by Maureen | Jan 19, 2012 | Human Rights, Indonesia, Scoops of Joy, Women's Rights, World Voice
Lately in my country of Indonesia there have been two ‘incidents’ where women were being pretty much criticized for the way they dressed.
Last year, much to everyone’s shock, our very own governor of Jakarta said women should not wear mini skirts to avoid being raped after a woman was raped in minivan in public. This outrageous comment led hundreds of women to take to the central streets of Jakarta – yes, wearing their miniskirts — and they demonstrated against censorship of their clothing. I highly saluted these women for standing up for what’s right.
I love my miniskirts, and when I pair them with my wedges they accentuate my legs. Of course, I don’t go with the super miniskirts, ahem, but I do wear them once in awhile. Why do I wear them? Because it makes me feel good about myself, it shows off my legs, and I do love my legs. But do I wear it to attract the opposite sex? Never even crosses my mind, to be honest.
Then just a day ago I saw yet another article of a police officer reprimanding a young teenage girl because she was wearing shorts – the reason? To avoid “pornography.” (more…)
by Maureen | Dec 22, 2011 | Health, Indonesia, Parent Care, Scoops of Joy
These past few months have been really stressful in this household. Yes, I live with my parents and my two younger brothers. It’s considered common, here, in Indonesia, for children to remain living with their parents until they get married – or in my case, until they get divorced and move back home.
Late October my father fell ill due to twenty-something years of dealing with Type 2 Diabetes. He got so sick from gangrene on his left foot that he had to fly back to Jakarta because he didn’t want to have his surgery in Zambia alone. It was by a pure miracle he made it back to Jakarta after such a long flight.
We took him to the hospital immediately, and the doctor said surgery was the only way out. (more…)
by Shaula Bellour (Indonesia) | Dec 7, 2011 | East Timor, Family Travel, Indonesia, Living Abroad, Shaula Bellour, Twins
A beautiful island view in Dili, East Timor.
In a few weeks we will be saying goodbye to our life in Dili. Though I have moved many times in my life – across states, oceans, and time zones – the experience is always bittersweet for me. I feel happy, sad, and a little nervous all at the same time.
We originally thought we would stay in Timor-Leste for 2-3 years, but when a great job opportunity for my husband opened up a year early, we decided to go for it.
Admittedly, when I first found out about a possible move my immediate reaction was PANIC. The change felt too soon, too big, too different. Usually, when it’s time to leave a place I feel ready to go. But this time I had mixed emotions. (more…)
Shaula Bellour grew up in Redmond, Washington. She now lives in Jakarta, Indonesia with her British husband and 9-year old boy/girl twins. She has degrees in International Relations and Gender and Development and works as a consultant for the UN and non-governmental organizations.
Shaula has lived and worked in the US, France, England, Kenya, Eritrea, Kosovo, Lebanon and Timor-Leste. She began writing for World Moms Network in 2010. She plans to eventually find her way back to the Pacific Northwest one day, but until then she’s enjoying living in the big wide world with her family.
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by Maureen | Sep 22, 2011 | Bilingual, Family, International, Life Lesson, Motherhood, Scoops of Joy, Working Mother, World Interviews, World Moms Blog Writer Interview, Writing
Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
At the moment I’m living in Jakarta the capital city of Indonesia. Having both parents from different Indonesian ethnic backgrounds plus spending large chunks of my life living around remote mining areas of Indonesia, it’s always tough when people ask where I really came from so in short, I am Indonesian. When I was married, I used to live in upstate- New York and in a small town called Dothan in Alabama before moving to China for a couple of months. I’ve been back in Indonesia permanently since 2009.
What language(s) do you speak?
Indonesian and English although I speak a tiny – emphasis tiny – bit of Dutch and if it can even be counted, I can say a few lines in Mandarin, courtesy of being there for a little bit.
When did you first become a mother?
I became a mother 5 weeks earlier than my initial due date thanks to my severe pre-eclampsia. My son was born on December 7, 2006 from an emergency c-section after a whole month of being bed ridden. (more…)
Lately in my country of Indonesia there have been two ‘incidents’ where women were being pretty much criticized for the way they dressed.
