May-June 2011

Dear Readers,

I sincerely apologize for all the absence of mine in this blogger world. I want to assure you that I am better than good and I have been living such an incredible life, especially in the past week. So, what happened if you may ask?

Thursday - May 26, 2011 - THESIS DEFENSE DAY.

Since January 2011, the Senior Class had been assigned to do a fifteen-pages research paper based on choosing and identifying one of the problems in Indonesia, and proposing a solution towards it. Writing this thesis paper has not been easy, as it challenged us to think beyond our superficial thoughts and look for ways to seek to improve our beloved nation. My heart has been loaded with the passion for literature, and hence my thesis is about "Redeeming the Indonesian Folk Tales to Enhance Children's Literature." While the process of writing the paper is tough, the defense is even tougher. May 26 is the Thesis Defense Day, when I had to give a 5-minutes presentation of what my thesis is infront of the panels and my fellow high schoolers (yes, grade 9-11 are compulsory to attend and there are a lot of other students, families, and teachers too).  Then, the next 10 minutes are allocated for questions and defense. The panels are not easy also. There are two of my lawyer teachers, my headmaster, my vice-principal slash humanities teacher, and also my form teacher. Whew, it was a heart-pounding experience, but His Grace came through. I received quite a good response from the panels and I managed to answer their questions somehow :) Once it's over, I was smiling from ear to ear, grateful for everything.

Saturday - May 28, 2011 - HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION DAY

My classmates and I had been counting down to this day ever since it was sixty days away or so. We were so thrilled when it finally arrived. Goodness, after 12 years of education from elementary to high school, which were not all easy and fun, we made it! The event was splitted into two: the commencement ceremony at 12 o'clock, and the Junior-Senior Banquet at 5PM. The commencement ceremony was more opened for public so I decided to invite some of my old friends to come. I was deeply honored with the fact of me being the Valedictorian of the Class of 2011. I know it's beyond my strength. But then again, with the help of a friend on the day before, I organized my Intimations speech. I think I didn't make anybody cry as it wasn't that much of an emotional touchy speech, but I did express my immense gratitude for the school and for everyone being my lifetime heroes. Walking down the aisle to the Scottish bagpipes song during the procession gave me some chill of finishing the race. We made it, graduates! :) That was the Afternoon Ceremony. After some touch-ups and break, we continued with the5PM Banquet. This Banquet was more attended by families, faculties, and close friends. The space was limited and this was a paid dinner banquet. The Banquet event was filled with the Junior Appreciation - Senior Book. It was an annual tradition for the Juniors to work on a senior book of memories to the assigned senior. I was so thankful for Michelle Kartono for being so thoughtful to get so many people writing for me in the Senior Book. I spent the night eventually in tears reading the remarks from Families, Teachers, and Friends. :') Ah this day was really one of the best days of my life! I received more gifts than I received on my birthdays ;) Once again, I really want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for their continuous love, encouragement, and support. Indeed, a little love and encouragement goes a long way!

the gifts!

With my Form Teacher, Ms Fina 

May 30 - June 3, 2011 - SENIOR TRIP to KOMODO ISLAND

Underwater View

Sailing, Sailing

Komodo

After we all had persevered throughout the years, we had finally graduated, and we thought we deserve some celebration. So we had planned since last semester for this trip. This trip had not been cheap, so we had been doing Fund Raising as well to cover some of the fees. Although there was an increase in price due to the oil price and what-nots, we still manage to get going. After all that, I would still say that the trip is definitely worth it. We saw the exotic islands of Indonesia, swam and snorkeled at the beautiful beaches with beautiful corals, saw the nearly-extinct Komodo Dragons, played at the Pink Beach, gazed at the starry nights, and spent soo much fun that it's hard to describe here in blog. It's really beyond words of the nature's beauty and the fun we could enjoy. Spending five days and four nights with the Class of 2011 and my form teacher does not seem that long. I wish we could extend the trip some more. If you guys run out of destination and you are getting bored of Bali's beaches, you should try to travel beyond to Labuan Bajo, Flores. it's another 1.5 hours ride with a propeller plane, but it's not so bad, really. We got pretty lucky too to see a shark and some dolphins while sailing. Ah, this trip is so fun and memorable that it's hard to describe it here :D well, message me for personal traveling advices for Komodo Island. :)

Swimming in the Ocean

Midnight Stroll

I'm missing the school, my classmates, and the trip already :( I think we could still see each other for until around mid-June before we all go separate ways continuing with our respective season of life. I'm still also praying for my university application by the way. :) I'm really grateful that I have all these to cherish within me even for the years to come. I wouldn't trade all these experiences for anything, coz it's more than what money, gold and silver could buy. Thank You, Lord! and thanks everybody :D

Blessed Beyond Words,

Natasha Crescentia