In a random order, here are the things I can think of that makes me feel happy:
#1 Long, warm, aromatic, bubbly baths.
I would love to go home every day and take the time to soak myself in a big tub while playing with my (water-resistant) phone. Ideally, the water will be warm to the point that it almost felt too hot for my skin and I would lather in bubbles would almost overflow to the bathroom floor; the water will has its color turned opaque from the soap and/or oils. Unlike my perfume, I would like my bath to smell sweet — scents like vanilla, bubble gum, or fruity like strawberry and grape. After the long bath, I would then start a complete beauty regiment: scrubbing off dead skin cells, wax unwanted hair off, put on hydrating face mask, massage my scalp with hair mask and then rinse it all in the shower. I can then continue with my normal showering routine.
#2 Having enough money to share.
I like money, I need money, and I want more money. Who doesn’t? And I know that it is hard to decide on an ideal amount of money for a living. What I would like, at least for now is to have enough money to share with my loved ones. I would love to be able to afford treating my loved ones whatever they desire — treat them to a fancy meal, cover all-expense trip to their dream destination, or fulfill their lifetime wishes that can be afforded with money. With enough money, I can be less… cheeseparing. I wish to not value things simply over their monetary value.
#3 Milk tea.
This is just me being a typical Asian. With or without boba, I really love milk teas! My memories of drinking tea start with my dad’s usual weekend morning ritual of having tea, sugar and graham crackers (roti gabin) on the front porch of our house. I would usually enjoy the graham crackers pieces while it is soaked in my teacup to let it seep in the hot, sweetened tea. Milk tea would then turn into a personal comfort beverage for me — usually I would combine jasmine tea with sweetened condensed milk.
After the Chatime craze in Indonesia that happened around my high school years, I began enjoying milk tea more and more (now with boba!) Currently, earl grey milk teas is my go-to drink of choice whenever it is available.
#4 Fried chicken.
Like most Indonesian, I like chicken. Chicken is the #1 choice of meat in Indonesia. Whether it is roasted, grilled, steamed, poached, and fried — you name it, I’d most likely like it, especially more when it is fried with a coat of flour and spices. Fried chicken is often considered as a fast food staple in Indonesia; almost every fast food chain (even those that primarily feature burgers) have their own spin on the popular dish. I personally really loved the fatty, crispy, salty tender chicken. It’s the ultimate comfort food for me. *Maybe* I can eat it every day for the rest of my life if only it has a balanced nutritional value.
#5 Sing-a-longs.
I really like singing in with a crowd, whether it’s in a karaoke box, at home with a set of portable mic, in a concert, or when a whole restaurant sang “happy birthday” loudly to an embarrassed customer sitting on a table next to me. I liked singing with someone else better than singing by myself. Come to think of it, maybe it seems weird because I rarely choose my own song at the karaoke and I don’t even like singing in the shower. I just like to join in with someone while they are singing. I like singing along with others.
#6 Travelling.
When I was younger, I dreamt of living abroad. I really enjoy countries with four different seasons. I don’t really enjoy being hot under the sun. Growing up, I came to embrace my being a child of the tropic — especially once I have the taste of living abroad for a longer period of time. Why? Because even while I was living abroad, I still wanted to travel somewhere else. I like the short escape; having a change of scenery for a certain period of time and then get back to a comfortable routine once I go back home.
I really like the experience, especially after having the chance to solo travel by myself and really enjoying my own company. I was happy to be able to use a foreign language and be understood in a language that I don’t even speak. I enjoyed getting into a random bus and just roam around a foreign city by myself. I love being brave for doing things that I wouldn’t do back at home. I love doing things that are only possible through travelling or only possible because I am travelling.
#7 Small parties.
I love hanging out with a small group of friends in an intimate setting where our little group can be loud. It may not be something extravagant, well prepared, or themed but I love get togethers where everyone contributed something. Extra point when there are organized activities.
#8 Having plenty of sleep and waking up on time.
I like to rest, rejuvenate, and recharge just like everyone else.
#9 Coffee table books.
I used to really be /into/ reading. My personal record is that I read three teen literatures in one day when I was in middle school. These days, I rarely buy physical books anymore because I know that I barely read the ones I’ve bought from eons ago. When I really want to read, I will read it on my Kindle app and read it while I am riding the MRT because my phone doesn’t get any signal while riding the trains underground LMAO.
Realistically, the books that I would likely pick up from my own personal (physical) library are mostly coffee table books. They are well designed, insightful, and they’re just about the right length — I can pick up reading at anytime from any point in the book and I won’t feel guilty for finishing reading it midway because… there’s no midway. I really, really still liked my little library and books but for now those coffee table books are my go-to choice for an instant mood lift.
#10 My nephew.
The little ball of sunshine is truly the highlight of my days. I really enjoyed his presence and I can talk, laugh, sing, and be myself when I am in front of him. Maybe it’s because he’s barely a year old and has yet to be able to judge me for being weird but maybe also because I really love to see how the love given to him truly manifested into the person he is growing up to be. Seeing how proud I can be of his little achievements day by day taught me to love myself in ways I have been able to love him. I truly enjoyed being an aunt.
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Those are the things I can think of that I think can make me instantly be happy (while typing this post in my desk at work, after office hour). Now that I have finished the list, the next thing that hopefully will make me happy is the jazz show I will attend at the public library near my office and the bowl of Chinese-Italian fusion pasta I’m going to enjoy for dinner. Oh, to being happy and content!
Collection. 