a lot. Classic, unique, and historical.

that's all about the city sightseeing trip in Copenhagen. by the next post, I will tell you one of the most shocking and un-expected thing ever happen during my whole life (so far). About the John Mayer's concert and the trip to Malmo.

In repair

Too many shadows in my room

Too many hours in this midnight

Too many corners in my mind

So much to do to set my heart right

...

Those pieces of "In Repair" by John Mayer are suddenly being played in my head with repeat-mode. I don't know why, but lately I simply not feeling okay about myself. I have no problem with school. I passed all of my course. But i don't know, it simply doesn't feels right.

I got friends and buddies who i can share my story with. I'm not alone, neither lonely, but i just feel like i had something to be fixed with myself. In fact, i have a less schedule during the last 10-months or so of my study. With less busy schedule, somehow i felt like less productive. So many waste of time and energy. The allocation of the time wasn't good lately. I did too much unnecessary things in the last couples of months.

And emotional-wise, i found that i'm losing my sense of "greatness". I'm losing my "self-serving bias" that always supports me all the way. I feel i'm marginal, now. I'm now sometimes whispering myself "I was special, but not anymore". What the hell's wrong here ? Where the hell's those nice-and-positive feelings went from myself ? I feel like those glorious days are over. Those tiring-yet-exciting days during the last 5 years or so. Those young, restless, and yet reckless spirit. I want those spirit back.

Tonight, i feel like my soul is half-empty. I am not okay. And i have to do something about it. I don't know how, but i should fixed this. And i will.