Today we started Unit 4, yeah! Four times a week we have to hand in a written assignment as the focus in unit 4 is more on reading and writing than on pronunciation and grammar. We do however; still get grammar class once a week. We also have to do 2 formal presentations this unit. At the same time as working on reading and writing, we will be learning more about the culture here. We’ve already learned some, but now we will delve even deeper into it. Today we learned that while in other countries it is common to greet anyone with a greeting such as “Good morning, how are you?” Here that is only used in formal situations. Most of the time you will greet friends and neighbours with a greeting like “where are you going?” or “where are you coming from?” or “buying lots today?” It is quite funny that they don’t ever say hello. But because we are foreigners, a lot of people do greet us with “selamat” out of respect. If you pass someone you don’t know, you just nod your head and smile.
I often chat with the mother and daughter that live beside us. On the photo is the daughter with her two daughters. The mom’s name is Nina and her mother’s name is Umay. They all live together with Nina’s husband, and her two younger brothers. (I have mentioned them before.) Ibu Umay’s husband died about 7 years ago. They have one window in their entire house. They also do not have an oven and cook using a kerosene burner. They also do not have a fridge so when everyone in the kampung received meat on Hari Kurban, they had to eat theirs right away or it would go bad. Had I been more on the ball, I would have offered them a corner of my freezer… These two women are so much fun to talk with. They have such a great relationship. Ibu Umay I always there to help her daughter with the kids or the wash and ironing (they iron absolutely everything, and I mean, everything…). They are also extremely culturally correct. The other day Nina apologized for having her feet out in front of her while nursing the baby while sitting on the floor. It is impolite to point the soles of your feet out. Of course I told her that that is really not impolite to me and not to worry, but it is so ingrained in her that she can’t help it. Nina and Ibu Umay love to tease each other too but they do it in such an Indonesian way. I can’t even really explain it as it is so tied into the language and culture. But it is very cute anyways. It has been a real treat to get to know them and they have helped me with my language a lot.

Nina, and her two girls. Asilah is holding her new barbie that her dad bought her because she wouldn't stop crying after they came home from the hospital with the new baby. She is still very jealous of her new sister...

P.S. We thought the kids would start school today as well, but they are still off until thursday!