HAPPINESS IS HOMEMADE

Village Girl

Yogyakarta (aka Yogya, Jogjakarta or Jogja) is one of Indonesia’s loveliest and friendliest city. It is home to more than 100 Institutions of Higher Education in Indonesia, the highest number of any province in Indonesia. Hence, Yogyakarta earned its nickname "Kota Pelajar" (The City of Students).

Rich in historical culture and surrounded by nature such as an active volcanic mountain, forests, beaches, temples, museums, caves, hot springs and many more. Yogyakarta was given the status as a Special Administrative Region, making Yogyakarta the only region headed by a monarchy in Indonesia from 1950 until today.

Mom and Dad were childhood sweethearts. They got married relatively young, Dad was 23 and Mom was 22. My older brother and I were just 1 year apart, me being the younger child, I was the rebellious one until 11 years later when my youngest brother came along.

I came into this world in August some 40 plus years back, my arrival was a surprise to my parents. I was actually a bit earlier than expected simply because the gynecologist miscalculated the dates.

Dad had no car and only a motorbike for transportation, he started out selling water kettles and saved as much money as possible before he married my Mom. At the same time, Dad started to sell bags of rice door to door around the neighborhood until things improved and he could afford to open a small rice merchant shop. With Mom by his side, they built their business and brought me and my 2 brothers up.

Growing up with an older brother was fun. There were lots of silly arguments and being sent to the dark naughty corner in the charcoal store countless times as punishment. As a result, I got used to creepy crawlies and even became quite good at catching some of them.

My brother and I got into trouble a lot. Besides the normal sibling squabbles, I was quite the opposite of him. He was obedient, I was the one who challenged the conventional way and was more street smart. Breaking rules and testing everyone's patience. Our fights were mostly about him trying to control me and forcing me to listen to him. You know what they say about the middle child. That’s me!

I grew up with little to no toys at all except for those hand-me-downs from relatives, or toys we made ourselves.

Most of my days were spent playing outside with the neighborhood kids, my brother, or alone on my Yellow BMX bike.

Since young, I was a tomboy, independent, sporty. Always seeking out my next adventure.

“IF THE BOYS CAN DO IT, I WANT TO DO IT TOO - BUT BETTER!”

Most boys didn't mind playing with me. Digging through the muddy soil, throwing sticks, finding bugs, climbing trees, picking fruits, racing on bikes, doing lots of sports (badminton, tennis, table tennis and swimming). I liked being outdoors and under the sun, even till today.

The only time I was forced indoors was when I had to practice the piano. I started learning to play the piano since I was around 5 years old and had been actively involved in church, playing music ever since.

Dad taught me many things; from riding a bicycle, a motorbike, driving a car, to dealing with customers at the rice shop and learned how to tell the different types of rice apart, even mingled with his friends in the car business. Dad eventually started his own shop selling new and used motorbike and that was how I got a different bike each time I went out on my errands.

I had many suppers & movies with him. I was a daddy's girl for sure. Dad also used to sell charcoal as well. He created a storeroom for it between the rice shop and our home. That's where my brother and I used to spend hours locked up to reflect on our misbehavior. (Obviously, it didn’t work!)

My fondest memory of Jogja center on the hearty street food, the places I grew up and the simpler lifestyle. I am still a village girl at heart. When I visit home now, I still go for some of my favorite foods (straight from the airport right after I land).

I love Gudeg (made from young jackfruit), Bakso (beef ball soup), Sate Kambing (mutton skewer), Sate Ayam (chicken skewer), Pecel (steam vegetable with peanut sauce), Kerang Goreng (deep fried cockles), Oseng-oseng (spicy stir fried vegetables), Tongseng (mutton/beef stew dish in curry-like soup) and many more. (Note to self – book plane tickets)

Exploring a new country on my own.

In my late teens, right after finishing SMA (Sekolah Menengah Atas), which is equivalent to Junior College/High School, I came to Singapore to pursue my music studies at the Singapore Bible College. I wanted to be a musician too like all my cousins. We all played different musical instruments and we could easily form a family band.

Singapore was the very first country that I visited outside of Indonesia. I couldn’t speak English, had no friends or relatives here (I told you I was adventurous!).

The first few days were spent on long bus rides around the island to save some money. Carrying my dictionary, excited for new experiences, new places, new faces, a new language, lots of energy, and a map, I was ready to explore my new home!

I enrolled myself in a conversational English course near where I had rented a room. After every class, I would hop on any bus and took the longest route from one end to the other. I visited supermarkets, shops and tried to learn English on the go. Referring to my dictionary a lot when trying to figure out those words and how to pronounce them.

English is still a bit of a challenge. I still laugh at naughty jokes innocently until someone tells me so. I still struggle with some words. I still use my dictionary a lot. But I think I’m getting better.

These days, I still love being out in the sun. Either trekking into some forest, a long cycle, working out a sweat playing badminton or hitting a tennis ball against a wall and taking long walks. And yes, I still love getting on the bus and see where it takes me.

It has been more than twenty years now, since that day the plane landed at Changi Airport. In that time, my life has changed so much. I have come a long way from my kampong to the Singapore I now love and live in.

Singapore is my home now. I am very happy and blessed.

Regardless of where I am presently or in the future, I believe that Happiness is Homemade.

#LifeInYogYa

1. Yogyakarta ~ my hometown.

2. Welcome to Yogyakarta!

3. Knock on the door.

4. Something about Jogja.

5. When there are wheels, there are ways.

6. There are 7 days a week but my favorite is Sate'day.

7. Own Time, Own Target.

8. I Am Good To Gudeg.

9. A Rose by any other name is still a rose.

10. Let's go to Malioboro.

11. More Kopyor.

12. Rice is Nice.

13. I am Daddy's Girl.

14. Bone-Appetite.

15. Positive Training = Positive Train Ride.

16. Lesson in Humility.

➤ To know more about Yogyakarta:

• Click ➤ A guide to Yogyakarta
• Click ➤ 15 best things Yogyakarta

➤ To know more about Singapore:

• Click Visit Singapore

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➤ To know me professionally, click on Simply Shintastic!

➤ To know my personality, click on The Provider (BECAD)

➤ To watch my music video, click on Music Makes The World Go Round

➤ To watch my sports video, click on Your Energy Is Your Currency

➤ Welcome to connect professionally: Shinty Marisa

➤ Click #Shintastic for all my posts | I am an #LBFalumni | #SkyHighTower