It's hard to say goodbye...

Wow, it's surprisingly difficult to leave my classes. I've only taught them for two months, two or three classes a week. But I am quite sad to leave them, and many of my students have been genuinely disappointed to see me go. I don't want to blow my own trumpet (oh, ok: toot!), but they didn't react like this when my predecessor left. So I think I was successful in my job. Yay :)

I am also saying goodbye to the idea of working at University Andalas. Positives: it would be great experience; it would look so impressive on a resume; I already know Padang, so it won't be a whole new shock; the support at the uni will be better than here; I will get to see my friends again; the university provides on campus accomodation. Negatives: accomodation is pretty much ALL they provide! That, and a transportation allowance. Yeah, turns out that's why they have teachers who are not trained, it's a stipend position. Blah, forget that. My friend insists she is going to talk to the Dean about it, but I think I'm giving up on that idea.

So today is my last one teaching here. I know my conversation class have a gift for me (Indonesians are so bad at being sneaky), which is sweet. And the staff here were concerned that I wasn't having a farewell party (I invited them down to the cafe where Kenny and I will be swilling cheap beer together after class). My high school friend has been leaving notes under my door saying he'll miss me (sweet, but kinda irritating!), and yesterday I met Ricky's niece, who decided she loved me and kept leaping on me when I said I had to go to work. I've made a surprising impression in only two months. I hadn't realised it, and feel a little bad to be leaving people. But, in the end, the people I love aren't here. So I'll see you all in a few days. Malam, Padang! Sampai nanti!

P.S. I thought Indonesia was giving me a grand old send off- yesterday I wwas completely convinced I had gastro! After two months of being fine and healthy! But I'm ok today, maybe it was a 24hour thing. Phew. That could have been a fun plane trip...

P.P.S. If you've heard about mudslides, they're in Java. It's a different island. And they've been going on for months, they must have gotten worse if they're in international news. They've tried everything to stop them- including inviting psychics to try and quell the spirits of the mud, who are apparently angry that corrupt people are doing bad things in town. Yeah. I love Indonesia!