Mack is back.
After seven weeks in the US of A, I’m back in Indonesia, about to begin my second Fulbright grant. I arrived about a week ago and have been spending my days in Jakarta working in the AMINEF office, helping prepare for the arrival of the new ETAs and the upcoming orientation. I’ll be here in Jakarta for two weeks before the new ETAs arrive on the 23rd and then we all depart to our sites on the 24th. I vividly remember the confusion, the exhaustion, and the strangeness of all this last year – we had barely gotten a full night’s sleep before we were shipped off to our site with no language skills, very little idea of what we were doing, and great excitement to finally see the community we would be living in for the next nine months.
Dim Sum with the AMINEF office
This year… is so much easier. Yes, the flight was long and the jet lag was real but the airport was familiar, I could speak to the taxi driver, and my phone worked from the moment we touched down. I know how to dress, I can deal with the heat, and I know what to order at a restaurant. This is just so much easier. Not to say next week will be easy… Jakarta is familiar and comforting, but when I land in Kendari it will be for the first time. I’ll be meeting a whole slew of new people, moving into my ruko (rumah toko = house store ~ more on this once I get there ?), and stressing about what my most conservative outfit is that I’ll wear on my first day at this Islamic school.
Beautiful sunset as we took off from Tokyo to Jakarta
Car Free Day in Jakarta – every Sunday the main thoroughfare in Jakarta is shut down to cars and motorcycles and thousands of people come out to run, walk, bike, and explore.
I obviously posted nothing over the summer. It was a time of relaxation and family, eating great food, and playing a lot of golf. It would have been nice to see a few more friends, and spend a bit longer with those I did get to see, but with my friends spread all over the country now, it’s a hard thing to do!
All of my Indo memories <3
Date night with momma <3
A highlight of my summer occurred right from the start when I went to DC and St. Louis less than 72 hours after getting home from Indonesia. Last year, you may remember when I traveled to DC in June to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation for new Fulbright grantees. It was an incredible week of meeting my cohort and learning about the year ahead. This year, I got to return to the PDO as an alumni. I spoke on a few panels, answered endless questions from the incoming grantees to Indonesia, and spent a lot of time eating, drinking, and sight-seeing my way through DC with the other SETAs (Senior ETAs ~ Returners) and the AMINEF staff who had come all the way from Jakarta.
Speaking on the panel, Living in Southeast Asia
SETAs and the AMINEF team
Meeting with the Indonesia bureau of Voice of America with Rizqi, Astrid, Ceacealia, Kelly and Grace
The incoming Indonesia ETA cohort!
Sightseeing at Renwick Gallery
Indo-bound ladies!
After the PDO, I spent a few extra nights in DC with my bff Martha, who had just moved to DC to start a big-girl job. From there, I went to St. Louis for a few days where I got to see college friends, professors and mentors, and my former coworkers at Taste. It was a fabulous 10 days!
Finally reunited with Martha <3
Catching up after a year apart with Shannon and Abby, my friends from WU
Taste with Abby <3
So much love from both Taste and it’s sister restaurant, Brasserie
Soaking up the sun and the ice cream with Abby in STL!
A second highlight was getting to attend a talk given by Malala. Mom surprised me with tickets to the event when I first came home and gosh, it was such an incredibly inspiring night. As a teacher in international education, in a country with a poor education system, it was so cool to hear directly from Malala and be inspired by her passion and work. If you haven’t read her book yet, I can’t recommend it highly enough! Read it and if you ever get the chance to see her in person, do it – you’re in for an awesome evening.
Highlight of the year!
It was exactly the summer I needed. Lots of family time, lots of good food, and lots of time enjoying the balmy Seattle weather. I completed another million step challenge with mom – and am returning to Indo feeling fit and strong. And now, I’m back in Indonesia where I feel content and at home. I’ve got 11 more days in Jakarta and then it’s off to really start this year!
Already miss this so much!
Spent so much time with this sweet girl this summer 🙂
The Million Step Challenge: 1 million steps in three months. We did it!
Packing was still a nightmare this time, but it was altogether much, much easier and less stressful! This is some of my pile of Oleh-oleh (gifts and souvenirs) for my friends and students here!
Ate all the berries I could find in the PNW!
Greenlake adventures with my buddy
Golfing with the fam
Found an Indonesian restaurant with Kata, an incoming ETA from Seattle!
Brunch with the fam
Golfing on the 4th of July
What a great summer! Sampai tahun depan Amerika!
President Clinton did a live TV interview with Charlie Rose – and they needed people to fill the seats in the background and I was one of them! Once it airs and I find the link, I’ll be sure to post it in here! I sat right on the aisle where he entered and exited so when he passed he shook my hand and said “thanks for being here!” (No problem, Mr. President!)
One day we were walking around the Capitol and befriended one of the Capitol Police. He showed us the Press Room off the Senate Floor and so I gave an eloquent speech on… well… yeah.
