This is my official "October blog". There will also be an official "November blog" once exciting Novembery things start to happen. But first, all things October!
I can't believe that October is over. It was just yesterday that I was busily getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner, which I know, is technically the second week of October, but still...it was so long ago. So what did October bring?
Well, it started off much as all Octobers do...with the feeling that Winter Break was soooo far away. So I decided since I had so much time I would start to make arrangements for my flight home. That was the first indicator that it really wasn't as far away as I had thought (or that the calendar led me to believe). You see, by the time I went to book my flight, I was met with the reality that the days I wanted to travel were full, other days were wait-listed and the only way I could get home was to fly back through Jakarta! Lesson learned: Book tickets in September. The good news is that thanks to my amazing travel agent, I will arrive home on December 20 (nothing like flying in the peak season) and return on January 3. A little time at home, but I am so looking forward to it.
October was a month of firsts for me in Indonesia. I ate (drank?) my first coconut...like the real one...from a tree...where the guy at the little booth chops the top off the thing and gives you a straw and a spoon. Delicious...though I think next time I'll have some ice too :)
I also went to Ciputra World (it's a mall) and walked around the mall. I've been there 4 times, but only to see movies. So this exciting adventure had me checking out the actual mall. There are lots of interesting places there...one is a restaurant called Pancious (it's a pancake house). When I was in Jakarta in September we had gone to a Pancious at a Mall there and it was a fun time, so we are super excited that it is here now. One of the teachers (a local) who I went to Jakarta with came to school the other week super excited that there was one at Tunjungan Plaza (a big mall downtown). She was absolutely giddy to learn that it was also in Ciputra World (easier to get to)
Okay, aside from Malls, I hosted Thanksgiving dinner. This year I asked to have an AC unit installed in my kitchen. We found a good quality used AC that was just over $100. And when you're just in the kitchen doing normal kitcheny things, it's awesome. However, I think we need something a little more industrial to handle Thanksgiving dinner.
At any rate, I baked away on Saturday and cooked away on Sunday and had a lovely dinner. I had about 20 guests (adults and kids). Two turkeys were prepared (because last year with half the number of people, the whole bird was devoured). We did have some turkey left, but as for the rest of the left overs I was right on track! As American Thanksgiving approaches, I am looking forward to more turkey but very happy to not be the one preparing it. It was a fun time had by all and it is safe to say dinner was a smashing success.
Canadian Thanksgiving was followed by a five-day break. I stayed in Surabaya. I had a massage, a manicure, another massage, some reflexology, went to the gym and rested. It was a glorious 5 days that passed far too quickly. Upon our return to school, October just seemed to slip right away. It was time to finalize plans for Halloween and then, Halloween itself. I was the most adorable Minnie Mouse you might ever find. It was super sweet that the following week, out of costume, when I went back into the 3 year old class and 4 year old class, I was greeted with "Hello Ms Minnie Mouse". Pictures to follow.
And alas, that brings us to now...November. More excitement to follow in a few weeks. But pictures for October will be up before the end of the weekend.
Until Next time...
Ty (and Grover...because he's here now)
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