Merry Christmas from Indiana

I've only been in Indiana for a week and I have to admit, it's been one heck of a week. It's been a week of celebrations: my homecoming, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and Mrs. Dutton going home to her Lord and Savior.

I've been struggling with jet lag. The first night home, I went to bed about 6 pm. I woke up at two thanks to my dad's countless (OBNOXIOUS) alarms. My sister woke up about the same time. I told her "I'm so awake right now! Wanna help me wrap Christmas presents?" Sadly, she didn't like the idea, but I decided to do it anyway.

I was determined to not be a prisoner to the day and night difference of Indonesia and Indiana. I failed. Miserably. However, my family has been very understanding. They are just thrilled to have me home, that it doesn't matter if I am awake at random hours of the day and night.

It has been a joy to be with my family for Christmas. A year ago, we were one short in our Christmas celebration. My brother was stationed in Afghanistan. It's amazing how so many things can change in a year.

Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of year; not because of the snow, decorations, presents, or family time, but because one special baby was born. A baby that changed the world forever. A baby who grew into a man who loved all sinners. He loved us all so much, that he sacrificed his life in place of ours. What a great gift to the world!

Merry Christmas to all!

Reflection on a Special Person

I transferred high schools between my freshman and sophomore years. I wasn't too keen on the idea (and that was an understatement). I hated the idea of making new friends and moving away from the home that I spent most of my childhood in. However, I had no choice in the matter.

I kicked and screamed and had an attitude that only a mother could forgive. I started school in the fall with a chip on my shoulder. However, it wasn't long until I met a very special teacher who helped pave the path to where I am today.

She wasn't your ideal teacher. She was full of controversy and a straight shooter. Her name was Mrs. Julia Dutton. The woman was anything but a saint, but she had so much life experience and love for her students that allowed me to push myself beyond anyone's expectations academically, socially, and spiritually.

Mrs. Dutton spent much of her spare time sharing stories from her haunting past but also funny stories and life lessons that she learned along the way. Some of the things she told us, I thought I would never encounter, and now as I sit here typing this, I realized that she was prepping me for my career in teaching.

Not many teachers cared for my class. To this day, I can't figure out why. However, Mrs. Dutton took us under her wing and taught us how to think for ourselves and how not to settle but to fight for something that we truly believe is right. She had a dry sense of humor and appeared to be a crusty, cranky woman, but deep down she was genuine and Christ-centered role model.

I was able to talk with her a few times after graduation. It was joy to see her face light up about how I have recognized my calling by God to be a teacher. She told me that she knew I was going to be a teacher, and I never believed her. She told me that we can't fight against God's calling because in the end, it's going to happen. We shared lots of laughs of funny things that went on the classroom, and also shared heartaches that we were burdened with about our students and our professional roles as teachers.

Just before leaving for Indonesia, Mrs. Dutton had a heart attack. I was graced with the opportunity to visit her in the hospital. Though she was struggling to recover, she was determined to get out of the hospital and return back to her daily life.

As time passed, she was diagnosed with N-stage cancer. My mom spent time visiting and caring for her with a few other women in the community. She was a fighter but she knew that her time was limited. She kept telling my mom that she was going to spend Christmas with Jesus. She did indeed. In the early hours of Christmas morning, Mrs. Dutton passed away in her sleep.

It's hard to believe that she has left this earth to join an eternal celebration in heaven, but she left some impacting footprints in this world. Some of which I will cherish in my heart forever.

Homeward Bound

I cannot believe that I've been in Indonesia for a little over five months. It seems like an eternity. But here I am, five months down the road with my first semester of teaching under my belt. I have learned so much in this short period of time, but I only hope to learn more and apply what I now know next semester.

Tomorrow I head out on my long trek home. I fly from Jakarta to Abu Dhabi (8 hours), Abu Dhabi to Manchester (8 hours), and finally Manchester to Chicago (9 hours). I am not looking forward to being trapped in a loud metal tube with wings for these long flights, but I know it will be worth it in the end.

I am so excited to see my family and spend time with them during this joyous time of year! However, I know I'm going to miss my Indonesia family. Despite the fact that I will miss these wonderful people here in Indonesia, I know I will relish and bask in the entertaining and loving atmosphere of my family back in Indiana.

Please pray for safety as I head home tomorrow. As long as I get home, it will be mission accomplished (however, it would be absolutely fabulous if the winterized Midwest doesn't affect my flight).

Okay, so I should finish up my last minute packing. Blessings to you all! See you stateside very soon!

Faith and Hope in Indonesian Hospitality

Sometimes I browse through stories in the Jakarta posts of "Good Samaritan Frauds". I'm sure there are more out in the world than what we realize, but what happened to me was anything but that.

This morning while I was driving to school I realized that I was below empty on gas. Usually I would fill up before the little ticker gets in the red zone, but I hadn't had the time in the last few days. I made a mental note to fill up after school.

Not to anyone's surprise, that mental note vanished with the excitement of the last day of school before holiday. I rode across town to visit Dini (who has since moved back home from the hospital).

After sharing Christmas greetings, I decided to head home. However, I didn't make it farther than outside her neighborhood when the engine went dead and I was left coasting down the slight inclines of Sentul. When all movement stopped, I got off Leona and started walking her.

Moments later an ojek driver pulled off to see why a bule was walking on the side of the road with her bike, rather than riding it. He started rambling in Bahasa and making motions. I caught a few words, but not enough to figure out what he was saying.

However he flagged down a SPD (Security Patrol Detail) and helped me get my bike to headquarters. After the ojek made sure that my bike was safely locked and secure, he took me to remote roadside stand just beyond school to get gas (it was the nearest place where I could get some).

He bargained the price for me and drove me back to my bike. He was even kind enough to fill it for me and make sure my bike started. He accompanied me to the gas station to make sure I didn't have any problems.

The gas attendant, who spoke proficient English, told me that despite his lacking English, he frequently assisted people who ran out of gas. She told me that not many ojeks are willing to do that because they are too focused on getting their next customer. Usually they would just pass by and not think twice about it.

I thanked the ojek driver and paid him 35,000 (equivalent of three dollars and fifty cents). Now that may seem skimpy but considering the fact that most people would pay a maximum 5,000 rupiah, it is a small fortune. When I told my friends what happened, the only thing they told me was that I overpayed the ojek driver.

Being in Indonesia, I really find it hard to pay the bare minimum for services given by individuals. It just doesn't seem fair or right, especially when they work so hard to make ends meet.

However, I am grateful that the man decided to help me out when I was so far away from the gas station. It seems like a small gesture of kindness, but after experiencing it first hand, it's the smallest gestures of kindness that seem to make the greatest impact.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Our pageant honestly lived up to its title. However - it took a lot to get to this point.

This morning I woke up late after a night of fretting and thinking of worst case scenarios. I skipped morning devotions to prep the gym and organize everyone's costumes one last time. I had a class full of excited kids fifteen minutes before the bell even rang. I spent that time giving a pep talk to them (they had tummies full of butterflies) and getting the Herdmans ready. The Herdmans had wet coffee grounds smeared across their faces (to make them look dirty), the girls had their hair ratted, and the boys had their hair sprayed in so many different directions that they looked like porcupines.

By 7:45 we were in the gym and ready to do one final run through before the performance. We had to do some last minute adjustments because one of our main characters was sick. It was truly a good thing that we pre-recorded the audio because kids had to double up on lines and switch roles. However, I managed to keep my cool and a great attitude. I set my mind on the fact that the kids were going to do their best and that was all I could ask of them.

As the gym began to fill up with elementary and middle schoolers, I tried to keep my mind focused and keep my girls under control (Budi was in charge of the boys). They started off with a bang and carried intensity throughout the entire show. They were exquisite and ended up superseding my expectations.

When it was over the audience erupted in applause and cheers. Parents were thrilled with the performance and so proud that we were able to pull it off with such success. After 2 months of hard work, we were able to put on the best Christmas pageant ever.

I don't think I've ever felt a such a surge of pride as I do right now. I wish you could all see it (and you would have too, except our cameraman forgot to push record - bummer). However, this is one thing that I will never forget!

Beauty in the Dark

Some people relish melting sunsets, others the blood rush of dawn's rays emerging from the horizon. These are very beautiful, I do admit, but nothing compared to the sapphire twilight that glows through the quiet town of Sentul at 6:07 every night. There is something magical about the last light of the day fading and the ever thickening blanket of blue skies. The colors of the trees and exotic flowers and shrubbery seem to illuminate a particular boldness, only seen for a few minutes each day.

Lingering rain clouds blossom a polka-dotted cloak around the nearby mountains like smoke dissipating from an extinguished wild fire. With each moment passing, they grow thicker as if to close a curtain to the magnificent view.

I was driving my motorbike down the main stretch of Sentul tonight in utter marvel at the beauty my eyes feasted upon. A rush of cool mountain air chilled my body, giving a heightened sensation to the beauty around me.

It is such a blessing to live in a place that basks in the beauty of God's creation. I can't imagine a place or sight with more beauty that this. I was grinning ear to ear as I pulled into the neighborhood. Riding on a mountaintop of adoration, thinking nothing could sweep me blindsided and push me down this high.

No such luck. Just as I turned into my driveway, a mosquito flew into my eye. An irritating sting jack hammered through my eye and nearly caused me to crash into the garage. It was after a thunderstorm of eye-watering blinking concluded that I realized something. Our God, the meticulous and glorious creator designed this place that I call my home. However, after the fall, sin tainted his creation. Although we are able to still enjoy the countless wonders of his masterful creation, sin inevitably creeps in and hinders us from partaking in the full beauty.

I anticipate the day when Christ returns and sanctifies the earth to it's original sin-less state. How amazing will that be? Come Lord Jesus, our world belongs to you!

Crunch Time

Monday's are my most hated day - and yet there seemed to be something good about today. I'm not sure if it was because I woke up on the right side of the bed, or those yoga pilates that I added to my yoga workout (which I am still in pain from - but it was definitely a good pain), or the fact that tomorrow (Tuesday) is a random mid-week holiday so there's no school. Maybe all three combined helped me today. With report cards out of the way, I am able to devote my undivided attention to our Grade 3 Christmas Pageant.

After a morning of meetings, I was able to start the day. I took the kids downstairs to the computer lab to do research on their project about modern day communication (aka twitter, facebook, cell phones, skype). I made them a graphic organizer to help guide them in their research and most kids plowed right through it. I also made a point that they were getting graded on time management. Now, this is something that Budi and I usually don't grade on - but we have some space cadets that could sit in front of a blank screen for an entire class period and not let it phase them. How that works, I have no idea!

Anyway, as the kids worked, Budi and I set up a recording session for our Christmas pageant audio. Due to a few select kids not knowing their lines or getting stage fright and the lack of properly functioning microphones, we decided that the audio would be recorded pre-performance and the kids would lip-sync and act. Brilliant idea kudos to Budi - I wish I thought of it myself. But hey, I'm glad he did. We make one heck of a team.

After break time I had to head to Grade 6. We are closing up our unit for the semester by focusing on some random skills that happened to get tied into the curriculum. Today we focused on dictionary skills. After discussing very important means and functions of dictionaries, we did a relay race. It turned out to be fun and the kids loved it. I know they really needed a break after we buckled down for the autobiography and persuasive papers for the last 2 weeks.

Lunch was really relaxing until I discovered someone left a wet paper on top of Baby Jesus' face and ended up tattooing the word "orange" on it's cheek. There was some major scrubbing in the bathroom sink and many chemical substance attempts to remove it - but no such luck. Baby Jesus is stuck with a tattoo! The kids had a cow when they realized Baby Jesus was tainted! My goodness talk about over reacting!

Anyway - we spent the better part of the afternoon getting dressed in our costumes and doing last minute alterations (thank goodness for safety pins). They looks so stinking adorable! Teachers were popping their heads in after seeing random children book it to the toilet to get changed and come back wearing angel wings or man-dresses/togas for the shepherds. They were absolutely picturesque! I cannot wait for them to sport off their costumes next week.

However there is one minor thing we have to get through - 16 people through costume changes in under 3 minutes. Sometimes those kids work backwards under a time constraint - which definitely doesn't help the matter. We've recruited some of the specialist teachers to help with the costume changes, so I think that will help.

We did a quick read through and explained some of the logistics. With each day that comes closer - I realize that we have limited time and that it's time to crack the whip (as I tell my students). I think they are more nervous than I am. They have no reason to be though, they have been working diligently on this pageant and they will do great (especially now that we are pre-recording the audio).

With tomorrow being holiday, I have to make duplicates of stage blocking pictures so I have a few books the students can page through. Also I am doing some online recruiting of my Grade 6 students to help me label each character's placement on the stage. So that will keep me busy for the most part of the day.

Blessings to all of you! I look forward to seeing many of you soon (although I don't particularly look forward to the air travel it will take to bring me home).

Grade 5 and 6 Retreat

On a random whim, I was offered the chance to chaperone for the Grade 5 and 6 retreat. Since I am the English teacher and am familiar with at least half the students, I was given priority over other teachers. I accepted willingly and was ready for an eventful overnight escapade.

At noon yesterday, Leanne and I were driven over to SLDC, a conference center that shares property lines with our soccer field. We arrived just in time for lunch (however, I opted out because we had a surprise birthday party in Grade 3 for one of my students and they brought personal pan pizzas for everyone).

Just as lunch finished up, Dianne, an expatriate middle school teacher led a session about being a servant and how we can be a servant in everyday life. The students just began working on posters when an electrical fire broke out in the ceiling, causing black smoke and flames to ooze out of the ceiling.

All the kids were in a panic - and not about their safety. No they were concerned that their hand phones might get burned or their cameras might get stomped on. It took quite a while to get the kids out - it's a good thing the fire was small or disaster could have taken over.

For the duration of the afternoon, we worked outside and played games (marble pass, blindfold shapes, and holes in the water tube). We were drenched with water and sweat by the time the bus came back to pick us up and bring us to the boarding house or PHH (Pelita Harapan House). We were given time to shower and chaos errupted.

Leanne, Rosma, and I were assigned to the boys dormitory because there were no male chaperones on the trip. We staked our claims, near the front of the room for ventilation purposes, and then headed to the women's showering area.

While we were gone, one of the boys pooped in his pants just before showering. He wiped himself with someone else's towel and folded it up, giving it back to the other person (not having the decency to tell him about using it). When the other boy opened the towel to wipe his face, you can imagine the surprise he got when he realized what was smeared on his face. It was the talk of dorm. Smells seared out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Trying to conceal this to only the directly affected people was an even more difficult task. You'd think you'd want to keep it quiet if you accidentally wiped poop on your face, right? Wrong. This kid shouted it to the rooftops. So much for being discrete.

The rumblings and laughter died down as we went to dinner. After dinner, we had a bonfire and Leanne and I taught them how to make smores. They had never even made them before. The closest thing to making them, was "seeing them in the movies." This was really a mind boggling thing for me considering I used to make them all the time when I was camping with my family. The whole concept of all three ingredients together petrified them. It was as if you were saying a good refreshing drink consists of soda, ketchup, and pepper (ew gross, but they couldn't believe that these three things actually went together to make something tasty).

After smores Leanne and I did a ad-lib sporatic story about how we were cousins and went on an African Safari before coming to teach in Indonesia. The most craziest thing about this story was that I told them I was wearing a zebra print dress and orange high heels and a rhino saw me and almost impaled me because he thought I was a zebra. Oh the funniest thing was that the kids bought the story. They thought the whole thing was true. They talked about it all night and all the next morning. Who would have thought they would have believed a wild and lie-weeded story? None of the teachers told them it was a "tall tale" and so now the kids are telling everyone they see about Leanne and Marie's safari adventure.

When the bonfire died down, we split up and headed to bed. I tucked in all my boys and comforted a few boys who were scared of the dark or who had never spent the night away from home before. It took about ten minutes when the giggles erupted. I let it slide because I was amused at the boys next to me laughing like hyenas. They even had me in tears from laughing so much. The lights flipped on and Rosma started reprimanding the boys angrily (I had to cover my face because I was laughing so hard - I didn't want to let her see that I was in stitches).

Once she yelled at them, they were quiet the rest of the night. I fell asleep quickly after that. The room was 16 degrees (Celsius) - which was perfect temperature for sleeping, but perhaps not too fun to wake up to.

I woke about 3 a.m. to go to the bathroom. I walked sleepy eyed to the nearby boys bathroom. There was no way I would make it across the building to go pee. I walked in and stopped dead in my tracks. One of my grade 6 boys stood in front of the mirror stark naked. I quickly backed up, thinking if I stayed silent, he wouldn't know I saw him and be embarrassed. I sat in the lobby area and tried to think of reasons why he was naked. The best thing I could think of was that he was sleep walking.

Then the unexpected happened. This boy strutted out of the bathroom and saw me, and turned toward me. He looked at me and said "I hope you don't mind that I'm naked, Miss Marie. I love walking around naked." I cowered in my seat, trying not to lose my cool. I was flirting between the emotional line of insanity and hilarity. I nodded, avoiding all eye contact and told him to get in bed.

As soon as the door shut, I roared in laughter. Never in a million years would I expect something like that to happen to me. Honestly, if I was a grade 6 student, I would be mortified if my teacher saw me naked. Oh but no, he thought it was completely normal and comfortable! That takes guts. I couldn't even look him in the eye this morning when he said hello to me at breakfast.

We had devotions and took a group picture before they left for the orphanage and I to the classroom to teach grade 3. The retreat was great - but I definitely got more than I bargained for.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I have been so amped about decorating my classroom. It's so hard to be jolly when there is no snow - but I guess I have to make do with what I have - hot weather and AC :) The last two weeks I've incorporated my English lessons into Christmas themed lessons. We have paper chains, 3-D snowflakes, regular snowflakes, hand print holly berries, snowmen shape poems, a sparkley hand print Christmas tree, and even a mini 3 footer tree in our reading corner. I have to say its the most snazzy looking classroom in the whole joint. With all that and the continual playing of Christmas music, I can tell the kids are anticipating the Christmas season.

Today I got observed. Which always seems to make me jittery and nervous. It went surprisingly well (considering I bribed my naughtiest boys with candy to ensure they were on their best behavior). We learned about monologues and character perspective. Then I preceded to do a dramatic monologue (in costume mind you) of King Herod. It's been a long time since I put on a theatrical performance. It was a blast and the kids loved it.

They started writing their own monologues and I can't wait to hear them tomorrow. Of course they are only a few sentences long, but they are fantastic!

We're also wrapping up our English unit a week early so we can focus solely on our performance. I know it will go fine, but I am really nervous because the kids can't sit still to save their lives. I hope it works out.

Christmas time in the classroom also means one other big thing: report cards. Since I have had ample free time, I decided to kick start my report cards a week early. That being said, I'm about 60% done! I'm really pleased with the progress my students have made over the course of this quarter.

Each day is a day closer to coming home for Christmas. I am beyond thrilled that it is coming so fast! Only 10 days of school left! Can't wait to spend time with my family, but I have to admit, I'm going to miss it here - even just being gone three weeks sounds like an eternity. But at the same time I am wiggling in anticipation to see my crazy (and awesome) family! They always bring happiness and laughter into my life.