Wednesday, December 1, 2010
November month of 1sts
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
bali trip
I know it’s been awhile since I have posted anything. I finally got out of Jakarta for a short holiday. On Wednesday I left and went to Bali. It was a great time. We stayed in Semanyak, which was nice and quiet the area we stayed not to touristy. We had a five-minute walk and we were on the beach.
I really liked where we stayed it was nice and better than what I expected considering we didn’t book it until Monday and we left Wednesday. We were going to just stay in hostels but decided to get a hotel. We had our own two bedroom apt with a bathroom, living room, kitchen and balcony. We had breakfast there every morning and one night I had dinner there. There were two pools and it was pretty relaxing! I loved having a private balcony to sit on and read and relax.
One of the cool things about Bali compared to Jakarta is that most of the people are Hindu and not Muslim. Therefore, we saw lots of carved gods, Buddha’s, and offerings. It was so neat to see people put out offerings daily. Some of the would be just flowers, slices of oranges and many other things. A lot of the businesses would have new offerings daily. Also where we entered the beach was outside of this temple and it was a private part of the beach where the locals would make offerings and pray. We saw people praying there always and it was kind of cool.
While at the beach I saw the highest waves I have ever seen. I have seen some big ones too. I remember going to Wilmington one time after a hurricane had just passed and these don’t even compare. Even though it was a red flag day we swam anyways. The waves were a little rough and you didn’t go out very far because of the undertow. I don’t think I went out past my waste but when the waves came you got pushed around and it was a blast. Yesterday, we went to beach again and walked the whole beach. It took us about an hr and half. It was cool to see the differences in the beaches in the area we were in. Near Semanyak the waves were much bigger but the closer you got to Kuda they were smaller and you had a lot more surfers. I couldn’t believe how talented these surfers were. I got a little sunburnt but its okay I will be tan tomorrow. The sun is much stronger there than in Jakarta because they don’t have pollution like we do.
Other things we did while in Bali were some shopping in the rain on our first full day there, a two and half hr spa treatment with massages and body scrub, and dinners out every night.
I can’t wait to go back in October and do some more shopping and see other parts of Bali. I am going to go to Ubud and climb a volcano and hope to do some snorkeling.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
North Jakarta
Saturday, August 14, 2010
exploring the city
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
update from the last week
Thursday, July 29, 2010
campus
Monday, July 26, 2010
1st day of orientation
Sunday, July 25, 2010
In Hong Kong I got a Starbucks latte and it was 37 dollars (chinese though) lol. well just waiting for my friend to come back and then fly to jakarta. I will post more later. Thanks for your prayers and support and pray that my bag gets there.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
4 More Days
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thanks to everyone that made it to my party this weekend! And to all of you in NC that made it to say goodbye when i was there. I will miss you all so much!
I have packed most of my checked bags already thanks to space saver bags!! I just have to watch the weight limit now. If you have any last minute advice on how to get over jet lag fast I would appreciate it.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Last Monday was my first day on the subway in NYC by myself. I thought to myself I can do this! I did all the research. I wrote down the addresses, subway stops, and changes I would need to make. My agenda was to get from the airport to the hotel, then the consulate.
I left the airport excited to start my adventure and got on the air train. I got to Jamaica Station with no problems. I stood on the platform nervously waiting for my train. I thought in the back of my mind, I know where I am going so I don’t need to double check or ask anyone. I can do this I thought. I got on the J train, I knew after the 1st stop by looking at the map that I had gotten on the wrong train.
I got off the train and looked at the map and tried to figure out what I had done wrong. I realized I was supposed to get on the E train. While I was waiting I asked and double checked with a young teenage couple also waiting. So I got back on the train and headed back to Jamaica Station. There I got on the E train. I liked this train! It was an express train and went fast. I just wanted to get to the consulate and drop off my stuff fro my visa.
Finally, I arrived at the spot to transfer, I got off and found the green 6 train with no problems. I made sure to pay attention so I knew when to get off. I only went a few stops and got off at Hunter College. I thought this wasn’t to hard until I got to the top of the stairs. I didn’t know which way to go. I didn’t want to be in anyone’s way or feel like a tourist, so I just walked. After about ½ a block I asked and old man if he knew what direction we were going in. I was to relieved to find out that he knew only because he asked someone. I had realized it was much easier to ask someone than to get lost. We chatted as we walked. I told him I was trying to find the consulate because I was moving to Indonesia. He thought it was exciting to move so far away.
I was relieved that I only had to walk a few blocks. I was tired of hauling my luggage around. I got to the consulates office and realized I didn’t have my flight information for the application. I had asked my mom to email it to me then I had changed my plans and went straight to the consulate instead of going to the hotel first. I didn’t want to back track. So, I called my mom and was worried that she wouldn’t answer her phone because she was at work. It rang and rang and finally she answered. I asked if she still had all my flight information. I explained about changing my plans and hadn’t checked my email. I know needed the information over the phone. She gave me all the numbers and I wrote them all down. Next, I asked the consulate which flight number was needed because I had 3 flights. He said, “the flight when you are coming into the country.” I went back to the sitting area and put in the flight number from Hong Kong to Jakarta. Then I happily gathered all my materials: letters from JIS, passport, photo, money order and application. I handed it to the consulate. He looked it over and said , “You just need to sign your passport.” He smiled and said it would be ready on Wednesday. He asked for my cell just in case there was any problems.
I left the consulate office with a sigh of relief knowing that almost everything was done for JIS. I walked back to the subway station. I got to Grand Central and didn’t have any problems finding the right train. But I did double check with a nice young Asian girl for help. She told me I could get on get on the 2 or the 3 but would need to transfer to the 1 at 96th street because only the 1 went to 116th. I rode for 20minutes or so and got off at 116th. I knew that’s where Columbia University was and my hotel was only a few blocks away.
I got off the train and at the top of the steps was an information booth. So I stopped and asked the man about my hotel. I couldn’t remember the name but new it started with Mar-something He had never heard of it. That worried me so I dug through my laptop bag and found my confirmation. I told him and showed him the title, The Marrakech Hotel and it was on Broadway. He thought it would only be a few blocks maybe 4 or 5. I started walking with all my luggage. I went 4 or 5 blocks and the address was not getting much closer. It was so hot and over 90 degrees outside and my bags were so heavy. I kept changing shoulders with my bags. I walked 8 or 9 blocks and saw a McDonald’s so I decided to stop there and get a sweet tea. Since it was 11am and I had been up since 4am and hadn’t ate breakfast I got a yogurt parfait as well. I sat and enjoyed my food and the air conditioning. I started my computer and tried to check my email but it didn’t work. I was so but decided I should just find my hotel. So I left McDonald’s and walked so more. I walked 3 or 4 more blocks and found my hotel. I was frustrated to find out that there was a subway stop right across the street. I had walked 13 blocks with my luggage and was exhausted.
I opened the door only to see a long set of steep stairs. I struggled but made it. I got to the desk and told them my name. Unfortunately my room wasn’t ready but I was glad I had finally made it!