the end of class

Class time is coming to an end. We have one week left in which we will turn in a paper, present our art projects (which we still have to finish), take an oral Bahasa Indonesian Exam, and our final exam on our seminars. On top of this busy week we are translating our Independent Study Project Questions, finding a place to live, setting up interviews, packing up our rooms, and preparing to live alone for the next month.

For my month of research, I am currently planning on renting a room in Sanur (a beach town close to the capital) and traveling around Denpasar to various orphanages. I am planning on comparing the religious aspect of four orphanages, one Hindu, one Christian, one Muslim, and one non-religious. As I begin to do research I have found numerous sources describing the corruption in the orphanages and a disturbing news report revealing the corruption on a majority of the 80 orphanages in Bali. For my safety, I have been instructed to avoid reporting on the corruption. I have a feeling the corruption will be only the first of many issues that I will encounter during my month of independent study.

My family is sad that I am leaving so soon, but I will live with them for a couple days again in May. Since I am finally getting my health under control, it may be better to find my own food for a while.

I will miss my little sisters, the rats, the birds, and the dog barking all night. 

my ring

little sisters

got to get back to studying for finals!

Shelly