We Didn't Drown!

There are way too many roosters here.

Something about Bali that’s interesting. Liz and I have been around the shops and though the first time we found them, it was kind of a shock, we’ve grown accustomed to finding small wooden keychain penises and large wooden bottle-opener penises. Apparently, in Hinduism, it’s a sign of good luck. So don’t be offended if you receive one of those little charms from me. ;)

It’s been another eventful few days here. A couple days ago, with only the intention to go to the beach and lie out and read, our driver actually talked us into going to a beach water-sports business instead. At which point, Liz talked me into scuba diving. I have never been more terrified in my life! Looking back, being emerged deep underwater for a half hour straight, feeding tropical fish right out of our hands, and seeing clown fish in the anemone right up close really was a cool experience...but I wasn’t really fond of having nothing between me and drowning but a mask and a little rubber tube connected to a tank. I may have kind of freaked out a little bit. When we began to see sunlight filtering through the water, I reached my hand up, ready for the relief that would wash over me when my skin broke surface. So this leads to our next tip. (Forewarning, this one may seem a little weird—keep in mind that these tips are mostly for my benefit and you are free to choose whether or not to agree.) TIP #26: When in fear of a new adventure, keep the adventurous spirit alive by staying in the moment as best you can, but also picture the comforting face of someone brave (like Jesus, maybe your best friend, or a sumo wrestler) who's spirit can carry you through the adventure. And distract your mind when staying in the moment is like facing death from thick foggy goggles.

Another lesson I’ve learned. If you are lucky enough to receive the opportunity to attend a legit Balinese temple ceremony, always wait until the end. On the way to dinner last night with Pak Wentan and Bu Nanik, Nanik told us that near the end of the ceremony we attended the other night, around three in the morning (after we left), many people began to go into these crazy trances. The most spiritually and enticing part of any temple ceremony. And how many chances is one going to get to see that?!

It’s a rainy day in Ubud today. Liz and I are planning on taking another Yoga class, though I’ve been sore for three days since our last lesson. But I dig it! The instructor begins with a little sermon on how to live a more peaceful and kind-hearted life. It's like church for the body AND soul!

Monkey Business in Bali

My earlier exclamation on Bali’s beauty and culture was a rash statement. I had only been here for two days, that’s hardly enough time to get to know an entire country. However, three or four days is totally good enough. BALI IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!

(Me with a monkey in my lap>>>)

July 8^th Today we went to the Monkey Forest Temple. It felt like we were in Indiana Jones and I’ve never seen so many monkeys in my life! We fed them bananas and just chilled with them. They’re so cute! One monkey even nibbled on my sister’s arm affectionately (though she claims it bit her aggressively) and one confused me with a tree and climbed all over me. The temple was so cool with Monkey statues all over the place. Everything here is ancient, it’s so cool. This morning we also ran into a girl who danced with Liz’s gamelan back in California and her sister. They’re of course staying in the same hotel because that’s how coincidences go. We tagged along with them on a tour of Bali. We saw HUGE rice paddies (though by now, I’ve seen thousands), this place where that make and grow all sorts of teas and coffees and fruits (free samples!), a mountain (which we of course plan to climb), and the water temple (Zelda fans, can you say “fricken sweet?!). Before entering a temple in Bali, one must wear a sarong. Many Balinese people just wear sarongs all the time. This was one of those temples where there was a blessed bath that people were praying and bathing in. I honestly would be cool with going back and jumping in.

July 9^th Today Liz and I explored more of Ubud, on a quest for Kebayas. The Balinese (and I’m sure many other touristy cultures) play this stupid game called “bartering.” For those of you who are unfamiliar with bartering, I’ll explain. The seller tries to sell you something for double or triple the price that the item is worth. If you look scared, the seller whispers, “It’s ok, you can barter.” You then have to proceed to either act uninterested or say something like “Psh. I wouldn’t pay that much. I’d pay…” And you say about 20 or 30 percent of the price. The seller then will either laugh in your face or tell you “No no. Ok, I give it to you for…” And then they knock off about RP 10,000. Then you add RP 10,000 to you price. You continue to go back and fourth like this until you’re at about 50 or 55 percent of the original price.

I hate bartering. Stupid stupid game.

Anyway, we went to the Market (where everything is still expensive, even after bartering) and bought our Kebayas. Kebayas are these long, pretty shirts traditionally worn with a sash and sarong by women at temple ceremonies and performances. After shopping around for a while longer, we met up with one of the young Balinese hotel guys Made (mah-day) and his much older friend, Made, and hopped on the back of their motorbikes for a tour of the countryside. Again, Bali is BEAUTIFUL. After our return to the hotel, we got our new traditional Balinese outfits on and went with our California sister friends, Rika and Linda, and their friend, Yoga, to a temple performance that Liz’s gamelan teacher was playing in. Balinese gamelan music now officially ties jazz as favorite musical style. It’s so magical! Balinese dance is pretty fricken sweet as well. We plan to take lessons soon with Yoga’s wife. After the performance, we hung out at Pak Wentan’s (Liz’s teacher) mansion for tea. He and his wife and Yoga all have such positive energy surrounding them - it’s amazing!

July 10^th Yesterday, Liz and I adventured through Ubud to Wayan’s Medicine shop, from Eat, Pray, Love. At first, she wasn’t there, so we ventured through the unexplored street, visited the book store, and came back. By then, Wayan was there and swarmed with tourists. In order to do her healing, she apparently has to drive her patients to her other location and could therefore not fit us in the car. Ah well. We headed back for our hotel when it started to pour.  TIP #25: If it rains, unless you are in a hurry, just stop somewhere for tea or coffee and wait it out. Don’t choose to walk the mile back to your hotel and definitely don’t choose to try and take a shortcut through the Market. Later that evening, Yoga picked us and Rika and Linda up again and took us to have dinner at Pak Wentan’s house and attend an all night long temple ceremony and performance. At dinner, we met a Lithuanian girl and a French boy whom we hope to rent a house with in a few days. We’ve met so many people from all over the world, it’s crazy. And they are always surprised at how short our stay is in Bali. But that's because Europeans take holidays - usually for a few months. Americans take vacations - maybe for a week? Anyway, we were all very sleepy at the temple performance. After the excitement of watching Pak Wentan dance, our attention began to wane. And after an hour or two of listening to traditionally dressed comedian drag queens without having understood any of their jokes (though the Balinese thought they were hilarious), we trekked back to Pak Wentan’s house and Yoga took us back to our hotel. This culture truly is amazing! But man, they stay up late for the ceremonies. Its like Midnight Mass every week! Today, Liz and I have no plans again, but as the past goes to show, I’m sure it’ll be another eventful Balinese day. Thanks for reading!

The Routine of Paradise

Jetlag sucks. TIP#22: When traveling across the world to a time zone that messes with your day and night a little, don’t go to bed early, no matter how exhausted you are. Drink something caffeinated to keep you awake so you don’t find yourself twiddling your thumbs at 3 or 4 in the morning, wide awake, singing happy birthday to yourself.  Also, FYI, a glass of wine is not caffeinated.

However, Bali is AMAZING! It’s our second day here after a days worth of flights and airports. We’ve even made a few friends already! (Two Canadian blokes who advised us on Balinese wine and one French woman.) There don’t seem to be too many Americans that come here. This is okay with me though—all the different accents add to the cultural experience.

But yes, yesterday and today are my birthdays (I’m counting both Bali’s and America’s time zones so I can celebrate twice).  Yesterday, we spent the day at a Balinese spa, getting treated to massages, scrubs, oils and lotions of which I’m not even sure, baths brimming with pink flowers, lunches, manicures, pedicures, and hair cream rinse. I’ve never been treated so much like a fairy princess in my whole life and it was all for a little over $50 US. 

A few words about the currency. In Bali, their currency is in rupiah. 100,000 rupiahs equals about $12, as I understand it. TIP#23: Before traveling to a foreign country, learn the exchange rate. Study it in a way so that you can easily calculate it. Otherwise, when you find your bags being dragged around the airport for you upon your arrival, you might accidentally be giving these men tips equivalent to about $24. Oops.

But oh well.

Ubud, the city we are staying in, is the most beautiful city I have ever seen. Even it’s equivalent to pigeons are pretty!  There are temples and sunrays and stairways and tropical plants and flowers and offerings to the gods and beautiful dressed up Balinese people and marching gamelans up the YIN YANG! I have never been surrounded by such beauty in my LIFE. The Balinese live by a communal beauty routine. Each day, the locals begin to appear out and about around seven, cleaning their shops and gathering materials to create their offerings. The offerings consist of little handmade baskets of palm filled with anything from flowers to candy. These baskets decorate the statues and streets each day, adding to the general communal splendor. Fresh flowers are also produced each day to decorate most statues and temples.

I wish that cities in the US took care of themselves a little like like this. Their daily routines often seem to consist of no more than emitting as much smog into the air as possible. But thats just an illustration of the cultural differences. America is more focused upon the individual's health and happiness and success; Bali's focus is more upon the community's health and happiness and success. Not that one is right and one is wrong. They're just different (obviously). :) Each morning, Liz and I have our own little routine of practicing some Yoga before breakfast (for something to do, considering we thus far have been waking up before sunrise).

Today we are getting a tour of the countryside from one of the hotel dudes. Then, sometime soon we’ll start our lessons in gamelan and dance from Liz’s professor and his wife. Thus far, I’d call this a pretty chill trip.  I don’t think I’ve ever really been on a trip before without at least having something scheduled. And really, I’m ok with this.  :)

Adventure Guide, Chapter 2: Bali, Indonesia!

Greetings from my sister's apartment in California! In a little less then 12 hours, Liz and I will be flying over the Pacific Ocean to Taiwan and then on to Bali, Indonesia. The adventure will be three weeks long and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I am young, single, (finally) healthy, not (yet) broke, and not held down by any commitments to work or attend school. I have packed enough clothes for once, about every over-the-counter drug we thought might be necessary, plenty of sunscreen and ALOE VERA (I learn from my mistakes sometimes), and of course, my trusty bunny, Rabbit. Aside from a little broken suitcase (TIP #20: Always make sure that the extender zipper on your carryon suitcase actually zips.), we are good to go. However, in the words of the character Mark in the movie JUNO, "I know we're prepared. I'm just wondering if... I'm ready."

On every flight, I always kinda hope that fate will give me a new found friend from afar to sit next to. However, I haven't truly made any flight friends since I was maybe fifteen on a school trip to Europe. She was an older Indian woman with several sick daughters who advised me dearly not to get married or even think about boys until I was well traveled and not to travel until I was well established in my career. She told me about her regrets for marrying right away and how it has messed her whole life up. :) She was a fun and colorful human being. When I look back at all my flights prior to our meeting, I realize that I pretty much always made a friend on my flights. So why haven't I made one since? Is it because society has changed and it is now considered more creepy to talk to complete strangers? Is it because I have become shy in the last few years? Or maybe its even worse; am I subconsciously waiting for someone more interesting to sit by me and talk to me? On the flight to LA yesterday, I was assigned general seating. I sat in an empty row by a window, passing seat upon empty seat, I chose to sit alone, leaving fate to determine my flight partner. It ended up being an old man who was on his way to visit his son who lives in California. After a couple details about our trips were exchanged, the conversation ended, and we pulled out our reading material for the rest of the 3 hour flight. 

It was lame. I never even asked where he was from, what his name was, or what he did for a living. And these are the three necessary questions of any Midwesterner (christened by my lovely professor, Kim, as the Theory of Dakotativity). This leads to TIP #21: Always follow the Theory of Dakotativity when meeting someone. You never know who might share a mutual friend or connection. Unless maybe he or she is holding you at gunpoint, swearing to shoot if you say a word. That might not be too wise. 

So my first goal of this whole trip is too make a new flight friend. Or at least a few Balinese friends. I have a feeling my sister and i will be sitting together for the 16 some hours of future flying, splitting our time between watching movies and sleeping. :)

At least I made this new friend. His name is Dexter. 

If you haven't noticed, today is July 4th, aka INDEPENDENCE DAY. A day where Americans gather together to celebrate the freedom and independence that our country has celebrated since the Declaration was signed. The same day I am going to take flight across the ocean to celebrate this independence by striving for.... well.... independence. Granted, I will be traveling with my sister, but we have barely any plans, have no obligations in the way, and have the opportunity to test ourselves, our wit, and our abilities in a foreign country...freely. Independence, here I come.  

Unlike dear Mark in JUNO.... I am ready. :)

...I think. ;)

Sunshine Summertime

The Summer has pretty much begun. Except, of course, for the fact that I got sent home at the nick of finals week because of a kidney infection and mono. So, though my school year isn't yet technically over and I haven't even packed up my room back in Sioux Falls, it is still summer. My Dad is outside, probably in his creepy basketball shorts, mowing the lawn, and the Chamberlain High Seniors have officially graduated. The trees even have full, plump, salad-worthy leaves on them (which I forgot was possible). 

I am in my room, dreaming of all the things I want to do, to plan. I've already begun practicing my origami skills, though my rabbit definitely looked more like a roach. I love dreaming. I love making lists. Give me a subject and I'll dream up the craziest list I can contrive. My problem is being proactive. 

One day this last year, my friend had found some old books that his library was going to throw out. He saved them and one, he turned into one of those secret compartment books. You know, the ones you can find at a quirky gift shop where all the insides, the guts, of the book have been cut out? He was so excited about it. All year, I watched him get excited about creation after creation. Everything that he plans, he usually does. 

I plan so many things and dream so many dreams up at the same time that they overwhelm me. I scarcely finish anything that I plan. Another trait that I fear I've picked up from my mother. its very unsatisfying. Its lead my whole life. The procrastination of every assignment and project in school, the easy projects I'll leave on my desk for months on end, the clothes I'll never get rid of because I'm sure I'll use them someday....

This leads to TIP #19: Make something. Right now. 

I wonder how much good the concept of "to do list" is for the world anyway. The list is obviously never going to end anyway. Why not just live as seems fit? 

My To Do List

Crap Ton of Math Homework

Study for Math Final

Prepare LAR Final

Figure out When Those Finals Are

Get Julia a Grad Present

Talk to Kim about Theater Final

Fix Bank Account

FInd a Place to Live in SUF for 2 Weeks

Clean Room

Pack up Sioux Falls Room

And trust me, the list goes on....

I mean, what's the point? I know I have to do all of these things. Listing them just makes me anxious (considering I'm supposed to be sick in bed, incapable of doing them anyway). The list is going to get completed though, whether I list the items or not. What a silly listing lifestyle I have lived all these years. Snorkelers don't have to make todo lists. Snorkelers are proactive. It's about time I put on the gear, at least, and go take another crack at origami. 

PS: I'm not sure how coherent this post even is. Considering my illnesses, I'm on a drug that makes me a little loopy. Just so ya know. 

In Need of Advice

Last night, I went to my first scary movie in a while, Insidious. I hate scary movies. But the opportunity arose, so I took it. And it was ok. Yay adventures!

Earlier that day, I also stepped in a bucket of paint.

Later on, I lost my phone.

At least it was an interesting day. :)

Not having a phone is pretty much really super freeing. Every decision I've made since losing it has been a spontaneous one. I feel old school. Yesterday, I really wanted to see the Jazz Crawl downtown, but hadn't really talked to anyone about going yet. So, I knocked on a couple doors, but received no wishes to join me. I remembered the feeling I got one day in Belize, waiting for someone to do what I wanted to do and I realized that I didn't have to wait now. I could do exactly what I wanted to do. Then, as I gathered my jacket and purse, a friend stopped by to say hi and decided to join me. It was a spontaneous adventure, going through parts of downtown Sioux Falls that we don't really get the chance to see very often. I really enjoyed not worrying about contacting people to see where they were at, what time it was, or what I should do next. Then, this morning, most of my friends were sleeping when I got up. So, I went shopping with a girl I don't really hang out with, because that was exactly what I wanted to do. Getting to know someone who I see all the time, but really don't get to talk to, was awesome. Once again, I couldn't really be texting anyone about the rest of the day, so of course, when I got back to the dorm, everyone was gone. And once again, I got to make the decision of what I wanted to do and then I got to do it. Unplanned and a little adventurous. I'm learning to live like a snorkeler. It's a piece of Belize that I accidentally took back with me and was brought out with the loss of my phone. In Belize, no one ever knew what time it was. I like this feeling. TIP #17: For one Saturday or Sunday, make no plans, turn your phone off, do what you feel like, and see who you run into. 

But I still want my phone back asap. I was literally in only three rooms in the fine arts center when it disappeared. I seem to lose and forget a lot of things. All. The. Time. Sometimes, it gets so frustrating, I want to cry. And then I do cry. No matter how hard I try to keep track of things, they still manage to slip away from me. Though I survive, I still get myself into a lot of trouble and have to depend on others to help me out. However, all I can do is follow TIP #18: Remember to be grateful for those who do help me, keep trying and hoping for the best, and to use the resources I have to fix things to the best of my ability.


However, now that I've sufficiently doled out at least a years worth of tips, I am in need of some advice. This summer is supposed to be an adventurous one. I can feel it. However, my problem is not finding the adventure. It is deciding on which adventure to pursue.

Adventure Option #1
My sister has been planning on going to Bali in Indonesia for a couple years now and is finally going to make her month long journey in July. My brother and I have been thinking about the possibility of joining her for that month. The cultural experiences would be FANTASTIC (and make great blogs) and it would be awesome sibling bonding time. If I were to take this option, I would move back home to waitress right after school (so as to afford the trip itself), then go to Bali through July, then come back home and waitress until school. The most expensive part of the trip would be the plane ticket as living expenses are cheap.

Adventure Option #2
My best friend is planning on taking a bunch of road trips this summer. She plans on going to either the South or the North Pacific.  I would be able to continue my exploration of my own country and would be the most financially sound option AND  would be good best friend bonding time. With this option, I would live at home and waitress throughout the summer and probably take multiple road trips.

Adventure Option #3
I could live on campus, take an online class, work part time somewhere, and attempt to build up my resume and get theater jobs in the city, while also creating connections and learning about the summer life of Sioux Falls. I'd try to take some summer dance lessons and make time to see as much theater as I could. This option would be the most career smart one and would make good experiences while being grounded somewhere new. The problem would be finding the theater/part time work.

Let me know what you think, please. I need your help! Should I go for the more personal growth world traveling option, financially smart savings option, or career smart resume growth option?

Opportunities

I got to eat pickles last night. :)

Leaving Belize was really emotional. I felt stupid, but I couldn't help but crying a little -- this has been a very critical time period in my life. I've discovered things about the world and about myself that are difficult to describe here. I'm sad, relieved, impatient, and guilty to be almost home. So many of those children of San Pedro are living in feces and garbage. In fact, that is literally the foundation of the school we helped to extend. But it doesn't make me feel bad for them. I mean, I do feel bad, but most of them are so happy -- happier then most American children. The hopes and dreams of the children of Belize made me feel bad for people in my own country. I said I would bring back their secret, but I believe that the secret is obvious. Their culture of living simply brings them happiness. Just think... no fast food.

Part of me wants to go back and see inside their little houses. But I don't think that I ever will go back to Belize. I think that's why I'm sad. Maybe this is a touchy subject, but I thought a lot about the reservations in South Dakota and the shit that goes down there. Which, as a home grown South Dakotan, I honestly don't really think about that much. Creativity Begets Creativity. Action Begets Action? Is it even possible to make change there? Going on trips like this always make me impatient for change. I remember making a list that was three or four pages long of changes I wanted to make and things I wanted to do in my journal of the Midwest Ambassadors of Music trip through Europe. I'm already planning on cutting my hair as soon as I get the chance. The changes I want to make are always a little bit silly (like learning how to draw, reading certain books, etc.) and I usually think of too many things then are possible to do. However, it's hopes and dreams like those that keep our world turning. TIP #15: When inspired to make change, limit yourself to three accomplishable goals, and make them SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely). Otherwise, your To Do list will probably get in the way.

My Goals: 1. Start Budgeting 2. Read Harry Potter Again 3. FIGURE OUT SUMMER

As for my third goal, I will need help with in my next post.

TIP #16: No matter what kind of mood you're in, when opportunity arises for adventure, take it. The whole time we were at the resort, I was exhausted for some reason. However, opportunity arose. The owner of the resort, Doug, took us crocodile hunting that night and sent us on a bus ride to the monkey reserve in the morning. It was amazing! Pure nature. Belize is like a meting pot of nature. Sometimes I felt like I was in Africa, sometimes like I was in Louisiana, sometimes like I was in South America, sometimes like I was on the TV show, LOST. Except everywhere served burritos. Really good, cheap, burritos. On these (AMAZING) adventures, people kept asking me what was wrong. I think the tension of traveling exhaustion was just building up so that my face looked dead. I forgot to smile a sufficient amount. We are not only responsible for our own energy, but also for the energy of those around us.

I'm ecstatic to be home soon. I'm not ecstatic, however, for the extremely busy schedule I'm about to walk in to. Wish me luck!