A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

So today was a public holiday in Jakarta and therefore, we had no work to do. Because people were not travelling to and from work, the pollution level was dramatically low and the day was so pretty. The sky was a clear blue (instead of gray). I went to the pool with two of my new friends and got french-fried...jakarta-fried? Not used to this sun!!

My homesickness is becoming bone-crushing. I hope it goes away soon. I am set up on Skype with username lizroche78 so please text me or video call me FOR FREE! woo hoo!

I hope everyone is doing well....my thoughts are with you.

My Favorite Song

So I went to the Mall today and attended RPM class at my gym (which, of course, is the same thing as Spin class). I think I highly annoyed the instructor by coming into class too early...they did play one of my FAVORITE songs of all time! Does anyone know what it is? It brings me memories of A.L.S.P. for some reason!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I think I am going to the cinema tonight. No work tomorrow! WOO HOO! and I already have a day off on Wednesday - some public holiday...really, the last thing I need right now is a day off...

Friday Night...

It's technically my second Friday night here. It is almost 7:00 and I just watched a condensed version of America's Next Top Model...who even knows what season! My TV is finally working...I have been watching for the past two hours. Can you even believe it?? No.

I am trying to find the motivation to go the mall. What have I become! The mall, cable TV...ugh. However, the malls here are HUGEMONGOUS! They are 8 levels high with tons of restaurants - good ones, sit-down ones, not just fast food. There is a grocery store in my mall, as well as my gym and a Starbucks and hopefully, a good sushi restaurant. There is also the cinema - so you can tell, the mall is my one-stop entertainment joint. Woo hoo!

It's really hot here and it gets dark at 6. That is why I am hesitant to leave the comfort of my HUGEMONGOUS apartment that is cleaned everyday by someone that is not me. They even do my dishes and laundry. So far, none of my shirts have been shrunk. Another plus.

Have a wonderful weekend! I'm going to take my $1 cab ride to the mall to buy $10 coffee.

Almost a Week!

So I've been here almost a week now. It is very strange here - the people I have met are very nice and are from all over the world. The money is strange - I spent 650,000 Rupiahs on groceries. A cab to work cost me 10,000 Ruphiahs, approximately $1...

seriously, how many times can you cry in one day?

I suppose when you save it up till the last minute, a whole bunch of times!

Today's finally the day! I can't believe it. I am sad and a bit scared and mostly really really excited! I leave in about 2 hours and I still have so much to do! Poor MH, who has been such a dear, will likely be picking up after me until I get back...What was I thinking?

July has been my favorite month so far - perfect weather, no working, great Cubs baseball and so much time spent with my family and friends. Please keep in touch and I will do my best.

xoxo

YIPEEEE!

I just got my passport back - time to leave!

Now if I can just fit everything into one suitcase....

Estimated Date of Departure...

...still fuzzy. Hopefully next Thursday...