New Year's Ngeliwet: Dorm Feast Turned Unexpected!

Hey guys! So, last year, right around New Year's 2023, we, the crew from the kost (dorm), decided to do something epic. We planned a ngeliwet feast. For those not in the know, ngeliwet is this amazing Indonesian tradition where you eat a mountain of rice and all sorts of delicious side dishes, all spread out on a banana leaf, and you eat it with your hands. It’s super communal and a total blast. The plan was simple: good food, good company, and a chill New Year’s Eve celebration. Little did we know, our cozy ngeliwet was about to get a whole lot more interesting, thanks to a surprise visitor. This whole experience got me thinking about how unexpected events can really spice up even the most planned-out gatherings. So, I figured, why not share the story? It’s a pretty good one, filled with good food, great friends, and a touch of the absurd. Let’s dive in!

Setting the Stage: The Perfect Ngeliwet Plan

Planning the Perfect Ngeliwet. The whole operation started weeks before New Year's. We were already buzzing with excitement about ringing in the new year together. We figured, what better way to do it than with a massive ngeliwet? We started by making a detailed plan. The first thing on the list was the food, of course! We needed the star of the show: the mountain of rice. Then, we brainstormed all the delicious side dishes. We're talking about the classics: fried chicken, tempeh, tofu, various sambals (chili paste), fresh vegetables, and the works. We assigned tasks, making sure everyone had a role. Some of us were in charge of cooking, some were responsible for buying the ingredients, and others were on decoration duty, making sure the atmosphere was festive and fun. One of us, the resident artist, was in charge of decorating the dorm common area with some New Year’s themed decorations. We wanted the space to feel welcoming and celebratory.

Then came the guest list. We kept it to close friends from the dorm. We wanted to keep things intimate, so we could really enjoy each other’s company. We were also planning on a few games to keep the energy up. We were thinking about some classic card games, maybe a karaoke session, and definitely some late-night chats. The whole plan was about creating a sense of camaraderie and shared experience. We wanted to welcome the new year with laughter, good food, and great company. We had high hopes that this ngeliwet would be the perfect way to kick off the new year. The anticipation was real! We were all looking forward to the delicious food, the fun games, and the chance to make some unforgettable memories together. We put a lot of time and effort into making sure everything was just right. We wanted to make sure everything went smoothly. We were totally ready to make the best of it, from the food to the decorations.

The Day of the Feast: Preparations and Excitement

The day of the ngeliwet finally arrived. The atmosphere in the dorm was electric. There was a buzz of excitement and anticipation that filled the air. Everyone was rushing around, getting their assigned tasks done. The cooks were in the kitchen, furiously chopping vegetables and seasoning the chicken. The grocery shoppers were making final runs to pick up the last-minute essentials. The decoration team was hard at work, transforming the common area into a festive space. The air was filled with the delicious aroma of the dishes being prepared. The mountain of rice was almost ready, and the side dishes were being arranged on the banana leaves. As the evening approached, the excitement grew. We set up the tables and laid out the banana leaves, ready to be filled with food. The games and the music were all set up. Everyone was getting dressed up, ready to celebrate. As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the atmosphere became even more lively. There was a sense of camaraderie and togetherness, as we all looked forward to a night of fun and celebration. Everyone had their own part to play, but we were all united by a shared goal: to make the New Year's ngeliwet a night to remember. The music was playing, the food was being prepared. Everything was in place for a fantastic night. We were ready to welcome the New Year with open arms.

The Unexpected Guest and the Shift in Vibe

Okay, so here's where things got… interesting. As we were all happily munching on our ngeliwet, enjoying the delicious food and each other’s company, there was a knock at the door. We weren’t expecting anyone. When we opened it, there was a guy standing there, clearly mabuk (drunk). He was slurring his words, a bit unsteady on his feet, and trying to get into the dorm. We’d never seen him before, and he definitely wasn’t part of our crew. At first, we were a bit puzzled, unsure of what to do. But, because we didn't want to get into any kind of trouble, we tried to remain calm and just politely asked him to leave. He was persistent, though. He kept trying to explain something that didn’t quite make sense. It was clear that he was in no state to be making any kind of decisions, and we were worried about what he might do. We tried to remain calm and just politely asked him to leave. The atmosphere quickly changed. The initial excitement was replaced by a sense of unease. We were all on high alert, unsure of what to expect. We quickly made a decision. We told him politely, but firmly, that he had to leave. We didn’t want any trouble, and we definitely didn’t want him crashing our New Year’s celebration. After a bit of back and forth, he finally got the message and left. But the incident had already thrown a wrench into our perfect night.

Dealing with the Aftermath and Getting Back on Track

Calming the Situation. After the unexpected visitor left, we took a moment to regroup. We closed the door and exchanged concerned glances. The vibe had definitely shifted. The initial joy and excitement were somewhat dampened. We made sure everyone was okay and that no one was hurt. We then took a moment to get back into the fun. We knew we had to shake it off and reclaim our positive energy. We made a conscious effort to refocus on the fun. We started by cracking some jokes and making light of the situation. We reminded ourselves that we were all there to have a good time. We put on some upbeat music, cranked up the karaoke machine, and started singing. One of the main points was, we were not going to let one drunk guy ruin our night. We were determined to celebrate. We brought the ngeliwet back out, served more food, and encouraged everyone to eat and enjoy themselves. We decided to focus on what we could control: our attitude and our ability to have fun. We reminded ourselves that it was still New Year’s Eve, a time for celebration and new beginnings. We started telling stories, laughing, and making new memories. We decided to embrace the unexpected and to turn the incident into a funny story to be told for years to come. We were happy to be together, and we were grateful for each other’s support.

Lessons Learned and New Year’s Reflections

So, what did we learn from this whole experience? Well, firstly, you can never fully predict how a night will go, no matter how much you plan. Life, and especially New Year’s Eve, is full of surprises. Secondly, the importance of good friends and a strong sense of community. When faced with an unexpected situation, we were able to support each other and make the best of it. And finally, you can turn any situation into a funny story, as long as you have the right attitude. We laughed about it later, and it’s now a classic story we tell whenever we get together.

Turning a Negative into a Positive

The whole incident actually brought us closer together. We realized that, even when things go off-script, we can rely on each other. It taught us the value of resilience and adaptability. We learned to embrace the unexpected and to find the humor in any situation. It was a reminder that the best memories are often made when things don't go according to plan. That night, we learned to appreciate the little things and the importance of having good people around. We celebrated the new year with a newfound appreciation for each other and the bonds we had built. We were happy to be together, and we were grateful for each other’s support.

So, to wrap it up, the New Year’s ngeliwet of 2023 was a memorable one, not just for the delicious food, but for the unexpected guest who showed up. It taught us about resilience, the power of community, and the importance of laughter. So, here’s to embracing the unexpected and making the most of every moment. Cheers to the new year, to good friends, and to those unexpected moments that make life so interesting! Happy New Year, guys! May your year be filled with unforgettable experiences!