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
Friday, January 27, 2006
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!!!! ;)
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
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
Friday, January 20, 2006
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
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
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
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!
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! :)
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 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?
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?
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
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!
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!
Friday, January 06, 2006
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 ;)
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
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
Monday, January 02, 2006
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,
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,
Sunday, January 01, 2006
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! :)
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! :)
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