Hi,
I’m trying this new thing out where I look forward to the future, not fear it.
To exist and enjoy life for what it is, to relish in the simplest of joys and wins that swoops in and out.
And with my favourite season knocking around the corner, I wanted to make a comprehensive list of things* I want to try before embarking on yet another chapter of my life.
*i used to make summer bucket lists all the time but they were mostly based on phineas and ferb so none of the things i wanted to do were doable. pretty sure ‘hug perry the platypus’ was on the list somewhere.
The List:
Go to places with live music.
Be it the busking corners of Hongdae, the ballet or an underground jazz bar, my goal is to listen to as much live music as possible. Music directly impacts my brain and my creativity, and I’d like to actively harness it into something good this summer. A sketchpad, a couple of martinis, backless dresses and hair clipped into a pile. That feels most right to me.
Learn how to ride a bike.
It’s time. In my 23 years of existence I’ve survived whilst not knowing how to ride a bike. In my defense, I would have been the one kid to get hit by a car in the middle of Kebon Jeruk if I had gone biking in Jakarta. But I’m sick of the bewildered gazes when I tell someone I can’t ride a bike. I must learn.
Eat watermelon with feta at the park.
Every summer I go feral for some sort of watermelon thing, as does most of this country. Last year my blood stream was composed of 70% watermelon juice, but after my trip home back in December, I’m afraid I must eat my weight in watermelon with a lot of feta and mint. Preferably in a park, preferably while people watching.
Go to the aquarium and listen to the Finding Nemo soundtrack in front of the shark tank.
This one is pretty specific. When I first started writing my thesis film back in 2021, I went to a couple of aquariums in the city to get reference material and to record the room tone. For a person who has an unexplained fear of the deep ocean, I spent an unthinkable number of hours staring at the sharks - it was meditative, it was healing. I think I miss its comforting hum. (also the Finding Nemo soundtrack SLAPS.)
Read, read, read.
I have so many books to get through this summer. Maybe approaching it as a summer reading list that my school used to hand out will keep me accountable?
Find our sitcom bar and booth.
My friends and I are constantly going on about finding ‘the’ bar as you would in a sitcom. The go-to bar, a dinky little space with moderately priced drinks and a friendly, if not sullen bartender who will watch us pour our hearts out over booze. Someplace that we can go to without a second thought. The Griffin to our apartment 4B gang, the Central Perk to our annoying ass Friends, MacLaren’s to our… you get the gist. Unless one of us makes a career shift to bartending, we’re going to have to explore the city’s dinkiest hole-in-the-walls. Exciting.
Learn how to make the perfect ceviche.
When the weather gets hot, I’m not turning on my stove for anything other than absolute necessity. This means I’m going to be making a lot of salads/things chucked into a bowl. And if I perfected the perfect (self proclaimed) tabbouleh last summer, this year I’m adding ceviche to my roster.
Go to the beach, swim in the ocean.
In another life, I would have been a seal banana-ing on the beach. Every June for the past couple of years, my friends and I have taken a weekend to go to the beach. It’s almost like a homecoming - we welcome summer, summer welcomes us. I see the logic behind sending the ill and the hysteric to seaside in the 17th century.
Take record of the summer.
I’m always taking pictures and videos of my friends - I’d like to be more confident in front of a camera as well. You’re only your current age once and whatnot. Last year I shot and edited a full Wes Anderson inspired video for one of my good friend’s birthday - to this day that is the best thing I’ve done. We’re keeping that energy this summer as well.
Dress up.
No more mediocre outfits! I’m being brave and actually wearing the clothes I own! This summer I will wear the many thrifted skirts I own, the short shorts, and all the bangles I can fit onto my two arms!!
Now isn’t that a solid summer bucket list?
Change is in the air, and I’m feeling more energised than ever to brave myself into the world and actually pursue the things that I want for myself.
Grab life by its throat this summer, reader.
I’ll be cheering for you if no one else does!
See you next week,
Kim xx