Bandung

Hello everyone from Bandung! Today is my last day here before going back to normal life, but I have had a lot of fun and a really great trip. I got here two weeks ago, and went strait to shopping; most of my clothes are hand me downs that I have had for at least 3 years, and by this time, not only were they old, but they were now too big, and so I had been saving money for a little while so that when I went to Bandung (a city about 13 hours away by bus as I discovered) I could buy some new ones. The thing about Bandung that is different is that it is full of outlet stores that have bigger sizes, and although I am smaller than I was, I am not shorter and the fact of the matter is, I am just not Asian size. I am happy to report that I was able to find some really good things that I did not think I would, and I am no worse for the wear financially....although I did spend what I had saved. 

Christmas day was a little different here as well, we started out the day by going to an orphanage. We were not there for very long, but we went, and we brought food, and it really got me thinking; why don't more people do something for others on Christmas day? I know a lot of people who will give to charities or what have you but on the actual day they open presents, and eat a lot of food and sit around wondering what to do with themselves, wouldn't it be nice if on Christmas day (and the day after Christmas for that matter, which I have heard is a very depressing day for most people) people went to a homeless shelter, or a hospital, or nursing home and showed someone that they cared? I know that on Christmas Eve people get a lot of visitors, but not on the actual day. Anyway, after that we came home and had a wonderful meal together, and then they pulled out the Baileys and we watched The Santa Clause on TV...it was pretty perfect.

After Christmas we all went to Jakarta for New Years, and it was incredible! We stayed at a 5 Star hotel, and went shopping (although at that point my spending money was about gone, so I didn't really) and looked around and had a good time...the thing about the malls in Jakarta is that there are a lot of them, they are big, and many times they have ice skating rinks in the hallway... which is pretty amazing. We were there with Vonnys aunt and uncle and their 5 year old daughter who was very shy at first, but once I started messing around with her (as in telling her I thought she was 12 and not 5) she warmed right up, and I had a friend.

The hotel where we stayed had a New Years Eve party that was a lot of fun, every one was dressed up, there were even people in tuxedos and they gave out free champagne for the countdown.

Mostly I have spent a lot of time here hanging out, having fun, getting to know people, I have had a few really good discussions about culture and how to handle a few difficulties that I am facing right now, and I have had some time to pray about the New Year, and the new season. So, I hope that you all have had a fun Holiday time, thank you so much for your prayers, I am going back tonight (by bus again) so please keep them coming. I love you all very much, and want to encourage you to enjoy the snow, but it is too hot here today and I would love a little snow! Happy New Year everyone!