SENYUM

SENYUMLAH...

Kisah di bawah ini adalah kisah yang saya dapat dari milis alumni Jerman, atau warga Indonesia yg bermukim atau pernah bermukim di sana. Demikian layak untuk dibaca beberapa menit, dan direnungkan seumur hidup.

Saya adalah ibu dari tiga orang anak dan baru saja menyelesaikan kuliah saya. Kelas terakhir yang harus saya ambil adalah Sosiologi. Sang Dosen sangat inspiratif, dengan kualitas yang saya harapkan setiap orang memilikinya.

Tugas terakhir yang diberikan ke para siswanya diberi nama "Smiling."
Seluruh siswa diminta untuk pergi keluar dan memberikan senyumnya kepada tiga orang asing yang ditemuinya dan mendokumentasikan reaksi mereka.
Setelah itu setiap siswa diminta untuk mempresentasikan di depan kelas. Saya adalah seorang yang periang, mudah bersahabat dan selalu tersenyum pada setiap orang. Jadi, saya pikir, tugas ini sangatlah mudah.

Setelah menerima tugas tsb, saya bergegas menemui suami saya dan anak bungsu saya yang menunggu di taman di halaman kampus, untuk pergi ke restoran McDonald's yang berada di sekitar kampus. Pagi itu udaranya sangat dingin dan kering. Sewaktu suami saya akan masuk dalam antrian, saya menyela dan meminta agar dia saja yang menemani si Bungsu sambil mencari tempat duduk yang masih kosong.

Ketika saya sedang dalam antrian, menunggu untuk dilayani, mendadak setiap orang di sekitar kami bergerak menyingkir, dan bahkan orang yang semula antri di belakang saya ikut menyingkir keluar dari antrian.

Suatu perasaan panik menguasai diri saya, ketika berbalik dan melihat mengapa mereka semua pada menyingkir? Saat berbalik itulah saya membaui suatu "bau badan kotor" yang cukup menyengat, ternyata tepat di belakang saya berdiri dua orang lelaki tunawisma yang sangat dekil! Saya bingung, dan tidak mampu bergerak sama sekali.

Ketika saya menunduk, tanpa sengaja mata saya menatap laki-laki yang lebih pendek, yang berdiri lebih dekat dengan saya, dan ia sedang "tersenyum" ke arah saya. Lelaki ini bermata biru, sorot matanya tajam, tapi juga memancarkan kasih sayang. Ia menatap ke arah saya, seolah ia meminta agar saya dapat menerima 'kehadirannya' di tempat itu.

Ia menyapa "Good day!" sambil tetap tersenyum dan sembari menghitung beberapa koin yang disiapkan untuk membayar makanan yang akan dipesan.
Secara spontan saya membalas senyumnya, dan seketika teringat oleh saya 'tugas' yang diberikan oleh dosen saya. Lelaki kedua sedang memainkan tangannya dengan gerakan aneh berdiri di belakang temannya.

Saya segera menyadari bahwa lelaki kedua itu menderita defisiensi mental, dan lelaki dengan mata biru itu adalah "penolong"nya. Saya merasa sangat prihatin setelah mengetahui bahwa ternyata dalam antrian itu kini hanya tinggal saya bersama mereka,dan kami bertiga tiba2 saja sudah sampai di depan counter.

Ketika wanita muda di counter menanyakan kepada saya apa yang ingin saya pesan, saya persilahkan kedua lelaki ini untuk memesan duluan. Lelaki bermata biru segera memesan "Kopi saja, satu cangkir Nona." Ternyata dari koin yang terkumpul hanya itulah yang mampu dibeli oleh mereka (sudah menjadi aturan di restoran disini, jika ingin duduk di dalam restoran dan menghangatkan tubuh, maka orang harus membeli sesuatu). Dan tampaknya kedua orang ini hanya ingin menghangatkan badan.

Tiba2 saja saya diserang oleh rasa iba yang membuat saya sempat terpaku beberapa saat, sambil mata saya mengikuti langkah mereka mencari tempat duduk yang jauh terpisah dari tamu2 lainnya, yang hampir semuanya sedang mengamati mereka...

Pada saat yang bersamaan, saya baru menyadari bahwa saat itu semua mata di restoran itu juga sedang tertuju ke diri saya, dan pasti juga melihat semua 'tindakan' saya.

Saya baru tersadar setelah petugas di counter itu menyapa saya untuk ketiga kalinya menanyakan apa yang ingin saya pesan. Saya tersenyum dan minta diberikan dua paket makan pagi (di luar pesanan saya) dalam nampan terpisah.

Setelah membayar semua pesanan, saya minta bantuan petugas lain yang ada di counter itu untuk mengantarkan nampan pesanan saya ke meja/tempat duduk suami dan anak saya. Sementara saya membawa nampan lainnya berjalan melingkari sudut ke arah meja yang telah dipilih kedua lelaki itu untuk beristirahat. Saya letakkan nampan berisi makanan itu di atas mejanya, dan meletakkan tangan saya di atas punggung telapak tangan dingin lelaki bemata biru itu, sambil saya berucap "makanan ini telah saya pesan untuk kalian berdua."

Kembali mata biru itu menatap dalam ke arah saya, kini mata itu mulai basah
berkaca2 dan dia hanya mampu berkata "Terima kasih banyak, nyonya."

Saya mencoba tetap menguasai diri saya, sambil menepuk bahunya saya berkata "Sesungguhnya bukan saya yang melakukan ini untuk kalian,Tuhan juga berada di sekitar sini dan telah membisikkan sesuatu ke telinga saya untuk menyampaikan makanan ini kepada kalian."

Mendengar ucapan saya, si Mata Biru tidak kuasa menahan haru dan memeluk lelaki kedua sambil terisak-isak. Saat itu ingin sekali saya merengkuh kedua lelaki itu.

Saya sudah tidak dapat menahan tangis ketika saya berjalan meninggalkan mereka dan bergabung dengan suami dan anak saya, yang tidak jauh dari tempat duduk mereka. Ketika saya duduk suami saya mencoba meredakan tangis saya sambil tersenyum dan berkata "Sekarang saya tahu, kenapa Tuhan mengirimkan dirimu menjadi istriku, yang pasti, untuk memberikan 'keteduhan' bagi diriku dan anak2ku!"

Kami saling berpegangan tangan beberapa saat dan saat itu kami benar2 bersyukur dan menyadari, bahwa hanya karena 'bisikanNYA' lah kami telah mampu memanfaatkan 'kesempatan' untuk dapat berbuat sesuatu bagi orang lain yang sedang sangat membutuhkan.

Ketika kami sedang menyantap makanan, dimulai dari tamu yang akan meninggalkan restoran dan disusul oleh beberapa tamu lainnya, mereka satu persatu menghampiri meja kami, untuk sekedar ingin 'berjabat tangan' dengan kami. Salah satu di antaranya, seorang bapak, memegangi tangan saya, dan berucap "Tanganmu ini telah memberikan pelajaran yang mahal bagi kami semua yang berada disini, jika suatu saat saya diberi kesempatan olehNYA, saya akan lakukan seperti yang telah kamu contohkan tadi kepada kami."

Saya hanya bisa berucap "terimakasih" sambil tersenyum. Sebelum beranjak meninggalkan restoran saya sempatkan untuk melihat ke arah kedua lelaki itu, dan seolah ada 'magnit' yang menghubungkan bathin kami, mereka langsung menoleh ke arah kami sambil tersenyum, lalu melambai2kan tangannya ke arah kami. Dalam perjalanan pulang saya merenungkan kembali apa yang telah saya lakukan terhadap kedua orang tunawisma tadi, itu benar2 'tindakan' yang tidak pernah terpikir oleh saya.

Pengalaman hari itu menunjukkan kepada saya betapa 'kasih sayang' Tuhan itu sangat HANGAT dan INDAH sekali!

Saya kembali ke college, pada hari terakhir kuliah dengan 'cerita' ini di tangan saya. Saya menyerahkan 'paper' saya kepada dosen saya. Dan keesokan harinya, sebelum memulai kuliahnya saya dipanggil dosen saya ke depan kelas, ia melihat kepada saya dan berkata, "Bolehkah saya membagikan ceritamu ini kepada yang lain?" dengan senang hati saya mengiyakan.

Ketika akan memulai kuliahnya dia meminta perhatian dari kelas untuk membacakan paper saya. Ia mulai membaca, para siswapun mendengarkan dengan seksama cerita sang dosen, dan ruangan kuliah menjadi sunyi. Dengan cara dan gaya yang dimiliki sang dosen dalam membawakan ceritanya, membuat para siswa yang hadir di ruang kuliah itu seolah ikut melihat bagaimana sesungguhnya kejadian itu berlangsung, sehingga para siswi yang duduk di deretan belakang di dekat saya di antaranya datang memeluk saya untuk mengungkapkan perasaan harunya.

Di akhir pembacaan paper tersebut, sang dosen sengaja menutup ceritanya dengan mengutip salah satu kalimat yang saya tulis di akhir paper saya.
"Tersenyumlah dengan 'HATImu', dan kau akan mengetahui betapa 'dahsyat'
dampak yang ditimbulkan oleh senyummu itu."

Dengan caraNYA sendiri, Tuhan telah 'menggunakan' diri saya untuk menyentuh orang-orang yang ada di McDonald's, suamiku, anakku, guruku, dan setiap siswa yang menghadiri kuliah di malam terakhir saya sebagai mahasiswi. Saya lulus dengan 1 pelajaran terbesar yang tidak pernah saya dapatkan di bangku kuliah manapun, yaitu: "PENERIMAAN TANPA SYARAT."

Banyak cerita tentang kasih sayang yang ditulis untuk bisa diresapi oleh para pembacanya, namun bagi siapa saja yang sempat membaca dan memaknai cerita ini diharapkan dapat mengambil pelajaran bagaimana cara MENCINTAI SESAMA, DENGAN MEMANFAATKAN SEDIKIT HARTA-BENDA YANG KITA MILIKI, dan bukannya MENCINTAI HARTA-BENDA YANG BUKAN MILIK KITA, DENGAN MEMANFAATKAN SESAMA!

Jika anda berpikir bahwa cerita ini telah menyentuh hati anda, teruskan cerita ini kepada orang2 terdekat anda. Disini ada 'malaikat' yang akan menyertai anda, agar setidaknya orang yang membaca cerita ini akan tergerak hatinya untuk bisa berbuat sesuatu (sekecil apapun) bagi sesama yang sedang membutuhkan uluran tangannya!

Orang bijak mengatakan: Banyak orang yang datang dan pergi dari kehidupanmu, tetapi hanya 'sahabat yang bijak' yang akan meninggalkan JEJAK di dalam hatimu.

Untuk berinteraksi dengan dirimu, gunakan nalarmu. Tetapi untuk berinteraksi dengan orang lain, gunakan HATImu! Orang yang kehilangan uang, akan kehilangan banyak, orang yang kehilangan teman, akan kehilangan lebih banyak! Tapi orang yang kehilangan keyakinan, akan kehilangan semuanya!
Tuhan menjamin akan memberikan kepada setiap hewan makanan bagi mereka, tetapi DIA tidak melemparkan makanan itu ke dalam sarang mereka, hewan itu tetap harus BERIKHTIAR untuk bisa mendapatkannya.

Orang-orang muda yang 'cantik' adalah hasil kerja alam, tetapi orang-orang tua yang 'cantik' adalah hasil karya seni. Belajarlah dari PENGALAMAN MEREKA, karena engkau tidak dapat hidup cukup lama untuk bisa mendapatkan semua itu dari pengalaman dirimu sendiri
Touching story......dari milis tetangga

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Still Smoking? Watch This

Watch This

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Why Some Smokers Get Lung Cancer--And Others Are Spared

Smoking is the most potent known cause of lung cancer.

The question is: Why do some longtime smokers come down with the deadly disease whereas others escape it? New research points to a genetic culprit that also was fingered as upping a person's likelihood of becoming hooked cigarettes.

Two new studies link a variation in a gene residing on chromosome 15 (of a person's 23 pairs of chromosomes) to a heightened risk of developing lung cancer; a third study suggests that the same mutation affects a person's tendency to become addicted to smokes and, by extension, develop the dreaded disease. Lung cancer is diagnosed in some 200,000 Americans and kills more than 150,000 each year.

The new research—published in both Nature and Nature Genetics—suggests that people with this genetic flaw have a 30 percent greater chance of developing the often-fatal illness. But the studies differ on the potential added risk of addiction. The findings offer insight into how this particular genetic variation and smoking interating to think about how to treat drug addiction and, also, of course, for the prevention or treatment of lung cancer," says Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in Bethesda, Md., who was not involved in the study.

The research teams scanned a catalog of 300,000 minute changes in the genome in which a base (unit of genetic material) was either deleted, duplicated or substituted. (Such alterations are known as single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs.) In one study, scientists from Iceland-based biotechnology company deCODE genetics tried to correlate these genetic variants with a person's smoking habits; the other research efforts attempted to tie them to lung cancer.

The deCODE group surveyed 50,000 Icelandic smokers about their habits; using information gleaned from that survey as well as from genomic scans of 40,000 admitted smokers in the bunch, the researchers zeroed in on a variant of the gene CHRNA, which codes for a receptor on nerve cells that can be stimulated by nicotine. The altered version of the gene was more common in the heaviest smokers than it was in the rest of the population. "Nonsmokers have a higher frequency of this variant than smokers that smoke between one to 10 cigs per day," notes neurologist Kári Stefánsson, deCODE's CEO, "because if you smoke and you have this variant, you tend to smoke more than 10 cigs per day."

When Stefánsson's team applied the stats to the incidence of lung cancer, it found that individuals with two copies of the altered gene had a whopping 70 percent greater chance of developing lung cancer; those with one copy had a 30 percent higher risk.

These findings are virtually identical to those of the other studies—one (in Nature) conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France (which was based on examinations of some 11,000 volunteers, 7,500 of whom were smokers) and the other (in Nature Genetics) by a team at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, which examined 9,000 individuals, some 4,000 of whom were smokers.

Paul Brennan, who led the IARC study, says he initially believed that the risk of getting lung cancer was elevated by the genetic predisposition to become addicted. "The genes made you more likely to smoke, made you likely to smoke more, made you less likely to give up, and therefore more likely to develop lung cancer," he says. But his research showed that, in fact, the gene appeared to independently increase a person's risk of developing the disease—with no link to addiction.

NIDA's Volkow suggests that the gene variant may lead certain individuals to smoke more due to its effect on the brain's reward centers (associated with addictive behavior) and may increase the risk of cancer, too, because it also plays a role in lung tissue function. Epidemiologist Christopher Amos, who led the Texas study, notes that the same nicotine receptor implicated in this study was shown in previous research to prompt tumor growth in other areas of the body, most notably the thymus (an organ located near the lungs that produces immune cells). "Nicotine or its derivatives can stimulate cells to proliferate, participate in new blood vessel development, and also not undergo cell death," he says, which are all characteristics of tumor formation and growth. "So that raises the possibility that there's a direct effect through nicotine in activating cells to go on to become cancerous."

Brennan says more research is needed before the findings can be put into play.

"There's not a public health message here that you can find out what version of the gene you have and decide whether to keep on smoking or not," he says. "You have to bear in mind that there are so many other disease[s] that are caused by smoking."

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Health Consideration

CONSIDERATIONS:

Lifestyle:
· Expatriates often have an unhealthy lifestyle in Indonesia.
· Many people do not exercise sufficiently because of the heat and pollution.
· Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking and overeating are common.
· Many people gain weight.
· Try to moderate your diet and exercise regularly.

Vaccinations:
· Start all vaccinations well before posting as you may need a course of injections.
· Check with your doctor that all previous vaccinations are up to date.
· All adult and childhood vaccinations can be given in Jakarta, Indonesia

Medications:
· Most medications are available in Indonesia.

Doctors and Clinics:
· Expatriate doctors generally can not practise in Indonesia but there are exceptions.
Contact the International Clinic for assistance if necessary.
· Some local Clinics are well equipped but generally not of Western standard.
· Most clinics other than International Clinics are Indonesian with associate cultural and language problems.
· Ensure disposable needles and syringes and sterile instruments are used.
· Try to avoid any surgical procedures in a small clinics or small hospital.

House and Hotel Calls:
· Home visits are usually not available except International Clinics in Jakarta.
· Hotels have a doctor on call or a hotel clinic. Expect high fees.
· It is often preferable to proceed directly to the clinic or hospital.

Ambulance:
· Ambulance services are usually owned by hospitals or private clinics and are often not of Western standard. Payment before service is normal.
· It may be faster to go by car or taxi to a clinic or hospital.

Blood Bank:
· The Red Cross monitors blood banks. Standards are variable.
Blood supply is not a free service.
· Avoid blood transfusion if possible. Insist blood is re screened by the hospital before transfusion. Contact the Home GP first.
· Rh -ve blood is rare in Asia and difficult to obtain.

Dentists:
· Good quality treatment is available in Jakarta at recommended dental clinics. Request an indication of likely fees before starting treatment.

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A Health Guide For Visitors to Indonesia

GENERAL: Healthy Living in Jakarta,

Air:
- All major Indonesian cities have severe atmospheric pollution. This can be unpleasant but exposure during a normal 2-3 year posting is unlikely to cause new health problems.
- Pre existing respiratory problems may be aggravated but asthma is very common in Indonesia also Hay fever is common.

Water:
Do not drink tap water anywhere in Indonesia.
- Bottled water is widely available and should be used for drinking, tooth brushing and for a final rinse after washing fruit and vegetables.

Food:
· Most foods are available.
· Fruit and vegetables are of reasonable quality.
· Meat and fish from public markets should generally be avoided.
· Supermarkets offer much higher food handling standards.

Restaurants:
· Many restaurants have acceptable hygiene standards. These standards vary daily and with food type irrespective of the quality of the restaurant or hotel.
· Roadside food stalls should be avoided especially Padang food stalls.
· Shellfish, snails and uncooked fish should not be eaten.

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Cause of Malaria

Malaria is caused by a microscopic sized parasite called Plasmodium.

This process involves a very complex mosquito - human being life cycle:
A female Anopheles mosquito itself infested with a Plasmodium parasite bites a human being. This parasite which has multiplied in the mosquito salivary glands is then injected into that person's bloodstream.

The Plasmodium parasite then moves to the human liver where it multiplies again. It is later released into the human blood stream which causes the symptoms of Malaria. The infected human being is subsequently bitten by another mosquito which in turn bites and transmits Malaria to another human being.

The commonest forms of Malaria are Plasmodium vivax which is rarely fatal and Plasmodium falciparum which can be fatal. The other forms, Plasmodium Ovale and Plasmodium Malariae are not so important.

Incidence:
Malaria is one of the 10 most prevalent and fatal diseases worldwide. Approximately 1.5 -2.7 million people die from Malaria each year with 300-500 million people infected at any given time.
About 90% of cases are in sub Sahara Africa with most fatalities in young children in remote rural areas.
About another 6-7% of Malaria cases are from India, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Colombia and the Solomon Islands.
Indonesia has a relatively low incidence of Malaria especially large cities and major tourist areas e.g. Jakarta and Bali. Risks are greater in remote areas.

Prevention of Malaria-
1. Be aware of the local incidence of Malaria:
Not always easy to get this information.
Overall risk in Indonesia is about 1:50,000 but varies greatly with location eg risk much higher in Irian Jaya than Bali.
Likelihood of contracting Malaria increases with time spent in the area.

2. Reduce exposure to Mosquitoes:
Obsessive prevention of mosquito bites reduces the risk of contracting Malaria about ten -fold.
Use mosquito nets preferably treated with permethrin unless in reasonable standard accommodation in a low risk area.
Spray an aerosol insecticide in your room before retiring.
Use mosquito coils or vapourising mats containing pyrethoid.
Cover arms and legs from dusk to dawn – the time when the female Malaria mosquito bites.
Avoid dark areas or garden areas from dusk to dawn.
Use mosquito repellents preferably those containing DEET eg “RID”, “Tropical Strength AeroGard”, “Autan” (a local brand).
Wear light coloured clothing.
Scent attracts mosquitoes –avoid perfumes and after shaves.

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Final Stage Of Adjustment Begins

 Final Stage Of Adjustment Begins

At about the eleventh month, the final stage of adjustment begins.  You may have learned a more functional way to deal with your stress.  You are more adept at communicating both verbally and non-verbally, giving you instant feelings of success.  You have learned to be more assertive in identifying what your wants and needs are and seeking out those things when appropriate.  You utilise withdrawal more for a time to retreat, rest and recoup rather than as a way to isolate yourself. As you look back to earlier months you feel a sense of achievement in all that you have accomplished. 

Full integration into the host country may only begin at the end of the second year.  You see yourself and your family as both participants and active members of your community with a sense of comfort and affection for your lifestyle.  Moments of sadness and feelings of loss may still be some thing that you experience, however, the frequency is less and you have the ability to grieve and then get on with your life. 

The above stages of adjustment are based on general experiences of a person's inter-cultural adaptation.  Each individual may experience some uniqueness in the  amount of time they find themselves in each of the stages and some persons may even find themselves 'stuck' and unable to progress onto a different level. 

There are many resources available for assisting in your cultural adjustment.  ICAC's Newcomers support groups.  ICAC Family Counselling Services and Orientation Program as well as orientation services of women's organisations, to name a few, can shed a little light on your feelings of despair and provide some real practical strategies for successful adjustment. 

The good news is that nearly everyone lives to tell about their international living experience and many of us even talk fondly about it.

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Culture Shock Part 2

Major Problems That You Feel
You Need To Cope With

There are three major problems that you feel you need to cope with.
They are:

1. Other people's behaviour does not make any sense. Host country, colleagues, neighbours and staff do things that baffle you and confuse you about their intended goal.

2. What you know about your own behaviour and reactions do not produce the expected results with persons from the host country and

3. It becomes more difficult to find ready-made answers or solutions to the new demands of your day-to-day existence. ii

As this period continues,
You wonder how you were so blind as to not see the problems that occur in the host country. You experience a real sapping of your energy from just daily existence. Goals and hopes for the future become less clear. You begin to grieve the loss of the familiar comforts of home, especially the social interaction of friends and family. Individuals in the family may react differently to this stage. Those fortunate enough to have a routine of work or school may have an easier transition. Unresolved marital and relationship issues may resurface during this stage as the family experiences more and more stress. Adolescents may 'act-out' their frustrations in anti-social ways.

For some, a real crisis can occur.
Strong emotions can take over such as anger towards the perceived irrational, behaviour of the host country inhabitants; depression at finding yourself unable to complete simple or routine tasks and panic at the prospect of the ruin of your sanity, health, career and family. This stage, the very bottom of the adaptation curve, may be accompanied by symptoms of ill-health, overindulgence in alcohol or food, conflict with family, peers and nationals, withdrawal, overspending and many tears. iii

The third stage is when you find,
Yourself in direct confrontation with the host country culture. Sometimes the options seem scarce. You can wait it out until things start to get better of their own accord, or you can take evasive action. Unfortunately, for some, evasive action means just that - taking the first flight home. Others find a congenial retreat of like-minded souls and spend the rest of their stay as far as possible from inhabitants of the host country. Those who make the most complete and successful adaptation, however, are the people who find ways to communicate across cultural barriers. iv
Other dysfunctional reaction to

Cultural adjustment are aggressiveness and dependence. Aggressive behaviour portrayed not only towards members of the host country, but also towards family members and other expatriate peers. Aggressive behaviour may get someone's attention and quick results, but at the expense of the long-term benefit of developing communication skills which foster trust and mutual respect.

Regression into dependent behaviour may feel safe and secure, however, this posture can increase the burden on the family member or friend. When significant persons feel overwhelmed with responsibility, they begin to resent the dependent person and shy away from contact. The strategy of depending on others for assistance in adjusting can back fire, leaving the person feeling even more isolated.

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Culture Shock

CULTURE SHOCK:

The STAGES of ADJUSTMENT Culture Shock has been described as “an emotional and psychological reaction to the confusion, ambiguity, value conflicts and hidden clashes that occur as a result of the fundamentally different ways of perceiving the world and interacting socially between cultures”.

The term 'culture shock' may be a new addition to your vocabulary if you are having your first taste of overseas living. The concept is something we should neither fear nor dread. The process of adjustment is practically inevitable and happens to all of us, even the most seasoned -international expatriates. Cultural shock is also not limited to a 'foreign country or culture'.
For those long-term overseas dwellers eventually returning to their home country, the re-entry process can also be 'shocking'. requiring time for adjustment and recovery.

The Culture Shock Process is an attempt to conceptualise the adjustment process as it relates to cultural adjustment. Depending on which author you read, there are a series of stages (from four to ten) which you may experience as you cope with the new situations in which you live and work.

If you were fortunate to have had ample time to contemplate your move to Indonesia, you might have had an opportunity to study the environment in which you and your family would be living. Pre-departure planning can assist greatly in a family's transition, however it cannot eliminate the inevitable – your personal and family's reaction to change.

With or without pre-departure orientation, you create for yourself preconceived ideas and expectations about the new culture. This helps you navigate in unfamiliar territory with a kind of road map. You may find yourself fascinated with your new surroundings, confident about your future and excited about the new possibilities for professional and leisure pursuits. This is the first stage of adjustment. Some authors refer to it as the 'honeymoon period'.

Personal reactions to this first stage may include astonishment, wonder, elation and excitement. You become intense in your desire to comprehend the differences in the host culture. Your communications home go on endlessly about all the novel experiences you encounter. There is drama in almost every activity, even the most mundane.

As with most honeymoons, the rose-coloured glasses come off after two or three months when the romance and novelty no longer exist. Frustration ushers in the second stage that can last six to eight months. The mood is more of confusion and surprise.

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Common Sense Suggestions Will Help To Stay Healthy

Common Sense Suggestions Will Help To Stay Healthy
Common Sense Suggestions Will Help You
Have A Healthy Stay In Indonesia:

• Keep all vaccinations up to date.
• Exercise at least three times per week.
• Maintain a light diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• Avoid raw fish and shellfish.
• Drink alcohol in moderation.
• Do not smoke.
• Drink at least 2 litres of water per day.
• Drink only bottled water.
• Generally avoid ice.
• Do not eat at road side stalls.
• Be more careful than usual with personal hygiene and food preparation.
• Ensure your domestic staff are aware of and follow good hygiene practices.
• If you cannot “cook it, peel it or boil it” avoid it when eating out.
• Have at least one day per week away from work.
• Utilise your leave provisions to have a break from your post.
• Practise safe sex.
• Avoid mosquito bites.
• Contact the Clinic or Hospital or your GP at home for any other medical advice.

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