Being Bule

The single most influential factor in my life here is my existence as a bule. It dictates how, why, and when people interact with me. It affects every single relationship I create and colors people’s opinions of me as soon as they see me. 

A Day in the Life

Here we are almost a month before I leave this country and many months since my last post. One reason for my rather remarkable dearth of posts is that at a certain point things stop being new and I stop needing to write about it to process. But as my time here comes to an end I think it would be good to describe what my life here actually is.

Burmese Days: Escape to Myanmar

The Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Grant is not a travel grant. This has been pointed out to us a number of times, particularly when the prickly subject of the travel policy comes up. However, Indonesia is not only a large country filled with beauty and culture, but it is also located in Southeast Asia which is filled with even more beauty and culture

On Diving; or, The Scariest Thing I’ve Ever Done

The hardest things I’ve ever done in my life—writing my thesis, giving my best friend’s eulogy, moving to Indonesia for 9 months—have generally happened slowly, gradually, almost inevitably. They were certainly the most difficult tasks and decisions I’ve ever undertaken but at no point did I stop and truly think I could not continue. I have now done something that breaks that pattern and I think that diving is idiosyncratically the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

On Weddings; or, Why You Should Carry Fancy Clothes With You At All Times

Weddings in Indonesia seem to be a free-for-all, anyone and everyone and ESPECIALLY the local bule are invited. I have been to three weddings so far and all of them have come as surprises.

Thoughts on Gender Conventions: Alcohol, Zumba, and Guns

Last weekend I went to the birthday party of Sam’s co-teacher. It was actually a joint birthday venture because it was Ibu Sintike’s birthday and her husband, Wayan, had his birthday the day before. It was an interesting experience for two main reasons:

Back to Manado! Housing, friends, and no lesson planning

I’m back in Manado! And I am happy to be here. Of course I miss everyone and the comfort, but I really am happy to be back.

More Bandung: Co-Teaching

Okay so I wrote the previous post a few days ago but never got around to posting it, so here is a little more from the last couple days.

One of my co-teachers, Ibu Ivonne, arrived to join me at orientation. We had a beautiful welcome dinner feast welcoming all of the Ibu’s and Bapak’s (these are the terms for Mrs. and Mr.) who were the co-teacher or counterparts for all of the ETAs.

Orientation in Bandung! aka A Short Life of Luxury

Comfort: Hotel Sheraton Bandung

Today is Wednesday September 9th, meaning I have just about half a week left in Bandung. I have been here for the past week and a half for my Fulbright ETA training and orientation and, man, I don’t want to leave.

My First Week in Indonesia: Introduction to Manado and SMK Negeri 1

Okay so it is Saturday September 5th, meaning it has been two weeks since I first arrived to Manado and a week since I came to Bandung. I might be a little behind with my blog posts, please forgive me. But let’s go back to the start of my first week in Manado.