Karimun Jawa Can Wait

Friday, 5 September 2025

I should be writing this blog from a beach chair in Karimun Jawa right now. The plan was simple: drive to Semarang, continue to Jepara, and then hop on a boat to paradise. My husband had magically whispered Karimun Jawa as the destination for my birthday trip, and I thought, what a plot twist. Because honestly, I didn’t see that one coming. But as with many plot twists in my life, the universe had other plans.

Instead of turquoise waters and sandy toes, I got hospital gowns and surgical scars. A laparoscopic laparotomy hysterectomy (yes, what a mouthful) pushed me to cancel the whole trip. Now I'm still in recovery mode, can't afford the luxury of traveling yet. And you know what? That’s fine. Health comes first. I’ve repeated that mantra enough that it finally sticks.

And to be fair, there’s a hidden blessing in every cancellation. For one, I got to celebrate my birthday with my whole family at home. On a long weekend, no less. Also, let’s not forget the most practical blessing: I didn’t book anything yet. The resort I had my eyes on was expensive enough to make my savings account cry in advance. So hey, silver lining: we saved money. A lot.

Me in Karimun Jawa 12 years ago

This afternoon, after a heavy downpour, my older sister arrived with her teenage son. Together with my youngest, they volunteered to buy fruits in the nearest mall for tomorrow’s gathering. My mom, as usual, declared the kitchen her kingdom. She’s still cooking nonstop for today and tomorrow, as if Gordon Ramsay might show up for a surprise inspection.

Meanwhile, I’ve made a lot of progress. These days I can handle simple cooking again and move around more, though lifting heavy stuff is still off-limits. (Doctor’s orders, not mine.) Today marks the third week after my surgery, so as doctor said, I should feel much better now. And yes I am. No digestive drama. No more painkiller. Isn't it wonderful how our body have their own schedule to heal and recuperate.

My eldest spent the day in a café, and then in a cat café, reuniting with her high school gang. Back on the days when they're still on high school, they used to hangout in our penthouse, which was just across their school. Now that they're spread across the globe: Germany, Aussie, Hongkong, Malaysia, Japan... So this month is a good time to reunite as they're having uni term-break.

My youngest, on the other hand, doesn’t know what a holiday means. She was busy all day working on her school projects. One is about entrepreneurship (future CEO vibes alert), and another is preparing for a charity project in Toraja next week. I secretly admire her heart for service and hardwork and responsibility, though sometimes I want to remind her to nap (which I know she'd refuse to).

Meanwhile, my husband has become a multitasking machine. He drives everyone around, helps me manage our properties, and also tackles house chores like peeling eggs, cutting watermelons, and stacking dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Somewhere in between, we sneak in snack breaks while watching Korean drama Untangled Love and also Lilo & Stitch. Yes, we’re that kind of couple. Domestic, dorky, and oddly happy about it.

You know, sometimes life surprises us with cancellations, delays, or detours. At first, it feels unfair. Like you’ve been robbed of a story you wanted to live. But then, as the hours pass, you notice the smaller stories unfolding; stories you might have missed otherwise. Family banter in the living room. The smell of mom’s cooking filling the house. The quiet joy of seeing your child smile after meeting old friends. Or even just sharing watermelon slices while watching movies with the person you chose to build a life with.

I’m reminded of a line from The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu: “Joy is not about denial of suffering, but about finding meaning and perspective in the middle of it.” And isn’t that the truth? My canceled trip might look like a loss on paper, but in reality, it gave me space to heal, reconnect, and receive love in its simplest form. Karimun Jawa will still be there next year. But this moment with my family? It’s here, and I don’t want to miss it.

So maybe the real question isn’t “What did I lose?” but “What did I gain instead?”

If you’re facing your own canceled plans or detours, I hope you give yourself permission to see the hidden gifts. Sometimes they’re wrapped in disappointment at first, but if you unwrap them slowly, you’ll find something worth keeping.

Here’s to living fully even when life edits our script. To laughing in between chores, to celebrating birthdays with homemade cook meals and family, to noticing joy disguised as ordinary. And when the time is right; the beaches, mountains, and dream trips will wait for us. For now, let’s stay present for the stories unfolding right in front of us.

Love,

Nuniek Tirta

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