Keepin' it 100

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So I've been living in Indonesia for over 100 days....to be honest with you all, it feels like I just got here. I mean yes I learned the language and know a bit about the culture, but things still feel new to me. I was recently told by a PCV veteran that the feeling will go away (I can't wait)

I’ve been living in my permanent site (Tasikmalaya, Karangjaya) for about a month now (I think)...I haven’t been counting. All I know is that I got here just a few days before Christmas. I was not looking forward to the holidays, but they were better than expected.

This is in front of what would be called their town hall. It's absolutely beautiful.

For Christmas, I went to Tasikmalaya City with a volunteer named Mahogoni. We had a Christmas Eve dinner and hung out in this huge mall. Since this country is predominately Muslim there weren't many Christmas decorations. I didn’t see families together or hear Christmas songs. So I wasn't as homesick as I thought I would be, it was like an out of sight out of mind thing. But! I was really happy to receive pictures of my family back home though....it’s good to know people think of you.

For New Year’s Eve, I stayed home. No partying until the sun comes up or on my 10th shot of the night while my family cheers me on. Instead, I did an in home work out and watched the fireworks in my village from my window. That night was a bit hard because celebrating the beginning of a new year with the people you love is something I cherish. Luckily, my family and my boyfriend sent me pictures and told me the missed me....and once again it was nice to know people thought of me.

This a picture my family sent me...it's now my phone background.

So now that the hard part of dealing with the holidays are gone it's time for me to start teaching. I've only been teaching for two weeks, the students seem to be very eager to learn more about me and my life and vice-versa. My family and I are learning more about each other and begin to have conversations that aren’t about food (hurray for me!). 

Now that I'm done with PST (Pre-Service Training) I can say that it definitely helped prepare me for service.

My principal took this picture. I was getting to know the girls. They are so sweet!

Here's one story of a random time in my village...

So it was a long day of school and I wasn't in the best moods. I wasn't sure why I felt bad all I knew was that I wanted to go to my Ibu and just cry. Then I hear thunder so I knew I should hurry up and rush home. In a hurry, I am stumbling down a hill and pass by a house with a family. They wave to me every day and they ask me to stop by. I always say no or next time. But something told me to give it a chance. The mother said, "it's going to rain you're going to get wet please come inside for a bit". I enter her home and meet her husband and two daughters. They tell me that they've heard about me the famous American in their village. They are honored that I stopped by and give me water. I tell them that I am grateful that they let me enter their home and they ask me about my family in America. I was able to share stories and I had a knot in my throat and held my tears in and then the mother said, "It's okay to miss home, we know it will take time. But we hope that we can make this place feel like home for you." Then she placed her hand on my back and I smiled. Although I am alone in the sense that I am the only American here...I know that I'm not that alone. I have people around me who don't even know me who want to help and that makes me feel at home. The support that I get helps me get through even the tough days.

 

This is the mother who let me into her home and her daughter.

....so like I said in my last post ya girl will soon be thriving. 

Thanks to the people who are faithful and read this. I appreciate the love.

Until next time,

xoxo Brenda