Happy New Year!

New Year Eve is unique in that it's a holiday that no matter where you're from or what religion you are, everyone celebrates it. I've been in Indonesia for the major Muslim holidays, the major American holiday(Thanksgiving) and one of the major Christian holidays(Christmas). Even though I don't consider New Years Eve to be a major holiday, it seems universal for people to celebrate it. For New Year's Eve, I went to my friends', Kalyn and Tony, home for dinner and to watch a movie. They live in a neighborhood up on top of a hill that leads up to one of the mountains here. From the neighborhood you overlook the city of Malang(my favorite place for sunrises!!).

Where we watched the fireworks from. It's hard to see really, but the city of Malang is at the bottom and then there are surrounding desas around it.

There were so many people out watching the fireworks...and so many people setting them off! I've never seen anything like it before. Every kampung and neighborhood in Malang were setting off fireworks, and not just one or two, whole fireworks displays! Even in the desas(villages) far off in the distance, you could still see flashes from fireworks. I guess that's what happens when you're in an Asian country and so close to where fireworks originated :) Living here, every now and then...actually a few times a week, I'll be going about my day and all of a sudden have a realization of where I live. I just shake my head, smile and think "I can't believe I live in Indonesia!" Usually it's when I'm riding my motorbike and take in the people around me, encounter something that's abnormal to what I'm used to, or when I get a glimpse of God's beautiful creation surrounding me. New Years Eve was another moment like that. Despite the times I get homesick here and all the people and things I may miss about being back in the states, these moments bring me back to the right perspective--how blessed I am to be here and to be in the center of where I feel God has called to me be. I'm really looking forward to this new year here and wish you all a happy new year and fresh start to 2012!