Names

I’m used to simple straight forward names. I’m sure this comfort was instilled in me by my parents, who after long deliberation, named my siblings Tom, Dick and Mary (in that order). Naming their 4^th Steve, seems like a wild stretch for them in comparison.

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When it came to our own kids, we kept it basic as well: Eric, Neil and Hope. While there are stories and meanings to their names (as there are with my siblings as well), short familiar names seemed best.

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Since coming to Indonesia, all the rules of naming seem different and complex:

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1. Up until recently, most Indonesians had no last name. This still holds true in some families and I have students with one name such as Devina or Evan. In fact, last year, our principal stated that often he has to verify to U.S. and Canadian universities that some kids have no last name. Some kids respond to this by choosing random last names or a middle name as a last name (Christopher Dave or Stephanie Elizabeth). While OK, I can’t figure out siblings or parents very well because everyone in the family has a different last name.

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2. Some Indonesians then go to opposite extremes and tack on 3 or 4 names for good measure resulting in names like Andreas Putra Willianto Susanto.

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3. Most Chinese Indonesians were required under the dictator Suharto to give up Chinese names, which they did outwardly (they all have Chinese family names which were and are mostly unused outside family circles). A few recently reverted back to their Chinese sur name (Wong, Ho or Tong for example)

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4. If all these layers of possibilities aren’t enough, then there are first names. Some first names are Indonesian (Tika, Etty, Enny or Henny), Italian (Giovanni), German (Hanzel) or an odd assortment (Hans Ignatius). Others have wonderfully old fashioned English names (William, Priscilla, Alice, Betty or Agnes). or English Biblical names (Grace, Lydia, Rachel, Samuel, Paul, Peter).

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All of this doesn’t apply to the Korean kids at SPH, who keep these things simple and stick with basic Korean names like Eun Jae Lee.

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Now…that’s more like it!

Off to the races

Hope and knick knacks

When most guys my age have a mid life crises, they buy a red sports car, a new bike, or get a new wardrobe (complete with trendy new beard :). A year ago, instead of all that, I dragged my family to Indonesia (and shaved off my beard). I haven’t had the guts to ask Janet whether she would have rather had me get a red Jeep Wrangler or Corvette. .

Although, I’m getting closer to asking her.

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As for me…I’d have to say I’m happy we are here.

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Year 2 here so far has been quite different. Last year, everything seemed to happen in slow motion, despite the fact that the year seemed a blur.

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While busy last year… I had lots of time to plan (I only taught Economics to Grades 11 and 12).

This year I have meetings and classes galore (I am humanities lead teacher and teaching 3 new classes). In addition, as students get to know me, they stop in my room more often to talk.

Last year, reflection was essential almost every day as we had to process all the new information about our lives (hence the blog entries).

This year we jumped right in without adjusting to new surroundings.

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Last year, Janet had a few weeks before starting work.

This year, like me, she has many more classes to teach (and in services to endure).

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Last year, kids were adjusting to new schools and new routines.

This year they seem comfortable with what is happening.

Last year, after work, we came home to an empty but clean house.

This year our house has continued to fill up with furniture, wall hangings, knick knacks and pets (hamsters, fish and a turtle currently).

This weekend (August 15,16,17) is a holiday weekend and I have a little time to process again. Feels good!