Whether I like it or not, it’s happening: next weekend I’ll be leaving my friends and adopted family(ies) in Pangkal Pinang behind. I’ve been getting better at them over the years, but good-byes are always a trial for the heart. These final weeks in Indonesia an emotional time, but thankfully they are also a busy time. I won’t regale you with the nitty-gritty details of Farewell Preparations, but I will share a few thoughts and projects happening before D-Day on May 23rd.
To-Do List!
I’ve expanded from a simple to-do list on paper to a to-do list worthy of a wall. And this is just the start of it; this wall is a work in progress as I keep adding and removing tasks.
Postcards!!
If you are reading this post, chances are you have or will shortly receive a postcard from me. This has been a big project I’ve been working on slowly but steadily over the past month, and it won’t be finished until a send off a final batch of freshly bought postcards from Jakarta. But while I’ve been home, I’ve written all the postcards holed up in different cafes with multiple caffeinated beverages on hand.
Binder of Original English Teaching Materials for My School and Co-Teacher!!
Step 1: Bring home all the stuff I’ve ever written, drawn, printed, or otherwise created for use in English class. Scatter all over the place and shove things into the binder willy-nilly. Make note of things that you need to type up, print, or copy.Step 2: Type, print, and copy everything you noted in Step 1. Groan at all the paper you are using and the fact that no one will probably use this book anyway. Decide that you’re going to keep going anyway because it is better to have it and not need it than want it and not have it. Note the things that you missed early that still need to be typed, printed, or copied.Step 3: Flip through the messy binder and try to find sense in the chaos. Decide on sections you will make and pull out everything and lay in piles according to section. Put everything in the binder with one blank sleeve between each section, but then realize you need to use every last sleeve and have to take out all the stuff you just put in there and start over again.Step 4: Shut the now-organized binder with a smile of satisfaction. Reward yourself with a serving of coconut juice that is too big for any cup to handle. Decide you need a more heavy-duty beverage vessel. Aww yeah.
Packing!!
The packing process is already well underway. Several piles are in progress: oleh-oleh [souvenirs] for everyone and their mother (uh.. literally) that I know here (two boxes to the left)…..… oleh-oleh for friends and family in the States from Indonesia, plus the stuff I want to take home (duffle bag to the right); stuff for charity (green bag); stuff for potential future ETAs and/or the English teachers at my school (blue and white VIZ box), stuff to leave with AMINEF over the summer (blue box on the left). Like any other time I’ve moved, it is quite the process.
Farewell Party!!
Caitlin and I are going out with a pesta [party] of epic proportions (by our standards, modest by Indonesian standards). Party prep is taking up a lot of time this week, but I know it’ll be worth it. Getting the invitations done tomorrow is that the top of my to-do list/wall. If you happen to be in Pangkal Pinang this weekend and want to stop by we’d love to have you!
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2016.
Time: 1 p.m. until finished.
Place: Casa de Bule, Pangkal Pinang.
Notes: There will be lots of food, singing, dancing, pictures, hugs, and all that good stuff. Can’t wait for it, but th-th-thh-that’s all for now!
Where in the world is Kelly? 