exploring the city

So I finally met my students. I had 14/18 show on Friday. They are so darn adorable. I am teaching Kindergarten so that is a change from my first graders. But it went really well. They are so darn cute!!! We had a great first day! We played some games and made a book. We had two specials and chased the gingerbread man around the school. We also had a birthday on the first day. She turned 5 the day before. Her mom brought in a cake that was like 5layers for 5yr olds. Then goody bags for each kid monagrammed with the little girls name on them. It was amazing they were even different colors for the boys and girls. I even got one. I forgot to bring it home so i didnt see what was all it but it was packed full of stuff. I even got invited to the party. It was today but i decided not to go. You know if you go to one you have to go to them all. So i decided against it just for my sanity.

The day went great over all. I definitely learned a lot like how long it takes kinders compared to first graders. I think it took us over 5 mins just to line up to go to lunch lol. Its a complicated process. lol. Then i didnt know we had to take our hats to lunch with us because after lunch is recess and they can play outside but must wear a hat or be in the shade. lol.

After school we (the teachers) went to an irish pub. It was great. Who would have thought you could find an irish pub here in Jakarta? It was so nice. They even have live music there but not during Ramaden. They had to black out the curtains to hide the fact that people are drinking. We had to drink out of coffee mugs. The served a bottle of wine in tea pot to hide the fact it was alcohol. I guess a lot of things change during the holiday season here. Its hard to find alcohol which isnt a problem for me. (not a big drinker) but some are frustrated by that. The holiday last until Sept 10th. It last a month. We had a great time there. People from all 4 campuses ended up coming. I think at one point in time there was over 40 people there from JIS.

I cant wait to go back to the pub and try it out when we can drink a pint from a real glass and listen to the band straight from ireland.

Today we went out exploring a new area. We went to pasaraya. It is like a mall but has many stores with a lot of handcrafted indonesian stuff. I already started some of christmas shopping. They have great clothes there. The traditional stuff is called Batik. You should look it up. It comes in many patterns and colors. Some is hand made designed and others arent. I got a cute dress for like $25 and its red batik. We didnt get to the other area but i hope to go explore more tomorrow and throughout my time here. I have loads to see. I think in the next couple weeks we might go to the outlets. they are a couple hrs away and have a lot of great stuff there too including western stores and traditional indonesian stuff.

This week will be a busy week. Tomorrow i am going to meet up with some girls that i met from my new church. Monday i have a birthday party for a coworker. Tuesday we are having an Indonesian Independence day picnic, Wednesday i start Bahasa lessons with my tutor. Then on Sunday we are taking a photo walk in North Jakarta. Be sure to check out my facebook next week to so lots of new pics.

I still love it here and i finally have my vonage line hooked up so if you have my cell number the 919 nc one you can call me here and it doesnt cost you anything but a long distance us call. Please just remember i am 11hrs ahead of east coast time. I am up by 445 am every school day but leave by 6am and home around 4 or so at nite. I hope to hear from you if i am not here just leave a msg. Thats all for now.