Uppsala: Last Chapter (New Year!)

Dear friends, 

I still can't believe that I will be leaving Uppsala in sixteen days. Yes, sixteen days. With the addition of one exam, a project presentation, and a report, I am in over my head. Let that sink in. 

I have been traveling so much these past two weeks, which I can say now, was not the best decision for a student like me. Especially if you are moving to another country in the next two weeks while having to study for an exam, work on a report and presentation. 

Admittedly, I was still in denial the past weeks, but now I am sick because of the traveling and somehow, having had to spend time alone in my room (for the new year as well), I was forced to realize that I still have a lot of things to do before moving. 

And I know, I just know, that I will somehow find myself suddenly in the airport, and starting the next chapter of my Erasmus trajectory. 

That being said, to say goodbye as well to 2021, I should list the things I am grateful for from the last year. First, my family, to whom I will always be indebted. I know we don't talk every day and I am not exactly the most diligent when it comes to keeping in touch, please know that I love all of you dearly and there is no one else that I could describe as 'home' other than you. 

This past year, they have been with me through my first professional resignation, which didn't go as smoothly as I wanted, the process of me signing up for the program, and the moving and packing part of the journey. 

Second, I am grateful for my old friends. Again, I'm not the best person to keep in touch with, but I still have those memories of talking for five straight hours just catching up on stuff, how much fun we had at Fira's wedding and bridal shower, our online meetings, and watching the movies. I know we didn't see each other as much as we had hoped for because of the pandemic, but I still keep those memories (and letters) close to my heart. 

Third, my new friends! Although time is short, the memories are more than enough, and more precious than if we had all the time in the world in Sweden. I have had so much fun in Sweden with all of you, experiencing new things (like cycling 40 km in a day), picking up old things (skating for the first time in such a long time), traveling (Tallinn, Helsinki, Abisko, and Oslo in a row??), and dancing (while drinking in our kitchen corridor). 

Fourth, getting to know myself a little better. Like the fact that I love sandy snow and winter in general? I didn't expect to like winter, but it's truly not as bad as I thought. And the fact that I like cycling now, I can only twerk after a couple of drinks (not pretty), and the fact that I'm so bossy and such a control freak while traveling. Sorry for that. 

Fifth, my one and only Bintang. He's the one that stays by my side through it all. We fought many times while trying to navigate this long-distance relationship. We discovered new things about our own person, and our relationship together with those tear-filled arguments and conversations. But I am very proud of us for sticking together through those hard and unpleasant conversations, just to come out of them feeling more and more in love with each other. With you, I can do anything :) 

Anyway, I am excited yet daunted for Munich. Finding an apartment was a feat of its own, but at least we did it. But yes, I am generally looking forward to moving to Munich, starting the project, and living with a roommate for the first time in my life! 

Hello 2022!!