A Wondrous Year of Mine — Firsts in 2023 (Part II)
Ok, I’m about to continue…
14. First I’tikaf — April 2023
The last 10 days of Ramadan are the most crucial since it is our opportunity to experience Lailatul Qadr in which our prayers will be answered by Allah, Inshaa Allah.
And for muslims, there is a worship called I’tikaf or spending the night in the mosque and doing worship all night long, whether it is dhikr, reading the Koran, listening to Ustadz’s sermons and lectures, or just sleeping is also included in worship.
In Ramadan last year, I had the opportunity to participate in I’tikaf for 2 days with my closest friends, Fira and Shania, at the Al-Azhar Grand Mosque, South Jakarta.
According to Fira, who had previously done i’tikaf there, the Al-Azhar Grand Mosque was very comfortable because the air was quite cool and there were also many places to eat for breaking the fast and sahoor.
Can’t wait to do I’tikaf again with you guys in Ramadan this year! Let’s explore the other mosques in Jakarta!
15. First Time Kidzoona-ing — May 2023
I never thought that playing on a playground would be this fun!
Let’s say masa kecil kurang bahagia or you name it, but if I was asked to accompany my nephews to play at the playground again, I would voluntarily put up my body lol.
It’s also great that now there are many playgrounds that are intended for adults so that not only children can play but also adults (the most fun side of adulting).
16. First Time Having PT — May 2023
I never thought I could have a PT (Perseroan Terbatas) for my own company at 23 years old! This was also my first time involved in legal matters.
So, Krazy Adventure (@krazy.adventure) together with Kak Nailah and Kak Uno, has been established as PT Srikandi Jelajah Inspirasi. Woohoo!
17. First Time Joining Self-Development Training — May, July, & August 2023
Self-development has always been an interesting topic for me. Reading books is one of the methods.
I used to think that just reading self-development books was enough. However, there are several moments where I need to discuss to get insight in two directions. I need people.
I am grateful that I have 2 older sisters who love me and want me to develop myself further. They took me to a self-development training program called Asia Works.
Apart from being able to learn more about my personal development, I also made lots of friends from here! From initially only taking part in one session, it ended with me completing until the final stage (Basic — Advanced — Leadership Program).
To Kak Nailah and Kak Uno, if you are reading this, the word ‘thank you’ probably won’t be enough for my memorable experience.
18. First Born of My Own Blog — June 2023
I’ve long wanted to have a personal journal, or blog, or digital diary, you name it, for me to write about whatever my thoughts are. I will be able to read this writing and consider my digital diary to be a legacy for my children in the future about their mother’s past life.
In June 2023, I decided to start uploading my writing after struggling with what platform would be suitable and easy to access. So, here it is The Unbeatable Panther’s Medium! Hopefully I can consistently write and post.
19. First Girls Time to Jogja — June 2023
So far, if we go anywhere with our family, we always have to go as a one package (mom-dad-children-grandchildren). But this time, we decided to go for three of us or we called it Girls Time. No boys allowed ❌.
This trip started with my mother who was curious about the experience of using a sleeper bus. At first, I wasn’t clear enough whether I would join them or not. However, a few days before departure, I decided to go along but by plane and left one day earlier than my mother and sister’s scheduled departure using a sleeper bus.
We took pictures in Malioboro wearing Java’s authentic attire, namely Kebaya, as if we were locals (yet.. yes I am Javanese, descended from my mother).
We also took VW nearby Borobudur Temple and strolled around visiting dodol production house, beekeeping and honey production, etc., on the last day.
20. First Time Joining Flag Football Team — July 2023
I joined Jakarta Flag Football in August 2022 but only joined the team which is part of the internal JFF itself in July last year when the internal Flag Football league was being held.
I had no idea about joining Gazelles Flag Football Team. Just a stranger named Via, who I didn’t know who she is, suddenly greeted me on Reclub (Hi Vi if you read this) and Ayisha (Hi Yish if you read this) who also did it via Whatsapp (I didn’t know her either and even was confused how did she get my number?) to join the new club named Gazelles Flag Football. Even after I decided to join and looked at the names of the people in the group, all the names sounded unfamiliar except Shania.
The league ran and ended. Even though our team didn’t win, the closeness is still felt until today and we still practice routinely every Tuesday.
21. First Time Climbing Via Ferrata and Celebrating Independence Day in Different Way by Raising Homeland Flag on the Cliff — August 17th 2023
Mount Parang Via Ferrata has been on my bucket list for as long as I have lived!
At the same time, everyone certainly celebrates Indonesia’s independence day in their own unique way, and so did I last year.
Via Ferrata is a mountain climbing technique using iron bars planted along the climbing route. Therefore, it is mandatory to use gloves so that your hands do not get hot and get scratched when climbing.
Bringing a group from @krazy.adventure, I and others raised the Red and White flag on the cliff after climbing Mount Parang Via Ferrata as high as 900 masl.
Fun fact that I just found out is, apparently Via Ferrata is the name of the climbing technique. I thought Via Ferrata was the name of a climbing route like mountain hiking routes in general at first (Merbabu via Suwanting, Prau via Wates, etc.) #WOWFakta.
Definitely would do Via Ferrata again throughout the world!
… to be continued to the last part…
