Simplyme92's Blog

Since being here in Jakarta, the appeal of writing letters has increased in my mind. There is something so moving, so touching of taking the time to sit down and write a letter to someone you care for across the globe. Mind you, letter writing attracted me while I was living in America as well, but isn’t it much more thrilling sending it to special people across oceans? There is a certain magic to it, I guess.

People can utilize the efficiency and quickness of Facebook and E-mail. Two seconds after a message is sent, the reciever recieves the message. This is useful for work, school, and things of that sort. But if I just want to write to someone just to write, letters are the way to go for me.  Like I said before, there is that magical presence. With Facebook and E-mail, people can feel connected to other people even if they are across the globe. However, with letters people are also connected, but on a more personal, intimate, and affectionate level.

I still haven’t figured out the Indonesian postal system yet. All I know is that it is not a good idea to ship stuff here for the fear of the package never being delivered to you. Tomorrow, I will ask one of the housekeepers. I do not have inspiration now to do it because of the two books for English that are due sometime soon… I know..what a mood breaker, right? Aha, but one day when I have the inspiration and time, I will sit down and take the time to write letters for my friends across the oceans.

I have been in Indonesia for about two and a half months now, with a month already at school.  The early days here in Jakarta were awkward and questioning; awkward because my Indonesian was not that refined and questioning because I missed the states and I kept on asking myself, “What the hell am I doing in Indonesia?”

What the hell AM I doing in Indonesia?

Already here for two and a half months, not a day goes by where I don’t ask myself that question. Coming to Indonesia was my choice. I could have had the  typical American senior year of high school at a place where I was most comfortable at.  But I decided otherwise. I left my comfort zone and ventured into a familiar, yet still unknown territory.

I must say that the early days were kind of rough, but less rough than I expected. I owe that easening to my cousins. They were in Jakarta for holiday, so I did not feel as lonely as I thought I would. But even then, I still longed for that comfort I go so used to being in while I was in America.   However, slowly by slowly I assimilated. My Indonesian increased a hundred fold and I’m starting to get used to the flow of Jakarta.

Then school started. You do not know how nervous I was for my first day of school. I did not know what to expect so I had nothing to rely on to ease my concious. But my transition to school was much much easier then I orginally thought it would be, which surprised me. People at my school in Jakarta are so much more kinder and nicer than people at my school in America. It is almost the total opposite. I am not trying to bash America but coming from experience, this is what I noticed.  Students at my school in Jakarta are much more friendlier. That was the main reason why my transition into school has been very easy. And now…I am so elated and excited to go to school. I am honestly and genuinely happy.

Two and a half months into living in Jakarta, I still ask myself, “What the hell am I doing in Indonesia? “  Before I would have crinkled my forehead and inwardly bashed myself for making such a decision. But now when I question myself, ” What the hell am I doing in Indonesia?”, I will answer with a smile… and an, “I do not know what the hell I am doing in Indonesia.” But unlike before, I think now I  100% do not regret my decision to come here to Jakarta.

In America, the short distance between my mailbox and my house was just enough just to satisfy my thirst to walk in the cool brisk weather during the fall months of September, October, and November.  With my scarf wrapped tightly around my neck, my mittens protecting my fingers from getting numb, and my light jacket hugging my body, just being outdoors during the fall is something I look forward to all year. Autumn is the start of the new school year. That, plus the fact that the leaves are falling down all around makes the fall an extremely exciting and delightful season for me.

In America there is Anticipation.  Trepidation. Yet enthusiasm. Hopefulness. Those are the feelings that rush through me the night before a possible snow day. The snow is coming, or has already come.  Is it enough for school to get canceled? Is the snow sticking, is there going to be ice? Why hasn’t the news channel put the name of our county on the school cancellations list yet? The night before a possible snow day is one of the craziest emotional roller costars. Questions arise about whether you should do your homework now or tomorrow hoping that the school day gets canceled. You know the best feeling? It is once you see the name of your school county listed on the list of canceled schools. Winter is my favourite season and I love everything about it. I love Virginia winters.

In America, Clean cut green grass is a picture that comes to my mind when I think about spring. That, the flowers blooming, light beautiful spring showers, and birds chirping also come to mind. But for me, out of all the seasons, spring has the deepest meaning for me. With spring comes change and hope. A new beginning, a fresh start, and a clean plate allows us to look to forward. It gives us hope that we can do anything we want. During spring time, I feel more at peace than any other season even through the allergy infested pollen. If  winter is my favourite season for the weather, then spring is my favourite season for its meaning.

And then there is summer, the season that Jakarta has all year round.

Indonesia is near the equator and is basically like a tropical place. Hot and humid weather is quite normal here. Actually it is like that all year round! If you want to break Jakarta’s weather down to more technical terms, there are two seasons ( both very hot and humid so I see them as like two seasons that branch under the season of summer. ) The first season is the wet season which lasts from about November to May. The thing about the rain here is that it doesn’t rain for long periods of time or that frequently, but rather more in short heavy heavy bursts which gives way to many problems such as flooding. Jakarta floods frequently during rainy season especially in North and Central Jakarta. Thank goodness I live in the South, and even then sometimes it floods a little. The next season is the dry season which is even worse cause its so humid. Temperature all year round ranges from 25° to 38°C (77°-100°F) . Do not look at that number 77 degrees Fahrenheit and think its not that bad..that 77 degrees only happens during the night.

Since I was young, I have preferred the colder seasons over the warmer ones.  Actually, summer was my least favourite season out of all. I was the odd one out when it came to that cause every one of my classmates loved the summer and going to beaches or the pool whereas I hated the sand getting all over me and warm pool water where it is obvious that the kid next to you peed in. Moving to Jakarta, Indonesia, I have to put up with this hot weather. At first it bothered me, but I soon adapted to this uncomfortable climate. I think I adapted extremely quick because I was used to having my body at insanely high temperatures from playing basketball. Even though the climate does not bother me as much anymore, I still long for the brisk cool weather of the autumn and the chilly numbing weather of winter.

What am I going to wear when I go to the states during winter break in December? All I have here in Jakarta are shorts and dresses.lol