Monday, May 31, 2010
Tanjung Lesung and Southern Java Trip
Amazing weekend. I'll share it with you through these pictures. [Click on photo to see album, incase you forgot ;)]
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Meat, Meetings and Me Things
I feel its probably time to write another blog. Much has happened since my last entry and I feel if I don't write it down soon, I will forget things. The introduction stage at the office has ended and now I have a general direction at the office. I am going to take part in the ongoing development process of Greenship - Indonesia's green building rating tool. The New Building rating is just about finished and will be launched on June 17th. I am really excited about the work I am doing. It feels good to apply what I've learned at school to the real world.
My efforts over the past week have gone towards completely understanding this rating tool, which I found out is difficult without first translating it from Indonesian to English. Google translator has proven to be one of my best friends and worst enemies. Its provided me with a very messy translation of the forms, so I have been cleaning the language up and making sure nothing is lost in translation. I have finished a series of forms that serve as a checklist for each section of Greenship: Appropriate Site Development, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Water Conservation, Material Resources and Lifecycle, Indoor Air Health and Comfort and Building Environmental Management. These forms were needed to evaluate a new green building in the design stages by the Ministry of Public Works. This is one of the pilot projects I am focussing on. I will also be helping to develop a training program for Greenship AP certification and public awareness.
This week has so far been a series of meetings where I've felt completely lost. As part of the Ministry of Public works pilot project, I was given the chance to attend the formal discussion at the ministry, as well as a technical meeting with the contractors the day after (right now). In addition GBCI held its monthly networking event directly after the formal meeting yesterday. It was the launch of the first draft of the Existing Building rating tool. The reasons I said I was lost was because all 3 of these meetings were completely in Bahasa Indonesian. I did an excellent job of appearing to look engaged, but the reality was quite the opposite. The most engaging part of all these meetings has been the free food. The variety of meat and spices and vegetables is so different than home. Its unfortunate but the language barrier has kept me from really learning anything from these specific events.
Its a strange feeling to not know what's going on around you. The language and culture difference makes me feel a little out of place every now and then, but my co-workers always offer a good summary to me in English. The worst part is missing out on all the jokes. While everyone is on the floor laughing, I'm usually just standing and staring in a dazed state of confusion. To be honest though, sometimes I laugh along thinking about how lost I must look.
Now onto the non-work life here in Indonesia, which is equally just as different and amazing. We've already had some great nights here and made friends. Be it going to the bars in Kemang district or meeting up with CouchSurfers, its been a great time. The people at the office have also been great to hang out with. Recently we went to a place called Tartine and saw a local band play some solid covers. Last weekend Ibu Rini had a presentation in Cirebon and invited us to accompany her. We stayed in a very nice hotel, enjoyed hot spring water massages and went out for lunch together. We also had a chance to see how the traditional Indonesian clothing (Batik) is made. I was thoroughly impressed and therefore bought my very own. Now not only do I fit into the culture more here in Indonesia, but I also get to stand out in Toronto!
This food here is Enak! (Delicious) However, it can also be dangerous for a foreign stomach! Michael was hit by what they think was E-coli and was in the hospital for 3 days. I had small stomach problems on the weekend and this has really made us be more careful with what we try. (Although I still am a little bit careless). I am very proud to announce that yesterday I made my very first meal here in Indonesia. It was all vegetables and nothing fried, so it was a good healthy change from the usual meals.
On the weekend after I felt a little better I decided to go on a Laszlo adventure. I tend to do the same thing at home so it was time to do so in Jakarta. I hopped on a taxi, got to the transjakarta busway and navigated it all the way through the city to the beach. It's a really nice place and a good escape from the traffic and noise of the city. There is a theme park, concert venues, restaurants and sailing boats lining the entire stretch. Successful adventure.
The last exciting point is that we have scoped out a really nice apartment for the remainder of our stay here in Jakarta. Its in a perfect location, close to the office, food and busway. With a rooftop oasis included, you can't go wrong. We move in Sunday night. I'll post some pics next week once I've moved in.
I'll stop myself here. This blog is long enough! I'll continue in my next entry =)
My efforts over the past week have gone towards completely understanding this rating tool, which I found out is difficult without first translating it from Indonesian to English. Google translator has proven to be one of my best friends and worst enemies. Its provided me with a very messy translation of the forms, so I have been cleaning the language up and making sure nothing is lost in translation. I have finished a series of forms that serve as a checklist for each section of Greenship: Appropriate Site Development, Energy Efficiency and Conservation, Water Conservation, Material Resources and Lifecycle, Indoor Air Health and Comfort and Building Environmental Management. These forms were needed to evaluate a new green building in the design stages by the Ministry of Public Works. This is one of the pilot projects I am focussing on. I will also be helping to develop a training program for Greenship AP certification and public awareness.
This week has so far been a series of meetings where I've felt completely lost. As part of the Ministry of Public works pilot project, I was given the chance to attend the formal discussion at the ministry, as well as a technical meeting with the contractors the day after (right now). In addition GBCI held its monthly networking event directly after the formal meeting yesterday. It was the launch of the first draft of the Existing Building rating tool. The reasons I said I was lost was because all 3 of these meetings were completely in Bahasa Indonesian. I did an excellent job of appearing to look engaged, but the reality was quite the opposite. The most engaging part of all these meetings has been the free food. The variety of meat and spices and vegetables is so different than home. Its unfortunate but the language barrier has kept me from really learning anything from these specific events.
Its a strange feeling to not know what's going on around you. The language and culture difference makes me feel a little out of place every now and then, but my co-workers always offer a good summary to me in English. The worst part is missing out on all the jokes. While everyone is on the floor laughing, I'm usually just standing and staring in a dazed state of confusion. To be honest though, sometimes I laugh along thinking about how lost I must look.
Now onto the non-work life here in Indonesia, which is equally just as different and amazing. We've already had some great nights here and made friends. Be it going to the bars in Kemang district or meeting up with CouchSurfers, its been a great time. The people at the office have also been great to hang out with. Recently we went to a place called Tartine and saw a local band play some solid covers. Last weekend Ibu Rini had a presentation in Cirebon and invited us to accompany her. We stayed in a very nice hotel, enjoyed hot spring water massages and went out for lunch together. We also had a chance to see how the traditional Indonesian clothing (Batik) is made. I was thoroughly impressed and therefore bought my very own. Now not only do I fit into the culture more here in Indonesia, but I also get to stand out in Toronto!
This food here is Enak! (Delicious) However, it can also be dangerous for a foreign stomach! Michael was hit by what they think was E-coli and was in the hospital for 3 days. I had small stomach problems on the weekend and this has really made us be more careful with what we try. (Although I still am a little bit careless). I am very proud to announce that yesterday I made my very first meal here in Indonesia. It was all vegetables and nothing fried, so it was a good healthy change from the usual meals.
On the weekend after I felt a little better I decided to go on a Laszlo adventure. I tend to do the same thing at home so it was time to do so in Jakarta. I hopped on a taxi, got to the transjakarta busway and navigated it all the way through the city to the beach. It's a really nice place and a good escape from the traffic and noise of the city. There is a theme park, concert venues, restaurants and sailing boats lining the entire stretch. Successful adventure.
The last exciting point is that we have scoped out a really nice apartment for the remainder of our stay here in Jakarta. Its in a perfect location, close to the office, food and busway. With a rooftop oasis included, you can't go wrong. We move in Sunday night. I'll post some pics next week once I've moved in.
I'll stop myself here. This blog is long enough! I'll continue in my next entry =)
Monday, May 17, 2010
PHOTOS: Hong Kong
All photos I take will be uploaded to this Picasa website. Click on the photo below to link to my albums.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
First Entry from Jakarta
I've arrived! I already have a lot to say so I think the best way to do it would be in point form:
- The plane ride was long and painful. 15 hours from Toronto to Hong Kong, 20 hours in Hong Kong and 5 hours from Hong Kong to Jakarta. I loved watching the landing and take-offs each time, and during many periods of the flight I could see out the window. One amazing thing was seeing the North pole.
- The great thing about the 20 hour delay in Hong Kong was the fact that I had a chance to go downtown and see the city. One main problem was the lack of sleep, but I managed to keep myself awake for 2 days straight and enjoy the sights of Hong Kong for myself. At this point in time I've decided posting pictures in the body of the blog text is a pain, so instead, I'm going to post a link to the Picasa website I'll store all the photos. Hong Kong was a beautiful, very lively city, with amazing public parks and a really cool free zoo filled with monkeys (I love monkeys). I had a chance to climb to the summit of the city (the entire city is built on mountains) and see the city from the top. I took the Peak Tram back down and made my way back to the aiport. A very good in between sightseeing opportunity I must say.
- So I finally got to the airport and took a few hours nap in the terminal before the flight. I had crazy blisters on my feet from hiking in Hong Kong's humidity in flip flops, so walking around the terminal was a challenge. I was trying to find Michael, because I was under the impression we had the same flight. CX777 at 9:20 am. When it came time to board the plane I asked them to make announcements to find him but I had to finally give up and board the plane to Jakarta without him.
- 6 hours later I arrived in Jakarta, and it turns out Michael had already arrived the day before. I finally had the chance to meet Yulis and she drove me to the house of Ibu Naning where I am still staying. ( A mansion )
- The first day at work was great. I got a chance to meet everyone here and I have to say they are very friendly. I have never felt so welcome in my life before and I can already tell this is going to be an amazing 3 months of work.
- The second day we attended the Austrian Embassy's groundbreaking ceremony for their new embassy building. It was very formal and a great networking experience. I met with people from the Austrian Embassy, Hungarian embassy, the UNDP including representatives from the 6 major religions here in Jakarta. It was really nice seeing the 6 religions come together and bless the building. I've never seen such co-operation between the religions before. It is to be the first green building in Jakarta, certified under LEED International and also the first green building of any Austrian embassy.
- The third day, coincidently we went to a webinar at the *Australian* embassy. Unfortunately the "machet" (traffic) was brutal and it took us over 2 hours to get there and we missed the majority of the webinar. It was however another eye opening experience.
-Last night was a public holiday. I asked to go to church with Pak Bintang (Mr. Star) and he treated us to a sightseeing tour around the city, welcomed us in his home, introduced his family and took us out to lunch and dinner. I am very grateful and still am not sure how to express this gratitude to everyone here for their hospitality and friendship.
Some key things I've come to experience here in Jakarta
- traffic is brutal (like reallllyyyy brutal)
- the people are amazing
- religion is the way of life
- malls are a way of life
- the food is amazing (but has some consequences for new arrivals)
- its hot
- mosquitoes love me
- I love my life
The end. (wow, way too long)
- The plane ride was long and painful. 15 hours from Toronto to Hong Kong, 20 hours in Hong Kong and 5 hours from Hong Kong to Jakarta. I loved watching the landing and take-offs each time, and during many periods of the flight I could see out the window. One amazing thing was seeing the North pole.
- The great thing about the 20 hour delay in Hong Kong was the fact that I had a chance to go downtown and see the city. One main problem was the lack of sleep, but I managed to keep myself awake for 2 days straight and enjoy the sights of Hong Kong for myself. At this point in time I've decided posting pictures in the body of the blog text is a pain, so instead, I'm going to post a link to the Picasa website I'll store all the photos. Hong Kong was a beautiful, very lively city, with amazing public parks and a really cool free zoo filled with monkeys (I love monkeys). I had a chance to climb to the summit of the city (the entire city is built on mountains) and see the city from the top. I took the Peak Tram back down and made my way back to the aiport. A very good in between sightseeing opportunity I must say.
- So I finally got to the airport and took a few hours nap in the terminal before the flight. I had crazy blisters on my feet from hiking in Hong Kong's humidity in flip flops, so walking around the terminal was a challenge. I was trying to find Michael, because I was under the impression we had the same flight. CX777 at 9:20 am. When it came time to board the plane I asked them to make announcements to find him but I had to finally give up and board the plane to Jakarta without him.
- 6 hours later I arrived in Jakarta, and it turns out Michael had already arrived the day before. I finally had the chance to meet Yulis and she drove me to the house of Ibu Naning where I am still staying. ( A mansion )
- The first day at work was great. I got a chance to meet everyone here and I have to say they are very friendly. I have never felt so welcome in my life before and I can already tell this is going to be an amazing 3 months of work.
- The second day we attended the Austrian Embassy's groundbreaking ceremony for their new embassy building. It was very formal and a great networking experience. I met with people from the Austrian Embassy, Hungarian embassy, the UNDP including representatives from the 6 major religions here in Jakarta. It was really nice seeing the 6 religions come together and bless the building. I've never seen such co-operation between the religions before. It is to be the first green building in Jakarta, certified under LEED International and also the first green building of any Austrian embassy.
- The third day, coincidently we went to a webinar at the *Australian* embassy. Unfortunately the "machet" (traffic) was brutal and it took us over 2 hours to get there and we missed the majority of the webinar. It was however another eye opening experience.
-Last night was a public holiday. I asked to go to church with Pak Bintang (Mr. Star) and he treated us to a sightseeing tour around the city, welcomed us in his home, introduced his family and took us out to lunch and dinner. I am very grateful and still am not sure how to express this gratitude to everyone here for their hospitality and friendship.
Some key things I've come to experience here in Jakarta
- traffic is brutal (like reallllyyyy brutal)
- the people are amazing
- religion is the way of life
- malls are a way of life
- the food is amazing (but has some consequences for new arrivals)
- its hot
- mosquitoes love me
- I love my life
The end. (wow, way too long)
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