I spent 19 of the last 21 months living in Indonesia. It was a wild ride from start to finish, but one that I wouldn’t have traded for the world. I also learned a lot… some things serious, others less so… I’ve spent the last month or so developing this list – I hope you enjoy!

Mock-teaching in Bandung

1. Indonesia is very, very far away.
2. I love teaching.
3. Teaching is a lot of work.
4. Two years of teaching is enough for me.
5. I gained so much more respect for all the teachers in my life – I can’t believe the work you do day in and day out, year after year!
6. I am conversationally fluent in Bahasa Indonesia.
7. Sober karaoke can be a blast.
8. Wifi is a blessing but hotspotting is where it’s at.
9. Crawling in bed at 8pm with a book is my favorite way to spend an evening.
10. Exercising is my jam but “Timber” is my actual jam.
11. I can live without ice cream, I can’t live without Mac n Cheese.
12. Anthony’s Mac n Cheese powder is life.
    

    At my favorite cafe, Bottoms Up, with my favorite food, Nasi Ayam Lada Garam… spicy chicken with rice.

13. Friends are like stars, you can’t always see them but you know they are always on the other end of Snapchat.
14. Goals change, roll with it.
15. If you find a food you like, it’s okay to eat it every day.
16. Also, if you find a cafe you like, it’s okay to go there every other day. If you can’t find any other good cafes, just go to the good one every day… who really cares?
17. Regardless of the cafe, there is a 65% chance the wifi password will be “ubi goreng” (fried cassava).
18. Instant coffee tastes bad, no matter what you put in it.
19. I learned to ride a motorbike, scooter-style.
20. I can sleep anywhere, at any time.
21. Leave your fear on the ground – jumping off waterfalls is worth it.
22. Card games can make an afternoon or evening disappear in a minute.
23. A hard drive full of movies is essential. So is a flash drive full of kindle books. It’s also probably illegal.
24. I’ve become a great hockey player – but not with pucks, with cockroaches.
    

    I wore this proudly

25. Following that ^, my body can wake instantly from the deepest 3am sleep when it hears the “ckckckck” of a cockroach walking across my bedroom floor.
26. Whatsapp is by far the best texting app.
27. Agreeing to one photo, means agreeing to 15.
28. ^^^ Just say no.
29. Kendari is brutally hot. Covering wrists, to ankles, to collarbones in 105+ degree is something I will not miss. I will never complain about summers in America ever again. Not when I can freely wear shorts and tank tops.
30. I may as well schedule off 3-5pm every weekday as “nap time.”
31. Staying in touch with friends and extended family is hard. But y’all, I’m back in your time zone so HMU!
32. There is all of one air conditioned cafe with reliable wifi in Kendari.
33. I learned to scuba dive.
34. GoJek is clutch. It’s like Uber but motorcycle taxis and then there’s GoFood, GoMassage, GoMart, GoGlam… literally everything you could ever need. If it’s in your city… (get in the game Kendari).
35. I am more comfortable eating with my hands than with a fork.
36. My tolerance for spicy food has significantly increased.
37. There is always room for one (or two, or five) more people in/on a car/bus/motorcycle.
    

    Vacationing with friends is the best

38. It’s hard to get a jump-start on the job search because no, I can’t come in for an interview next week.
39. ^^ Then, when they agree to a phone interview, it monsoons all day and you have no service.
40. Pizza can cure anything.
41. Your city may cry for you when you go – it hasn’t stopped raining in Kendari since we left and there is major flooding everywhere.
42. Never count on a flight being on time.
43. ^^You can reasonably assume your flight will be delayed 45 minutes – 2 hours, every time.
44. The best vacations are the ones with friends – it doesn’t matter where you go.
45. Always question the meat you’re eating – it could be chicken, or it could be cow brain or dog.
46.  Buy all the batik. No regrets.
47. Advocate for yourself. If you’re not happy with something, speak up. Changes can be made. You’re not meant to suffer through the year.
48. Write down everything you take to the laundry place – things may “disappear.”
49. Scuba diving in Nusa Lembongan is unparalleled.
50. Don’t eat Western food at Indonesian restaurants. It won’t be anything like what you wanted.
    

    My kids had lots of questions for Martha about the U.S. government’s feelings towards Muslims and what it would be like if they ever went to America. I was so proud of them for asking those questions.

51. Islam is a beautiful and welcoming religion. I am thankful I got the chance to immerse myself in a Muslim culture and school – despite the hateful rhetoric coming from the White House.
52. You could spend years exploring Indonesia and never see it all, nor ever grow tired of its beautiful beaches, immense volcanoes, and thick jungles. I’m grateful I had two years to explore what I could!

I’m sure I learned hundreds more things but this is what came to mind. It’s weird to think that I’m back in the States for good now, and can’t jet off to climb an active volcano or stumble upon a deserted beach. But America has many modern conveniences that I am eternally grateful for – hot showers, sinks, clean drinking water, all the Western food, the ability to pass unnoticed wherever I go… I’m grateful to be home but will always miss the beautiful country of Indonesia that I was lucky enough to call home for two years!