My Team Mate! by Putri Martosudarmo

Putri Martosudarmo

WRTG 3007-011

Frances Charteris

Multimodal Essay

video: 

MY TEAM MATE!

            I want to be happy with the love of my life. I was always a dreamer. Finish my education, get a job, find someone special, marry that man and build our own family is my plan. Before living in the United States, I used to live in Indonesia. A country where some people didn’t even know exists. I think Indonesia is beautiful. I got to enjoy tropical fruits and warm weather year round which I took for granted, just like the beaches and sunsets. Sounds like paradise, but sometimes it is hell. During my last year of high school, I am nervous and excited to get out from Indonesia. I am nervous because I don’t know if I can survive, yet excited because I can sort of starting over my life.

            When I arrived in the land of opportunity, I told myself to relax and enjoy the present. People are kind and friendly and the sun shines beautifully in Colorado. I can walk everywhere and take the bus while breathing clean fresh air. I have to admit that I miss my family. But at the same time, I am enjoying this quality time with myself. Raised Catholic, my parents forced me to go to Church; not this time however. I went to Church because my feeling told me that something was waiting for me. I noticed this man who played the bass for the church band. As a musician, I felt this guy knew what he was doing. He was calm and his fingers just glided smoothly between frets. Instantly I found myself interested. In a couple months I quickly learned his name, Dylan. He is quiet and very smart. No longer a student and he works in Boulder. We talked and laughed for two hours after the last regular evening mass of the semester; then he took me home and kissed me goodnight. A few days later, he took me on a first date. We went to nice restaurant downtown, and after that, we drove up to the mountains. It was the first time I saw millions of stars on a clear night sky. Pollution in Indonesia made it impossible to see more than ten stars at a time. It was also the first time that I found out shooting stars really exists. I thought they were just a gimmick in children’s books, just like the shape of a snowflake, which is also true. We both made a wish and next thing we know, we agree to be in a serious relationship. He wasn’t my first love, neither I was his, but I wish that he would be my last. He held my hand and said, “We’re a team”.

            We have spent twenty-six months together in a strong, romantic and loving relationship. I feel blessed and lucky to have this man. Our relationship sounds and looks like a fairy tale. People tell us how lucky we are to have each other. And I feel the same way. I have to say that in the beginning of our relationship, there were tears every night. Our different cultures challenge us: we start to know each other from zero. Language barrier is also a big problem; but we didn’t give up. We both know that this relationship is worth working for. Thus, we become stronger and more understanding of each other.

            I still remember that one awkward night when he looked at me and said, “ You look awfully pretty!” Not sure what he meant, I said “What?!” And he said it again, “ I said you look awfully pretty”. Still not sure, I thought to myself did he mean I look pretty or actually awful? I asked him carefully to make sure there were no misunderstanding, “ You think I look awful? Or…?” He looked at me and wondered if I was joking. Then he realized and laughed, “No! No! I meant you look very pretty”. Oh boy, that was interesting! There are lots of slangs and uncommon words that we use everyday that I have to get used to. Especially that I am in a relationship with an American now. Another thing that I need in a partner is to accept who I am. Even on those days where I am a zombie, a mermaid, a vicious big cat, a regular pretty girl, or a melting Barbie. Whatever face I’m in, Dylan always tells me I look awfully pretty, even though he uses different tones and expressions. Yeah, it works! And honestly, I think I found my teammate!