Enjoying Life to the Fullest

Introduction – The Sweet Start Jakarta wasn’t on our original bucket list. But like the taste of pineapple — bold, unexpected, and just a little tangy — it surprised me in the best ways. I came for the adventure, maybe for the food, or perhaps just for the change of scenery. What I left with was a mosaic of memories: the chaos of traffic, the quiet of morning prayers echoing through the alleys, the colors of batik swaying in shop windows, and the smoky scent of cigarettes lingering on street corners. It wasn’t perfect. But it was vivid, loud, sweet, a little strange — and in the end, unforgettable. Day 1: A Midnight Landing and a Pineapple Plan We arrived in Jakarta just past midnight. Immigration was smooth, but finding our Indrive driver turned out to be more challenging than expected. The pickup area was confusing, and the language barrier made things harder. Messages got lost in translation, and for a while, we weren’t even sure if we were talking to the right person. But our d...

  I’ve carried this weight quietly, not always knowing what to call it — regret, shame, grief. But today, I want to face it with honesty. To my younger self: You didn’t even plan to become a teacher. You were promised something different — something closer to your real passion and advocacy. You said yes because you believed that, somehow, this would lead to your purpose. But the promise was broken. And instead of guidance, you were met with silence. Instead of support, confusion. You were thrown into a role you never trained for, yet expected to master it from day one. And when nothing felt right, when every step felt like a mistake, you kept pushing — even as you began to lose faith in yourself. I forgive you for feeling lost. I forgive you for doubting yourself. You were in a place where no matter what you did, it felt like it wasn’t enough. But I see now — your effort was real. Your heart was in it. Even in your lowest moments, you cared. To my students: I know I came across str...