What If the Best Things in Life Aren’t Things at All?

From unboxing a new iPhone 17 pro to savoring wagyu and deep talks with friends, I realized real happiness comes from experiences, not things.

“Mommy deg-degan nggak?” my husband asked as we were on our way to pick up my new iPhone 17 Pro that I’d pre-ordered.

“Enggak,” I said honestly.

“Kok nggak?” He asked curiously.

“Serius, nggak. Kalau beli barang, semahal apa pun, aku rasanya senang ya senang, tapi nggak yang deg-degan gitu. Beda rasanya kalau planning liburan, walau lokal sekalipun. Aku bisa senang DAN deg-degan, excited banget.”

Seriously, buying experiences is more exciting for me than buying things.

Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy a good gadget moment. This iPhone 17 wasn’t even a FOMO purchase; it was a practical one. My youngest desperately needed an upgrade, so I’d just pass down my old iPhone 12 pro. She’s actually more frugal than I am and rarely asks for anything. The last time I offered to replace her phone, she said, “I’m fine with it, Mom.” So this time, when she finally said she needed one, I knew it was serious (See? Responsible parenting... with a hint of self-reward, haha.)

I expected the pickup process to be long and chaotic, the kind where you queue for hours with other anxious Apple fans. But nope. It was surprisingly fast and organized. Within less than an hour, I was already back at the apartment. New phone in hand, tempered glass installed, cute casing secured, and iced coffee in the other hand.

While setting up the phone at home, I found out that transferring my Indosat eSIM couldn’t be done online. It had to be done at the actual Indosat store. Sigh. So off we went again, racing to the nearest Indosat outlet.

Once that was done, my husband needed a haircut, so we popped by the salon. While he got his fresh cut, I got a quick wash and blow too. We both came out looking like we were ready for a commercial. You know that feeling when your hair bounces perfectly and your spouse looks extra handsome? Yep, that was us.

Our next destination was the real highlight of the day: Gyugogi Japanese-Korean Charcoal Grill at Ruko Hampton Avenue, Gading Serpong. We were invited for a food test before the grand opening on October 25th by our friend Juan Pisente and his father, Hondo Widjaja. We first met Juan when he attended #StartupLokal meetup that we hosted last year, and have stayed in touch since.

Gyugogi Japanese-Korean Charcoal Grill

The restaurant looked stunning, all clean lines and warm lighting with Japanese-inspired murals of Mount Fuji and cranes. You could tell it was built with care and attention to detail. Inside, the atmosphere was cozy yet sophisticated. Our group of eight was seated in one of their private dining rooms.

This angle adds at least five imaginary kilos to me, I swear.

The dining experience began with a spread of Korean side dishes: kimchi, spinach, and other delightful little bowls. Then came the soups. Three kinds, all comforting and delicious, like they were designed to warm not just your body but your mood. After that, crispy soft-shell crab and battered shrimp.

And the main event, the showstopper, was the Special Funamori (Boat). It's a literal wooden boat filled with seven types of imported beef, each labeled beautifully: Sirloin A5 Miyazaki, Sankaku Bara A5, Tri-tip A5, Rib Cap A5, Australian Wagyu Tenderloin, Wagyu Tongue, and Australian Wagyu Sirloin. It was like looking at edible art. The marbling was insane, the presentation perfect, and the taste when it melts in my mouth felt unreal!

Special Funamori (boat) Gyugogi

When I saw the set price (Rp 1.680.000), my first thought was, “Wow, that’s not bad at all for this level of meat.” Once you realize you’re getting premium cuts, imported from Japan and Australia, grilled to perfection at your table, the value makes total sense. Trust me, you'll want to try it yourself!

We spent the next four hours eating, chatting, and laughing. You know how sometimes a meal becomes more about the company than the food? Well, this was both. The food was heavenly, but the company made it unforgettable.

Across from me sat Pak Irzan Pulungan, sharing stories about the ups and downs of running companies. The kind of real, unfiltered business talk that’s both inspiring and comforting. My husband also shared his experience building seven startups (with two exits, hopefully three this year, amen!)

At one point, our conversation drifted into personality types and MBTI. I mentioned how understanding MBTI has helped me communicate better, and Pak Irzan said he wanted to learn more to connect deeper with his children.

By the end of the night, I felt full; not just from the food, but from connection. Good food, good people, meaningful conversations, and laughter. Honestly, that combination fills me more than any shopping spree ever could. We said our goodbyes, took a few more photos, and headed home.

As we walked into our apartment, our eldest greeted us with a cheerful smile. When I entered the bedroom, I was greeted by the soft, sweet fragrance of tuberose flowers. It was a beautiful surprise bouquet from my friend, Dr. Laila, all the way from Bali. What a perfect ending to a perfectly lovely day.

I realized my kind of luxury isn’t in the things I have. It’s in the moments I live, the stories I collect, and the people I share them with. My kind of happiness doesn’t come from owning something new, but from experiencing something beautiful.

Friday, 17 October 2025

Nuniek Tirta Sari

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