It’s December and I realize 2023 is almost end, I was sitting in my bedroom writing this story when water drops started falling from the sky. In hindsight, I recognize that 2023 is certainly an exceptional year and I am truly grateful for what I’ve experienced. At the beginning of the year, I remembered I was still floating in the middle of the sea working offshore. I felt anxious and worried about my master’s degree preparation at the same time. I’m worried that I won’t be able to complete the paperworks. It was freakin hectic but it was ecstatic. Moving overseas and starting a new chapter was something I couldn’t wait to do.

The country is New Zealand. Why New Zealand? It is because geothermal technology in the country is very mature and the country is gorgeous. If asked which is the main reason, both seem to be equal to me. Learning about geothermal energy is something I’ve always wanted to do years ago after doing research on my own and consulting with several people. Looking at the beauty of the New Zealand landscape, it is indisputable. Since my country, Indonesia and New Zealand are both on the ring of fire, their topography shares several similarities. Both countries have many volcanoes, craters, beaches, and lakes. The difference is that when I traveled to the south island of New Zealand during winter, I saw lots of snow-capped mountains. My friends who have traveled to Europe, say the view in south island reminds them of Switzerland.

I landed in Auckland in February 2023, and I was confused. It was 8 pm but it was still day light. I just realized it was summer. That’s the first thing I notice that something has changed with my living place and I have to adapt. As soon as I arrived, I realized I had to adapt to several things. These include weather, food, commuting, taking care of health and social. I find it challenging when dealing with winter. I am truly a tropical person, and I hate the cold. Even though i have worn three layers, Being in a temperature below zero was unbearable for me. Food wise, I have to learn how to cook, there is no way I order food delivery every day like in Indonesia through Grabfood/Gofood (online delivery). In terms of commuting, we only have buses, trains, e-scooters, e-bikes and Uber. I used to use the bus most of the time, but lately I enjoy walking everywhere. I have a daily walking goal of 10,000 steps. I am so grateful for the air quality. Everytime i have phone call with family I always tell them in New Zealand I am detoxifying through the fresh air. 

Whenever we talk about health, the priority is health. I can’t function well if I’m sick plus i am away from my family therefore I really take care of my intake, rest, and fitness level. I don’t always eat clean, but I do try to balance my diet by ensuring carbohydrates and protein are always on the menu. In truth, I don’t eat vegetables that much, but I consume yogurt and Kombucha as a source of probiotics and am trying to minimize eating spicy foods since I had bad stomach ulcers or Indonesian people know the illness as ‘Maag’. I was a big fan of “sambal” actually. Indonesian cuisine is known for its signature dish, sambal. It looks like a dipping sauce but has a spicy flavour. Almost all Indonesian cuisine has Sambal as a side dish, that’s why I had stomach ulcers. 2-3 months after I moved to New Zealand I notice my ‘Maag’ is healed. Actually it is because I stop eating chilly because chilly is expensive and I become a big fan of New Zealand Yogurt and Kombucha. I remember when I consulted with an internist back in Indonesia, he said cultivating probiotics in our gut can cure an upset stomach and improve wellbeing. Gut health links with brain health. Better gut health means better cognitive function in the brain. Therefore, I always tell my family and friends not to undermine probiotics consumption.

In terms of rest, nothing is really bothering me except how my biological clock is adjusting to the longer daylight in summer and shorter night time. I find it harder to fall asleep at times I used to. Fitness-wise, I walk, run, play tennis and hike. In New Zealand, I discovered that exercising is something that is very convenient and enjoyable. I feel that here,exercise is more like culture. I see people of all ages exercising physically, including running, walking, and hiking, from the young to the elderly. I feel compelled to do the same. Plus, I start to really enjoy hiking, an activity rarely done in Indonesia. The access for hiking in New Zealand is really good, with well-maintained trails and easily accessible areas. Plus, the natural environment is stunning, with breathtaking views. Hiking sometimes becomes my favorite way to recharge my energy. 

Being social is also a necessity, surely that’s human needs. Nevertheless, I am noticing something about myself that has adapted. Although I’m still an introvert, my extroversion percentage has increased. I used to hang out in small circles and I am truly a homebody. In New Zealand, I realized expanding network is also one of my main goals, which means I have to get out of my comfort zone. I remember the first month I studied I met lots of new people almost every day and my social battery was easily drained. I enjoy talking to them. I enjoy exchanging stories and broadening perspectives, but I have limited social battery power for very long conversations. When my social battery run lows I need to be alone for awhile to recharge it. However, as the months went by, I have been trying to keep up and i notice my social battery can last a bit longer. 

Observing my inner self, I notice many things have healed since I moved here. In the Past, I used to be insecure about many things. I used to feel not enough, not beautiful enough, not accomplished enough and always comparing myself with others. Now, those feelings no longer affect me. I am happy and content with who I am. I really love myself because I’m unique and proud of what I have been through. I think my life journey is full of blessings so I don’t feel overwhelmed or pressured anymore. As a result, I am very grateful for what God has given me. Our blessing from God is known as “Rizq” in the Islamic religion. To me, Rizq is not always about money. Rizq also comes from having kind and caring friends around us. Being healthy and feeling protected from criminal acts while living abroad far away from family is also Rizq. Therefore, I always never feel enough to thank God for all of that. 

Last week I hiked to Tongariro Alpine Crossing with my friends. The journey took 11 hours. As the time was supposed to be 9 hours, we took a long photo shoot (hahaha, please forgive us), rested and had lunch. The trip is the most fantastic hiking trip I’ve ever tried in my life. The view is spectacular. The journey is actually a metaphor for what I’ve been through over the years. During the first 2-3 hours, the track gently climbs up and descends, and during the next 2-3 hours, the track becomes hilly and steep. It gets nasty at 5-6 hours because the steep track is cushioned with soft sand and loose gravel or rocks, making it easier to fall. When we arrived at the Red Crater or summit of Mount Tongariro, all the arduous works were paid off after seeing all the magnificent scenery. Sounds like a cliché, The journey to the summit actually has lots of ups and downs like life, but its ups and downs actually lead us to higher elevations. My breath almost ran out near the summit, but I tried to stretch myself. The hiking journey for me is like the journey to keep stretching myself or to grow as a person. With all the “Rizq” God has given, my hope is to maximize my opportunity here to continue growing, to gain knowledge and to benefit many people in the future.

Me in Red Crater – Highest Point of Tongariro Alpine Crossing 🙂