Although it was kind of obvious from the very beginning, some may not know that I am a teenager - a female one too. But seriously, it's written in the description of this blog.

So yes, I'm a teenager and right now, I'm still a freshman in high school. That makes me a year 9 student (in the UK) or a ninth grader (in the US). In Indonesia I'm in my last year of SMP (SMP is kind of Indonesia's version of middle school, but consists of students from year 7 to year 9). I go to a school called SMP Negeri 8 Yogyakarta, also known as Bhawara. It is one the best - if not the best - schools in Yogyakarta. This is my third - and final - year of studying in this school. This may not be such a big deal for some people, but for me, it's very upsetting. Although I am excited of the future that I will have beyond my years in Bhawara, I cannot help but constantly think about how much I'll miss this school.

Why is it such a big deal? Well, when I first came to Bhawara, as a small year 7 student, I'd just come back from the UK. Other than that, before I headed off to Newcastle upon Tyne, my parents always signed me up to  private schools - I had never been to a public school. Imagine how terrified I was, going to a school with an environment I don't recognise, in a country I've not lived in for four - almost five - years. That is why I will always remember this school. Because it is the first public school in Indonesia that I have ever studied in, since coming back from the UK.

When I stepped into the school for the very first time, everything felt so different, so strange (in a good way), so foreign. Honestly, I thought I was going to have an extremely difficult time adapting to this new environment and finding some new friends. But that wasn't the case at all. Everyone made sure that I felt welcome, and my classmates where kind enough to not isolate me and to treat me like they would any other. Soon, I finally found a place among these 320 or so students, a place where I really did fit in. I've also found great friendship among these people. A friendship that I will always hold on to, and friends who will always hold a dear place in my heart.

Not only did I find friends here, I have also found the most precious treasure anyone could ever find; knowledge. The lessons that I have learnt so far don't always come from the great teachers of Bhawara, but also from the experiences I've gathered from the years I've spent here. These experiences will leave a mark in my mind as memories. Memories I will hold on to, until the day I die (hopefully).

Being a part of the Bhawara community brings so much joy to the series of randomness that is my life. This school offers one thing, and one thing only; and that is greatness. I only have best wishes for Bhawara, and I can't wait to see what the next generation of pupils will grant this school. I hope that my generation will leave this school with satisfying achievements.

I salute the teachers who have taught us with as much patience as they have. I salute both our seniors, and juniors for putting up with our nonsense. And I salute this generation (our generation) of pupils for never losing hope throughout this three-year journey.