Alcoves and Ice Cream

Friday: I went to the alcove in L.A. for a delicious turkey sandwich, apple-pear coleslaw and yummy butter cream chocolate cake! Just the right amount of sweet. Then we had game night - Scrabble (I used "alcove", but still lost), Set and Outburst! We enjoyed baked ziti, watermelon and root beer floats!! I think my favorite had to be Scrabble. Saturday: This morning, I enjoyed a short walk to the park with my A-TEAM. We sat in the shade of the tree and enjoyed hard boiled eggs, donuts and refreshing juice! The weather was perfect, sunny and breezy! This afternoon, my world wind group enjoyed sundaes at Fosselman's! The company and conversations were simply wonderful. I will definitely miss the community that I have found with them.

Prado and Landis Ladies

I had a most enjoyable dinner last night - delicious Sangria, my favorite Jamaican tamales and, now, banana boats! The ceilings are painted with cherubs in the sky, and chandeliers hang down. The sampler plate of desserts looked scrumptious, but we were filled with appetizers galore. Oh!! And the bread is delicious, soft and warm!! Served with a hint of garlic oil and parsley. Of course, it was simply fun to be back in the circle of Landis. I have to admit, walking into the store makes me want to sit down to work or look through all of the latest designs. Alas, I must refrain and simply enjoy that I have found my next step and my destiny comes alive.

Living out of boxes

About 2/3 of packing complete. Thinking of taking a break for today. Although, that's what Friday and Sunday are for... Must find more boxes. Today: What's your favorite firwork? (Save July 4! We're going down the street for fireworks at 8:30. Leaving for the airport at 9:30. But you're welcome to stay later.)

Packing up...

Well, kinda. I'm procrastinating because I think it's really sinking in. I have my tickets in hand, my passort with visa for 360 days and this next week I get my suitcases... For now, a simple reminder of home: Sorry, I did rotate it, but it's not transferring over... You get the idea.

Terima Kasih

= Thank you! Good Morning! = Selamat Pagi How are you? = Apa kabar? Excuse me = Permisi Where's the bathroom? = Di mana kamar kecil? You're Welcome = Kembali or Sama-sama http://www.expat.or.id/info/bahasa.html Question 6: What's your favorite kind of pie?

The Countdown Begins..

I received my plane tickets in the mail and will pick up my visa on Monday! Preparing for take off... LAX at 9pm, Wednesday, July 4. Malaysia Airlines. I will arrive in Surabaya at 6:10pm on Friday, July 6, spend the night in a hotel and arise the next morning for a 3 hour ride to Malang, my new home. A day and a half to meet everyone and to rest. Teacher training week begins Monday morning, July 9. And school starts July 16. Question 5: Do you even notice how you squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube: from the top, bottom or the middle? And does the cap go back on afterwards?

Independence Day!

Save the date. Looks like I'm flying out around July 4! We should have a BBQ and do fireworks!

I'm not the only one...

Sounds similar to the anticipation for my departure! "After weeks of delay, space shuttle Atlantis has finally been given a launch date for its mission to the International Space Station (ISS)." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6712443.stm

The Fuel Pours In

I got a phone call last night: Clearance to leave! And missing paperwork round 3 was located this morning!!! I will be finalizing travel plans soon! Life group - indeed, my life-line connects with theirs. Within this group are people traveling this summer to Thailand, Cambodia, China, India, Spain, and Indonesia! It's been so fun getting to know them, to be surrounded by people who can help me with the details, like applying for a visa, going to the consulate. How amazing to really be connected. Question 4: If I could travel anywhere, I would travel via (your answer here). Foot, helicopter, sailboat, submarine, space shuttle?