Sunday, 19 February 2006 @2:53pm. Each day goes slow, but the weeks are going quickly. Today marks my first month since departing the U.S. While on the one hand I don’t feel I have been very productive, I do know that I have been as much as possible regarding my work. It’s just hard considering getting settled and networking as “work” sometimes. Professor Bill Liddle left today. We had a nice going-away party for him on Friday night.
A few days ago I was really sick and sitting in traffic for most of the day to and from the medical clinic was just plain awful. I’m fine now and just have to keep in mind getting all the vitamins I need, particularly iron.
I’m just continuing to read interesting things, meet new people, take in the sights and sounds of Jakarta, negotiate traffic (I honestly don’t do well in this area, though!), help the Freedom Institute and Indonesian Survey Institute where I can, and plan for upcoming research.
I will be leaving tomorrow for Makassar, South Sulawesi to attend a national meeting of Himpunan Mahasiswa Islam (HMI), or Muslim Students Association. I will be there for a week and hope to attend various seminars, as well as network. I’ve heard really nice things about Sulawesi and hope to enjoy some of their famous seafood. 
For an interesting commentary on the controversy over the Danish publication of the Muslim cartoons, please see:
New York Times Op-Ed Contributor - “The Silent Treatment” By ROBERT WRIGHT / Published: February 17, 2006
He writes at one point, “With freedom comes responsibility.” He also brings up an important point about the difference between censorship and self-censorship.
Until next time…
