Thankful

After three months in Indonesia, I've finally committed myself to writing in my blog on a regular basis.  I've been incredibly busy here with teaching English, learning Bahasa Indonesia, applying for jobs and fellowships for next year, and immersing myself in the various cultures that exist within this unbelievably large country.  I've had many unforgettable experiences and unique challenges, and I want to be able to look back and remember my time here.

In (belated) celebration of Thanksgiving and I want to devote this blog entry to many wonderful blessings I've had since I've arrived here.  As I sit and think of my family, friends, professors, and mentors and wish everyone a belated Happy Thanksgiving, I'd like to share the things I'm thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for...

- My family back home, for their love, support, and willingness to let me go to Indonesia for a year.  I miss them very much and wish I could share Indonesia with them.

- My friends in the States, who support me and keep in touch, even though I'm 12 hours ahead. They let me talk endlessly about my incredible experiences without being jealous and comfort me on the days when I'm discouraged.  I miss them so much!

- My professors at University of Michigan, for kindling my interest in international relations, encouraging me to apply for every opportunity I found, and writing numerous letters of recommendation for me.  I'm deeply indebted to them for this opportunity.

- My amazing and wonderful school, SMK Putra Bangsa.  I couldn't have asked for a better placement and every day I realize how lucky I am to teach there.  Such an amazing group of students and teachers.

- Ibu Vivi, my wonderful counterpart and co-teacher who graciously accepts my American style of teaching and always greets me with a smile.  She is so incredibly encouraging and I'm blessed to work with her.  It's exciting to work with someone who cares so much about her students and who is committed to helping them learn. 

-Mr. Ubaid, the assistant principal at my school and my co-teacher.  I am so privileged to work with someone who is very passionate about education and who has been so kind to me during my stay.  His encouragement and excitement has helped me adjust to teaching in Indonesia and has made me feel extremely welcome.

- Ibu Sriyatin, the headmaster at my school.  She is absolutely wonderful and has been extremely kind to me.  She helped throw a surprise birthday party for me (arranged by always thoughtful Ibu Vivi), invited me to celebrate Eid-ul Adha with her family, and plans to take me to see the voting process tomorrow for elections, knowing that I studied politics. 

- Ibu Kukuh and Pak Edi, Talya's counterpart and her husband.  They are two of the most wonderful people I've met and have been incredibly supportive since Talya and I arrived here.  Whenever there is a crisis (no power, no water, house flooding, canceled flights that leave me stranded in Indonesian airports), they are always there to fix the problem and help me adjust to my life here.  Ibu Kukuh and Pak Edi have extended such amazing hospitality to me and I am truly grateful for their friendship.

- My students at Putra Bangsa.  I teach 9 classes with the most amazing, energetic kids I've ever met.  I love teaching and watching their faces light up when they understand a grammar concept or when they figure out how to formulate a proper sentence.  This job is such a rewarding job and I'm lucky to work with my students.

- My 1st grade (freshman) Accounting class.  55 students (53 girls and 2 boys) who absolutely LOVE English and are always excited to learn.  Every day, they greet me with such enthusiasm and are always eager to practice speaking English.  They all have amazing senses of humor and I thoroughly enjoy teaching that class.  It's definitely one of the highlights of my week. 

- Bontang, my city, which continues to amaze me every day.  It's exceptionally clean, especially for an Indonesian city, with little traffic and pollution.  It's surrounding by rolling hills of dense Kalimantan jungle, making it possible for me to easily go hiking on the weekends.  There is quite a bit of ethnic and religious diversity here, and I'm learning so much about the various cultures while I'm here.

- Being able to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the traditional market. Why don't we have traditional markets back home?  The local farmers market in the States is similar, but it's still not the same.

- The Christian community in Bontang.  I started going to church here and immediately found a community that was very excited to get to know me.  I've been invited to so many different events and was even lent a motorbike to use for the duration of my time here.  I feel very loved and appreciated. 

- Indonesian food.  I love to eat everything here - nasi goreng (fried rice), tempe goreng (fried soybean slices), cap cay (steamed veggies), es kelapa (young coconut), es mangga (mango juice), ayam bakar (grilled chicken)...the list goes on. 

- Kind people in Indonesia who treat me with compassion.  I've been the recipient of so many random acts of kindness, reminding me of how important it is to care for strangers and foreigners back in my own country.  Random strangers have taken me out to lunch, paid for my public transportation tickets, given me directions, negotiated on my behalf in Bahasa Indonesia, and done other compassionate things to let me know they care. 

- The ability to act as a grassroots ambassador and represent the United States of America.  I've been able to have the most interesting conversations with people and teach people about the principles that make America so unique.  My students can't imagine a country where there are more than 5 recognized religions (like Indonesia) or where people have so much power over who runs their government.  Some of my students come from areas with lots of religious or ethnic violence and can't fathom the idea of so many ethnic groups living together in one country without extreme violence.  I love being able to talk to people about why America is so unique and so tolerant.

- Being a plane ride away from the most beautiful beaches in the world.

- Living 30 minutes from orangutans in their natural habitats.  

- My fellow ETAs, who I can call/text/e-mail every day and know that I have supportive friends who are going through the same challenges I am.  I love being able to visit other ETAs and am lucky to have such amazing friends.

- Living in one of the most diverse and incredible countries in the world.  Indonesia is a beautiful country and I love teaching here.  I'm SO blessed.