The power of color. It’s unbelieveable how much colors can affect our moods. I decided to paint my house. It seems that most people feel that “white” is the best color for interior walls. It’s like they feel that it’s “better for resale“, or “nice and clean“, or “makes the room feel larger“. I’ll tell you what – coming from the all white school of thought, I now know that changing the colors of my walls has a dramatic effectRead more
Posts filed in: Expat Experiences
Technology and Distance
It’s crazy how quickly time can pass. I left America in July of 2002 and haven’t returned yet. I called my dad last night for the first time in a year and a half (it was his birthday). Even though my family is pretty close, we’re physically all very distant. There’s something much more personal about a phone call than instant messaging or emailing. It’s funny how technology can move us closer, and yet distance us in so many ways.Read more
Nakal
Why is it that anytime we learn a foreign language, the “dirty†words are the first to be learned and never forgotten? Is it because we are all perverts? Cause we are fascinated by the sound of swearing in a foreign language? I think that guy had it right in the movie “Matrix Reloaded†in the scene where he swore all in French – sometimes it just sounds better. I know that I simply enjoy being able to shock theRead more
Krakatoa and Indonesian Volcanoes
Most Indonesians live and die within sight of a volcano. The islands of Indonesia are a volatile part of the “ring of fire†that spans across the Pacific from Japan, California, Hawaii, and Southeast Asia. Indonesia is the sight of two of the world’s greatest volcanic eruptions, Krakatoa, and Tambora – which still have major eruptions 10 times a year. The volcanoes provide Java with some of the most fertile soil in the world! Why do you think the coffeeRead more
Fake Plastic Christmas Tree
Apparently that’s what I’ll have this year. Believe it or not, it’s a bit tough finding natural 8 foot pine trees in Jakarta. Well, and the fact that the country is 90% Muslim. This will be the first time in my life when I’ll have to relinquish the smell of pine needles, the impossible task of balancing the tree, and the never-ending fight to give more water to the tree than blood from my arm getting scratched on branches. Somehow,Read more
Going Through Changes
Where have I been? Why haven’t I written? You sound like a worried mother. You wouldn’t even believe me if I told you everything that has happened in the past three months – so I won’t even begin to tell the tale. But basically the past three months have brought about more changes than any three month period of my life – mostly for the best.Read more