we're halfway there

"we're (almost) halfway there"

Now those are three words I never expected to say so soon. Roughly two weeks from now marks the halfway point of my year here in Indonesia. Five months have slipped by faster than I imagined they could have, and they have been the five most incredible/crazy/challenging/rewarding five months of my life to say the least.

I have packed years worth of adventures, mistakes, accomplishments, and just all around life into these past few months. Thinking back to my first few days in Jakarta feels like much longer than five months ago. Back when I first learned the strange concept of squatting with your heels flat on the ground and learned the hard way how to (not) lock Indonesian doors, struggling to understand why there are so many ways to say the word you in Indonesian; thinking back to my experiences in the beginning continue to remind me of how far I have come in five months. 

 attempting to indo squat for the first time

first of many times admiring that JKT skyline

I visited the American embassy in Jakarta during month 1

YES Abroad girls before our Embassy visit

I had some of the best nasi goreng (fried rice) of my life on the side of the road for $.90 during month 2

I gave a speech off the top of my head in front of my entire school during month 3

I saw the the ocean from the top of a ferris wheel during month 4

I visited the third largest mosque in the world during month 5

Of course with these adventures have come my fair share of challenges as well. This wouldn't be a true exchange without a fair share of ups and downs. However I am just as thankful for the challenges as I am for the adventures, because I would definitely have not come this far in five months if it weren't for both. Conquering exchange challenges has given me the confidence to face future conflict head on. I feel so much braver now than I ever have because I have pushed myself. I have learned that being brave isn't necessarily being strong, it's pushing yourself and your boundaries to the point that you feel weak. 

Exchange is about celebrating the highs and embracing and learning from the lows because they all place equal value in the overall journey. 

But luckily I can say I have had many more adventures than challenges as I have continued to adjust and adapt over the last few months especially, and I am more than excited to see what the second half of this experience will bring.

Here's to the next 5.5 months and hopefully even more adventures to come!

(also here are some more recent pictures from December/January):

it took four months but I finally got to the beach 

~Sarah Grace

P.S. had to do the "living on a prayer" title reference since Jon Bon Jovi was on my flight to Hong Kong. Probably the best way to start this whole experience.