Oh, I forgot to mention this- I am going to a fancy reception at one of the fanciest hotels in Padang :) Yeah, everyone at school is quite awed by me at the moment, because I got a faxed invitation from the Australian Government, inviting me to meet the Australian Ambassador and the Australian Consular or something like that. Anyway, all it means is that I registered with the Australian Embassy, really.
But I am stoked, because I am actually being allowed to go, even though it's during class time. So yay, a holiday from two classes, and making small talk with boring politicians! Woohh....meh.
Yeah, so maybe hanging out with pollies is not my favourite passtime. But I will also meet other Aussies in Padang, and I will see the inside of a fancy hotel, and I will hopefulyl get to eat fancy canapes, AND I will get to see what the hell kind of dress code 'Lounge Suit/ Batik' is...
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Kuda Lumping- Crazy Jumping Horse
I love the contradictions of Indonesia. You get the death penalty for bringing in marijuana, and yet there exists the common public (although probably not legally sanctioned) entertainment, Kuda Lumping. This is where a group of (normally) young men take a drug, which sends them into a weird hyper state in which they act a bit like stylised horses and apparently feel no pain.
Having heard about it from Kenny, the other teacher at my school (he's going to try it next time... although that's what he said last week), I got to witness and become involved in this spectacle yesterday. As soon as they see your camera, the Indonesians ferry you to the good photo spots. However, this put me in full view of a Kuda Lumping (one who'd taken the drug), who gestured to me. The Kuda Lumping are supposed to be possessed by spirits I think, so you do what they say. And so I found myself, having seen nothing of the ritual, in the middle of a crowd with a cardboard horse between my legs and being directed to the other end of the square. Happily I didn't have to take any drugs or do anything excet avoid the drugged out 'Kuda', but what a crazy initiation! (Kenny was a bit jealous, as he'd not gotten such special treatment. Then again, he's not a young white girl. I get told almost daily that I am very beautiful, and it is not uncommon for a young man to declare "I like you, Miss". I don't think it's my personality he likes...)
Anyway, the Kuda are washed in flowers and water, then given the drug. They become wild eyed and move in a dance like fashion, strutting with their legs straight, which looks a bit like a horse, and a bit like a rooster. They do all sorts of crazy things, like whipping themselves and being whipped by others, ripping into coconuts with their teeth and fighting each other. One guy bit into a live chicken. Apparently if you are sick in any way they can sense this, and will target you (people in the crowd kept asking if I was sick- I thought it was because I was white, but they were just concerned the Kuda might target me). They are baited and simultaneuously watched over by horsemen, who are dressed and painted meticulously and mounted on the same cardboard horses I rode earlier.
When the drug wears off, the Kuda become woozy. Then they stiffen like a board, and have to be carried off to have water poured on their head. They seem ok later, and advised me that the experience was 'enak'- delicious. It was pretty crazy. I loved being part of the crowd, I felt very much included in the audience, rather than being the spectacle myself. The Indonesian women kept drawing me into the crowd when it was 'dangerous', and the men would draw me to good vantage spots for cameras.
But my favourite part of all this? That one of the Kuda wore a t-shirt emblazoned in English- "Say no to drugs".
Having heard about it from Kenny, the other teacher at my school (he's going to try it next time... although that's what he said last week), I got to witness and become involved in this spectacle yesterday. As soon as they see your camera, the Indonesians ferry you to the good photo spots. However, this put me in full view of a Kuda Lumping (one who'd taken the drug), who gestured to me. The Kuda Lumping are supposed to be possessed by spirits I think, so you do what they say. And so I found myself, having seen nothing of the ritual, in the middle of a crowd with a cardboard horse between my legs and being directed to the other end of the square. Happily I didn't have to take any drugs or do anything excet avoid the drugged out 'Kuda', but what a crazy initiation! (Kenny was a bit jealous, as he'd not gotten such special treatment. Then again, he's not a young white girl. I get told almost daily that I am very beautiful, and it is not uncommon for a young man to declare "I like you, Miss". I don't think it's my personality he likes...)
Anyway, the Kuda are washed in flowers and water, then given the drug. They become wild eyed and move in a dance like fashion, strutting with their legs straight, which looks a bit like a horse, and a bit like a rooster. They do all sorts of crazy things, like whipping themselves and being whipped by others, ripping into coconuts with their teeth and fighting each other. One guy bit into a live chicken. Apparently if you are sick in any way they can sense this, and will target you (people in the crowd kept asking if I was sick- I thought it was because I was white, but they were just concerned the Kuda might target me). They are baited and simultaneuously watched over by horsemen, who are dressed and painted meticulously and mounted on the same cardboard horses I rode earlier.
When the drug wears off, the Kuda become woozy. Then they stiffen like a board, and have to be carried off to have water poured on their head. They seem ok later, and advised me that the experience was 'enak'- delicious. It was pretty crazy. I loved being part of the crowd, I felt very much included in the audience, rather than being the spectacle myself. The Indonesian women kept drawing me into the crowd when it was 'dangerous', and the men would draw me to good vantage spots for cameras.
But my favourite part of all this? That one of the Kuda wore a t-shirt emblazoned in English- "Say no to drugs".
Saturday, August 26, 2006
A return to solitary confinement??? :(
*sigh* My housemates are hoping to move out tomorrow. I will be alone in an enormous house meant for four. I will NEVER get to the phone before the ringing runs out. *sigh*
Kenny, the other teacher, and his wife Epit got married recently, but The Wicked Witch of EF (school director, henceforth known as WWEF) has been harping at them that school accomodation is for single teachers only. I have been saying to both the couple and WWEF that I would prefer they stayed- they're some of the few English speaking people I know! And I don't want to live alone. But I understand the desire to have your own place. Especially with the WWEF in their ears.
So, if Kenny gets his pay from WWEF today, and she allows them to borrow some furniture (our house is furnished by the school, theirs is of course empty), they will move out tomorrow :( Epit is worried about me being alone, so is insisting I come to a party with her tonight. Mmmmm, I am not great at meeting people when I speak the language, let alone... but I will go. It might be my last human interaction in a while *dramatic sigh* (P.S. I have been teaching soap opera to one of my classes... I think it has spilled into real life... Reading trashy Mills and Boon style novels isn't helping either!)
Kenny, the other teacher, and his wife Epit got married recently, but The Wicked Witch of EF (school director, henceforth known as WWEF) has been harping at them that school accomodation is for single teachers only. I have been saying to both the couple and WWEF that I would prefer they stayed- they're some of the few English speaking people I know! And I don't want to live alone. But I understand the desire to have your own place. Especially with the WWEF in their ears.
So, if Kenny gets his pay from WWEF today, and she allows them to borrow some furniture (our house is furnished by the school, theirs is of course empty), they will move out tomorrow :( Epit is worried about me being alone, so is insisting I come to a party with her tonight. Mmmmm, I am not great at meeting people when I speak the language, let alone... but I will go. It might be my last human interaction in a while *dramatic sigh* (P.S. I have been teaching soap opera to one of my classes... I think it has spilled into real life... Reading trashy Mills and Boon style novels isn't helping either!)
Friday, August 25, 2006
Stages of development
Ways in which Indonesia is clearly a developing country:
- You can't drink the tapwater. I think it comes from the river and ugh, I have seen the river. I ain't drinking from that. I just have to close my eyes and thing of England (Australia, whatever) when I bathe in it...
- The pavements are almost all terrible, either from tree roots pushing through (due to an obsession with planting tree in the middle of the footpath), general wear and tear or the concrete falling into the drains below, leaving a huge gaping hole. Watch your step.
- The roads are also shocking. Some are dirt, some are tarred, and in general road rules don't exist.
- The power goes off willy-nilly. Somehow, I have not been home when the power shuts off, I seem to be at school (where there is a generator), at the shops or just out. Or asleep. But it means I can't trust how fresh things kept in the fridge are... Nick will sympathise with this :)
- The rubbish. Drains are huge, because they need to be to keep flowing past all the litter. People just drop rubbish where they stand. And yet there is recycling. Go figure. The drains are also full of plants growing in the fertile steaming conditions. Mosquitoes also enjoy the same conditions...
- The lack of cleanliness. My 'maid' cleans my clothes (BY HAND!!!!! Yeah, I'm still not over the fact that I pay a woman a pittance to scrub my clothes on a washing board. *sigh*), but the only other thing she does is sweep the floors. And we only have cold water, so washing dishes can be fun. And of course they're being washed in river water anyway. Don't get me started on the lack of cleanliness through out the city. Oh the aromas...
- Living amongst the animals. If you go a bit further out from the city, people have chickens and goats just a-wandering around. Closer in, there are cats all over the place, and dogs live in concreted front yards, or are giving a 'run' on the street- this involves them being chained to something on the side of the road. Also, someone tried to sell me a random ferret thing when I patted it (for about an australian dollar), and you can buy bunnies and birds and other fun things at the market. Not in cages, just as they are, amongst the bananas and durian (worth about AU$2, Sarah. Cheaper than Doha, but I haven't tired them yet).
- Broadband? What is that? Most internet only works until 11am.
-That people study at University to do accounting, but you know they'll end up doing the books in a cafe... which involves writing down each transaction, and,w ell, that's about it.
Ways in which Indonesia pretends it is not a developing country:
- Shiny SUVs. All the rich people have cars. And they clean them EVERY day.
- Mobiles. Everyone has mobiles. I keep expecting the bums on the street to pull out a mobile with a pink tassel and a chirpy ring tone.
- The clothes. While the traditional older women wear sari like traditional Minang clothes, the young girls wear tight jeans, funky english emblazoned t-shirts and the like. And the jilbob (Muslim headscarf) is SUCH an accesory, the girls wear different ones each day, and some have badges on them, etc.
- The fancy water coolers, which both give out cold and hot water. That's cool :)
Um, I think that's about it... I wanted to make it sound more modern, but I can't think of anything else! This week has been ok, feeling more at home now, had my NAME called out twice on the street (once by Epi, who I live with, once by a student). Usually I am called (in order of prevalence): Miss, Mister, Mrs, Lady, Bu, Friend, Mama or my personal favourite (really, I like this one) My Sister.
Really enjoying my students as I get to know them more and they get to know me- classes have become more relaxed and fun, with lots of chatting. Just slowly converting the chat to Bahasa Inggeris rather than Bahasa Indonesia, that's the challenge! But we're getting there. Miss you all, xxx, thanks for all your comments. Even if I don't have a chance to reply, I am reading and appreciating them all.
- You can't drink the tapwater. I think it comes from the river and ugh, I have seen the river. I ain't drinking from that. I just have to close my eyes and thing of England (Australia, whatever) when I bathe in it...
- The pavements are almost all terrible, either from tree roots pushing through (due to an obsession with planting tree in the middle of the footpath), general wear and tear or the concrete falling into the drains below, leaving a huge gaping hole. Watch your step.
- The roads are also shocking. Some are dirt, some are tarred, and in general road rules don't exist.
- The power goes off willy-nilly. Somehow, I have not been home when the power shuts off, I seem to be at school (where there is a generator), at the shops or just out. Or asleep. But it means I can't trust how fresh things kept in the fridge are... Nick will sympathise with this :)
- The rubbish. Drains are huge, because they need to be to keep flowing past all the litter. People just drop rubbish where they stand. And yet there is recycling. Go figure. The drains are also full of plants growing in the fertile steaming conditions. Mosquitoes also enjoy the same conditions...
- The lack of cleanliness. My 'maid' cleans my clothes (BY HAND!!!!! Yeah, I'm still not over the fact that I pay a woman a pittance to scrub my clothes on a washing board. *sigh*), but the only other thing she does is sweep the floors. And we only have cold water, so washing dishes can be fun. And of course they're being washed in river water anyway. Don't get me started on the lack of cleanliness through out the city. Oh the aromas...
- Living amongst the animals. If you go a bit further out from the city, people have chickens and goats just a-wandering around. Closer in, there are cats all over the place, and dogs live in concreted front yards, or are giving a 'run' on the street- this involves them being chained to something on the side of the road. Also, someone tried to sell me a random ferret thing when I patted it (for about an australian dollar), and you can buy bunnies and birds and other fun things at the market. Not in cages, just as they are, amongst the bananas and durian (worth about AU$2, Sarah. Cheaper than Doha, but I haven't tired them yet).
- Broadband? What is that? Most internet only works until 11am.
-That people study at University to do accounting, but you know they'll end up doing the books in a cafe... which involves writing down each transaction, and,w ell, that's about it.
Ways in which Indonesia pretends it is not a developing country:
- Shiny SUVs. All the rich people have cars. And they clean them EVERY day.
- Mobiles. Everyone has mobiles. I keep expecting the bums on the street to pull out a mobile with a pink tassel and a chirpy ring tone.
- The clothes. While the traditional older women wear sari like traditional Minang clothes, the young girls wear tight jeans, funky english emblazoned t-shirts and the like. And the jilbob (Muslim headscarf) is SUCH an accesory, the girls wear different ones each day, and some have badges on them, etc.
- The fancy water coolers, which both give out cold and hot water. That's cool :)
Um, I think that's about it... I wanted to make it sound more modern, but I can't think of anything else! This week has been ok, feeling more at home now, had my NAME called out twice on the street (once by Epi, who I live with, once by a student). Usually I am called (in order of prevalence): Miss, Mister, Mrs, Lady, Bu, Friend, Mama or my personal favourite (really, I like this one) My Sister.
Really enjoying my students as I get to know them more and they get to know me- classes have become more relaxed and fun, with lots of chatting. Just slowly converting the chat to Bahasa Inggeris rather than Bahasa Indonesia, that's the challenge! But we're getting there. Miss you all, xxx, thanks for all your comments. Even if I don't have a chance to reply, I am reading and appreciating them all.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Excitement and derision
Today I received the things I had posted to myself- they were untampered with! And while it was exciting to receive them, I had to ask myself 'Why?' Some of this stuff I wanted to have, like little gifts from my sister and stuff for writing back home (although by the time I post them, and then they arrive, I may well be back myself). And I am relieved to have some more books, and my writing notebook with stories I have started and will have time to work on here.
But seriously, WHY did I send so much stuff? I am SUCH a first time traveller (well, I am). I cast a glance of scorn and derision on the version of myself who packed my bags three weeks ago. I could halve it now. Well maybe not, alot of the weight in my bags is medication etc... damn a gastro kit, a year's supply of sunscreen and super mosquito repellant weighs quite a bit. At least when you're at the point that you're throwing out taking out towels to bring the weight down. (Bought myself a fluffy new towel. It was only five bucks. Why did I bring anything, I should have bought it all here!).
So. Now I have lots of stationary and books (yay) but only seven more weeks here (*yay*) to use them. I think I'll be leaving some things behind when I go. Or cramming stacks into my hand luggage (which they don't weigh, and don't restrict for size, even thought they say they will) and posting it from the more reliable Singapore post offices.
But seriously, WHY did I send so much stuff? I am SUCH a first time traveller (well, I am). I cast a glance of scorn and derision on the version of myself who packed my bags three weeks ago. I could halve it now. Well maybe not, alot of the weight in my bags is medication etc... damn a gastro kit, a year's supply of sunscreen and super mosquito repellant weighs quite a bit. At least when you're at the point that you're throwing out taking out towels to bring the weight down. (Bought myself a fluffy new towel. It was only five bucks. Why did I bring anything, I should have bought it all here!).
So. Now I have lots of stationary and books (yay) but only seven more weeks here (*yay*) to use them. I think I'll be leaving some things behind when I go. Or cramming stacks into my hand luggage (which they don't weigh, and don't restrict for size, even thought they say they will) and posting it from the more reliable Singapore post offices.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Indonesia = the 80s
I swear it, Indonesia IS the 80s. If you get in a time machine and travel to the 80s, you'll end up here. Here is why Indonesia is the 80s:
-The TV shows. Game shows, sketch comedy, bad fantasy and soap operas (preferably with elements of bad fantasy involved), that's all there is. To see the muslim version of Joan Collins is truly hilarious.
- To take the tv link one step further, The Gong Show. This is like Red Faces, stretched out into an hour length show. And all the presenters have SO much energy. SO MUCH! SUPER!
- The music. Rock bands with Poison style hair, Pop singers with enormous perms, and the passion, oh the passion. I bet they're just singing about rain in Africa...
- The clothes. The truly trendy folk (orang yang trendi) wear bright clothes on mismatched colours and patterns (although I must admit, I like not having to consider whether my clothes match...)
- The make up. Big purple and blue shadowed eyes never left Indonesia. Someone stopped me on the beach the other day to ask about my 'bedak'- face powder. Apparently my red cheeks are 'Cantik'- beautiful.
- Layering. Because of Muslim tendencies, few people wear little tops or skirts. UNLESS they wear them over the top of footless tights or body shirts! Yeah!
- The obsession with instant coffee. Sumatera is supposed to have amazing coffee. I wouldn't know, everyone is just so excited to offer you instant, or even better, 3 in 1! (That's coffee, sugar and creamer, byt the way).
Went to the beach, it was ok. I can't believe there are so many beaches with dirt coloured sand. Have taken to sitting on Pantai Padang (Padang Beach) of an evening, and have discovered it's a place young couples go to sit in the semi darkness- but not touch. I have not seen a boy and girl touch since I arrived. Also saw a cat strolling along the beach... weird.
So the trip to Bunggus Beach was cool, we hired a taxi for the day (you pay his fare and his food), stopped on the way to FEED monkeys, they take peanuts straight from your hands. Was a bit sad, because they're not really wild any more... but oh so cool! I have lots of photos, I just wish I had a net connection fast enough to upload them :(
Then we went to Pantai Carlos di Bunguss, and swam in the bath warm water, and watched traditional fishermen (they row these huge nets out to sea, then haul them in mby hand over a period of hours!), and I drank from a coconut :) Later we went for my first traditional Padang meal and I ate with my hands! Yeah. I am SO Indo. Except the taxi driver laughed at me, because I wasn't doing it right. Ok, maybe a little way to go.
-The TV shows. Game shows, sketch comedy, bad fantasy and soap operas (preferably with elements of bad fantasy involved), that's all there is. To see the muslim version of Joan Collins is truly hilarious.
- To take the tv link one step further, The Gong Show. This is like Red Faces, stretched out into an hour length show. And all the presenters have SO much energy. SO MUCH! SUPER!
- The music. Rock bands with Poison style hair, Pop singers with enormous perms, and the passion, oh the passion. I bet they're just singing about rain in Africa...
- The clothes. The truly trendy folk (orang yang trendi) wear bright clothes on mismatched colours and patterns (although I must admit, I like not having to consider whether my clothes match...)
- The make up. Big purple and blue shadowed eyes never left Indonesia. Someone stopped me on the beach the other day to ask about my 'bedak'- face powder. Apparently my red cheeks are 'Cantik'- beautiful.
- Layering. Because of Muslim tendencies, few people wear little tops or skirts. UNLESS they wear them over the top of footless tights or body shirts! Yeah!
- The obsession with instant coffee. Sumatera is supposed to have amazing coffee. I wouldn't know, everyone is just so excited to offer you instant, or even better, 3 in 1! (That's coffee, sugar and creamer, byt the way).
Went to the beach, it was ok. I can't believe there are so many beaches with dirt coloured sand. Have taken to sitting on Pantai Padang (Padang Beach) of an evening, and have discovered it's a place young couples go to sit in the semi darkness- but not touch. I have not seen a boy and girl touch since I arrived. Also saw a cat strolling along the beach... weird.
So the trip to Bunggus Beach was cool, we hired a taxi for the day (you pay his fare and his food), stopped on the way to FEED monkeys, they take peanuts straight from your hands. Was a bit sad, because they're not really wild any more... but oh so cool! I have lots of photos, I just wish I had a net connection fast enough to upload them :(
Then we went to Pantai Carlos di Bunguss, and swam in the bath warm water, and watched traditional fishermen (they row these huge nets out to sea, then haul them in mby hand over a period of hours!), and I drank from a coconut :) Later we went for my first traditional Padang meal and I ate with my hands! Yeah. I am SO Indo. Except the taxi driver laughed at me, because I wasn't doing it right. Ok, maybe a little way to go.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Giving up my solitary confinement
Wow, an unexpected turn. Let me explain my home situation. I live with Kenny and his Indonesian wife Epit. Robin crossed paths with me for a few days before heading home to NZ. Sarah was supposed to be here teaching as well, but she quit six weeks before I arrived to work on a tour boat to the Mentawai Islands. Now, Robin advised me that Epi is very jealous of other women around Kenny- she was nice to Robin because Robin was 67 (!), but was super edgy around Sarah. But it turns out I have nothing to worry about there- Epi has decided to look after me, bringing me Indonesian cooking and fruits etc. And tomorrow she has decided we should go to Bungus Beach together, because she worries I spend too much time alone. :) Something like a friend. I think the fact that I have a long term boyfriend at home makes her feel I am not a threat...
I have started to read "He's just not that into you"... not because I think Nick's not into me (although... nah!). More because I am running out of books. I brought 5 books (one almost finished, two just begun), plus Lonely Planet SE Asia. I have read three already! And while there are a few books people have donated to the house, there aren't many. So by the end of my time here, I expect to have read a lot of trashy Mills and Boons, to know all about SE Asia and to have begun trawling my way through Agatha Christy novels- almost the only English novels in Gramedia, the big book store here. I posted myself a few novels and reference texts, but who knows if they'll make it through the Indonesian mail. Here's hoping.
I am hoping to get my hands on Harry Potter in Indo if it's not too expensive and translate it back to English to improve my language skills. I had wanted to get a tutor, but really don't know how to go about it and for only two months... I am currently learning Indo the way so many kids learn English- sitting in front of the tv with my dictionary! And I'm improving through day to day conversations, and through asking my students translations.
So far I am free of Bali Belly. I don't drink the local water, but I do eat the local food (even food I know the travel advisories tell me I shouldn't, like at a warung, or that's been washed in local water, or tea which may or may not include local water). Realistically, you have to do this, or live like Robin did, alternating from coleslaw to boiled veges. She saved a lot of money and she never got sick, but BORING. Today was the first day I got very adventurous though, mostly I have eaten the evening meals the school provides or nasi goreng (nothing like nasi goreng in Aus, SO much spicier, and comes with either a fried or a scrambled egg). Today I ate random chicken with rice and random green vege thing. And I am drinking random weird Asian milk drink. I have no idea what these sweet fruity milk drinks are, and I shouldn't drink local milk as it might not be pasteurised. But I came for a different experience, damn it. Plus it's fun drinking out of a plastic bag...
I have started to read "He's just not that into you"... not because I think Nick's not into me (although... nah!). More because I am running out of books. I brought 5 books (one almost finished, two just begun), plus Lonely Planet SE Asia. I have read three already! And while there are a few books people have donated to the house, there aren't many. So by the end of my time here, I expect to have read a lot of trashy Mills and Boons, to know all about SE Asia and to have begun trawling my way through Agatha Christy novels- almost the only English novels in Gramedia, the big book store here. I posted myself a few novels and reference texts, but who knows if they'll make it through the Indonesian mail. Here's hoping.
I am hoping to get my hands on Harry Potter in Indo if it's not too expensive and translate it back to English to improve my language skills. I had wanted to get a tutor, but really don't know how to go about it and for only two months... I am currently learning Indo the way so many kids learn English- sitting in front of the tv with my dictionary! And I'm improving through day to day conversations, and through asking my students translations.
So far I am free of Bali Belly. I don't drink the local water, but I do eat the local food (even food I know the travel advisories tell me I shouldn't, like at a warung, or that's been washed in local water, or tea which may or may not include local water). Realistically, you have to do this, or live like Robin did, alternating from coleslaw to boiled veges. She saved a lot of money and she never got sick, but BORING. Today was the first day I got very adventurous though, mostly I have eaten the evening meals the school provides or nasi goreng (nothing like nasi goreng in Aus, SO much spicier, and comes with either a fried or a scrambled egg). Today I ate random chicken with rice and random green vege thing. And I am drinking random weird Asian milk drink. I have no idea what these sweet fruity milk drinks are, and I shouldn't drink local milk as it might not be pasteurised. But I came for a different experience, damn it. Plus it's fun drinking out of a plastic bag...
Friday, August 18, 2006
It's a monkey!
Yesterday was National Day, so it was a holiday. There were flags out everywhere, but all that seemed to change was that those lucky enough to work in an office had a day off. The warung stall holders and restauranteers all worked as hard as usual (not that I am complaining, it's hopw I got my dinner).
I spent the day finally working out why I could never find the market or the pool- there are unmarked streets on the map, but they're normally quite small. I'd been wandering up a large one, not realising it was actually a residential unmarked street and subsequently becoming completely lost. Yesterday I managed to find the pool :) and know the market is just down the road.
The pool charges 20,000 RP, which is about $4. Cheap enough by home standards, but when you consider that this is equal to 20 pineapples, or 3 kg of bananas, or about 6kg of potatoes by prices here, it is pretty expensive. So I will go once a week or so... and just deal with the staring. People keep staring! It can be frustrating being a novelty item. Sometimes it is funny though- having watched me swimming, a father tried to teach his girls freestyle. Also yesterday, a teenager called out 'Cantik! Beautiful! You are very beautiful.' This resulted in a herd of small boys running after me calling 'Beautiful, beautiful!' Very funny, and like a cheesy scene in a movie.
After lazing around (the heat makes this so easy, and I have a nice seat on a balcony which gets some breeze. It's my favourite place in the house) for several hours (I'm going to finish all my books soon!), I decided I was wasting my time. So I lazed around planning trips around Sumatera I probably won't be able to take! My only long weekend while I am here begins... tomorrow. So while I' love to go down the end of the island to see Krakatua and Taman Nasional Way Kamar (the big old volcano and a national park with tigers, elephants and Sumateran rhinoceros), it takes a 28 hour bus trip, so I doubt I'll make it. I will definitely make it to Bukitinggi though, a 2 hour bus trip, where they have a zoo and creepy Japanese caves and other STUFF.
If I chose to stay longer, I klnow I could see all these things. In fact, I'd pretty muich have to, because i have discovered that I could not leave the country. A kitas, work visa, allows one entry and exit only. To go home for xmas, I'd have to pay about a million rupiah. And who knows how much to get back again. It's not worth it. I will have seen enough of this area in two months, and I will just come for a holiday if I want to see the rest one day.
Anyway, realising that I was STILL wasting my time, I decided to trek to the local Tamar (Park) on top of a very big bloody hill. It didn't look that big. However, half way up the steps, (huge steps, how do such tiny people go up such big steps?) I realised I was sadly going to DIE. I had to stop numerous times to sit on the steps and look like a fat unfit bule. On one of these stops an Indo guy tried to talk to me (An Indo guy with long hair, tatts and a big KNIFE), but clearly he spoke no english and I didn't understand all he said. He decided to walk with me, but not long after I started to die again and had to sit and was quite happy for him to go on without me.
When I finally got to the top, I was disappointed: I'd been told there were many monkeys up there, but I saw none. I saw goats, and the Indo guy stopped chopping whatever he'd come up to chop with his big knife and sat and smoked and watched me (which was disconcerting), but no monkeys. So I decided it might be the wrong time of day, and headed off to take photos of nearby islands and wait for the Indo guy to go away. He did, and I turned to find the way back down this big hill/ small mountain and saw... MONKEYS! Three big grey monkeys walking across the clearing. These guys ran away when they realised I was there, so I only got one shot. I soon realised there were monkeys jumping in the trees too, red ones. And then, walking down the hill, I cam across monkeys who just ignored me as I came within metres of them.
I actually got pretty emotional about it. There's something really special about seeing animals in their natural habitat. In Australia we don't see that much. Kangaroos in the fields, possums in power lines. It's not exactly natural, they've adapted to what we have created. One of my favourite things in Melbourne is to go to Yarra Bend Park and watch the flying foxes. But to see animals that are wild, and still living very close to the way they always have is really nice. The INdoneisans are doing some awful things to their country- I didn't realise til Nick asked me about it, but we don't have cloud at the moment, it is smoke haze from bush burning for clearing areas for farming- but they still have wild animals.
I spent the day finally working out why I could never find the market or the pool- there are unmarked streets on the map, but they're normally quite small. I'd been wandering up a large one, not realising it was actually a residential unmarked street and subsequently becoming completely lost. Yesterday I managed to find the pool :) and know the market is just down the road.
The pool charges 20,000 RP, which is about $4. Cheap enough by home standards, but when you consider that this is equal to 20 pineapples, or 3 kg of bananas, or about 6kg of potatoes by prices here, it is pretty expensive. So I will go once a week or so... and just deal with the staring. People keep staring! It can be frustrating being a novelty item. Sometimes it is funny though- having watched me swimming, a father tried to teach his girls freestyle. Also yesterday, a teenager called out 'Cantik! Beautiful! You are very beautiful.' This resulted in a herd of small boys running after me calling 'Beautiful, beautiful!' Very funny, and like a cheesy scene in a movie.
After lazing around (the heat makes this so easy, and I have a nice seat on a balcony which gets some breeze. It's my favourite place in the house) for several hours (I'm going to finish all my books soon!), I decided I was wasting my time. So I lazed around planning trips around Sumatera I probably won't be able to take! My only long weekend while I am here begins... tomorrow. So while I' love to go down the end of the island to see Krakatua and Taman Nasional Way Kamar (the big old volcano and a national park with tigers, elephants and Sumateran rhinoceros), it takes a 28 hour bus trip, so I doubt I'll make it. I will definitely make it to Bukitinggi though, a 2 hour bus trip, where they have a zoo and creepy Japanese caves and other STUFF.
If I chose to stay longer, I klnow I could see all these things. In fact, I'd pretty muich have to, because i have discovered that I could not leave the country. A kitas, work visa, allows one entry and exit only. To go home for xmas, I'd have to pay about a million rupiah. And who knows how much to get back again. It's not worth it. I will have seen enough of this area in two months, and I will just come for a holiday if I want to see the rest one day.
Anyway, realising that I was STILL wasting my time, I decided to trek to the local Tamar (Park) on top of a very big bloody hill. It didn't look that big. However, half way up the steps, (huge steps, how do such tiny people go up such big steps?) I realised I was sadly going to DIE. I had to stop numerous times to sit on the steps and look like a fat unfit bule. On one of these stops an Indo guy tried to talk to me (An Indo guy with long hair, tatts and a big KNIFE), but clearly he spoke no english and I didn't understand all he said. He decided to walk with me, but not long after I started to die again and had to sit and was quite happy for him to go on without me.
When I finally got to the top, I was disappointed: I'd been told there were many monkeys up there, but I saw none. I saw goats, and the Indo guy stopped chopping whatever he'd come up to chop with his big knife and sat and smoked and watched me (which was disconcerting), but no monkeys. So I decided it might be the wrong time of day, and headed off to take photos of nearby islands and wait for the Indo guy to go away. He did, and I turned to find the way back down this big hill/ small mountain and saw... MONKEYS! Three big grey monkeys walking across the clearing. These guys ran away when they realised I was there, so I only got one shot. I soon realised there were monkeys jumping in the trees too, red ones. And then, walking down the hill, I cam across monkeys who just ignored me as I came within metres of them.
I actually got pretty emotional about it. There's something really special about seeing animals in their natural habitat. In Australia we don't see that much. Kangaroos in the fields, possums in power lines. It's not exactly natural, they've adapted to what we have created. One of my favourite things in Melbourne is to go to Yarra Bend Park and watch the flying foxes. But to see animals that are wild, and still living very close to the way they always have is really nice. The INdoneisans are doing some awful things to their country- I didn't realise til Nick asked me about it, but we don't have cloud at the moment, it is smoke haze from bush burning for clearing areas for farming- but they still have wild animals.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Indo Super SHOW
Indonesian TV is weird. Really hyper. I am not watching stacks of it- maybe half an hour as I watch my dinner, cos there's no one to talk to- and I don't understand more than a few words, but it is totally crazy. Last night a watched a movie "Mysteries of the second world- Snake Queen". It was... crazy. Worst. CGI. Ever. A really cartoonish, early playstation type snake would 'bite' people's heads, but you could still see their heads in the background as they thrashed :)
I'm still lonely. I try not to be, but damn, it's really hard. Anyone wanna come work in Padang, my director is looking for another teacher apparently. Although the house and pay are shit, and you'd only have me to talk to... what an advertisement.
Anyone who says teaching ESL is easy is not doing their job properly. Or maybe I just worry too much about it. Tried to do some suplementary stuff with my adult class, who are about intermediate. Just extra stuff on the grammar they had been 'looking at' in this topic, comparitives adjectives. They didn't even know what an adjective was. I can't just teach what's in the book, I need to know they understand it. Sadly, their previous teachers didn't really do that. They know rote phrases, not the actual language. I could just teach the bookwork, but I'd feel I was doing a bad job.
Oh, re contacting me: internet is REALLY slow at school and only works before 11am. So I am trying to check it a few times a week, depends on how patient I am. I don't have mobile, not sure if I will get it connected or not. You can phone me at home, I think I emailed most of you the number (email titled "Application to Padang" or similar), but we are three hours behind (funny, feels like thirty years) and I work 11-8 Mon, Wed, Fri and 3-9 Tues, Thurs (yeah, long hours.. so much for "Most classes are between 5 and 9"... liars). So it's hard to get on to me. Weekends are best but I'm not always in, because I get depressed if I stay in the house. I have set up a STA travel phone thing which you can leave a message on and I can call you back for about 50c a minute... but I have forgotten the details. I'll work them out another day.
I am sure there's more to say, but I am getting too sad. I think I'll see you in October. If only my real estate would email me back about my request to NOT put my flat back on the rental market...
I'm still lonely. I try not to be, but damn, it's really hard. Anyone wanna come work in Padang, my director is looking for another teacher apparently. Although the house and pay are shit, and you'd only have me to talk to... what an advertisement.
Anyone who says teaching ESL is easy is not doing their job properly. Or maybe I just worry too much about it. Tried to do some suplementary stuff with my adult class, who are about intermediate. Just extra stuff on the grammar they had been 'looking at' in this topic, comparitives adjectives. They didn't even know what an adjective was. I can't just teach what's in the book, I need to know they understand it. Sadly, their previous teachers didn't really do that. They know rote phrases, not the actual language. I could just teach the bookwork, but I'd feel I was doing a bad job.
Oh, re contacting me: internet is REALLY slow at school and only works before 11am. So I am trying to check it a few times a week, depends on how patient I am. I don't have mobile, not sure if I will get it connected or not. You can phone me at home, I think I emailed most of you the number (email titled "Application to Padang" or similar), but we are three hours behind (funny, feels like thirty years) and I work 11-8 Mon, Wed, Fri and 3-9 Tues, Thurs (yeah, long hours.. so much for "Most classes are between 5 and 9"... liars). So it's hard to get on to me. Weekends are best but I'm not always in, because I get depressed if I stay in the house. I have set up a STA travel phone thing which you can leave a message on and I can call you back for about 50c a minute... but I have forgotten the details. I'll work them out another day.
I am sure there's more to say, but I am getting too sad. I think I'll see you in October. If only my real estate would email me back about my request to NOT put my flat back on the rental market...
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Saya Ibuleh
Buleh means foreigner in local slang- and Ibu means 'mother' or 'Mrs' in Bahasa Indonesia. Hashed together these words are said as I walk around the street. More common, though, is "Hello Miss" (Or occasionally "Hello Mister")- which leads to the following conversation: Me: "Hello" Indonesian:"How are you?" M:"I'm good, how are you?" I:"I'm fine too" (Becasue they presume I have said "Fine", as that's what they're taught in school). So I say this about twenty times every time I leave the house. It's ok, most of the time people are wanting to practice their English, and this is all they remember from school or dealing with the few foreigners or tourists in town.
So anyway, while Padang is technically a city, it looks and feels like a shanty town. 600,00 there may be in the area... the 'city' stretches for miles, and there are houses up the hills, and in graveyards and all sorts of crazy things. It's dirty, there is rubbish everywhere and the streets are rubble in a lot of places and what traffic rules???? You just step into the street with your hand out and walk slowly, so the cars and obeks (motorbikes) can swerve around you. There are a few pedestrian crossings or traffic lights, but they are primarily ignored. There are maybe ten white people in all of Padang at any given time. I am very lonely. :(
But on the whole, Padang is fairly nice. I am ok with the weather, I'm getting used to it (it's pretty damn hot though, and humid, but it cools down in the evening, and you get breezes from the sea- never wind). The food is cheap (I got 14 bananas yesterday which I haggled down to 5,500 Rp (I love haggling, it's fun!) which is about $1NZ), as are other groceries comparative to Australia. Dairy and bread are the most expensive things, which simply puts them at about the same price as in Australia. Imported items, which are available from a little Chinese store, are more expenisve, really luxuries. Padang is a very relaxed place, despite the frantic beeping of the minibus taxis, and the zooming obek. And it is beautiful if you look past the poluution and rubbish.
If I'd written this a few days ago, it would have read that I was coming home on the next flight. My mood fluctuates from day to day, hour to hour really. I have learned the meaning of ramshackle- it IS my house. Holes in windows, walls, doors that don't fit, the shower doesn't work, so we use a mandi (Indonesian bathing tub, which you pour buckets of water from over yourself). And of course, Indo toilet, but I knew about that. The power goes out most days, which means we have no running water because the pump is electric. The house depresses me if I stay there long, so I'm lucky that Robin, a teacher who left to go home again today, was there to take me out and show me around.
Robin first took me to the school, which is quite nice. Good facilities, and it really calmed me down. I can deal with school, it's familiar. Pity the computers are utter crap, so the internet almost never works- I'm in a net cafe right now. That annoys me, because it's supposed to be a part of my contract that I have net access. Then she showed me the markets, where to go swimming, a few places I might want to know around town.
Yesterday she took me up a hill just beyond the town. It's quite a hike, but you get a view of the city, and the beaches. Air Manis (literally 'Sweet Water') is about 45 walk over the hill and is nice for swimming... but of course then you have to walk back. I might try it next weekend. The hill climb showed me massive bright butterflies, an old Chinese graveyard, scrwany scrawny chicken, goats and dogs, and a monkey tied to a washing line. Later today I plan to go up to another hill, a longer walk, but where you end up in a park with lots of monkeys. They all have rabies, I'm sure, but they're not brave enough to come close to you.
If I were not alone, this would be fantastic. But Robin went home today, the Australian girl I was told lived and worked here quit two months ago, and Kenny is married to an Indo girl and rarely around. He and his wife are looking for their own house, and are being pushed by the school director to do so. I hope they don't, the house is huge, and I'm scared to be there alone.
Because of this, I doubt I'll last my whole contract. I'm currently planning to do two months, and when I return to Singapore (originally to change my visa), I will most likely come home. The I can be in town for Nick's birthday (miss you so much babe) ...and U2! If I make two months, I'll still be proud of myself, although somewhat ashamed of breaking my contract... It'll mean I don't have flights reimbursed, but I'll still have had a cheap holiday and a hugely new experience. Is this bad? Please give me feedback... I miss you all, and wish I had someone to show around my new town. That said, I don't necessarily recommend visiting, it really is a bit of a hole. I anticipate the buying of Sudoko books... and thanks everyone for giving me notebooks, I'll need them!
So anyway, while Padang is technically a city, it looks and feels like a shanty town. 600,00 there may be in the area... the 'city' stretches for miles, and there are houses up the hills, and in graveyards and all sorts of crazy things. It's dirty, there is rubbish everywhere and the streets are rubble in a lot of places and what traffic rules???? You just step into the street with your hand out and walk slowly, so the cars and obeks (motorbikes) can swerve around you. There are a few pedestrian crossings or traffic lights, but they are primarily ignored. There are maybe ten white people in all of Padang at any given time. I am very lonely. :(
But on the whole, Padang is fairly nice. I am ok with the weather, I'm getting used to it (it's pretty damn hot though, and humid, but it cools down in the evening, and you get breezes from the sea- never wind). The food is cheap (I got 14 bananas yesterday which I haggled down to 5,500 Rp (I love haggling, it's fun!) which is about $1NZ), as are other groceries comparative to Australia. Dairy and bread are the most expensive things, which simply puts them at about the same price as in Australia. Imported items, which are available from a little Chinese store, are more expenisve, really luxuries. Padang is a very relaxed place, despite the frantic beeping of the minibus taxis, and the zooming obek. And it is beautiful if you look past the poluution and rubbish.
If I'd written this a few days ago, it would have read that I was coming home on the next flight. My mood fluctuates from day to day, hour to hour really. I have learned the meaning of ramshackle- it IS my house. Holes in windows, walls, doors that don't fit, the shower doesn't work, so we use a mandi (Indonesian bathing tub, which you pour buckets of water from over yourself). And of course, Indo toilet, but I knew about that. The power goes out most days, which means we have no running water because the pump is electric. The house depresses me if I stay there long, so I'm lucky that Robin, a teacher who left to go home again today, was there to take me out and show me around.
Robin first took me to the school, which is quite nice. Good facilities, and it really calmed me down. I can deal with school, it's familiar. Pity the computers are utter crap, so the internet almost never works- I'm in a net cafe right now. That annoys me, because it's supposed to be a part of my contract that I have net access. Then she showed me the markets, where to go swimming, a few places I might want to know around town.
Yesterday she took me up a hill just beyond the town. It's quite a hike, but you get a view of the city, and the beaches. Air Manis (literally 'Sweet Water') is about 45 walk over the hill and is nice for swimming... but of course then you have to walk back. I might try it next weekend. The hill climb showed me massive bright butterflies, an old Chinese graveyard, scrwany scrawny chicken, goats and dogs, and a monkey tied to a washing line. Later today I plan to go up to another hill, a longer walk, but where you end up in a park with lots of monkeys. They all have rabies, I'm sure, but they're not brave enough to come close to you.
If I were not alone, this would be fantastic. But Robin went home today, the Australian girl I was told lived and worked here quit two months ago, and Kenny is married to an Indo girl and rarely around. He and his wife are looking for their own house, and are being pushed by the school director to do so. I hope they don't, the house is huge, and I'm scared to be there alone.
Because of this, I doubt I'll last my whole contract. I'm currently planning to do two months, and when I return to Singapore (originally to change my visa), I will most likely come home. The I can be in town for Nick's birthday (miss you so much babe) ...and U2! If I make two months, I'll still be proud of myself, although somewhat ashamed of breaking my contract... It'll mean I don't have flights reimbursed, but I'll still have had a cheap holiday and a hugely new experience. Is this bad? Please give me feedback... I miss you all, and wish I had someone to show around my new town. That said, I don't necessarily recommend visiting, it really is a bit of a hole. I anticipate the buying of Sudoko books... and thanks everyone for giving me notebooks, I'll need them!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
I will stress less, I will stress less
I'm going to get my visa. Then I am going to catch a plane. Then I am going to move into a house in Padang, and learn to love it, and not be sad, because I am having a great adventure.
Thank you for supportive messages. Still missing you all.
Thank you for supportive messages. Still missing you all.
Learning about myself
Well, this trip has taught me a lot about myself already! I thought that I was strong, independent and brave. I also thought I was capable of making good decisions. I think was wrong.
I want to come home. I haven't even made it Padang, I've only been gone two days but I miss my friends and family so much. And I really, really miss Nick. If he was here, this wouldn't be scary. I don't think I can do this 'alone' thing. Especially not when I have a perfectly good relationship sitting at home. And I feel awful hearing that he is sad. It just makes me want to come back home even more. I really think I made the wrong decision to go on my own. WE could have gone somewhere together, but I am so impatient...
There are issues with my visa. First of all it couldn't get processed yesterday as originally expected, as the embassy was closed for Singapore National Day. And today it might not be ready in time for me to catch my flight, or may even be rejected on the basis of it being a digital photo (my school director keeps saying digital is ok, but my embassy go-between says no. We shall soon see who is right). So I might have to stay in Singapore for longer, maybe catch boats and things tomorrow. I DEFINITELY get boat sick.
None of these are world-ending issues. I could deal with them if there was someone else here. And I think I could deal with being in Padang on my own, because I would be working towards belonging somewhere. But here I am in transit. I don't belong anywhere, I don't feel comfortable or at home anywhere, and the longer I am here, there more that goes wrong, the more I remember that I am only a flight away from my loved ones... and is breaking a contract to a stranger so bad... I want to be strong, I want to be brave, but it's really, really hard. And I miss my boyfriend a lot.
I want to come home. I haven't even made it Padang, I've only been gone two days but I miss my friends and family so much. And I really, really miss Nick. If he was here, this wouldn't be scary. I don't think I can do this 'alone' thing. Especially not when I have a perfectly good relationship sitting at home. And I feel awful hearing that he is sad. It just makes me want to come back home even more. I really think I made the wrong decision to go on my own. WE could have gone somewhere together, but I am so impatient...
There are issues with my visa. First of all it couldn't get processed yesterday as originally expected, as the embassy was closed for Singapore National Day. And today it might not be ready in time for me to catch my flight, or may even be rejected on the basis of it being a digital photo (my school director keeps saying digital is ok, but my embassy go-between says no. We shall soon see who is right). So I might have to stay in Singapore for longer, maybe catch boats and things tomorrow. I DEFINITELY get boat sick.
None of these are world-ending issues. I could deal with them if there was someone else here. And I think I could deal with being in Padang on my own, because I would be working towards belonging somewhere. But here I am in transit. I don't belong anywhere, I don't feel comfortable or at home anywhere, and the longer I am here, there more that goes wrong, the more I remember that I am only a flight away from my loved ones... and is breaking a contract to a stranger so bad... I want to be strong, I want to be brave, but it's really, really hard. And I miss my boyfriend a lot.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Singapore-lah
Oy. I had too much baggage (WAY too much, but I AM going for a year, not a three week holiday like others on the flight), so had extra charges for that- kudos to the lovely lady at Ausrian desk for only charging me five kg extra instead of 15. :) Long flight (but hey, good food on Austrian, could have done with more leg room personally!
Disasters finding the hostel- turned out my taxi was parked just down the street from it as we sat and stressed because it wasn't in his directory... then the backpackers turned out to be upstairs, not a good thing with my HUGE bag. But I'm here, I have a bed, all is well.
Phew, 28 degrees when we landed at 10pm. Quite a shift from Melbourne, where I know it is due to rain tomorrow. Love y'all, miss you, but I'm here and safe :)
Disasters finding the hostel- turned out my taxi was parked just down the street from it as we sat and stressed because it wasn't in his directory... then the backpackers turned out to be upstairs, not a good thing with my HUGE bag. But I'm here, I have a bed, all is well.
Phew, 28 degrees when we landed at 10pm. Quite a shift from Melbourne, where I know it is due to rain tomorrow. Love y'all, miss you, but I'm here and safe :)
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Here goes...
So. It's 5.30am. I leave in less than 12 hours. I have had four hours sleep. I am emailing, blogging and uploading tunes because I just lay in bed thinking of everything I had to do (I'm not currently doing them, please note. Just not lying insomniacally thinking of them).
So, this is big. I have cried alot in the last days- I think I'm making up for the calmness with which I have been facing this trip so far. Everyone keeps giving me sensible reassuring advice, and they're all right. But I'm also right in knowing this is one of the hardest and scariest things I have ever had to do. I miss Nick, and he's only a few metres away. My family are a little further, but not as far as they will be in a few hours. Damnit, I have been telling everyone off for missing me preamturely, now look at me! Pathetic :)
I'll be ok. So will everyone else. I know this, but it doesn't stop me from aching inside. I am not afraid of a new experience, or that anything bad will happen, I'm just sad at leaving everyone. Love you all :)
So, this is big. I have cried alot in the last days- I think I'm making up for the calmness with which I have been facing this trip so far. Everyone keeps giving me sensible reassuring advice, and they're all right. But I'm also right in knowing this is one of the hardest and scariest things I have ever had to do. I miss Nick, and he's only a few metres away. My family are a little further, but not as far as they will be in a few hours. Damnit, I have been telling everyone off for missing me preamturely, now look at me! Pathetic :)
I'll be ok. So will everyone else. I know this, but it doesn't stop me from aching inside. I am not afraid of a new experience, or that anything bad will happen, I'm just sad at leaving everyone. Love you all :)
Monday, August 07, 2006
I'm not so sure anymore...
Ugh, I'm sure it's just last minute nerves. In fact, considering the ENORMOUS to do list I have for today, it could even be procrastination nerves. But right now, at this exact moment in time, I'm thinking that I am making a mistake...
I'm leaving in less than two days. I'm making a lot of people sad. I'm feeling mean. And I don't know if this is what I want anymore.
Ah, the blog. A public confession of things I can't say, because they seem too private. The irony is oh-so-delicious.
If you know my number, feel free to call or text me encouraging words. I think I need them. Tell me to leave already, and excuse me if I snuffle at you over the phone.
Yeah.
I'm leaving in less than two days. I'm making a lot of people sad. I'm feeling mean. And I don't know if this is what I want anymore.
Ah, the blog. A public confession of things I can't say, because they seem too private. The irony is oh-so-delicious.
If you know my number, feel free to call or text me encouraging words. I think I need them. Tell me to leave already, and excuse me if I snuffle at you over the phone.
Yeah.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Five more sleeps
I like to count in sleeps, it's less ambiguous than days... because then there's the dilemma of whether or not you count the day you are on, and/or the day you are counting down to. So five more sleeps in Ozland- on the sixth sleep I'll be in Singapore. I've had a week which felt extremely busy, and I now have physical evidence of my leaving, but I still feel like I haven't gotten enough done.
Things I have to/ hope to accomplish before next Tuesday:
- lunch w/ friends/ family/ loved ones on Thursday, Friday, Saturday Monday.
- dinner w/ friends/ family/ loved ones on Thursday, Friday, Monday.
- brunch w/ friends on Friday.
- drinks w/ friends/ family/ loved ones on Saturday
- possibly nurse a hangover from above drinks
- organise end of lease and bond forms
- clean this damn house, namely the windows, and the remaining two thirds of the shower I gave up on last time..
- pack/ cull my clothes (I have too many, but I just keep hanging onto them... sentimentality and a hope that one day I shall be a lithe, teenage-bodied stunner who fits my old clothes)
- get more boxes; I underestimated the amount of crap we have
- get rid of aforementioned crap and take it to op shop/ ebay/ freecycle/ vintage stores (and harass the dude on ebay who hasn't sent my memory stick, yeah...)
- pack crap I can't bring myself to get rid of
- buy some bather bottoms
- organise my visa photo (seriously, WHY am I going to the only country in the world whose visa pictures have a red background? Ugh)
- download and complete overseas electoral notification form
- fill in the mail forward form
- myotherapy appointment, possible osteo appointment
- remember that I have freebie tix to MTC on Friday... it took a lot of convincing to get those tickets, I really should go!
- freak out about the fact that I'm going overseas on my own with no idea of what to expect at all, really.
Yeah, I should be right with that. :P
Things I have to/ hope to accomplish before next Tuesday:
- lunch w/ friends/ family/ loved ones on Thursday, Friday, Saturday Monday.
- dinner w/ friends/ family/ loved ones on Thursday, Friday, Monday.
- brunch w/ friends on Friday.
- drinks w/ friends/ family/ loved ones on Saturday
- possibly nurse a hangover from above drinks
- organise end of lease and bond forms
- clean this damn house, namely the windows, and the remaining two thirds of the shower I gave up on last time..
- pack/ cull my clothes (I have too many, but I just keep hanging onto them... sentimentality and a hope that one day I shall be a lithe, teenage-bodied stunner who fits my old clothes)
- get more boxes; I underestimated the amount of crap we have
- get rid of aforementioned crap and take it to op shop/ ebay/ freecycle/ vintage stores (and harass the dude on ebay who hasn't sent my memory stick, yeah...)
- pack crap I can't bring myself to get rid of
- buy some bather bottoms
- organise my visa photo (seriously, WHY am I going to the only country in the world whose visa pictures have a red background? Ugh)
- download and complete overseas electoral notification form
- fill in the mail forward form
- myotherapy appointment, possible osteo appointment
- remember that I have freebie tix to MTC on Friday... it took a lot of convincing to get those tickets, I really should go!
- freak out about the fact that I'm going overseas on my own with no idea of what to expect at all, really.
Yeah, I should be right with that. :P
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