Life Recently

I just returned to Taiwan after an eventful three-week trip to Indonesia. This wasn’t just any vacation—it was a mix of conference duties, family bonding, and navigating life’s responsibilities; I can call in Indonesian "Liburan berkedok conference." The main reason for my trip was to attend a conference in Surabaya, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to spend time with my mom and other family members.

She’s been busy at home in Aceh, caring for my younger brother’s son and doing the tedious daily routines, so I planned a little adventure for her. First, my mom, my aunty and my cousin traveled from Aceh to Jakarta, then to Malang in East Java. Malang is near Surabaya, so it was a convenient stop before my conference. It was a whirlwind trip, especially for my mom and aunt, who endured a grueling 16-hour train ride from Jakarta to Malang—sitting in hard, non-adjustable seats thanks to a booking mix-up by my sister. Despite the discomfort, they made it work.

I arrived in Surabaya earlier than my family, and after getting settled, I traveled to Malang by car. When my mom, aunt, cousin, and sister’s family finally arrived at 3 a.m., finding a taxi willing to take all seven of them was quite a challenge. But eventually, we made it work and spent the next few days exploring Batu Malang, visiting the amusement park, and checking out local tourist spots. We stayed in a cozy homestay, and spending quality time with my mom and others after all these years felt good.

When it was time to attend my conference, I returned to Surabaya and checked into a nice hotel (thanks to NSTC funding!). My family, however, stayed in a budget hotel, and let’s just say they weren’t thrilled with their experience. My sister’s room had an aircon that barely worked, and the overall comfort level was lacking. After hearing their complaints and seeing their faces when they visited my hotel, I booked another room to stay together in a more comfortable setting. My sister and I packed their things, although the hotel refused to refund the booking and even made us carry our luggage down from the third floor—definitely not the smoothest transition.

We spent a day and a half in Surabaya, visiting a few tourist spots, including the submarine museum near my hotel. Afterward, we took the train back to Jakarta, this time in premium class (finally, some comfort!). However, in typical fashion, my sister booked seats facing the opposite direction of the train’s movement, which was still an amusing experience.

We stayed in Jakarta for a few days with my sister’s family, and then it was time for my mom and I to head back to Aceh. We had one last adventure—visiting Sabang Island, Indonesia’s famous "Zero Kilometer" point. Despite living in Aceh for 31 years, it was my first time there! We stayed for two days, enjoying snorkeling and hoping to see dolphins, though the weather didn’t cooperate. After that, we returned home to Meulaboh, and I only had two days to spend before heading back to Banda Aceh to catch my flight back to Taiwan.

The journey back was long—flights with layovers in Malaysia and Singapore, and by the time I returned to Taipei, I was exhausted. It hit me hard: my life is no longer just about being a good daughter to my mom but also about being a dedicated student and a supportive wife to my husband. So many responsibilities weigh on me—academic deadlines, personal dreams, and the pressure can feel overwhelming.

Homesickness creeps in often. Life in Indonesia is more straightforward, and I can count on many people there. But here in Taiwan, it’s different. I rely on my faith to guide me and give me strength, and I’m thankful for my husband's unwavering support. I remind myself daily that I need to finish what I’ve started, no matter how tough it gets.