Menjelang Favorites (June - July)

Menjelang is an Indonesian word with a few English translations, including 'approaching', 'towards', and 'near'. It gives a sense of almost, with an underlying promise that it will be. I always scribble my favorites down on random scraps of papers and notebooks midway through the end and the beginning of two different months. Most of the time my favorites are things that are still very new to my life (songs with lyrics I still need to memorize, books I still need to finish), but that's because discovering excites me. It is my favorite thing. This combined with the fact that I think I am utterly uninteresting, these lists are usually disregarded quickly. But I'm learning how to have enough confidence to share.

So, here I bring you a list of things that aren't really my favorites yet, but I'm pretty sure they will be because I've been properly enjoying it for a vague month or so. Hope you discover something new, too. ​

BookTube - YouTube has their own community of bookworms who are super passionate and hardworking and entertaining and all they do is talk about books (reviews, hauls, guides, unboxings, you name it) in their videos. This is the ultimate dream when you're on a book high. It was my ultimate dream when I finished reading the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. Here are a few BookTubers that I'm already subscribed to if you'd like to check them out: EmmaBooks, GoWithFlick, ABookUtopia, ReadByZoe

Spiderman: Homecoming - What!!! A!!! Great!!! Film!!!! I don't want to spoil anything for anyone but the representation, the twist, just the right amount of Tony, the AU Memes, Peter's shirts, the soundtrack, Aunt May's aesthetic (#goals), the accuracy of the high school setting, Michelle's teen activism, Liz's passion, the humor. I almost cried just 'cause of how sentimental it got me. Also, what do you think Peter listens to since he's got those earphones in all the time? Do you think he listens to Tony Stark interviews sometimes? I do.  
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Okja -  AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BREATHTAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Favorite films of 2017 so far include Wonder Woman, Spiderman Hoco, and Okja. Boom.  I've already been talking everyone's ears off about this movie because of how great it is, so here's my rant on Instagram: 

​Victoria - I watched Victoria a while back but my mom and I decided to buy the DVD's while we were in the Netherlands for the summer because we were starting to get tired of Comedy Central, CNN, and Investigation Discovery being played on a loop (my grandmother has peculiar taste in TV). Anyways, rewatching it reminded me how much I loved it!! The set, Lord M, Albert, Leizen (which I now realize literally means reading in German, how whacko).

Youtube Videos - 
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Kristen's awesome and she's got a bunch of helpful vegan videos and she discusses a lot of important things like fast fashion. 
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The Cool Girl Monologue from Gone Girl. Read the book, watched the movie. Absolutely stunning pieces of work. Legendary. It's insane.
Warning: the monologue does include profanities and suggestive content.
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This. Gave. Me. Chills.
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Macklemore is back and he's betta than eva, this time with his 100-year-old grandma who is adorable and so is the music video and the song is such a feel-good jam (perfect for work out motivation). Enjoy.
Ps. Skylar Grey is such an underrated artist and vocalist. What a talent.

Melodrama by Lorde - When it first came out, I gave it a listen and was disappointed. I wish I could go back in time and kick myself in the shin because I don't know what the hell I was thinking. This album is amazing. I simply can not grasp how Lorde manages to capture youth and Fulfilling Teen Experiences through music and lyrics. It's so wild. I want to cry, scream while standing up on a car with the top down, dance around my room in my underwear all at once. What a time to be a teenager. 

Anything Shawn Mendes - Am I upset that I'm back to being my 9th grade, stan-ner self? A little bit. But I'm definitely not mad about Shawn Mendes's music. His lyrics are so intimate yet so universal (all out Pop Prince), and his guitar riffs aren't too frightening that I feel discouraged to play or sing along to his music. Also, listen to his live at Madison Square Garden album. Amazing. I got chills (and cried the first time listening to it). 

After Laughter by Paramore - 80's inspired jams, really good lyrics, and some teary-eyed softies. Paramore never fails anyone but I've never liked them enough to download a whole album on Apple Music. This album made me do it. It's so great. I love Rose Colored Boy so much.

Harry Styles by Harry Styles - Yes, I'm still in love with this self-titled album. Just listen to this iconic & legendary rock masterpiece, okay? 
EDIT: I JUST BOUGHT TICKETS TO THE 2018 AMSTERDAM SHOW!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!

Ted Talks on Podcast - YesInstead of listening to music in the shower, I've opted for a bit more educational listening material. Ted Talk has a channel/account on the Podcast app on your phone, and you can download all their talks for you to listen to. So far I've listened to one about why women should be storytellers (which really opens your eyes to the media we consume, and who curates it), one about letting girls be brave and encouraging adventure (which has helped me when my anxiety would sprout in small moments. I'd tell myself that I am completely able to handle any situation, which has helped in calming me down), and one about getting paid for what you're actually worth (made me realize that I shouldn't sell myself short, especially with the content and art I create). 

Current Jams - I've got a whole video of me dancing to all my current favorite songs right here. The full playlist is right underneath it!

FANFICS!! - Admittedly I kind of gave up on fanfics for a while, especially while I was finishing the IB Diploma Program, but I've recently got back on that train and it is still as amazing as I remembered. There are some pretty messed up ones out there on Tumblr and Wattpad but once in a while you find absolute gems, especially on Archives of Our Own. Still blows me away that there are that many undiscovered whole-heartedly talented writers out there. 

Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling - I'm Pretty much everyone grew up watching/reading/consuming some form of Harry Potter content, and I was no different. After watching The Prisoner of Azkaban on the plane, and then Order of The Phoenix on TV at my hotel in Bali, I succumbed to my HP cravings and bought Philosopher's Stone at the airport on the way back (apparently just in time for the 20th anniversary). I haven't been able to put it down ever since.

Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare - I'm about 3/4's into it so no spoilers!! Sometimes I forget how awesome Cassie's imagery and how outright ridiculous how some of her dialogues are. And the mystery.  Ugh, i'm such YA Fantasy trash but I love the suspense and the magic and the forbidden love story (again. Cassie really has a thing for star-crossed lovers, huh?).

Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard - Still not over this series. Not gonna spoil much because I want you guys to read it for yourselves. All I have to say is that I cried. A loooooot. I love the representation and I also love Cal (and hate him). But I also love Maven. And I love Evangeline and Elane. I can't wait for book 4!!!!!!!!

Satin - I can't believe I haven't incorporated this into my wardrobe earlier!!! I love satin. It makes you look so put together, sultry, and yet it's so simple because you could literally just throw on a button up with jeans and be out the door in seconds. White satin and gold earrings are my new go-to right now. 

Wristwatches - Ever since I've been traveling, especially to a place with time difference, I find it so much more convenient to just have a watch on your wrist at all times. Even if you have a phone. It's kinda nice to not pull out your phone all the time. Less distractions. 

Mars Kitchen - Mars Kitchen has got real nice vegan, organic, and vegetarian options. I live in the South area of Jakarta, so I usually order from the one in Fatmawati through the GoJek app. I highly recommend the pesto pasta, and the grilled chicken. Oh, and they've got real yummy healthy cakes, too!!

Three-Cheese Baked Macaroni & Cheese - Classified is a restaurant at Lippo Kemang Village that's a bit on the pricier side, and I'm not sure if all of their meals are worth it, but I can tell you that their macaroni & cheese is up there on top favorites. It's so good and so cheesy and so filling. If highly recommend it if you're in for some indulgence. 

Punziella - Pauline is probably my favorite artist to date. She makes so many cool fan art and she draws her #ootw's. You should also check out The Book Club, a webcomic she's working on. Anita is so heart eyes emoji. 

Malala - Malala is on Twitter now, so that's cool!

​June and July was filled with traveling and a lot of change is happening at this very moment in my life, but I'm finding peace amidst the craziness. I hope all of you found and will find peace this month, too.