It's Good to Have Goals...

For those of you who aren't aware, I set a multitude of goals at the beginning of each year. I have several categories of goals (including financial, career, be interesting/personal development, spiritual, etc.) to keep them organized. I also assign metrics to each goal to track my progress, which is measured monthly. Every three months, I try to do a review of my list of goals to see how I am progressing and determine if my goal list needs to be updated. Yes, this goal list is created in Excel and No, so far, I have not used macros to make this process easier.

When I decided to go to Asia, only one goal was allowed on my goal list: acclimate. Maybe I have not ENTIRELY fulfilled this goal yet, but I am READY to start my new set of goals! (I am lost without my goal list...can't function...yes, it's sad, but true).

So, I thought I would share some of my goals since I feel like this is a turning point for me! The first goal I made since I realized I was ready to set goals was to run the half marathon in Singapore! It is December 7 and I am just beginning my training now! I thought, what better way to see another country than to run around in it! So I will. I will keep you updated on my training...at least Singapore is flat (as opposed to Cincinnati...ugh).

I also have the normal goals of saving money, emailing my friends on a regular basis, sending my grandmas cards, keep Sundays open for Liz day (btw, I failed this week...I made plans), be a better big sister, appreciate, do volunteer work once a month, etc, etc...

One goal I made in January 2007 was to be a better friend. I continue to keep this goal on my list with more and more detailed ideas on how to be a better friend. What I find amazing is that since I have been away from the States, some of my friendships have progressed to deeper, more meaningful levels. I have reconnected with people I haven't talked to in years, people from high school, college and even, elementary school. I have made new friends, maybe not with tremendous ease, but much more quickly than I thought and with people that I expect to remain in touch with once I (boo!) leave Asia.

I am realizing that most of my posts are related to food or friends; that's kind of funny! (Mental note: New Goal - blog about a new topic.)

Anyway, I've shared my goals. What are yours? Post for all to see!

New Food

So many of you know that I am not the biggest foodie around and I would rather drink my dinner than eat it (hmmm, do I sound like an alcoholic when I phrase it that way? I do eat lunch...) but I have been trying to be a good sport in the spirit of learning a new culture and have tried some new things.

A couple days ago, I had this wonderful, spicy, tasty soup that had a fish head in it. Yes, I ate fish. Yes, I saw its eyes. I did not realize I was eating fish-head soup (not sure of the Indonesian translation, but I will work on that for you). I had lunch with a couple people from work at an authentic Indonesian restaurant. I did not participate in the ordering, which is fine as I would not have ordered fish-head soup. It was probably actually called whole-fish soup, as all the fish meat was still on its bones. However, the soup was AMAZING and I will likely eat it again. Besides fish, the soup had vegetables (don't even ask what kind...I am sure you can find them at the Asian grocery store in Chicago though), spices and I believe, lime. Oh yes, and of course, there was plenty of oil and/or butter. If a dish is not made with a pound of butter, sugar, oil or chili peppers, I don't think it can be considered authentic Indonesian.

Today, I had some red bean/coconut pudding. For those of you who know me well, YES I ATE BEANS. In the form of pudding, no less. It actually tasted good. Except for the bean skin. (which I politely stacked in the middle of my plate).

Last weekend, I ate Pizza Hut. Oh wait, that's from the US. Surprisingly, it tastes just like home!

Happy Eating!

Thank God and the Universe for Old Friends...

Tonight, I had the chance to talk to an old high school friend....amazing what a 10 minute online chat can do for the spirit. An hour later, I had the chance to talk to Kristen on Skype video phone and "meet" her new son, Aiden. I feel so much joy right now that it is almost overwhelming! I just had to share...

August!

Firstly, thank you to everyone for supporting me through my worst night ever! Everything turned out okay and I am feeling much better! It is wonderful to feel the support of my friends and family from so far away!

August was a very event-filled month! There were weddings, birthdays, family events, the Olympics, and so much more! What was your favorite event? My favorite events include talking to my twin, the first time I directed my Taksi driver to the gym, the birth of Kristen's baby, ALSP's special news, talking to my dad and Juli's wedding! (If only Indonesia had broadcast the Olympics, I would probably include this on my list!) For me, it is hard to narrow down my favorite things...I am finally back in a place of loving my job and enjoying my life - it changes my perspective on everything! I wake up in the morning feeling happy and go to bed feeling happy.

During August, my homesickness was reduced significantly. It feels like it took such a long time, but now I am actually having fun in Jakarta! I have a To Do List of things that I want to do while I am here, including restaurants to try, vacations to go on, and malls to shop in. I joined the American Women's Association. I can't wait to go to the Zoo! I am setting up a time to do some volunteer work.

Because August was an acclimation period, I don't have much to report. I hope to have some interesting stories for you in the next few weeks!

Scroll down and vote for your favorite event of August! If you don't see it, feel free to post your story for all to share!

Happy September!