motorcycle girl

I am now a motorcycle girl. Before you start picturing leather jackets and skull caps, though, maybe you should take a look at the little dinker of a thing they call a motorcycle. It's more or less a bicycle with a motor attached.

Driving here is not a leisure activity. It's fun, sure, but I do not do it to relax like I did in the States.

People are pretty much crazy. And not because they speed and do crazy tricks, cause a lot don't. It's little stuff. It's not wearing a helmet. It's driving on the wrong side of the median. It's not looking before you pull out in front of someone. It's making two lanes into three... four... five lanes. You quickly learn the dimensions of your vehicle and just how much space you need to get through or around or by someone. And it's cramming four people on a two person bike. I've seen entire families on a motorcycle - the Dad drives, a child in his lap in front, Momma in the back, and a baby in between. And none wearing helmets. Seriously.

For me, the rule is: no sudden movements. Don't do anything that would surprise anyone. If you're going to pull out in front of someone, do it confidently but not suddenly. If a car comes ridiculously close to you, don't jerk over to the side, because you'll take out the motorcyclist who's next to you. As long as you pay attention to what's going on around you and stay calm, you'll be fine.

I've got a confession to make: more ugliness has come out in me while driving here than it ever did in the States. If I ever need to be reminded of what I've been saved from, all I gotta do is go for a drive. That being said, my pr-yer life has also increased greatly since I've been on the bike, haha. I am extremely grateful, though, for being able to drive, as well as for the four months I had riding in this craziness without having to manage it myself. Dad knew what he was doing. :)

Usually I wear long-sleeves while I drive for two reasons: more protection and people can't tell as easily that I'm an American, haha.

And now for some photos of one of the cutest girls in the world - meet Loren. She's the daughter of one of the Ibu's in my life, and she is the most adorable thing. Once so shy she wouldn't speak a word or even come close to me, she now chatters endlessly about things beyond my language capabilities. Love this girl.

 

Also, if any of you are interested, I try to send out a monthly email (really it's become every 6 weeks - my bad) with more specifics on life and work here. If you'd like to be added to the list, just shoot me an email at: rachel_stone26@eku.edu.

small town life

The past couple of days has been full of lots of new things. Sorry for the delay. New place = no internet in my room = new routine.

First: Singapore. Wow. What a city. The two days I spent there really spoiled me - clean, full of English-speakers, and Subway. Man, oh man. But that wasn't the point, of course. Which leads me to…

Second: new visa! I am allowed to stay for another 60 days! Hooray! I'll be able to extend it for a little bit longer, but I will have to go back to Singapore again for my real visa. Oh, darn. :)

Third: Btown! I'm here!! Nearly a year later, I am walking the streets and seeing the faces of the people I've been waiting to join! It is quite different than the other city in so many aspects.

- There's green! Trees everywhere, and the beach! You can smell the ocean water when going to the store… and then you turn around and see the mountains on the other side. Do I really live here?

- Btown definitely has the small-town vibe. For those back home, if I had to guess, it's about the size of Lexington with the feel of Winchester. There are two universities, but right now it's holiday for them, so it's pretty quiet.

- And consequently, since it is a small town, I don't have quite as many luxuries as I did during language school. No massive, glamorous malls (though there are two small ones); no becaks (my primary mode of transportation the past four months); no McDonalds. I think I'll adjust. :)

- Language is a little different here. They use an "o" sound a lot more in place of the "a" sound, in particular at the end of a word. It makes listening a little more difficult… Additionally, since it is a small town, people sometimes use their tribal languages, which is not the language I learned. His power works in my weakness… His power works in my weakness.

Fourth: first driving lesson. I'm really excited about it all, but there's a healthy dose of fear as well. I've (almost) mastered driving in a parking lot today, but driving on the streets is a whole other ballgame. Hopefully I'll be able to have another lesson soon.

Fifth: home stay. Right now, I am living in what they call a kos. It's a house owned by a family, and they rent out the rooms to people, in most cases, to students. Sometimes the family themselves don't actually live there, and the kos next door during language school had something like 30 guys and girls living there. This kos is different. The family does live here, so I have an ibu kos (house mother), who has been very great. Also, rather than dozens of people here, there are only three other girls. We share a bathroom and a kitchen that is truly southeast Asian. I don't have internet right now, so I'll have to be a lot more intentional with my time on it (definitely not a bad thing). I promise there will be pictures after I've settled in more.

At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by it all. But my heart is learning to rejoice in it all - even the lack of everything I once knew to be a bathroom and a kitchen. I've been able to start relationships with my kos mates and met the students at the English club today for the first time.

He is so faithful. He doesn't abandon his children. Paul says he learned the secret to doing all things - hunger, sickness, the good and the bad - "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." In every circumstance, we can press on because he is our strength. He doesn't just leave us to fend for ourselves; rather, he fights our battles for us. He is clearing the obstacles and making straight our paths. All we have to do is be obedient and look to him.

Sorry for the book. I promise I'll upload photos soon. Those are more fun. :) 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the L0rd your G0d is with you wherever you go." Josh 1:9

the end of the beginning

My time in this city has come to an end. 

We finished language school yesterday with evaluations at the mall, eating ice cream and pancakes while talking to people about what they do in their free time. All of my luggage, save for my backpack and guitar, is making its way on a bus to my new destination. And I am bound for Singapore in the morning for a two-day visa run.

It's strange to think that my time here is already over. I'm very much a mix of emotions that come in waves right now. I'm sad. I'm nervous. I'm scared. I'm excited. I'm readying myself for culture shock again. I'm trusting through uncertainties. I'm eager to meet the people, to see the city, to finally be where I've been preparing to go for a year. I'm ready to continue the journey.

This last week has been very full. We saw a friend get married. I got to wear a traditional top to the ceremony. I've packed up everything I own... again. We've cleaned (MagicErasers are awesome, by the way), booked flights, searched this city up and down for a hard guitar case (no luck). I've eaten out with friends, exchanged gifts, had sleepovers. I've said hard goodbyes, given many hugs, cried a lot, laughed just as much. It's been good.

And it's good when, as my eyes well up with tears, a dear friend sweetly take my hands and says, "Don't be sad, friend. It's not goodbye. It's just talk to you later."

It's not goodbye, loves. It's just talk to you later.

I borrowed the top from a friend. She dressed me up like a doll with all the jewelry and my hair.

Cleaning with the MagicEraser. Please note the difference between the tiles, particularly the line drawn down the grout.

First day = Success

Four flights and 36 hours later, I've made it safe and sound to southeast Asia! I wasn't able to meet up with my language school partner for the flights thanks to Houston weather delaying her flight, but it ended up being good. My layovers weren't longer than two hours each, so by the time I got off the plane and found my way to the gate, I really only had an hour to chill. Note to self: figure out a plan B for getting separated from partner BEFORE you leave. An hour is not long enough to panic, call a billion people, try to change flights, and be okay with the realization that you're flying across the world alone. All in all, it was okay If nothing else, it gave me an empty seat next to me to spread out on. And all my bags made it, minus the luggage straps and one TSA lock (sorry, Dad).

Today was pretty packed as they tried successfully to keep me awake the whole day, as that's the way to battle jet lag. Rode through the city (I've decided Asians all drive in the same terrifying manner - is that presumptuous of me?), ate my first local food (delish), had my first shopping trip (apparently, in the department stores, after you select your items, they write you a bill and you pick up your things at the register), and met a lot of young, eager English students. They were awesome. Do I really get to do this for two years??

Language study starts in a week and a half. First, a local friend is taking us around town to get used to the culture and basically know how to survive later this week. Pictures to come. Right now - glorious sleep!

New chapter begins

Tomorrow's the big day. My flight leaves from Lexington around 2 bound for Houston, connecting to Moscow to Southeast Asia. Monday will more or less not exist as I will be traveling the entire day, arriving Tuesday morning their time (currently there's an 11 hour time difference). Everything I own fits in two trunks, a backpack, and a purse.

 

Be lifting up travel, loved ones, and goodbyes. Thank you, once again, for all of the support and encouragement. You guys are awesome.