New Phase: Working

I remember one day my mom said to me that when people were young, they sacrifice their health searching for money, and when they are old, they sacrifice their money for their health.

Now, I have finally arrived at the finish line of my study at the university level. My responsibility, therefore, changed from studying to working—or earning money. In my whole life, I have been thinking that job is what defines a person. I have seen a lot of people change as they got a new job. Also, I have seen my friends change as they changed their jobs.

That is why I have not decided to apply for any permanent job yet. What I do for a living is just doing some freelance jobs like translating and tour-guiding. 

I have been a translator for about two years English-Indonesia and vice versa. The money is agreeable, but I have to work more than 9 hours a day. I do not know if it is OCD or what, but I cannot take any rest knowing that my assignment is still unfinished. That is one of the reasons why I can finish my skripsi (final research paper) on time.

Another job from which I get money is by tour-guiding. The salary is not really satisfactory, though. I was paid 150.000 IDR a day by the office, but it does not include tips from outlets and the tourists. So, it is the least that I can get in a day. In fact, the last time I did the tour-guiding, I earned 500.000 IDR a day; that was the sweet part. The bitter one was when I forced myself to do the tour-guiding when I was sick—and fasting. About a week ago, I got fever and a laryngitis—a very badly inflamed throat. I was far from home and did not have any money left, so I had no choice but to work. To pay the doctor, then, I did the tour-guiding with all the pain. I walked and explained the places to them painfully. I sacrificed my health to pay the doctor for my health. 

That is life.

I was offered some jobs in Bandung though; from the place where I had my internship program, a multinational company where my high school friend works, to working in a language center with a promising prospect of getting a scholarship and asked to be a lecturer. I, however, have not said a word to any of them for I am not staying in this city. 

I know that these offering might be the best opportunity that I blew; I know that I might the stupidest person to ignore the offering; and I know I might be regretful later.

But… 

I know one thing. What happened is what should happen. Besides, I like it when my life is unpredictable; not knowing what will happen tomorrow. I might sleep with a full or starved stomach.

I am sure that I will not be like this forever. Even an idealist will have to change to be a realist. Yet, for now, I like being what I am.