Two days ago was my 31st birthday. It was the first birthday where I don’t have a bucket list to tick off in over a decade—anyone remembers my 30 Before 30 List? It felt strangely relieving, like I don’t have expectations to fulfill, including my own. So that’s what it feels like to have birthdays in your 30s. Can’t lie, it feels pretty good. This new decade also feels like the time to reconsider your priorities and spend it only with those who truly matter in your life—which is why I spent the entire day with my sister and core family.
A few months ago my sister moved to Bandung for the greatest job opportunity in her career so far. In case you didn’t know, my sister works as a school teacher—English, to be precise. I was so happy for her when I heard—she has always been deeply fond of Bandung as well—but that meant we would have less time to see each other. But that’s also called growing up so…Thankfully, school was out on my birthday week and she could spend the break at home to celebrate my new age. We spent the week having multiple sister dates—which was truly a long time coming.
Two days ago was my 31st birthday. It was the first birthday where I don’t have a bucket list to tick off in over a decade—anyone remembers my 30 Before 30 List? It felt strangely relieving, like I don’t have expectations to fulfill, including my own. So that’s what it feels like to have birthdays in your 30s. Can’t lie, it feels pretty good. This new decade also feels like the time to reconsider your priorities and spend it only with those who truly matter in your life—which is why I spent the entire day with my sister and core family.
A few months ago my sister moved to Bandung for the greatest job opportunity in her career so far. In case you didn’t know, my sister works as a school teacher—English, to be precise. I was so happy for her when I heard—she has always been deeply fond of Bandung as well—but that meant we would have less time to see each other. But that’s also called growing up so…Thankfully, school was out on my birthday week and she could spend the break at home to celebrate my new age. We spent the week having multiple sister dates—which was truly a long time coming.
📷 Fujifilm X-T100 with Fujinon Aspherical Superb EBC XC 15-45mm lens
Celebrating My Sprout
As per tradition (that I started basically last year lol), I took time off work on my birthday. With my sister having a break and being in town as well, it was the perfect day to do whatever I wanted—and I chose to explore Bintaro and relax in an aesthetically-pleasing location. Although we live pretty close to Bintaro, but I personally rarely explore the area in recent years—mostly due to the fact that Agung lives so far away in the other direction that going on dates in Bintaro would feel unfair to him. And so, after exploring far from home last year, I thought this year I would finally check out what’s new in the Bintaro neighbourhood—and there’s been plenty in the past couple years.
Since there are so many newly-opened places in Bintaro, I had a hard time deciding at first—Libra, am I right?
“Should I try to hit as many places as possible? Should I visit places that aren’t obvious and feel more uniquely me? Should I remain productive on this day?”
In the end, I decided to drag my sister to an aesthetically-pleasing café at the heart of Bintaro with the agenda of just relaxing while drawing (me) and writing (her). Of course I would vlog though, and take photos for the blog as well. In the end, we didn’t get to have that relaxing productive session, but we took these gorgeous photos instead—and I really wouldn’t have it any other way.
As per tradition (that I started basically last year lol), I took time off work on my birthday. With my sister having a break and being in town as well, it was the perfect day to do whatever I wanted—and I chose to explore Bintaro and relax in an aesthetically-pleasing location. Although we live pretty close to Bintaro, but I personally rarely explore the area in recent years—mostly due to the fact that Agung lives so far away in the other direction that going on dates in Bintaro would feel unfair to him. And so, after exploring far from home last year, I thought this year I would finally check out what’s new in the Bintaro neighbourhood—and there’s been plenty in the past couple years.
Since there are so many newly-opened places in Bintaro, I had a hard time deciding at first—Libra, am I right?
“Should I try to hit as many places as possible? Should I visit places that aren’t obvious and feel more uniquely me? Should I remain productive on this day?”
In the end, I decided to drag my sister to an aesthetically-pleasing café at the heart of Bintaro with the agenda of just relaxing while drawing (me) and writing (her). Of course I would vlog though, and take photos for the blog as well. In the end, we didn’t get to have that relaxing productive session, but we took these gorgeous photos instead—and I really wouldn’t have it any other way.
We found this place through TikTok—I did a simple Google search and got results from TikTok instead. We were attracted to the gorgeous interior, the relaxing ambience, the generous food portion and the prices we saw on the menu—found through Google Maps. When we arrived on location, we were immediately hit by the beauty of the place.
The building was pretty hard to miss—it’s a 3-story building with a glass façade. Tropical plants line the walkway and antique tiles pave our path to the front door—it immediately felt like Joshua Tree or Palm Springs for me. Then you walk in through the door and you immediately feel like being in an urban jungle—with a giant exposed-brick wall on the side and tons of hanging plants dangling from the upper floors. Each floor, by the way, offers a different experience. The first floor is your typical café. The second floor houses a small knick-knack store—perhaps all local products. The third floor provides al fresco rooftop seatings.
My face fell when I saw the menu, though, because the prices on Google Maps weren’t accurate—making this place a tad expensive for me. My sister ordered Beef Kwetiau and Caramel Latte, while I opted for a Fettucinne Carbonara (of course) and Banana Latte. When the food arrived with their pretty generous portion, though, we were pretty relieved—not to mention the beautiful plating. I ended up being pretty satisfied with everything I ordered—so much so that I savoured the Banana Latte to its very last drop. My sister didn’t particularly like her Caramel Latte—said she couldn’t taste the coffee, and I agree—but she seemed to find the Kwetiau okay. The service also feels very young with the servers’ nonchalance—as opposed to top-notch hospitality of a fine-dining restaurant, per se—but I find that makes the place cosier.
Thrifted shirt // swapped dress // American Apparel bow (old) // old socks + boots // photos of me by Akita
We found this place through TikTok—I did a simple Google search and got results from TikTok instead. We were attracted to the gorgeous interior, the relaxing ambience, the generous food portion and the prices we saw on the menu—found through Google Maps. When we arrived on location, we were immediately hit by the beauty of the place.
The building was pretty hard to miss—it’s a 3-story building with a glass façade. Tropical plants line the walkway and antique tiles pave our path to the front door—it immediately felt like Joshua Tree or Palm Springs for me. Then you walk in through the door and you immediately feel like being in an urban jungle—with a giant exposed-brick wall on the side and tons of hanging plants dangling from the upper floors. Each floor, by the way, offers a different experience. The first floor is your typical café. The second floor houses a small knick-knack store—perhaps all local products. The third floor provides al fresco rooftop seatings.
My face fell when I saw the menu, though, because the prices on Google Maps weren’t accurate—making this place a tad expensive for me. My sister ordered Beef Kwetiau and Caramel Latte, while I opted for a Fettucinne Carbonara (of course) and Banana Latte. When the food arrived with their pretty generous portion, though, we were pretty relieved—not to mention the beautiful plating. I ended up being pretty satisfied with everything I ordered—so much so that I savoured the Banana Latte to its very last drop. My sister didn’t particularly like her Caramel Latte—said she couldn’t taste the coffee, and I agree—but she seemed to find the Kwetiau okay. The service also feels very young with the servers’ nonchalance—as opposed to top-notch hospitality of a fine-dining restaurant, per se—but I find that makes the place cosier.
Thrifted shirt // swapped dress // American Apparel bow (old) // old socks + boots // photos of me by Akita
Never Too Late to Bloom
Now, celebrating my 31 years of life so far, you may think it stupid of me to even attempt this anymore. Heck, even my boss said so. He told me that my 30s shouldn’t be the time for me to change careers, that I should focus on honing my skills in the career I already have to live a prosperous and comfortable life later on. That sounds pretty nice and utopian—if not delusional. What if the current path I’m on is not the hill I’d want to die on?
Call me an idealist, but I want to be the kind of person who lives according to her principles—and God knows I have plenty. What if being the driving force for people to keep purchasing and consuming isn’t my calling? What if by sticking to this career I just keep being bogged down by the sense of guilt for endorsing capitalism? Shouldn’t I at least have the chance to find out what I want?
If you’ve been watching my YouTube videos, you might know that this year I made a drastic decision—yet again: I decided to quit my job and (finally) pursue career as a freelance illustrator. In truth, becoming an illustrator has always been a lifelong dream of mine. For a long time I have been on and off about it, went instead into Copywriting and, somehow, excelling at it.
Yet, still, I couldn’t shake off the desire to become an illustrator—whatever that may mean for me. It’s hard, I know. I may not even be cut out for it, who knows. For years and years, I feel like I’ve tried and done all I could to pursue this career and nothing has come of it. I thought my dreams had changed, but I got a taste of it last year and now I cannot shake it off any longer. It’s time to start over all over again.
If you’ve been watching my YouTube videos, you might know that this year I made a drastic decision—yet again: I decided to quit my job and (finally) pursue career as a freelance illustrator. In truth, becoming an illustrator has always been a lifelong dream of mine. For a long time I have been on and off about it, went instead into Copywriting and, somehow, excelling at it.
Yet, still, I couldn’t shake off the desire to become an illustrator—whatever that may mean for me. It’s hard, I know. I may not even be cut out for it, who knows. For years and years, I feel like I’ve tried and done all I could to pursue this career and nothing has come of it. I thought my dreams had changed, but I got a taste of it last year and now I cannot shake it off any longer. It’s time to start over all over again.
Now, celebrating my 31 years of life so far, you may think it stupid of me to even attempt this anymore. Heck, even my boss said so. He told me that my 30s shouldn’t be the time for me to change careers, that I should focus on honing my skills in the career I already have to live a prosperous and comfortable life later on. That sounds pretty nice and utopian—if not delusional. What if the current path I’m on is not the hill I’d want to die on?
Call me an idealist, but I want to be the kind of person who lives according to her principles—and God knows I have plenty. What if being the driving force for people to keep purchasing and consuming isn’t my calling? What if by sticking to this career I just keep being bogged down by the sense of guilt for endorsing capitalism? Shouldn’t I at least have the chance to find out what I want?
Age is but a number. This is a concept that I always believe in. Just because someone’s older doesn’t always mean they are wiser. Just because someone’s younger doesn’t always mean they are naïve. And there is never a limit to exploring life—who cares if you are in your teens, your 30s or your 70s? You can always explore more of your interests and core beliefs, and find your passion should you want to. Just because I turned 31 doesn’t mean I will have to stop growing. There’s always a chance to improve, a chance to find new facts about myself. In fact, there may be no better time than right now.
When I was in my 20s, I was too crowded by my own insecurities to make bold moves. If someone had told me to not even try in my early and mid twenties, I would probably have listened to them. But I’m more sure of myself now, more secure in my skin now—and I know better to know who to listen to. Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t know how everything will pan out—I’m not a psychic—but I know if I don’t at least try, I might regret this for the rest of my life. And, really, 31 is too young to give up, too young to settle.
Has anyone ever told you not to do something because of your age?
What would you tell them now?
Age is but a number. This is a concept that I always believe in. Just because someone’s older doesn’t always mean they are wiser. Just because someone’s younger doesn’t always mean they are naïve. And there is never a limit to exploring life—who cares if you are in your teens, your 30s or your 70s? You can always explore more of your interests and core beliefs, and find your passion should you want to. Just because I turned 31 doesn’t mean I will have to stop growing. There’s always a chance to improve, a chance to find new facts about myself. In fact, there may be no better time than right now.
When I was in my 20s, I was too crowded by my own insecurities to make bold moves. If someone had told me to not even try in my early and mid twenties, I would probably have listened to them. But I’m more sure of myself now, more secure in my skin now—and I know better to know who to listen to. Don’t get me wrong, I still don’t know how everything will pan out—I’m not a psychic—but I know if I don’t at least try, I might regret this for the rest of my life. And, really, 31 is too young to give up, too young to settle.
Has anyone ever told you not to do something because of your age?
What would you tell them now?