twenty - reflection I

Now that I am back in the United States, it's both easier and harder to look back at my experience in Indonesia. Easier because I'm not in the moment and it's retrospect; harder because I have a tendency to gloss over the "downs" of the trip. Bali was an island I enjoyed a lot and as a consequence I feel like I over-glorify my experience there. To help me work through what I have learned, I'll be attempting to write a reflection at least every other day. There are other reasons too, and I guess I'll go into that shortly.

There's small things that take getting used to, now that I'm back -- not having to use my right hand all the time, not having to worry about facing the bottom of my foot at someone, not greeting everyone on the street with a "selamat pagi," the cooler temperature, living with my family versus living with a group of students... It's different. I'm not unhappy to be back, per se -- I do love my cereal, milk, water pressure, and my mum's home cooking -- but... I do miss Indonesia. Maybe it is because I didn't really have to face my "real world" responsibilities like... well... anything.

Still, I noticed a certain balance and friendliness there that you don't usually see in America often ('cause most people are perpetually stressed). I remember being really struck when Gusde was telling us about the importance of the mountain and ocean -- the connection of water evaporating, raining on the mountain, and streaming back down. A circle, really. And then, coming home, right in time for some talks at the temple? Awesome. I'll be going to Vivekji's talks at the temple for the next few days. There's so many things I don't know, especially about my religion and fledgling spirituality... that I hope the inspiration (inspiration to be just happy and content where you are, to live a simpler life not cluttered by just stuff), I found in myself in Bali kind of sticks as I continue my traditional summer regimen of walking, reflecting, and eating healthier.

I guess that's the first change I'm noticing in myself: the desire to be a "better person." Not better, but a more self-aware person.

Also, I gave in and dropped my South Asian literary humor class and replaced it with Indonesian... and also added the 1-credit Javanese gamelan class. Geeky, I know. But I don't want to forget my experience!