Independence Day, Ramadan and my own personal fireworks

Having participated in and organised a few Indonesian Independence Day celebrations at a variety of schools, I was really excited to actually be in Indonesia on the 17th August. The preparations start early - a few months before some of the boys (maybe older teens/early 20's?) in the area started a collection by standing in the middle of the road and asking for money for decorations. Then a few weeks ago red and white bunting started appearing on buildings, and flags (a mix of the expected red and white, plus lots of other bright colours, like the ones below) started appearing by the sides of roads, especially in residential areas. It makes it feel like you are in a parade, driving along with banners and flags flapping merrily :-)

Seeing as the school break started before the actual day, we had a flag ceremony at school on the 13th, where I happily wore my new batik dress (which is conveniently red and white!). It's always fun seeing what interesting things the staff come up with when we wear batik ;-)

On the real day, there are flag ceremonies, where the anthem is sung, the Pancasila (the 5 principles or philosophy of Indonesia) and the text of the declaration of independence are recited and then some other national songs are sung. School students, officials, and anyone else who wants to goes to the ceremony, then the day goes on much like any other. The schools and government offices are closed, but there was a decided lack of interest from the locals I was with! Perhaps it was because I was in a tourist area? Or just like at home, for plenty of people it's just not that big a deal?

What is a big deal is Ramadan (the fasting month) and Idul Fitri (the first day after the fasting finishes).  I'll post more on it later, but I was very surprised to find that every night during buka puasa (breaking the fast) there would be fireworks going off in different places. The noise freaked me out a bit at first, until I realised what it was! It turns out there are no regulations on fireworks, and once I knew what to look for, I saw them being sold in heaps of places, especially at street stalls. So to have my own personal show, I just have to go up on the roof, or out on my balcony. It's a bit special seeing bursts of light all over the city, and last night there was even some from a spot maybe two houses down from me. Even though Ramadan has finished, it appears people's love of fireworks has not :-)

Sunday evening musings

Well, I'm a happy little vegemite right now - I spent most of Saturday shopping with a new friend. She has many great qualities and is a fun person to have around, but at the moment I am just happy to have someone to go shopping with. I am no good at making decisions by myself - I guess it's a by product of usually shopping with my twin ;-)

I'm also content because it's rained a little (it's been a while!), plus I managed to do my washing, clean up and do a fair amount of school work. I've struggled somewhat since the school year started, it turns out I developed some bad habits while doing replacement teaching, and during my first few months here when I only had 2 classes. I'm slowly getting back to where I was during my second or third year of teaching - productive, efficient, organised, and not taking much work home. I would much prefer to be out exploring Bandung, than sitting at my computer for all of Sunday writing worksheets and lesson plans. It's also tough to fight the sleepiness/laziness that comes in the afternoon when the work day starts before 7am and finishes anywhere between 4 and 6pm. Any suggestions? Am trying not to solve it with sweet biscuits and chocolate, but I don't know what else!

Anyway, I'm off to watch a movie, I will take my musings elsewhere. I'll leave you with a picture of the t-shirt I bought my brother yesterday - I hope it makes you smile :-)

Some things are always the same

I've had a great time finding out that so many things stay the same no matter where you are in the world - some I expected, some I didn't. I could go on and on about how great my students are, how the school is at its core just like any other school I've worked at, or even about nice stuff like a tall guy helping me reach stuff on the top shelf of the supermarket :-) but what I really want to show you is my new teapot.

It's exactly the same as the one I have at home, only it's purple. Awesome!

PS The word for teapot is poci (but remember the c is pronounced 'ch')
PPS Dad - I'm back to making tea properly, you must be so proud ;-)
PPPS Sis - I think I need a tea cosy! Not a heavy duty winter one, but can you please make me something cute? ;-)

Ahh, Singapore!

I've decided I really like Singapore. Really like! It's not cheap like other parts of Asia, but it's clean, organised, and easy to get around. Here is a photo tour from my trip last week - enjoy!

There are lots of interesting buildings in Singapore, but this is particularly good - it's the Art Science Museum, and it looks something like a cupped hand or a lotus blossom.

Inside the museum was the official Harry Potter exhibition, which was completely fantastic! Sure, I got gouged for everything, but the audio tour was so worth it. They don't let you take photos inside, so here is the ford anglia which hangs over the entrance.

The Art Science museum from the Skypark at Marina Bay Sands.

A different view from the Skypark, with a very trippy looking shadow! 

And here is the reason for that shadow - Marina Bay Sands - 3 50 something storey buildings, with a boat shaped bit on top! 

 Inside the shopping area of Marina Bay Sands (which is enormous) is this - a restaurant based entirely around tea. There is a big thick book to explain the 150+ varieties of tea they have, there was white linen on the tables, orchids around the edges, and my tea was served in a gold plated teapot, along with scones. Heaven. It didn't matter that I hadn't slept properly in 2 days, and it's kind of awkward to eat out by yourself (I always feel the compulsion to look happy, so people don't pity me, which I know is stupid, but anyway...) - all that mattered was my contentment :-)

Changi airport is just as great as Singapore in general. This sculpture?instillation?awesomeness! is made up of a couple of hundred bronze tear-shaped baubles, which are programmed to move up and down their strings to make all sorts of patterns.

And here's something to help you finish reading with a smile :-) I met up with a couple of teachers from one of the other campuses of my school, and we shared a drink at the Skypark. It was a nice way to end the day (although it was by a long shot the most expensive lemonade I've ever had!!) and the guy in the middle made it even more fun by insisting we take this photo. It's a good thing I've had lots of experience at dancing catching kids doing handstands ;-)