Kal in Kudus: Just checking in.../So I hear there's 11 in. of snow back home...

It's been a while since I posted something. I think part of the reason that I have been posting so infrequently is the fact that when I sit down to update my blog I always have the urge to provide an epic story. And let's face it, as exciting (read: not all that exciting) as my life may be, events of epic proportion are few and far between especially since I seem to be fully (maybe an overstatement) adjusted here. So instead, I will focus on providing more frequent smaller posts that will act as reminders that I am still alive/expand your understanding of what life for me here is like.

I have not had to go to school for the past two weeks (and will not have to for the next two weeks as the students get a two week break before the next semester) since there are no classes and the students were engaged in end of semester testing. I did however opt to go to school three days during that period, twice to proctor exams and once to join my co-workers (idk- i felt that had to be italicized) on a visit to one of the teachers' house who just had a baby. On the other days during my "vacation" I went to Yogyakarta for a few days to meet up with some of the ETAs that were visiting from Sumatra and Sulawesi (two different islands). The rest of the time I spent in my apartment looking at the ceiling/watching movies that I've already watched. What?! It's a recession in Indo too! I am saving up for this upcoming week when my best friend from home visits for Christmas! Lola, who has been teaching for the past year and half in Korea on an independent contract, lands in Indonesia precisely at midnight on the 23rd and from then on I have an exciting week planned in Bali and Lombok...but to avoid ruining any surprises for her, I will wait until after the trip to provide an account of how I am celebrating Christmas this year :). Until then please enjoy some of these pictures from my visit to Yogya: