Well, the first two days or so were pretty strange...but now Yogya is starting to fit like an old shoe. :) Once I was sure that I could find my way home, I felt much more comfortable. I've been able to walk around a bit, went to Malioboro Street to exchange money and saw that for the first time. It is the "big tourist area." They have the best sidewalks in town there, and of course it is packed with stores and markets and motorcycles.
I have two teachers: Dwi and Asih. Dwi has me for four hours in the morning, then we break for lunch, and Asih takes me ;) They are both wonderful and patient. Dwi makes me speak in only Indo, and loves to have me form sentences over and over, which is great, but it makes my head a bit dizzy by the time we break for lunch. Asih, on the other hand, talks more in English but we have a lot of fun! She loves to laugh at herself, and me. I think they balance each other out well. Sometimes I feel like I am progressing very slowly, and other times I feel like I am learning a lot! It just isn't processing as quickly as I want! I think I keep double guessing all my word order now, because I used to be rather sloppy! Once I feel more confident in that, it should speed up.
Enough about that. I went grocery shopping yesterday. My teacher recommended Super Indo to me, so I thought I'd check it out. I was soon quite taken with the store as I ran across old snacks, foods, and brands that I used to eat in Papua: Selamat Biscuits, Chitato Chips, Kopiko, Super Mie, Nutri Sari, Milo...it made me smile. Not only that, but I got to shop serenaded by what sounded like Avril Lavigne, Phil Collins from Tarzan, and Bryan Adams and music from Spirit. Yes. Wonderful selection. But what really had me sold was when the Super Indo theme song came on. Yes. They had a theme song, about Super Indo. Wait. There's more. I knew I had to return when I was in the check out line and I saw, on the adjacent wall, not an employee of the month picture....but an "I do Care Champion." I don't think I need to say any more.
I keep telling myself to take pictures, but I haven't yet. I decided Yogya is a city of depth...there are many little alleys and paths that lead back into quaint little houses or shops. I get the feeling everything is in 3-D, much more than America. :)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Indo!
Dear World,
Let me begin to share with you what is going on in my life!!! So, I left Fort Lauderdale at 10:10am. It was a bit of a bumpy start, including getting rebuked by the check in lady :( but I was on my way and all was well. Around 2:30pm I landed in LA and got picked up by two of my best friends: David and Andrea. We proceeded, through traffic on the 405, to the Getty (love that place!), then off to Westwood for dinner. Walked through a bit of the UCLA campus, and found a small restaurant called Mr. Noodle, which had surprisingly decent Thai food for cheap. Then we made a stop at the famous cookie place that I already forgot the name of, but apparently is super cheap. Diddy Riese or something. We saw what looked like a premier showing of "Dolphin Tale" being set up. Then we drove to Santa Monica, walked around, saw the beach, and unfortunately it was already time to go!
The flight to Taiwan was long, but I was able to sleep off and on. In Taiwan I managed to find a computer terminal and email a few people about my progress. Then it was off to Jakarta!!!! It was very interesting for me to sit there and watch the plane's progress on my little screen as it slowly got closer and closer to those beloved islands. But when I stepped off the plane into that familiar terminal, I felt as though I was walking into a dream.
I was literally trembling as I stood in line to go through immigration--not from fear, but from anticipation, and from all these emotions welling up inside of me and no one to share them with! The trip as a whole left me so much time to think--about the future, about the present--about everything. Sharing this intimate moment with my Savior alone was a new experience. I couldn't believe I was back and yet it felt so natural, and yet I wished someone were with me :(
The Visa on Arrival process went quick and smooth. No questions, no hassle. Then I moved on to collect my baggage. I didn't feel secure enough to do any sight seeing yet, although I wanted to take my time and look outside, I booked it to figure out where I was going next. I had to go outside, find an elevator upstairs, pass by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, even though I was tempted to stop, and look for where to check in to Garuda. I felt very confused. There were no ticket counters like here in the U.S. Finally, I stopped at the "e-ticket" booth for Garuda to ask. They gave me my itinerary and told me to pass through security. Once I did, I had to get my luggage tied up, and then proceed to the counter: pay an airport tax, plus an overage for my luggage (I was beginning to feel like I overpacked) and then I proceeded to my gate. There was a little wait, and then we boarded the plane, and were off to Yogya!
Funny thing though, I sat next to an Aussie named Dave, who lives in Yogya and does Disaster Relief work. We found out he had met my dad in Aceh after the Tsunami of 04! Go figure, small world.
After I landed, got my bags, and headed outside, a man and boy were waiting with a paper sign that said 'BETH.' They were very nice, helped me with my bags, pulled the car around, and we were off. The man-Pak Unang (?), found out I knew a little Bahasa and so he let me practice. Then we got to my homestay and I met Ibu Leana. She is a sweet elderly lady who proceeded to tell me all about her seven children, fifteen grandsons, the two operations she had had, the former tenants she had had who were from Japan, and probably a lot more that I missed. I could pick up on most of it, and I guess she thought my answers and comments were satisfactory. Luckily, I was tired enough to go to bed early and sleep through the night. The next afternoon, however, i got quite tired and took a nap. I rested most of the day, just settling in and reading, and then slept off and on through the second night.
And today was my first day of class!!! I was picked up from the school, but I think in future I will have to walk. It will probably be a fifteen-to twenty minute walk. I took a placement test, and did poorly :( And then had lessons until noon. I felt like my mind was a stream and there was a huge boulder in the middle of the stream, cutting off the flow of water!!! It was a tough morning, trying to recall what I hadn't used in so long. My teacher was very patient, but of course never spoke in English if she could help it!
And then I grabbed lunch-- Nasi Bungkus. And I am waiting to start my next class: from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Then I am assuming I will be driven home...or maybe I'll walk? Don't quite know yet!!!
Keep me in prayer! I am hoping this will get easier after the first week or two!
So far I've felt like my emotions are a bit all over the place as I try to readjust and I feel quite timid back in the culture.
I met an Australian woman today named Nicola, who will be here for another month or so, and I hope we can become friends.
I rather wish now that I had internet at home--it would make communication so much easier. But we'll see how it goes.
Here's to new adventures and persevering....
Let me begin to share with you what is going on in my life!!! So, I left Fort Lauderdale at 10:10am. It was a bit of a bumpy start, including getting rebuked by the check in lady :( but I was on my way and all was well. Around 2:30pm I landed in LA and got picked up by two of my best friends: David and Andrea. We proceeded, through traffic on the 405, to the Getty (love that place!), then off to Westwood for dinner. Walked through a bit of the UCLA campus, and found a small restaurant called Mr. Noodle, which had surprisingly decent Thai food for cheap. Then we made a stop at the famous cookie place that I already forgot the name of, but apparently is super cheap. Diddy Riese or something. We saw what looked like a premier showing of "Dolphin Tale" being set up. Then we drove to Santa Monica, walked around, saw the beach, and unfortunately it was already time to go!
The flight to Taiwan was long, but I was able to sleep off and on. In Taiwan I managed to find a computer terminal and email a few people about my progress. Then it was off to Jakarta!!!! It was very interesting for me to sit there and watch the plane's progress on my little screen as it slowly got closer and closer to those beloved islands. But when I stepped off the plane into that familiar terminal, I felt as though I was walking into a dream.
I was literally trembling as I stood in line to go through immigration--not from fear, but from anticipation, and from all these emotions welling up inside of me and no one to share them with! The trip as a whole left me so much time to think--about the future, about the present--about everything. Sharing this intimate moment with my Savior alone was a new experience. I couldn't believe I was back and yet it felt so natural, and yet I wished someone were with me :(
The Visa on Arrival process went quick and smooth. No questions, no hassle. Then I moved on to collect my baggage. I didn't feel secure enough to do any sight seeing yet, although I wanted to take my time and look outside, I booked it to figure out where I was going next. I had to go outside, find an elevator upstairs, pass by Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, even though I was tempted to stop, and look for where to check in to Garuda. I felt very confused. There were no ticket counters like here in the U.S. Finally, I stopped at the "e-ticket" booth for Garuda to ask. They gave me my itinerary and told me to pass through security. Once I did, I had to get my luggage tied up, and then proceed to the counter: pay an airport tax, plus an overage for my luggage (I was beginning to feel like I overpacked) and then I proceeded to my gate. There was a little wait, and then we boarded the plane, and were off to Yogya!
Funny thing though, I sat next to an Aussie named Dave, who lives in Yogya and does Disaster Relief work. We found out he had met my dad in Aceh after the Tsunami of 04! Go figure, small world.
After I landed, got my bags, and headed outside, a man and boy were waiting with a paper sign that said 'BETH.' They were very nice, helped me with my bags, pulled the car around, and we were off. The man-Pak Unang (?), found out I knew a little Bahasa and so he let me practice. Then we got to my homestay and I met Ibu Leana. She is a sweet elderly lady who proceeded to tell me all about her seven children, fifteen grandsons, the two operations she had had, the former tenants she had had who were from Japan, and probably a lot more that I missed. I could pick up on most of it, and I guess she thought my answers and comments were satisfactory. Luckily, I was tired enough to go to bed early and sleep through the night. The next afternoon, however, i got quite tired and took a nap. I rested most of the day, just settling in and reading, and then slept off and on through the second night.
And today was my first day of class!!! I was picked up from the school, but I think in future I will have to walk. It will probably be a fifteen-to twenty minute walk. I took a placement test, and did poorly :( And then had lessons until noon. I felt like my mind was a stream and there was a huge boulder in the middle of the stream, cutting off the flow of water!!! It was a tough morning, trying to recall what I hadn't used in so long. My teacher was very patient, but of course never spoke in English if she could help it!
And then I grabbed lunch-- Nasi Bungkus. And I am waiting to start my next class: from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. Then I am assuming I will be driven home...or maybe I'll walk? Don't quite know yet!!!
Keep me in prayer! I am hoping this will get easier after the first week or two!
So far I've felt like my emotions are a bit all over the place as I try to readjust and I feel quite timid back in the culture.
I met an Australian woman today named Nicola, who will be here for another month or so, and I hope we can become friends.
I rather wish now that I had internet at home--it would make communication so much easier. But we'll see how it goes.
Here's to new adventures and persevering....
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Rio to Florida
So I think another blog is long overdue, especially since I never got to blog about Rio! I did, however, put some pictures up on Facebook....but I saved the best for my faithful followers :D
Drum roll please....I found the most amazing bookstore in a mall in Rio. It was love at first sight....
I was smitten. :) The pictures don't do it justice...Allison had to drag me out of there.
But unfortunately...we had to move on. But first I will show a few more pictures from this mall. I was thoroughly impressed. The top floor had an art gallery that I was not allowed to take pictures of. But it was lovely: including the lighting and the carpet. I was also dragged out of there prematurely. Then we found a store named after me. And then a storefront with this lovely display of books (you'll see in the picture below). And finally we found a lovely and very unique store that I'm not sure how to describe. It had crafty things and stationery paper, but also quirky little office supplies. I loved it!!
So there's a little bit of Rio! Goodbye Rio.
Back to Florida!!! Since I've been here, we almost went through a hurricane! But didn't. We have got quite a bit of rain though. And I must say.....it is pretty hot here :)
So what's going on in my life? I am learning lessons about integrity, obedience, and courage. I got the opportunity to teach the women students in Brazil and I decided to teach on integrity. It was a subject the Lord placed on my heart at the beginning of the term. We studied three people's lives: Abraham, Micaiah, and Ehud. It was refreshing to study, it was a blessing to teach, and now it is a challenge to live out. :) I find myself continually convicted and reminded of my own teaching. Am I living a life of integrity? One definition I found of integrity was to be whole, and complete. When I choose not have integrity, even in the small things, I am incomplete and not living to my full capacity. But I always fall so short.
Then I was studying the life of Joshua, and I was blown away by his obedience and courage:
"And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel." Joshua 10:14
"He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses." Joshua 11:15
How I wish Joshua was still alive, so I could watch his life. It was a life of obedience, of years and years of war-tirelessly fighting the battles the Lord told him to fight!
So there's a glimpse into what I am learning about! I hope it blesses you.
Drum roll please....I found the most amazing bookstore in a mall in Rio. It was love at first sight....
But unfortunately...we had to move on. But first I will show a few more pictures from this mall. I was thoroughly impressed. The top floor had an art gallery that I was not allowed to take pictures of. But it was lovely: including the lighting and the carpet. I was also dragged out of there prematurely. Then we found a store named after me. And then a storefront with this lovely display of books (you'll see in the picture below). And finally we found a lovely and very unique store that I'm not sure how to describe. It had crafty things and stationery paper, but also quirky little office supplies. I loved it!!
Back to Florida!!! Since I've been here, we almost went through a hurricane! But didn't. We have got quite a bit of rain though. And I must say.....it is pretty hot here :)
So what's going on in my life? I am learning lessons about integrity, obedience, and courage. I got the opportunity to teach the women students in Brazil and I decided to teach on integrity. It was a subject the Lord placed on my heart at the beginning of the term. We studied three people's lives: Abraham, Micaiah, and Ehud. It was refreshing to study, it was a blessing to teach, and now it is a challenge to live out. :) I find myself continually convicted and reminded of my own teaching. Am I living a life of integrity? One definition I found of integrity was to be whole, and complete. When I choose not have integrity, even in the small things, I am incomplete and not living to my full capacity. But I always fall so short.
Then I was studying the life of Joshua, and I was blown away by his obedience and courage:
"And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel." Joshua 10:14
"He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses." Joshua 11:15
How I wish Joshua was still alive, so I could watch his life. It was a life of obedience, of years and years of war-tirelessly fighting the battles the Lord told him to fight!
So there's a glimpse into what I am learning about! I hope it blesses you.
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