Week 1

   My mom and I left Portland, Maine and arrived at the J.F.K. airport in New York on December 28, 2012 at 6:15 p.m. From there we got on a 8 hour flight to Frankfurt, Germany, and from Germany to Singapore on a 12 hour flight. We had a 2 hour layover in Singapore before we left for Jakarta. My dad had already been in Indonesia for a month already. Being apart so long had really gotten to me and I couldn't wait to see him. He met us at the gate and as we started to walk towards him and shouted, " Selamat datang bole baru Kaylin and Kelly!", which translates to "Welcome new ex-pats, Kaylin and Kelly!"(which is where we go the name for our blog.)  Ex-pats is short for ex-patriots, which is the program that lets the U.S. citizens get work Visas and travel and live around the world. Our driver took us to my new house where I unpacked and slept for the rest of the day. There is a 12 hour time difference between Jakarta and Maine, which is where I lived.
    For most of the first week I rested and shopped. There is a local mall about five minutes walking distance from my house. It has a lot of restaurants, a movie theatre and some batik stores. Batik is a popular type of clothing here. It is made of a specific cloth and is very soft. It usually has very vibrant designs on it too. I am very fascinated by it because of it's beauty. It is very expensive to though.
   My mom and I had our first swim in our pool this week. The temperature great and taking a swim in the 80 degree weather. We are getting koi for our koi pond on Saturday. I also have orientation for my new school that day. I am so excited to meet new people and experience new things but I am beyond terrified.

Wish me luck!

-Kaylin