Once Upon Under The Sea

Trouble Sleeping & I Miss Writing.

I can't remember the last time I actually wrote on this blog, I apologize in advance. I know by lack of writing makes me lack of viewers and readers too but there's just so much going on.

I actually started youtube like how I said I doubted on my post Youtuber To Be or Not To Be and cause it had a lot of nice comments it made me actually thinking of doing it cause I wanted to do something that my future self could thank me for later. And I guess it's a start of something new? Oh my god I sound like Troy from High School Musical.

Anyways, I remember I used to say Anyhoo because I liked reading Dork Diaries and she always start up again with Anyhoos so, I thought it was cool back then, what'dya think? I mean it still sound pretty cool tho am I right?

Have you ever felt so bored in your life you could watch a whole back-to-back youtube video for about 20 minutes each? I went through that phase and now I kinda regret it because I start thinking of the possibilities I could do whilst those 20 minutes. But you can't take back what you have done. So I'm making sure I'm being productive now. I make sure I have a plan for a whole day cause that is a good way to start a day. You know. Knowing what to do. It actually excites me to actually get things done.

Today I traveled via public transportation on my own because I felt for a little me-time adventure and I had something to do so I guess why not use that opportunity? I totally didn't vlog the whole thing nor even posted a snapchat because I wanted to  be my own adventure. Have you ever felt something like that before? Wanting to do something for yourself for a change? I finally did it.

So anytime you're so sick of the world and just needed a time off?

Go out there make memories and keep it to yourself.

--

I recently finished reading a book called Girl Online and just when I made a video review about it, well its actually not a video review it's basically just me fangirling about it. But just when I made a video about it, I didn't knew the rumor that it was ghost written. But all the ideas were pure Zoe's. But just as uncaring as I am, I actually don't care if it is ghost written cause she wouldn't be able to write a pure gold book like that anyways because of all of the Youtube shenanigans going on and I never see her busy writing so, it makes sense. But I fell in love with the story. I've never fall in love with a book before so this is new for me. I fell in love with the characters and the story and how it relates to me.

Anyways I'm still gonna post the video on my youtube channel after I edit it because I haven't posted in a week so.

Coming up is a rant about Quotes I Live By so make sure to comment about the quotes that inspires you down below!

I keep writing as if somebody's gonna read my blog again haha. Poor me.

Love, Amalia.

Self Visualization???

If you were to paint your self on a big canvas, how would it be like? If you had all the skills an artist could have, how would you draw your life? How do you see yourself? 

That's not so easy. I'm currently struggling through life now. I see myself as a small fish in an ocean that you don't want to catch, I see myself as a tiny piece of crumbles that you don't wanna eat, I see myself as a rotten candy on the back of the shelf that you don't even notice it's there. And how you see yourself effects on how others see you. I know that I really do. But it's still hard for me to go out there. I still wanna stay in this comfort zone, in this little place I call home. I'm scared to see what's out there cause there's too many things going on. I have my lovers my best friends, but that's not enough.

In high school, I'm always in that "It Girls" squad but I'm always on the bottom list. I've always been that least person anyone wants to hang out with. One of my best friend once said "If we weren't nice to you, you'd be anti-social" and that one harsh words is still hanging around my head even though she said it a year ago. I always want to try to open up more but not everybody can see "me". There's this one girl who hates me and that girl happens to have the power to make everybody else hate me too. I depend too much on people. I sacrifice too much. When I don't even get anything in return.

I've never been in the center stage, I've never been the spotlight. I'm always that one girl you never notice in a crowd of screaming fans. Sometimes it distresses me cause I can't be me around specific people sometimes. When all I wanted is for people to see me, because I know there's a side of me that is amusing and interesting, I just need to show it.

But somehow, everything's hard. I'm having a hard time trusting. My life is so plain at the moment. The only thing that makes me happy is my lover. I am so lucky to have him. He accepts me, and tells me about the things I shouldn't do and things I should do. I'm still lucky to have someone who understands and accepts me.

So I paint life as an ocean, plain and beautiful at once outside, but there's a lot of going on in the inside, you just need to dive in and see to enjoy it.

P.s. take me back to this island 

The Facts Tag

Remember back when the #20FactsTag were booming on instagram? I just wanted to share a little bit more here:) But I'm not gonna right down 20 facts (well I could but I just don't want to)

1. I have and older brother Andika and he's annoying yet he wont admit that he's annoying that's why he's annoying and that's where I got my annoyingness, from him. He's 6 years older than me, well 6 and a half. We barely meet each other now with all the work and school business, when he comes home i'm probably already asleep, when I get up and get ready for school, he's probably still asleep. But whenever he comes home early he always comes to my room and asks "You miss me?" and I never admit I do hahah. We barely fight I can't remember the last time we were fighting for something. I guess we're not those typical brother-sister streotypes who always fights and hates each other but actually cares and loves one another.


2. I'm in to photography and vlogs. I never noticed it from the start but when I got in OSIS I started to love it and now I'm asking for a new DSLR cause the old one is wrecked. Currently saving money to buy a polaroid camera too. I don't know what's the thing about me and polaroids but I just love the way it turns out to, sadly, I don't own one. I wish to have one before I graduate highschool and die young. I'm also in to interior designing since I was a little girl. Remember those games you used to play online? I always search on "Barbie House Designing" and go crazy I could go for hours just playing that game.

3. Not really in to reading books like novels or so, but I do like books that motivates us like Austin Kleons. I know our brain is like a knife, you need to sharpen it for it to still function perfectly. But somehow there's no connection between me and heavy readings. I always get my informations and stuffs I need to know via Internet. I always google on articles and read blogs, well that's just like reading books I guess? I need to read more. I like the feeling of reading a book and be like "Oh! That is so true" and "Oh! I never knew that after all this time" so any book recommedation? I would love to read more.

4. I listen to any song on my playlist, I don't care if its mainstream or not, if I like it, I'd listen to it. But when I'm bored with my playlist I go on youtube and search "Best Of.." or Youtube recommendations.

5. I get most of my inspirations from people, we heart it,  and I have this little book with inspirations in it. I rarely blog nowadays cause nobody reads blogs anymore, well nobody ever did. Blogging were never a thing for the social media but somehow I like it. It's the only getaway I have to escape this mad world. Now I have trouble with expressing my thoughts because lately I feel absolutely nothing, I feel raw, I feel as if there's nothing quite amusing enough to wake up my brain and feel alive. That's why I wanna try youtubing. Who knows by expressing myself on vlogs even more could give my brain a little wake up call. But before youtube I need to take some speech practices cause I speak weirdly and I get all tongue twisted everytime I say something fast. I hate it when they make fun of my tongue, like seriously, just accept the way I say things and we both won't be disturbed. But at the same time I know I have to change for a better me.

The Not-So-Good Opportunity Taker

So this is me swallowing my pride and trying as much as I can to not finish the lyric because the purpose of writing that line isn't that, I didn't mean to sing it in any particular way. Sorry Taylor. Carry on. Lately I've been busy as a bee being a dedicated labschool student, following all the programs and stuff and even being one of the candidates for the osis committee, wippieee you never thought a girl like me could be in a well-structured organization cause ... well cause .. i d k. To top it all of I went hiking last week and reach the summit with my Pecinta Alam group, Vabishaka. I would give you any evidence but the video isn't up yet, I'm still in the middle of editing but I can't continue cause I have to study for finals YES I am going through a higher grade which is the year 11. I don't know whether to be happy or sad or anywhere in between I just am.

I can't wait to actually have the time for my own again. But the real question right now is, when, on earth, is that ever gonna happen? I feel like my most days are dedicated to do things for other people and if I do something for my self I'm doing it for other people too. Change subjects. I'm in the training for being the best osis secretary there ever existed and I need to proof to the world that I can change and prove them wrong about what others see in me. I know I currently have a weak image but everything can change. I know in all my blog posts I always tell you how ungrateful I am, and I always talk about my insecurities but that's the thing about blogs, I blog when I'm depressed and now I have a lot of things in my mind that I just gotta let out. I come home everyday, crying, well not really crying but heartbrokenly look my self in the mirror and regret all the stuffs I could've done and should've but didn't. Wow I am the most ego-est person cause there is no sentence in the whole entire blog without the word I. and YES i did say whole entire. Some people know who I really am and I love them for accepting that but the others just look at me an throw me away, things needs to change and I need to change it now. 

But yes the life accomplishment of the month is where I reached the summit even though I had to spent two hours in the hospital cause I was going through some major dehydration and diarrhea, but I am all well now.

Can't wait to see you on my next blog where I cry about my insecurities again while showing you my new video so stay tuned!  

► Land of Opportunity - A Great Big World

Sendhowo Is The Motto.

Well since this is the first post since forever, sorry for being such a lazy updater I solemnly swear I would not be lazy anymore in high school. And this is also my first post since I am now officially a high school student! Remember how I used to always say I can't wait? Now I'm living the moment.. But before high school, my uncle once told me that I had to be sendhowo in my decisions that I'm willing to make in the future. Sendhowo is a javanese language. It might sound weird but it rhymes with Motto so... Sendhowo means (If I'm not mistaken) that you have to take risk in every choice you chose. You can't just back down when everything goes wrong, you have to be strong and cleverly find away and go right through it. I was most likely in being in that sendhowo situation. 

I've been through those phases where I forced myself in thinking that I am way more better than everyone else in the room. But that actually gave me low self-esteem. And I don't want that. I was often down and feeling blue. I was most likely to compare myself to everyone I know. Now I'm changing my directions. I'm giving myself a whole new make up. Not a make up that uses blushes, mascara, or eyeliner. But a confidence boost make up which is the most important make up in your make up bag. ^^v

quick update.

Lately I found myself watching fashion videos on youtube, scrolling down fashion bloggers, checking myself in the mirror every once in a while, planning what to wear for tomorrow, spending hourrs just to pick the right outfit for an event, matching up old & used shirts with something I just bought, paying attention to outfits that actresses wears in a TV show or a movie, saving up to buy a new outfit, listening to new kinds of music, and believe me the list goes on and on.

I just realized my obsession on watching fashion vlogs on Youtube. Such as Macbarbie07 and Krazyrayray.

At first I only liked the way they talk, but then, their fashion videos and tips seems interesting also. And another obsession of mine is.......... watching chick flicks like Pretty Little Liars, Glee S4, Jane By Design, and my newest obsession, The Carrie Diaries. Which has been interrupting my studying time, a bit. 

Painting, I'm no longer allowed to paint because I have to focus on my national exams. Which suck. Wanna know why? Cause I kinda miss my Sunday Routines which I usually do every Sunday. Everything F.U.N. needs to be post poned until year 10. Yes, Highschool. Even going out & hanging out with my friends on weekends :( But I'll find a way and figure that out. 

I need a break, a holiday, a quality me-time.

Guitar, lately I've been watching a lot of video covers on Youtube. Mostly acoustics. Plus, Greyson Chance kinda sorta inspired me to play a musical instrument. I thought about the easiest most simplest instrument I want to learn. And I finally decided to learn how to play the guitar. But I need to find a way to make it different cause acoustic covers on youtubes are too mainstream. Problem is, my parents, well, especially my mom said I can't focus on music because music is haram in islam. But everything's worth a try!

Chapter 12: Page 366 of 366.

Knowing that today is the last day in 2012, I want to write down some accomplishments I've already accomplished in 2012. 

2012 Accomplishments.

- Went to Australia! The biggest accomplishment in 2012.

- Finished reading a whole book. 

- Completed my One Direction section with books and magazines. 

- Fell in love with someone who actually trusts me. 

- Had some me-time alone at the mall, twice. 

- Tried out the Wall Street trial by my self.

- Got my name on the Top 10 rank in my class, three times in a row. 

- Tried&did something out of the ordinary. 

- Party with Definitional.

- Made whole new friends.

- Got rid of my past. (which has been haunting me before)

- Designed my own room. (& got a lot of compliments for it)

- Stand out to my self. (just now! weeeeee) 

- Went shopping on my own. (Which is also one of my birthday wish) 

- Finished one painting on my own, without any help. 

- Threw away unused stuffs in my room. 

- Posted a lot of self pics on instagram. (I don't see why I call this an accomplishment. oh well..
- Wrote a fanfic for a friend.

Well I had a splendid 2012, hope 2013 would be more and more. 

Le history of Little Miss Awesome

It all started on twitter, where I wanted to figure out a cool name for my twitter username. Little Miss Sunshine was so in that time. But hah Little Miss Sunshine doesn't fit my personality. And I love the word awesome. So, Why not Little Miss Awesome? But @LittleMissAwesome is too weird for a twitter username, don't you think? So yeah I didn't take it. So I used @Amaliaspace instead. Back then I had this weird blog that I'm too embarrassed to show you it's called Amalia's Space. So I thought about @Amaliaspace but I also had a brilliant idea, @Amaliasaurus. I had to decide which one I really wanted to use. At first I used @Amaliasaurus. But it felt weird cause I don't like dinosaurus'. So I changed it into @Amaliaspace and I haven't changed it until now. I had that username since 2009. 

Before I changed my twitter username into @Amaliaspace or @Amaliasaurus, I had @Chipmunks_A29 (something like that), @Amalia_InBlue, @Amaliahahamei, etc. I forgot. I changed it almost every week, no! month. I changed it almost every month. And yeah it's so alay. So I'm never gonna change it again until I found the right username for me. Well I thought about changing it into @Amaliapfera which means Amalia P(radi)fera but I erased the radi so it will be like pfera cause @AmaliaPradifera is too long, yea I've thought about that recently, just haven't found the right time to change it. What do YOU think? 
 

Back to topic, Little Miss Awesome. So yea I didn't used Little Miss Awesome as my twitter username, but I used it as my twitter name. You know, normal people use their name like Amalia Luthfya Pradifera, I don't. For your information, I often write my name as Amalia Pradifera cause I get so mad when people mis-pronounced or mis-spell my middle name which I often do too, so I thought Amalia Pradifera is way cooler and more simple. Bottom line, famous persons or celebrities are often known as their First name/Nickname and Last name. So if I get famous (which I will) people will know me as Amalia Pradifera the person who owned Little Miss Awesome. 

Back to the history of Little miss Awesome, where were I? okay um... At Pare I used "Stay Cool, Be Awesome" as my class' cheer, and the word 'Awesome' was spread. And hahah I often hijack my friend's twitter to tweet "@Amaliaspace AMALIA IS AWESOME!" and people will start wondering about it. Then people start to call me Miss Awesome, Little Miss Awesome or something. And before I knew it, Awesome was like my word. Even though I didn't invent it. So, I used Little Miss Awesome as my blog name so people will start to notice me more as Little Miss Awesome :). I don't give credits to anyone cause I invented the name. Maybe people claim that Little Miss Awesome is their invention, but I didn't copy it from ANYBODY. So from now on, You (who's reading this) may call me Little Miss Awesome. 

The birthday girl.

So let me tell you how it first started..  It was a bright Sunday morning (rain is falling~ #salah) on 10th of Dzulhijjah 1432 a.k.a last year's Eid-ul adha. Which was also November 6, 2011. My mom introduced me to a girl from my neighborhood...........  She was quirkyly small and so Chinese-ish. My mom and her mom introduced us to each other... I remember exactly how was her reaction when she knew I was from Sudirman iijhs. "Amel?! Amel Sudir?!" well at first I didn't know what it meant......... I didn't know what she meant by saying that........ then, I did the typical-girl-stalking-thang. I stalked her twitter. And yeah I asked for a follow back cause she is my neighbor and maybe I wanted to know about her a little more.........

THEN, the surprising part is, that girl, my neighbor, 2 blocks away from my house, CONSIDERED TO MOVE TO MY SCHOOL! Well I wasn't really excited though at first........ That was when I was turning to the 2nd Semester of year 8 btw. So, her first day at school, you know how typical-new-kids are like at the first day of school? shyness, forever alone-ness. BUT she wasn't like that! Maybe cause her fun and cheerful personality. She could easily blend in to others. At the parking lot, I saw her with her family... she was heboh sendiri cause her mom and dad was dropping her brother&sister off to school while she had to enter here first day of school, in Sudirman, ALONE! BUT THEN her dad noticed me and told her to walk with me. So she did........... and that was the beginning of our friendship. BUT NOT JUST THAT! A few days later, when we weren't really 'that' close, she went to my house (well cause we're neighbors, 2 blocks away) to curcol about her love life. Maybe she only did that to start a conversation? what a way to start a conversation.... 

Ever since then we always played together. I went to her house or she went to my house. And on examinations week, sometimes we studied together. I remember we watched Valentine's Day before we went to school early in the morning before the exam and she didn't study at all........good thing I did. It was super unforgettable... and and when we was supposed to study but none of us were in the mood to then we talked ALL NIGHT LONG until you had to go home...... well that's just how it is. Fyi, she's far yet the only person in school I feel comfortable talking in english with..

But then sadly on May 2012 she had to move...to L.A. But it's okay cause we still like to play together, go home from school together, she still liked to use my wi-fi whenever she's at my house. Well some said that 2 people who has a completely different personality is good for each other............I'm only gaje when I'm with her.

And today, November 06, 2012 is her 15th Birthday! Happy Birthday lil dude. Stay beautiful inside & out.. 

Oh & not to forget our 1 year friendship anniversary<3! Love youuuuu yuck. Hihi jk! love youuu <3 

Love, Amalia. 

There's nothing like Australia..

Day One : Goodbye Indonesia, Hello Australia.

Sunday, April 22^nd 2012.

I had to do a last-minute-check of stuffs I brought so that nothing important is going to be left behind. I already packed all my stuff in my suitcase and I brought a big back pack that school gave us and a small bag to put important stuff in there. I was so ready and excited for Australia. Even I can’t believe I’m going to go to Australia with my friends and teachers. My parents drove me to school at 4.00 pm.

Before we went on the bus on our way to the airport, we gathered up infront of the principal’s office and had our prayers and Mr. Nur Alam gave us some briefing and what to do at the airport. Mr. Nur Alam gave us the photo copy of the ticket, the asurance, and the list of what we’re going to do in Melbourne. After a little lecture from our principal, we head to Soekarno Hatta by bus. But because Faishal was late, he had to go to the airport by himself. We were so ready for an amazing experience. We listened to Justin Bieber’s songs all the way to the airport. It was nearly 8 o’clock when we arrived at Soekarno Hatta airport.

We ate and had our prayers first at the airport. We ate KFC while waiting for our parents to come. After eating, praying, and taking photos, we had to say good bye to our parents and principal. Some of us cried, but I didn’t. We checked in, put our luggages, and settled down for a while in the waiting room to wait for the boarding time.

The journey from Soekarno Hatta to Tulamarine was approximately 7 hours. And the time difference from Jakarta and Melbourne was 3 hours. So when it was 9 o’clock in Melbourne, it’s still 6 pm here in Jakarta.

Day Two : Flight to Melbourne

Monday, April 23^rd 2012.

Still on the plane. I used the best facility of the Garuda Indonesia airplane, the TV. I watched Modern Family and listened to Taylor Swift’s songs. We had breakfast on the plane. I ate an omelet and bread&butter and drank a cup of tea. I sat with Dita. I was on the window side so I could see the view well..

 The arrival

I finally step my first step on Melbourne. We checked out and went passed through the guardian dog and securities. We took photos in front of the airport with our school banner. Waited for the school bus to arrive and pick us up. It took a long time but we have to be patient. After all we wait for them, not they wait for us. After a half-hour waiting, Mr. Bilal and Mr. Khamis finally came and we went to the city right away. We went to skydeck and ate at this arabic restaurant it has giant portions! I only ordered chips and mineral water. Classic.. Cause I was still a little home sick. After looking around skydeck, took photos, and had lunch we went to the school to meet our host families.

Mine was Ms. Sonya Hamoud. She’s a single parent and she has 1 daughter, Ferdos. She lived in a little town house in Coburg. She’s a teacher in EPIC. She’s teaching year9 and year11. She’s lebanese but lives in Australia. She wears glasses and has blonde hair. She’s so nice to me, she treated me as a guess, so I didn’t have to do some work.

Day Three : First day of school

Tuesday, April 24^th 2012.

First day of school! We studied at East Preston Islamic College, EPIC for short. We studied at EPIC for a few days. We felt special. People treated us special. The students there were so nice and friendly.  I met a whole lot of new friends there. Especially the year8 girls and boys. And some of the year6 likes me cause I like One Direction and I wore this cool shoes that has wheel at the back.

The first day in class we introduced ourselves. And they introduced themselves too infront of class. Their first impression of me was my wristband that says One Direction, that’s how I got friends with them easily. And I also met a lot of teachers such as Ms. Busha, Ms. Rayan, Ms. Gomes, Ms. Sherina, Mr. Azzam, Mr. Esmile, and many more! I can’t remember their names one-by-one but i’ve tried my best.

The friends there in 8G were friendly and loud! Teachers often yell at them cause of what they do. But that’s okay! My class is a slight bit like that too. There was 22 girls in one classroom. I gave them a wayang bookmark for a greeting card.

Some names that I remember : Rahma, Iftu, Asiya, Hibaq, Sumaya, Fadumo, Sarah, Khadijah, Miski, Faiso, Rahama, Mariam,  Huda, Naba, Raghad, Aisha, Rabia, etc.

The primary students and high schools are pretty friendly to us too. They say hi to us, greet us, talk to us. Their all are friendly and fun. And we have something in common.

This is one of the year6 student. Her name is Ama. She’s so friendly and cute. She also likes One Direction so that’s one thing we have in common. I remember almost everyday students there asks me to sing one of One Direction’s songs. I felt like a star there. They all like me. I usually sing What Makes You Beautiful cause everyone knows that song.

Day Four : School & Zagame’s

Wednesday, April 25^th 2012.

We studied about Math, English, Arabics, Science, History, and Health. The subjects are a little different with what we study in Soedirman. But we’ve learned some subjects such as Algebra, Atoms, Superlatives. I still have some notes I wrote from the teacher.

In Algebra we studied Associative Law, Communitative Law, Identity Law, Inverse Law, Simplifying expression, Multiplying variables, and Dividing variables.

 (6 + 7) + 8 = 6 + (7 + 8)  

       13 + 8 = 6 + 13

                                    21 = 21

And in History we were studying about the crusade war we had to make a summary about it. In English we studied about Superlatives and Comparatives. I’ve studied that in Pare before. In Science we studied about Atoms, Electrons, Protons, Neutrons. In health we played basket ball which was freezing cold outside.

Anyway, the lesson time there is a bit the same with what we have in Soedirman, but they start school at 8.30, that’s when the school bell rings. And have 2 recess breaks. 1 snack hour, and 1 zhuhur time. And school ends at 4 o’clock.

After school, Ms. Sonya and Ferdos took me to this restaurant. It was called Zagame’s. It’s a restaurant with a playground in it. Like at McDonalds. Only bigger. I ate Beef Spaghetti. Ferdos had Pizza. And Ms. Sonya had some pasta. The spaghetti there is good. And the playground too! The thing I like about it is that I could still be able to play in it. So I played Hide&Seek with Ferdos and a girl we met there, Taylor. There’s alot of things to play on but I didn’t take photos of them all. I only took the Airplane one because my camera battery is low

Day Five : Anzac day! 

Thursday, April 26^th 2012.

“...is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.” – Australian War Memorial

No school for today! So we went to ... *drum roll* ... PHILLIP ISLAND! The year8 last year didn’t go to Phillip Island, so it’s our first time there. It was so far away from Preston. It was 3 hours away. We stopped at Warrock to have some lunch and looked around the farm. At warrock, we saw some cows, sheeps, kangaroos, wambis, hens, and more! I milked a cow and it felt weird. And the farmer asked me to drink it and I said NO! We saw the process of sheep shaving. After that, we ate at the Warrock’s restaurant. I ate chicken and chips. After that half-hour rest we went to the Chocolate factory. We looked around about some chocolate stuffs and took photos. I bought an Ice Cream and some chocolates as well. When everyone’s finished, we head to Phillip Island.

Phillip Island is a place full of penguins and koalas! Most of the koalas were sleeping. We also saw the Penguin Parade at night. It was dark, I could barely see the penguins. It was over 1000 penguins wobbling from the sea to their nests. But sadly no one is allowed to take photos cause it’s night and people usually uses flash on their cameras and that’s really not good for the penguins so no pictures are allowed. When the penguin parade was finished we went back in and had some meals. We had free drinks and I took the lemonade softdrink. After everyone finished, we head back home.

Day Six : Barbecue Party

Friday, April 27^th 2012.

In the morning we studied as usual. The same subject as yesterday. The same class chaos as yesterday but that’s what I love about the class.

At break time, It was schocking when Mr. Ekrem said that some students wanted to beg as for money and say that their parent’s are broke and didn’t give them any lunch money. SO Mr. Ekrem invited us to a special place. It’s usually a meeting room. It has a big round table in the middle with lots of chairs. We had to have lunch there. We had some delicious pizzas, crunchy chips, chewy nuggets, and soft drinks. ALL FREE! Thanks again, Mr. Ekrem.

When the bell rang everyone got out of class and went home. Some of them took the bus, some of them had to walk, and some parents picked them up. But me, I had to wait for Ms. Sonya. But because Ms. Sonya couldn’t drive me to the Barbeque party, I joined Ilma and Ms. Rayan.

We got home, changed, and head to Coburg lake! There were already some people there, they got there earlier. We took photos, had fun, joke around. The boys played football. Before we had dinner, there’s this lady who lectured us and told us all about Islam. After she finished lecturing us, we ate, and I had some hotdogs.

Day 7 : The city of Melbourne!

Saturday, April 28^th 2012

At first it wasn’t a sleepover, Ms. Sonya couldn’t pick me up after the barbeque party, So she asked Ms Rayan if I could sleep with her or not for a night and maybe Ilma could sleep at my house. And she said okay. So we had a sleep over at Ms. Rayan’s house! It was Dita, Tasya, Nire, Ilma, Rawa, and I. It was so fun. Ms. Rayan’s family gathered up and watched a home video of her brother’s wedding. And Ms. Rayan introduced us to her niece, Mariam. She’s so friendly and fun. We watched movies and talked. She is hilarious! I wish I could meet her again.

When it was night everyone had to go home and sleep. We slept at Ilma’s room. Everyone slept like a pig, especially Tasya. I even have a picture of her sleeping, but she’s gonna be mad at me if I post it.

In the morning we took a bath, had breakfast, and went to Mr. Bilal’s house. Dita’s mom’s friend, we call her Tante Nova. She took us around to see the city. We went to the Melbourne Museum and watched IMAX. We went there by tram and went home by bus. After Melbourne Museum, she took us to an Indonesian Restaurant called Nelayan. There were a lot of Indonesian people there. I ordered fried chicken with rice. It costs me $6. It was very Indonesia-ish. That’s because the owner is Indonesian. Even the waiter and the waitress. When we finished eating, we went to a grocery store. I bought candies and marshmallows. And I stopped to buy Slurpee in 7ELEVEN. The slurpee there costs me $2. Then we went home to Mr. Bilal’s house. It was a great adventure! Thank you, Msr. Nova. At Mr. Bilal’s house, Ms. Sonya was already there to pick me up. I went home with Ilma.

Day 8 : Swimming&Bowling with Rawa

Sunday, April 29^th 2012.

It was Sunday and we planned to go to northland but I forgot I left my school uniform at Mr. Bilal’s house. So Ilma and I asked Ms. Sonya to drop us there. And we played there for a while. Ms. Rayan picked up Ilma at Mr. Bilal’s house. So  it was just Dita, Tasya, and I. We played with Mr. Bilal’s sons. Yahya, Yunus, and Yusuf. Oh and Ibrahim.

Yahya is 4 years old and he talks alot. Yunus is my moshi monster best friend. He’s 7 years old. Yusuf is 1 year younger than Yunus, He’s 6. And Ibrahim is 1 year old. Mr. Bilal still have 3 more sons and 1 daughter. Zak is 12 years old. Osama is 13 years old. Omar is 15 years old. And Rawa is 17 years old. Zak, Osama, and Omar wasn’t home so we played with Yahya, Yunus, Yusuf at the PS3 room while waiting for Rawa to come home from work because she’s taking us to a bowling alley and a ladies swimming pool. She works at coles as a cashier. She’s so nice and fun!

At the PS3 room we watched Free Willy and ate some chips. I like Mr. Bilal’s sons cause their so nice and fun to play with. At ... o’clock the other boys including Rawa came home. We got ready for bowling. Mr. Bilal drove us to the bowling alley. We waited for Ms. Rayan and her daughter and Ilma to come. We played 1 round. Rawa won, Dita came at Second, I came at Third place. And I bought Calipop Ice Cream. It tasted so good.

After that we went to Mr. Bilal’s house to change and eat. When we all finished what we had to do, we head to the ladies swimming pool. It was indoor so it’s warm. We met our friend Hibaq from school. We swam for an hour then at 8.30 the pool closed and we went home. I slept over at Mr. Bilal’s house. Ms. Rayan picked Ilma. At first I was going to sleep over at Ms. Rayan’s house, but we exchanged, I slept at Mr. Bilal’s House and Dita slept at Ms. Rayan’s house.

Day 9 : A visit to Mt. Hira

Monday, April 30^th 2012

As usual we went to school. But because I slept over at Mr. Bilal’s house I didn’t bring my uniform, so I borrowed Tasya’s uniform. It was so cold at their house in the morning I was freezing. I couldn’t get out of the blanket. And sadly I catched a cold there. Now I’m better. And when everybody woke up, had breakfast, changed into our uniform, and head to school.

Some friends already gathered in the canteen waiting for the rest. At first I thought we were gonna go to class and study as usual. But no. First we waited for everyone to come. Then we got into the bus with Mr. Ekrem. We went to his other school, Mount Hira College. Mr. Ekrem is the chairman of Mount Hira College so he took us there. We met the principal of Mt. Hira, her name is Ms. Patricia Gay, Ms. Pat for short. And she also showed us around Mt. Hira College. She showed us the Elementary School, Junior Highschool, and High School. Even the library, gym, ITC room, and art room.

Mt. Hira College is a great school! It’s very neat and big. I also like the uniform. But not all students there wears Hijab. They only wear it if they want to. Not like in EPIC. Mr. Ekrem also showed us the mosque that is under construction. It’s really big. He must of spent a lot of money on that mosque. We also got to play on their playground.  It has a slide, swings, and other playground stuffs.

We had lunch at Mr. Ekrem’s brother’s place. And he also payed for our food! I had a hot dog and some fries.

Day 10 : Shopping at Victoria Market

Tuesday, May 1^st 2012.

We all had our Aussie Uniform on. We were ready to go to the .......

At the ..... we met Mr. Agus who is apparently Dita’s Mother’s friend. We talked, and he told us about Indonesia. And some of us shared stories about our experience in Australia so far, Including ME. Because there was Mr. Bilal, he asked me to speak in English. So I shared my experience in English. I was so happy cause Mr. Agus said that I had good English and I should be a diplomat there. We also took photos with him.

We didn’t take a long time there, after we said good bye we directly head to the Victoria Market. I bought a lot of things there. Things there are a little chepear than in the mall. I bought souveniers for my friends. And I also bought things for my self too as well. I bought a key chain, pencil case, pyjama’s, australia plate, and much more!

Day 11 : Ballarat

Wednesday , May 2^nd 2012

It was a beautiful day, cause it was our friend’s birthday, Dita! Too bad we didn’t celebrated it.  But we went to the famous Ballarat. It’s in Sovereign Hill. People say it’s nice there. There’s a gold mine there too. We saw a lot of things. We also saw the view from above. Faishal and I took a photo in a western costume.

We also went to the gold museum. We saw a lot of gold some were from the gold mine. And there’s also the history about gold. I got some knowledge about gold.

 Day 12 : Melbourne Aquarium & Cook’s Cottage.

Thursday, May 3^rd 2012

Then we went to the Melbourne Aquarium. We saw a lot of fishes, of course. And penguins too! That’s my favorite part. We also saw sharks and some 

When we were done looking around the Melbourne Aquarium we went to the Melbourne Museum. I already went there before with Tante Nova. We took photos and looked at some fishes

After we looked around the Melbourne Museum we went to another place in the city called Cook’s Cottage. It’s a beautiful place. We took photos and had fun J

Day 13 : Farewell Party 

Friday, May 4^th 2012.

The farewell party, this was the event that we all had been waiting for.

We went to school. We studied the year8 subjects. We did what the EPIC students have to do. We ate at their cafeteria. We studied at their class. We prayed at their mosque. We read books at their library. We play football at their field. We used their bathroom. We walked in their hall way. But it’s only temporary. It’s only a visit. It’s only 2 weeks. But the good thing is we don’t need to follow their rules. We can wear bracelets and colorful shoes. And people treat us special. But we still have to have manners cause we brought the school name and Indonesia’s great identity.

The farewell party was held at night where everybody’s hostfamilies came and celebrated it. It was so fun. I was the MC for the night with Hanif. 7 weeks of the traditional dancing finally paid of! We nailed the performances. Everybody cheered. And I was so happy. After the farewell party we had dinner and head home. It was the most special event I could never forget..

Day 14 : Bye bye Australia

Saturday, May 5^th 2012.

We had to wake up super-early-in-the-morning! We don’t want to miss the plane.

Gathered up infront of EPIC and went to the airport by school bus.

We had to check in and the line was so long.

We realized then it’s time to go home, Bye-bye Australia

Someday I’m gonna come back, just wait J

...we landed home safely and lived happily ever after.

THE END!