9/ 6/2012

9/6/2012

Today, was my third 'real' day of school and it started off the same as every other day. I got up early, got ready for school, my driver took me to school where we did the opening ceremony and went to class. For the ceremony we are not allowed to hold our bags so everyone leaves them at the edge of the courtyard. Apparently, they do not have a theft problem because people leave things everywhere without worrying that they will be taken. But, when I went to go get my bag after the ceremony it was gone. I looked around but I couldn't find it and just as I was starting to worry (my bag has my computer in it because I take computer classes at school so I have to take it to school ) one of my classmates told me it they had already taken it in the class because they knew that was my first classroom that day. So I went into the class (photo/video) and sat down (on the floor). I talked to the classmates via Google translate they would type in Indonesian and translate it to English, I would read it and then respond in English and translate it. This way we could understand each other more. I am still trying to learn but, I can only learn so fast and they want to know everything about me. Questions about my family, my school, my friends, my hobbies, my culture, what I think about Indonesia and everything else. I would  have no idea how to answer all of the questions and they demand to know the answers. My teacher showed up did a quick 30 min lesson and then disappeared, leaving all of the student to do whatever we wanted to do. The teacher also told us to research 'glamour shots' and told us next week we will take glamour shots and my classmates told me that I will be modeling for some of the pictures. Well, that is another first I have never been asked to model before. My classmates asked me to sing (I have been asked to sing tons of times since I got here apparently they think that I am talented) so I got out my computer and sung along to Taylor Swift. Then they looked at pictures of me and my family (Thanks Scott for telling me to put a PowerPoint together with tons of pictures in it about my life and a map of Florida so I can tell them more about me). I was still in Photo/Video class when another teacher called me out of the class she told me that the school was having visitors from America and she wanted me to meet them. I walked out to the front of the school to meet the three foreign visitors. They were surprised to see me, of course seeing any white person in Indonesia is shocking and I introduced myself. They are with a company that teaches English in other countries and they came to the school to teach the teachers how to teach their classes in a more efficient way. They were very nice and I had a good time talking to them. So I spent the day with them which meant that I skipped the second half of Video Class and my canceled English class. Because, my teacher was in the meeting the class was canceled and all the students had 'free time' for the rest of the day (almost three hours). My guide also gave me a new copy of my schedule and I found out that I did actually ditch class yesterday and that I should have been in a different classroom and I left school an hour early. Oh well, it isn't a big deal I am still working out my schedule. During free time I sat with my classmates outside. While we were outside there was a little girl playing, she must have been six years old. I waved to her so she hid behind a bench. Then I walked over to her and waved again at which point she ran across the courtyard away from me and hid again. I followed her again and when she ran again I sat back down with my friends. When she came back, she still wouldn't get close, I told her my name (in Indonesian) and asked her what her name was. She smiled and told me and then waved back. She was so cute, I love playing with little kids. When school was finally over I went to wait for my driver. I got home, changed and promptly passed out on my bed. I was so tired and I slept until dinner time.  Dinner was really great and afterward my sister and I walked to a small store to get ice cream! So good :) When we got home I talked to my family for a long time. I am glad my host family is so nice to me, they are really great!

9/ 6/2012 Highlight

Today was really great it is almost impossible to choose the 'best thing' that happened to me today but, this highlight goes out to my Uncle David and Aunt Katie. We had squid for dinner. It was steamed and in a tomato and green chili sauce. It was delicious, even better than the calamari at the Pizza Alley in St. Augustine. I ate so much of it, and I even took a picture telling my family that my Aunt and Uncle would love to try it because they love squid. Just know that I was thinking about you today. I hope everyone has a day as good as mine today! Thanks for reading :)

9/6/2012 Questions

Q. Have you found an Indonesian 'Avery'  yet. (She is my best friend in America)

A. No one can replace Avery. Ever. But I do have tons of new friends.