Christmas in Jakarta

Christmas in Jakarta is quite a different feel then in the States. I asked my friends (Indonesians at my church) what they usually do for Christmas. And to them its not a huge deal. Sure, they celebrate it (since they are Christian) but it isn't the biggest holiday. Most of them answered me and said that on a typical Christmas they will go to church and maybe out to lunch afterwards with their friends. They don't do a lot of gift exchanging with everyone they know, and for some people its not a family holiday. They don't have big Christmas dinners like we do, or go Christmas caroling... But they do have parties. They find any excuse to have a party here. But it certainly is not the same feeling as in the States. So this year, I helped plan three Christmas parties. They were so excited to have fresh new ideas (even if they were old ones to me).

One thing I noticed is... you know how around Christmas time in the States everyone becomes a little more friendly, a little more joyful, a little more giving... Well here nothing changes. The Indonesian people are like that all the time here! For example, some of my friends took me shopping at the local markets (Mangga Dua and ITC). They took me on Saturday for four hours and Sunday for five hours. They didn't do any shopping all they did was take me around, bargain for me, find the deals all for me! They gave up their weekend to help me find gifts! I was so excouraged at their efforts and love! Indonesians always have the "Christmas Spirit!"





My countdown for when I come home! I put it on my fridge, and every morning I wake up and cross out one more day!





If you can't read the sign it says "X'MAST and Happy New Year." I got a kick out of this! They are up all over my apartment building. Looks like somebody forgot to use "Sspell Check." You find English spelling mistakes everywhere in foreign countries.






My little Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. I decorated by myself while listening to Christmas music!






My staff Christmas Party was a hit! I was a little nervous for how it would turn out... due to the lack of unity among the staff. But it turned out to be a lot of fun. We went to a fancy hotel buffet. The was so much food! There was a seafood section filled with any sea-food you can imagine, a chinese food section, a meat-carving section, a pasta section (they make it in front of you), a mongolian grill section (also made in front of you), a "Western good" section, a bread section, ect... Must I go on? The desser was by far the best! There was cheese cake, brownies, cookies, cakes, pies, a chocolate fountain, and an ice-cream bar (just like cold-stones). We all left quite swollen at the end of the night. We also had a white elephant gift. This was halarious! One person got an underwear hat! Here are some fun pictures below of my memorable night!



I of corse had to be the photograher!










We honored a first grade teacher who is leaving us this December.









Dessert! As I came back from the chocolate fountain, Lisa (my co-worker) pointed at my chocolate stain on my clothes and said, "Becky you aren't supposed to stick your tongue in it!"








This is me and some co-workers with a seal and a mouse! (I have no idea why they were there). The mouse pinched my co-workers butt! What a perv!







Mr. and Mrs. Clause winners! (most festive dressed)







Gift exchange fun! My co-worker, Grant, is wearing an "underwear" hat!







The party planners!

Jak Jazz Festival

In Jakarta Jak Jazz is a huge jazz festival. Jazz groups from all over the world fly in to perform at this festival. It is also quite pricey. My friend Ria Warna (From my church), has a group called "Warna" and they were performing at this festival. They are quite famous here in Indonesia. She invited me to go with her to the festival. So I had a day with a celebrity! I went with her to the salon before the performance, I got to go back stage with her and her group, and had special seating arranged for me. It was quite the experience. After she performed many cameras and reporters stopped her to interview and take pictures of her. I had such a blast just being able to see the life of a celebrity through the eyes of a celebrity! Here are some pictures...



The group "Warna."







This is the group "Warna" performing at Jak Jazz.








This is my view of what it was like to hang out with a celebrety! Ha! We got stopped everywhere at Jak Jazz by camera's and interviewers. It was quite entertaining from my position.




This is to prove I was actually with the famous group: "Warna"

Thanksgiving in Jakarta

I spent Thanksgiving Dinner with Sam my principal, his wife Teresa (4th Grade Teacher), Derek (3rd Grade Teacher) and his wife. We had a good time, but I wouldn't say it felt like Thanksgiving. The food wasn't what we thought and it was supposed to be a whole staff party, but we were the only ones who showed up. It was quite different then what I expected.





This is my Thanksgiving dinner at the Le Miridian Hotel. It looks very delicious, but it certainly was no Thanksgiving meal I am used too. I had turkey, cranberries, fried potatoes, green beans, watermelon, oranges, papia, and some sort of chicken. The gravy for the turkey certainly was not turkey gravy from the states! I was sad that there was no mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. The food was good. It didn't really seem like Thanksgiving, though.

Luckily my friend Teresa felt sorry enough for me that she invited me over to their house on Sunday for a real Thanksgiving meal that they ordered from the only American caterer in town!