First International Flight...

Journal thoughts from my first international flight Monday, June 6, 2011 and Tuesday, June 7, 2011.

These were written somewhere over the world while on the Korean Air "Seoul" plane!

We are world travelers! During the plane ride I watched the highlights of the Pittsburgh Steelers becoming world champions in the Super Bowl XL in Detroit, Michigan against the Seahawks! A lot of hard work got Jerome Bettus to play against the Seattle, Superhawks in his home town. So history has been made....four African American doctoral students  traveled to Indonesia to study abroad!  All of our individual experiences in life (personal and professional) afforded us the opportunity to shine while traveling with the group!:)

3 classes of seating on this plane....First Class, Prestige Class, then Economy Class.
Mint green seating greets you once you board the plane....Then you have 3 areas of sky blue seating for as far as you can see!  I believe I heard someone say that 550 passengers were aboard the flight.  As it turns out there was upstairs seating....I have no clue what color their seating was above us but I imagine a soothing color!
At 6 p.m. Iowa time we were half way to Seoul, Korea. As I look at the map (detailing our origination) I listen to Mary Mary and fully embrace the sounds of the song I Don't Believe that He Brought Me This Far To Leave Me.    With four hours remaining on the flight (9 hours had already passed) I feel the stuffiness of the plane and realize that we are crossing the Arctic Ocean. I took my Seoul plane complimentary slippers off for a refreshing cool wave of air on the sole of my feet.
 On June 7 we were aboard a 7+ hour flight with our legs stretched out in all 3 seats (for the first time ever) and I drooled! I completed my Customs Declaration for the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia Directorate General of Customs and Excise and a The Republic of Indonesia Arrival/Departure Card!
Now it is time to leave Indonesia today, June 21, 2011...So I just had an encounter....I was identified as a foreigner!  So, I took a photo and an immigration officer almost arrested me!  But hey....I got the photo, I will post it as soon as I can! Pray....I am on my way back to America.
See you at 3:40 p.m. at DSM. 

The last school visit in Jakarta, Indonesia

 

They treated us like the royalty that we are! I am humbled to get such a warm welcome!:)

I am wearing a ulos (pronounced Oo loos)  It means blessing for God or God bless You! A hand-woven ulos is given to couples when they marry!  It comes from North Sumatra, Indonesia.  I taught mathematics hear today and the students told me that I look like Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey!  What do you think?

Toba Batak people performing a traditional dance, wearing ulos

Per Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ulos is the traditional cloth of the Batak people of North Sumatra. Different kinds of ulos have different ceremonial significance. The ulos is normally worn draped over the shoulder or shoulders, or in weddings to ceremonially bind the bride and groom together. Ulos are traditionally hand woven and in the case of higher-quality examples are significant family heirlooms, to be worn at important events, such as funerals and weddings.

I have rode in this golden chariot for the past 14 days (actually 13.5 days....one day the AC had to be repaired and we were given a different driver & during our last school visit the car broke down and we were given two drivers in two separate vehicles. :( ) in the streets of Indonesia.  We had a safe and competent driver named Midun (pronounced Mid Dune) in this golden chariot. He put my heart at ease most days.  Oh how I wish he spoke English!  He just laughs and smiles at us!

Now this is the group that I came to Indonesia with....I have superlatives to give out to them all!

Chad on the far left is actually Deacon Chad  Kee (he earned the name based on how he sings any song...gospel, R&B....it literally all has the same tone) from the Baptist church and affectionately known as Big Brother Chad (he has given me so much wisdom and set me straight).
Mary is affectionately known as Soul Sister and she gets the Purple Heart for always turning purple/red when we talk about anything extremely funny or embarrassing!
Katrina is Mrs. Indonesia because I will return with my family and friends and the Night Night Award (for all the off the wall comments that I say!
Kathleen has earned the International Trade Award because of her major and natural ability to embrace many cultures.
Cameron gets the Diplomat Award.
Aja gets the Best Impersonation Award "one for me and one for the driver!"
Bettina has earned the Linguistic Award she can speak Indonesian, Spanish, and English!
Agustina gets the Indonesian of the Year Award for arranging all the events that we had in Indonesia and for her personal translator/interpreter abilities.
Dr. Hagedorn gets the International Traveler of the Year Award.

Just what would my ancestors think of me today?

I have had many thoughts about my ancestors as I have studied abroad in Indonesia.  Just what would  Eddie Lane (my paternal great-grandmother, Queen Esther Harden (my paternal grandmother), Horatio Harden (my paternal grandfather), Hattie Mae Hudson (my maternal great-grandmother), Lawrence "Doc" Hudson (my paternal great-grandfather) Geraldine Taylor (my maternal grandmother), Lacey Taylor (my maternal great-grandmother), Lee Cester Taylor Sr. (my maternal grandfather affectionately known as Paw-Paw to me) and all those who I can not name!
I read a poem this morning by Nikki Giovanni that captured a portion of my thoughts and met a very wisdom filled Indonesian woman who spoke life into my journey through this life on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the Jakarta Convention Center.

I Am A Mirror by Nikki Giovanni
I am a mirror
I reflect the grace of my mother
The tenacity of my grandmother
The patience of my grandfather
The sweat of my great-grandmother
The hope of my ancestors
The prayers of those on the auction block
The bravery of those in middle passage
I reflect the strengths of my people
And for that alone
I am loved

You see from the above poem just what I feel at this moment.....LOVE!  I know that this first study abroad trip is not just for me but for them (those in the past, the present, and the future to come)!  I stand on many shoulders and refuse to let anyone rob me of this moment in my life! Get out of my way if you are not for me....I STAND because they stood for me. I STAND because they are standing with me.  I STAND because they will need me to stand for them someday.

To make sure that I understood and heard the voices of my ancestors, God sent Muksiah Mashad to me at the Jakarta Convention Center.  She spoke fluent English and said these words to me...."You must return to Indonesia. You are needed."  I found myself saying "Yes Ma'am" repeatedly.  She said, "President Barack Obama has made this possible for you." I could feel her pride as she talked about her granddaughter studying abroad in Maryland.  I can only imagine how my maternal grandmother, Geraldine Taylor talked about me (to anyone who would listen):)  I recall vividly the last time I came to Arkansas to get her out of St. Vincent Infirmary.  I got to go back to the room where dialysis was happening mind you....these folks thought I was a medical doctor and started telling me that my grandmother was absolutely PROUD of my many accomplishments.  I assured them that I had a long way to go.  Grandma just seemed to get better all of a sudden and we laughed and within days she was discharged and able to come home.  In August 2008 she went into St. Vincent Infirmary and God said you can not go get her.....I want to take her home.  So to make sure that I stayed in my place, I stayed in Georgia until He came with the sweet chariot and carried her home.  I am crying right now. But I must say that I once thought that the best way to pay respect to grandma was to name my daughter Victoria Geraldine, but this day I know for sure the best way to show respect for my grandma is to say I am a mirror!

To God be the Glory for letting us spend this time together on this side! See you on the other side.

Batik Fridays in Indonesia....Everyday Batik is worn in Indonesia!

So have you ever heard of Batik?  My colleagues on this Indonesia Study Abroad called my shirt that I bought in Plains, Georgia my Batik print!  Too funny!  It is not! They are just crazy and say funny stuff about anybody at any given time!

I know Kierra! You begged your Aunt Trina not to ever wear this shirt again but I like it sooooo much!

I made my own Batik for real at an Indonesian clothing store.  Check out these pictures....

Okay so the lady had to help me just a little bit!!

The finished product looked really nice!

At this store I spent 600,000 rupiah on souvenirs for family and friends who invested in me to study abroad in Indonesia Summer 2011 (it is never too late to invest in this international scholar....I still have a huge bill to pay:))  Okay!  So Batik Fridays look awesome!  All the Indonesians (mostly in Jakarta and in President University in Cikarang, Indonesia...those are the places that I spend most of my study abroad days) are wearing this very unique print.  It can be dressed up or down just depends on the look that you want to portray!  If I could afford it....I would buy one of these multi-million dollar Batik evening gowns!  Since I have friends in Indonesia....I will have to send monies to Indonesia for this elegant purchase.  I would love to renew my vows (at our 10 year anniversary next year) wearing a gown that is featured in the last photo.  It says....I still do love you!  I wonder if the love of my life would wear it?  I think he would if I bought and it highlighted his good sides!  But seriously, at the Jakarta Convention Center on Saturday, June 18, 2011, they were selling Batik in the entire convention center.....I could only find Victoria a beautiful beaded batik blouse.  That is a start to the Batik vow renewal of the century....Mr. and Mrs. Vladimir Williams!

Per Wikipedia

Batik (Javanese pronunciation: [ˈbateʔ]; Indonesian: [ˈbatɪʔ]; English: /ˈbætɪk/ or /bəˈtiːk/) is a cloth that traditionally uses a manual wax-resist dyeing technique. Batik or fabrics with the traditional batik patterns are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan,China, Azerbaijan, India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Singapore.

Javanese traditional batik, especially from Yogyakarta and Surakarta, has notable meanings rooted to the Javanese conceptualization of the universe. Traditional colours include indigo, dark brown, and white, which represent the three majorHindu Gods (Brahmā, Visnu, and Śiva). This is related to the fact that natural dyes are most commonly available in indigo and brown. Certain patterns can only be worn by nobility; traditionally, wider stripes or wavy lines of greater width indicated higher rank. Consequently, during Javanese ceremonies, one could determine the royal lineage of a person by the cloth he or she was wearing.

Other regions of Indonesia have their own unique patterns that normally take themes from everyday lives, incorporating patterns such as flowers, nature, animals, folklore or people. 

Kids at play....

Slow Down! Kids at Play!  You ever seen those signs that warn you to slow down because kids are at play?! Well, I am in Indonesia and enjoyed playing with the children in their classroom.  We played Duck Duck goose!  It was so much fun! To get out of the loser circle…I sang Hokey Pokey! The second time I was in the loser circle, I sang Yes, Jesus loves me…since we were in a Christian private school for 3-year olds to grade 12 and they looked at me like I was crazy on the first song! We played an Indonesian game too!  I lost so many timesL!  I was playing with the fun 1^st, 2^nd , or either 3^rd graders….I can not remember it feels like it was so long ago!  The pictures demonstrate that play and fun is universal.  I am a big kid at heart when I am around children! I love cartoons! Children books are my favorite!  It is so awesome to be carefree and not have a worry!  Only to return to the fun times of being a kid….I pledge to forever be young in my heart!  So there is a story behind the balls….I saw them and wanted to jump in….I stepped in and lost my balance….and my colleagues literally started taking pictures!  I was so embarrassed but heck fire….I had fun! Please note that I returned all the balls to the tub that seemed to jump out when my 160 lbs fell on them!  Too funny!

Pictures of President and Vice President on the classroom walls

Photo taken in President Obama's 4th grade classroom in Indonesia! 

I presented there and made a little history myself!:)

I grew up during the time of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy hanging on the wall in every home!  So I visit Indonesia (on my first study abroad trip) and could not help but notice their President and Vice President was on every classroom wall.   Friends, family, and colleagues do you think that we could handle this in American classrooms? Would partisanship/bipartisanship get in the way? Would racism hinder this from happening in the United States of America?  I know that not every American likes President Obama but let me tell you these Indonesian folks love him!  So I have been called  Mrs. Obama daily!  Some Indonesians cannot speak English but they can say Obama! I wish someone would connect me with the First Family of America!  Anybody...somebody please help a sister out!  I am not so sure what I would even say! But back to my concern in this blog...I have digressed (as usual)!  Is it possible for President Barak Obama and Vice President Joe Biden to be in your child's classroom? In your classroom? I plan to raise this as a concern at the Parent Advisory Board meeting in Ames, Iowa.  Join me America and let us make that happen in a classroom near you!  Think about the message(s) that it will send to a minority child!
I can see a child passing a difficult mathematics exam, a challenging spelling test, a cumulative science exam, identifying all 50 states and the capitals on a Geography lesson, and recalling the Preamble of the Constitution just because they see someone who did...who looks like them if they are African American... President Barak Obama!  Generally, I do not talk about my political concerns on Facebook or in a blog....I generally leave that to my childhood friend Clarence Bucky Smith!  So, I decided to connect American classrooms to Indonesian classrooms with this observation and to prepare myself for the Iowa caucus!  Get your vote ready for OBAMA 2012! Are you in?

Missing home just a little bit right now....

So I am in a British and Indian pub named Eastern Promise in Jakarta, Indonesia.  They have free Wi-Fi!!! To be true to this experience....I am seizing this moment! So I am in a room (with AC mind you) listening to the Indonesia Study Abroad group sing Al Green song "Let's Stay Together" and all these American songs!  I am missing my husband, children, and mom!  I did not realize that I have been talking about them so much to the group.  Earlier today they teased me about it and darn it, I realized that it would be so great to have them close by (in Indonesia that is....).  I am not ready to leave but would love to have my people in this country with me. I miss the hugs from Vijay.  The "I love yous" from Victoria! I never thought I would say this but I miss combing her hair!  I miss burying my head in Vladimir's chest at night and laughing at all our inside jokes....that is where I feel the safest at night!  I also miss terribly watching the OWN network and Oprah with my mom.  I am grateful for the support they give me so that I can be here in Indonesia.  I can be a hand full at times when I am home but somehow they still LOVE me!
If you are a wife/husband....love and appreciate your husband/wife!  Appreciate him/her in the following ways:
1. for being your business partner
2. for being your lover
3. for being your soul mate
4. for parenting our children
5. for being your friend
I learned those five appreciations from the best therapist in the world Dr. Lewis T. Kola in Atlanta, Georgia.
For the children parents give lots of LOVE, hugs, more of YOU and less on the things.
For the mothers/fathers...thank them often for what they deposited in YOU!
Okay those are my words of wisdom.... live from Indonesia!

Just give love to your household and if you see or talk to my peoples give a little love to them from the wife, mother, and daughter....Katrina Harden Williams:)

I just ordered a California grilled chicken sandwich at this pub....talk to you later! Bon Apetit!

My Indonesian Jr. Colleagues

My Indonesian junior colleagues wear the best jackets.  Check out the orange jackets of these students.  In America we may call this a uniform.  Indonesians have a way of wearing these suit jackets! They look distinguished.  You are assured to have a conversation that will be worth your time.  A stimulating conversation that may provide you with insight about Indonesia might I add.  They (the junior colleagues pictured here in orange blazers) wanted to know what I thought about Indonesia.  So I will let you know just what I shared with many junior colleagues who asked what I thought of Indonesia

1.       I would like to make a difference in some person’s life especially a child’s life.  I would like to give what I have because I realize that perhaps I may have just a little too much (even in my suitcases and my daily snack box).  I gave away 6 t-shirts on yesterday and just might leave some clothing with a man standing on the streets of Cikarang  (pronounced Chika Rung).  I also shared my snack boxes with people rather than putting all the contents (that I did not like) in the trash.

2.  I would like to pick up the trash.  This may take away a person’s employment opportunity but hey I just do not like litter! 

3.  I will return to Indonesia. It shall be!

In the words of Billy, my junior colleague attending President University on full tuition scholarship, “I am grateful for what I have”!

Terima Kasih Lord! (Thank You Lord!)

A Smile is Universal but the “look” May Not Be

Once we arrived in Chicago on June 6 we were all moving rapidly through Chicago O’hara International Airport.  We were waiting patiently to board the Korean Air. I took pictures of the double decker airplane.  The atmosphere shifted as we sat in the terminal.  The Asians just smiled.  No words just a smile and the “look”.  The “look” is a stare.  I was raised to not stare…somehow my elders believed that it was simply impolite.  But people in the terminal would give you the “look” and hope that you did not notice.  If you did it turned into a smile.  The “look” was filled with questions.  I imagine that they were wondering in their heads the following questions and thoughts about me and the rest of the members of the Indonesia Study Abroad  group:

Is that Michelle Obama? 

Where are they going? Korea?

What will they do in Asia?

What is that?

Why are they smiling at us?

Are they Africans?

Are they Americans?

I hope they talk to me, but if they don’t I will talk to them.

I knew that I was dressing like Americans!

Look at her outfit.

Look at his outfit.

Look at their outfits.

Perhaps they had pleasant thoughts and just wanted to smile.  The smile is universal.:) Have you smiled today at someone?

Facebook and internet limited access....

What have I learned from not being so accessible to Facebook and the internet?  I realize that I really talk a lot. I vow to journal everytime a thought comes to my mind instead of sharing it out loud....heck fire it may make a national best seller!  I miss my family especially my laughing buddy, my lover, my friend, Vladimir Williams and of course, my children and my mom (& talking to my siblings and dad). 
Now, I have learned to be thankful for so many things.  Here is a short list.
1. People who love me.
2. People who laugh with me.
3. A hot shower.
4. My pink Camel Bak filled with cold water.
5. Shoes on my feet.
6. Opportunities to be educated.
7. Clean clothes for me on a daily basis.
8. Dental hygiene and quality medical care.
9. A top sheet.
10. Foods that I can name in English.
11. Ice
12. Chilled Bottled Water
13. Kool-Aid (Strawberry please)
14. Hot Apple Cider  ( I have just one pack left...why did I not pack 22 packs!)
15. This Indonesian experience
16. My Queen Rice Bed
17. The few Indonesian words that I know
18. The van driver who drives us through the streets of Indonesia daily.
19. LOVE
20. Being responsible for the energy that I bring.
21. Prayer....

Mango Tree planted June 17, 2011

I shall not I shall not be moved.....just like a tree that is planted by the water. I shall not be moved!  Sing with me....God bless Mrs. King from Zion Hill Baptist Church Sweet Home, Arkansas for teaching me this song years ago...almost 35 years ago!  May the mango tree that I just planted touch many souls and provide nourishment to all in Indonesia!
Per Wikipedia....
The mango is the most consumed fruit in the world. Mango is used to make juices, smoothies, ice cream, fruit bars, raspados, aguas frescas, pies and sweet chili sauce, or mixed with chamoy, a sweet and spicy chili paste. It is popular on a stick dipped in hot chili powder and salt or also as a main ingredient in fresh fruit combinations.  Mangoes account for approximately half of all tropical fruits produced worldwide. Indonesia is one of the top producers of mangoes....just like Iowa is the top producer of maize/corn! Knowledge is power!
Cikarang! (Pronounced Chika Rung is where I am staying most of the 17 days)
Terima Kasih (Thank you in Indonesian):)
I am loving it all!  Vladimir, mom, Vijay, and Victoria we are going to an Indonesian restaurant when I return to the USA! Stephanie Harden-Kendrick....little sister I will cook Indonesian food for you!:)

Top producers of mangoes, mangosteens, guavas, 2008-9

Country	Production in millions of tons
India	~ 13.6
People's Republic of China	4.2
Thailand	2.5
Indonesia	2.2
Mexico	~ 1.9
Pakistan	~ 1.8
Brazil	~ 1.2
World total	34.9
Key ~ 2008 data Source Food And Agricultural Organization of United Nations: Economic And Social Department: The Statistical Division

Spelman College now shared with Indonesia

Greetings fellow family, friends, and colleagues,
Today, I presented at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) in Indonesia....yes, I created a very unique powerpoint that shared my journey through Spelman College and the linkage to Iowa State University.  Spelman College, I hope that I made you proud! I gave away book marks, t-shirts, folders, and other good items that were in my personal collection! It is simply my hope that someone will proudly say what they learned about Spelman College on the streets of Indonesia (shhhh....I gave a t-shirt to a male college student....yes it was blue! Hopefully, he will represent well!)  My ISU colleagues said I did well but really the energy in the room caused me to present as if Christ was sitting before me!:)  I seized the moment! I maximized the moment! I enjoyed the moment!  For students of Spelman College, thanks for making my experiences at Spelman College simply the best.  To the Mathematics Department and Provost of Spelman College, many thanks for believing in me and pushing me to return to graduate school.  I realize now that I am in Indonesia that you simply saw many things in me that I did not see in myself at the time.  This study abroad experience has been very beneficial to me on many professional and personal levels.
I have to go now and plant my tree with my name on it for President University!  Now that I am planting it, I simply hope others will nurture it!
To God be the Glory!

Muslim Universities In Indonesia

Greetings my fellow blog followers....Indonesia has several muslim universities.  Today we visited Universitas Al Azhar Indonesia (UAI) and Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ).  So here are some highlights of the day...At UAI I welcomed the opportunity to collaborate on my dissertation with a physicist who is interested in helping the people of Indonesia with their educational policy concerns!  Yes, I publicly accepted his challenge and look forward to future research collaborations that will afford me the opportunity to travel abroad! Meanwhile, I also found myself in an interesting dialogue with the Vice Minister of Human Rights at UNJ and eating a feast of Indonesian food and of course, my cucumbers.  So to highlight UNJ, I am going to attempt to upload a video. Keep your fingers crossed!   Okay...I tried, I will try again next time!:)  So back to the Vice Minister of Law and Human Rights....He said the following, "Obama is the  first Indonesian to be President of the United States of America. It is quite possible that we (Americans visiting Indonesia) can now become President of Indonesia".  I do not know about you but all things are possible if you just believe!  My new found wisdom filled mentor, Indonesian Vice Minister of Law and Human Rights also said that he would like for Americans to know that "Islam was hated by America in the past.  President Bush had the wrong understanding."  In paraphrase of his response to my question....what would you like for us (Americans visiting Indonesia) to take back as a message to America....move on from the  past!
Friends, family, and colleagues he has a point.  Our experiences here have afforded me a plethora of opportunities to educate and empower them about the insights of African Americans, Black Americans, African American women, educated women who happen to be African American.  I am seizing every moment to stand up for what I know to be TRUTH!  Yes, I am (or shall I say we are) defying stereotypes and demystifying myths that people have about African Americans!  Yes, I had to come all the way to Indonesia to do (what I do daily in America) but hey....our beloved President, Mr. Barak Obama paved the way.  So now the opportunity lies with you today to hold up your end of the bargain and represent us well in all that you do!
P.S. I have limited internet service as stated before, but I need your prayers.  The Muslims pray 5 times per day! Please commit to joining me in praying earnestly!
Prayers of the righteous availeth much!
God Bless each of you. Tomorrow is a big day for me....I present again in Indonesia...this time at the Universitas Pelita Harapan!
To God be the Glory!

Pictures from Jababeka Golf Course!

First time ever posting a picture on a blog guys...forgot to rotate it! I am drinking a drink called Star Fruit.  It is alcohol free!  My lunch was Rice with Fried Chicken with soup and vegetables (raw cabbage) & of course cucumbers, watermelon, pineapples, and papaya.... from Jababeka Golf Course on Monday, June 13, 2011!  Vijay (our loving son) said mommy please make sure that you go see the Indonesian golf courses! Son just for you the Vice Rector (Vice President) drove me around all 18 holes last night and I made a video just for you!:) Nick Felder designed the heck fire out of this golf course! So, it appears that it takes a long while to drive all 18 holes and much longer to play all 18 holes! So I decided to schedule a massage and they were closed . Then I was invited to the President Executive Club (members only) where Aleo my massage therapist literally gave me an aromatherapy filled massage and a hot bath! I have never experienced such  luxurious spa treatment in my life!  No one has ever bathed me but my mom, grandmothers, Aunt Minnie Pearl, and of course my husband! I laid there completely relaxed until...she took off her skirt (yes she had on clothes underneath but I started praying and almost jumped off the massage table and said....What you talking about Willis!!) She quickly apologized for startling me and climbed on the table to massage my gluteus maximus!  The rest is sheer relaxation and a refreshing hot bath! Oh by the way the cost was 27.00 in US dollars for 90 minutes in Indonesia!

Talk to you later .....we are leaving Jakarta and heading for Cikarang, Indonesia (an hour away without traffic and 3+ with traffic!:)

More fun times in Indonesia & Industrial/Village Indonesia

Today, June 12, 2011, Sunday, on the way to a fun place that is titled Indonesia National Park (Indonesian name coming soon so you can google it & pics too!)....I saw children sliding on the palm tree leaves just as American children slide down a slide in the playgrounds, children playing soccer, and an entire family riding on a motorcycle through the soccer field while goats, sheeps, chickens, and cows....everybody moved through the soccer fields together! You talk about having fun in the fields.
From the fields to the table....I am enjoying the Indonesian foods....Iowa family and friends try out the Bali Sati House on Lincoln Way.   Mom (& my fellow moms with children) please google Sesame Street Indonesia.....they love Elmo here! Go ahead Kevin Clash....I am proud of you brother!
So from Professor John Mewburn....I learn something everyday!
Okay listen to this...I am in Cikarang, Indonesia @ President University!  PU was built in the industrial heartland of Indonesia to produce  English speaking administrators for namely...Mattel, Sanyo, Ernst & Young....now you do not get that impression as you travel through the streets of Cikarang (pronounced Chika Rung)...I feel like I am in the villages of Indonesia....Jakarta  has its villages and its city side too.  My husband....I love me some Vladimir, has provided encouragement for me to appreciate what I have in America. So in this last post of the evening....I am grateful for the following:
1. top sheets (Indonesian do not use them because it is hot here)
2. hot water (Indonesian do not use hot water because it is hot here)
3. litter free streets and home ((Indonesian dump there garbage anywhere)
4. toliets that are free (Yes, I paid 2000 Rupiah for a clean place to urinate and got a receipt)
5. English speaking Indonesians
6. Indonesian speaking Americans, Australians, or any other nationality
7. all the roaches and flies that I killed as a child (I am the official bug killer in our living quarters and I am not afraid:))
8. the opportunity to study abroad
9. to have a supportive husband and mother to care for my babies
10. & you for following this blog!
stay tuned.....
I am having the time of my life!  I have danced and laughed so much!

Boiling Grass and Burning Coconuts

You  know I am going to move the family to a country outside the United States of America....Vijay and I are not learning Chinese for nothing, Vladimir and I are not learning Portugese just to be learning, and heavens knows I did not spend 2+ years learning French in high school!
 We have got to add international plans to our family mission in writing....look out Brazil!
As it turns out....last year Grandma Sarah (Vladimir's grandmother) talked about how the recession did not impact her....because she could survive by boiling grass! Well Grandma Sarah....the Indonesians survive by boiling coconuts for charcoal! (picture coming soon):)
Saturday, June 11, 2011, I ran a hash run in Ciburbu, Indonesia woods....no lie the goats, chickens, roosters sheep, monkeys, and small children & families were in the woods having so much fun!! So we decided to join in the fun times....It reminded me of running through the woods in Sweet Home, Arkansas!  Many were out of their element....I connected with the Indonesian woods....now the funny part is our trail was shredded paper, white paint marks on trees and plants, and X marked the wrong turn!  It was fun....Iowa family and friends let us join the Hash Run in Cedar Falls, Iowa!
By the way, the Indonesian families know how to relax relate and release STRESS!
Pictures are coming.....just thought I would blog about what I saw on yesterday.....

Limited internet access...blogging when I can!!!!!
If you have contact with my family and friends in Arkansas, Georgia, and Iowa....tell them that I am all right & is enjoying the journey but can not post or blog as often as I would like! Blessings to my beloved Americans.....

Motorcycle rides in Indonesia are dangerous!

Listen.....today, I finally caught a picture to prove to you that motorcycle rides in Indonesia are dangerous!!!!!
The children (infants, toddlers, kindergarteners, school-aged children....) are riding in the traffic jammed streets...  literally, I have seen 3 children and both parents all on the mopad/motorcycle without helmets often times!  Picture this....a newborn in a sling attached to the mother and she is sitting sideways (because of her sarong) sandwiched between the two parents is a toddler and at the helm of the wheel is dad and another toddler!

Can we say car seat?! child safety? DFACS for my fellow Atlantans!

visiting the Sekolah Pelita Harapan (Light of Hope) School

Today we went to a second home for your children in Indonesia! Yes, your three year-old through senior in high school can be educated there! Please believe me....visit www.sph.edu/sphcikarang/index.php/home.html for confirmation.  Okay, it cost 75 million (rupiah not dollars:)) to attend this school!  That is $9000.00 (of your USA dollars) per academic year to attend this prestigious private Christian school!  The school had an olympic sized swimming pool, catfish pond and few other luxurious amenities inside the enclosed campus!  Security personnel greeted us at the door and took the drivers identification...it reminded me of the times of driving on a military base!  Okay so I will not bore you with all the educational lingo go to www.ibo.org for that!  Now we have live video of me dancing in Indonesia at this school, and pictures of me playing Indonesian games (& Duck Goose....thanks Vijay for teaching me that one again....it has been over 35 years since I played that one!).....yes pictures and video will all be on the blog!  Now for you folks that may be curious....I was doing the Indonesian version of the electric slide and some other dances too!  I have no clue how to spell them....but you know I will find out!
Now, if you wish to hear something personal.....I used an eastern toliet!!!! Hindu Squats (watching my husband do them) prepared me for how to use that!  It was a balancing act!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay! I was an Indonesian musician today too! I got my groove on playing the Angklung (an instrument from Sunda, Indonesia.....not the Sudan like I thought the folks were saying....well heck fire I thought they borrowed it from Africa!!!!!!!! )

Katrina Got Indonesia? No, I am in Indonesia!

Well I am here...my first ever study abroad trip.  Indonesia Summer 2011!!!! I finally arrived June 7, 2011
after 10 p.m. I just got internet service today June 9, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. but took copious notes and lots of pictures....bear with me as I transcribe my descriptive and very detailed journal entries into the blog and learn how to post pictures to Facebook from my digital camera!  This is my first time ever doing all of this blogging and studying abroad!!!! Follow me closely friends and family....:)