Chapter 1, Page 13

Katie and I suffered through some Skyping today and ended up having to type to each other instead of talking because the connection was so bad.  But she had a lot to say and asked that I post some of her new pictures on the blog.  I don't have the details on many of the pictures, so your guess is as good as mine!

She did say she has spent a lot of time cooking and learning about Balinese food.  She made chicken satay with peanut sauce one night and said it was excellent.  She made a soup, that she made up, and she said it turned out wonderful.  She named it Balinese Gumbo.  It was made with chicken broth, rice, chile peppers, ginger, flour, spinach and chicken hearts.  She said the chicken hearts kind of melted into the soup and the fellow students who tried it said it was the best thing they'd eaten since they got to Indonesia. 

One day she and a friend wanted to go into town and they couldn't find a taxi, so a vehicle stopped and there were 2 flip flop salemen in the vehicle and asked if they wanted a ride into town.  They accepted, (I know!), and rode into town sitting on top of piles of flip flops.






These are the flip flop salemen.

Yet another adventure!!!

And this was a picture Katie took just for the Chili Family:


This next picture is of her house in Munduk Pakel, the village she lived in for about a week.  She said it was very interesting living there, but not something she'd want to do again since the water they bathed in was dirty water.





Katie room is to the left on this next picture:



The kitchen:



The kitchen stove:



The backyard pets:



The way to the rice fields where they harvested some rice:









This is a typical corner store:



This is the biggest waterfall in Bali:





She starts her job in a few weeks and is very excited for the opportunity.  She sounds much more motivated for culinary school as well.

...Just 49 more days!

Chapter 1, Page 12

We've been quite lucky lately with our internet connection and chatting with Katie.  Even though the connection slows down during sentences, we still manage to make it through entire conversations.  I had another chat with Katie this morning, (Oct.11).

Katie's been suffering with what she called the Balinese Belly, which is our version of Montezuma's Revenge.  She hadn't eaten in over 48 hours so the teacher took her to Denpasar to a doctor to get medicine.  Denpasar is about 1 1/2 hours from Ubud which is where she is now.  After the doctor's visit, which cost $20 including medicine, the teacher took her back to Ubud and made her stay at her house until she felt better, and so the teacher could keep a close watch on her health and nutrition.  Katie says she feels a pretty strong connection with the teacher and they have talked about things that are far outside curriculum, which I know is the reason Katie feel the closeness to her.  But how nice that teacher was to take Katie to the doctor, then "mommy" her at her own home until Katie was better.  One thing Katie has said, almost from day one, about the Balinese people is that they are extremely friendly and helpful.

The last month Katie is in Bali she will be working at a restaurant, on the Western side, making things she is familiar with such as cupcakes, Ken's jambalaya, Mommommie's Pollygosh, chicken fried steak and other Western/Texan food.  She doesn't think she will be getting paid for this as she would have to get a working Visa which cost $300, so she will be doing it for free but will get really good experience in a different kind of commercial kitchen.  The owner has said he will write her a letter that she can put with her resume.  However, during this morning's chat with Katie she said her teacher is going to see if she can get paid because she will be working hard for this owner and should get some money.  It remains to be seen and I really think Katie feels the experience is payment enough.

She took her midterm and was smiling from ear to ear when she told me she made a 96.  Doesn't surprise Mom that she made a 96, but I'm proud as I can be with her grades.  She has spent a lot of time lately writing papers so I know she is studying and working hard with not so much play on the weekdays.  The weekends are a little different.

One evening a group of girls tired to find a place to sit, have a beer and relax. They found a bar with darts and Katie was so excited.  She said she won every game and that they had Heineken, her favorite beer.  She said the bottle was huge and it only cost $2.00.  I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing! 

She is really wanting mail, so if you have a chance to write her a letter, please do.  Her address is:

Katie Kemper
PO Box 138
Ubud, Gianyar
Bali 80037 Indonesia

The rates for letters are:

1 oz letter - $.98 (a 2 page letter is 1/2 ounce)
2 oz letter - $1.76

3 oz letter - $2.54

4 oz letter - $3.79

5 oz letter - $4.62

If you are willing and interested in sending her something other than a letter you can find the postage rates at http://pe.usps.com/text/Imm/il_003.htm#ep1382290.  You will need to scroll to the bottom for the regular mail rates and not the super expensive rates shown at the top.  I did ask about the flat rate boxes USPS has at their post offices, but was told the rates are more than if you use your own box.  A video tape box is $18.00 and the next size up is $35.00 to mail to Indonesia. 

I mailed Katie a package that was 9x6x4, (approx), and it weighed 1 lb 12 oz and cost me $17.00 to mail.

Interesting set of pictures Katie put on Facebook.  But for those not FB savvy, here you go:

This is a gigantic spider...and the next picture will show you just how large...


 The gigantic spider caught a bird in its web.

And on to more appetizing pictures...here is a picture of the feast they were served at their farewell dinner in Yogakarta...
 

How many days now?  Katie just told me 63!  OH!  And she's CRAVING Mexican food.  She said when we pick her up at the airport she wants to immediately go have Mexican food and order a tall margarita and she doesn't even care where we go.  I think I'd be going through withdrawals too.

Chapter 1, Page 11

Katie and I Skyped today for over 2 hours, (however, the connection kept failing, so we did spend some time just waiting to reconnect).  She is back in Bali and is much happier there.  She is back with a host family and I noticed that the bedsheets are Mickey and Minnie Mouse, which I thought was funny.

I asked her about the Kimodo Dragons, that are indigenous to Java and she said there are only at the zoos there and not out wandering around like we might think.  She also said the monkeys are everywhere in the "forests", but that they are not allowed to go into the forests because of the potential dangers.  The monkeys are very used to people and will grab things from you and won't give them back until you give them food.  Chickens and dogs are everywhere there too, and not just in the forests.  She said the dogs are like squirrels here; just about every where you look there are feral dogs and although they won't approach you, they are not friendly.

She described the people in Bali as the friendliest, most laid back people she's ever seen.  They are very quick to help you if you need help and don't expect anything in return.  One time she was trying to find a certain shop and apparently looked lost.  A man asked her if she needed help and she explained what she was trying to find and he went out of his way to show her exactly what she was looking for, went into the shop with her so the shopkeeper wouldn't try and oversell her stuff, then went back with her to where she started so she wouldn't get lost on her way back.  He spoke good English and she was impressed by his friendliness and all of the help he offered.  She gave him 50,000 rupiah which is $5.00, even though he didn't ask for any money.

Something Katie has noticed is that on restaurants' menus, they have 2 sides; an Indonesian side and a Western side.  This has made her wonder why, when people visit a foreign place, they cater to Westerners.  She thinks if you go to a foreign country, you should eat their food and not what we are used to.  Although, she pointed out, it has been nice to have a hamburger every now and then.  She has asked for menus from restaurants so she can use that in her final project and showed me the Western side.  There is a lot of pasta which costs around 13,000 rupiah, ($1.30), and the most expensive thing on the menu was pizza which was still less than $2.00.

Apparently during our Thanksgiving a lot of the students' parents are coming for a visit and she said she would welcome anyone if they want to come visit.  Her teacher is putting a lot of the parents up at her home, or finding homes for them, so they don't have to spend the money on hotels and can experience the culture just as their children are doing.  So if anyone wants to go, let me know so I can tell her.  Ken and I can not go but if you want to go be her pseudo parent(s), I would welcome it as well.

Katie has cut her hair and is very happy as it is much easier to keep.  She looked very good, very happy and was excited to chat.  We are planning another chat tonight so she can talk to Ken.

When she was in Java, the class went to a tree that was gigantic.  She said it was beautiful and unlike anything she'd ever seen before.  It looked like a lot of little trees merged together and it apparently is some religious icon.  At some point during their visit to the tree, she said she felt a rush of happiness and all of the homesickness she'd been struggling with washed away.  Ever since their visit there she said she's been much better and has settled in to life in Bali.

....just 74 days until Katie's home!  BUT....we are adjusting well and knowing she's adjusting is making it much easier on us.  74 days doesn't seem that far away any more.

Chapter 1, Page 10

Katie called us early on Sunday morning to tell us that there was a suicide bombing in Central Java, which is about 2 hours from where she is located now.  The SIT program put all of the students on lockdown, so they couldn't leave the hotel until further notice.  She said having to stay in the hotel was making her homesick, but I'm sure all the students were feeling the same way.  Excitment is one thing, fear is certainly another. 

A BBC newspost reported this about the bombing:

"Witnesses said the bomber struck as people were leaving the Bethel Injil Sepuluh church in Keputon, Solo after a Sunday service.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country but is officially a secular state.

Militant Islamist groups have carried out a number of deadly attacks in recent years.

Indonesia's security minister Djoko Suyanto said two people had been killed - one at the church and one who died of their injuries in hospital. It is unclear if the two included the bomber.

"Some of the wounded were treated in two hospitals in Solo, while some of them were allowed to return home," he said.
'Inhuman attack'
One witness, Fani, said she had heard the blast as she was leaving the church.

"Everyone was screaming," she told Metro TV. "I saw fiery sparks and, near the entrance, a man dead on the ground... People around him were splattered with blood."

A hospital official, Bambang Sumarsono, said 20 people had been injured, three seriously, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Earlier, Mr Suyanto told El Shinta radio that nothing could justify the "inhuman" attack.

"It is the task of everybody to overcome this act of terrorism," he said.

He said he had spoken to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who had "conveyed his deep condolences for those who are now being treated in hospital".

The identity of the bomber and the motive behind the attack are not yet known.

Solo is the hometown of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, considered to be the spiritual leader of the Islamist militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI), which has links to al-Qaeda.

JI has been blamed for a string of attacks in Indonesia, including the 2002 Bali bombings which killed 202 people.

The group has been significantly weakened by the arrest or killing of many of its key leaders, but lone bombers have continued to carry out attacks. In June this year, Ba'asyir was jailed for 15 years for supporting a militant training camp."

Katie texted me yesterday evening and said she was still on lockdown.  She will be leaving Java in the next few days and going back to the same place she started, which she really liked.  She wasn't too keen on Java from the beginning and this just solidified her feelings.

Keep her and her group in your thoughts that they will remain safe.

Chapter 1, Page 9

This past weekend was our family reunion and it was the first time in 22 years that Katie could not attend, so we planned a Skyping session so everyone in the family could see her, talk to her, and visit.  We Skyped for 2 hours and everyone had such a great visit with her! 

She told everyone about Indonesia and how different it is than here.  She explained a lot about their culture and she kept everyone's attention, doing a great job of explaining things from the food, to the houses, to the bathrooms and the culture.



This is their group in their Indonesian outfits.



This is a group of Gamalan Players they watched.



These are some dancers they watched and Katie thought they were beautiful.



This is outside of Katie's room in Puri Saraswati.  Isn't it beautiful?



This is the Water Palace.  It's absolutely gorgeous!  How lucky that she is there is able to experience this all!


More Water Palace



Katie at the Water Palace



This is her homestay family.  The little boy loves Katie and apparently "pees" on her feet to show her that he likes her...hmmm...doesn't sound quite right does it?



Homestay family



A statue in Ubud

These are just a few pictures and more to come!

Yesterday Katie moved to Yogyakarta and is in a hotel for a few days then on to another host family, (I think).  She is adjusting well now and is less and less homesick, (YEA!) 

Chapter 1, Page 8

What an exciting evening after getting texts that Katie is struggling and fighting a roaring case of homesickness.  Around 9:15 last night she texted me that she was on her way to Ubud so we could Skype for the first time and to log in in around 20 minutes.  Of course my computer was up and running and logged into Skype about 45 seconds after the text.

When she called and her face popped on the screen, all Ken and I could do was smile from ear to ear.  She looked SO good and so happy!  Maybe she was homesick earlier but you could never tell.  Katie took a taxi to a restaurant that had free WiFi and when she called me on Skype she was sitting at a table waiting for the food she ordered.  The WiFi is free as long as you buy food or drink.  And of ALL things to order in Indonesia, she ordered pasta.  When her food arrived, she held it up so we could see it and it looked like a spinach ravioli with tomato sauce.  Whodathunk?!

She had the day off from school because they had a 12+ hour day yesterday, starting school at 6:30 AM and ending at 7:00 PM, so the teachers gave all the students the day off to recover.  The SIT program gives each student 50,000 rupiah when they have the day off so they can eat lunch.  50,000 rupiah equals $5.00, but Katie says you can buy a lot with $5.00 and it's more than enough. 

Katie was looking well and I asked how she was feeling and the medicine has kicked in and she's almost back at 100%.  She said it cost her 500,000 rupiah to see the doctor which included the medicine and that her SIT advisor gave her 1,000,000 to cover the cost, (but Katie has to pay it back), because there were no ATM machines by the doctor's office.  It sounds as though it is a very well organized group and they make sure the students are taken care of properly.

I asked about her host family and if they were taking good care of her and she said they were, but that they talked to Katie about a family member who needed an operation and they didn't have the money.  I asked Katie if they were asking for money from her and she said she didn't know, but that she didn't and won't give them any, (as instructed by the SIT program).  I asked if Katie had given them her token of thanks, (Texas tshirts), and she said she had but that they don't show gratitude like we are used to.

The woman of the house is a chef, (or cook), as a local restaurant but hasn't spent time with Katie and teaching her about Indonesian cooking.  So Katie signed up to take a cooking class yesterday that she was very excited about.  She called me this morning to say she'd just finished the class and it was "awesome" and that she learned so much.  She is excited to take more classes and will definitely do so when she can.

On Monday the group is going to Jakarta, but she pronounced it with a "Y" instead of a "J" and I asked if that was the correct pronunciation.  She said they are going to "Yakarta" and not "Jakarta" because Jakarta is too touristy.  So I'm not exactly sure where she'll be, but she's moving on Monday.

She explained a little about the house she's in and I specifically asked about the kitchen.  Her eyes got big and she said it is nothing like what we know in the States.  She said they cook on a stove that looks a lot like our camp stoves we use for cooking chili.  Everything is small and meals are taken when you are hungry, not at a set time or with the other family.  Apparently meals are a solitary event.  A big pot of rice is cooked in the morning and stays out all day for when you are hungry. 

Katie tried to send me a few pictures on Skype but the connection was too slow and it never finished downloading.  She also tried to send me pictures by email but, again, the WiFi connection was too slow.  I'm sure at some point she will figure out what to do to get us pictures.

I noticed that she posted on Facebook yesterday that she was in Indonesia and was doing good.  She was shocked when she logged into Yahoo and saw she had hundreds of emails and there was no way she could look at them all.  You can only eat/drink so much at a time.

We are planning a family Skyping session on Friday at 8:00 PM so her grandaddy can talk to her, as well as any other family member, (Uncle Wes, Aunt Marja, Michelle, Kelly, etc.).  I'm excited to see her again and talk to her some more. 

OH...she had a test last week on Java, (the language spoken there), and made an 85.  She said Java is really hard to learn, but she's trying her best.  Honestly, I'm thrilled with an 85!

It was a GREAT night!!!  I went to sleep quite content!

Chapter 2 - The Chili World of CASI

This past weekend I attended my first CASI Great Pepper meeting in Kerrville.  What a great experience!  It was very organized which certainly helped the "newbies" adapt easily.

Ken and I arrived on Thursday and visited with many whom we already knew and met many whom we were Facebook friends but never met face-to-face.  It was great to finally be able to place the actual face to the person.  The hospitality room opened at 4:00 and most all of the GPs were milling around, snacking and enjoying the open bar provided by Texas Hill Country POD, The Buzzard Bar Cooking Team, and some of the liquor sponsors Jim Ezell snagged.  We had such a great time that evening!

Friday was filled with meetings, gatherings, a round table discussion with the current board members and those running, and even a class on how to become a better table monitor which was helpful for everyone.  I know I learned a lot and I'm betting everyone else picked up a tip or two as well.  The hospitality room opened again at 4:00 and we were served fajitas for dinner.  Many stayed up until the wee hours enjoying the "hospitality" as well as the hotel's bar.  (I didn't make it as long as many others.)

Saturday was "THE" day of the Great Pepper Meeting.  It began at 9:00 and was run professionally and as swiftly as possible.  We followed the agenda perfectly and were only delayed a few times for clarification discussions.  Renee Moore gave her final Presidential speech which was moving as well as touching.  She's served as CASI's president for many years and has done an amazing job.  The other directors also had their chances to give their points.  Not one speech made me yawn or lose interest. 

When it was Dana Plocheck's turn she introduced the 2011 TICC poster and asked me to stand to be recognized.  It was an honor for my poster design to be chosen.  She read to the crowd my explanation on how I came up with my design and I felt pride listening to her read it.  What I said was:

"I thought about the things at my first TICC that were not only memorable, but could be used as a design. Being a Houstonian, gazing at the night sky with the infinite number of stars isn't something that happens. And even though I was raised in a family that camped a lot and witnessed many beautiful starlit skies, there was something about the night sky at Terlingua that was unlike any vast night sky I'd seen.  So when I thought about submitted a poster design, the one thing that kept coming back to me was the night sky so I knew I wanted to focus on that. I then started thinking how everyone who attends TICC has one thing in common, the desire to win the pepper.

I was a Girl Scout and I remember one badge was an astronomy badge and I learned, and surprising retained, a lot about finding constellations. I thought that, probably, every person who attends TICC, at one point or another, gazes at the stars and wishes their number would be called at TICC. So how cool would it be if there was a pepper constellation that all CASI cooks could find and make their wish. So I made the Pepper Constellation and it seemed simple but appropriate and I thought most everyone could relate on some level." 

This is a copy of the small poster that will be given away and posted for advertising purposes.  There is also a large poster that is a little different from this one that has pictures of the winners from last year's TICC as well as the sponsors' logos. 

When we had our first break after the poster display many, many people came to be to congratulate me on my design.  I heard over and over that they've always wanted a poster that had to do with the Terlingua night sky and now they do.  They also stated they thought my story only made the design better.  Lots and lots of kudos and I was certainly beaming with pride!

Around noon we broke for lunch, which was provided to us and was delicious.  We got a see a presentation of cookoff and TICC pictures during lunch that was wonderful.
After lunch we started on the "meat" of the meeting which involved the rules changes.  There were 17 pages to get through, but many PODS withdrew their changes so it really didn't take as long as it could have.  At the end we passed some good changes and put off others until the next rules change year. 

Just before it was over we voted on the new directors and the board voted on the new vacancies.  There are now 4 new directors and Ed Blair is the new CASI President.  Dana Plocheck and Jim Ezell are co-vice-presidents.  We did not hear where or what the new directors' jobs would be, but I'm sure we all will soon enough.  Congratulations to everyone!  And for those 4 not returning to serve on the board next year, your service has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated!

The meeting was adjourned and the hospitality room opened for service.  Everyone was winding down and trying to catch up on 2 days of hard partying so it was somewhat more mellow on Saturday evening.  People were saying their good-byes and their see-you-in-Terlingua comments and there was a little sense of melancholy in the air.

Ken and I drove away feeling as though we really are a part of CASI in many ways other than cooking a pot of chili.

...more on CASI and Chili to come!

Chapter 1, Page 7

Katie called last night and is sick; she thinks she has an upper respiratory infection.  She was supposed to go see a doctor after school to find out what was wrong.  The SIT program was aware of her illness and is going to help her know what to do and where to go.

She texted me this morning and said she saw a doctor and, in fact, has an upper respiratory infection.  The doctor gave her medicine and took blood to make sure she didn't have an Indonesian virus.  She said she was worried about getting hepatitis because of giving blood.  All we can do is hope that doesn't happen and that she's better soon.  Once the medicine kicks in, which should be soon, she will start feeling better and ready to enjoy paradise again.

She also told me that finding an internet connection is difficult.  The closest available place is a 15 minute drive from her host home, so Skyping still isn't available as readily as we'd hoped.

Keep her in your thoughts for not only getting better, but for adapting to Indonesia. 

2 weeks in and only 93 days to go!

Chapter 1, Page 6

Katie called this morning, (8 minute phone call this time which equates to $20), and said she was at her first home stay, (not Jakarta, but don't know the name of the "town").  She said it was "awesome" and she actually has a bed to sleep in, so it was a definite upgrade from the palace accommodations.  The family hosting her is very nice and they have a 3 year old who is already attached to Katie, (not surprising). 

Katie thinks she was assigned to this particular family because the lady of the house loves to cook and is very enthusiastic about teaching Katie how to cook Indonesian cuisine.    So when Katie gets home I am anxious to try all the stuff Katie prepares, (and maybe we should have a homecoming where Katie feeds US).

The group is going on a scavenger hunt today to find all of the necessary landmarks; Internet cafes, post offices, etc.  She is very excited but stays very busy with classes; although, she says she will have more free time now that she's with a host family.  The Internet cafes have free WiFi as long as you buy coffee or tea, so she'll end up being wired once she's done chatting with us all.

They went to a market and Katie says everything is VERY cheap.  She says she hasn't even spent $100 yet, (YIPPEE!).  The traditional outfit she bought doesn't fit quite right because she's so endowed, so she's going to have one made to fit her which she says is even cheaper than if you buy one already made.  She said it going to cost her around $2.00.  (I think maybe she under estimated, but the premade outfit was only $20 so even if it's the same price it's certainly cheap enough.)

I told her that I would not be in town this weekend, due to the Great Pepper Meeting in Kerrville, but that I would have my laptop and we could Skype in the mornings if she can.  She will text me if she can get on the Internet so we can actually talk face to face soon.  I'm SO excited!

She has taken a ton of pictures and will post them soon, so keep checking for pictures of paradise with Katie smack dab in the middle of it.

I'm not counting days like I did last week, but just so you'll know only 98 days until Katie's home!

Chapter 1, Page 5

Here is Katie's traditional Indonesian outfit that she had to buy to wear to all of the Indonesian festivities.

Chapter 1, Page 4

Katie called yesterday morning and it was so good to hear her voice.  She sounded so much better and actually happy, which eased Ken's and my mind.  She described her "life" a little clearer than before so I can at least visualize what it's like for her.

She said the entire group is staying in a "palace", (but not like what you think).  The King of the palace determines who lives there and there are about 30 families living there.  The group of students are visitors which is why their living arrangements are so rustic.  They are sleeping on wooden mats and bathing out of a bucket.  She said the toilet facilities are far from what we know; they do not use toilet paper.  Apparently they use their hand and water.  I asked her if she was doing that and her response was "NO!  I bought toilet paper!"

She bought her traditional outfit and said it is beautiful.  She spent 200,000 rupiah, which equates to $20.00.  Thanks to Mayo and Ed for buying the outfit for her.  She will send pictures as soon as she can.

She said Bali is absolutely gorgeous!  Bananas are growing right outside her window and flowers are everywhere.  She said there are beautifully colored birds everyone, but they are in cages. 

On Wednesday, the group is flying to Jakarta, where they will have their first home stay.  She is very excited to make the move.  I should hear from her in the next few days and I'll keep everyone posted.

Chapter 1, Page 3

The phone rang this morning at 6:00 and Katie was on the other end.  What a wonderful call!  The first thing she said was, "I can speak some Indonesian!"  She sounded great, but a little stifled as if others were around her, but I expect that.

She said they are in a small village and it sounds as though the accommodations are rustic at best.  She said they sleep on wooden mats and she can hardly wait to move to their next place which will be a home stay.  She said there are no showers and they have to bathe out of a bucket. 

I asked about the food and she said, "I think I'll be losing some weight here.  The food is VERY different."  Katie's always been an adventurous eater, so for her to make this comment, the food must be extremely strange.  She said there is a lot of rice, so at least she has something familiar.

I asked if it was beautiful and she said it was gorgeous there.  I told her that I really wanted to see pictures and she said when they move to their next location there will be access to Internet so we can all see pictures.

She said she was doing much better and although she misses us, she's adapting.  Her housemate is from New Orleans and she said she was "quirky", which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The call was short and she ended saying she had to go do homework.  Life is good!

Just 103 days to go!

Chapter 1 - Page 2

Katie called once she arrived in Singapore and said she hadn't seen any of the other students yet and that she was eating a bowl of fish ball soup.  Hmmm?  Interesting!

She either called or texted Daniel when she arrived in Denpasar so we know she is there!  WooHoo!  I had one text from her this morning and I was hoping it would be a detailed text, but all is said was "I miss you!"  Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I'm sure once she's settled a little we'll be Skyping.

Yesterday was not quite as difficult as Monday but still rough on Ken and me.  I guess knowing she was still in route to Indonesia makes the waiting harder on those of us left behind.  But this morning, knowing she was there eases my mind tremendously.

Hank is doing well, although obviously missing Katie.  He's been attached to my side like glue.  Poor little puppy zoomed into Katie's room when we got home from work yesterday to look for her, only to sulk back and pout for hours.  He misses his mommy. 

Just when I start feeling homesick for Katie, I remember she's in paradise and what a lucky girl to have this experience! 

Inside Susan's World, Chapter 1

This is my first attempt at blogging, so bear with me.

So much is going on that blogging might be the way to let everyone know in lieu of posting on Facebook.  Sometimes it feels as if Facebook is a way for people to beg for compliments, or any other emotion and it's beginning to irritate me.

As you all might know, Katie left yesterday for a semester in Indonesia.  It was a very difficult day for me even though I know this adventure could easily be the best experience of her life and one she might always say was her favorite, EVER.  And who wouldn't want to spend four months in Bali, which I've heard is the closest to paradise that is out there. 

My difficulty with her leaving began 22 years ago when she was born.  As you parents understand, letting go can be unbearable.  And for me, a single mom raising my only child, the "letting go" is probably much harder.  Then to put Katie's cancer and surgery a few weeks ago on top of sending her off to Indonesia for 4 months, only makes my saying Bon Voyage that much more difficult.  BUT, on the up side, Ken has been overly patient and loving which has eased my separation anxiety.

Waking up yesterday knowing I would have to wave Good Bye without tears at the airport was stressful.  And quite honestly, I didn't succeed although I'm hoping she didn't see me.  And once I closed the door at the car, the tears flowed.  There was a definite leakiness in my tear ducts all night. 

Katie was so excited and so mature in her departure.  She had the biggest smile on her face and a somewhat different stride.  I absolutely witnessed her step into independency and she was so ready.  A little bittersweeet for me, but the pride I felt was much more powerful. 

My mom would have been so extremely proud of Katie.  Katie and Mother have the same dispositions and personalities.  Mother would have jumped at the chance to travel halfway around the world at 22 years old, all by herself.  She was an adventurist, as is Katie.  She loved people, as does Katie.  She made friends easily, as does Katie.  Hopefully my mom is there with her and will remain with her throughout her time in Bali. 

Katie called me at 4:10AM to let me know her flight to Moscow had arrived and she was in a holding area waiting to board for her flight to Singapore, where she will meet up with other students and travel together on their last leg into Denpasar, Indonesia.  I do wonder, however, about the baggage Katie has and her ability to get it around the airport and into the various housing.  She has 1 large bag, 1 medium bag and 1 small bag, but they are all on wheels and can be piggybacked.  Hopefully she didn't overpack, but only she will know that. 

I will update her progress as soon as I know.  Think positive thoughts for Katie and her semester in Bali.  I know time will ease my anxiety as well.  She also is starting a blog showcasing her Bali experiences, and once I know what her blog name is I'll share a link.

For now, I am focusing on the upcoming weekend cooking chili in Kemah, and hope that will keep my mind busy and off Katie not being here.

Katie's 4 month old puppy, Hank, is now living with us.  He's really a good little puppy and I'm trying to get Ken to understand that he's still just a pup and will act like a pup for a while.  Ken was so used to Charlie and his calm demeanor, that Hank's "puppiness" isn't easy for him to grasp.  But Hank is an extension of Katie, so I'm happy to take care of him!

And by the way...just 106 days until Katie's home!