Mentoring Rofi for 4 days

December 18, 2012. The young university graduates barely left me when Rofi "came on board" to stay with me for 4 days, replacing Irwan. Irwan had made a suggestion that I spend a few days giving Rofi the kind of mentoring that he had received from me early last year. He said that it would benefit Rofi a lot, as it had benefited him and made a big change in his way of thinking and appreciating life. I said okay, and Irwan went to Gilbert Camp #2 to accompany Ahmad and to help setting up our small library for the kids. Rofi is one of our 16 sponsored children. I met him about 8 months ago when I was attending Irwan's High School graduation in the small village of Gringsing. At the graduation, I gave away 2 door prizes for a 4-day getaway to the "big city" of Semarang. Rofi, the leader of the students body in his school, picked one of the 2 lucky numbers. For 4 days in May 2012, I got acquainted with Rofi a little bit. Not enough to know him since my attention was divided for 3 other teenagers at the time. During the visit in May last year, I asked him what he wanted to do now that he had graduated from high school. He said he needed to be looking for a job to help his family, but he had a problem with one of his eyes. Apparently while helping his neighbor fixing their roof, something had gotten in his eye and it got infected. He had tried to go to an eye doctor, but the doctor could only do so much. He still had a blur in his vision and said it looks like there's water. So I took him to a specialist in Semarang. With some eye medication, he continued his regular doctor visits, and he felt a bit of improvement.

In the photo shown here, Rofi is the one on the most left. Rofi continued to be in touch with me via email till after I returned to the United States in June 2012. He said he was looking for a job but couldn't find any. Didn't know what to do since there was not many jobs available especially for high school graduates. The only factory in his town didn't have any opening. My heart ached for him. I had sent him to a driving school in Semarang, I thought with a driving license, he could be more competitive in his job hunting, especially in Semarang since the city is booming. Not many people his age know how to drive. Cars are very expensive, most people ride motorcycles. After he finished his driving course and got his license, his job hunting had not resulted in anything. I had told him that I was going back to Indonesia in November,2012 and we could talk. It's been 2 months now since Rofi joined "our family". I had offered to send him to a vocational school where he could learn some technical skills in 3 months, after which he could go hunting for a job again, or even start his own little enterprise as "the handy man who can fix many things". He said he would like to attend a computer college like Irwan does.

The Three University Graduates Who Call Me Mommy

December 15, 2012. Three young people, fresh graduates from the University of Atma Jaya Yogyakarta arrived in Semarang. I had reserved a hotel room not too far from our house for Titus and Videz because there aren't enough rooms for everybody at our place. But as soon as they arrived, they asked if they could spend the nights with us instead of staying at the hotel (even though I was paying), even if they had to sleep on the floor. I could feel the spirits in them when they said that they wanted to be part of "the family", and I should have known.... for it is part of the Indonesian culture to be in their "comfort zone", that is: " it's fun to be under one roof". Our "son", Irwan, had put a deposit to hold the hotel room, and although it wasn't refundable, at the end it was worth to cancel the room. We had such a great time at our house for 4 days. Once again, I was surrounded by young university graduates who are smart, trained in critical thinking, and thirsty for information and advice. We brainstormed about every topics such as world politics, government policies, social challenges, future education, career planning and also ....their current romantics. We had discussions after discussions till midnight sometimes till early the next morning .... and at every meal time possible. We also had lots of laughter. I am so blessed to have them. Having them was one of the best entertainment in my life. By the time they left me to go back to Yogya, they all called me Mommy. Thalita, the Vice President of Yogya Debate Forum,whose dream is to become an Indonesian Ambassador asked me if she could

stay one more night .... how could I refuse such a bright young woman ?

Early Christmas Party in Semarang

Friday, December 7, 2012. With my best friend Endang, I went to an early Christmas party, the merriest I had ever had in Semarang. I met nice people who were mostly expats. If you are a westerner, you can expect that when you party with the expats you get to drink at least wine or beer. Most Indonesians don't drink and alcoholic beverages except for beer, are relatively expensive in Indonesia. If you are a visitor and you want to enjoy a meal with wine, you would have to go to a hotel's restaurant with a bar. In Bali and Jakarta, however, you might find some high end restaurants that serve wines. Ian and Sandra (husband and wife) from Australia were so generous to throw a very nice party at their beautiful home. Located on the hill of Semarang (literally on a cliff), a bit tugged away from the traffic, their home has a spectacular view of Semarang. Many of the guests were expats who were also members of Semarang Hash (cross country run). The foods that the hosts served were not typical Indonesian, the recipes are defintely "imported", hence some of the ingredients. Many of the guests are foreign investors who, in partnership with local businesses, make various goods such as furniture, candles, eye glasses, garments, which are exported to European countries, Australia, and the United States. Ian works as a general manager of a prominent hotel in Semarang. That same evening Endang and I were invited to another couple's home, Judith (a Phillippina) whose husband is French. They are renting an old colonial house (built during the Dutch occupation in the early 1900's), in Candi (the oldest elite area of Semarang). Again, we all had a grand time with them and their guests. Lots of laughter. Judith loves cooking, and her husband does share his bar with guests .....