English

I was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, into a uniquely diverse heritage. My mother is of Sundanese and Melanesian descent, while my father is a Singaporean of Chinese and Indian backgrounds. In Singapore, this multicultural race is often known as Peranakan or Eurasian. 

Throughout my life, I have lived in many countries, including Indonesia, Singapore, Japan, Spain, the United States, and now, New Zealand. These experiences have given me a global perspective and a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. I speak four languages and have visited over 30 countries, each one leaving a mark on how I see the world. 

Building friendships with people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, and nationalities has shaped my values and identity. It has taught me to see beauty in difference and strength in inclusivity. While it can sometimes feel difficult to define where I “belong”, I have learnt that identity is not limited to one place or culture. Instead, it can be a rich blend of experiences, values, and heritage. 

I take pride in the diversity that exists within me. My story reflects the possibilities of connection in a diverse world. If anything, I hope others learn to embrace who they are. 

Because every background holds its own power and beauty. 


Bahasa Indonesia

Saya lahir di Jakarta, Indonesia, dalam keluarga dengan warisan budaya yang sangat beragam. Ibu saya berasal dari keturunan Sunda dan Melanesia, sementara ayah saya adalah warga negara Singapura keturunan Tionghoa dan India. Di Singapura, latar belakang multikultural seperti ini sering dikenal sebagai Peranakan atau Eurasian. 

Sepanjang hidup saya, saya telah tinggal di banyak negara, termasuk Indonesia, Singapura, Jepang, Spanyol, Amerika Serikat, dan sekarang, Selandia Baru. Pengalaman-pengalaman ini telah memberi saya perspektif global dan apresiasi yang mendalam terhadap keberagaman budaya. Saya berbicara dalam empat bahasa dan telah mengunjungi lebih dari 30 negara, masing-masing meninggalkan kesan tersendiri dalam cara saya memandang dunia. 

Membangun persahabatan dengan orang-orang dari berbagai latar belakang, etnis, agama, dan kewarganegaraan telah membentuk nilai-nilai dan identitas saya. Saya belajar untuk melihat keindahan dalam perbedaan dan menemukan kekuatan dalam inklusivitas. Meskipun terkadang sulit untuk menjelaskan dimana sebenarnya saya “berasal”, saya telah memahami bahwa identitas tidak harus terbatas pada satu tempat atau budaya saja. Identitas bisa menjadi perpaduan yang kaya dari pengalaman, nilai-nilai, dan warisan budaya. 

Saya bangga dengan keberagaman yang ada dalam diri saya. Kisah hidup saya mencerminkan kemungkinan untuk terhubung dalam dunia yang beragam. Jika ada satu hal yang saya harapkan, itu adalah agar orang lain juga belajar untuk menerima dan mencintai siapa diri mereka sebenarnya. 

Karena setiap latar belakang memiliki kekuatannya sendiri dan keindahan yang unik. 


Monday’s Entry

My schooling experience in Botswana was definitely interesting! Surprisingly, it shared some similarities to what I hear about Kiwi schools. We had to wear uniforms, and they were anything but fashionable. However, we also had student- and teacher-voted elections for prefects, and winning meant you got to wear sleek black pants and a black blazer. This led to some vicious competition between our goth and emo kids as they battled for their aesthetic.

We also had a lot of international trips… which sounds exciting until you remember Botswana is landlocked and surrounded by four different countries. That meant most trips were just a two-hour drive to another city. Regardless, the experiences were memorable, and I cherish them deeply. 

Botswana’s schools are also incredibly diverse, with students from all over the world. My friend group consisted of plenty of immigrants, who taught me enough swear words to win a roast battle in at least four different languages. We also had loads of opportunities to play sports, with football being one of the biggest. Training in 40-degree heat definitely microwaved my frontal lobe, but at least that means headers have less brain to damage now. 

Overall, the experience was unique and something I will always recall with great enthusiasm!