1. What is the first thing you notice about a person?
Their smile.
2. What's the best gift you've ever received? Scholarships.
3. What's the best gift you could ever give to somebody else? My loyalty.
4. What's your favourite food?
My mother's cooking.
5. If you could switch life with someone else for a day, who would it be and why?
Emma Watson. Because she is smart and kind. She is a feminist muse and a proud nerd. She is someone I could really relate to.
6. What is your makeup rule, strong eyes or strong lips? Strong eyes.
7. What makes you smile the most?
Every time I get to see my students speaking English with a charming confidence, native speaker's pronunciation and intelligent arguments.
8. If you could describe yourself in some hashtags, what would they be?
#AHeartFullOfTawheedAndKindness
#AHeadFullOfDreams
#APracticingMuslim
#APassionateEnglishTeacher
#AMemoirist
#AnAvidReader
9. Who inspires you the most in life?
Sayyidah Maryam (The Virgin Mary), Sayyidah Khadijah, Sayyidah Aisha, Queen Asiya, Mother Teresa, Lady Diana, Lady Kartini, Yasmin Mogahed, Julie Andrews, Emma Watson, J.K Rowling, Jacinda Arden, Najwa Zebian, Muniba Mazari, Shakira, and Butet Manurung.
They are all my muses. Some of them have taught me about kindness, service, authenticity, confidence, grit, and the power of my voice and my divine femine energy. While some others showed me what's it like to be devoted to God and passionate about education and poetry. And most of them have definitely inspired me to be obsessed with reading and writing.
10. What are the 5 things that you are most grateful for?
My faith in Allah, my peaceful heart, my good health, my education, and all of the true love that I have found.
11. What's your favourite quote?
"Our prime purpose in life is to help others. So, if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." (Dalai Lama)
12. If you could have one super power, what would it be? The ability to heal broken hearts quickly.
13. How would you define yourself in three words?
Honest, kind, and loyal.
14. If your life was a song, what would the title be?
"I did it my way."
15. What is the most precious lesson that you learned the hard way?
That some people are really worth letting go. Harmful evil people really do exist, that's why God created hell and karma. Trauma bond is not love. Codependency is unhealthy. Having an anxious attachment is self-sabotaging. Apart from that, I have come to realise that having personal boundaries is vital and crucial to protect myself and save my life. Don't ever let anybody mistreat you. So, it's okay to say "NO". Dare to be disliked. It's okay to be alone sometimes, as long as you are safe. You are your most precious asset. So, only surround yourself with those people who genuinely love you back. Those who will help you grow to be your best self. Those who want to see you win in life.
16. What books you read that have positively shaped you?
"Quran and Its English Translation", "Reclaim Your Heart by Yasmin Mogahed", Emotional First Aid by Guy Winch", "Laskar Pelangi, Sang Pemimpi & Edensor by Andrea Hirata", "Sokola Rimba by Butet Manurung", "The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho", "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma", and "Becoming by Michele Obama".
17. What are the things you can't live without? My Iman and Tawheed in Allah SWT.
18. What's something that you always have in your bag? A pen and an eyeliner.
19. What are your favourite chapters in Quran?
Surah Ar Rahman, Surah Al Mulk, Surah Al A'la, and Surah Yasin.
20. What do you usually do when you can't fall asleep at night?
I do a night prayer. I read Quran or just recite my favourite short verses from Quran. Ayatul Kursi is always my first choice. Salah, Dzikirullah and Quran are the best remedies to fight anxiety, fear and sadness.
21. What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Thanking God by saying "Alhamdulillah". And then continue saying; "Indeed, my life is all for Allah." I say these words in order to remind myself about the true purpose of my life in this Dunya, because sometimes I got distracted a lot. I often felt so alone, empty, lost, sad and hopeless somewhere along the line, especially whenever I encountered failure, disappointment, injustice or frustration. But those words of Dzikrullah always help me find a way back to Allah and regain the appetite for continuing my life again. Alhamdulillah.
22. What is the biggest fear in your life?
Travelling by plane. I'm just afraid of height, basically. However, this fear won't stop me from travelling to my dream destinations. Allah is always with me, so I will be fine, Inshaa Allah.
23. Can you do an impression of someone famous?
Hermione Granger. I'm just her biggest fan. It's really obvious, even though she's just a fictional character. 😂✌
24. If your life were a book what would the title be?
"A Head Full of Dreams and A Heart Full of Kindness"
25. What are your core values in life?
Tawheed, Honesty, Trustworthiness, Loyalty, Passion, Compassion, Kindness, and Service.
26. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
"Be the best version of yourself every day. Every day is a gift from God. Every day is a new life. Every day is a clean slate. Love yourself. Respect yourself. Be proud and be grateful for your own unique journey in life. Because everything happens for your own good. Be a blessing. Be a hero, both for yourself and for others, too. Stay authentic. Be the role model that you've always wanted to see in the world. You are your own muse."
27. What's the best piece of advice you would give to your teenage self?
"Just keep going, Yenni. Keep building, growing, creating, and shaping your ideal self. Stop doubting yourself! Be more confident. Confidence is power. You're not alone, you always have Allah. You deserve to be successful. You deserve to have the best things in life. You deserve to love and to be loved by the best. You're enough. Believe in yourself. You can do it! You can achieve all of your dreams. Don't you ever give up! Be yourself and don't be afraid of showing your authenticity and voicing your truth."
28. What would you like to be remembered for?
My kindness, my service in education, my smiling eyes, my gentle voice, my soft hands, and my warm hugs.
29. How do you define beauty?
Kind heart and wise brain.
30. What's your very first job?
A nanny when I was 12 and an English Teacher starting when I was 18. I used to babysit 2 cute, chubby, and super chatty toddlers in my home before and after school.
I started working quite early due to the severe poverty suffered by my family. Born and grew up in a slum village on the bank of Musi River of Palembang city has forced me to be mentally mature faster.
Back then in my childhood, I was always sad watching my dad coming home looking fatigue. He worked too hard in his life, yet he still earned too little, not enough to feed the whole family properly. Thus, I've always had a strong motivation to work and help my father earn money since in my childhood. I thought by earning money sooner, I could help my father bring love, peace and happiness into our family. I love my dad and my whole family so much, therefore I decided to work as early as possible. This was how I spent my teenage years later in the slum. Working part time before or after school hours.
No matter how bitter my childhood and my teenage life in the slum were, to be honest, I don't regret anything. My life as a little slum dweller has taught me so much about life and shaped my personality for my own good. It taught me how to be strong, independent, persistent, reliable and most importantly; it taught me how to be kind and helpful to others, especially to underprivileged and marginalized children living in poverty. I knew how sad it was to be hungry and cold. I knew how painful it was to have no access to clean water. I knew how frustrating it was to not be able to afford toys or decent clothes that other children just took for granted. I knew how tiring it was to struggle for my education. I knew how inconvenient it was to make a lot of sacrifices and work so hard in order to stay in school. Thus, as I grew up, all of those pains and sufferings have always motivated me to -in turn- help those poor children, slum children or street children whom I could find. Deep down, I see the little me in them, I relate so much with their struggles, pains and sufferings, therefore I just want to help and save them to the best of my ability.
31. What is the one ingredient that you put in almost everything you cook?
Sugar, because I like everything sweet.
32. What's your spirit animal?
I see myself in elephants, the gentle giants because they have the biggest heart.
33. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?
I really want to adopt a baby elephant. But anyway, hens and roosters were my very first real pets when I was a kid. I just love chicken farming. 🐥🌹🌳
34. What are your favourite smells?
The smells of books; old and new. Also, the smells of coffee and bubble gum.
35. What are your favourite sounds?
The sounds of rain drops hitting the roof, gentle waves, crickets singing in the silent night. Birds chirping. The sound of page turning. The sound of pencil writing on paper. And the sound of keyboard typing. Also, the iconic voice of Emma Watson and Julie Andrews.
36. What's something about you that people might find very surprising?
- How much I love hugging trees and I enjoy planting them.
- How much I love dancing under the pouring rain.
- How much I love stargazing.
37. When was the last time you did something for the first time? Last March 2020, when I made a debut teaching English in some premium online classes. Alhamdulillah, I'm glad that I nailed it, even though I'm not a tech savvy. Gotta do more online teachings during these lockdowns due to the Corona Pandemic.
38. What are the best compliments you've ever received?
- When I got to hear Mr. Bishop, my former boss saying; "I love your personality". That was the sweetest thing ever!
- When I heard my best friend once said "You have a PhD in kindness."
- When an Instagram friend once told me: Yenni, everything you do is beautiful." I was like awww. 😂❤️
- When my teenage student once told me; "Miss Yenni, if there were a Nobel Prize for the kindest teacher, I'm sure you would win one." 😂✌️❤️
- When each of my biggest fans told me: "Yenni, I love your voice. It's both sexy and calming at the same time. Your voice can definitely melt my heart." I was like "wow... really?" 😂✌
39. What's your biggest regret?
Now I could say "nothing". But looking back, I used to have one or two regrets that tortured my own mind for years. I used to carry shame, guilt, regret, and resentment due to those stupid mistakes. Until later in life I realized that those past mistakes were actually a gift. They taught me some precious lessons that helped me grow to become a better and wiser person over the years. As Rumi once said; "The wound is the place where the light enters." Those past mistakes have shaped me to be kinder, braver, more humble, more empathetic and more compassionate. After all, I realized that Allah is The Writer of my life story, anyway. So, everything that has happened in my life was for my own good, in order to purify my heart and keep me close to Him. Therefore, I regret nothing. Now, I'm totally clean. I'm free. I don't have any regret, shame, guilt, or resentment anymore.
40. What is your favourite sport?
Swimming. However, I tend to get sleepy when swimming, that's why I like to float in water, close my eyes once in a while and pretend like I was in my bed of water, channeling my inner mermaid.
41. Who was your first celebrity crush? Sheikh Hamdan, The Prince of Dubai. 🤭😅✌️ He was my very first internet boyfriend.
42. What would the title of your autobiography be?
An Educated Slum Girl.
43. Who is the famous movie character, real or fictional that you wish to portray in a movie?
Maria Von Trapp from The Sound of Music.
44. What was the most dangerous thing you've ever done in your life?
Paddling my own canoe in the middle of a deep blue sea.
45. Who do you miss the most?
My Papuan Children in Fakfak, West Papua. I miss them every day.
46. What is your favourite childhood memory?
When I was little, I didn't get any chance to go to preschool or kindergarten. My parents couldn't afford the tuition fee for my early childhood education, therefore I first learned the initial literacy skills from my mom. My mom was my first teacher. We used to spend time outdoor where she taught me how to write alphabet letters by drawing the letter shapes in the dirt using small twig as a pencil. Sometimes I also wrote my words on any fallen leaves we found nearby. Nature was my first classroom.
47. Who is that one person you can talk to just about anything?
My mom. I have no secret with her.
48. What do you think about mostly when you're alone?
Mostly I spend time to think about preparing my legacy before I die, while also bettering myself to meet Allah, My God, My Creator. Knowing that "every living thing shall taste death eventually" makes me realize that I'm not immortal. Therefore, I should perpetually worship Allah, stay humble, consistently be kind, and use my time wisely in this Dunya. Thus, I must be loyal to my purpose in life of worshiping Allah through prayers, perpetual Dzikrullah, perpetual repentance, kindness, generosity, and service to others in need. I must also leave a legacy that's worth remembering. Something beautiful, useful and beneficial that someday in the future I will be proud of leaving behind in this dunya. Inshaa Allah.
49. What would your legacy be?
A free English school in Fakfak, West Papua. It's going to be my masterpiece. Inshaa Allah.
50. Is the job you are doing right now, the job you've always wanted to do growing up?
Yes it is. Becoming an English Teacher has always been my dream job and my true calling in life.
51. What do you do when you are home alone?
Let me be brutally honest, when I'm all alone at home, I would let my face go naked without makeup. I dance barefoot to my favourite latin songs in the kitchen. Oftentimes, I didn't shower, however I still manage to just brush my teeth. Then, I like having both of my breakfast and lunch in my bed while reading my books. Such freedom! I know right, oftentimes I write louder than I talk. I love translating my thoughts and feelings into words. Well, I'm just a free thinker at core, a free spirited girl with a gypsy soul.
52. How do you show someone that you love them?
- I would just tell them with my own words. If I feel it, they would hear me say it.
- I would always keep them in my prayers.
- I would always be there for them whenever they need me. I would prioritize them. I will never let them feel alone.
- I will sacrifice a lot for making them happy and keeping them safe.
- I will forgive them a lot and not easily give up on them.
- I will let them be their truest-selves. I will love them for who they are. Embrace their flaws and scars. I will accept their imperfections.
- I will help them become the best version of themselves, while also constantly striving to become my own best version for them. I will inspire them to be our best-selves together.
53. How do you show someone that you hate them?
I would stay away from them as a means of protecting myself from any further hurt, disappointment or betrayal. I would also ignore and avoid meeting them. I don't like dealing with venomous people, they absolutely don't spark joy in my life. I have no room for manipulative, judgemental, mean, envious, dishonest, rude, abusive, arrogant, greedy, exploitative, selfish and unfaithful people. And I will never give them any second chance to be in my life. I can forgive, but sometimes I just can't forget.
54. What is your favourite colour?
Although I wear the shades of yellow, orange and red way too often, actually my favourite colour is pink. Pink is just my colour because pink makes life look rosy and beautiful.
55. What are your favourite children books to read aloud with kids?
- Miss Rumphius, The Lupine Lady by Barbara Cooney.
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o.
- The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad.
- Mae Among The Stars by Roda Ahmed.
- What Color Is My Hijab? by Hudda Ibrahim.
- The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil
- Your Name is A Song by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
- Not Quite Snow White by Ashley Franklin
56. What other country you hope to live in?
I hope to have an opportunity to study and live in Australia and England.
57. What is the one place that you truly wish to visit before you die?
Mecca for performing Umrah & Hajj Rituals with my whole family.
58. What's your favourite city in your homeland, Indonesia?
Fakfak, West Papua
59. Where would you go when you want to be alone?
I would go to my bedroom or to the nearest mosque or to the closest library.
60. What are your favourite places in Jakarta?
I would say;
- Museum di Tengah Kebun (located in Kemang)
- Post Bookstore (located at Pasar Santa)
- Tanah Abang Traditional Textile Market. I just love seeing and touching those colourful fabrics and garments.
61. What are some skills you keep working on mastering?
- Arabic and Quran Recitation
- Practising Gratitude, Self-Love and Self-Acceptance.
- Inventing My Personal Styles and Iconic Looks.
- Teaching English to Children.
- Teaching IELTS.
- Montessori Teaching Methods
- Typing with 10 fingers.
- Both British and American Accents.
- Cooking and Gardening.
- Saving and Investing My Money Consistently.
- Feminine Dance Moves and Exercising.
- Spanish, just because I love dancing to latin music and songs.
- French, because "pourquoi pas?" 😜✌️
62. If everything were possible, success guaranteed, so you couldn't fail at anything you've decided to do. What would you do then?
I would leave my secure job in Indonesia for studying in Australia and England until PhD by scholarships. I would marry a charming, kind, mature, educated, trustworthy masculine man for love. 😂✌️ I would build a boutique jungle English School in Fakfak, West Papua. And also, I would own a tiny library hotel by the sea. Last but not least, I would publish an honest, raw and unfiltered memoir telling my fans about my life story and personal wisdoms. Inshaa Allah. ✒️🕋❤️
63. What is your favourite answer to the question; "Why are you still single?" or "Why are you not married yet?"
Well, I would say: "Simply because I'm searching for a true love." True love is something special and sacred, that's why it takes time to discover. 😂😅🤭 But, I'm willing to wait for it, because it's worth it. I believe that inshaa Allah I will find my soulmate eventually, so that I can start a family and give birth to a child or two. Inshaa Allah.
To be honest, I've been longing to get married all these years because I want to be a mother. ❤❤❤ But, no pressure, because not every woman in this Dunya was destined to get married, some died as a virgin. Well, above all, Allah will reward our Jeehad for protecting our chastity with Jannah. I wish I could tell more girls that getting married is not our prime mission in this life, it's just a bonus, not a necessity. So, don't force it. Instead, our real mission is to worship and love God with our sincerity, patience and consistency. Indeed, if marriage is written in our destiny, it will happen eventually. So, just be patient! 😊❤️🌹
64.What are your favourite movies of all time?
The Sound of Music, Little Women (2020), Anna and The King, The Greatest Showman, Leap Year, Letters to Juliet, Love Rosie (2014), La La Land, Beauty & The Beast (Emma Watson as Belle), Cinderella (2015), The Shape of Water, Becoming Jane (Jane Austen's Biopic), Magic Beyond Words (JK Rowling's Biopic), Mary Shelley, Miss Potter (Beatrix Potter's Biopic), Colette, Big Eyes, Mother Teresa Olivia Hussey, The Help, An Education, Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants 1-2, Eat-Pray-Love, Devil Wears Prada, Harry Potter 1-3, The Hobbit 1-3, The Chronicles of Narnia 1-3, Nanny McPhee 1-2, Mary Poppins (1964), Flipped, Nim's Island (2008), Heidi, The Secret Garden (2020), Black Swan, Cruella, Alice in Wonderland, Alice Through The Looking Glass, Adele Blanc-Sec, The Duchess, Elizabeth (1998), Elizabeth The Golden Age, The Other Boleyn Girl, Pride & Prejudice, Agora, Enola Holmes 1-2, The Young Victoria, Shakespeare in Love, Jodha Akbar (2008), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 1-2, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
65. What movies made you cry?
Slumdog Millionaire, Little Miss Sunshine, Lion (Saroo Brierly's Story), Maudie, Goodbye Christopher Robin, A Street Cat Named Bob, Me Before You, Sanam Teri Kasam, Kartini (2017), The Words, Dumbo (By Tim Burton), Crimson Peak, Crazy Rich Asians, and Amira and Sam.
66. What movies made you laugh the loudest?
Penelope, Peter Rabbit 1-2, Paddington 1-2, Legally Blonde 1-2, The Princess Diaries 1-2, Pirates of Caribbean 1-5, Mr. Beans' Holiday, 27 Dresses, Confessions of A Shopaholic, Mamma Mia, and Miss Congeniality (2000).
67.What is your biggest accomplishment that you are most proud of achieving?
Being selected as one of the voluntary teachers to teach Papuan Children in Fakfak, West Papua for one year. I was one of the lucky few who was granted the privilege of meeting these beautiful children. It was the best year in my life, even to this date. What a blessing. Alhamdulillah. 🤗❤️🌹
68. What makes you feel uneasy, nervous or anxious?
Dealing with haters, talking to any intimidating strangers or mean people or zalim people or bullies. As I grow older, I become more aware, more cautious, more careful and more selective before letting others in. I should really protect my energy and prioritize my safety. I'm no longer attracted to the wrong people. My past trauma has given me a PhD in psychology, so it helps me read through people and help me sense their true intentions before letting them interact with me further. I also don't feel comfortable being around people who see me as their competition, so I will always run away from them. People with envy and jealousy are harmful, and I just want to avoid them at all cost. Furthermore, I realize that people who like to steal my ideas are dangerous, as well. Therefore, I only want to be with honest, real, genuine, trustworthy, authentic, humble, responsible, kind, supportive, compassionate and gentle people. No more giving a second chance or trying to fix the villains or the narcissists. No more explaining or trying to be understood by the antagonists. I have learned my past lessons and it helps me to stay safe, find peace, thrive and become my best version every day. Alhamdulillah.
69. What are your favourite birthday gifts?
Flowers. I actually prefer flowers to books as presents on my birthday. My favourite flowers are roses of any colour and also sunflowers.
70. When do you feel the happiest?
Firstly, whenever I am on a sujood position, kissing my sajdah carpet, glorifying my Allah, my only God, doing a prostration in my Salah. Because sujood is when I can feel that Allah hugs me and calms my heart.
Secondly, whenever I'm with someone I love who loves me back. I come to realize that love can only make us happy when it is mutual and reciprocal.
71. What's the one foreign language that you hope to be fluent in?
Besides English, I hope to be fluent in Arabic. It's my favourite language in the entire world. Just as much as I'm in love with English, I also have the same sentiment towards Arabic. I just think that everything sounds more beautiful both in English and Arabic, that's why I fall in love with these 2 languages over and over again. Plus Arabic is the language of The Holy Quran, The Book that compiles love letters from God. I will be so proud of myself if I can be fluent in Arabic, Inshaa Allah.
72. What is your favourite lyrics?
I used to listen to these songs on repeat; "A Million Dreams" (a soundtrack from The Greatest Showman), "It's Amazing" (a song by Jem), and also "Hall of Fame" ( a song by The Script). These 3 songs resonate with me so much, because they talk about dreamers. And I'm just a head full of dreams.
73. What are your ultimate goals in 2021?
Inshaa Allah; getting closer and closer to Allah and Muhammad Rasulullah. Continuing my Master's degree study. Thriving in my teaching career. Building a boutique house for my family in my hometown with my own money. And also, performing umrah with my mommy and daddy in Ramadhan.
Alhamdulillah, I think now I've got much clearer thoughts on what I really want in life.
