What do you usually do when you are really bored of doing something?
For me, I usually jumping around from one website to another to find an inspiration.
Back to January 2015, it was summer holiday down here, in New Zealand. I was really bored writing my thesis, I ran out the inspiration to write, and most of my friends went back to their home. I know clearly that Auckland is one of the big cities in the world where there’s always someone held a live performance. I also know clearly that I can’t afford the concert ticket. So, I usually open the website (ticketmaster.co.nz), and didn’t buy anything.
But, that day, when I open the website, I saw something. I saw that The Script was going to come in May. I checked the ticket price, and turned out it was below the average price = I could afford to buy it!! I was so freaking happy. Since I didn’t want to watch it alone, I texted one of my partner in crime, asked her to watch it with me and she said yes.
Long story short, I bought the ticket in January and went to the concert in May. It was my first time went to a concert in New Zealand. The concert was held in Vector Arena. It is a big indoor space and fit around 12000 seats, can be used for sports or entertainment event. It's not that big compared to the concert places in Indonesia or Japan (because I had the experiences watch concert in Japan and Indonesia).
The concert should start at 7 pm but the gate open at 6 pm. I chose to watch it in the floor standing area. The reason, I wanted to watch them close up. I wanted to get the front line, then I came earlier.
The weather was nice, not that cold not that hot. I only wear one layer sweater and green pants. The gate opened in the right time and the crowd entered the hall. I always amazed with the way people lining up in here. They waited patiently. I remembered, the people behind us were a bunch of teenagers around 18yo to 20yo. They were five of them and two of them were a bit high. Because they talked so much and a bit too loud. Right before the gate opened, I really wanted to go to the bathroom. I was afraid I had to line up from the beginning again. But I couldn’t wait anymore, I had to go. I went to the bathroom and when I got back, they were gone. The line changed and I couldn’t find my friend. I was a bit panicked since my ticket was with her. Thankfully, I noticed the girls who were behind me earlier. I talked to them and they showed me where was my friend. All the people gave me the way to my friend. They didn’t think that I tried to steal their line or what. They opened their line, so I could get to my friend. I was touched. I don’t think I will get the same treat if I was in my own country.
It was my first time, and I noticed some interesting points:
- Everyone want to get closer to the stage, but they do it calmly, really calm. They were not rushing, they were more like “if I can get closer it will be great, but if not, it’s not really big deal”.
- There’s a food and drink stall in the lobby and we are allowed to have food and drink while watching the concert. Of course, they sell alcohol. People drink responsibly and I like it. I don’t really have any problem with people who drink during the concert. I just don’t like the smell of beer, I can’t stand it. Unfortunately, the lady behind me had a beer and it was a bit distracting for me. Thankfully, she finished after the opening performance finish.
- There was a last minute change of the performer and they (the organizer) emailed me, several hours before the concert. Informing that due to some reason (I forgot the exact reason), the opening performance had to change to someone else. Even though I didn’t really care about the opening, I was impressed with the email. Letting us know that there was some change.
Okay, I think I already talked too much, but I haven’t shared anything about the concert itself. The concert was a few minutes late, but still in the tolerable ways. The opening remarks when The Script enter the stage was beyond great. They also did some interactions with the audience. The best part of the concert for me was when Danny asked the audience that he wanted to do something crazy. He wanted us to call our ex, and the first person who got picked up by their ex, have to give the phone to Danny. You know what he did?? He holds the phone and he sang ‘Nothing’ to someone ex. It was a really awesome crazy idea. Lucky to you, a young lady, you could tell your ex that it was all nothing and Danny sang it for you.
End of the day, I was really happy finally I gain one more experience while in Auckland, went to concert. Time to off to bed.
See you again on my next post
Hi everyone, it's been a loooonng time since I posted in this blog. Well, so much things happened in the past months, I moved to the new apartment (which is closer to uni and located in the city center - literally), preparing for the research proposal (can't believe one year already passed and one year more to go to finish my degree), applying for a new student visa, and I got a part time job in a new place (it's waroeng legianz and their website is here).
Thankfully, my research proposal got approved (super duper thanks go to my favorite program leader, Hammish and my supervisor, Charles), and my student visa is extended. Oh, my new workplace is an Indonesian restaurant, which open from Monday to Saturday during winter season. Most of the customers are new Zealanders who work close to the restaurant.
The restaurant is located in victoria park market, right in front of the victoria park. The most popular meals among customers are Mie Goreng (fried noodle) and Nasi Goreng (fried rice). They have five types of it, with chicken, with beef, with lamb, with seafood, or only vegetable. Even, if the customer wants it pure vegetarian, no fish oil and no egg, they can make it special for them. The restaurant wants to give their best for the customer, they try to understand what the customer wants. For Muslim, don't worry all the ingredients are halal, because they only use halal meat.
One fine afternoon after work, a month ago.
The popular meal, Mie Goreng.
Finally they have teh botol sosro (the pioneer of tea in pack from Indonesia) available in there.
Well, that's all so far from me, cheers!
Mika, The Origin of Love Concert 2013
Skenoo Hall, Jakarta






This is the real last day for our trip, and with this I can say that our mission is accomplish. Actually our mission go to Korea this time is to go to Jeju Island and visit the famous sex museum and teddy bear museum. So since we went there yesterday to those places, we can flight back to Busan happily before heading back to Fukuoka, Japan with Ferry tomorrow.
Bye Seoul, Hello Jeju! We never expect the storm would coming to Jeju on August and this was make our flight been delayed for around 30 minutes. Thankfully nothing bad happen during our flight and since we flight with Jeju Air, we got paper cup with Big Bang signature on it. I got GD's ;D
So after we put down our luggage in hostel, we went to our first destination, Jeju Miniature Museum. We didn't care even the wind was super strong. Maybe because the wind in our school is stronger than this, not sure yet. The museum is cool and nice place to go because they have almost all famous monument from every country in the world and there's also explanation on it.
Day 3, Korea Trip 2012 Part 3. Shopping in the end of the day | 3日目,韓国旅行2012パート3.日の終わりでショッピングする.



Bukchon area is located in upper side of Seoul and we're heading down to Cheonggyechon in the afternoon. But before that we stopped by in National Folk Museum Korea. It's connecting with Gyeongbokgung palace, another good palace in the center of the town. Nice place to know more about history of Korea.
However if you go straight from Gyeongbokgung palace gate, you will see King Sejong Statue in the center and if you come closer, you can go down and enjoy the museum inside. Not far from there, you can also see statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the korean naval commander.
私達は午後にBukchonエリア,ソウルの上側におりからCheonggyechonまで向かってる.しかしその前に,韓国の国立民俗博物館に立ち寄った.その博物館はGyeongbokgungと接続でおり,またGyeongbokgung宮殿は他のソウル真中である良い宮殿だ。 韓国の歴史を知りたいためには韓国の国立民俗博物館は良い所だ.
しかし,もしGyeongbokgung宮殿の正門からまっすぐ行ったら,中央にSejong王の像が見られる.そして,もし近ずく行ったら,下には博物館があって,内部を楽しみ見ることができる.その像から遠くないところに,韓国海軍司令官の像,Admiral Yi Sun-sinもう見られた.
After satisfied with the unexpected visit to those museums, we continue our today's journey. It's nice that we put Cheonggyechon as our next destination. We could take an afternoon break, enjoying the view.
美術館へ行くのは民族した後,私達は次の目的地を続ける.次の目的地はCheonggyechonになったは良かったと思う.あそこで私達は午後の休憩を取ることができるし,景色を楽しみ見るもできた.

And in the end of the day, we go shopping for awhile before back to hotel. Thank you so much for your time and guide Ms. M|そして,ホテルに戻る前に少し買い物した.時間とガイドされたことは本当にありがとうございますMさん!
Day 3, Korea Trip 2012 Part 2. Walking all the day.|3日目,韓国旅行2012パート2.一日歩いていた
Today's guide is one of my friend's senior in her seminar class and even she is not from Seoul, she still want to guide us in Seoul for all the day. Super duper thank you!
So before we're strolling around Bukchon, we had lunch together. She took us to the a fancy small restaurant, near the main road in Bukchon village area. The salad and the rice are super delicious, i love it!
今日のガイドは友人のゼミの先輩で,彼女はソウル人じゃなくてソウルまで来てくれた,一日ガイドされていた.本当にありがとう~!
Bukchonに散歩する前に私達は一緒に昼食を食べた.彼女はBukchonの大きな道路の近くで御しゃれな小さなレストランに連れて行った.ご飯やサラダはめっちゃ美味しいだから,大好!
And now we're ready to walking around the village! 今から村に散歩するの準備ができた!


If I'm not mistaken, there is one house that being used in Winter Sonata movie around there. I'm not really sure which house it is, since I only passing by the sign. Anyway before we went to next destination, we stopped by in small cafe to have patbingsu (Korean ice only available during summer).
私が間違っていた場合,あそこの周りにはWinter Sonata映画で使用されている家がある.私はただ徴候が一回しか見ただから,ある家は本当に分からない.しかし次の目的地行く前に私達は小さなカフェで止まって,patbingsu (韓国の夏季アイス)を食べた.


It was super hot and we're already tired yet the day is still long.... すごく暑いけど,日はまだ長い...
Day 2, Korea trip 2012 part 2. Goes to the capital city. | 2日目,韓国旅行2012パート2.首都に行く
We used KTX to go to Seoul in the afternoon and we arrived safely at night. 午後にKTXを使用し,ソウルに行って,夜で無事に到着した.

We're staying at Guesthouse 123 Hongdae during our day in Seoul. It's very close with the station and the room is very clean. After put our stuffs, we were so ready to meet our senior and having dinner together. Time to catching up!
ソウルでいる時に私達はGuesthouse 123 Hongdaeに泊まっていた.駅からめっちゃ近くて部屋もきれい.荷物が置いた後,私達は私達の先輩に会うための準備ができて,先輩と一緒に夕食を食べていた.キャッチアップの時間だ!
The delicious chicken set. Thank you Mr. J for your treat, see you again someday in the future. 美味しい鳥セット. Mr. J,夕食ごちそ様でした,また他の日までに会いましょう.
Day 2, Korea trip 2012. Part 1, Busan | 2日,韓国旅行2012.パート1,釜山
それは釜山での最後の日だったので、私達の計画は Haedang Yonggungsa 寺に行くつもりだった.残念ながらその日雨がすごく降ったので、計画を変更し、チャガルチ市場という釜山での有名な魚市場を行って回るした.
Since that was our last day in Busan, we're planning go to Haedang Yonggungsa Temple. But unfortunately it was rainy so hard, so we changed our plan and we decided to look around the famous fish market in Busan, Jagalchi market.
それは釜山での最後の日だったので、私達の計画は Haedang Yonggungsa 寺に行くつもりだった.残念ながらその日雨がすごく降ったので、計画を変更し、チャガルチ市場という釜山での有名な魚市場を行って回るした.
After that we moved to Pusan International Film Festival and because of the rain, I didn't take any picture over there. We were just going from one shop to another, looking for something cute to buy, wasting time until our train was coming. Anyway Pusan International Film Festival is an area that you can go shopping. There are a lot of cute shops over there with reasonable price. And it's so easy to get there from Busan station, just take subway line 1 and get off at Nampo station.
その後、私達は釜山国際映画祭に移動したけど雨だから、あそこに画像をあまり取らなかった.私達はちょうど一つの店から別の店行って,買うために可愛いものを探して,列車の来るまでに時間を浪費していた.とにかく釜山国際映画祭は買い物に行くことができるエリアである.あそこで可愛いお店がたくさんあって,売ってる物の値段もそなに高くない.そして釜山駅からそこまでめっちゃ簡単だよ,地下鉄1号線に乗って,Nampo 駅で下車するだけ.










