Me and My Hijab (hi)Story

Every September 4^th is celebrated as International Hijab Solidarity Day since 2004. Somehow that event (which is just known by me lately) reminds me back on my own hijab history. I have worn hijab since I was in Junior High School, it’s about 9-10 years ago, quite long time right? But in those 10 years have passed, it was a quite long period of love-hate-love-hate-love relationship with my hijab. I took off my hijab for several times (actually in almost my “me” time) and I wore it again in different occasions (officially school and college occasions). It bothered me soooooo much until I depressed because of the feeling of I couldn’t be myself, the real me. I felt that I faked my personality in different opportunities and couldn’t express my passionate desire to be a cool and funky teenage girl like mostly my friends.

I believed that hijab was also the reason why I didn’t get the “proper” boyfriend, because I covered up my body so that the boys couldn’t get a closer look on me (couldn’t see the beauty of me) or probably not really comfortable to have a special relationship with headcovered girl, like me. Hijab was also the biggest reason why I wasn’t accepted in some contests, job, or even student exchange that considers outer looks as priority, although in fact I was capable. Yes, “funny” little treat (or threat?) because I wore hijab.

Yes, it was such a difficult time until I decided to stop blaming myself. Besides, the society gave me label as “Hijaber” since I won a little Hijab Styling Contest in college. I knew that I couldn’t please everyone and I did understand that I couldn’t live under somebody else’s expectation, but then I realized what was the essential thing on Earth that we actually find? At least just please myself, just please Allah as our creator.  I assured myself that I am more beautiful with my hijab on. On my 22^nd birthday, March 1^st 2014 I took a big decision to always wear my hijab wherever and whenever. A choice to be beautiful to God rather than to people.

I acknowledge that I haven’t worn my hijab appropriately because I am still learning to strengthen my faith. Although I know after wearing hijab doesn’t mean that It can 180 degrees change my personality, my attitude, my oral speaking, my thought, and so on, I wish I can manage myself and prevent a bad habit that I want to do or say. Besides, how me myself can elevate the way of praying and serving Allah.

Finally, I consider in my point of view isn’t only a headscarf or head-cover for Moslem women. Hijab is the true beauty of Islam, the identity of a Muslimah, not only rituals. It’s simply another show of devotion to our creator and another way to worship our Lord. 

I am pretty much grateful to God that I live in a country that most of the citizens are Moslem, I mean the biggest Moslem citizens on the world so I can live peacefully with my hijab. When someday I have a chance to live in the country that most of the citizens are not Moslem, may Allah always protect me. So does for all Moslem Women all over the world.

Photographer :

Indira Paramaningtyas

Photoshoot Spot :

Serafin Pattisserie

Amazing little cafe with simple concept

The Yellow Suspension Bridge

Spontaneous and lil bit impulsive were the trigger of my travelling life. On again a lazy afternoon my Dad asked me to go to the spot that I questioned him before. I only asked him the route so that I would not miss direction when I visit there. Two days later, My Dad insisted to drive me there instead. How spontaneous Dad he is! Hehehe, we were so in bound and unified while it’s all about discovering new tourism spots.

Then I informed my partner on spontaneity stuffs, Sari, who was so free on that time (and maybe for the next 2 months-she waited her graduation). She gladly joined after googling our destination to go and got a serious impress from google image. Where were we going to? We were heading to Selopamioro Village, a quiet remote area on Bantul Region, Southern Jogja. Why that village was so special? Because they had the one and only Suspension Bridge in the district…..or maybe in the whole Jogja Province. Since this venue got the hit and Instagram friendly (as my Instagram friends often take a perfect shots there).

It was somewhat a problem to reach the place but truly worth to be visited, and yes It was proven. When our car entered the Village the panorama was so breathtaking. Villagers’ home, corn plantation, hills, greenery and river blend into an indescribable nature landscape. 

When we arrived the main destination, the view was another magic combination. When the mirror water reflected the sky and the yellow suspension bridge swings a little by the wind, it emerged a little piece. When the sound of river flow blended in with the sound of bridge wood base while it’s been through, it create a little heaven.

That old bridge didn’t only take part as two villages’ connector, It was part of their life, their stories, their histories. On that afternoon I paid attention to the villagers passing by, some children took bicycle with fish net catcher on their hand, the young lady with a gloomy face, an old man with a wide smile on his face while riding his bike, or a middle aged man that pulled his cart all the way from edge to edge for several times. Only by standing on that bridge, I could guess their stories. 

And the scenery surrounded were unbelievably beautiful....

The river below the bridge was Oya river-separated Bantul and Gunungkidul Region. The water was very clear, so we decided to take a walk under the bridge and felt the fresh water, barefoot. Nothing better! The view under the bridge beyond our expectation. Superb! The kids were gladly swimming, and some couples were gladly dating (well this one is quite weird, but it's normal in Indonesia)

I didn't want to miss the opportunity to take some outfit photos with this God painting's background. 

I was extremely excited and nervous too, the bridge itself swung lil bit every time being stepped. My knees were shaking. Haha

Outfit Details :

Black long sleeve by The Limited

Maroon Pencil Skirt Mom's old collection

Black wedges shoes by Connexion

Square hijab unbranded

Camera printed pouch bought in FKY 26

Make up :

Wardah Beauty

Photographer :

Sari Kusuma Wardhani

Photoshoot spot :

Around Imogiri Hanged Bridge, Bantul Region, Yogyakarta

Colorful Yogyakarta Art Festival 26

Been awhile since I posted my last writing on blog and now I’m ready to blog again like several stories in a row. Let’s rock ooon!

First week on my delightful September began with a productive activity, drumrolls please………. Yeah! Picnic! After a very tiring out of town duty that’s related with my future career life, I took about two days to bed rest and calmed my body down at home. I thought that should be another spare time to calm my soul down. There were some choices to relax the mind such as meditation/yoga (I desperately want to try this one), karaoke, shopping, or travelling. I decided to go travelling, well as my passion went through. On my kind of travelling there should be two essential things: photo and culinary hunting.  

My picnic week series started when I visited Jogja’s annual event, Festival Kesenian Yogyakarta 26 (FKY 26) or Yogyakarta Art Festival 26. This event had been held since 26 years ago, yes older than my age. The theme of FKY this year is “Dodolan” (Javanese word) or in English means selling things. Well literally this event did not only show an artsy performance but also provided a bazaar that sold handicraft, traditional food, Batik (traditional cloth) and other things. This event wasn’t actually located in one place because there were some different locations in Jogja used as the art performing place such as art gallery, indoor theater, open air venue and many more. This event is totally supported by The Tourism and Cultural Government Organization, run by the professional event organizer and collaborated with hundreds creative people and artists.

On a lazy Tuesday afternoon, I went to the event venue that’s located in Ngasem Market Plaza with two my high school’s classmates Sari and Devita. When I was about entering the main gate, I saw someone really familiar from far distance. And you know who?? It was Miss. Fitri Aulia and her husband. I ran to her in a hurry to catch up with her in person.  I never expected that I could meet someone that I used to see on my Instgram Timeline. And the lucky things, not many people recognized her in the middle of crowd. For you who have no idea who she is, please kindly check her on Instagram @fitriaulia_. I’ll explain about her briefly, she is a young-talented fashion designer for her brand @_kivitz_ a Moslem women’s wear. Miss. Fitri is also a “selebgram” hijab (I’ve wrote about this on my first post) that becomes Indonesia’s “hijaber “ inspiration with her true modesty look. Her hijab is wide and fully covered her chest as It must be (syar’i style), but she can present it in a smooth and beautiful way.

Although It was my first time meeting her, she was very humble and friendly. In a bitter fact, she was so much taller and slimmer than me :”( She put a natural make up and wore a quite normal attire instead of showing a too much outfit look (like another hijaber selebgram mostly do). I was like 5 minutes had chit and chat with her before we entered the venue.

The main gate and the walls surrounding were so eye catching and colorful. The material mostly used bamboo. Like any other visitor generally did, we couldn’t miss this spot to take some pictures J Walked inside venue, there were a lot of stands that sold crafty things and yummy dishes. I bought a very unique pouch with a DSLR camera printed on it and surprisingly the price was affordable. I’ll upload the picture in my next post.

I thought that we came in a wrong schedule because the performance agenda on that evening were bunches of rock and metal band. Oh God that was soooo not me. I did wish to watch a music orchestra, modern or traditional dance, painter, video mapping, pantomime, theater or band but a slow one. After I felt enough sick on my ears while listening the rock indie band in front of the stage, we decided to go back home. FKY experience this year will surely remain forever in my mind ;)     

Look how amazed the little girl on the corner look at me :)

Photoshoot Spot :

Yogyakarta Art Festival 26 (Ngasem Market Plaza)