Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

A recent sunset at my site looking towards Mt. Lawu with rice paddy and canal in the foreground

I've recently passed the six-month mark at site, and about nine months in Indonesia total. And David Bowie has me thinking, have I changed? Well, yes and no. But in some glaringly obvious ways, yes.

Many dream of Peace Corps service as an intense period of physical deprivation. There's visions of surviving on nothing but rice and twigs, and becoming thin and semi-malnourished. But somehow I've managed to single-handedly destroy that stereotype, and prove that yes, it is possible to gain weight in the Peace Corps.

If the scales are correct, I've put on at least twenty pounds in the nine months I've been in Indonesia. Of the six pairs of pants I've brought with me, I can only comfortably fit into one pair now. I have serious and real fears of "busting out" of my school uniform if I bend down or move too fast. My face has gotten rounder. Even my fingers seem to be fatter. Customary greetings with Indonesians now usually include, "Mr. Jhon, tambah gemuk?" (Mr. John, are you fatter?)

Picture taken during my first month in Indonesia with training host family

Most recent picture after 9 months in Indonesia with my current host family

That's been the most obvious (and embarrassing) change so far. But what about the more subtle things? Has my personality changed any since I arrived?

Indonesia has forced me to step outside of my comfort zone (sometimes waayyyy outside). It has pushed me to be social when normally I'm not that social at all. It has pushed me to say "Yes" to all kinds of invitations. Sometimes this has led to amazing and unexpected experiences. Other times it has led me to crawl back into my room and blast my "Revival" playlist on the iPod. Slowly though, I have become a little more friendly and less "awkward turtle" like.

Keepin' it real (real safe) with fellow PCV Daniel P. at Daniel G.'s school

Other things have changed too. What I thought were insurmountable obstacles the first few weeks I was in Indonesia, now "ain't no thing." Wiping with my hand? No problem. Questionable food safety practices? Ehhh... I'll risk it. Feeling reduced to a two-year-old? Ehhh... it's a learning experience. Getting moquito bites on my palms, fingers, and all over my feet? Ehhh... they only itch for a couple days. Not knowing what surprises will come up at school tomorrow (i.e. big meetings, class cancellations, patriotic events, etc.)? Ehhh... I'll just roll with the punches. Standing in front of 40 students with a lesson plan that could bomb spectacularly? Ehhh... I'll try it and see. Giving a speech and "motivation" in front of 150 elementary school students when you were originally under the assumption that it would just be 20 students? Ehhh... what a nice surprise. I'm just learning to go with all, both the awesome and frustratingly crazy.

Teaching at a Pre-School during training in May with other Tlekung village trainees (Photo: Paige Gable)

Overall though, I think I may be adapting. (Which is a strange and terrifying thing if you think about it, so I try not to think about it.) In these last nine months, I've learned to keep laughing. Sometimes that's all that is keeping me afloat in this strange, amazing, contradictory, surprising, and confusing odyssey.

And with that, I'll end. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and miss you all. Thanks to all those who supported, encouraged, listened to, and helped me through 2011. The group of volunteers currently serving in Indonesia is awesome, and I'm glad to be with you all. My family and friends back home are still close at heart, and provide the support that keeps me going through this. Thanks for all the Christmas/Birthday cards and packages. I appreciate it and send my best from across the Pacific.