Personal Growth

Early Life & Foundational Years

I grew up in Bandung, Indonesia, a city I just loved for its super mild temperatures. It's nestled in this natural basin, surrounded by amazing volcanic mountains, which kept things much cooler year-round – a nice break from the usual Indonesian heat! My early years there were with my mom, who raised me as a single parent since I was three.

As a kid, I was mostly a homebody, not really hanging out much until high school. That's when my interest in tech really took off! PCs and early cell phones, like my favorite Nokia N73, totally grabbed my attention. I had a blast tinkering with computers, even back when upgrading GPUs and SATA hard drives was a thing. In class, I was all about Math, Physics, and Chemistry, loving anything that was quantifiable and measurable. I know now that being so rigid isn't always the best way to live, but hey, that's just how I was back then!

Evolution of My Interests, Mindset

Then: Rigid & Idealistic

Strictly followed rules and theories, seeing things in black and white.

Now: Flexible & Empathetic

Understands multiple perspectives and values compromise and connection..

My personal growth has been defined by a significant shift in mindset, moving away from a rigid, idealistic perspective that saw the world in terms of logic and rules. I learned this profound lesson not in a classroom, but through frustrating real-world experiences, like navigating public service bureaucracy. This taught me that to truly thrive in society, one needs more than just cognitive skills in physics, science, or math. The world is built on human interaction, and success requires developing empathy and soft skills like negotiation, adaptability, and the resilience to accept failure and rejection. This understanding has been crucial to my growth, not only in forming stronger personal relationships but also in becoming an effective leader.

My eagerness to learn something new, especially in the fast-paced world of technology, has been a constant driver of my professional success. This journey of continuous learning, coupled with building empathy for different perspectives, has allowed me to grow personally and professionally.

Here are some of the key life lessons I've picked up along the way, often through trial and error:

It’s okay to do mistake, it built your maturity, to accept imperfection.

I learned that perfection is an illusion, and real growth comes from acknowledging errors, learning from them, and moving forward. This shift helped me become a more resilient and understanding person, both personally and professionally.

Give respect, being humble to the people around you.

I found that approaching interactions with humility and genuine respect, even when faced with challenging personalities or situations, fosters much more positive outcomes. It's about building bridges, not burning them.

Any commitment you made has its own consequences, and you need to deal with it.

Whether it's a small promise to a friend or a major professional decision, I've learned the importance of accountability. Understanding that every action has a ripple effect has made me more deliberate and responsible in my choices.

We live inside a system, and we need to adapt with it.

Life isn't always about ideal scenarios or textbook rules. I've realized that society, laws, and cultural norms form complex systems. Learning to understand these systems, navigate their constraints, and adapt my approach is crucial for achieving goals and living harmoniously, rather than constantly fighting against the current.

I got those points after getting through living with my friends, working colleagues, and my wife, where administration, law, and culture became the very real constraints that you need to follow in order to live and thrive.

My Personal Passions

I've really dived into photography, spending hours honing my craft and developing my own unique style. You can see more of my work on my Instagram and my photography blog.

Exploring new places and cultures whenever I get the chance is a huge passion. Some of my favorite adventures include trips to Bali, Lombok, Ijen Craters, Labuan Bajo, Papandayan Mountain, the Southern Java Coast, Ujung Kulon, Ujung Genteng, Sukabumi, Kelimutu Crater, Bromo Mountain, Tangkuban Parahu Crater, and Ambon.

When I'm looking for a creative outlet, you'll often find me in the kitchen. I particularly enjoy baking buns and love experimenting with different methods like Yudane and Thang Zhong to perfect my recipes.

I love keeping up with the latest in technology, exploring both hardware and software. This includes diving into smartphone evolution, OS evolution, and the intricacies of PC hardware such as motherboards, memory, CPUs, and GPUs.

Unwinding with a good game is always a great way to relax! I especially enjoy RPG (Role-Playing Games), simulation games, and turn-based strategy games.