So I guess it is time to play catch up. Last I wrote, I shared the news of my new job, my adventure to Bangkok for a workshop for my new job, and shared pictures of my ankle after tearing ligaments while in Bangkok. If you thought that blog was too much excitement, well hold on to your hats because here comes the last four months in a nutshell...well, in a blog post, but you know what I mean.
February was pretty quiet. 28 days of work, work, and more work. Within that time I bid farewell to my dear friend and teaching partner extraordinaire. Steph, Ryan, and sweet Georgia left Sparkling Surabaya for an exciting new adventure in Germany.
I welcomed a new addition to my home in February. After taking about wanting to learn to play the cello, I actually decided it was the prime opportunity to actually learn how to play the cello. So in February, I bought and brought home my new cello. I call him Joshua. Although I have learned a lot, I find it frustrating that I am not an excellent cello player right off the bat. Practice makes perfect though, so look out...soon I will be symphony ready.
I also spent a little time in February kitty sitting Randolph. As it turns out, Randolph is a girl, but still the sweetest kitty I've met in Indonesia.
March was a busy month. I had my three month post op check up in Singapore. While there I found the most darling pair of shoes. Unfortunately, to this day, I still can't wear both of them..unless I don't wear my ankle brace which leaves my foot sore and swollen. So I look at my new cute shoes and lament. Someday I will wear two shoes again, comfortably.
I also headed to Beijing in March. Another round of training for my new job, as well as an opportunity to meet with the principal with whom I will be working next year. It was a great (albeit speedy) trip. We even had a little time for a trip to the Great Wall. Sadly I was still bound to my walking boot which meant navigating my way through the Great Wall wasn't possible. The time in Beijing was frickin freezing, but one of the highlights was coming down the Great Wall. On the way up, we took this rather sketchy gondola. Wide open, a little bar (no seat belt) and your feet just hung over the edge. But on the way down, I hopped on a little sled and scooted my way down the run! It as a blast. They send someone down before you so that the guide can tell you to speed up or slow down. I must say that with my walking boot I was likely more cautious than I needed to be, but it was fun. The only thing that compares to that experience was coming down from the mountain in Switzerland on the toboggan. Experiences I will hold on to forever.
March also marked the start of a month-long visit with my momma. My stupid foot put a bit of a hamper in the plans...I still wasn't out of the walking boot when she arrived...but we had a grand time regardless. Time spent at home in Surabaya, a trip to Bali, a trip to Singapore, and a stop at Taman Safari were some of the highlights. It was great that mom could see where I live, spend time in my classroom and meet some of the people who have become an important part of my life here in Surabaya.
Time in Surabaya involved days at the school, time reading with my students, multiple trips to Glow for a variety of spa treatments and of course, the required trips to Mirota for Indonesian treasures. I think it is safe to say that mom thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of life in Surabaya, including a live-in housekeeper who tended to her every need. My nanny, Rose and her daughter Vivi, certainly enjoyed every minute mom was here too.
A highlight of mom's time in Indonesia was our trip to Bali. We stayed at a very special resort called Hotel Tugu. It is a magical paradise. The ocean in that area is so majestic...huge waves. It is a popular place for surfers, so mom and I enjoyed watching the surfers each day. I must admit my prairie roots are still holding strong as the idea of wadding out into the ocean is rather terrifying. In fact, simply standing at the edge of the surf is enough to make me feel pukey.
While she was here, mom got to take part in some of the big events at school. One such event was our Festival of Nations. I was so grateful that mom found some Canadian garb for me to wear for the occasion.
We also spent some time at Taman Safari. Having lived in Surabaya for the last two years, the fact that I have not visited Taman Safari was quite sad! It was such a good day. My friend Lisa went with us. Some of the highlights included snuggling Jo with a baby lion and a baby orangutans. I must admit that perhaps I was somewhat conservative when, as the signs clearly said to keep car windows closed as we drove through the lions, tigers, and bears exhibit. Mom on the other hand thought that the windows got in the way of seeing the animals.
I guess that is also why she kept throwing carrots out to the elephants...in spite of the fact that at any minute our little car could be trampled by the giant beasts. I felt a little mor comfortable feeding the animals that were surely to going to crush the car, though the zebras were a little too friendly for my comfort, sticking their giant heads into the car right in my face!
Mom headed back to Canada and life resumed its usual pace, school, work more school. The end of April saw me on my way to Melbourne for a workshop, but not before I received news that I had officially completed all the requirements for my Masters! Such a relief.
The workshop was terrific and I learned so much! Again, the weather was frickin freezing but a new fleece purchased in Melbourne made it all worth while.
While in Melbourne, I heard news that my cousin Dustin had passed away. It was and continues to be heartbreaking news...a reality that is hard to accept. I am so grateful that, in spite of my time away from school while in Melbourne, after only one day back at Surabaya, my head of school supported my desire to go home to be with family. As hard as it was to make such a quick trip home, and as difficult the circumstances for going home were, it meant so much for me to be able to be with family as we remembered and honoured Dustin's life.
And that brings us to now. I think there are a little less than 5 weeks until I am home. I have one more unit of inquiry to teach, a classroom to pack up, an office to get set up and report cards to do but as is always the case, it will get done. Although I will only be home for six weeks this year, I am really excited to have uninterrupted time to spend with family and friends.
In the upcoming weeks I will try to be a more diligent blogger. In the next few days, I will try to get a few pictures up from the last few months so you can also see the adventure that had been unfolding.
Until next time
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