Thursday, 23 November 2006 at 1:10pm.

Happy Thanksgiving! May you have tons of fun with family and friends! I was getting a bit down about missing this holiday in the U.S., but Fulbright is coming through. There will be a get-together tonight, but I’m not sure what we will have for dinner! It’s not like there are turkeys, cranberry sauce, stuffing, or pies to be had easily around here! Today I brought cinnamon rolls from Cinnabon to the office. I’ve gotten into the habit of bringing food for the holidays, even if they aren’t Indonesian holidays. Why not celebrate as much as you can, right? The cinnamon rolls were a hit and folks were all smiles. :) Gotta love it.

In other news, I was sad to hear that Michigan didn’t win against Ohio State, our ultimate football rivals, but here is our fight song anyway (we are a proud bunch afterall!):

University of Michigan Fight Song (short version):
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan
the leaders and best
Hail! to the victors valiant
Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes
Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
the champions of the West!

And in case you hadn’t heard… “U-M mourns death of Glenn E. “Bo” Schembechler“: The University of Michigan mourns the loss of former head football coach Bo Schembechler, 77, the winningest head coach in the team’s history, who died Nov. 17 at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan.

In Indonesian news, it’s hot. I know, I know, I say that a lot. But it’s *really* hot these days. It sprinkled today a little, thank goodness. Someone told me that the heat was probably responsible for the rambutan fruit not being sweet. I hope rambutan season will improve!

U.S. President Bush’s visit went off without a hitch overall. I haven’t heard any bad press, other than coverage of some of the demonstrations. A lot can happen in six hours, and fortunately, it sounds like things went well.

Pollution seems to be getting worse by the day in Jakarta.

The haze from fires in Kalimantan seem to be letting up.

Political parties are strategizing for upcoming local elections in various regions.

48 orangutans have arrived from Bangkok, Thailand where some of them had been made to perform in mock kickboxing competitions. It took three years of bilateral negotiations and plenty of lobbying by environmental organizations, but it finally happened. Hopefully they can return to safe nature preserves, adapt well, and live out the rest of their lives in comfort.