western lands.

Dang, I really haven't updated for awhile.

Anyways, I've moved from the house that I was in last year, and was lucky enough to be able to go to Europe for three weeks. Just came back around a week ago. It's a bit difficult to explain why I went to Europe, since it was initiated by my Jazz teacher who in fact, is still having her ongoing tour as we speak. For me it was a mix of studying Jazz in the real world –in a more Western setting, to be specific –and sightseeing as a slow traveler. I also paid my duty to the country by taking pictures for an Indonesian traditional-fusion band who got invited to Sevilla and Granada. That helped with the visa processing by a tad bit.

I had so many things that I wanted to type down last week, but as I eased in into the Ubud pace, I've let all of those fascinations float away. Well I thought maybe I'll just do what I usually did back when I travelled more often; post some images.

It's weird to state 'posting images' without relating it to Instagram these days. I like Instagram as a more casual platform for sharing images, but visual blogs gave you the freedom to post in larger sizes and stroll without having the obligation to tap 'like'.

During this trip, I've learned as a slow traveller to see things at my own pace, and not to plan so much in my personal time. I walked and observed, not only taking mindless glimpses, but really took my time to stare and geek out around autumn, even architectural/interior choices that seemed to complete the lifestyle of the warmly-dressed citizens around me. I've learned so much about myself, and listened to beautiful music, met amazing strangers, and was reunited with my beloved friends whom I haven't seen for a year or so. Meeting people in a completely different setting also gives a tinge of surreality. It's a great reminder to not take your time and money, in the present, for granted.

chicago, day two.

Five months after graduation and I'm still somewhat surviving. Well, barely, I guess. I have been taking things really slowly when it comes to career. Since February, mental health becomes the number one priority in my life, and therefore even though passion still comes alongside with that, I have to keep my mood in-check every day, week, and month. Still trying to get the hang of it but I have a good feeling about this month.

Anyways with that, I flew to Chicago to visit Abby (a.k.a. Muse No. 5) since she invited me a few months ago. A lot of my friends were surprised that someone convinced me to come this far, because I've always been reclusive and known as convenience-first type of person. I am still not sure what made me buy the tickets to fly here. Maybe it was the good deals, or the art museums, or the chance to get away from the city, or to be inspired just by having my muse around me. Maybe it's all of them. But one thing I'm sure of is that so far I've been enjoying everything.

Quick briefing; today Abby took me to Wicker Park area. Started the day by eating deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati's. Then since wee both really like books and bookstores we ended up visiting Quimby's and Myopic Books. Highlight of the day would be Jeni's; for the love of every milk-producing cow in the world, the Mont Blanc Buttermilk Frozen Yogurt ice cream comes at number one of my top five ice cream flavor list.

After that we had to go back to the apartment due to a little emergency. We still took off before sundown to Montrose Park where there was a friggin' dog beach! Ended up having a small shoot and we discussed about coming back there again for the next day.

So yeap, I'll be in Chicago 'till the 8th. Hopefully this trip can give me new perspectives and rekindled some of the blown-out candles of inspirations. If not, well, at least I got out of my room for a longer while. That's always a good thing.

bali + jogja '15.

The one question that I kept hearing every day during my ten days trip was: dateng ke sini sendiri aja? (You came here alone?) It makes me wonder if there's an existing stigma on traveling alone, but I could not care less, since I was having a great time taking control of my own trip.

The trip this year consisted of three episodes; three days job in Uluwatu, four days thesis prep-related activities in Ubud, and natural dyeing workshop in Jogja.

Briefly about the thesis prep, the trip's purpose was to gather as much skills, conversations, inspirations, and materials that'll assist me throughout this upcoming Senior year. The amazing thing is that not all of the things I've encountered and find inspiring were related to the art nor the creative industry. Something worth mentioning would be the hospitality of the locals, which makes traveling a lot better when you end up knowing more about these people and their ways of living. They become the heart of the cities you visited, and the aspect that makes foreign places to feel like home.

If you have any questions about who they are and where I've went during my trip, feel free to hit me up with an e-mail or a coffee convo invitation.

Be back in NYC by next week's Sunday.

And so I'll see you then :)