The Scoop.

Who am I? What is my personal background?

My name is Brenda Ariyanto. I am from the north of Boston, MA though I am currently the English Specialist at the Al Jabr Islamic School in Jakarta, Indonesia. I am married to a wonderful man – the right one – and I enjoy spending time with him and learning more about myself and how to be a better communicator. I take pleasure in learning and new challenges. I have an international relations and environmental politics background. I am working towards a MA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Global Studies from the University of North Carolina while living abroad thanks to an online program. I have been in Indonesia for the past two years where I have worked as an environmentalist, empowerment trainer, editor, and English specialist/teacher within various government offices, NGOs, universities, and schools. I have really benefited from my time traveling outside the U.S.A. and specifically living here in Jakarta because I have been a full 180 degrees outside my comfort zone. It’s enabled me to see outside myself and be more balanced, respectful, and caring of others’ needs and perspectives.

Why have I begun this blog? How do I see my future in social media?

I originally started a blog when I was studying at Oxford University in 2008. I eventually deleted the entries because I found it to be simply highlighting the negatives. Midway through my studies and weekend European travels I found myself ridden with mono and wrote primarily about my wishes to return to my mother’s arms though I actually learned a great deal and developed my senior thesis. Today, I feel more positive, mature, and aware of the writing and editing process and wish to align myself closer with the power and capabilities of social media. I see myself returning to Boston within the next few months and wish to document short instructive and reflective writings created over the past year through my work as an International Baccalaureate (IB) English Specialist and teacher. As I prepare to enter a new career options, connecting and promoting through various social media web offerings will hopefully guarantee an easier transition.