The time has finally come to go home. One week from today I will board a plane headed for LA, and I will leave my beloved Indonesia...for now. This whole thing has been bitter-sweet. I have tried to find a phrase that better describes it, but have yet to find one. For, although it is bitter, I am heartbroken to leave my friends and all that I am doing here, the bitterness is not overwhelming for the sweetness of having somewhere to go home to, and the loving family that I left there.
I spent all last week saying goodbye. I had a swimming and karaoke party with all of my friends in Destiny, which was a blast, and a good way to spend time with them all. I spent my last night in Penuai at the girls dorm watching movies and singing songs, and I got to spend Idul Fitri, the end of Ramadan, in town with my friend Rio, her husband Elia and their son Mavvo...we went to Pancasila (town square) and played with glow in the dark toys while watching a night parade in which all of the floats were made to look like mosques and were covered in LED lights, and at the same time there were fireworks going off in all directions. We ate fried rice with pork (kind of funny considering the event) and drank milk tea and ate Martabak, which is like an egg cake. I went to dinner with Ps. Sam and his family, and then I spent the whole way from Salatiga to Jogja with Uthe before getting on the train to come to Bandung.
Saying goodbye was not as hard as I thought it was going to be, until after I was on the train. As soon as I was on my way I realized that I was not coming back, at least not for a while, and that is when I started to get emotional.
I know that God has new and good things planned for me, and I also know that it really is time for me to go home. I can feel the release, and know that it would not be good for me to stay here any longer....but there is a piece of my heart that will always be in Indonesia, no matter where else my travels take me, who else I meet, and what other amazing adventures I have. Indonesia, you will always be my lovely memory, my dear friend, and my constant teacher. Though you and I had some rough spots, I will never forget you, for as long as I live. America, though Indonesia is my love, you are my country...I will see you soon.
Steph
