The Year of Changes and Goodbyes

Can't believe we're already seven days into January! Crazy how time flies. The night before aka NYE, my family and I just went out to dinner in a Chinese restaurant. I was reading a book (Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin. It's AWESOME.) and my dad was watching The Intern when the New Year rang in. Wasn't anything special, but the most important thing is you're spending it with your loved ones.

On New Year's Day though, we all headed out to Union and had lunch there. The food was great, but the company was even greater.

Anyways, I had a realization that this year, 2016, will be the year of changes for me. I'm heading out to Uni this fall and the thought scares the shit out of me. The thought of flying somewhere far, somewhere foreign without my family in tow is scary. But I know this is a part of growing up. So I can't just ignore it and be a child my whole life.

Baby Spinach Salad (85k)

Escargot (95k) 

Porcini Mushrooms, Tagliatelle & White Truffle Cream (85k)

BBQ Glazed Grilled Chicken (95k)

Before getting all sappy about the future, let's just appreciate how delicious the food looks. I obviously didn't eat them all, but I had them bit by bit and they all tasted AMAZING!

I do recommend you check out this restaurant if you're ever in Jakarta. Amazing food, the interior is gorgeous, just one teeny tiny bit that I don't really like is how long we had to wait for the food. Yeah, the restaurant is always packed, but do something about it, please! I was so hangry, that I didn't talk much with my family before the food came because I was scared if I was about to explode (hehe).

I'm gonna miss them. And my dad. And everyone else in my family!

Just a reminder, I'm gonna get a whole sappy and sobby right now. Just an fyi!

Anyways, sitting there with my family (including my grandparents), I kept on wondering how thankful I was that I have such a great family. We sometimes fight, but their love for me is amazing. So to be sitting there in the restaurant, I kept on wondering what will happen next year? Will we spend the New Years together, or not? Like I said, I'm going to Uni this fall. Socializing isn't something that's easy for me, so I know it'll be hard for me the first couple of months.

I just don't know what I'm gonna do when I'm miles away from my family, figuring my life out all alone. I don't wanna be depressed or sad, I'll try to get away from that, but that's hard when you're all alone in a foreign city. But aside from all the goodbyes that I'll be doing this fall, I know that going away will also be good for me. I hope that it'll change me, in a better way. :)

Still dreading saying goodbyes to the ones I love. Leaving them behind? It'll be so hard for me. Because I'm so close to my family and all. As for friends? I don't have a huge group of friends, but I know that the distance apart will be good. Not because I don't like them, but it'll make us more mature to be separated for a while. And leaving my dog behind! Gosh, the thought of doing that breaks my heart. I need to stop thinking about that. So I'll be sure to cherish my time with my loved ones for the next few months before I leave.

Sorry that this post was a sappy one! I just needed to let it all out and reflect on how tough this year will be for me.

Much love, Ashley xx

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