And, here we are, on the very last day of 2024.
2024 might not be my favorite year that I'd like to remember.
In the beginning of the year, I already faced some personal challenges which I don't really like to reminisce.
It's only 8 hours away to midnight a.k.a. the new year so, let me start my 16th annual recap of life!
For previous references: 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023
01 | JANUARY
My first day of January began with a car drive to PIK 2 with family and, nope, I would not recommend going there on New Year. I was stuck for 2.5 hours when driving back home.
The rocks started rolling down on 12 January and... let's just say more challenges come at me when I was not really at my best state.
Thankfully, I have friends who gave me mental support. Thank you so much, you and you and you. I could not survive the year without you guys for sure.
There is not much I could (or want to) recall about January 2024 - despite it's supposed to be one of my favorite months. I guess 2024 is just not it?
First experience: Is a (true) heartbreak counted as an experience? Haha.
January movie: "Sehidup Semati". Pretty good for a thriller movie.
Watched it on the day that I wish I could return to.
02 | FEBRUARY
Work-wise, made a trip to Bogor. Self-wise, went through another roller coaster of life.
I could be happy in an hour but then melancholic in another hour. I remembered pieces of memories about 2023 mostly in February for so many reasons. Well, apparently, 2023 is a better year for me and I realized how much I was attached to the past.
First experience: Crochet. Yes, I managed to finish something made by crochet.
February movie: "The Holdovers". A heartwarming one.
03 | MARCH
Probably the month that hit me low and high at the same time.
I attended Ed Sheeran's concert at JIS and took a flight to Singapore the next week to watch... Taylor Swift! Yes, I attended The Eras Tour - thanks to a friend of mine at office who offered the ticket to me. Definitely one of the best moments to remember in 2024.
Also visited Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest Experience while I was there.
During March, I also celebrated Easter week in Jakarta and Bogor. Apparently, again, during this month, I kept myself being reminded of the past... again.
First experience: Apparently, despite it's my 8th time visiting Singapore, this is the very first time I went there as a solo traveler.
March movie: None. But I watched 2 concerts!
04 | APRIL
April 2023 holds a lot of good memories so it's natural that I compared this month with last year, right? Haha. Well, comparison is one thing but being disappointed is another thing, no?
I dragged myself to Bandung for one and two reasons during April and made another haircut. This time, I cut it to shoulder length again (and a little bit regretting it until now).
First experience: Picking flowers to be arranged as a bouquet.
April movie: "Siksa Kubur". Not exactly my favorite horror movie but a lot of people recommended this.
05 | MAY
Despite it's still less memorable than last year's May, at least this month marked me being happy for certain days. For example, on the 12th day and near to my birthday. My birthday... Well, I'm certainly blessed because friends sending me food and greetings.
Also managed to enjoy dinner with friends in Tangerang, claim free/discounted birthday dine-in at restaurants, jumped in a Ferris wheel after sunset, received birthday presents, and everything that made me thankful.
First experience: CFD run. Just because. Don't ask if I want to join again.
May movie: "Abigail". Definitely a favorite of mine this year.
Oh, "How To Make Million Before Grandma Dies" is also a nice movie to enjoy.
06 | JUNE
Thinking about June, I think I spent a lot of my night working late at the office.
However, I actually took another flight this year after Singapore as a solo traveler.
Destination: Thailand!
I arrived in Bangkok on 28 June, went to the Ancient City on 29 June, attended Sunday Mass at Assumption Cathedral on 30 June and... the highlight of the trip...
LIGHTS GO ON, AGAIN.
HIGHLIGHT concert.
The whole reason why I went to Bangkok.
I became a fan of B2ST since 2011 and it's been 7 years since I watched them live (KOCCA event in Jakarta). Indonesia is not in their country list to visit so, oh, I'd fly for them for sure!
Well, June might be one of my favorite months along with March this year.
First experience: Ripley's Believe It or Not! As per now, I believe there are only 3 museums of Ripley's in Asia: Genting (Malaysia), Dubai (UAE), and Pattaya (Thailand).
June movie: "Inside Out 2". Not a fan of animated movie but I like this one (and the first one as well).
07 | JULY
How could I describe July?
I had one of the best 2-3 hours during this month and then regrets on some other days.
Is it good or not then? Well...
There's a farewell to a colleague this July, and a best friend of mine had a launching of her laundry business, went to Bogor for culinary trip because a friend just had a car.
First experience: Layover at airport. Yes, I spent a night in Changi during my trip back from Bangkok.
July movie: "Longlegs" for horror, "Deadpool & Wolverine" for superhero/comedy.
08 | AUGUST
I'd say this month is more about movie and TV series for me. I watched 4 movies at cinemas, more on streaming platform. I also got to play another boardgame session with friends, met with a friend who would have a special day in December.
Is this a good month to remember?
I wouldn't say that - but there are worse ones for sure.
First experience: Honestly, I don't think there is anything new I did this month. Haha.
August movie: "Pilot", a very fun movie but I couldn't help fangirling for "Detective Conan: Millian Dollar Pentagram".
"Maharaja" on Netflix made it to one of the best plot twists in movie for me.
09 | SEPTEMBER
It's a month of celebration with PwC Festival at Tennis Indoor Senayan,
and then Assurance Management Conference in Bandung,
and then meeting an ex-colleague whom I haven't met for more than a year.
Yet there is also a heartbreaking day as one of my close friends lost his family.
First experience: Working at airport while waiting for a friend. People thought I was flying somewhere again, lol.
September movie: "Speak No Evil". People said the original is better though.
10 | OCTOBER
This belongs to the 'first experience' but I think it deserves longer paragraph so... I joined a group trip for hiking trip. Yes, you read it right. Hiking.
Took a bus to Wonosobo on 25 October, we climbed on 26 morning and stayed in a tent to watch the sunrise at Prau Sunrise Camp. Took the bus back to Jakarta afterwards and back to work on 27, woot!
Better month than previous but, still, can't top last year, unfortunately.
First experience: Building handover. I'll talk about this in 2025. I promise.
October movie: "Home Sweet Loan". Also attended the movie special screening!
"Smile 2" is also a recommended horror movie!
11 | NOVEMBER
A month with hustle bustle: Dufan with colleagues, Japanese Film Festival, New Mall visit to Agora, Blok M culinary night, (Highlight) Concert Movie, BSD culinary day.
Oh, I broke my S-Pen, HAHA. Okay, that's sad.
Can't write much because, well, it's a pretty normal month. I think it's a good sign to be normal, no?
First experience: Orchestra concert (The Legends 10: Magic). It felt so magical to hear the orchestra live, playing the music from my favorite fantasy movies.
November movie: "Red One". Why is it not a December movie though?
And, of course, "Wicked". Go watch it if you like musical!
12 | DECEMBER
December should be my favorite month, seriously. Well, at least, that's how usually things are every year. I guess I couldn't play favorite too often.
It was fun on early December days with the whole talky things but went a little bit downhill on the next week.
Still, I made myself busy with dental visit, cleaning up the house, badminton (kinda a regular this year), trying Timeleft for the first time, catching up with friends.
15 December is a happy day for sure! I received the honor to be a bridesmaid for a friend of mine, whom I have known since junior high school. So happy for you two!
Also tried a role-playing game experience on 29 December with friends. I'd like to try again actually, despite realizing I am far from mystery solver, lol.
First experience: Gift exchange with Pilates group. Yes, Pilates, you read it right. Kinda try to start healthy(er) activities a bit.
December movie: "Bila Esok Ibu Tiada". Had put this in queue for a while and finally watched this heartwarming/heartbreaking movie with top-notch performance from the casts!
And... that's it.
12 months. 366 days.
It seems like I compare each month with last years a little bit too much in this post, right?
I know, I also realize that, but it does not mean I'm not grateful of this year.
I'm blessed enough to experience a lot of new things and I'm truly grateful.
I just hope 2025 will be better.
I hope yours too. :)
