Jakarta!

Wow!

That really has to sum up my first three days in this city. So far we have gotten most of the suitcases unpacked, walked back and forth to the embassy a few times, gone shopping, and seen the Oldest's school. That may not sound like much, but let me tell you, that is a lot for right now.

The first thing we all noticed was that the airport is not your typical glass and concrete bunker, but rather a series of tile-roofed buildings that Think 2 claimed to look like buildings in China. That she saw in a book at school about Mulan. I love 8-year olds. The second thing we noticed was that it was HAWT! Yes, I spelled it that way on purpose because "hot" just doesn't seem to cut it. And it was (still is) sticky. We were met at the ramp by our sponsor, Bu C. and headed off to immigration. I tell you, the Diplomatic line for immigration was a whole lot shorter than all the others. I can certainly get used to that. We sailed through immigration and headed off to baggage claim where, surprise, ALL our luggage showed up (21 bags). From there we went to customs where I was assured by Bu C. that we would not have to have anything inspected, except the young guard looked at our passports and said to start loading the bags on the belt. Luckily, a more experienced guard looked again, waived us through, and reprimanded his colleague that we were diplomats. After loading our stuff into the embassy van, the real adventure began.

If you have never been to Jakarta, and before this week I had not either, be prepared to think that you are going to be in a major traffic fatality in the first five minutes of getting in any car. Cars drive on the lines, around the lines, between the lines, on the shoulder, the wrong way, every way! And the scooters are 10X worse. Swarms of them, everywhere! I can't even describe it so will have to post pictures or video one of these days.

We made it to our place without incident (surprisingly) and began the process of unloading. Three flights of stairs, 21 full-sized bags plus carry-ons, three tired kiddos. It took a bit, but the place was spacious, tiled wall to wall, and just right as a temporary home for my family.

I will write more later, but figure this post is a week late so will finish here.

Be well my friends!

An Ending that is a Beginning

Today marks the ending of a significant portion of my life. Yes, I know that I have been training for the last three months at FSI, but on my way to Jakarta, I went home to help get the family ready to join me. But today is my last full day in Oregon, and the last day that I will be in my house for what is likely to be many years.

My house.

A and I have lived here for the last 10 and a half years. re-roofed it, re-sided it, re-painted it, re-floored it, and re-designed the backyard several times, just to list a few projects. Our children grew up in that house, and are quite sad to leave it.

So am I. So is A.

But in order to have this new beginning with State, I have to move on, and the family is coming along for the ride. I need to leave all that is familiar behind me and reach out for the unknown, the unexpected, the new, in order to grow and thrive in this new life I have chosen. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited about this and can't wait to start my new job in Jakarta. It is going to be amazing and I am ready. Or at least as ready as I can be.

Our oldest is very sad and upset about leaving her home, her friends, and her school. I know she will get over it eventually and love all the adventures that are in front of her, but right now she is just angry and upset. And makes sure that I know about it. The twins are a little more excited, a little less nervous, but still sad to be leaving. They have never known anywhere else as home. But we will be having Christmas in our temporary housing and the presents are all in the suitcases, ready to be put under the tree.

Some days I am not as confident about this change, but I know, as surely as I know anything, that I have found my people and I am ready for this new beginning.

So to the rest of the world, and all the challenges that are in front of me, I only have one thing to say.

"Bring it on, if you think you are hard enough!"

Almost Time

One more week in Falls Church. That's it, just one more week and the first leg of this right turn is over and the next leg begins. It's hard to believe that I've only been away from Oregon for three months. It feels like so much longer. It's even harder to fathom that I am going to be living in Indonesia in two weeks.

Oddly, there isn't all that much for me to do in the time I have left. I have applied for all the visas, I pack out on Wednesday, I have three more days of training at lovely FSI, an evening meeting next week, a few more shots tomorrow, personal packing to do, turn in my fob, wave good bye, and fly home. I am the lucky one.

My wife has to get the entire house ready for pack out, on her own, for next week, move herself and the kids into a hotel, ship the cats to LA to then be sent on to Jakarta, continue to get the house ready to rent, and stay sane. Maybe I should bring her back some booze. Or take her out to the bars to get really drunk. Or flowers. Maybe chocolate. Or take the kids somewhere and let her nap. Something.

Later, I will tell all of you the adventures of the USPS and the Dip passport.

Be well