Small things, but enough to make you smile:)

 

6.45

After what felt like ages away from sports, the excitement of returning finally arrived, even if not overwhelmingly so. About a week ago, I participated in a 5K run at TMII. I must admit, I am far from being a professional runner; my pace is more comparable to that of a turtle. However, I have learned that it is important not to underestimate ourselves, no matter how small the effort may seem. After that, I surprisingly stopped going outside again and I finally break that pattern today.

Today, I woke up, drank a glass of water, and, as usual, checked my phone. I expected to find something important that required my attention, but fortunately there was nothing urgent — quite a relief compared to some of my busier days in the past. Those hectic days were both tiring and, in a way, enjoyable, but this time I felt grateful for a calmer start.

I decided to stick to my plan and go out for a run. In the end, I only managed to cover two kilometres, but it made my day feel brighter and more positive. It reminded me that the value of running does not always lie in the distance achieved, but in the simple act of showing up and moving forward. Even the smallest steps can bring a sense of accomplishment and happiness.

My breath was totally out of rhythm after the run, and for a moment I thought about buying something to eat. But not that day, because my wallet was badly empty. On some occasions, my father usually brings food when he comes home from work. Just yesterday, he actually brought something, I couldn’t catch up with it yet— it was already too late to eat. Let’s try to live a better life, bro. I’m really trying, guys. This morning, I opened the refrigerator and found some bakso (meatballs). And of course, it ended up being my breakfast.

I don’t really enjoy eating when I don’t have anything to watch, like a podcast, movie, series, or even YouTube. This time, I was spooning food into my mouth while watching a YouTuber from Singapore, who actually lives in Korea with her partner. The video I watched was about her visiting her hometown. I fond of Singaporean English. Their speech has a kind of Chinese rhythm, but it’s still English — fast, lively, and with a unique accent. I especially love how they end sentences with “lah” or “meh.” It just sounds so cute to my ears.

Turns out, my holiday days often feel like a never-ending circle — waking up, grabbing my devices, scrolling endlessly, studying a little, and then attending my course. Honestly, without these course and the tips and tricks they give, I probably wouldn’t be so effective in doing exams. But anyway, that’s a story we can talk about later, bro.

Most of my day usually just slips away like that, until evening comes — or unless I have to step outside for some event. One of my favorite little hobbies in the evening is frying tempe, that traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. The sizzling sound when it hits the hot oil, the golden brown edges crisping up, and that warm, nutty aroma filling the kitchen — somehow it never fails to make me feel at home. I realized that tempe is like my cup of comfort, anytime, anywhere, no matter how it’s cooked. It’s simple, but it feels like a taste of everyday joyful.

This is probably the most interesting little ritual in my holiday days: dessert time. In our house, dinner isn’t complete without it. The idea started from the rule of balance — first we eat our veggies, then protein, then carbs, and finally, to close the night, something sweet. You might ask, “Why not dessert first?” Well— if we eat it right away, our sugar level would spike, so we save the sweetness for the end. Complicated, but kind of crucial, right?

The real fun is always in deciding what the dessert will be. Most of the time, it turns into the highlight of the meal, the best taste of the day. Today, for example, we made piscok — a banana wrapped in lumpia skin, drizzled with sweet condensed milk and a little melted chocolate. Crispy outside, warm and soft inside — it was heavenly. On other days, we might buy something from outside, like wedang jahe, a traditional ginger drink that warms the whole body on a cool night, or kue pancong, a simpler version of pancake. Of course, sometimes dessert doesn’t need to be desert at all — it’s enough to have a drink by my side while I study or read. Matcha latte, americano, a cup of chocolate milk, or even that knock-off version of Boost’s King William — those drinks have become my late-night companions. Somehow, they make the whole evening feel cozier, as if every sip is a small reminder that simple things can turn an ordinary day into something a little more special.

And maybe that’s the point — happiness doesn’t always come from big events or grand achievements. Sometimes it’s just a little moment at the day. Small things, but enough to make you smile:) and…

see you here for a minute every day!