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 =)