America

It's a little late, but I want to share a few of my favorite moments while home.  Facebook shows some photos, but here are some stories, and I want to keep these stories close.  My blog tells about all my crazy adventures around the world, but my life in America is also pretty awesome.  So here are some of my favorite moments, the things that make coming back to America such a wonderful time.  So bare with my random phone pictures and instagrams, but they're some of the moments that meant the most... and my camera was not to be found.

My youth pastor for all my high school years moved to Florida to teach Bible at a Christian school.  Last year when they moved, he asked me if I was mad at him like so many others were.  I told him absolutely not.  He did the same exact thing I did... followed God to a dream job in a tropical place... how could I be mad at that! He's doing awesome work there, but I'm so glad the family came up to visit while I was home!!

Last year I met a few girls from college in Chicago.  There, it was a last hoorah before Janna and I moved to Indonesia.  This year, we met in Chicago to eat yummy food, drink wine, and catch up on everyone's new husbands, jobs, and homes.  We got an apartment that overlooked Millennium Park, and it was almost as though we never stopped living together, picking up our relationships right where we left them. I've seen Janna a bit every other weekend while I was in Indonesia, and it was fun to be back with the group where we first became friends.  I'm so grateful for these girls and the blessing they've been in my life.

A trip to Pennsylvania for a family reunion with the extended family, and then a couple days with my grandparents and aunts was so good for my heart.  I love this family so much.  I've been blessed to have such a supportive family as I've gone out into the world.  And I have grandparents that have left me with a fabulous legacy of serving God and loving people.  It's amazing to see them continue in this, more and more every time I see them.  I hope that as I age, I age as well and with as much passion as they have.

Being back in America allowed me to have a life like I always used to have during the summers (during those rare weeks when I was home from camp).  Lots of graduation parties, picnics, and trips to get ice cream.

Evan and Alec.  Evan, who is doing awesome work spreading the Good News in East Asia.  Alec who is doing great at the Air Force Academy, and going to be president some day.  Here we all are, fresh back from our time away!

Beulah Beach, where I spent so many happy weeks as a child and teen. So much spiritual growth from here, and so many friendships developed.

Before I went back to America, people asked me what I was most looking forward to... not the real answer (my amazing family and friends) but materialistic thing.  And it was food.  Bacon. Cheese.  Berries.  Food cooked on a grill.  And oh, did I ever get a ton of berries and grilled picnic food and other American goodness!  I also got a little bit of Asian mixed in, as we had some picnics with Chinese families, and we went out to Chinese and Japanese restaurants on occasion... but it was fabulous having a break from Indo food and the Indo version of American food.

Every year that I remember, we went to Blossom for the Independence Day concert.  This year was no different, and I took my favorite Blossom buddy, Cassundra.  I love this girl so much, and love spending time with her.  Whether bowling, or listening to music, cuddling in the fluffy blanket watching a movie, watching our pretty lame city parade, or just sitting and organizing my room. 

Some of those I was most excited to see was my church family.  And my last week in America was our 5 Day Clubs (VBS).  It's been years since I've helped out (because of camp and Indonesia), but I was able to help out again.  I can't think of a better way to spend my time then with the people I love making a Kingdom difference.  Eight hours a day with some of the people, hanging out with kids and pre-teens, teaching them what it means to follow Jesus. Perfect.

 

We made up a flash mob dance to do with the pre-teens, and at one point, we run around taking fake selfies with everyone.  And, being 21st century pre-teens they all took out their phones and took real selfies.  Of course I wanted to be like those cool pre-teens, so I whipped out my phone for some of my own selfies!

I feel like Dorthy. There's no place like home.  There's no place like home. These people have known me for 5, 10, 18, or 23 years.  And they know me.  Know me better than anyone.  And they love me.  I love them.  And being back with them, for those four short weeks, I felt like I never left. Now, being back in Indonesia as I write this, it's weird to think that I was with them not to long ago.  And it was perfect.  Thanks guys, for taking time out of your crazy summers to spend time with me.  It means the world to me.  I love you all and miss you already.

Rachel Squared

They say, the friends you make in college are the friends you keep forever.  They're the ones you visit years down the road when you're on your way to who-knows-were.  I've been blessed to move to Indonesia with Janna, one of my college friends.  But I've also been blessed this year to have another dear friend come to Indonesia.

Meet Rachel.  The amazing girl I met while at camp a few summers ago as we washed our hair in the rain after playing steal the bacon in a mud pit.  After that, inseparable friends... or Rachel squared.

Janna and I went to the airport to pick her up on that Saturday afternoon.  We ended up being at two different doors... and because of the language barrier and the tendency to not want to correct anyone, we missed each other.  But not to fear, Rachel somehow got a text sent and we found each other for a very happy reunion. 

Rachel is from South Carolina, which is such a beautiful part of the country.  Sometimes when we FaceTime, I ask her to take her phone outside so that I can see the blue sky and breath fresh air vicariously through her.  She likes to work in nature... so she brought the sunshine and blue skies with her.  While she was here, it almost seemed normal to have blue skies!  We could see the mountains every day!!  As we drove through Jakarta on Easter, we even saw a mountain through the sky scrapers... it was like Vancouver (said a friend who is from there) But then she left... and I haven't seen the mountains since.

She also brought American treats, like candy and hair product and Cheerwine! This was the surprise waiting for me in the hallway as I walked to my apartment Friday after school.  Happy Friday!  Happy weekend!  Happy pretending to be in America!

It was so fun to travel with her and Janna here and there.  Here they are, in an onkot, which is a little van that functions like a bus, getting on and off wherever you need to along the main roads.

Rachel was able to come to my class for a few days and that was such a fun time!  We brought our ukes to lead grade level devotions, and she ended up sitting and playing with my kids for a while during some of our down time.

Also... just to show you how awesome Rachel is, the white band around her head is holding the ice packs to her face.  She got her wisdom teeth taken out 28 hours before she left for Indonesia.  Now that is the test of true friendship.

It was so fun for me to have an old friend.  Someone who has known me and my spiritual walk for a few years now.  Someone who I've shared experiences with outside of Indonesia.  It was also fun having her here because I got to show her my home.  It's funny how welcoming someone to a place that is sort-of your home makes you own it even more.  So I had so much fun showing her little things in my life.

Like the Premire movie theater, where you get a lazy-boy and blanket.  All for less than a price at a theater back in America.

In Indonesia, you never know what kind of signs you will find.  Or what kind of snacks.  So when you see marshmallows, you buy them.  And when you find a sign that has a kid eating a marshmallow and it says "be happy" you stop and take a picture.   

One of my favorite perks of living the expat life in Indonesia is getting to indulge in the pampering that is way out of my budget in America, but here, costs less than three gallons of gas costs in America.  

Pedicure: $10

Hour and a half cream bath and blow dry that makes your hair beautiful for days: $4

Hour long massage: $7

Hour and a half facial catered to your facial needs $20.. sorry. That's more expensive.  Still less than a pedicure would cost in America though. 

It was awesome having Rachel here.  To travel with her, to see the sights.  But I think the thing that was most special was just being together.  Whether that was getting pampered.  Or going to dinner.  Or playing ukulele.  Or just sitting next to each other on the couch.  Having her here was like having a little bit of home in Indonesia.  Such a wonderful breath of fresh air.  Her fascination with some things reminded me how awesome it is that I live in Indonesia.  Sometimes I forget.  Sometimes I forget to notice things.  But Rachel, she is so observant and discerning.  And she was able to help me gain perspective on a lot of things while she was here.  I miss her dearly.  The two weeks she was here went by way to fast.  It felt like no time at all.  Now, she's working in Colorado for the summer.  Then, she moves to Indiana to get her masters degree.  I'm not sure when I'll get to see her again.  And that makes me sad.  But the two weeks I spent with her gave us a chance to experience another kind of life together, that will keep us connected, even though we're miles apart.  I love you Rachel.  Thanks for coming across the world to see me.  

In Case I Thought College Life Was Over...

The other day was my dad's birthday!  I tried to skype him with my class so that we could sing to him... but the internet didn't work, and FaceTime wasn't being cooperative either.  But I was able to talk with them later in the evening, as they began their day and my dad shoveled the driveway.  But don't feel too bad for him, even though it's his birthday... he got to use his brand spankin new snow blower.  Anyways, in talking with my parents about some of what goes on in my life here in Indonesia, I was reminded of what I've been thinking of the past couple weeks.  As my mom said to me, "It's like college life hasn't stopped for you!"

It's true.  I feel like my life right now is almost like a continuation of college in many ways!  And here is why.

1.  Living situation.  I live in an apartment building with many other single and young married SPH teachers.  I live on a floor with five (seven now because of our student teachers!) other wonderful women and we've become very close.  We have a relationship similar to that of a college dorm floor... late nights in other rooms, devotions together, and even hall meetings to plan events!  But the res-life isn't contained to the 50th floor.  When we walk into the apartment building, the guards know us by name, just as desk workers would know us!  Sometimes it's a little creepy when they mention our room number and something that has happened recently (like my faucet falling off the wall or how I haven't paid my internet bill in a couple months).  But hey, at least they're watching our for me!

We planned a darn good Christmas party if I do say so myself!

2.  Food.  I don't have to cook for myself every night.  The 6 other single ladies who started this year and I have formed what we call dinner club.  Each night, one of us cooks for all the rest.  I cook every other Tuesday.  And every other Monday through Thursday, I show up at 6:30, eat a delicious and well-balanced meal, have some wonderful conversation, and head back home without washing dishes.  It's the perfect situation.  Even better than a school cafeteria... since that's not always delicious... or well-balanced.

Dinner club ladies, one of our first nights in Indonesia (sorry for creepy red eyes!)

3.  Late nights.  Sometimes after dinner club, we stay together and mark.  Or lesson plan.  Or watch movies.  Or organize our massive amount of pirated DVDs.  Or read the new and popular young adult distopian literature.  Or read for our Professional Development.  When a group of us are gathered together the night before PD reading meetings to discuss apologetics, it's a flashback to late night study sessions and paper writing for Old Testament or Basic Christian Doctrine.  Droopy eyes.  A cup of coffee.  And friends to talk to when I need a break.

PD Reading party

4.  A student center.  At Indiana Wesleyan, we called our student center the mallway. It looked like a large mall, with a long skylight, movie theater, art gallery, book store, hair salon, movie-rental, thrift shop, coffee shop, tech help, offices, and a convenience store. I currently have the same thing.  It's actually closer to me here in Indonesia than my student center was to my apartment when I was in uni!  I go to the mall almost every day.  Whether it's to shop for groceries, buy 70 cent movies, get a cup of Starbucks, buy paint or toothpaste, or to go see a $5 movie, the mall has become an extension of my home.

Hunger Games Midnight Showing!  On a school night...

a trek through the rain (which came up our calves) to get to the mall during a rain storm

5. College town.  I haven't realized it until recently, but the people in the town also make me feel like college life hasn't ended.  Lippo Karawaci, the suburb of Jakarta that I live in, is really a college town.  There is a university run by the same company that runs SPH.  They've got somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 students.... or so I've heard.  So at the mall, at the strip of restaurants, the bookstore and coffee shops, there are more students than anyone else.  I don't know any of them... but they walk around in their uniforms with their backpacks, sit eating dim sum while they study, and crowd the bookstore on the first day of classes.

6. Games and trips.  In college, there were always event on the weekends to get you involved with campus life.  And during breaks, one of the funnest things to do was to take a roadtrip.  Well, we've developed our own campus life and take our own road trips.  The one difference, we have full time jobs, which mean we have money to pay for our adventures.  And our road trips generally include a short flight to another island...

To Lombok, Indonesia

Singapore

7. Care packages!! It's always a thrilling day when the office boy brings me the little brown envelope with a package notice.  So I take my 3.000 RMB (about 25 cents) to GA, and the next Monday or Thursday I get an email telling me to come pick it up!  I open it up on my way back to my room and start looking through it.  When my kids come back from their break, they're always excited to see what's in it too!  And to try to get me to share whatever American goodies are inside :)  It's like college care packages on steroids... since it costs about 4 times as much to send one here... and the stuff I get in the ones here is vital to my life... you know, like good gum and my favorite tea and candy and Italian dressing seasoning and macaroni cheese powder.  The stuff I can't get over here.

I  was sad to leave IWU.  But I was excited to start "real life," meaning adult life.  And while I have started "adult life," I've been able to hold onto some of the best parts of college.  Living with other girls.  Good God-conversations.  Weekend plans.  Road trips. Late nights with cups of coffee.  And lots of laughs.

Moments like these

It's Thursday afternoon around 4:30.  I'm marking my stack of papers, reading all about how my kids celebrate their holidays.  I have on an acoustic playlist of pop songs. 

The song that came on a few minutes ago was Taio Cruz's Dynamite.  This song immediately took me back to my sophomore year of college.  The year that was filled with the craziest laughs on my dorm unit and freakin awesome dance parties in the middle of the night.  I decided to take a walk down memory lane, so I logged onto Facebook and flipped through my albums from that year.  I saw photos like these, that remind me of those cherished moments from that high-energy year, where I really solidified some wonderful friendships.

Camping for Weekend Music Festival

Fancy evenings and dinners on campus

Christmas trip to light festival

Pillow Talk late at night

Dances and parties

Roadtrips

Then I went back to freshman year of college, when I first met so many of the wonderful friends I would keep for years.

Cartilage Piercing

And I started to have a breakdown moment.  All these times with these wonderful ladies built so many memories during the four years with them.  The same girls I threw leaves with in the park freshman year are the ones I threw my cap with at graduation.  I was so blessed to be with these ladies.

And now I live in Indonesia... thousands of miles away from most of them.  Janna is close, only a couple hour taxi ride across the city, and I am so blessed to have come here with her to continue our adventures together.  But it's so hard, looking back at these pictures.  Knowing that these times, what a lot of people say is the best time of your life, are now past.  

And as I follow friends on Facebook, and see how they still get together with their college friends, and see how they continue to celebrate birthdays together and go to concerts and stand as bridesmaids in all the weddings, my heart longs to be back in America where I can continue having adventures with the girls.

But as I was lamenting my college experience, I ended up clicking through photos of me from recently.  And I found some reminders of other amazing memories.  New memories.  New people.  New places,  New adventures.  All just as wonderful.  They're nothing that special, just normal life.  But I realized as I looked through them, how much God has continued to bless me with a wonderful group of friends.  And He's given me a chance to make some awesome memories, just by living normal life: Christmas party, trip to Bali (yes I realize I just assumed a trip to Bali is normal... but at less than a domestic US flight... we make it happen), teaching ourselves to play ukulele, a birthday dinner, soccer carnival, or simply going into work on a weekend.

 

Thank you Lord for your continued blessing in my life.  I know I haven't done anything to deserve this crazy life You've given me, not the life in college, nor the life in Indonesia.  But I want to take each moment and make the most of it, knowing that each of these good and perfect gifts is from You.