I have an acquaintance whom I met in Iloilo approximately 5 years ago. Let’s just call her with Jez. We both were undergraduate students when we first met. I studied Public Health and she studied Psychology. I didn’t remember exactly how we met but all I remember was that we, plus Ryan, had quite a fun attending an event and tried to escape a certain session from that event. We walked to the nearest Jollibee and had a great time enjoying our meals!

Nothing much I know about her cause we only spent a very short time together but one moment I remember vividly is when we had to fill a survey for that event. Just like most others, I filled that survey half-heartedly (I do it as formality). But she, on another hand, tried to be ‘honest’ and ‘take it serious’. She noted the absence of the event on the feedback form and included it as a suggestion for future improvement. What a rare attitude I’ve seen so far, I thought. 

We don’t talk much cause we are not 'that close'. Plus, I have an issue with communicating to people in text. I mean, I highly prefer having conversation with people face to face. Having a chat or a call is just not ‘my thing’. Somehow, we are mutual in social media so sometimes I could get a glimpse of her life-update. After graduated from bachelor degree, she continued her study with Erasmus scholarship and successfully finished it like two years ago.

She once disappeared from my timeline after her master graduation. If I’m not mistaken, she lost from the radar like a year and then she came back to the timeline with ‘her solo travel in South East Asia’. To be honest, I’m so happy to see her comeback. She carried her own luggage, move from one city to another city (also countries), got her job done while traveling, yet she was still able to have fun. 

Time pass by and I have not been in social media that much. My last observation, she had fun hiking and doing outdoor activity. Seems like it’s her new hobby since all I knew she was kinda ‘city’ explorer-girl. And guess what? I’ve just got good news few days ago! She is currently a PhD candidate! She got a full scholarship to continue her doctoral in Europe and Australia. She is just an acquaintance (I couldn’t say she is 'a friend' btw — cause we only met once) but I am really genuinely both happy and proud. That happiness is still overflowing even now, which is why I decided to write this blog post. I want to preserve this joyful moment.

Old photo of us (from left: Jez, me, Ryan).

***

I am currently writing this post in a café. While driving here, I am reminded of a friend whom I ever worked with few years ago. She teaches in one of Indonesia’s top university — he successfully completed her master and doctoral degree few years ago. When I knew about that news, I was overflowed by joy. I was super happy and excited for her accomplishment. I even made a story-post and a blogpost dedicated to her. You all should know that I still save her screenshotted-photo of her defending her doctoral thesis (sidang promosi doktor). I am so happy and proud.

Anyway, I have a weird habit: I love doing monologue while driving (with motorbike ofc) alone. While driving here, I did a monologue about my thought of Jez and that one friend who already completed her doctoral degree. I said something like this:

"... I am so glad to see someone who knows what they want and is truly passionate about it. ... I am more than just a proud and happy friend. To all my friends out there — and I'm saying this as if you’re standing right in front of me — if you have a dream you want to achieve, please tell me. I want to be the first one there to cheer you on when you finally make it happen."

So, guys, let me the person who’s gonna cheer you up at the front line and clap for your ‘mission-completed’.

With love, 

A fellow who is still seeking her 'Gubug Penceng' 

 

Note: 

I really wanna hear other success stories from you guys (especially women). I really wanna hear the other version! (your hijrah story, your ‘being mother’ story, etc) Wish me luck on my own journey to find what I’m looking for!