The Things I Do

Integrating into my village was a difficult task at first. I didn't know what clubs to join or if I should create my own. I didn't know whom I should trust. I was overwhelmed and a little lost. But I've found several activities that keep me busy throughout my weeks at site. These activities have helped me meet new people and form new friendships. I am still slowly integrating and expanding my social network. I was relatively shy at first (who wouldn't be when they are moving across the globe and spit out into a village!?), but now I feel like I have a few circles of people that I can hang out with. Here's a list of things I do inside and outside of my village:

Group Activities:
1) PKK: I don't know what it stands for, but it's essentially a club for older women. My host mom is the leader of our village's PKK, so I go with her to every meeting. The group meets typically once a month. We sing songs, talk about the new events going on in the village, and share any issues that we think are important. During our first meeting, my host mom encouraged all the other women to walk everywhere instead of taking their motorcycles. She used me as a leading example since I go for evening walks up the mountain.

2) Volleyball: Some people in my village play volleyball or soccer near the elementary school every day at 4pm. I don't enjoy playing sports, so I mostly go for a good laugh and to get laughed at. It's a fun time, minus all the bruises on my arms.

3) Guru-Guru Aerobics: The female teachers at my school hire an aerobics instructor to come to school every Mondays and Fridays. We use the media room at the school and close the doors, which means I'm allowed to wear shorts and a tank top for this sweaty work out.

4) Prayer Group: My counterpart takes me with her to pray every Sunday night at 7pm. The prayer group changes houses each week. The location of the prayer group rotates between the houses of the prayer group members. We read a part of the Qur'an every week and then enjoy some tea, coffee, and snacks. We read the same script every week, which means I'm slowly starting  to memorize a tiny bit of the Qur'an! Side note: I am required to wear a  hijab for this event.

5) Go to School: DUH! That's what I'm here for! That's what my visa claims I do. I teach! However, class frequently gets shortened or cancelled. I still go to school, though. I say hello to all of the teachers and students. During my first semester here, I was glued to my computer. I was so overwhelmed by what was going on around me that I would show up to school, open up my laptop, and not talk to anyone. This semester is a whole lot better. I feel very comfortable at school and I joke around with the teachers and students. In fact, today I got bored at school so I went into a random classroom and taught the students how to play 7 Up. I may not always be teaching them English, but just spending time with the teachers and students easily turns into a party.

Things I like to do Alone:

1) Go to the beach: I can't swim in the water because the current is too strong. However, I like to sit on the beach, crack open a good book, and sip coconut milk straight from the coconut. It only costs me 60 cents for the coconut, but I usually stay there for hours

2) Hike up the mountain: I've tried to get students to join me on this hike, but everyone always complains that its too hot or too difficult. I will get a group together next semester, Ishallah (if it is God's will)

3) Yoga: Locals are interested when I tell them I do yoga in my room, but I'm not anywhere close to being an instructor. I want to learn more about yoga before I go ahead and include people in this activity. However, I do plan on holding a yoga seminar at my school.

4) Writing: I write frequently about my experience and about my revelations about life (I have MANY revelations here). I also write in my blog, but of course you already knew that.

5) Read: I LOVE reading here. I have been flying through books. Right now I'm on my sixteenth book since I've arrive at site. I'm reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (my sister's favorite book). My goal is to finish 75 books before I depart from Indonesia in June 2016. Wish me luck and please give me any good suggestions!

Things I'm Involved with in the Peace Corps:

1) Alternate Warden: An alternate warden means that I am responsible for the whereabouts of the other volunteers in my area in case of an emergency. I act as a messenger to the Peace Corps to let them know if each volunteer is safe. We had a drill last month which ran very smoothly. I hope there is never any real emergency, but you never know when living in the Ring of Fire!

2) Resource Volunteer: A resource volunteer is a volunteer who helps with training the new incoming volunteers. I'm so excited to meet the incoming group! Get ready, ID9, just a few more days until your arrival!

3)  Host Country Hero Conference: I applied for Host Country Hero not knowing what the heck it was. It turns out that I will be on a panel with Peace Corps Volunteers and their counterparts from Benin and Georgia. We will be video chatting with students in Washington D.C. to celebrate Peace Corps Week (the anniversary of JFK issuing an executive order to establish the Peace Corps).

4) World Wise Schools: I partnered up with a teacher from my high school (go Wheeler!). Our students have been writing letter back and forth. We also sent videos to each other letting our students learn about different cultures. It's been a rewarding exchange and I hope to carry the pen pals into the upcoming year. 

That pretty much sums up what I do and think about in the Peace Corps. I feel very involved in my school (more than I did last semester) and I feel like I'm meeting a lot of interesting people in my area. I also feel very honored to be selected to help train the income group of volunteers. I'm really excited for their arrival! Additionally, I'm still thinking about my HIV/AIDs project. However, this project is losing a bit of steam. Not to worry, my counterpart and I will keep it going! I have faith.