2022 was Tremendous!
I wrote this article in December 2022
With just an hour and a half left until 2023, it's hard to believe that I'm wrapping up this incredible year. I'm not usually one for journaling, but hey! Let's try something new. This year has been pretty special, and I want to make sure I remember it.
January 2022 - Where the Adventure Began!
As the clock struck January 2022, my year embarked on a thrilling adventure with the commencement of wedding preparations. It all kicked off in January when the whole wedding prep madness started.
My partner’s mom and I were knee-deep in planning for the big day. Gotta admit, prepping for the wedding of the year was nerve-wracking. It was extra tricky since my partner wasn't in Indonesia, and we had to hash out all the details virtually. Not easy, let me tell you! Tons of online paperwork, but we managed to pull it off.
Here's a funny one: I checked out more than 17 venues in Jakarta to find the perfect one. Yes! you heard me well, 17 VENUES!! and guess what? We ended up choosing the very first one we saw! 😂 Lesson learned, I can now dish out venue recommendations like a pro.
Fast forward to June 2022 - We're officially engaged!
My partner and I made it official, surrounded by extended family. Thankful that the weather played nice, the event went off without a hitch, and shoutout to the vendors who made it all happen.
Oh, and meeting my partner again after six months of long-distance? IT WAS AWKWARD!! Imagine someone you haven't seen in ages popping up at your house and proposing in front of your family 😂
Still in June - Post-engagement Hustle
Time flies, right? We were still knee-deep in wedding prep, but at least we weren't dealing with a long-distance relationship anymore. Had a pre-wedding photoshoot, and we DIY-ed our online wedding invitation (okay, HE did most of it, but I threw in some design magic) 😋
July 2022 - I got a promotion!
July was a standout month. Celebrated my birthday and got a promotion at work. Feeling grateful for my job and the awesome team I'm part of. Became a Team Leader with new responsibilities, such a blessed and exciting opportunity!
August 2022 - The Big Day Arrives
What a day! Our wedding was a rollercoaster of emotions. Finally tying the knot with the person I love and gaining a new family. The ceremony was heartfelt, the breeze was perfect, and everything just fell into place. Couldn't hold back the tears 🥹, especially when we bowed to our parents. It's hard to put into words, but it was one of those moments you'll remember forever.
Our wedding was small, intimate, and I loved every bit of it – the decor, the vibe, and the people. Dreams really do come true. And just like that, I'm a wife!! After the wedding, we jetted off to Bali for our honeymoon. Can you believe it was my first time in Bali?! I went to many places abroad, but I haven’t got a chance to go to Bali? What a shame 🙈
November 2022 - A Curveball: Canceled My Flight to the Netherlands
Well, this one caught me off guard. A mix of sadness and disappointment when my flight plans got scrapped. I bought a ticket to Amsterdam already but I wasn't aware that the Visa prep was a bit complicated at that time. So, I was trying SO HARD to let it go.
December 2022 - Picking Up the Pieces and Learning a New Language!
Trying to bounce back from last month's letdown, I'm doing some self-reflection. Realized I messed up by not checking everything thoroughly, like the queue for the visa application. Now, I'm gearing up for my MVV Visa. The tricky part? I have to pass the inburgering exam. Ever heard of it?! I hadn't either!! Well, actually, that's the test you need to pass to register for a long-term visa in the Netherlands. The test includes a Dutch language section and a cultural knowledge test of the Netherlands.
It was a bit hard for me, because I wasn't familiar but honestly, I believe what I'm working on is worth the hustle, so I'm tackling it with a positive mindset.
At the end of this story….
I would like to say, I-am-beyond-grateful.
I'm also writing this blog to my future self.
I hope that one day, if she encounters a difficult situation in my life, she can simply reopen this blog, read through the entire journey, and feel blessed again because she is blessed.
I hope my future self can always be a person who never gives up in hard situations and is reminded that she has been through tough times before and thrived.
I also hope that YOU, my blog readers, can find something positive after reading this. I hope your hearts are full because you find joy within you.