LETTERS HOME: BUT NOW WE'RE BACK!

Tuesday, August 25th, 1992

Dear Friends and Family,

Well, here we are, back home in Indonesia again. It's funny, but it really does seem like home to us now. Even the kids have finally admitted it. We've also discovered that there is a definite cycle to things over here. Back in May, when it was getting close to time for almost everyone to go on home leave, and after nine months of extreme togetherness here on the compound, everyone seemed to be unusually grumpy and short-tempered. But now that we're back, everyone is happy and cheerful, and even the scenery looks new and fresh for some reason. I'm sure it will wear off eventually, but it's especially exciting to me now that I know both my sisters will be coming to visit this year. I keep looking at things through their eyes, wondering "what will they think of this?"

The first week we were back the kids were just in a frenzy, trying to spend as much time with their buddies as possible, spending the nights back and forth almost every night, and going to the pool every day. Yesterday was the first day of school, and all the moms celebrated by having a coffee. Austin came home saying "I just LOVE first grade!" Alexis had a great day too. They've had a lot of changes this year with families moving in and out, and with four new teachers, so they have regrouped the classes. This year first and second grade are together, with a man for a teacher (Mr. Zavala), and Austin now has five little boys and four girls in has class (last year he was the only boy). Alexis' class includes third, fourth and fifth grades and only has five girls and one poor boy (he's new this year and Alexis thinks he's real cute!). Their teacher is Mrs. Poulin, the one Austin had last year.

I think the boys were all trying to look tough!

We still haven't moved into our new house yet. In fact, we've decided to move into a different one than originally planned, and it is still occupied. The family who has it now are lifetime expats, and they really went to a lot of trouble to make it more like a home (it even has a walk-in closet in the master bedroom!). The couple who had the other house hated being overseas and didn't spend one penny on fixing the place up. Anyway, this family has been transferred to Jakarta, and are supposed to be out by September 1st, then we just have to go in and paint it the colors we want and move right in -- I hope!

Guess that's about all for now. We have a busy week-end coming up. Friday is the third annual Huey P. Long day celebration (I have no idea why they have a party in his honor every year, they just do), and Saturday our illustrious Dr. Connoly is hosting a cricket match in honor of his son's 21st birthday (they're British) to be followed by a party at "The Cricketeer's Arms" (their house). Take care, and WRITE LETTERS!!!

Postscript from John:

Dad, you need to keep going to your therapy class. Regardless of what you believe, that is the only thing that has enabled you to get your strength back. If it wasn't for that, you'd not be able to walk at all. I know it's not pleasant for you but you have to cooperate with the people who are trying to help you. The bottom line is that Mother cannot handle you by herself and will need help for the foreseeable future. You should count yourself lucky she was able to find a nice young woman who was willing to do this kind of work. Don't give her a hard time. Please!

Well, got to get ready for bed and another day. Take care.

Love,
John