Arrival...

So I finally arrived home safe and sound after a 5 month (almost) journey to South-East Asia! My flights went well and thank god I had awesome companions on the 2 LONG flights...Very different people and we had great chats! I just hope we'll be able to keep in touch!!!!

So, my parents were super happy to see me and I don't blame them! I was happy too, but it was weird, of course!!!! I unpacked all my stuff and slept for ALMOST 12 hours straight...I guess I needed that sleep! Its so hard to adjust back to the time here...yikes! Am always tired and I feel like I could join a hot dog eating contest considerting my big appetite!!!! Probably readjusting to everything in this world!!! But let me tell you, if I have a chance to go back, I think I would leave on the spot...Love you parents, but I caught the bug...hehehe!

So, the reason I came back early was for my convocation and it went well. It was ok and I'll post my favorite picture up soon. Gotta love the cape...hehehe!!!! I saw some of my friends and took pics. Uni is over with....for now! I wonder what is next in terms of job and stuff!

So, I am catching upo on movies and vedging time...That is right! My couch (well, my parents') is my new best friend and I take it easy! Of course I have tons to unpack and clean and organize but still...You need time to relax from a vacation, no?

Please keep in touch and be sure to continue to check! Who knows where my next adventure will take me! Lotsa love and see you all soon!

Final Words before Departing...

Well, I just spent 2.5 weeks travelling through South-East Asia and God knows that I want to come back to this part of the world (well, now you do too!). It is so nice and you learn a lot from yourself and of the world while travelling....Beware, I think I am hooked! Especially after travelling with a friend, IAS, it is so much more rewarding and interesting!

So I was leaving Bali...I came once more to surf a bit and take it easy on the beach. It just sucks that I was very sick! Got a REALLY sore throat which now moved to my lungs, and I sound like an old man/woman...u choose!!! ;) While in Bali, I felt like shit so I was a bit disappointed cuz I wanted to do many things, which I didn't have the time to do. Bah....I guess it gives me a reason to come back! :)

So as I was saying, I left by bus and we had to use the ferry...I needed to get out of the bus for multiple reasons and I went up on the deck to enjoy the wind and the view (it was at night, but who cares!). It hit me there and then...

I am leaving this beautiful country!!! I have spent a great deal of time here as a bule and enjoying the pleasures of life and yet, I have to leave...I have to get back to Canada where reality awaits for me...The reality being that I don't have a job, but I have a diploma; I don't have an income, but I just got my tax return (SCORE!!!); and I have no clue what is next but I enjoyed South-East Asia to the max (although I could have enjoyed it more!) and it definitely opened my eyes on the world and on myself!

I think the biggest thing I've learned was that we put sooooooooooooo many barriers in our lives and these barriers are ONLY in your mind! You can really do something if you put all your energy into it...trust me! I know it doesn't sound much but think about it...Your mind will control your life and how many times have you thought: "No, I can't do that because of .........(fill in the blank)." Of course I am not following this at 100% because I am just realizing it, but I think I've done some progress! I push myself and my mentor too! :) Well, he makes me think and I really enjoy that! Puts me outside of my comfort zone!)

Anwyays, I am VERY sad to leave and I wish I could stay longer...I will try my best to come back and see all my friends and the area once again! But we will see what life has in store for me! I come back to Montreal at noon on May 26th, for those who are still confused! PLEASE give me some time and I'll definitely try to see you guys! Love you all and can't wait to see you...

Last note: My birthday is on the 22nd (today) and we are havng a party on the 23rd...It will be bitter sweet cuz its a cross between a birthday party and a farewell party!

Last Last note: I love you all!!!! :D And I got a slight tan...hehehe ;)

Many firsts...

I just spent 4 GREAT days on Ko Phi Phi Don, the island beside Ko Phi Phi Leh (where The Beach was filmed!). And it was great...more than great!!!!! I got a nice tan, bought myself a straw hat that looks like a cowboy hat and I also met friends of my friend...REALLY nice people!!!! :)

And it was my first excursion into the ocean/sea (in terms of swimming)... We had a longtail boat and we did the tour of the islands and did some snorkelling! The first time in my life and check out the things that we could see... (Picture!) Of course, I took this picture from online but this is what I saw!!!! It was BEAUTIFUL and tons of colors and stuff...We even saw jellyfishes and got scared from them...but we then learned that pink jellyfishes don't sting and god knows how many we saw of those!!!! The fishes were all nice to us but they got a bit fiercy when we started taking out the bread....good thing the fishies weren't too big! It was rally a GREAT experience and I would so do it again...(READ: anyone interested?)

Anyways, I am now in Krabi, not as exotic and no beaches, but we'll do our shopping here and relax! Definitely get a massage and just relax!!!! In a few days (the 17th), I am heading to Singapore and Bali...QUITE excited!!!! :)

Please let me know how you guys are doing...I miss you all and can't wait to see you once I return on the 26th! Take care of yourselves and lotsa love!!!! xoxox

Ko Phi Phi

Hey guys...

How are you all doing? Well, am now in Ko Phi Phi, the island where THE BEACH was filmed...It was greatly affected by the tsunami and people are still reconstructing! I really love the island and the beachers are beautiful...The view from the mountain is awesome...and the water IS green!!! Simply beautiful!!!

Well, I met my former roomie and we are having a great time...It is shitty cuz I lost my camera the day I met her so I am a bit disappointed, but I'll survive!!! I already made plans for replacing it... :) And I took out my braids today and lost SOOOO much hair...crazy! Its like 5 kg lighter...hehehe!!!! But I miss it...nothing better than to do crazy stuff while you are on vacation...well, not too crazy ;)

Anyways, we are going to get some color here and probably do some snorkelling! See the beaches and really relax! Its awesome to be at such a great spot! So many young people and great stuff to do!!! :) There are no cars (just saw one today) and it is very relaxing...no motors!

Anyways, I'll try to write when I'll be in Bali (cuz I plan to go before I go back to Malang) or maybe if I am inspired before I leave here...

My advice to you: TRAVEL! You meet awesome people and its tons of fun! You also get funny stories like this one: I was walking in Singapore on my way to the Fountain of Wealth when a bunch of crows 'attacked' me (well, the hair) cuz they thought it was worms...Imagine me running with a newspaper on my head going into a shopping mall to escape the crows...

Have a beautiful day!!! :)

Plans for the next 2.5 weeks!

Dear friends,

So, I am OFF again...Yes, I am leaving tomorrow, May 3rd, to go to Singapore. I'll be there for about 3 days enjoying the food from around the world as well as travelling around and seeing whatever there is to see in Singapore...Haven't read my lonely planet yet!!!! Yikes!!!!!!!!!!!

And then, probably the 6th of May, I'll fly to Ko Samui, a Thai island in the gulf. I am VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY excited cuz I'll meet my former roomate, IAS. I am sooooooooooooooo excited to see and travel with her for about 10 days or so! It will be good to travel with someone and share and laugh and vedge together! I am unsure of the plan, but I'll try my best to keep you guys updated!!! :D I know, I know...I'll do better (I hope!).

I give myself about 10 days to go from Ko Samui to Kuala Lampur, a.k.a. KL. I then will fly into Denpasar, Bali once again. Yup, there is this one temple that I didn't see yet and I REALLY want to see a Balinese show (I saw one but want to see another one). And of course, surf once again!

So I should be back to Malang on May 21st. I'll have a birthday party on the 21st at night with my host, cuz its his birthday too! Hehehe...And then, I slowly get ready to come home...Which is a thought that I am REALLY dreading right now, yikes!!! But everything comes to an end!!!

So continue to e-mail me and keep in touch!
Love you all LOADS and can't wait to see you all!!!
Hait-hati!!! xoxox

Happy Birthday!

I want to wish HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all those that are having their B-days while I am abroad: CW, JP, RM, MZ and all the others whom I forgot...I wish you all the best and I hope you are having a GREAT birthday party :D

Love oyu all and I miss you guys!!!!
Take care and see you all in about 3 weeks!!! :)

Change is good, right?

Well, I like change once in a while although I can be pretty resistant...

But I had this one thought in my mind for a while and I don't think i shared it with many people....I like extremes too! A friend of mine, IAS, shaved her head not too long ago before going to Thailand or while in Thailand...I am pretty excited to see her! To tell you the truth, I had the same thoughts! BUT, considering that I have convocation when I come home, I'll definitely wait before doing that!!!!

So, if I didn't shave my head, what did I do?
Well, I got extensions...Yup, my hair is fully braided and my new 'hair' is down to my bra, a.k.a boobs! I have to say that I feel like a mermaid!!!!Hehehe...

What do you guys think? People seem to like it here because people always try to grab my attention...pretty funny! Anyways, I enjoy my new hair, which will be back to normal when I come home! So enjoy the picture!!!! :D

Bali

Have you ever heard the song Fields of Gold from Sting? Bali seems to be the exotic place and bla, bla, bla...

Well, I have to say that it is REALLY beautiful! Since I stepped on the island together with the 30 other foreigners up until I arrived to the terminal in Kuta (where the bomb exploded in 2002), I saw sooooooo many statues, Hindu offerings and temples, unbelievable! I really liked the island since the first time I stepped on it...

So i hunted for a hotel and I got one that wasn't too expensive considering I am alone...(For those who arecurious, about $8CAD for one night!) I met up with some friends and we shared our plans for the next couple of days! Since I had a bit of an accident (don't worry, nothing serious...It was REALLY scary, but I am safe and sound!), I restrained myself from doing things in Lombok...Wanted to snorkel, but considering 'que je suis blanche comme un drap', I would burn like there is no tomorrow!!!!

So, considering I am in the heaven of surf here in Kuta, SURFING was definitely on the agenda! I hunted for the best schools and chose one, Pro Surf School! My first lesson was with a sexy surfer called Brazil...and guess what? I stood after my second wave!!! I was so happy! I even did some tricks on the surfboard and I naturally drank more than my fair share of salt water! :S I took 2 more classes and I am able to turn...VERY happy! :P The owner of the school said I was better than average...and I thank snowboarding for that! I REALLY suggest all of you boarders to try it out...It's awesome!!! :D (The proof? I think I'll go back for 2-3 days to do a bit more surfing...hehehe!!!) I looked like this girl in the pic but maybe the wave was just a bit smaller! :)

The beaches are nice but not as nice as in Lombok...And what is annoying here in Bali is that they try to sell you EVERYTHING...A guy even tried to sell me a bow & arrows...Imagine what the customs would say if I try to bring that in to Canada...hahaha!!! But the sunsets are awesome and you can meet people from all over the world... :)

And I met awesome people there too...We went out and I am proud to say that I went to bed at 5:30am twice! It is really a nice place to go party...But beware of the sharks in the club cuz there are tons! Damn!

So when its all said and done, I saw enough of equalaterals, isoceles, pecs, abs and boobs for a little while...All the guys go topless and its just GREAT candy for the eyes!!!! Girls, you know where you are heading for your next vacation...hehehe! :P

Lombok

Hello All!

So, I REALLY suck at keeping this up to date...I admit it, it's a fact...But I have tons of updates! :) I have been travelling quite a lot lately...And I have tons of great pics and stories! I'll go to my trip of 10 days where I flew to Lombok...

So Lombok, to give you a better idea, is an island situated east of Bali, and I think it is even more beautiful ( but then again, I didn't see much of Bali!). So I arrived at the airport and some people picked me up and showed me around. The next day, I went to the Gili islands (there are 3, but Gili Trawangan is the 'party' island and the most popular!) which are AWESOME! No motor is allowed on the islands and no dogs either...It is very peaceful and quiet! This picture here really reflects the essence of the island and it is NOT fake!!! :D I really took it when I was taking a tour of the island...1 hour to do the tour of the island....hehehe!!! I REALLY suggest these islands if you go on a honeymoon or if you love diving...Met lotsa people who snorkelled and dove and it was beautiful! In the past, fishermen used bombs to fish, which destroyed all the corals, but the wildlife is still very beautiful...Or so I've heard!!!! :)

So I lazed away on this island and I soaked up the sun...Took a bit of color and did some work, because unfortunately, I am still not finished with my project...Still have to do the evaluation! (Am currently woring on it :) and I hope to be finished ASAP!)

So on the Monday, Apri 17th, I headed to Bali, Kuta more specifically. The bus and boat ride were pretty interesting and I got a chance to meet very nice people! And I met them in Bali too!

Anyways, Lombok is the undiscovered jewel of Indonesia. Everyone is amazed by Bali but I think that these islands are DEFINITELY work it. And for my German readers: Es gibt viele deutsche Kneipen und Restaurants auf dieser Insel! Habe Schikennudeln uns Kaiserschmarn gegessen und ich habe mich wie zu Hause gefuehlt fuer gut 2 Stunden! Es loehnt sich :D *s*

What's next?

I know that some of you are probably wondering when I'll travel...Well, it ALL starts this weekend! I leave with the teacher I have been working with over the past 3 months (we are ALWAYS in the same situation and we have TONS of fun together!!!!!), another colleague and a guide...

We will go to Central Java to visit the Dieng (means 'Above the Gods') Plateau, Borobodur (the pic here IS Borobodur!) and Jogyakarta. We are there for 3 days and then I come back just to leave once again!!! :P

I plan to leave on the April 13th and fly to Lombok (only 30 minutes from here!), spend about 4-5 days there, go to Bali for 4 or 5 days and then come back.

I must then do work for 1 week or so and then I leave again for Singapore, Malaysia (although I am not sure I want to spend time there!) and Thailand!!!! A really good friend of mine and ex-roomie, IAS, will be there, which is much more interesting...

Picture this: 2 girls in bathing suits on a Thai beach with a coconut drink in their hands gossiping and enjoying their time...I REALLY can't wait to relax!!!! Man, I feel like I need a break after this!!!! SCOOOOOOORE cuz I get to do it in Thailand!!! :P

Anyways, I am coming back to Canada on May 26th, for those who are curious!

Thank you for checking this page out and I will try to update it more often once I am travelling cuz I won't have anything else to do in the evening... :P Continue e-mailing me and I love you all!!!! Missing you dearly,

Sofie

Volunteering!

Leaving Canada with AIESEC, I have the opportunity to get sponsored up to 80% of my flight ticket and insurance up to an amount of $1800...Well, although AIESEC Canada has been EXTREMELY slow in getting back at me, I have decided to take matters in my own hand!!!!

So I spoke to the Responsible Teacher wih whom I work and we decided that my best option would be to do some volunteering at Bakti Luhur, which is an institution for children with mental and physical disabilities. It REALLY wasn't easy the first time I went there but I met great people that help me a lot...One woman even speaks English...sweeeeeet!!!!

I went on Tuesday and I was able to discuss with the sisters in Bahasa Indonesia...Of course, I have a limited vocabulary, but still....makes me happy!!!!So I decided to take pictures this week and here is the girl that I REAAAAAAALLLLLY love...Her name is Lara, she is 2 and is the cutest thing ever... I spend a lot of time with her...Bring her to physio, feed her, dress her, play with her...It really warms my heart when I see kids that have so many problems laugh when I do stupidities... :P

Seeing Lara and her 5 other friends make me think of my bro a lot...When he was a kid, he got operated and he could have been like one of the kids I spend time with here! I guess we are sometimes not grateful for our health in life! We tend to take it for granted! Think about it next time you complain....God bless you all!!!!!

Update about Projects

Dear readers,

my goddddd I suck with keeping this blog updated...I even got complaints!!! I am VERY sorry...I know I could give million and one excuses, but I'll sick to this one: because I am busy!!!

I was working with my students on 2 projects...One was held on April 2nd, so that week it was SUPER busy and the other project....well, we finished today and are going to schools tomorrow! So here is an update about the projects:

A WALK DAY
So this project involved senior high school students (15-17 years old) and they walked a route and yelled and campaigned about saving the environment...The students chose this concept and I was mainly a supporting person for the past month! It was iteresting to see them work together and stuff like that but hard because they spoke in Bahasa Indonesia, and I obviously didn't understand much!!!! I think the students learned a LOT from this project and the AIESECers as well! We have the evaluation for the next 3 days so it should be interesting to see what will happen!!!!!!

THEATER 2006
This project is also related to the environment. The kids came up with a concept for 7-8 year old kids. It is an animation movie that they have worked on (well, other sudents helped and did the work...you know, the modern way of outsourcing!!! :P) and it shows super heroes trying to fight the 'trash' monster, but they finally, a 'real' boy does his part and the monster is killed!!!!! S

Both teams have raised a lot of money in terms of sponsorship and that only in 1 week and they have organized a pretty good event. The movie team (theater 2006) will have their first presentation tomorrow, so cross your fingers for them!!!!

There were tons of ups and downs but now that it is all said and done, I am pretty happy about the outcome of my students...Let's hope that evaluation will not be too rough!!! :D

Canadian Weekend

I have been preparing and doing research for about 2 weeks in order to have a great and diverse menu for my Canadian Weekend (weekend of March 11th and 12th)…Of course there wasn’t much that was Canadian, except pate chinois!!!! And a lot of the recipes I used had mayo, and a friend of mine (NE) told me that the food has lotsa mayo in Canada…hehehe!!!!

And as an interesting fact, I asked a friend to buy some hamburger meat, and I sort of expected to see the meat we buy at a normal grocery store…Well, I got 2 big chunks (1kg each!) of meat…What am I supposed to do with that…I can’t shove that in the pate chinois (sheppard’s pie)! So we had to ‘ruin’ it as the host called it! It took 1 hour to put the meat through the ‘ruiner’…and all manually! So next time you buy ground beef (viande hachee), think about me in this picture…hehehe!!! (Pic to come cuz of probs with the PC!)

So I spent about 1.2 million ( :O but it is about $125 Cdn or so!!!!) and more than 12 hours in the kitchen STRAIGHT to feed about 30-40 people! Interesting experience and thank god I had help! The food was pretty good and I now know how to make AWESOME brownies!!! :P

So I finished cooking at about 7:30pm and it was a bit weird because everyone kept away from the kitchen and they didn’t want me to get out of the kitchen…of course I knew they were up to something!!!!

So they blindfolded me and brought me to the living room…I was like: “The food is getting cold…hurry up!!!!” (Note to self: hahaha, dumb ass!) So they closed the lights, took the blindfold off and gave me a piece of paper (someone was playing the guitar in the background!). It read: “Light the candle of the friends in front of you (3 people were standing with candles!).” So I lit them and then I got another ‘clue’…it said to the same (light candles of 3 friends) and then step forward…someone will give you something….

I was expecting something like a water bucket over my head or flying tomatoes, even if we are in a house!!!!!!!! But no! A really good friend of mine gave me a rose…and then other people also gave me a rose each… And I started BALLING…I was so overwhelmed and tired at the same time!!!! I didn’t know what to say but I was crying and smiling and laughing...And I had about 25 roses, 2 of which were white…and 2 really ‘special’ people gave them to me!!!! :D

Oh, and while they gave me the roses, the song in the background was: “I just cannnnnnn’t smile without you, etc.” (I forget the rest!)

I think it is the best surprise they could have given me for my efforts of this day!!! It was an awesome feeling although I was a bit shy about it!!!!! Man, I cried in front of 30 people!!!! Hahaha!

The teacher with whom I work everyday on the AIESEC project told me that it was great to see me cry of joy (because she also saw me cry of pain/sadness!) and that I was now ready to get married….hahaha!!!! It was funny…and I hope that all of you can meet people as awesome as that when you will go on an internship! J

SS or ZZ?

I always wondered what these symbols meant…I know one is bad, duh!!! I am German, so if I wouldn’t know this, I would be pretty ignorant… But I was told/heard that it was a good symbol before but I never looked into it…



Well, my current host family goes to the Confucian temple once in a while and they took me there last week. One of their friends is a priest there and he explained everything to me. You know, the Yin and Yang and the symbolism of men and women!

The temple has 3 religions: Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian. The symbol for Buddhism is the ZZ swastika( the right picture)…but the SS stands for Hinduism and it is also the symbol Hitler used (the left picture)…Hence, the symbol has negative connotations since then, but it was a pure symbol in the past!

Une chose est clair, je me couche moins niaiseuse le soir…hehehe! :P

RUBBER ATM

I work with 6 English teachers and we always sit together…Read: My Bahasa Indonesia hasn’t progressed much cuz we always speak in English!

And last week, we had a discussion…DON’T ask me how it started but whatever…So a really cool teacher, let’s call her Ms. P, asks me if I know what a Rubber ATM is… I had NO idea (What do you guys think it is before reading more????)
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So after we all guessed, she told us the answer…It is a condom!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I never would have thought that guys would consider their ‘member’ to be an ATM!!!! And naturally, only one of the English teachers is a man, so he was pretty proud!!!! He just said: “YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!”

So who will call their ‘member’ an ATM as of now??? Any takers? :P

Indonesian Men

In the first weeks I was in Indonesia, I went out with some friends to MATOS, which is the Malang Town Square, i.e. a shopping mall! So I chilled with about 8 people and we used the photobox, which is a closed picture taking area and you can make whatever you want in there…SUPER popular and I am sure the idea would be popular at home too!!!! :)

Anyways, this is beside my point…So I was hungry so I ordered some food for supper/dinner…And the dude sitting beside me told me this: “Wow Sofie! You eat a lot” Ohhhhhhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Let’s just say that I wasn’t quite enchanted by this comment!!!!

So I am on the quest to make this boy realize what to say and what NOT to say to women…And one thing NOT to talk about is food with a girl! I know girls all over the world that are STICK thin and eat 2 or 3 times what I eat! Besides, I’ll eat if I am hungry so back-off…(It’s myyyyyyyyyyyy cheesecake ;) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, last week, I had another ‘episode’ with this boy!!!! So I had a date Friday (YES, a date with a great Indonesian dude :P). And there is this guy from AIESEC Universitas Brawijaya (the LC I am here with) that is going to AIESEC Edmonton for about 1.5 year!!!!!!! Man, big shock with the weather is in store for him…hehehe!!!!

So the guy going to Canada (Let’s call him B) knows the dude with the food comment (let’s call him A) VERY well. So A sends me an SMS a couple of hours before my date and says: “I know you are going out with ---- tonight but I need to speak with you about B. Please tell me where you are going and I’ll come and see you for 10 or 15 minutes!” AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…I want to kiiiiiiilll u!!!!! So I called him! I figured if he wants to talk to me, we can do it over the phone….and NO! He STILL wanted to meet….ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

My date with ---- was awesome for those who want to know (:P) and I asked him if he ‘invited’ them (A & B)…And the answer was negative, THANK GOD!

So, I had a talk with A…And he told me that he knew it was impolite, but he sent me the SMS anyways…ARGGGGG!!!! I told him that next time 2 people from opposite gender go out ALONE, don’t try to tag along…hahaha!!!!

Here I am in Indonesia trying to educate men what to do with girls…hehehe!!!! Stay tuned for the other ‘lessons’ I will have with A!!!!!! :P

Heaven or Hell?

I am DEARLY sorry for this late post...Let's just say that I have been 'basking' between heaven and hell over the last 2 weeks. Let me explain:

WORK
It is GREAT (heaven part!) to work with bright students that want to learn and challenge themselves. I make them write in a book every week about different topics related to the class and it seems that a lot of them enjoy reading my comments, and so do I. Some of the students even realized that grades are not the only important part in life, but also development...AWESOME!!!!!! It was heart-warming to read these comments! :)

But the hell part was last week: On Tuesday, we had a session with a Sociology teacher that is very involved in everything...Of course, he doesn't understand English so it was in Bahasa Indonesia. So I sat there for like an eternity and listen to people's comments although I didn't understand.But I saw my kids' dirty looks...Luckily, the teacher with whom I work translated bits and pieces to me and it wasn't good...Complaints...ONLY complaints!!! At a certain point, I had to use the washroom, so I left with my purse (read: toilet paper in my purse) and it seemed like I was upset....which I was! I was a bit emotional and so was the teacher with whom I work. I am not here, on the other side of the world, to hear a bunch of 15 and 16 years old complain that they are too busy, while they have 500 different activities in which they partake!!!!!! Made me very annoyed and I lost a lot of energy (which I regained over this weekend!).

EVERYTHING ELSE
Of course most of the stuff is heaven-like...Like getting to know an Indian lady living in Singapore (read: she invited us for divinnnnnne Indian food...TP, can't wait to cook with you to learn how to do it!!!!) and she told me I could spend a couple of days with her and her family...SCORE, because it is REALLY expensive to live in Singapore...hehehe!!!! And the fruits are just tooooooooooooo yummy!!!! I tried funky fruits like snake fruit, custard apple, fresh guavas and rambutan and also the King of Fruits, durian...It was almost a guarantee that I dislike it...but everyone here is crazy for it!!!!

Anyways, I have to see my kids now and I have to prepare a Canadian weekend March 11th and 12th. I have about 40-50 people to feed and I have no oven as of yet, while I am making sheppard's pie (pate chinois) and lasagna (I know, I know, it isn't Canadian, but it goes fast and my aun't recipe is really yummy!)...Stay tuned to see what I'll do!!!! :P

PS. If you guys have any ideas about typical canadian salads or something, please send me e-mails or comments on this blog ASAP....I need to buy food!!!! :)

Shopping abroad!

Shopping is okay once in a while...and when you go abroad, it is even more exciting because it is MUCH cheaper!!!! I was very excited about that, but the thing is that it depends WHERE you go and the body type you have...

So, I went shopping for some work clothes. The women must wear skirts Monday to Thursday and they are allowed to wear pants on Friday and Saturday (yeah, they have school on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!). But somehow, I didn't bring ANY skirts...I thought I would buy some here, in Indonesia....

ERROR, ERROR, ERRORRRRRR!!!!!! Man, everything is made for small women! It is SUPER embarassing too! I know I am not small, but here, I am considered pretty big....(A dude in the street was like woooooah! Your big! (I am not sure in what sense that meant...)) I don't care....actually makes me feel more safe cuz I know I can kick someone's ass if they misbehave...hehehe!!!! ;)

So, I tried some batik clothes (traditional pattern here in Java) over the weekend and it is too tight on the shoulders and too loose around my waist...And because we arrived late at the store (15 minutes before they were closing), all the salespeople were looking at me in a top and skirt that were just NOT made for me...hehehe! Pretty funny...Basically, I think I will have to get custom-made clothes!

So, next time you go abroad to shop, choose your destination CAREFULLY if your goal is to shop...hehehe!

National or International Travel?!?!?!

Soooooooo, I know I haven't been REALLY loyal to my fans...SORRY! I don't have regular access with my pics and stuff, so it makes it harder to have great stories on this blog!!! Anyways...

I have a question for all of you, actually a poll!!!! I am not sure of what I will do after my internship. I mean, of course I will travel but I have 2 options:

1-I stay in Indonesia and visit Bali and Lombok for about 1.5 weeks each and learn surfing and also travel on the island of Java...(Borobodur where there are GREAT temples, Semarang and Bandung, where I met people at the conference...)

OR

2- 4/5 days in each Bali and Lombok and I then travel to Singapore, Malaysia and the south of Thailand...(Sample the delicious food of Thailand and maybe see IAS and chillax on a beach in Phuket.)

So, I want to know what you think!!! PLEASE post some comments because I want to know what you think! Thanks and I promise that I will write more as of Thursday. You see, I have to prepare a 2 hour session about environmental issues for 100 students...So, I still have tons to do, but I promise that I will go spend 2 hours at a WARNET to upload pics and my tales of the last weeks...

In the meantime, VOTE!!!! :D

Pictures from Bromo Trip

We couldn't see anything at the top of the mountain. See the wall of clouds!

View while going up Bromo.

This is the Bromo volcano!

This is inside the volcano...can you see the sulfur smoke!!!!!

This view is from our hotel...AMAZING!

And the truely proud Canadian backpacker.... :P

@ Episode in Jakarta

Arrived in Malang from Bromo the day before, I was leaving on Jan 31st to go to Jakarta by train. I remember when NC used the train, but it turns out that the 7 other people with whom I travelled didn't choose the Economy (60,000IDR) nor the Business (about 150,000-180,000IDR) but the Excecutif class (220,000IDR). So the toilets weren't nearly as bad as what you've experienced, NC! We even got pillows and blankets, a meal, movies and a A/C wagon.

Anyways, so the ride was 18 hours or so and I didn't get much sleep because of the way we were sitting. We were hitting each other every time someone turned so we woke the others up...and I was moving a lot... hehehe!!!! Anyways, saw a bit of Jakarta, but man there are cars...and lotsa pollution! We arrived at the venue, sleepy and groggy, but whatever! Contrairy to the conferences I went to in the past, this one started at like 1pm or so. So, from 1-10:30pm, we worked....and I was disturbing like hell...hehehe! My nakal side :P Anyways, no party tonight because everyone was tired! (This was the activities of Feb 1st!)

Feb 2nd: I decided to leave the conference today to do some sightseeing in the morning! With the 2 LO's (Liaison Officers taking care of our delegation), we went to Monas, short for Tugu Monument Nasional. There is a joke related to it because one of the early presidents 'erected' it...hehehe!!!! We went up and then we saw the history which was in the lower part of the monument. Quite interesting...and then we went to Batavvia, the area where the Dutch settled in the past... Then we came back for the lunch and then I participated in the rest of the activities during the conference. After supper, there was the question period for the MCP candidate. She was asked random questions, mainly about bribery. REALLY interesting and then we had Q&A's. She had the AIESEC spirit, but NO direction at all...My personal opinion, but it turned out that I am not the only one. AIESEC Indonesia voted: non-confident. So they had to do KLB, where anyone can apply and the next evening, they would do the same procedures! We had a Sexy Marketing Party, which lasted 45 minutes. We played a game: making an ad for flowers...man, the @ parties I know aren't nearly like that....hehehe! So I had a chat with a friend and we had tons of fun with chocolate cake...pic to come!

The next day, Feb 3rd, I left with my Organizing Committee President to see Jakarta. We wanted to see Mini Indonesia, but we didn't have enough time. One thing I find REALLY interesting is that they let other people drive their cars. What I mean is that this dude I don't know offered his car so we could go to Mini Indonesia, which is a really nice park and something to see in Jakarta. I don't think it is something we do in Canada, right?Anwyays, there are TONS of malls in Jakarta, but not much to see, in my opinion! So we chilled the whole day and spoke about the YES project, the project I work on while here in Indonesia. I went back for supper and then we had voting once again. The girl who first applied was finally selected! :) We then partied in the colors of Indonesia, red and white. And I showed the Free from Desire song.....ahhhhhhhhhhhh good times!!! :P I decided to wash my hair & go to bed: MISTAKE!!!!

Feb 4th: Today was DLD, Developing Leader's Day. We honestly slept like 3 hours and I was feeling shitty because the room was A/C and with wet hair, it is a recipe for disaster! Anyways, I fell asleep in the first class...I looked like a moron! I am surprised no one mentioned that in the gossip box!?!! The session were really interesting but everyone was falling asleep....hehehe! Anwyays, for lunch, I mistakenly ate a chili....MAN, there is REALLY fire in your mouth....the people from my local, UB, were laughing at me!!! :P Anwyays, no party tonight and just catching up on some ZzZzZzZzs!

Feb 5th: This was the last day and people were writting lotsa sugar cubes. It is basically a nice message to people you met during the conference! I met great people! A couple of cool boys too, but like I was thinking, no hooking up...hehehe!!!! I got numbers and e-mails...:P Anwyays, we took the plane in the afternoon!

The conference was much more theoretical and there were about 120 people or so! The conference was nonetheless great and I enjoyed my time...Bonded more with the UB crew! And I was also dubbed a Bule Gila, crazy Bule!!!!!! Yup, I am rarely serious and have tons of fun! :) Any questions?

Jalan-jalan di Bromo

So YD came from Jakarta today, Jan 27th and we decide to go to Bromo this weekend. I have Monday and Tuesday off, which means that I can stay longer in Bromo. So we left Saturday after my class. The bus was supposed to leave at 4, but we left at 5! I was in good company so it passed rather quickly. It cost me 17,000IDR, which is exactly $2CAD for a 3 hour ride that leaves from Malang and goes to Probolinggo!!!! For $2CAD, you can't do much in Canada, other than watch dollar movies....I love the fact that everything is cheap!!!! :D

Arrived in Probolinggo, it was night time. There was a dude there greeting tourists. So we decide to go on a tour with a Jeep, leaving the hotel at 4am. We then decide to take the private transport to reach the hotels. So we saw one, Cemara Inday Hotel. It was night so we couldn't see how the landscape looked like. We took a look at different places and finally decided to stay at Cemara Indah. They had a room with 2 rooms, one foot between and that is it. Being a girl, I wanted hot water, the reason being that it was really cold up here too (ok, not as cold as I am used to, but cold in terms of Indonesian weather!), and YD wanted his throne...hahaha!!!! So we both decided to take a better room. We got what we wanted...Of course more expensive due to the touristic area, but whatever! Then, we had to hurry to grab food at the restaurant before they closed, but we chilled until 11pm, and then decide to go to bed.

Waking up at 3:20am. We (2 English girls, 2 French girls and 1 American girl, YD and me) left for the PHKA Post in a Jeep. There were lotsa other jeeps and people walking too! Anyways, got at the post and everyone tries to sell you something, of course! But we went to the post and waited...it was like a comfortable autumn day! Anyways, DISAPPOINTMENT! We didn't see ANYTHING from the top. I took a picture just for fun and it is like you stand before a white wall...too much fog! Here is how it looked like:


Disappointed, we took the jeep back down to go to Bromo, the crater! The whole area was a volcanic area!!!! And then, there it was! BEAUTIFUL cone shaped mini-volcanoes!!!! The Austrian girls mentioned to me that they look like plum pudding cones...hehehe!

Further we went with the Jeep and to Bromo. It was an active volcano. We could have taken the easy way and went up with a horse. A lot of people did that, but we used our legs...need exercise with all the fried food I eat!!!! :S Anyways, halfway, we had to climb 253 stairs! Once you reach the last 10 stairs at the top, it hits you. Sulfur fumes! The volcano is active and it is mainly sulfur. It hurts the lungs, the eyes, the skin and there is less air. The mountain is only about 2,300 meters, but still! The view was gorgeous and really worth climbing up there. (I'll post pics soon!) Then we left to go back to the hotel. The view from the hotel was AWESOME. Of course not from our room, but still. You could see all the mountains, or almost! We had breakfast with the girls and we went to bed. It was like 8/8:30am at this point!

I met the American and English girls at noonish, while YD was still sleeping. We talked and decided to grab food. The English girls had been travelling for a couple of months now, going to India and in Asia. They were all heading to Bali, incl. YD. They made good use of my lonely planet. :) After food, we went back to the hotel.

At 2pm, YD and myself decided to go atop Bromo once again and walk around the edge of the crater and go to the mountain between Bromo and Batok...Our own little adventure! You'll see in the picture. It was really cool. Halfway around, it started to rain...then poured. Imagine this: stuck on top of a volcano while it was raining and thundering (lightning!). We stayed there for a while and then decided to 'rebrousser chemin'. So at this point we were wet and decided to leave and go to the hotel. It took us a while to go home and let's just say that the warm/hot water was pretty useful! I slept with my tuque and a scarf cuz the place was freezing and my body too!

Then, the Monday, Jan 30th, we went our separate ways. We took the public transport and man was it crowded! I think that a vehicle a little bit bigger than a van had 20-25 people. It was crowded but fun. We really got to see the scenery since we didn't on our way to Bromo. Arrived at the station, someone was there to show me the way to the bus to go to Malang. He asked for 55,000IDR. WHAT!!!!!!!! I took a A/C bus for 17,000 and u want me to take a shitty bus with NO A/C for 55,000IDR???? Is loser written on my forehead? Anyways, that was my first encounter with negotiation! (I used to hate it!) I somehow managed to pay 30,000IDR, but I KNOW I got ripped off. I felt disappointed, but whatever, I am on the bus, right! I am going to be a bit more aggressive in my next negotiation encounters! :)

YD gave/lend me a book: The Da Vinci Code....Too bad I didn't get a chance to read Angles and Demons before, but MAN it is good. Like we say in French, 'je l'ai devore!'. I have almost 100 pages to go and it is hard to teach knowing I have a great book in my bag...hehehe! I read a good chunk in the bus and I am finishing it soon!

Anyways, Bromo was great but I hope I'll be able to go once more to see it better! :)

Routine setting in?

This week was a tough one...Kuddos to all teachers because it is a LOT of work! I usually have 3 classes in the morning and then a 2-3 hour session in the afternoon with my YES group. (I had class with them on Thursday, Friday and this afternoon and they are REALLY smart and motivated!) So, of course with my German nature, I have to be prepared...I went to bed at 2am yesterday to be sure that I'll be ready!

I met YD from Canada yesterday and he laughed at me. He said: "For someone who doesn't like to make presentations, you got an interesting job!" I know, but you know what, I am quite comfortable in front of the classroom...Of course, considering that I have to do the same presentation 3 times a day 4-5 days a week...hehehe!

I try to be as busy as I can...I met 2 girls from Austria this week and they had their farewell party yesterday...We exchange info and it is REALLY exciting to meet people like them! Studting in medecine and going abroad on an internship!

I try my best to always do something funky at night. I never watched Rambo, so I say that here...I know, I am missing out on culture! But the people are with whom I am leaving with are REALLY nice...So it makes everything easier! We always have a lot of fun and laugh at everything!

It has been 3 weeks, but I don't think routine set in yet...I feel it coming though! :( It's all about making fun stuff every day or soemthing like that. I even woke up at 5 to go run...For a sleepyhead (been baptized once again!), I think it is pretty good! Anyways, I am not sure this post makes sense, but I have plans to see as much as I can over the next months...

Indonesia, here I come! :P

Traditional Dancing Lessons...

So, I am going to surprise a lot of people with this post! Yes, I am taking traditional Javanese dancing classes with all my 28 students that are part of the YES project...

The lady that owns the place is American and she is from Wisconsin. She travelled to Indonesia a long time ago, fell in love with the place and now lives there and knows a lot of the traditional dances, songs, etc. She is very nice!

Anwyays, so I arrived there and there it was... A DOG!!!!! I haven't seen one in a LONG time and was just itching to see one...A golden retriever, aged 9 months and called Lulu. And she sensed I was missing affection from a dog...She wouldn't leave...hehehe! Anyways, I started with the dancing...SUPER interesting but hard to do! We were sweating like mad, and let's just say that jeans aren't recommended!

I was able to bond with the students before I met them on Jan 26th! Obviously we weren't that good because the music is so fast and the time you learn the moves and coordinate your body, you are always behind the teachers...And obviously there is the language gap! Thank god some of the students were my translators!

After the 1.5 hour of dancing and looking like fools, we switched with the other group. We played Kamalan, a traditional type of xylophone! I was like SWEEEEEEEEEET! I did this when I was a kid...It wasn't as easy, but still very manageable!

While we were playing music and the other group (we were divided in 2) danced, we realized that we had a VERY hard dance. There are 2 dances...one for boys and one for girls! Of course the hip shaking one was the girls and I did the boys dance... :( I wanted to shake my bootah too...hehehe!

It wasa wonderful experience and you will be glad to know that I will have about 12 classes in total and that I will perform a show with my fellow students in April...I'll definitely try to get someone to make lotsa pics!!!! So you can see my feminine sode too...I have one you know!!!! ;)

Third Weekend: Rudja Party and Sucky Karaoke!

We exited the city to go to the house of the founder of the YES project, WA. We chilled there with about 10 people! The reason being that we wanted to have a Rudja party...It is basically fruits that you chop up and make a peanut sauce to accompany the buah (fruits). REALLY yummy and it is good for your health...:P The diet here has LOADS of carbs and not too much vedgies...So that was a nice alternative for once!

And then we chilled and worked the rest of the day...And 2 of the guys were able to play guitar...It wasn't a bond fire, but we chilled on the porch playing music and I discovered that I REALLY suck at signing...

This dude (WDN) and I sang the song 'The Prayer' of Celine Dion and Luciano Pavarotti... (WDN called me Sopi in the beginning because he has probs with f, p and v...So you can imagine how the song sounded...) When he started singing 'La Luce che Di Ta', tomatoes were flying...hahaha! I'll never forget that ridiculous moment people were people thought I sucked... In other words, NO Karaoke for me in front of a crowd...hehehe

NATCON II

I am going to an National Conference (NATCON), the second this year... I am soooooooooooooooooo excited!!!! They will elect the new MCP! The local UB has a roll dance and it is really fun.... I think they are going to incorporate the 'yeah, yeah, we got spirit...'...hehehe!!!! I just had to teach them these things! ;)

In Jakarta, I'll meet the 2 trainees from Surabaya...One girl is from Poland and the other is from the Netherlands! And their is also a dude from Denmark... I REALLY can't wait to meet them all... I'll take the bus to go to Jakarta, which will take about 18 hours or so....I'll have this experience, and I am sure it will be fun since we will be 8 rowdy people in the bus!!! :P

Anyways, the bets are open to see if my reputation in conferences holds true (sorry parents!!!!!). Will I or will I not 'hook up' at this conference? Or is it already a done deal???? Post comments and we'll see who is right or wrong... :P

I am REALLY excited and it will be quite fun to see how they party here. They play the same games but without the alcohol, which is very different! I also NOW know how Ming-Mang-Mong works....mouahahaha!!!!

Take care and let the voting begin! :P

Activities

Visiting the fish market in Malang...

Riding motorcycles and looking dorky in a motorcycle helmet... :P

Pretending to meditate atop several temples and being amazed by the tradition, history and work behind each temple...I saw 3 already...

And naturally, spending as much quality time with the AIESECers of LC UB! I know most of them but I hope to get to know them even better...A happy bunch that are VERY hard working and REALLY great to hang around!!!! Love you guys,

The food...

First meal in Indonesia after arrival

I don't think this meal will be on any menu back at home, though pretty interesting taste! :P

This is Bihun Ayam, vermicelle with chicken. VERY good and it is one of my first dishes I had here at the school at the cantine, where I also say a cockroach. :S

Javanese Cuisine

Food is also a BIG difference when you go to another country. I was a bit nervous because I wasn't sure how I would react to the spices! But I don't eat spicy most of the time! Today, I had a spicy dish, but I am ok now...wonder if I'll be tomorrow???? ;)

I made it VERY clear to everyone at AIESEC and my host families that I want to try AS MANY THINGS AS I CAN!!! Sometimes, the food is awesome and other times, I wish I didn't take as much as I did! The food is generally REALLY yummy...

There is rice to every meal even in the morning.
They have eggs in most of their dishes.
Their brownies aren't as sweet as the one's we are used too!
They have a slew of different dishes but Javanese food is usually in a soup style!
Breakfast and supper is almost the same!
(I made a pic of a dish (and I'll try to put it up!), and I am 150% that it wouldn't be popular among all of you!!!!)

I think that DH's big appetite rubbed off me! I am ALWAYS hungry! I guess it is the type of food that I eat! I also try to eat smaller portion but more often, but man, Saya lapar ALL the time! People think I am nuts cuz I am always hungry!!!! I think it is pretty funny! :P

Anyways, I really enjoy the food and the first day I arrived, I had to eat with my hands...I think I refined my technique and I challenge anyone to eating with their hands with me! I LOVE it!!!! I try to do it as often as possible...hehehe!

Bahasa Indonesia Class

So, one of my resolutions of this internship is learn language #5...(Ok, ok, spanish (#4) isn't quite perfect....actually, not realy understood, but I plan to work on it!)

I live with a Japanese girl at the host family and she is here for 1 year to learn the language. She spoke it in one month....DAMN! I'll have to learn how she did that!

Anyways, AIESEC LC-UB has given me a couple of classes and I am learning it slowly...When I say things like Saya delapan, you might think, WOW! She can speak a bit....Until you know what it means! I tend to mix the letters and the words sometimes! Like my friend in Italia said, VB, my brain only slowly switches to Bahasa Mode! So, instead of saying I am hungry, I said....I am 8!!!! What the hell was that! I am 8????????????????? hahaha! Let's just say that we all laugh about it!!!!

I love the language and I try to learn it everynight! An hour every night or so! Not easy because it is very different! Bu I love it...At least it is letters and not symbols like in Thai! :)

I am able to understand how much I need to pay for certain things and stuff like that. Basic things! But I sometimes also understand what they talk about in a conversation!

Anyways, selamat sore everyone! Have a nice afternoon! :)

Preparation process....

Preparing when going abroad is VERY important!!!!! I think I was well prepared thanks to DH and research I have done prior to my departure! BUT I think that one thing that is difficult to prepare for is the wildlife, both fauna and flora... Let me explain! (Laughing and disgust GUARANTEED!!!!!)

So a couple of days ago, the 15th, I went to take a mandi (a bath (but it's really a shower since u scoop the water from a bucket!)) after a great welcoming party at Bubble Cafe! (Had amazing Brownie (not cheesecake, NE ;) and great drinks!) For those who have glasses and contact lenses, you don't see anything when you don't wear them (DUH!). So, I was humminh a song and bathing when I saw something move...I FREAKED out!!!!! So it hid behing the toilet...Out of sight, out of mind....or is it? So I thought about 10,000 scenarios while finishing to take a mandi cuz I was scared! Anyways, I put my glasses and realize that it is a....COCKROACH!!!!! Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! What the hell Am I supposed to do? So with the shower head, I sent some water its way and it went out of the door...ahhhhhhhh, alone again! (But how smart is that? Where will it go now????) Do you know how annoying that is when you know you aren't alone in the bathroom ( and it isn't another person!)? I felt stripped of my privacy...hahaha!!!!! ( I am sure u guys are all laughing :P)

Anyways, I slowly left the bathroom and looked for IT! Couldn't find it....ahhhhhhh! Good!!!! So coming back to brush my teeth (the sink isn't in the bathroom, but outside!), I saw my enemy...Damit! I contempleted to kill it, but I just couldn't...parallyzed by fear and because it's an animal that I never saw! So I just went to bed...

I should have killed that damn thing....why? Because when I woke up next day, it was THERE! It was close to the door...I guess it liked my company...hehehe! Again, it took me like 10 minutes to think and conme to the conclusion that a murder had to happen! Sorry cockroach, my room is off limits!!!! (There is even a screen so the mosquitos stay outside...every room has a sort of patio door!) Try waking up to that...anyways, I killed it but it was REALLY yucky!!!!

And for all of those who think geckos are cute....They are until u see them up close!!!! Man, they run really weirdly...They scare me!!!! People laugh at me again!!!! Ah well, it is part of going abroad!!!!

You see, preparation is good, but it can be hard to prepare oneself for the environment! Culture wise, it isn't too bad, but the physical environment is sometimes REALLY hard! :)

So, what am I doing in ID?

It has been quite I while I wrote and sorry to my fans. I have been quite busy with my work. I was asked what I am doing (EJ) and I am sure there are others that are thinking the same thing. So, here is what I am doing here in Indonesia:

I am here for 4 months to work with students aged 15-17! The first week, the AIESEC local prepared me and answered all my questions because I was quite confused about this project!!!! I had great sessions about project management and facilitating skills. Then, this week, I am working with 2 key students chosen to help me facilitate the sessions. We have spoken a lot about projects and the MDGs (UN Millenium Development Goals). I also give them exercises and work to do! I make them work hard, as per the request of WA. (AF, he is really a great guy...You must have had tons of fun with him! :)

I am moving this weekend and I am going to another host family. ( was in the first host family for 1 week and now in the second for also 1 week. Now I will live with the family for 1 month. I was living out of my luggages...So I'll now be able to sort-of get used to the surroundings!

Anyways, for this Friday and Monday-Wed of next week, I will prepare some sessions I will have with all 30 students including the 2 key students. (It was supposed to be the whole week of preparation next week, but I have changed my schedule to go to a conference in Jakarta....I am soooooooooooooooooooooo excited!!!! I'll see Jakarta, meet Bules (foreigners) and see AIESECers...FYI (AS, ;) ), they have tons of dances and roll calls...VERY exciting! And they know tunuk tunuk...hehehe!!!! It's my favorite :P

So as of next Thursday-Saturday (Yes, they have school on Saturdays!!!!!) and the Monday, Jan 30th, we will have the Leadership Development Training (LDT) with all 30 'kids' as I call them! Then, I leave on Jan 31st in the early afternoon to take the bus to Jakarta...It'll take 18 hours!!!! Should be fun whith the AIESECers and stuff...hehehe!!!! I am back on Feb 5th (Sunday REALLY late!) and I start the next day....I hope I won't be too K.O.!!!! :P

And then, I will work with the students toward projects to help society and will empower them . I also plan to have other sessions to help their writing skills and develop their potential (can u see the AIESEC jargon? hehehe). The 2 key students I am working with are super smart but a bit shy. It is normal at their age (15 and 16) so I hope they'll feel a bit more comfortable with time! I am not sure of the type of project yet b/c I need to still discuss this with the students! I'll keep u updated!!!!

That's it! Any questions or comments?

BULE on a MAGANG!

So it has almost been 1 week that I am here in Indonesia and I have experienced TONS of stuff! BULE is one of the first things I've learnt because people scream it to me when I walked in the streets. It means foreigner. I am not exactly sure how to take it, but I laugh about it! You don't need to be a rockstar to get attention... And they don't look at me because I wear improper things, btw...I am always covered up, don't worry! When people look at me, I usually smile and they smile back....I love the international language of a smile! It beats anything! :)

I went to see the Museum of Brawijaya and a Library, where we met the manager of a radio station. She was very nice but didn't understand a word I said! I then ate some interesting food and went hunting for an adaptor to recharge the battery for my camera. I bring it EVERYWHERE and I try to take a picture of everything...It will be useful for my scrapbook and to remember my adventures :P It was quite challenging to go hunt for an adaptor (I am not even sure it is called like that...hahaha) so I can plug my charger in the adaptor, which is plugged in their outlets. My LO (Liaison Officer who takes care of me and answers all my questions and stuff like that...good idea for future TNs at McGill!) didn't really understand me so it took us a while to figure out things, but I got one and it works fine! :)

On Sunday, I went to the stadium, which is a big market. It was pretty fun and I tried bubur ayam (chicken porage)! Pretty good but I think my stomach didn't agree with me on this one :( I also saw a very nice and peaceful flower market, bird and fish market. I then went back home. I still have issues with the time change. At like 8/9pm, I get SUPER tired.... Hey, 1/2way around the world is exhausting!!!! :P So I took a nap (scores for naps!) and I had a meeting with the responsible teacher, key students, AIESECers and hosts of this project. Considering that 90% of the population here is Muslim, it is interesting to note that I will be in a christian school! :)

And in the evening, I went to a wedding. This was one of my expectation, one thing I wanted to do while here. And it was GORGEOUS! The groom is the goalie of the Indonesian Football (soccer) team (she is a model!), so everything was in green and where they were standing to thank people for coming was in the shape of a goal. Pretty cool and the hall was HUGE! The 2nd son of my host family is a friend of the groom and he told me that there were about 800 people at the reception, 200 less than they expected because of the rain! A buffet was served and people were standing around. GYSC, I can see how big weddings can get in your family! But when they are sitting, the hall must be as long as a football field, eh? :P So we were there for like 2 hours and then left! I'll put up pics soon!

Yesterday was my first day at 'work'! I learned a bit of Bahasa, and it is super interesting! They even had a simulation for me, which was cool! I now have a better expectation and better idea of my role in this project and it is quite interesting! I hope I'll do a great job at it! :)

Today, the 10th, is a holiday where they sacrifice goats. The whole city was full of goats so it had this interesting smell!!!! I went to the sacrifice and it was interesting to see these 60 men or so that were working under a tent as butchers. The sacrifice part where the goat is killed wasn't too bad cuz I didn't see it, but when the goat did the 'baaaaaaaah!' sound and it was cut short because it was cut, that was a bit weird. The eldest son of my host family came with me and laughed at me cuz I was holding my neck when they were killing the goats! Hahaha! I was actually able to eat meat after, but my stomach is now feeling weird...I wonder if it is because of that? :)

Anyways, today is a very vedge day and I kindda forgot to prepare my session tomorrow (ops!). I'll have to go home and work on that I guess!

Interesting Facts:
EVERYONE, or almost, has a motorcycle.
Everyone wears flip flops even on motorcycles.
A helmet is obligatory, but people don't fasten it/attach it(what is it good for when you are in an accident and you didn't attach your helmet?)
People smile almost all the time.
AIESEC dances are the same here! :P

Anyways, it has been 3 hours that I am here, so I have to go now!
If you guys have questions, please ask them! And E-mail me....I wanna know what is up with yu guys! Thanks to those who e-mail me...I appreciate it!

IMPORTANT NOTE!

Whenever I am going to write a post, I am NOT going to mention your name due to privacy reasons! Thus, I will just mention your initials! :)

Thanks,

La Direction ;)

Travelling halfway around the world!

So, I arrived safely in Indonesia, THANK GOD! And I met loads of great people in the waiting areas and on the plane, like we usually do when travelling!!! I met a military dude (short equilateral ;)) who was going to Irak, a couple of nice Hindu dudes on the plane, a girl leaving from Germany and going back to school in London, a HOT tanned Italian dude with a great white smile heading to Phuket (devastated by the tsunami last year!) and an Aussie who had great stories about Indonesia since he was doing business with this country! I love travelling for these reasons...You always meet great people! :)

The trip was verrrrrrrrrrrrrrry exhausting! I calcultate this and I flew over 24 hours! I was scheduled to fly at 3pm on Jan 3rd, but I thought that I wouldn't have enough time between my flights. So I decided to take the flight at noon, but I finally took the one at 11am! I didn't have the time to really say bye to my parents. Like it is with a band-aid, it was quick, but still painful! Funny feeling...Happy yet sad! (And the flight was on time, MW!) Anyways, I didn't sleep much during my flights and tried to maximize the use of the PTVs in my trip from Frankfurt to KL! I got my first wake-up call (in terms of different cultures!) in KL when a couple of dudes where whistling at me! And there it goes I thought! I arrived in Surabaya at 10am on January 5th.

Everything went well, BUT they lost one of my luggage. The one with all my t-shirts and toilet paper. Trust me, you NEED toilet paper around here! I'll have to make a picture of how it looks like, but it is a toilet like we know but they don't have toilet paper...just a hose! And I don't really feel like trying the hose...hehehe! There was another dude who lost his instrument (at the airport) , a Chinese violin. So together, we declared our missing luggage. The dudes were nice and they spoke about me in Bahasa...I guess the woo-woo Tabarnak won't help in this situation...hehehe! One of the dudes thought I was cute... awwwwwwwww!!!! And it is really interesting how they ask questions about your personal life too...about what I study, when my B-day is, about my family, etc. I then met the people who came to pick me up...REALLY nice people!

They brought the car and off we went. First culural difference making me feel uneasy: no seat belts when ridding on a backseat!) LOADS of people were driving motorcycles! Actually, everyone because it is so cheap! And it is quite warm here too...around 30 degrees! So we drove to a typical restaurant where you take your shoes off and sit on the floor. I tried traditional food (picture to come later!) and it was quite yummy! A bit spicy though! And then they dropped me off at my host family. Nice people and beautiful home (pics to come later!). The AIESECers left and I then decided to take a nap. I wasn't feeling well...probably from the travelling and the food. I hope it won't take me too long to get used to the food! When I woke up, I met the 2nd son (they have 4 kids: 2 boys, 1 girl and a younger boi) and we chit chatted. It was a challenger but I learned a couple of words in Bahasa. We had an interesting conversation about water, cuz I obviously can't drink tap water!!! Food was also pretty good!

Showering time...I freaked out when I saw the bathroom on the 2nd floor, but I took my shower (they call it taking a mandi (taking a bath)) on the first floor. They have a bucket of water and a shower like we know them. It wasn't too complicated and I managed pretty well. Wooohooo! Then some AIESECers came to meet me and I went to bed straight after. I took my mom's medecine (and thank god the luggage I had was the one with the medecine. Thanks mom :)!) and some other stuff too! I felt much better the next day!

How do I adapt to the culture and signs of any culture shocks? YES- had multiple crying attacks, but I controlled myself up to now!. Today, the 6th, I woke up, took a mandi, ate soup with eggs and onions and I was almost crying...The Bu of the household (Ms.) told me to go blow my nose...May, I had to cry my #@^^ off instead! At 10am, a dude came to pick me up to go to Immigration, change some money, call my parents and then go to the AIESEC local! He had a motorcycle and it was the first time I rode a motorcycle....I LOVE IT! Obvicouly, it isn't the Yamaha or Ninja type, but It was pretty fun!

The people are all nice here, and some are nicer and more open than others, which is normal! I know what my schedule will look like in the next couple of days, and they have a muslim celebration on January 10th where they sacrifice lotsa sheeps! DH, I hope I'll be able to eat meat anyways...I'll try not to look at the killing too much...weak stomach! :( Anyways, I am going to be pretty busy and I told them I want to try EVERYTHING and want to go out and do something everyday, or else I'll have a crying fit and a 'why the hell am I here' tantrum! They are all super nice and I think they understand that I should be quite busy because I will be harder if I am not! Good!!!! :P

I am now in a mall and I took a Mikrolet (sort of a van with no seat belts and the door is opened!), bumped my head when steeping out of it (moron!) and I have to buy a couple of things here! It is very interesting here and the landscape is very nice! I hope I'll be able to visit the many mountains and volcanoes!

I am feeling a bit sick now (stomach) and I'll have to jet now! I wish you all the best and if someone knows how I can post pics online, PLEASE let me know! I want you guys to see where I live and what I see! :)

Lotsa love and PLEASE write me e-mails...I want to know what is happening in Canada! :P

Ai Ai Captain, we'll be setting sails tomorrow at 8am!

This is my last post before my departure. I am currently chit chatting with my SN Manager in Indonesia, PD. Super nice girl and I am really looking forward to meeting her. We had a good discussion about toilets and clothes, so my angst is not as high as it used to be...

To tell you the truth, I am not scared that much of this trip. I am excited and nervous because I never had a visa in the past. And I never travelled for such a long time! I will leave my home at 8am on January 3rd and arrive in Surabaya at 10am on January 5th, but that is the equivalent to 10pm on January 4th (Montreal time). And then the time difference will most probably screw me over! Bahhhh, we'll see in what state I will be on my arrival!

I have been running around today to start and finish my luggage. I had everything ready, but packing is a whole different story! And as most of you know, I am the bag lady, but I managed to pack pretty well thanks to my mom! Luggage is a bit overweight...ahhhh well!!!

Anyways, as I mentioned to some of you, this experience is the springboard into my international career. AIESEC, the circumstances of my life and the many classes I took prepared me for such an adventure and I can feel it. I am usually a stressed person in normal times, but up to now, I have been taking this experience pretty calmly. I know it will get done in due time! I guess I am already prepping myself for a different way of thinking! I have done a lot of visualization, a technique IAS and I spoke about when we were living together! It is very interesting and it is a bit calming actually!

Anyways, I have to go do my ten thousand things, so I wish you guys all the best for the next couple of months and keep me updated with the stuff happening in your life. Don't forget me because that is what is the hardest when you come back and during the reintegrations process. I promoted this blog a lot, so I hope you'll write a lot too!

Lotsa love,

Schtuff

I finally got my visa on December 30th at 2pm. It was stressful and the woman at the consulate was most probably sooooooooo annoyed with me. But Hey! I got my visa! :) It is only good for 60 days, so I will have to figure things out at that point.

As for all other things I need, I am somewhat anxious because I am not sure I have everything. I got traveller's cheque; I confirmed my flight and have my ticket; I have all my vaccinations; I have sunscreen, pictures of a lot of my friends, pills and natural medecine for every possible ache and pain I might have, insect repellent, a net, a lonely plant: Indonesia; LOADS of stuff from Canada, i.e. flags, maple syrup, pins, cards, books, hockey sticks, tourist book, powerpoints, peanut butter and nutella (although not from Canada, but it is a bit of the european side of me!), recipes, games and tons of ideas! I have to check what clothes I want to bring and accessories and toileterie and stuff like that...I have to stay that it makes me quite nervous!

If you guys have some suggestions of what I forgot, let me know! Please don't be shy cuz I would LOVE to hear what you have to say! :)