What I'm Doing Now

👨‍💻 What I'm Working On

I've been diving deep into rebuilding my personal website and blog using Next.js. What started as a simple refresh turned into a complete overhaul - I've added tag filtering, category systems, improved the design, and made everything more organized and searchable. It's been incredibly satisfying to see it all come together.

Work-wise, I'm still at Xendit in the Experiments team. I can't really talk about what I'm working on (corporate life and all that), but I'm proud to say I successfully graduated a project from Experiments. Felt pretty good about that one.

I've been writing more technical blog posts lately, especially focusing on LeetCode problems and algorithm solutions. There's something really satisfying about breaking down complex problems into understandable explanations. I'm trying to document my learning journey and share insights that might help others.

I've also just started reading "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek. I wrote a summary of the first two chapters, and I'm curious to see where the book takes me.

On the side, I'm still tinkering with my PC setup - Ryzen 7600x, RTX 5070 Ti, all in a compact Deepcool CH260 case. I've got this weird collection of mini figurines inside my case that my wife thinks is ridiculous, but honestly, it makes my workspace feel more personal and fun.

I'm also exploring more system design concepts and trying to write about them. Rate limiting, API design patterns, and scalable architecture - these topics fascinate me, and I want to share what I'm learning.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Life

Being a dad continues to be the most rewarding experience of my life. Kiara (kiaraasteria.me) is growing so fast, and every day brings new discoveries. Watching her learn and explore the world reminds me why I do what I do - I want to build things that matter and create a better future for her.

My wife and I are still navigating this parenting journey together. We've gotten better at the whole work-life balance thing, though it's still a constant challenge. Late-night coding sessions after Kiara goes to sleep have become my norm, and honestly, I've learned to appreciate those quiet hours for focused work.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that perfection isn't the goal - showing up consistently is. Whether it's being present for my family or delivering quality work, consistency beats perfection every time.

🎮 Gaming

Gaming has taken a backseat lately, but I still fire up Football Manager and FIFA occasionally when I need to unwind. There's something therapeutic about managing a virtual football team - it's a nice break from the real world.

I'm still following Dota 2 esports pretty closely, even though I haven't played in over a year. Watching The International and following the competitive scene is enough for me right now. Maybe I'll get back into playing someday, but for now, being a spectator works perfectly fine.

Black Myth: Wukong still looks incredible every time I see it, but with everything else going on, gaming purchases have to wait. Priorities, you know?

🎵 Music

My music taste is still all over the place, and I love it that way. Here's what's been on repeat:

K-pop groups: aespa, IU, Twice, Red Velvet, Girls' Generation, Itzy, Nmixx, NewJeans, and (G)-IDLE. There's something about K-pop that just hits different - the production, the choreography, the whole package. If they ever need a backup dancer, I'm ready (though my wife might disagree).

On the rock side: Avenged Sevenfold, Linkin Park, Dream Theater, Slipknot, and Bring Me the Horizon. These are my go-to when I need to focus or when I'm coding late at night. There's something about heavy riffs that helps me concentrate.

Indonesian music: Isyana Sarasvati, Noah, Dewa 19, and Gigi. These bring me back home and remind me of where I come from. Music has this incredible power to transport you, and these artists do it every time.

📚 What I'm Reading

I just started reading "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek. I've written a summary of the first two chapters, and I'm looking forward to continuing with more chapters to see what insights it has to offer.

On the manga side, I'm still following Jujutsu Kaisen (though I'm starting to think Gege might be more interested in cat videos than finishing the story), and I occasionally check in on Boruto to see what the next generation of ninjas are up to.

I'm also re-reading Naruto for what feels like the hundredth time. It's my comfort read - there's something about the themes of perseverance, friendship, and never giving up that always resonates with me, especially when I'm going through challenging times.

On the technical side, I'm constantly learning new things through solving LeetCode problems and writing about them. Each problem teaches me something new about algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving approaches. I'm also exploring system design concepts and trying to document my learning journey.

📺 What I'm Watching

Watching shows has become a luxury I don't have much time for these days. Between work, family, and working on my blog, there's not much room left for binge-watching.

I still have a growing list of K-Dramas that people keep recommending, but I've learned to be more selective. Once I start one, I can't stop until I finish the entire series, which means my productivity disappears for a week. It's a dangerous cycle I try to avoid during busy periods.

I'm slowly working through my Marvel movie backlog when I get the chance, but honestly, I'd rather spend that time coding or writing blog posts. Priorities have definitely shifted.