Monday, December 31, 2007

It's 2008, wow!

It is already 2008 here! I can't believe that 2007 went by so fast. I only have 1 more week here which is crazy.

In Bali we went with the girls from the orphanage to a monkey park. It was crazy because these monkeys will just walk up to you and steal things from you. It was a lot of fun for us and the girls.

For New Years we went over to a friends house to celebrate. Some of the Indonesians brought some fireworks and we ate dinner. We stayed up past midnight just watching a movie and hanging out. It was fun to have New Years in another country. Last night we came to the realization that Indonesians just drive around at midnight. The traffic was crazy and funny.

I have a friend who is not a believer but is so close to becoming one. Please pray for her to know the truth and for the HS to speak to her in many different ways.

Have a Happy New Year!! :-)

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Sorry that I havent updated in a while...I have been on another island for a week. Christmas was a lot of fun. It was great to hang out with people and see how Christmas is in another country so far away from families. It was really great! On Christmas day we went to another island to work with an orphanage for a week. It was a huge learning experience for me and I loved it. The kids were absolutely amazing and were the most selfless people ever.

Today is New years eve and I cant believe my trip is going by so fast. I will be home next week!! I am going to miss this island a whole lot!! My stomach is doing better and I havent had any skin irratations since my last update. PTL!
Okay well, I cant update much more because I dont have time...maybe tomorrow! :-)

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Red Letter Day

Today was a Red Letter Day...which is a holiday. Today was the holiday of sacrificing animals so they can give meat to the poor and take away their sins. They already pray 5 times a day on loud speakers but last night it was all night for most neighborhoods. Boyt and I were thankful because they stopped last night around 10pm! It has been really cool to see this culture and how they handle things....especially holidays like today. It is always a good conversation to bring up the reason why we dont have to sacrifice animals anymore. I will have to say that I did not attend this morning because I am an animal lover and it was enough to see all of the animals waiting to be killed. I did not feel the need to go so, I didnt....I think I would have nightmares for a while if I did.

Since it was a holiday we all went to a really nice water park and hung out all morning. It was really nice to relax and be in the sun for a while. Although it was really weird to be at a water park 5 days before Chrima though!! :-)

Tomorrow we have church and then we have a game night tomorrow night. It shall be fun!! haha

Well, it is rainy season...and it rains A LOT! The streets flood really bad and taxi's wont even drive down them. It's crazy how everything floods so bad! One of our friends couldnt even get to their house because of the flooding so, they had to spend the night with a friend. It is nice to have rain because it cools this city down!

I am very thankful to be here and working with some amazing people. I have learned a whole lot and I cant wait to see what else I learn!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Wedding Bells

Well, a few of us traveled to another island to go see a wedding. The wedding was Arab/Indonesian. It was very interesting to see how the women and men are separated the entire time. The groom and bride also met for the first time after the man signed the wedding agreement. It was very sad to me to know that they met for the very first time on their wedding day. I cant even imagine knowing that I would be with a man for the rest of my life and I know nothing about him. Very very different.

The island we went to was also very different. It was very rural. The island was also very conservative. There are no "buele's" or white people who live there so we had a WHOLE lot more staring and yelling. It was a little frustrating but oh well...I got over it.

Right now it is rainy season so, it rains a lot. Yesterday everything flooded because it was raining so much. Some of the team members houses flooded or lost electricity. We were very lucky that we still had electricity through the entire storm and no flood in our house! :-D PTL

Today I taught about Chrima to preschool and Kindergarten kids. It was very fun. I also went to 3rd grade for about an hour and all they wanted to hear about was Santa Clause...I laughed and answered all of their questions. I met a teacher there who got her masters in the states and it was very nice to talk to her about life there and here. I had a very meaningful conversation with her.

I went to a University today to meet a girl with Boyt.....she was a really nice girl. She asked me some deep questions though.

One PR:
My skin is not doing to well here. I have very sensitive skin and keep getting random rashes. The 2nd day I was here I had small rashes pop up all over my arms and back and then one on my arm today for about 2 hours. I am still using the same soap but the detergent is different so I am a little worried. Please keep this in your thoughts that I would be healthy. I dont think it is the food but I am not sure. Everytime this has happened it has been something different that I ate that day. I also got bit last night by some ants so, I have like 5 bites on my arms.

I am not sure if people are reading this....I hope so, but nobody has left comments. I am wondering if you are able to leave comments?!? okay have a great day!! :-)

Friday, December 14, 2007

Christmas time....

It is Christmas time around the world. Yesterday we had church and a Christmas party and it was amazing to sing some Christmas songs. It is so hott here which is very unusual for Christmas time but, it is very nice to see how people celebrate in another country. I Love Christmas !!!

I absolutely love this country. I am picking up some words but, I wished that I could understand everything...maybe one day?!! I have met a lot of really awesome people here!

Tomorrow Boyter another friend Kate and myself are traveling to another island for a wedding. The wedding is an arab indonesian wedding. Its funny here because even if you dont know the people that are getting married you still attend. I am excited to get this experience though.

Two days ago we went to the Red Light District. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I will write about it later when I have more time.

I love this hot country and the amazing people here.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

motorbikes, food, and more

So, most people get around here by motorbikes...Its actually a lot of fun and I enjoy it. The first day on the back I wasnt too sure of myself and almost fell off once because I wasnt holding on good. There are cars but, you get around a whole lot faster if you have a motor bike because you weave in and out of everyone.

The food is actually really good. Everything I have had has been delicious!!

Yesterday morning we got up early and went with one of Jessica's teachers to an elementary school to be the "guest speakers." When we first got there we met everyone on staff and told them about ourselves.....well, Jessica's Indo teacher translated everything for me. She sat beside me and translated everything that they said too. It was nice to have a personal translater but, I would love to know the language even more. After meeting the staff we went outside and sat at a table. We said a few things about ourselves and then the kids performed for us. It was really cute to see the kids speaking in english and singing. After the performances we took a few pictures and ALL of the kids wanted our autographs. It was so funny to sign my name a million times like I am some movie star. I liked it...hahaha.

We went to McDonalds to get some ice cream after the school and hung out with Jessica's teacher...which was really cool because I really liked her a lot. She was fun to be with and her english was perfect.

They have a Wendy's and an A & W here too!!

It is quiet funny to introduce myself to people here because me and Jessica have the same name and they automatically say "twins" ....and we just laugh and say "yes, because so many people with twins name them the same name."hahaha no, we don't really say that but, it is really funny.

Last night we did some karaoke with some of Jessica's students. It is really cool because you go into this room with the people you are with and there are 2 microphones and you start singing to what you want. I had a blast doing this!! The girls we went with were tons of fun and we danced and sang for about 2 hours.

I finally got a full nights sleep last night for the first time. I am also excited because I didnt wake up until 6:30am instead of 4 or 5 am. I am really getting adjusted to the days here and no more jet lag!! PTL!!!!

Today we are going a little bit slower than the past week. We have not stopped any of the days that I have been here so, today is going to be good. I love it here and I am having a great time.

Monday, December 10, 2007

first day in Indo...

Well, yesterday was my first full day in Indo and it was great!!! We stayed very busy so that I can get over the jet lag!my day went like this: I went through orientation and then we went to the malll....which the mall was Very western and huge!! I was amazed at the mall!!! In the mall we did some grocery shopping and got starbucks (yummy!). After that we came home and rested a while and then i went with boyter to teach and then we had a chrima party with some girls....

Things about this culture:
-The girls are soo cute! They just giggle and laugh about everything! oh and they LOVE pictures!! Lets just say....we get along very well!!
-Everyone stares and they ask me if I speak Indonesian
-The driving is crazy ...just like most asian countries!
-There are these horse like things in the mall which are electronic and kids just ride around the mall on them....this is the funniest thing I have seen so far!!!
-They LOVE Japan and ask me all about when I went....I have met like 4 or 5 Japanese majors... last night this girl asked me how to say some Japanese so, I told her "Hello" and she said that I said it wrong. I just laughed it off ...

Well, thats about all that I can think of now! I am having a GREAT time and I love it here!! I feel so welcomed and loved!! thanks for all of the *thoughts!!
Love, Griff

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Safe Arrival

Caroline again...Griff has safely arrived in Indonesia. She called her home when she got there, safe and sound. Thanks for the thoughts!

Almost There...written from Hong Kong

**This was in an email I received from Griff at 11:25 pm on Saturday. She asked me to post it on her blog for her. ~Caroline

Random things that have happened:


Asian guy winked at me....that has NEVER happened to me before...lol i thought it was funny

I had two Indonesians sit beside me on the 18 hour flight...we had nice conversations along with sleep!

On another flight, a guy asked if I wanted to sleep on his shoulder. I think he was in the army or something. He seemed nice, but still a little sketch!

I met two Thai girls in LA who were so amazing and sweet as pie ...they had the cutest dog EVER he weighed 5 pounds!! He loved me and kept jumping out of his bag to come to me! The dog had a pink collar but it was a boy..I love Asians!!

I helped another family find their little girl who wandered away to the bathroom...they didnt even know she had wandered away but, I told them in as many ways as I could...they didn't speak a lick of english so, I just pointed and guided them!! lol

I have also met some sketch people...like the guy who stood right behind me while I was about to type my first email. I walked away and came back later (there are 4 other computers who were NOT occupied and were in GREAT condition).

Another lady walked up to me and kept asking me all these questions and I just shook my head because it freaked me out.

I have met a good bit of people but, I would have liked to meet more because I am getting so bored with myself....oh well, I will be with Boyter and the others soon! PTL!!

I cannot believe that I am in Hong Kong though ...its like a dream! I have been planning this trip for so long and it is finally here! I cant wait to see what my Daddy has in store for me!!

I have just been people watching the whole time and it has been quite hilarious! I love people watching especially to see the most beautiful babies and little kids EVER!

The only really other exciting things that have happened are the chinese girls and how they are stuck in the 80's ..I think its so cute!

Oh, and I get really funny looks because I am white....at least I hope thats the reason...maybe because I look rough as anything...who knows! lol

Well, I am really looking forward to getting to Indonesia!! please keep Boyt, me and the others in your *thoughts. My next flight is 5 hours long...which is a long time for someone who has already been traveling 2 1/2 days...so, I am hoping that it goes by fast!!

OKay, I hope all is well with everyone!



p.s. I love you mom!!!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and it was so wonderful to spend time with family and friends for the day. I am so thankful for many things. The thing I am thankful for the most is that we can worship in America freely and not get persecuted. I am so thankful for a country where we are free to do what we want. I am also so thankful for the food that we have in America and that my family can afford the food we need (and more). There are many families in Greenville and Greenwood who go without food. Many people do not realize that people who live in the same community as them do not have food on the table at night. I have about 2 families in the afterschool program I work at who do not have food at home and they live in Greenwood. We should all be thankful for what we have. We are so blessed here in America.

So, I leave for Indonesia in exactly 2 weeks from today. I am so excited to be spending the holiday season in another country. I am also really excited to see my dearest friend, Boyter, and spend some quality time with her. I am praying for safe travels and that my luggage does not get lost (although I am bringing a lot of carry on stuff in case that happens). Please be praying that I can make some lasting relationships with the Indonesians.
Thank you for praying for me on this amazing journey I am about to take.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Getting Ready...

Well, I leave soo soon! It is crazy how it's so close...I have been planning for this trip and anticipating for a year now and it's finally less than 2 months away!! :-) !! :-)