Busy, busy, busy!

I's been ages since I've updated my Blog. I hardly know where to begin. The end of October and beginning of November have proved busy on the island of Java. As you know, Indonesia has seen it's share of natural disasters of late. It's not often that you live in a country who sees an earthquake, a tsunami and a volcanic eruption all on the same day. Top that off with a Jakarta 10k race (I have to throw that one in there), a trip to Bandung for a national conference, a World Series Win, the U.S. Marine Ball, a severe bacterial infection, a visit from President Obama and a trip down to deliver supplies to the refugees displaced by Mount Merapi and you're up to speed with the latest and greatest here in Semarang! Now, let me digress...

My friend Jackie and I started our trip over to Bandung with a 10k in Jakarta. It was hot, humid and ridiculously crowded but we had a blast doing it! Dodging bicycles and buses couldn't stop us, we ran for our lives! Later that afternoon we left for Bandung where we met the other Fellows for a 2 and a half day conference. We gave presentations, ate good food, laughed a lot, danced to cover songs with University students and ... What else did we do? ... Wait, what am I forgetting? ... There was something else... Oh, right! THE GIANTS WON THE WORLD SERIES! I can't lie, this was the highlight of my conference. Knowing what a super fan I am, my boss gave me and a coworker that morning off. The two of us celebrated by dancing around a hotel room, cheering like small children. It. Was. Incredible.

The next few days were a whirlwind. We left Bandung for Jakarta on Thursday. That evening was spent last minute shopping for the U.S. Marine Ball. Yes, you heard right. The U.S. Marine Ball. I didn't know that word was actually used outside of the story of Cinderella. Come Friday morning though, we were set to break bread later that night with the members of the U.S. military stationed here in Indonesia, as well as employees of the Embassy and Consulate. There are only 9 Marines in total stationed here in Jakarta. My odds weren't too good with them, as two turned out to be women. Grumble... Well, perhaps one of the Navy will wisk me away... Not the case... It was me and the ladies that night, holding down our table. It turned out okay, though. Jackie makes the best salsa partner anyway.

This is as fancy as Michaela and I have been since August. The humidity has taken it's toll on my hair.

Two days later a parasite got me. Awesome. I woke up the morning that I was scheduled to return home to Semarang and learned quickly that there would be no traveling that day. The doctor diagnosed it as a severe bacterial infection. I'll spare you the details. Let's just say that a bathroom was needed in plain sight at all times. I had to take 4 different prescriptions to tame the beast and was advised not to travel for 3-4 days. Great. No, really. GREAT. This bug could not have come at a better time. President Obama was scheduled to fly in on Tuesday. My friend Jackie, who is teaching at the Police Language Academy in Jakarta, was invited to bring her students to his speech at The University of Indonesia on Wednesday morning and she was kind enough to extend the invitation to me. Um, yes please!

The Obama ticket

I have dreamed of seeing President Obama speak for some time now. The man has taken a beating recently in the U.S. I know that. It does not change the amount of respect I have for him as a leader, as a man, as an American. I am proud to call him my President and only hope that he is given more of a chance to prove himself to the American people. Watching him speak brought tears to my eyes. The way he controls the room with his voice and with his words is indescribable. He exudes a calm confidence that I imagine most of us aspire to. I was on the edge of my seat. His words that morning were moving, not just for the Americans in the room, but for Indonesians, too. That Wednesday will be one of the most memorable days of my life.

There he is. What an incredible speaker.

The backdrop at The University of Indonesia

Me, Jackie and Jonthon, surrounded by some amazing Indonesian Special Forces.

So excited!!!

Not much can top seeing President Obama speak. My return to Semarang went smoothly, and I quickly returned to the classroom and my eager students. Last weekend I was invited by my friend Arido to travel down towards Mount Merapi to deliver some supplies that were collected for the victims that were displaced by the volcano. Myself, Eddy, Hartono, Heri, Andy and Arido piled into a 1969 Jeep last Sunday morning and set out with gas stoves, rice, clothing, noodles, diapers, toothpaste and tooth brushes (I am my Mother's daughter), etc. The sights were humbling, to say the least. Entire communities are covered in gray ash. You must wear a mask at all times. The air is hot and difficult to breathe. The refugee camps are crowded. And I mean crowded. The inhabitants are getting restless and anxiously awaiting approval to return to their homes. Some have even returned to their homes without permission from the government. They are just tired of being away from home. Who can blame them, really? Arido and I will be taking a group of University students down to one camp this Friday for "English Day". We will play language games with the kids and more than anything, just try and take their minds off of the fact that they are displaced and temporarily homeless. I'll post pictures of our event as soon as I get them on my computer.

Ash covered rooftops

A river of ash

Just gray and green, everywhere

It was as if we were driving through a black and white movie.

A red stop light and a green motorbike were the only colors on the street.

When it rains, the ash turns into mud. It's a disaster.

My fearless leaders and the 1969 Jeep