Beautiful

21 May 2013

I'll Be Home For Christmas...(Pics)

I know that's several months away, but...I'll be home soon.

Actually WAY before Christmas!!!!

Can you believe it??? I know I'm about to sound dramatic, but it seems like I have been here FOREVER.

Everybody is like hasn't these two years gone by so quickly, and I just look at them with a side eye and say s...u....r....e.....

No, but really, I guess now that the time is almost here and that I'm looking back over what I have accomplished, it has moved fairly quickly. (But while I was going through it there were times that forever seemed like an hour...seriously).

But as I wrap up my service and prepare to come home in the next couple of months, I am beyond proud of myself for what I have gone through and can still smile about.

This experience has been one of the most challenging, but rewarding experiences that I have ever endured thus far. It has changed me in ways that I didn't know needed to be changed, and impacted me in ways that I would have never guessed.

I have cried a lot, I have laughed even more, and most importantly I have lived...a life of humbleness, perseverance, dedication, forgiveness, grace...love.

If you would have asked me this time last year if I thought I would have made it the entire two years, ~~I probably would have said my first bad word,~~ I probably would have looked doubtful.

But now that I'm here and just have a couple of months left and know what I know now- if you were to ask me would I do it all over again, I would say: ABSOLUTELY.

In a heart beat. And I'm not just saying that because it's almost over now. I'm saying that because this experience- Peace Corps and living amongst another culture (who don't quite accept you) while trying to share with them who you are- if you travel through the course and make it to the end, it will influence and change you in ways you never thought possible.

I am a better person because of this particular journey, and I don't think it would have happened any other way.

Peace Corps is definitely not easy...by a long shot (unless you aren't doing what you're supposed to be doing)....but it's totally worth it.

I can say that for sure now because I'm at the end now. I am glad that I made it this far :)

And on that note, below is a picture of our Close of Service conference where we all gathered together and met one final time (to learn about life after Peace Corps) before we all begin to live in a little while. (And the other pics are just my family/girls at the orphanage who I teach and who simultaneously teach me so much more).

P.S. If you've been wanting to try something but haven't because you're skeptical, anxious, or scared, just go for it!

COS conference- last time we meet as a group

My girls...they are the coolest peeps ever.

17 April 2013

Last Day In Indonesia (Pics)

So Monday was my last full day in Indonesia. It was perfect really. I got back to Uncle Derrick's place around 8:45 am, checked on my family back in the states, and thought I would take a nap before doing some retail therapy :), but instead I ended up watching a movie in one of his insanely comfortable guest rooms. (I know watching tv doesn't sound all that exciting, but I haven't watched tv in FOREVER before coming here, so it was nice to just chill out and watch some great movies.

After a couple of hours I had enough of that though, and then I really did take a quick nap. Once I woke up, I decided to go to Grand Indonesia (an awesome shopping mall if you are ever in Jakarta- Grand Indonesia and Plaza Indonesia are right next to each other. One has stores like Zara and Forever 21, and the other Gucci and Louis Vuitton).

Anyway, I went shopping, came home a few hours later and wrote in my journal for a while out on the balcony, and then just sort of chilled out; reflecting on this amazing trip that I was blessed with.

Shortly after Uncle D came back from work and we went out to this restaurant called Bats. It was really exclusive and secretive and they actually made us go through security AND took my camera before we could enter. (I was like what?!?!? Who do ya'll have down there, Chelsea Clinton???? Actually, it probably wouldn't have been too far off because President Obama stayed there (at the Shangri-La Hotel sometime last year.... which is the place where the restaurant- which is connected to Uncle D's residence- was located).

Anyway, enough name dropping- actually I'm not even one of those types but I did find it really cool that President Obama stayed here- many of the Indonesian people that I met LOVE him! Even while driving me to the airport, the driver was telling me how much they love the President and how he went to primary school here. He said 'your president is so cool. He's like a mixture of Will Smith and Denzel Washington.' His exact words...:)

And on that note, I'll show you some pics of my last day. (Even though they took my camera at Bats, they allowed Uncle D to keep his work phone, so he was secretly snapping pictures whenever he could! They might be a little blurry, but you get the drift). All in all, this was one of the best trips of my life. Period.

I love INDONESIA :)

Uncle D is serious about working out...Here's a trainer and him. He worked out every night first (sometimes two times a day), and then we would go out for dinner.

BATS....The name mathces the atmosphere. It's all dark and selcuded, and you go underneath the hotel...it's cool.

He opted for the ribs

I got calamari and shrimp

The lounge/ live band at BATS...the singing was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I really liked the atmospehere of this place.

Indonesia at night

15 April 2013

You Can Have Whatever You Like (Pic Heavy)

Yesterday was my last day in Bali.

I woke up early this morning and made the flight back to Jakarta...but not before eating a crazy amount of food, a quick hotel change/different scenery, and enjoying the nightlife of Bali... (Indonesia is easily my favorite Asian country right now....I really don't want to leave soon, but no complaining here- too excited about the incredible experience I just had)!

Uncle D had to return back to work so he took a flight back a day earlier than me, and he left me to enjoy and explore Bali solo for a day.

It was a blast! Here are some pics (including the delicious breakfast we shared before departing ways):

You can have whatever you like...as long as it legal- love it

The uncle and me sitting down for breakfast

There was food everywhere...in little nooks and between books

See, I told you...I was like a hungry kid at a buffet line...literally.

Anything you could think of was here. If it wasn't they made it appear...it was crazy.

Who says you can't have a dessert bar AND a candy bar for breakfast???

I saw a server taking pancakes out but I didn't see any anywhere, so I asked my uncle were those pancakes. The server heard me and brought me out these. Think that's honey on...it's caramel! Caramel, whipped cream, powdered sugar and strawberries....:)

I wanted to go for seconds but I had already eaten more than I weigh in food so I had to stop....but not before finishing off this plate. It truly was a happy meal...

Decided to take a stroll after eating...maybe I sat down first...or did they roll me away???? I can't remember but I eventually made it back to the ocean...at some point.

I REALLY love nature

Walking off the meal I just had

I love the sound of the waves...so peaceful and serene

Cute little lounge areas

Decided to rest instead of walking...think I ate TOO much...But how often am I at a buffet or in Bali....:)

Quick hotel change....I love that I got to see and experience two different sides of Bali

The pool at the Hard Rock Hotel...It was massive. My camera couldn't capture it all

I love taking hotel shots, just for references too remind me of cool places to stay. I would definitely recommend both the W and the Hard Rock if you are looking for places in Bali. Great people, awesome service, and different kinds of entertainment.

This bed was so soft. I almost just stayed in just to lay in it, but I like to explore places so my adventurous side won.

What would a Hard Rock hotel be without pics of the Beatles and tons of guitars...everywhere

Random hallway pic

Yes, that's a slide at the hotel...Told you it was massive. I couldn't get everything...it wraps around the hotel.

Cute cabanas to hang out by the pool

Saw this McDonald's ice cream stand and had to stop for a sundae. The sundae was only 50cents and the McFlurry was about 80cents. I almost went back for seconds but didn't want to spoil my dinner.

Isn't it cool/crazy that McDonald's delivers 24/7?!?!?

Strolling the streets checking out different vendors

Found a mall along my walk

The mall was gorgeous and it had a large variety of stores to suit anyone

Different pic of the mall

This restaurant seemed interesting so I stopped by to see the menu and the waiter handed me an ipad...said that's the way all the menus come now...where am I?!?!

After a long but beautiful night strolling the town, I was EXHAUSTED! I threw on a rob and had to call it a night.

On the plane back to Jakarta

Pic of Bali from the plane

I love this pic....I love nature so I was trying to get beautiful sky pictures...this is so calming to me

This might be one of my fav...but I took a lot of pics

Had to capture this for my mom...She loves the mountains. It was so beautiful.

Back at the airport

I love Indonesia's graffiti art....It was all over.

Back at Uncle D's crib...You have to pass a crazy amount of security though before they let you in...safety really is first.

P.S. Uncle Derrick, if you are reading this, thank you again from the bottom of my heart for such a great trip. I had the time of my life and have a ton of memories (and great pics). Thanks for always being so AMAZING and for treating me like royalty ALWAYS :). I love ya!

13 April 2013

I'm In Love....With Bali (Pics)

I told ya'll yesterday that Uncle Derrick had a trip to Bali planned, but I had no idea that it was going to be so grand. Usually whenever we hang out, it's always a good time and I always walk away feeling like royalty.

He outdid even himself this time though. (And I'm saying this more for memories when I look back on this experience and less to sound like a snob- I really am humbled by EVERYTHING). From the time that we left his home, until now, it's like the red carpet just continues to roll. Outside of all of the fancy stuff though, I'm just grateful and super excited to be spending this trip with my uncle. He has kept me from stopping when I felt like giving up, he has allowed me to travel the world with him (including Ghana, Amsterdam, and Indonesia), and I always just know that he's there for me (and I for him)...with or without the glitz and glam.

But I'm not trying to get all sentimental on ya'll (even though his generosity brought me to tears this time), so here are the pics. I will try to get a ton more to show you as we continue. (In the photos below I tried to take you along for the ride- from beginning until now- so let me know what you think).

Have a great day :)

P.S. Uncle D gave me a better camera with a flash to take pics, so the pics should be clearer. So here is my journey from Jakarta to arriving in Bali.

Pic from last night...out on the town in Jakarta

Living room/library area

Getting on the lift to go downstairs

Lobby of Uncle D's home

Uncle D's residence

Arriving at the Jakarta airport

Map displaying route from Jakarta to Bali

Arriving in Bali...my new favorite place :)

Pic from the window...the driver said that thing on the dashboard was a deer/camel/creepy...it was bobbing the entire ride

Another window pic

I was snapping a ton of pics out the window...guess I kinda got carried away

The road to the W hotel

Arriving at our residence in Bali...it was gorgeous and the people are so friendly...and posh. (I felt like I was looking at a Vogue resort magazine in person...I loved it!)