Final Day in Samarinda, Indonesia

For our final day, I invited Dinda, Regina and Bonita to have a lunch with me in the Big Mall and I'm glad that all of them said ok. It's 1:00PM and we arrived in the Big Mall, I'm still having difficulties on deciding the place where should we eat, but then Enthel suggested a certain grilled restaurant. We ordered different types of slices of beef, sausages and lettuce. Even though it's been a month experiencing this again feel so nostalgic as my family and I sometimes went to a all you can eat grill back in the Philippines. Nevertheless, the meat is so tender and tastes absolutely amazing!

After we have our lunch, we went to DIY to buy some parting gifts for my friend Enthel. It is my first time going in it, and I was astonished by the number of items you can buy from it. Toys, foods, cute light bulbs and even some common necessity for hygiene, and while browsing they saw a perfect gift for her. On the other hand, I saw a "Ayam Geprek" flavored Piattos, so I have no choice but to grabbed it for my family to taste my favorite food in Indonesia. Once, we purchased the stuff that we needed, we immediately went back to my dormitory as we have our final dinner with Bu Nurul and Bu Ping.

The dinner is near the Richeese factory that we ate when bought our souvenir before (a very long story) which specializes in serving Indonesian food. The entire atmosphere of the restaurant felt super cozy and comfy with a slow music being played in the background. About the food? It tastes incredible! I love the fried fish(?) and the kangkung w/ shrimp in it. While eating, our coordinates were having a conversation regarding to the challenges that their student experience while staying in the Philippines. They told us what happened and we were shocked in hearing it. Bu Ping mention that this challenge help them to further improve in the next SEA teacher's program, which I kind of agree. We teacher's are life long learners as we continue to develop, reflect and improve our craft throughout the years! After having our final dinner, we went outside to take a final photo before saying our good byes to Bu Ping and Bu Nurul.

Our Final Dinner

When we arrived back to our room, we saw Dinda and Bonita waiting for us near the entrance of the dorm. They then give a paper bag with the gift that they bought earlier to Enthel, while Bonita gave me a bracelet and a pink cat collar for my cat, "Snow." She tell me that the design of the bracelet is similar to their which made my heart melt and almost cried on the inside. We say our final goodbye to everyone before heading back to our room and prepare for our return tomorrow.

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It is 4:00AM when Isa and I decided to go outside for a jog. She is one of my neighbor since I first arrived here and currently attending a similar program like me. We get to talk yesterday and told her that I will be leaving tomorrow, so she ask me if I wanted to go out and jog for the last time which I certainly agree. During that time, she couldn't believe that I will be going back to the Philippines, and thought I will be staying here for a longer time, which I also thought the same.

The lessons, memories and friendships that I experience here are a bit unexpected and surreal. "This wasn't part of the plan!" I thought to myself when I met my friends back in SMAN-10. To be honest, my only expectation in this program is no different than what I'm currently experiencing in the Philippines, and that is to teach. I expect just to go to SMAN-10 to observe, assist and do my grand demo, and attend some cultural activities here and their before going back to teach in the Philippines. I wasn't expecting to meet caring, intelligent, beautiful, funny, supportive, handsome, creative, passionate, determined and amazing people in just a span of a month! I told Isa that I wanted to stay for at least a week in Samarinda, to be with my friends and mentor once again as this program made me the happiest person in the world, yet all good beginnings come to an end.

Our final photo with Regina, Enthel, Me and Dinda

When I return back to my room, I open my back door and offer a peace offering the

ghost(?) that maybe/maybe not haunt me during my first couple of night in Samarinda before going out and help carrying Enthel's luggage to our service car. Dinda and Regina waiting for us in the car, and before we enter Enthel's friend gave her a huge hug before saying their good byes to one another. "Was it a bitter sweet moment?" I thought to myself as I prepared my soul to say good bye to Samarinda.

After arriving the airport and before entering the departure area, we also need to say our final good byes to both Dinda and Regina. Enthel gave them a hug while I give them a fist bump before going inside. That moment is the time that I wanted to cry, but it seems that there is something that prevents me in doing it. When our plane started to take off, I thought to myself, "I guess that I really tasted the water from the Mahakam River."