Journal of Monica

Isn't it weird to eat exactly the same food for five or more times in a row?

Well, indeed it is weird if you don't have your kind of cup of tea of food.

In the book The Omnivorous Mind (Harvard Univ. Press, 2012) and in other writings, the author has argued that we humans each have a "theory of food" that guides how, how much, and what we eat. This theory of food is analogous to "theory of mind," the suite of implicit cognitive skills that people use to negotiate the complex, interactive human social universe. (Read more here)

I do have it. that's why i ask you that kind of rhetoric question in today's post's intro.

.Fruit Salad.

It actually begun a couple months ago, when i was still on my third semester of uni life. At the moment one of my friend offered me a fruit salad, which is now becoming one of my favorite food all the time.

I tasted it. Okay, that was kinda weird at the first because it never comes in my mind to mix fruits with Yogurt, mayonnaise and Cheese. My brain still rejected it. But after i put this colorful thing into my mind, it all changed!

I like this kind of thing. At the time i was only like ordered it once a week from my friend, but it all get worst when i stop. The end of semester meant the end of hanging out together with my uni friends, and that also means that my friend was no longer selling her fruit salad.

i desperately missed it, like really missed it. I somehow ordered this kind of fruit salad online, but it did not taste good. The salad i ordered was not as creamy, yummy and delicious as i expected. Plus, its a pricey one! That wasn't worth it tho.

Then, one sunny day; due to the demand that i desperately planted in my hunger mind, i decided to make my own fruit salad. I bought such all the ingredients and started my experiment.

GUESS what. It worked. I was so happy. I bought the ingredients in a huge amount because i was thinking to take revenge to my self; i am going to eat all of this shit as much as i can every day. Yes and i finally did that. I eat fruit salad every day. for Lunch, dinner, repeat. I never skipped even once.

And you must know what happen next.
Have you heard this question before:

"What did you eat so much until you hate it?"

It doesn't make sense to me at the first until i experience it my self. Yeah. I started to hate fruit salad. It was only 5 days to made me hate this thing. i ate it but it taste horrid. really really horrid. I really want to eat something else beside fruit salad but i couldn't because that would be food waste.

Finally, I finished to eat all of the fruit salads that i made. But since then, I can’t look at Fruit Salad the same way I used to. Not to deny that I still remember extremely well how much I liked them.

The moral of this experience is, too much isn't good. You might like something like crazy, but also remember that being addicted is not that good. It might seems fun at the beginning until it makes you sacrifice. This is my story for the beginning of the year. If you have some kind of experience like that, feel free to share it here. Have a great day!

I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, 'This is what it is to be happy.'

—Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

Sunrise seeking is On the mode!

One more adventure with my Atma Jaya new friends today. We are planning to catch the sunrise in Kebun Buah Mangunan, located in Jl. Imogiri - Dlingo, Sukorame, Mangunan, Dlingo, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta or for the spesific one and to make it easier, i put the map here.

Honestly at the very very beginning, i don't feel like to go because i don't really know any of these guys and one of my close friend is not going too. But, because i appreciate their invitation for me and i also already make a promise to go with them, i finally change my mind and go.

I get picked up at 4 AM in the morning and directly go to another friends' house to pick them. We use motorcycle because these guys say that riding motorcycle is way more faster, and they can also enjoy the trip more intent. We literally go to our destination at 4.30 AM and in our way, sadly i can already see the sunrise. Woops, is this real? like i never get the chance to see sunrise. Sun, do you hate me or something?

Arrived at our first destination. The view is pretty dang good, but honestly i prefer the one on the photo. The camouflage of technology nowadays make everything looks so damn gorgeous in the picture instead of the real one. I know, expectation is not as the same as reality but we thank God because we still get the chance to see this spectacular view.

Unfortunately, the sun is already shining and our first mission is failed. Second, there are so many people that want to chase the sunrise also and that explain why this place is so crowded.

The tips for you if you want to get a good instagramable picture are first, you have to be patient. You will get your turn to take picts eventually. Second, never let any opportunity. If you see an empty spot even though its just a small one, just go there and im sure 100% that it will expand as the time goes by.

And yes, where is my manner? Before we go further, im going to introduce you my new chinggu. At first it was my classmate that introduce me to these bunch of guys, and also because we are at the same organization, HMPSM and some of them are on the same work project with me.

There are 7 motorcycles in this gang, the first is me and Andrew, the guy who match the words 'still water run deep'. We've just talk to each other this early morning and it just feels like i already know him for a couple weeks; deep conversation broh! super cool. Then, the second is Ibach and Kepong. Ibach is my classmate that introduces me to all of these guys. Thank You ibach! and also Kepong, the hypebeast one that is on the same division as me, DKV. Third place we got Audrie and Tia. Audrie is the craziest one. He get called 'Tukang kompor' and toxic people and these fit his personality. Also Tia, the girl that i also just met but i can tell that she's fun. She knows how to blend in. The fourth is my Om Swastiastu friends, Bagus and Adi a.k.a WINTERRR. I call him winter because his outfit looks like he's going to antartika or in other words, he wears the wrong dresscode for this trip lol. But both of these bli are fun, really fun. Do all balinesse are fun like this? They both are like comedian in this lil Group. The fifth is the lovebirds a.k.a Banu and Gita! they are just a couple who fails to see how beautiful sun is when its rising lol, but at least they are trying, right?. The last but not least we got solo candidates named Dani a.k.a Zuko, and Titan. Dani gets called as Zuko because there was a moment when he drunk, unwear his glasses and showed his red eyes, like he's going to throw some fire from it haha. And Titan seems so calm but he's funny thoo. So thats it, my new chinggu that i've just met and they are a perfect combo to start your day in an early morning like this.

Also, because we did not have a chance to take breakfast before, we decide to find a small restaurant to eat. We mostly buy indomie because the weather is perfect to eat some instant-hot noodle. We have a little chit-chat there and that is the moment that i start to figure out their own personality. Not for the specific one, but personality that can lead to who they truly are.

We still have plenty time, and that is one of the reason why we finally continue our trip to Pines Forest or in Indonesia, Hutan Pinus. Even though this is one of the list of mainstream destination, we're here to enjoy the view, and the moment. Thank you chingu for adding more colors in my day. This is exactly the trip that i personally would never forget in my life. Togetherness, bad and good times, thank you for giving me this kind of moment! Waiting for another trip to spend with you guys.

The glitter in the sky looks as if I could scoop it all up in my hands and let the stars swirl and touch one another, but they are so distant, so very far apart, that they cannot feel the warmth of each other, even though they are made of burning.

—Beth Revis, Across the Universe

The Lost World Castle Jogja | Frankenranma

Travel becomes a strategy for accumulating photographs.
— Susan Sontag

July, 26th 2018.

Today i am going to explore something new with my little cousin. We actually used to play together when we were kid, and thats why we are close to each other. She comes to Jogja to continue her study in Sanata Dharma University, Psychology major. And since we are still in our holiday mode and have plenty of spare time, we decide to make our little trip to Lost World Castle, Yogyakarta. I know, there are a lot of consideration we face before finally come to this place such as transportation and also the weather (sun shines so bright and it kills, i swear). But because we are all curious about it, we finally move our ass and go.

Lost World Castle located in Petung, Kepuharjo, Cangkringan, Kabupaten Sleman, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. Or if you confused you can just see the address through the map below.

I know it is kinda far but the location is pretty cool, far from the residential areas and the weather is not as hot as in the city. I think we are near to the Merapi mountain too, because in the Lost World Castle we can see the Merapi very clear. The entrance ticket for this castle is Rp. 25.000,00/person and we can enjoy every spot there (not including the additional property and some photobooth).

My lil Cousin, Retha.

So, the first place that you will going to see is the castle itself. The castle is quite tall and you can see some view from here, mostly trees. There are also some cool photobooth but if you want to take picture you have to spend more money. By the way, if you want to go higher, this castle is actually still have their second floor. This is pretty cool because everything seems so clear here. Its pretty i can tell. In this place you can spot every place in The Lost World Castle area.

Honestly at the first, i thought this was just a castle and there's no such an interesting thing that i can get in here. But after i go higher to second floor, that is the time when i realize that this place is not just a castle. They have more spot, not just this castle. And if you also notice, i think every spot in this place has its own art where some places could look exactly like in Japan, the other could look exactly like Greek and some other look like in the Middle east area or something. Don't u agree?

Moving to the next area, we walk on the castle that exactly looks like The Great wall of China and arrived to a very beautiful view that i assume as Japan. I get stunned for the Sakura trees, i mean where do they get that trees tho?.

From this spot we can see the whole castle clearly. If you continue your step you will actually faced a quite big hole like cliff and thats where the next spot placed. It is Pirates of Carribean spot, unfortunately when i come that place is still under the construction so i think we are a little bit too fast to come to this place. Too bad. But when you continue your step again, you will see a country spot, called Wild Wild West.

I think this place is inspired by Indiana Jones and ancient style, combined with the country lives. Here you can see some tents and also firecamp where Indian people cook their meals. Also moving to the right side of it you can spot a bunch of big-fake eggs that i believe belongs to dinosaurs. Cool, isn't it? If you want to look more country don't forget to take pictures inside the camp, or with the fake horse in front of the entrance.

We kinda tired so we decide to go back home. So when you want to come back home you will see the view that looks like Middle east style or Aladin style from my point of view. Even though The Lost World Castle located far from the city and still need some improvement, this place is worth to visit because we only need to pay 25k and we get to see all the beautiful views here.

Keep things on your trip in perspective, and you'll be amazed at the perspective you gain on things back home while you're away...One's little world is put into perspective by the bigger world out there.

— Gail Rubin Bereny

That's all about my post today, If you have some question or anything related to this place you can just ask me tru the comment section. Thank you for reading and have a good day peeps!.

“If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.”
― William Ewart Gladstone

Satu lagi destinasi yang dapat dikunjungi ketika jalan-jalan ke Tawang Mangu. Terletak di Jl. Karangpandan-Ngargoyoso, Kemuning, Puntukrejo, Ngargoyoso, Kabupaten Karanganyar, Jawa Tengah 57793, Indonesia, jalan menuju Tawang Mangu.

The view is awesome! Sedang jatuh cinta dengan warm and cozy design of the tea house. Untuk sebuah tea house, Ndoro Donker bisa dikatakan cukup besar dan memiliki banyak spot yang berbeda-beda. Tea house ini memiliki Outdoor dan indoor area, sehingga pengunjung dapat bebas memilih tempat untuk duduk.

ALSO READ: The Lost World Castle, Jogja - Journey of the Week

Pertama-tama, saya memasuki bagian depan tea house, yang terlihat seperti ruang tamu zaman Belanda. Gorgeous. Banyak sekali dekorasi yang memperlihatkan seolah-olah saya sedang berada di area colonial, yang tentunya sangat keren. I also taking an aesthetic statue photo that fits so much on the white table and orange flower on the table. What a combo.

Pardon me and my fatty belly and dark face.

Setelah berselfie ria di kaca yang terletak diruang tamu, saya memutuskan untuk pergi ke bagian outdoor untuk ingin menikmati udara segar dari sini, dataran tinggi dengan banyak kebun teh menjulang dikanan dan kiri jalan, yang tidak akan kita temui di Yogyakarta.

The air is ridiculous. It is so crystal clear. Tidak heran udaranya begitu segar dan dingin, karena kami sedang berada di dataran tinggi, masih jauh dengan polusi asap kendaraan di kota-kota sana. Cold, but fantastic.

Lagi, yang menjadi salah satu spot favorit dari tempat ini yaitu kebun teh dibelakang tea house yang dapat langsung kita lihat sebagai bonus pemandangan, dan tentu saja boleh dikunjungi secara gratis. Jangan lupa, foto adalah hal yang wajib disini jika tidak ingin ketinggalan moment🥰

Lelah mengambil ratusan foto, akhirnya saya dan teman-teman saya memutuskan untuk memesan makanan. Actually the foods that they offers are somehow pricey, but worth it. Tidak hanya teh saja, banyak sekali menu makanan yang ditawarkan disini mulai dari appetizers hingga heavy meals, jadi tak usah takut jika pergi kesini saat sedang lapar. Sayangnya saya lupa mengambil beberapa foto menu tersebut karena sibuk memesan.😅

ALSO READ: Kebun Buah Mangunan - Journey of the Week

Moving on, saya dan teman-teman memesan Honey tea dan chrysanthemum tea. Ternyata, apa yang kami dapat adalah teapot berukuran besar untuk kami reffil. To be honest, Tehnya sungguh menyegarkan dan sangat merilex-kan tubuh, ditambah lagi sebuah pemandangan indah yang sedang saya lihat sekarang. Nothing can compare.

Profitez de votre journée!

Without trying to exaggerate thing, this place is good. Way too good. You can find such a perfect combo here, started from the atmosphere of this place, the building itself, the view and also the tea! Perfection. I also find some spot to take another selfie. Just a small reminder, if you come here that would be great if you bring your camera, or you will regret it.

My dad had always been a
big decaf coffee drinker, but my mom had always been more of a tea
drinker.

So I grew up around a lot of tea. And I also really love tea.
But I'm not one of those people who has ever felt the need to choose
between coffee and tea. I think that is a completely false dichotomy.
― Chelsea Clinton

Last but not least, saya akan menambahkan beberapa hal yang bisa menjadi tips jika ingin berkunjung dan jalan-jalan ke Tawang Mangu & Ndoro Donker. Check it out!

Bring jackets. Walaupun udara kelihatan cerah, suhunya lumayan dingin. Jika tidak ingin gemetaran dan masuk angin (like me😆) jangan lupa bawa jaket/ pakai baju tebal.
Bawa Charger. Sinyal operator di Tawang Mangu suka terbit tenggelam begitu saja, tentunya bakal buat batre hp lebih cepat habis. Jika tidak ingin melewati moment-moment bagus, pastikan hp selalu hidup! apapun yang terjadi.
If you want to minimize the cost, just buy your lunch or heavy meal in small restaurant around Kemuning, and then come to Ndoro Donker just for having some tea time.
Tempat ini lebih bagus dikunjungi saat pagi. Selain karena udaranya masih benar-benar cucok meong, pastinya juga masih sepi dan belum banyak orang, jadi kalau mau foto-foto nggak perlu antri dulu😁

So i think those are some few consideration or maybe tips for you when you want to do trip like this. If you have any question or suggestion, feel free to express it on the comment. See you in another occasion and have a good day!