15 Things I Did In My 15th Year

The 15th year of my life has been a very interesting and life-changing one filled with a lot of very high ups and very low downs. I must say, it has been one of the best years of my life so far (but I dare not say best yet). However, I must say though, if AYC 2010 happened after my 14th birthday, or even on my birthday instead of just before it, I think I would have labeled this year the best one. So, I've chosen the 15 things which I feel were the best things I have done or achieved from the day I turned 14 to the day I turned 15. So, in chronological order, here it goes...

1. Gold Medal in Mathematics Division at the Indonesian Young Scientist Competition 2010 (InaYS 2010) in Bandung, Indonesia together with my dear Science Club partner Toby.

2. Organizing the ASEAN & Youth Empowerment Day event for the entire Junior High Unit of Santa Laurensia School. It was like bullying the entire school for a whole day!

3. Published the VieR School Magazine with the team under my leadership (=D)!

4. On top of number 3, my Cerpen (Short Story) in Bahasa Indonesia was chosen to be published in VieR!

5. I was awarded the scholarship in Singapore! (See previous posts)

6. I endured my first surgery which was to remove my appendix.

7. I hit the American continent for the first time in Houston, Texas, USA after taking the longest flight of my life (16.5 hours from Dubai to Houston)

8. Bronze Medal in the Energy Category for the International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering and Environment Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP) 2011 in Houston, Texas, USA! Met with people from 70 different countries.

9. I climbed up the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE, and second tallest building, the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada.

10. I braved the Leap Of Faith water slide in Aquaventure at the Atlantis Resort on The Palm in Dubai, UAE. An almost vertical drop that catapults through a Shark Lagoon.

11. Passed my UAN (National Exams) with unbelievable results (both in good and bad ways)!

12. I had the opportunity to meet and work with many students from the 16th cohort of Santa Laurensia Junior High School and we inspired each other!

13. Junior High School Graduation. Graduated in a toga for the first time!

14. The Most Proactive Student Award at Graduation! Unexpected but at the same time very expected!

15. First time hang out with a Laurensian, and the hang out was in the form of a Productive Hang-out (LOL).

So there you go, 15 things I did in the past year that I will always remember for the rest of my life. I know some may find my life a bit boring, but hey, some of these are really big things for me!

The Love Story Behind The Taj

I have always asked myself where in the world I could find a building so magnificent. Standing about one kilometre away from the Taj in Agra, India, I could already see the top of the white marble structure reflecting off rays of sunlight.


The Taj Mahal was built by the fifth emperor of the Mughal dynasty, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and was built over a 22 year period beginning in 1632. This huge mausoleum was built to serve of the final resting place of Mumtaz Mahal. It is said that many tourists have been touched by the magnificent love story behind the Taj. This place is definitely the highlight of most people’s visit to India and for sure, it’s mine as well.

Travellers are warned prior to actually departing to visit the place that they are not allowed to bring not only edibles, but also any form of stationary. As I listened to the explanation given by my guide, Faraz Khan, the reason behind this rule was really something I never thought of, but made sense. In the past, many visitors have tried to copy the designs on the walls of the main tomb where photography is not allowed. Having heard that, I started to wonder “are the designs that beautiful?”

As the bus pulled over, there was no sign of the Taj yet. That was when I found out that the Indian government blocked out the area within one kilometre radius of the Taj as a pollution-free zone. Polluted air causes the white marble of the building to turn yellow. This was one of the many efforts of the Indian Archaeological Survey to preserve their Wonder of the World.

It wouldn’t be as hospitable as the rest of India if they got us to walk a kilometre. Visitors can catch a ride on one of the electric cars which run all day long. From the drop-off point of the electric cars, it’s actually just a short walk to the entrance, but for some, this walk may seem long. Mr. Khan told us not to buy anything from the thousands of people trying to sell you all sorts of things. From drinks to souvenirs, if you ask the price, basically, you have to buy. Best not to buy for a very simple reason, they will rip you off! Sounded like a very sensible reason to me.

When I reached the West Gate of the Entry Gardens, I had to wait in line for security screening, another effort of the Indians to make sure that the Taj stays intact.

As soon as I got passed the security screening, I came face to face with a magnificent structure which in my opinion can be a monument in itself. The atmosphere suddenly becomes grand! We then slowly approached the grand entrance, ready to come face to face with the magnificent marble structure.

I don’t know if this is common, but when you see the Taj for the first time right in front of you, the first word that comes into your mind isn’t “amazing” or “spectacular” but rather “love” or “romance”! The magnificence of the mausoleum is just beyond words. Knowing the love story behind it, it’s amazing how all this was built for a wife who we should note down is dead! The long fountain that stretches down the gardens only makes the place more beautiful. I couldn’t resist taking a couple of pictures in front of the Taj before making the long walk to the sacred tomb.

As you get closer and listen more to the story, you begin to notice how the little details that make it much more beautiful. As I reached ten meters away from the marble structure, it was time to wrap our shoes with some cloth. I didn’t want to risk losing my Nike sneakers while inside the main tomb. It was a good alternative for people who aren’t risks-takers like me!

Walk up the 22 steps and you get closer to the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal and her husband. The time has come to enter the sacred tomb!

I walked into the main tomb and was awed by the grandeur of it all. In the middle of the room laid the final resting place of two very important people.

The first thing that struck me were the marble patterns on the walls. The translucent marble was stunning and the designs were all crafted by the thousands of craftsmen that came in from Persia, place where Mumtaz was born.

There, in the middle of the room, lay the only thing in the entire complex that was not symmetrical, the tombs. In the very middle was the queen. Her husband who built all of this for her rests in peace to her right. Surrounding them was a marble gate which was built at quite a far radius from the tombs. Tourists will only get a clear view of the tomb from the glass panel in front. The problem is that the panel is no so wide and a few people could easily block your view. Visitors are asked to walk around the tomb in a clockwise direction to control the traffic flow. Though the room was dark, it felt warm and romantic inside.

It is said that the Taj was built to look like the throne of god on the Day of Judgment. Indeed, being in this magnificent place feels like you’re about to enter heaven. As I walked out of the mausoleum, I began to reflect on life and the concept of love. Love, not only to a significant other, but to anyone really, is about true sacrifice for others. I left the place ready to see more of Hospitable India.

I'm Going to INDIA!!!!

Coming to you from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, I'm about to board my plane to Delhi, India!!! I'm looking forward to seeing my Sec 1 history lessons about India come to life!!! I'm going to be doing my travel writing assignments as I go along!!! I'll post my work on this blog when I get back. Till then, Namaste!!!! :)