2021: It is already more than 6 months!!

Hi again. It's been a long time not to write anything in my blog. As you know, today is July 4th. And wow, time flies. So, I just want to write how have I been this year and some random stuff. 

Corona is still around, and yet the condition is getting worse nowadays. I supposed to go to Bandung this weekend, I already prepare my itinerary: 

- eat sandwich in Roti Gempol 

- eat topokki and chicken in Gildak 

- eat a burger in Brother John and Son 

- eat kind of pancake (?) in Baby Dutch something 

- eat tahu gejrot in Kios-K. 

But, it got cancelled due to a worsening pandemic. Andweeeeeeee. I thought I can still make it, "annual dose of Bandung". In 2020, I went to Bandung in January. Unfortunately, maybe I can't go there this year :(( 

Last year, 2020, I hardly recall what I have done. I spent mostly at home, doing my research assistant related work. I submit an abstract to a conference in March. My friend and I really worked hard on it. I spent my birthday writing that abstract. But the event got cancelled due to a pandemic. I didn't have many targets in 2020, I just want to write many abstracts to be submitted to the international conference, so I can go abroad. I want to go so badly. But, of course, we couldn't go anywhere.

The only achievements last year were my friends and I finally published our first case report on Cardiology cases (thanks to Madiun Hospital Cardiology Research Team! *I named it myself) and I had my first oral presentation at a national Cardiology conference. Even though I didn't win, I am quite proud of myself. And then, in October I helped my friend collecting the data for her thesis and in November, I joined World Cancer Day 2021 committee. It kept me busy from October 2020 - January 2021. So, for that 4 months, I started to live more lively. Like, finally my life went more dynamically, I saw more people, and I did some diverse jobs/tasks. I was happier.

2021 had been way way more challenging than 2020. I did many things (and spent so much money on it). Firstly, World Cancer Day things kept me busy around January till early February. We organized some online seminars and an offline ceremony on February 4th, 2021. I, especially, organized the seminars with Pediatric-Medical Oncology and Hematology Department. Woah, it really makes my heart beat faster. I meet new people (I already knew them, of course, but I never get the chance to directly worked like this). I feel honoured. The Pediatric-Medical Oncology and Hematology senior consultant gave me advice and it means a lot. Even maybe it is just simple advice that He gives to many people. It still means a lot :) 

And I had an embarrassing story (yes, of course, I did). I left my flash disk in Pediatric-Medical Oncology and Hematology Department. Fortunately, I had saved the number of that department secretary. So I texted him to make sure that my flash disk was still in the office and I would come again tomorrow. I kept calling him Mr Puji, many times already and then he replied, "My name is Mr Pur, I am not Mr Puji". LOL! Ah, I remembered! On the same day, I also texted someone from the government, from the "Humas" division, discussing promoting our event on their social media. I kept calling him Mr XXX (I forgot the name), and then he replied, "My name is Mr ZZZ". OMG! I did the same mistakes!! LOL.

I like having this kind of situation. I like being silly. This is the reason why I open this blog. To write my silly stories and laugh at them.

Due to this event, I get to know dr. Mardiah better. I got closer to her. She is such a very very warm, beautiful, and kind person. One afternoon, I came to her room to submit the poster design and she gave the revision. After that, She asked me what I want to do next, and what I want to be. So unexpected. I hardly answered because yeah, I didn't know what I want to do or what I like to do. LOL. I answered as best as I can. I told her that I want to study in Australia (at that moment I want to apply for the Australia Award Scholarship) and she asked, why don't you apply for PhD instead? And then She told me her story. She graduated from medical school and became a research assistant for Professor Sofia. Then, a colleague of Professor Sofia from Japan came to Yogyakarta and dr. Mardiah picked him up from the airport. The professor from Japan told her that he needs a student. So, dr. Mardiah applied to be his student in Japan. Finally, she went to Japan, met her husband there, and finished her PhD study. What a nice story. She warmly encouraged me to do and achieve what I want. She gave me her support. I feel so thankful :)

Move on to the next months, late February and March, it was all about Global Korea Scholarship a.k.a GKS. It is all thanks to my little brother, who introduced and helped me apply for GKS. It is surely a new experience for me, applying for a scholarship. My brother surely gave me so much help. He helped me how to prepare the documents, he helped me write my personal statement and study plan, and he also helped me get my English proficiency certificate.

Maybe this is the summary on what did I do: 

1. I told my supervisors, dr. Susan and dr. Mardiah about my plan on applying to GKS and asked them if I can get the recommendation letter from them. Luckily they both said yes. So, I wrote the recommendation letter drafts and gave them to them. They gave me the revision, I revised the draft and resubmitted it. Finally, I got their signature and that's all. My recommendation letter, done!

2. English proficiency test. My brother had done some research about this GKS program and found that the easiest way to get an English proficiency certificate is by using TOEIC reading and listening. Other scholarship programs may ask for TOEFL or IELTS, but GKS accept TOEIC. My brother already signed up for the nearest test in Yogyakarta, but I couldn't. I haven't studied at all and I don't want to ruin my score. So, I signed up for the next test in Semarang (the only option I have). I studied for about 1-2 weeks. I asked my brother his source of study and use them as well and I asked him the tips when answering the test. I did pretty well on my TOEIC test. I am proud of my score. I think this was the very first test that I took after graduating from school so I was kind of excited. And I was so happy because I can go to Semarang so I can buy "Lumpia cik Mei Mei"!!! (#Foodies alert)

3. Preparing the documents. I translated my bachelor certificate and transcript in my faculty, I translated my birth certificate online, I translated my past certificates on winning video competitions, etc.

4. I wrote my personal statement and study plan. I did little research to write it. I read and wrote about the cancer control program in South Korea. How they can successfully reduce the cancer burden and how translational research (major that I apply) plays an important role. My brother personal statement and study plan were like my guideline to write mine. So, I am so thankful for him. Actually, I had to get proofreading from other people. Actually, I had sent one to my friend, but she didn't read it. Because it is very near to the deadline, I submitted as the way it was. I picked the fastest delivery and I prayed it will arrive on time in Jakarta.

As for applying to GKS, I had spent my money on the TOEIC test and translating some documents. After that, the first announcement arrived.

If I am not mistaken, the deadline for submitting the document was March 12th and the announcement for the first round was March 25th. I remembered, even I was not the first one to see the announcement. My brother sent me the website link and congratulated me. It was Thursday afternoon, I was on my way with my friends to eat takoyaki and shiumay. I was very very happy!! It was a very beautiful Thursday afternoon and a very delicious takoyaki.

I entered the second round of selection. I was proud to become one of the 41 candidates who will be interviewed. My interview was on March 31. I was so nervous. I wrote the possible questions and the answer. I memorized them. I think I did pretty well in the interview. My heartbeat so fast. Once again, I was so nervous that day. So, that was my story in March. Regarding what is the result, I am happy cause I finally can do something for my future. If I apply, I have a chance to be accepted or not. But if I didn't, I didn't have the chance at all. So I still feel grateful.

Move to the next month, April. As I said before, I also want to apply for the Australia Award Scholarship. I want to apply as much as I can to get more chances. The deadline for the application was April 30th. So, the first thing I need to do is get a TOEFL certificate. Before I forgot, this month, I spent so much money T_T. Fortunately, I had an extra income from joining World Cancer Day Committee.

In April, I spent money for:

- TOEFL (around 3 million)

- Case report publication (around 2 million)

- Global Breast Cancer Conference (around 2 million) (but I get a reimbursement, thank God).

Oh yes, about the Global Breast Cancer Conference. On December 10 last year, I submitted an abstract to that conference and it got accepted as a poster presentation. So I make the poster and submitted it to the event in April. Ah, and I get their merchandise, sent from South Korea (t-shirt, mask) but I had to pay for the shipping extra cost (?) around 350 thousand rupiahs. LOL. What an unexpected spent.

Deadline habit strike again, I only studied for my TOEFL exam 1-2 weeks before. I ruined my TOEFL test a bit. Actually, I planned on having ramen after the test but I think I didn't deserve it. I got a good score for reading and listening. I had not known yet about the writing score but I ruined my speaking test. I realized I didn't practice enough for my speaking. And absolutely it required amounts of practice to get a good score. I hardly speak after hearing the question or command. I hardly think any words. What a shame. After waiting for a week, I get my TOEFL score. Woah, I was quite proud. I got 94 out of 120. I got 19 on my speaking test. Shame on me. But I still can apply for the Australia Award Scholarship with that score.

After that, I tried to read about epidemiology (major that I want to apply) to arrange my essay. But, I don't know why I hardly write or type any words. I couldn't write my essay. When it was near April 30, I opened the website and the said the deadline was extended until May 31st. Wow! 

So, to resume it, this is what I do in early 2021, 

- January - early February: World Cancer Day committee 

- Late February - March: TOEIC test, Apply for GKS 

- April: Global Breast Cancer Conference, TOEFL test, heart failure and potassium abstract (I submitted to heart failure conference and got accepted. But I didn't submit my poster because I think it is not worth the money, for now, as I have another concern that also requires money. Sad T_T) 

- May: exhausted. LOL. 

But, it is true. 

In May, I couldn't do my job in the evening and weekend, I couldn't finish my essay, I couldn't do anything. I don't know why. Maybe, I was exhausted? Finally, I couldn't finish my essay for the Australia Award Scholarship. I didn't apply. 

I was accepted by NIIED for the GKS program (again, I was not the first one to see the announcement. My brother sent me the announcement file and congratulated me). But, at the end of May, I got rejected from 3 universities for the GKS program. T_T 

COL (crying out loud) 

And unfortunately, I had finished my medical check-up requirement for NIIED. I had blood, chest x-ray, urine, and even stool examination!! I spent around 1 million and I didn't get accepted by the university. So, bye-bye my money. At least I know my health condition better. 

As for the rejection, first I got it on May 27th from Ajou University. Then, the other 2 were on May 28th. It was Friday and I first told this matter to my friends while having dim sum for our evening treats. On our way back home, it was raining hard. I couldn't go home yet. I stayed in my friend room until the rain stopped. What a gloomy Friday evening :( 

BUT 

In late April and May, I was randomly addicted to iKON!!!!

I was the type of person who randomly attracted to something. Like I was addicted to AOMG after Loco being discharged from the military. I watched and listened to Loco, Gray, Jay Park, Woo, all day long. They were my daily playlist. I also watched their clip on YouTube and Instagram, and I watched all their variety shows. Before that, like in early pandemics, I was addicted to 88rising. I listened to Rich Brian, Niki, and Head in the Clouds album all day long and watched all their interview. But until now, I still like AOMG and 88rising but I didn't listen to them daily cause I am busy listening to iKON. LOL. 

But still, AOMG and 88rising are the best music label!!! Go listen to them, everybody! Listen to Loco, Gray, Jay Park, Woo, Hoody, Rich Brian, and Niki!! And also, iKON! 

This is all because of YouTube. I only watched iKON newest MV, Whywhywhy, but after that YouTube gave me this recommendation: iKON ilogu. A program where they had a holiday. I enjoyed it and then YouTube recommend me: iKON TV. And, I fall in love with them.

Actually, I knew iKON before. They performed in the Asean Games ceremony in Indonesia with their hit song, "Love Scenario". And then, this song was played everywhere and every time. But, at that time, I wasn't their fan. I do like time but non to the extend I search them on YouTube or other social media. Before, I only knew Ju-Ne from a program called "It's Dangerous Outside the Blanket". From that show, I also knew Loco, Kang Daniel, and Xiumin. And I love them!!! They radiate positivity. I just love them! And I still become Loco fans. I want to try his "Famous Burger" if I go to South Korea, only if it has a Halal menu. I love Ju-Ne. He only appeared in 1-2 episodes. He was shy and awkward with people, he loves to write a poem, he can do an impersonation, and he didn't rinse the noodle before eating them (it is the kind of noodles that supposed to be rinsed first). And also, so handsome. But maybe, because at that time, I didn't watch YouTube that much, I didn't too engaged with him. I was more engaged with the show and tend to search for another show I can watch. 

But now, I love iKON as a whole so much! I spent my weekend watching all their MV, interview, variety show, fan-made video, etc. Now, I am afraid to check my daily time consumption on YouTube. It must be nearly 24 hours at weekend. I dedicated my weekend to be a fangirl of iKON. I also listened to their music daily, on my 30-minutes daily walk and while I am doing my job. 

What have I watch so far is: 

- iKON ilogu 

- iKON TV 

- Who is Next 

- Mix and Match 

- Kingdom 

- iKON Picnic 

- iKON variety show: bobby and Jinan (i forgot the name of the show), Oppa thinking, problematic man, etc. 

- iKON vlive!! (OMG this is sick because I watched nearly all their group vlive since 2015!!) 

- Song chelin videos (Song's youtube channel) 

- Chanu-sari videos (Chanwoo youtube channel) 

- KONIC TV 

OMG. Look how much time I spent on them. 

Originally, iKON was 7 members boy group. But now, they only have 6 members, without leader B.I. It was so sad and heartbreaking T_T 

But for me, iKON songs are the best! 

These are their hidden tracks that are so good: 

- Don't forget 

- Long time no see 

- Hug me 

- Flower 

- Freedom 

- Sinosijak 

- Bling bling 

- B-DAY 

- Just for you 

- Beautiful (OMG the MV is so hilarious) 

- etc. 

OMG, I have spent 3,5 hours writing this post. I will move on to the next month and wrap this up. 

Oh, I forgot to tell you that iKON is on weverse so I decided to download the app and sign up just for iKON. I also write and upload some photos, and it is nice when other users cheered for my post or leave a comment. HAHAHA. 

- May: exhausted. 

- June: still quite exhausted, part-time iKONIC, TPA examination. 

After got the rejection from the GKS program, I told dr. Susan about it and suggested me apply for the master program at UGM. So, here I am. I am preparing to apply for the master program at UGM. Luckily, I already have a TOEFL certificate. I just need to take TPA (Tes Potensial Akademik). Same as before, it is already near the deadline and the only TPA test that I could take is the one on June 13th. I studied for a week before. The test was quite hard. I hardly answered many questions. I randomly chose C or B or D for many questions. But fortunately, I still manage to get above the minimum score and it is better than the practice I did at home. I went to Malioboro Mall after finishing the test to buy a pair of shoes because the old one is broken. And I also bought doughnuts cause, who doesn't love a doughnut? It was a well-spent Sunday. I am so happy :) 

(I am happy just because I went to the mall, bought shoes and a doughnut. Little girl simple happiness)