Another Day Gone, Another Day Closer

Graduation seems like a lifetime ago, although in all actuality it was three weeks ago today. I feel like I am in foreign territory. I have no schedule of sleeping and waking, although I try to make the day worth while and not sleep through half of it (this is a struggle for me - as I am the queen of the night). I've been helping my mom mostly, preparing for Brad's arrival back home for Afghanistan (he's stateside - we'll see him early next week).

But mostly I'm having a difficult time keeping myself busy. Some nights I think, "how did it get to be nighttime, I did absolutely nothing." At least my summer job starts soon. That will probably give me a sense of productivity.

I am having a blast with my family. Catching up on all the latest, greatest happenings and funnies. There is a lot of laughter that comes from this house - it is like music to the ears. When there's not laughter, there is intense cheering and yelling - mostly stemming from the living room when the Blackhawks are playing (our living room has morphed into the "Blackhawks" room, flags, pictures, fatheads, and bobble heads - I'm sure there will be more additions to come).

Although I am enjoying the time with my family, I find myself wishing the days away until I leave for Indonesia. It almost seems unreal that I will be living there in a few weeks. Sometimes I think it's a dream that won't come true - but it will. And it will very soon. I know that when it is time to leave there will be tears and sadness, but there will also be an overwhelming excitement about what is to come. It's a bittersweet feeling.

I leave for Indonesia on July 12, a month and 15 days from today. I have 3 layovers - Detroit, Tokyo, and Singapore. From there I will spend the night in Singapore and get my work visa for Indonesia. The following day my new roommate and I will be travelling to Jakarta and from there to our house. In all, I will be in the air for 30 hours (yikes - might need to be sedated) but with all the layovers it is a 48 hour trip. My goodness - that seems eternal.

I also got my official class assignment. I will be teaching 3rd grade (with the exception of English) and also 6th grade English. It's a unique idea, and it is implied all over the school. I will also begin learning the native language of Bahasa - although I will be able to communicate by English. I love learning new cultures and language - so this is something I am really looking forward to.

Please keep me in your prayers in the coming weeks as I begin preparations and packing.

Much love,

Dawn

PS - random fact, Indonesian students refer to their teachers as Ms. (first name). My students will be referring to me as Ms. Marie. I have issues (who doesn't :P ?) about people pronouncing my name wrong - so I am going by Marie instead of Dawn.

Dordt College Graduate

I officially graduated from Dordt College today. As I sat in the ceremony, I thought of all the blessings and opportunities that the Lord has put in my life while I attending there the last four years.

The faculty and staff of Dordt were inspirational. I wouldn't be the person I am if it weren't for them. You know who are :) I have learned so much from you all. It was sad to say goodbye to them because they were not only faculty and staff but dear friends.

I have made some of the best friends that I will forever cherish. Kaila - my PIC (if you can't remember what that means - watch Role Models), Anna - the dictator of fun, Grace, and Smashley. We had some great times, and even when life got chaotic we stuck together until the storm cleared up.

While at Dordt I was able to be a part of AMOR - A Mission OutReach. I went to Belize with a team of girls and two staff members of Dordt. It was a blessing to see a new side of God's creation in Belize, befriend teammates and work with them side by side, but also to be a witness in Christ's name.

Dordt also shared an insight to an internship in New York City my sophomore year, provided ample hands-on opportunities through different out reaches and education practicum including my recent student teaching in Crown Point, IN and Ripon, CA. Oh, and how could I forget - one of the biggest blessings stemming from Dordt is my new job at SPH.

A friend of mine in the education department suggested for me to attend an informational meeting and group interview with SPH, especially since I was looking to apply to teach overseas. I agreed to check it out and now a few months later, am employed by them.

These are just some of the blessings that God allowed me to have at Dordt. I am thrilled to be a college graduate - but I will never forget the awesome experiences that led to new adventures.

Thanks for all the support and prayers over the years. I ask that you will continue to keep me in your prayers as I press onward and begin this new chapter of my life in Indonesia come July.

Blessings,

Dawn

Updated News and House Tour

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since I posted on my blog...but some new developments have occurred since I last wrote. Instead of living in a "single" apartment, I am sharing a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with a girl from Trinity Christian College. Her name is Leanne. She has student taught in Indonesia for the last 8 weeks, so she knows a little bit of the "ropes." We seem to click really well and I think it will be a great experience.

Leanne and I are working getting our things together so that we can get motorbike licenses as soon as we get there. That will be the easiest and cheapest way to get around. Wow - the though of me on a motorbike is quite scary.

We will also be having a "helper" who will do laundry, cook, and clean for us. She has been employed by the last family that lived in our house, and they highly recommend her.

In the posts below, are the pictures of my new house! Here's my commentary on each room. Enjoy the Tour!!

• Pictures 1 & 2 are of the front of the house. There are four bedrooms on the first floor, which Leanne and I will each split.
• As we skedaddle to the third picture, you see that this is a den/office. This is actually one of the upstairs bedrooms that we will be utilizing. The other 3 upstairs bedrooms are similar to this - so you get the picture :)
• Now we descend down the steps to the kitchen (Picture 4). This is a relatively new kitchen with great working appliances. The cupboards are being replaced this summer, but aside from that, this is our nice homey kitchen.
• From there we move to the dining room (Picture 4). It's very quaint but also spacious.
  
• For picture 5 we move to the next adjoining room that is our living room. This will be great hosting friends (and family - hint, hint).
  
• Picture 6 is the master bedroom. It is right off of the living room downstairs. However, Leanne and I decided that instead of trying to figure out who gets the master bedroom, we would make that our den/office. It has lots of space and a bathroom built in. How convenient! When I get there in July - we will be doing some redecorating and moving around - so I will put updated pictures up then.
• For picture 7 we backtrack to the living room where our walkout patio is. It's a really nice yard and patio area!!
  
• Finally, to end our tour, we see the back of the house from the edge of our property.
  

I have to say that this is a total blessing to already have housing figured out.
Have a great night! Talk with you all soon!!
Love,
Dawn

House Tour - Take 1

House Tour - Take 2

I can't wait to move in!
Love, Dawn

Pictures of SPH-Sentul City, Indonesia

A New Adventure

To my friends who live vicariously through my adventures -

A new chapter is about to begin in my life. I will be teaching in Indonesia starting in July. For those of you who don't know where that is exactly, it's beneath China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos and above Australia.

I will be stationed on the main island of Java, about 30 minutes south of Jakarta, that capitol city. The school I am teaching at is called Sekolah Pelita Harapan - Sentul City. It is one of many campuses in this school corporation, and one of the most beautiful I may add. This particular school is build into a hill and has six different levels. That equals out to be a lot of stairs! The surrounding area is very quiet and lush with a few tourist sites. The school itself is right at the entrance of Puncak Pass which is full of Tea Plantations, volcanoes, and a lot of natural sightseeing!

At this school I will be team teaching with a native Indonesian teacher in Grade 3.
I am looking forward to this new experience and hope that God will bless me in becoming the best teacher I can be. Bye for now!

Love,
Dawn

PS: For any comments and questions please be click this link:
Saga of Sentul City - Dawn Van Kuiken