16 June 2021

Si Anak Cahaya Review
si anak cahaya review
Buku-buku yang kita baca, orang-orang yang kita dengarkan, perkumpulan yang kita ikuti, akan membentuk perangai kita hingga tega melakukan apa pun. – Bapak
I present you with the first Indonesian literature that I ever purchased. But this one ain’t my first read cause I ever read other books by Hamka and I immediately fall in love with their writing language. I mean, it is a bit different than Malay novel and I enjoy reading and acah-acah pronounce the words in their accent. In my opinion, the depth of the words, and the way it sounds, are very soulful and give you a goosebump. I like it, I like how poetic it is.

Si Anak Cahaya is written by Tere Liye or Darwis (his real name), an Indonesian author from Lahat, South Sumatera. Some of his masterpice includes Hafalan Shalat Delisa, Bidadari-Bidadari Surga, Moga Bunda Disayang Allah dan Rembulan Tenggelam Di Wajahmu. Hafalan Shalat Delisa has been adapted as movie and there are more of his writings.


Synopsis

“Nama kau Nurmas, itu nama yang indah sekali. Nur itu cahaya, mas atau emas itu logam mulia yang berharga. Aku harap, suatu saat cahaya dan kemuliaan kau akan menyatu, berkilauan.”

Buku ini tentang Nurmas, si anak cahaya yang memiliki petualangan masa kecil yang penuh keceriaan dan menakjubkan. Apa yang sebenarnya dilakukan oleh Nurmas hingga penduduk seluruh kampung selalu mengingat kejadian yang membuatnya resmi dipanggil si anak cahaya?

Dari puluhan buku Tere Liye, serial buku ini adalah mahkotanya.

Published Date: December, 2018 | Publisher: Republika


Si Anak Cahaya Review

First of all, I have no regret buying this book. The cover got my attention the most so basically this book was chosen based on its skin. It is my first piece of literature from Tere Liye and I gotta admit that his writing is beautiful. Nothing drives me mad except trying to understand certain words that I don’t familiar with. But that ain’t really a big deal since I can google up the meaning of the words or simply ask my Indonesian squads. Everything else is just fine.

I finish the book with a content heart! The story truly reminds me of my childhood and my best friends. Except that I am not heroic like Nurmas and my best friends and I never go to farms together. Their friendship is what I would say to-die-for cause they stick together like glue and are always there for each other through thick and thin. My favorite scenes in the book are definitely when the four of them do things together because I can imagine the exciting moments they had especially when they are all silly and funny. Their traits are way so similar to my best friends and I can relate to each one of them!

I love that the content of the book is loaded with moral values and it all starts with Nurmas. From honesty to loyalty to braveness to being grateful for little things and more. It’s what I currently need in my life right now. Not saying I lack those traits but I am in need of something to knock me off so I can appreciate life better. Not everyone sees the little things as something to be cherished and some only focus only the huge and grand things thus this book will make you realize that living a moderate life is also a blessing.

Impressive enough how the author tries to connect the wise point to each scene which automatically makes Nurmas the best girl in town. Yeah, it seems overrated but it has to be her since the book is about her journey. Everyone admires her and it’s hilarious when her best friends’ parents keep on saying “apa pun yang dilakukan anak gadisnya Yahid, ikuti. biar kalian bisa belajar” every single time when they want to follow whatever Nurmas is doing. They even willingly accompany Nurmas in everything.

When it comes to a family issue, I gotta say there are a few parts that literally makes me shed tears. Her family bonding is strong enough that it could break a stone. The moment when her parents said she will always be the special daughter in the house despite the newborn of her little brother really touched me. Well, we all know parents who only love 4 out of their 5 children. I really don't understand when someone has to be a black sheep in a family. Why cant they love their children equally?

Reading this book feels like reading 5 books at the same time. The plot is still moving on the same track but you get to experience a myriad journey with Nurmas which finally builds her character up until she is deserved and is entitled to be called Si Anak Cahaya. Hilarious, meaningful, and such a page-turner. When I say hilarious, I really mean it. Tere Liye really knows how to joke around and tickle his reader!

Rating: ★★★★★
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15 June 2021

Mini Purse
I just purchased a new wallet for myself yeay. It's a mini croco-effect wallet in black colour by Charles & Keith. I've been looking for a small size wallet since I love to keep it minimal and this brand happens to have a xxs size which suits my preference. I gotta say the quality of this brand is quite nice and durable. My previous Charles & Keith purse, also I think in a xxs or maybe xs size, finally cracks up after maybe three years of using it. It's not really that bad though. I would say the condition is still 9/10 even though they are using faux leather.
mini purse charles and keith

The shipping and delivery period from Singapore - Malaysia - Miri took less than one week. I was worried it won't arrive at the address mentioned cause they shipped it via Aramex and they didn't even mention the second courier who takes over the parcel. I only receive a text message saying the parcel is out for delivery, but I have no idea where it is lol. Turn out I receive the parcel from GDex.

So this purse has six card slots, one cash compartment, one zip compartment for coins and snap button closure. I don't take much cash with me since I'd rather go cashless. As for the cards, I just put my identity card, driving license, debit card and membership card for groceries shopping. I'm not rich so yeah, one bank card is enough. But I'm planning to create a Maybank account just for a backup. 

Would that coin compartment be enough? No and no, I won't use them at all. I have a coin bag for coins and my other important-but-not-so-important cards. Also in a mini size as well. I used to love the long purse, but I'd rather sacrifice them with all kind of harta karun I bring in my handbag. Plus I don't have much to keep in it instead of filling them in with receipts like a garbage bin lol. 

Do you prefer a long purse, short purse or mini purse?
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11 June 2021

Confusing Traits

are we being fake
So I’ve been thinking deeply about the personality of a human lately. It’s nothing too serious but just some kind of thought that occupied my head. Tak tahu kalau orang lain ada terfikir macam ni jugak but if yes, let me know your viewpoint about it.

So basically I was thinking about the two side traits of human being, which we called the bright and dark side. The yin and yang. Yang bright side of course lah the kind of character yang kita tunjuk dengan semua orang. Baik, lemah lembut, periang, rajin dan semua yang positif lah. While the dark side is the opposite. Dan character yang kita tak tunjuk depan orang. It is just between you and yourself. Dan soalannya sekarang, adakah bila kita behave differently bermaksud kita adalah seorang yang fake?

It’s obvious that perangai kita, cara kita behave berubah ikut keadaan dan orang yang kita berinteraksi. Bila dengan budak kecik we are all that penyayang. Bila dengan kawan cara percakapan kita agak kasar sikit. Bila dengan orang tua kita cakap penuh sopan. Does it means we just pretend to be nice and hiding our true colors or is it merely a reaction we give to people based on how they treat us? Ada je memang jenis kasar even dengan orang tua pun cara percakapan macam tak ada batas. Dan ada pulak orang memang dilahirkan lemah lembut even orang biadap dengan dia pun dia still converse in a decent way.

But if people accused us of being fake, does it means we have to be rude to everyone then? Does it mean we cannot conceal the bad side of us yang dianggap memburukkan diri sendiri depan orang lain? Yelah. Bila marah je menyumpah. Depan orang tua takkan nak menyumpah jugak kot? Itu cari pasal namanya. Tipu lah kalau kau cakap kau tak ada boiling point, tak ada perasaan marah tahap nirvana. Most people akan bertukar jadi hulk rasanya. But aku salute dengan orang yang sabar, yang boleh control marah dia even dah sampai tahap membuak-buak.


The Japanese say you have three faces. The first face, you show to the world. The second face, you show to your close friends and your family. The third face, you never show anyone. It is the truest reflection of who you are.


Kalau semua manusia ada three faces macam ni, means no one is being true to themselves in front of people. Am I right or am I right? I’m dying to know opinions from someone else. What would you say about this? Are we hiding our true colours and pretend to be nice? Can you figure out if you are more to yin or more to yang? Like how do you see yourself? To be honest, just because aku act macam singa di rumah sebab adik adik aku semua bengkeng simok dengar cakap, and that I use profanity when talking with my friends sometimes, I feel like a fake when I act decent depan orang lain. Tsk. It’s not that I feel like I am being someone else or what but it’s the way I behave. Macam mana eh nak explain. You are still you, still yourself. But you behave differently at a certain point in your life. And then you start questioning yourself, which one is your true character?

Siktauklah if orang paham ka sik apa aku bebel. But I feel the need to write this…

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Daydreams

daydreams picturesque city
What kind of daydream excites you? Let me tell you mine. Whenever I have the chance for these wishful thoughts, I always imagined myself being in a random city. Taking a stroll through the picturesque street, visiting a vintage-theme bookstore, riding a bus around the town, buying myself a bouquet of fresh baby's breath and sunflowers, getting myself a cup of non-alcoholic mojito or just a cold latte, and perhaps ice cream from the famous gelato truck around the corner. 

Guess what I will wear for the occasion? Perhaps a casual long coat like the one you have always seen in movies or K-Drama or maybe a summer maxidress. The ankle boot is a must cause it's my favourite footwear all the time. What we imagine for ourselves is kinda amusing and sometimes pretty much opposite to who we are in real life. And that is so fascinating. 

But what's bothering me in these daydreams is, it gives me a little instinct like there's something missing out from me and that I have to search for it. Is it the life I crave, or is it my inner self trying to signal me about don't-forget-to-find-yourself along the journey?

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09 June 2021

Of Sad Songs
of sad songs

My friend once asked me, why do I love listening to sad songs? I never thought my music preference would be something questionable. I am pretty much aware of my music taste and didn't even realize there's something wrong with it. I know she didn't point out about it just to make me feel bad but it makes me think back, just why?

I've been listening to sad songs more often than before now. I even purposely search for it. Is it due to my current situation or is it because I was born a melancholic person? Or am I torturing myself, making my already-down mood become worst? 

Music 'bercelaru' will never get any rating from me. I won't even gonna listen to it. Bercelaru means there's too many background noise/sound kedak orang ngelepar eh. I hate that kind of song. Kpop is acceptable. And other than sad songs, slow-rock is also my favorite genre. But the song lyrics are still sad though.

I once stumbled upon this one posting on TikTok where the person mentioned that listening to sad songs is actually an act of self-abuse. I was like, oh damn. I didn't know that, really. I thought it's okay since it vibing well with my mood. I know it makes me feel more pathetic but I don't really care though. Sometimes at one point, I even force myself layan sad fandom on youtube. It's more depressing and I will cry more watching them cry lol. And once again, I thought its definitely okay immersing myself in that mood. But little did I know, it falls into the self-abuse category. 

People listen to music to get distracted and cheer themselves up. But it's vice versa for me. 

I don't get myself fixed but I let my already-torn self become worst instead.


These are the playlist that I currently put on repeat mode.

1. Xiao Zhang (I've read the lyric translation so yeah its legit to vibe with it)

2. Penjaga Hati - Ari Lasso

3. My Old Story - IU

4. Lovely by Billie Ellish

5. Bury My Heart - Peter Gundry

6. Pedih - Last Child

7. Inner Demons - Julia Brennan

8. Empty Notes - Ghostly Kisses

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04 June 2021

Of Comparison Habit

Comparison is bullshit. Comparison is nothing but a disease to the soul. It’s a joy killer and a traumatic stab that goes straight to the heart of a person. The comparison act is nasty and disgusting but we, humans, love it very much despite knowing that comparison brings nothing but destruction to life. I’ve been thinking about the morality of comparing myself to someone or someone comparing themselves to me, but I couldn’t find something that makes sense at all. But why do we resist doing so? Why do we do things we aren’t supposed to do?

I’ve been going through a rough journey for the past weeks. Battling my chaotic thoughts, my inner demons, and the reality. I’ve spent most of my time in bed and sleeping, barely managed on doing something cause you know, nothing interested me anymore. All I wanna do is tugging myself under the blanket, distance myself, and sleep my problems away. I hate days that go by, I don’t wanna talk nor wanting to stay in this pain-in-the-ass reality. It sucks and I honestly feel like dying. I didn’t get help but I did have a conversation with my fellow friends and getting some advice along with those positive words.

But this time it hits me differently. I keep on wondering how do some people recover so easily. How do they manage to get back on their feet in a very short time? Salute. It’s good for them but I really can’t take it when people start comparing those two types of people; one who wins quickly and the other is being labeled as loser and weak. It’s not okay and it will never be okay. My ultimate point is we are all different. We might share the same problems, but we don’t deal with them the same way. Imagine this; just because you and I lose the purse at the same time, I can’t deal with it the way you settle it down. You still have more savings in your account but all I got is those balances in the purse. You have nothing to worries since you still can afford to buy something and pay the bills but I can no longer do anything since all is gone. Your problem is fixed but mine is still waiting for the next consequences that won’t end in the blink of eyes. It’s pandemic and my work contract has been terminated. See? Even the example is suffocating enough. Just because of that unlucky purse, I have to go through into another living hell. Yet people still making a comparison.

There are actually more things people love to compare but still none of it ever make sense at all. I don’t even understand the point of doing so. Do we make comparisons just to feel better and to feel great about ourselves? There are hundred of ways to improve and making ourselves better instead of using a dirty scheme. Trust me, reflect before you start comparing. Mirror yourself, talk to yourself, go thorugh your mind before hurting someone. Cause the moment we judge and compare someone, our lives gonna be miserable as well. I keep on self-reflecting myself so I won’t make the same mistakes. But sometimes I end up repeating the habit while dragging myself down at the same time. Impossible to define and funny but it’s the fact. Comparison is truly nothing but a pain in the ass to us.

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Window Talk

Have you ever heard anyone say they are obsessed with windows? It’s amused me, really. I sort of had a funny talk with myself after discovering that I am actually obsessed with windows. Weird enough cause it’s not a common obsession but I’m definitely sure there are more people like me. 

Reading a book can magically take me anywhere without even needing to move my feet. So do the windows! But the journey is a whole lot different compare to reading. Fewer adventures, more calming and refreshing. Being an over-thinker myself, my mind never rested. It’s a never-ending mess for me. 

I figured that the moment I look outside the window, especially when taking a bath (my bathroom got a teeny tiny window as well!), my mind begins taking me to serenity. Lost into unknown nothingness while staring at the bright blue sky. 

It’s nothing much like reality but paradoxically it is. I’m staring right at what in front of me; like the sky, the roof of our neighbor’s house; the tree, the clouds, the electricity pole but my mind refused to process that view. It’s basically throwing a party mess but it surprisingly it doesn’t stress me. Strange. It feels like all the burdens untangled themselves from my brain. 

As for the sunset, I have to go to the opposite room to see those golden rays of sunshine. That room, the guest room, becomes the prettiest when it comes to sunset. Damn, I wish I can switch this master room to that guest room. Pastel skies and sunset is my addiction. Like who the fuck dislikes them? Oh, come on. Imagine having a study desk next to the window panels, listening to lo-fi music while getting bewitched by the dawn… 

I think I would never forget to be grateful every day. It’s mesmerizing enough. I learned to appreciate and being more thankful for nature’s beauty. Even though being in this world is temporary and everything in here is all deception, it’s not a reason for us to be ungrateful of the surrounding.
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