tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64942130533931604802024-03-20T00:45:23.224-06:00Gilley AdventuresKaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-25361415566637184022015-02-05T19:51:00.000-07:002015-02-05T19:51:19.326-07:00Licensed to Drive..AP Style<div class="MsoNormal">
So, at this stage in our language learning we are
progressing from speaking at sentence level into paragraph level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not as easy as it may sound…it
sure takes A LOT more words to be at this level of speaking ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently the way we are improving on
this is to learn about different processes…and this week we learned the process
of “getting” a new drivers license.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Basically the way we will use this experience as a language
learning tool is that we will take the pictures we took during this process and
sit down with a local friend and have them describe the process to us in their
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will record how they
describe the process and listen to it over and over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually we will then re-explain the
same process to our local friend and they will evaluate our ability to explain
the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best part about
this all is that we are learning to actually speak like they do and this it
will help us communicate the Truth more clearly!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So….here is the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we first moved to AP we simply went into the police station, signed
a few forms (that were already filled out for us), smiled for the camera, did a
fingerprint and were handed our license.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, we thought getting another license would be a similar experience,
but it was not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived at the police station and joined the “line” of
people waiting to get their license.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reason I put “line” in quotations is because it is not really in any
way a line but rather two separate areas with people all over who somehow just
know who is next and when their turn is…they must be way more observant than I
am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We filled out the forms with
the help of our local friend…ok I should be honest and say he filled out mine
and Craig filled out his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After waiting in the “line” which meant sitting on a random bench in a
thankfully somewhat AC room with a fidgety 4 year old and a crabby baby...it
was finally our turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally
got Roman to sleep just in time to find out that this was the part where they
were going to take my picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
now what?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I carefully unsnapped
the back of the baby carrier and lowered Roman low enough that he was out of
the picture and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as
the picture was complete I snapped him back in…and he woke up <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We signed the papers, did the
fingerprints and were all ready to receive our license.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>JUST KIDDING! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead we
followed our friend to another area of the station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we walked into the room I got a very uneasy feeling in my
stomach…because there were desks and computers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHAT?!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
going to have to take a test?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another signature and another fingerprint logged us onto our testing
computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat down, put on the
head phones and pressed “mulai” (start).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, the now awake baby is still strapped to me at this point and this
room does not have AC…aprox 90 and humid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I sit listening to this language through the headphones which is still
somewhat foreign to me (especially since we have been out of it for 7 months).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watch scenarios on the screen <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and have to select true or false.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 30 questions to be answered
in 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first 2 take
awhile to figure out what exactly is going on…So, the police officer comes up
behind me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I listen to the
questions I must be taking too long…because I hear behind me
“salah”…”salah”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh…she is giving me the answers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this continued for the last 15
questions or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Craig didn’t
have the “help” that I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
thankfully we both passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>FEWSH!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was over…JUST
KIDDING!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was for the car test but we are also wanting our
motorcycle license…now we have to do the motorcycle test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHAT?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another one…same routine all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I sit down to take the next test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roman was not OK with another
test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got one question into the
test…which I answered wrong (accidentally).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew the right answer but the now freaking out baby just
stressed me out and I hit the wrong button.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood up and said I’m sorry I can’t do this right now I’ll
have to do it when my husband is done with his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said I had to do it then or I would fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My baby is now screaming in the testing
room…which other people are also testing…or looking over Craig’s shoulder as he
takes his test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the helpful
police woman sits down in my seat and finishes my test for me…yes 29 out of 30 questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you believe it…I got a 93%...the
only one I missed was the one I answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>HA HA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Craig also passed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Signed a few more forms…then back to
the original room…thankfully we didn’t have to wait in the “line” again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paid about $40 for Craig’s 2 licenses
and my 2 licenses…yes we have to have to separate cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The whole time I reminding myself…This is not wrong, just
different (very very different)!</div>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-71949711555702992712014-02-20T06:45:00.002-07:002014-02-20T06:45:54.312-07:00Visit to the Pijat for memijat....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhhJyjEHly-K_jc4HWJTNVOkksQUnHome8TozavXlrKHfHzMRaG6srfiFANWMnXIOIbiwUnKBj6ilVpDA3TIwbHzkPl3E25jL48UheOlGohUvy56TcBLDxOSGQUJ4MeuU3Ot_nLFeZm88/s1600/IMG_0466%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhhJyjEHly-K_jc4HWJTNVOkksQUnHome8TozavXlrKHfHzMRaG6srfiFANWMnXIOIbiwUnKBj6ilVpDA3TIwbHzkPl3E25jL48UheOlGohUvy56TcBLDxOSGQUJ4MeuU3Ot_nLFeZm88/s1600/IMG_0466%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
So, just over a week ago Craig was playing soccer and sprained his ankle pretty good. Although it hasn't been super painful it is still very swollen and bruised. As were showed it to our local friends they all had the same response...you need traditional massage! So....we did it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYHMz6KZVNkxyMq4U-i-fxZhcg-_zGNwDuTmNtUObehIuqqJNg9m8uQ2wTlKGD8tBKIYuLAEy8R6zFR-89QQaYXM_xDz9YEpuPUUGpcEqKEi09NUljxNvPeymMfNUMl-IkeJZ_oUJDNjQ/s1600/IMG_0467%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYHMz6KZVNkxyMq4U-i-fxZhcg-_zGNwDuTmNtUObehIuqqJNg9m8uQ2wTlKGD8tBKIYuLAEy8R6zFR-89QQaYXM_xDz9YEpuPUUGpcEqKEi09NUljxNvPeymMfNUMl-IkeJZ_oUJDNjQ/s1600/IMG_0467%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
As we walked into the man's house...we were a bit surprised to see him just sitting there on his couch "working" on another patient. We sat down for Craig to wait his turn. The longer we sat there, watching and listening....the more Craig was ready to go home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCj5Fywlm6tlUyLILLe_h-CWXNFWDRuMja3D-pQumCDFRSrHSGQ2mVKWqLYw4S-pmMN_mn7D_CyN0eQzm_ho2qCwZLMeC6VgvGlgdW_cJYLV5BJ5G47vweytRn-Nwj_4mUK5t8AnozFoFA/s1600/IMG_0468%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCj5Fywlm6tlUyLILLe_h-CWXNFWDRuMja3D-pQumCDFRSrHSGQ2mVKWqLYw4S-pmMN_mn7D_CyN0eQzm_ho2qCwZLMeC6VgvGlgdW_cJYLV5BJ5G47vweytRn-Nwj_4mUK5t8AnozFoFA/s1600/IMG_0468%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
About this point...Craig stood up and said "Ok saya mau pulang!" meaning...I am just going to go home now!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-vdMlFcDMARHasFh2e0bG8OfheaPwmHn-nQbHyBrQ7AemYymtlbnW0EqZt8vVVvcJPjx-yrB4b21fYElfWJKSo4z8gpXiaXFzsEkI-XlaK0y8EgiTBX2sJbUibW5FVZnj_cE1C7kFj0f/s1600/IMG_0469%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-vdMlFcDMARHasFh2e0bG8OfheaPwmHn-nQbHyBrQ7AemYymtlbnW0EqZt8vVVvcJPjx-yrB4b21fYElfWJKSo4z8gpXiaXFzsEkI-XlaK0y8EgiTBX2sJbUibW5FVZnj_cE1C7kFj0f/s1600/IMG_0469%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
But then he braved it out...making his way over to the couch, he was a bit hesitant. With good reason!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPXpiddyM7lOTspqFvVQ01LEdrNDmI1nXTkM633UVuHa4F1mT3p1YW5i7FOiS2q6T4ZWagh3hwrnD88Sn0uSzQ-Yr3VslqIbpVK4pRL-eKyUGVNmwNNqxHngcWi-MvfJKBIhAxa8SKcM6/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPXpiddyM7lOTspqFvVQ01LEdrNDmI1nXTkM633UVuHa4F1mT3p1YW5i7FOiS2q6T4ZWagh3hwrnD88Sn0uSzQ-Yr3VslqIbpVK4pRL-eKyUGVNmwNNqxHngcWi-MvfJKBIhAxa8SKcM6/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The man started off slow and gentle..mostly communicating in the local dialect which we do not speak or understand.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7v9UHRrUIedihk5LcWLVvgZIUhoqUAJP2nf7C3wyGP7R5gu9TI68S4yJBL-HfUQvaMEgIoeL0MLtdKy9rKw-mzI7JzZb6o2wcDTRWrK7zPTQVOB2AIiXH38hv_vopTvDa42WHbV-2GTD/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7v9UHRrUIedihk5LcWLVvgZIUhoqUAJP2nf7C3wyGP7R5gu9TI68S4yJBL-HfUQvaMEgIoeL0MLtdKy9rKw-mzI7JzZb6o2wcDTRWrK7zPTQVOB2AIiXH38hv_vopTvDa42WHbV-2GTD/s1600/IMG_0473.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Yes, the other patients stayed around to watch this white guy get worked on...I think at this point he was trying to convince Craig to stay and let the man do his work. He kept saying it will only a hurt a bit and then tonight or tomorrow you will be much better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR7Vr5C0uKlJb2RUZmQelLYPPCYmLPkq0zuaa5o82v0wUYmAWWIx9vfAVSj5tBJ6u32GBE-AMchINlgKRgN6OwmPC5eE9uC7NEwpRmDzwYu7tTsEJZCmSYNaNQiGsnF6L-3By9BL9il_b/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR7Vr5C0uKlJb2RUZmQelLYPPCYmLPkq0zuaa5o82v0wUYmAWWIx9vfAVSj5tBJ6u32GBE-AMchINlgKRgN6OwmPC5eE9uC7NEwpRmDzwYu7tTsEJZCmSYNaNQiGsnF6L-3By9BL9il_b/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
As the man began to push a little harder...Craig was initially laughing and jerky his leg away quite quickly<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApFtoJszm1y_x4dGjCN_jG9w8hgChTF4HJ2Eb3phc88E8jSEK4q-ufv24tdd3VC4YOcq3ufbbqQmA26-h1xQXvHnPX8wI7sXmLQojFB8DMg5sQP0MAspVPz8zit__OxjfYG28q51vB3qj/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApFtoJszm1y_x4dGjCN_jG9w8hgChTF4HJ2Eb3phc88E8jSEK4q-ufv24tdd3VC4YOcq3ufbbqQmA26-h1xQXvHnPX8wI7sXmLQojFB8DMg5sQP0MAspVPz8zit__OxjfYG28q51vB3qj/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I think the man probably started holding on tighter and pushing a little bit harder...he definitely seemed to know just right where to apply the pressure<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW7GLLM7A5QoQ6NHNxgfnRnxaybyWemT_oj1ba4xeZHnAEYaLPk0PiNamY5RCuXKEaVmeAsxi4K6Jd6qz8StFClAgnVLgXZ9Gal8deRRcf2R-7OPbxtHAqyau-16C8bZbRdFJfFCg8_hk/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW7GLLM7A5QoQ6NHNxgfnRnxaybyWemT_oj1ba4xeZHnAEYaLPk0PiNamY5RCuXKEaVmeAsxi4K6Jd6qz8StFClAgnVLgXZ9Gal8deRRcf2R-7OPbxtHAqyau-16C8bZbRdFJfFCg8_hk/s1600/IMG_0477.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnqcJOfLDmWOGif5FOCf1FuFpxdj_El_UKrMG86e3mHH883wHgXVjtANsBeZ4_f1Z5kA5ZVUuxKycKvOFgKgHSPP2krFP9fWty3EftpaImNYXeEmVMTEnYerD9fVsCiq-RAkwQMIFRDkc/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnqcJOfLDmWOGif5FOCf1FuFpxdj_El_UKrMG86e3mHH883wHgXVjtANsBeZ4_f1Z5kA5ZVUuxKycKvOFgKgHSPP2krFP9fWty3EftpaImNYXeEmVMTEnYerD9fVsCiq-RAkwQMIFRDkc/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Yep, that one hurts!.....notice the man sitting next to him smoking and smiling...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNKZlxOG0tfk_sl1b2ShY8M7zojL_LetmuMIE49HI_YHWmW3Mn2jfMLe5eazH-a6dD7hngPF3xgpzfdRLszzs25X3yqI50ZLq88TmrDCl6u5HwxjXr6FTKurrw6zEE1tgBFvIHGMNuPxR/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNKZlxOG0tfk_sl1b2ShY8M7zojL_LetmuMIE49HI_YHWmW3Mn2jfMLe5eazH-a6dD7hngPF3xgpzfdRLszzs25X3yqI50ZLq88TmrDCl6u5HwxjXr6FTKurrw6zEE1tgBFvIHGMNuPxR/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYqpw8oh7o_Oi1joNwRhWAkQbCUZiw3CF7I9MmNrs3bhP2v3eHrplSozLkhbSzuqru7iKW7FhCnWBJcpWYNwV8IZZDbiXV5ndPYo5zUD6__Mg1ZdHPOZsZQXYS9mkjpqKlRfxE7J4PFio/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYqpw8oh7o_Oi1joNwRhWAkQbCUZiw3CF7I9MmNrs3bhP2v3eHrplSozLkhbSzuqru7iKW7FhCnWBJcpWYNwV8IZZDbiXV5ndPYo5zUD6__Mg1ZdHPOZsZQXYS9mkjpqKlRfxE7J4PFio/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Telling another story about when he used to play soccer, I think he was just trying to distract Craig.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uR8inaCS0gUR1W1ImVZXjhJy1xDQhweaFlOKZYB314i-da6wNPhc9s1Cl9dHIok89Ms3N3-KK3_rPMTyRJz_9aVhMdMQt1wCmxfer47hlRlYy_e_5bayVyf2i0UvTrd1dr9OT2i29HjR/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uR8inaCS0gUR1W1ImVZXjhJy1xDQhweaFlOKZYB314i-da6wNPhc9s1Cl9dHIok89Ms3N3-KK3_rPMTyRJz_9aVhMdMQt1wCmxfer47hlRlYy_e_5bayVyf2i0UvTrd1dr9OT2i29HjR/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Just a few mores spots and you should be all better. I didn't get a picture of it but after this the man asked Craig to run around the room a few times because he should be all better. The man just sat their and laughed and laughed...as did the others watching.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0LQLh6EakTrQ-YP4MWLji3QeXheJTAGu2O1qKf1zcHMw7-hv-ZuNTkEHaP6yHOdlLlSV2pUYSw2TLPfwq2-Xjk2Jyo1256fXJ665_2yAM-S2S-sQZX8safcxqX3oVvSoHoMpanHqjjLc/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0LQLh6EakTrQ-YP4MWLji3QeXheJTAGu2O1qKf1zcHMw7-hv-ZuNTkEHaP6yHOdlLlSV2pUYSw2TLPfwq2-Xjk2Jyo1256fXJ665_2yAM-S2S-sQZX8safcxqX3oVvSoHoMpanHqjjLc/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Finished off by applying some icy hot type stuff...as he was finishing up with Craig a large group of people showed up. They had come 2 hours to see this well know "Dr"! Overall, we chalk it up to a great learning experience that will NEVER happen again. Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-36575635734556622482014-01-27T23:28:00.002-07:002014-01-27T23:28:44.906-07:00learning to make traditional food...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi704Xn9xTEWLkjkmiI8SEAdAY2QptmYS0-zP_hoGU-mphyphenhyphenHMCq0dqMF10nX87upzxOLSRsAs4_IV03uF_8qhFuIAt74Z39t9wlOj5tEdyeWWxNipmcpb7K2kLOrzR-19KyEi3ENus2B27J/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi704Xn9xTEWLkjkmiI8SEAdAY2QptmYS0-zP_hoGU-mphyphenhyphenHMCq0dqMF10nX87upzxOLSRsAs4_IV03uF_8qhFuIAt74Z39t9wlOj5tEdyeWWxNipmcpb7K2kLOrzR-19KyEi3ENus2B27J/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
In the last week I have been "experiencing"a lot. This has given me a chance to compile pictures of different things which we will later go back through with our language helper. Today I learned to make opar ayam. This is a traditional way of cooking chicken with natural herbs and coconut milk. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5GsaVZv_1KJYtPlMaX1VDWCJ8wO8BsTCrwOr5iXouBLBEsBCNZyb6mj5nqBxsXm8PGnpdRtFxKvvoU8QyhgTQ96g9HPSgrvixslzbKLt9dnPIboZi4S99AOgHF-Gdv0htgpiTSGgjyoW/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5GsaVZv_1KJYtPlMaX1VDWCJ8wO8BsTCrwOr5iXouBLBEsBCNZyb6mj5nqBxsXm8PGnpdRtFxKvvoU8QyhgTQ96g9HPSgrvixslzbKLt9dnPIboZi4S99AOgHF-Gdv0htgpiTSGgjyoW/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5p2YQ4pv-qkzKMHwCDZIaNaSq4xlkmfN_mCVywhsYxOEX1QOi1gAU_WS2N8u_9qWZQcv9bCr5XiiOtPzbXdlQZ-xYk8k6FRRi2maiIkLEUBb6Bn1ZPIpYA3thyknxGAJZ99FedA2hfDy/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5p2YQ4pv-qkzKMHwCDZIaNaSq4xlkmfN_mCVywhsYxOEX1QOi1gAU_WS2N8u_9qWZQcv9bCr5XiiOtPzbXdlQZ-xYk8k6FRRi2maiIkLEUBb6Bn1ZPIpYA3thyknxGAJZ99FedA2hfDy/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
grinding the fresh herbs by hand</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tx7PD4eGLv4HrK0q04tFn7e38oesKt23pPnUFrTstC9duAZrEGXjsmJ1jUetSn3_wZvhNPdieQ0ZqFEarbn8f5429HUou5SxbNXQdJs7dVHSR__A6pJEsj36RG-Tfy5iW7pnbVlAKjV4/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tx7PD4eGLv4HrK0q04tFn7e38oesKt23pPnUFrTstC9duAZrEGXjsmJ1jUetSn3_wZvhNPdieQ0ZqFEarbn8f5429HUou5SxbNXQdJs7dVHSR__A6pJEsj36RG-Tfy5iW7pnbVlAKjV4/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
everything is fried here....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKplEX_MS6sHtto6csRMG4hSF23TMb4oPJdUwstTgDwTX0T9zNXhxLADRN7jXrQHAkwEb0UZBHcAXZj0jU-35L5zfaFuw1iR7GU1y-tC2dHtVOWIfRn8w03RdUFYSXuyupowfWRu_Idwe/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKplEX_MS6sHtto6csRMG4hSF23TMb4oPJdUwstTgDwTX0T9zNXhxLADRN7jXrQHAkwEb0UZBHcAXZj0jU-35L5zfaFuw1iR7GU1y-tC2dHtVOWIfRn8w03RdUFYSXuyupowfWRu_Idwe/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even the seasons get fried</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkCmbW_EtrM0402YRbXJCJMjkz9FsiaLLSQf55mSylPISMECVnw2_Ddg2zXXYS_6OnewbXKFx6PqRAHJmNDhsSAP0zkMeHvWjP3ZFrjCYwGiA7j9bYi0Xi58qbdV8iHYwhFnMz7EgY_-D/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkCmbW_EtrM0402YRbXJCJMjkz9FsiaLLSQf55mSylPISMECVnw2_Ddg2zXXYS_6OnewbXKFx6PqRAHJmNDhsSAP0zkMeHvWjP3ZFrjCYwGiA7j9bYi0Xi58qbdV8iHYwhFnMz7EgY_-D/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
adding fresh jeruk "orange" leaves and bay leaves</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2uyDJETYcPXcI6W2KzkDzYVK2C_E12DW7htkmOss3hlKaBvjiU8jcLWCsoBG2vsaNy9d1mS7WeRyDUepLUoasTjeICk4jxBkd-scUqjF2axrv-TrRuINmTqCdW2-u1nLJBRTx31Coudd/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2uyDJETYcPXcI6W2KzkDzYVK2C_E12DW7htkmOss3hlKaBvjiU8jcLWCsoBG2vsaNy9d1mS7WeRyDUepLUoasTjeICk4jxBkd-scUqjF2axrv-TrRuINmTqCdW2-u1nLJBRTx31Coudd/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVQ1-6ntMW_mCNkiW-gyeVtRpDam-YSS0Jjhz9qkBqg7eYa_2Ff5phHOc69nbMnL8QULpRTlDGc0I2svfF3bra9sSRKikr6KxYosfxzLz6SPzDdttbYiJBRzKtlgo0QNikWqyJmwrEUjM/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVQ1-6ntMW_mCNkiW-gyeVtRpDam-YSS0Jjhz9qkBqg7eYa_2Ff5phHOc69nbMnL8QULpRTlDGc0I2svfF3bra9sSRKikr6KxYosfxzLz6SPzDdttbYiJBRzKtlgo0QNikWqyJmwrEUjM/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And there ya have it...Hudson wasn't super keen on it. He would rather just eat rice and ketchup :( But still asked for second helpings!!</div>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-5217136846350221092014-01-06T07:19:00.000-07:002014-01-06T07:19:03.606-07:00The Bus TripLast week my friend and I planned a trip to the "BIG" city. We have been to the city many times before BUT....never by bus! We had heard from many people that it was very easy and cheap and that we would be fine. I decided to take Stella with me (my adventure side kick!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyIEaN7wuz5dHEXq0KnDVQABQuRBRCHpEdrYvJwd1BUKqhD-o-Kf7GfEPa1ewGqziFQzT-s5gUfq_b4Ln6dV1nVhSsw9VC2GKmZNYl-drcuRYRaWk9tscpmZKJVwoYA2hOd0hoCIlNJ5I/s1600/IMG_9675%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyIEaN7wuz5dHEXq0KnDVQABQuRBRCHpEdrYvJwd1BUKqhD-o-Kf7GfEPa1ewGqziFQzT-s5gUfq_b4Ln6dV1nVhSsw9VC2GKmZNYl-drcuRYRaWk9tscpmZKJVwoYA2hOd0hoCIlNJ5I/s1600/IMG_9675%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We left our house about 9:30 am and walked to the "bus stop" just down the ride. This was for the local bus/van service that runs within our city. This cost us around $.25 to go to the other side of town. Then we crossed over the main road (I only mention this because it is CRAZY!) We waited on the other side of the road for our bus (big Coach Bus size) that would take us to the city. We waited about 3 minutes with many sketchy busses trying to get us to get on :( ...So, our bus came the door opened my friend got on first and then I with Stella in my arms stepped on...and the bus was OFF! I grabbed at anything I could find and pulled myself the rest of the way up the stairs and through the isle as we looked for seats together. As we found our seats I quickly whipped out some dramamine for my motion sick prone child as I knew she was going to need it on this trip! I am happy to say that overall the trip there was good and "safe" and only the kid in front of us puked (NOT Stella!!!) Oh I almost forgot to mention that this 1 1/2 our ride was just over $1! We arrived at our stop and got off and got into a taxi to take us to the shopping center (about $1.50 for a 20 minute ride) Stella slept the end of the bus ride and the whole taxi ride...what a trooper!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7R3UjyM6XBujIQCIymj7lctTnXzY0VWGo8GUUvU00XwxYosOqm_6AcETTO-KaNAJXuEqDHrwwsFoC5xSYSoRADWnZAodYt9FIB8pn-R36yLGhS2iel3ePvVqPZKJKM0mEuxNZuTe5IAq/s1600/IMG_9667%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7R3UjyM6XBujIQCIymj7lctTnXzY0VWGo8GUUvU00XwxYosOqm_6AcETTO-KaNAJXuEqDHrwwsFoC5xSYSoRADWnZAodYt9FIB8pn-R36yLGhS2iel3ePvVqPZKJKM0mEuxNZuTe5IAq/s1600/IMG_9667%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
We spent our day together just relaxing and having fun...but then around 3 we realized we should begin our journey home before it got too dark (usually around 5:30ish)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRhMPd1qF7g2SGHruDuDKCRNyoni9-kklHfTdDWNlDebLHOwFHE8e6jafRvfVsbASyGoc-8_ve6dnHOvrpOlRb2Y0uyX-5fKr_DmUwNXrlBhk9yAQ-rDlg4helfCjGk-Ib5t42_IlkAqn/s1600/IMG_9688%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRhMPd1qF7g2SGHruDuDKCRNyoni9-kklHfTdDWNlDebLHOwFHE8e6jafRvfVsbASyGoc-8_ve6dnHOvrpOlRb2Y0uyX-5fKr_DmUwNXrlBhk9yAQ-rDlg4helfCjGk-Ib5t42_IlkAqn/s1600/IMG_9688%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
We asked a few people and they all recommended that we take the taxi to the bus terminal and catch our bus from there. They said it would be where the majority of the busses would be and so it would be "easy" to get a bus there. HA!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrrKpD3UnjByld3LDQR102MyaSRSfP2UfnpwAYWOSgd6ym0feprafBFm0J4P_OCrg2_NYKNw5ioV_x73l52fO_-2uvNL7mgYZEaAU_2_EsWwXOtck3Ccc0QXy9qrJxK7SN-RSfeAvWe1Z/s1600/IMG_9695%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrrKpD3UnjByld3LDQR102MyaSRSfP2UfnpwAYWOSgd6ym0feprafBFm0J4P_OCrg2_NYKNw5ioV_x73l52fO_-2uvNL7mgYZEaAU_2_EsWwXOtck3Ccc0QXy9qrJxK7SN-RSfeAvWe1Z/s1600/IMG_9695%5B1%5D.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> </div>
We waited aprox 2 hours at the bus terminal. And let me tell you...it was not for a lack of buses but rather for a MASS of people. Every bus that would pull up people would come out of NO WHERE and crowd in..pushing and pulling and prying...NO THANK YOU!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMryOfNeZn47tAVOdHHkpC8XdslBBZjpff4_sGti9_Y1adK6FiXR-BevLUSf0srpnqG97_xc87qVIE8TpnDF9U_9WXB1C42HbDk5rWYGCMTHqzRJ1znLn5bWUp-h1lPu-DpA13dM1SJ7L/s1600/g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMryOfNeZn47tAVOdHHkpC8XdslBBZjpff4_sGti9_Y1adK6FiXR-BevLUSf0srpnqG97_xc87qVIE8TpnDF9U_9WXB1C42HbDk5rWYGCMTHqzRJ1znLn5bWUp-h1lPu-DpA13dM1SJ7L/s1600/g.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<i>This is not my picture...and it may be a bit exaggerated but it was what it felt like!!!</i>)</div>
A few times we began to enter the mob but it was just TOO crazy! Finally after almost 2 hours of waiting in the noisy, smoggy, hot and humid bus terminal I said OK the next bus we are getting on it. We positioned ourselves where we hoped the door would open and stood our ground. The bus pulled up....the people crowded in and we stood our ground inching, pushing and pulling with legs and arms wrapped around me I picked up Stella and put my purse in front of me and kept inching forward! PUSH PUSH PUSH..yes I was pushing now too! Finally on the first step of the bus...we made it! Found two open seats and plopped down...I could not stop shaking. I don't think I was so scared as much as it was the adrenaline! Needless to say...we did not make it home before dark! But we DID make it home and we were safe!!! And it was DEFINITELY a cultural experience!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXy6R9GDlKQkBpVY86tShisgo7ZO8UlXsY-F8Glo5cHBrFyJAeN0QvCJNuZBjxVouxznjeZBsxjbdpT7r6xUvzzrwd52ro8a78K6-x1ieHGo6He3w00_u-xgW114wXU9fH6LzEcULLC24/s1600/IMG_9685%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV5bx8shsG5Fzwx5xb1Lu3-0jCFDkbT1QRFepjtZQeYjI-uegE-QqARd2AD6asGU5az_eo_Clo7OoF1rapV1i_kshYcCg5GwLoeC0FGnBmfS1cgCpoRlIT6OMX5pTwSzN3vEo5rrVU2IR/s1600/IMG_9679%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV5bx8shsG5Fzwx5xb1Lu3-0jCFDkbT1QRFepjtZQeYjI-uegE-QqARd2AD6asGU5az_eo_Clo7OoF1rapV1i_kshYcCg5GwLoeC0FGnBmfS1cgCpoRlIT6OMX5pTwSzN3vEo5rrVU2IR/s1600/IMG_9679%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-10995477422573858242013-12-31T02:26:00.002-07:002013-12-31T02:26:43.872-07:00Moving another step forward...As we move into the new year....we also transition to another level of our language learning process. We have completed our time at the Language School and now we will go back to our original method. This method will be culture derived based on our daily experiences and interactions with friends, neighbors, etc. Here is an example:<br />
<br />
Today I learned how to make "sate" very similar to what we would call a shish kabob (what a weird name). A friend took me step by step through the process...although I have to admit I missed out on the going to the market and buying the chicken part. I am just not quite brave enough for that yet :/<br />
<br />
The point is that in our 8 months of living here we have eaten this meal many times. It is something the people eat on a regular basis and also something that they tend of have a big events. So we know it is culturally fitting. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePo0VKatzdA1yGHjGAkUNcqclBteJIsitYqOwWQixj9twbdauFwbnsVTkqBodutocn2K2KsQKD1R8zbeJLxjDq8yvfkSKC1PWR0Nn4akzZZp5HDKUwl745zgxs0fXOO9-0aEwRhH5VwW1/s1600/IMG_9572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePo0VKatzdA1yGHjGAkUNcqclBteJIsitYqOwWQixj9twbdauFwbnsVTkqBodutocn2K2KsQKD1R8zbeJLxjDq8yvfkSKC1PWR0Nn4akzZZp5HDKUwl745zgxs0fXOO9-0aEwRhH5VwW1/s320/IMG_9572.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Later we will go step by step through this process with our language helper and learn phrases like "the woman is cutting the chicken"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6DO3X00-O5Kx1Xkz_S4Df1C-CYtk7k9vcd_ICT42vufwdiyFnBDXxQfdeOOtvpWluO9y8afyxbILtn7ot9aoyKbatOng25wbXntKMbEAebZkG5KaHe75oygAyzpHdPzE4d94E8Fvkxx0/s1600/IMG_9574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6DO3X00-O5Kx1Xkz_S4Df1C-CYtk7k9vcd_ICT42vufwdiyFnBDXxQfdeOOtvpWluO9y8afyxbILtn7ot9aoyKbatOng25wbXntKMbEAebZkG5KaHe75oygAyzpHdPzE4d94E8Fvkxx0/s320/IMG_9574.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGCJSM3heip0jGPvC7znPIgX-0ys8rjaxRbj9xQwpg3pL7qYsWcoSEm4MUiCpBiDZnoiwmjywTga2OmDIF5_6Qi9k1KVALTkyT4eZr3f5Vk9rU6WqrMJ7nAXxV1TADyiMyq9224NLk1Rr/s1600/IMG_9577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGCJSM3heip0jGPvC7znPIgX-0ys8rjaxRbj9xQwpg3pL7qYsWcoSEm4MUiCpBiDZnoiwmjywTga2OmDIF5_6Qi9k1KVALTkyT4eZr3f5Vk9rU6WqrMJ7nAXxV1TADyiMyq9224NLk1Rr/s320/IMG_9577.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"the woman is peeling the onion"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqgnaasmIAK57ugybYam5r3vA0ANLm8VR2Z8JejKNuUTIfzEBMJVjmYSY4wuvc-mqndy3CaPDZ1EtCGrZikcBDOd2JJWWIpgpdWSoNMd90FCxsEY6TmnUC1F_z5rzkcnREW9cayXE-P42/s1600/IMG_9578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqgnaasmIAK57ugybYam5r3vA0ANLm8VR2Z8JejKNuUTIfzEBMJVjmYSY4wuvc-mqndy3CaPDZ1EtCGrZikcBDOd2JJWWIpgpdWSoNMd90FCxsEY6TmnUC1F_z5rzkcnREW9cayXE-P42/s320/IMG_9578.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
This is another part of the culture that we want to look into. Someone's job is to make these bamboo sticks...quite the process! There are all different sizes for different purposes. My friend told me that the thinner sticks are usually for chicken but she likes the thicker ones because they don't burn as easy easily<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yvgYqADPcyGuQ8_Qq3Z4Z1gcphMbZntdXWtwB0CgU_dVScxD-a4nh_gOb0-cDDYxbtsN52HtiwYIiryyhVCpKodT3ppwo2UHN1w0T3IUgU3bk3Fj4HRGh53AbtmG9P0xshXFYQNqmsxm/s1600/IMG_9582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yvgYqADPcyGuQ8_Qq3Z4Z1gcphMbZntdXWtwB0CgU_dVScxD-a4nh_gOb0-cDDYxbtsN52HtiwYIiryyhVCpKodT3ppwo2UHN1w0T3IUgU3bk3Fj4HRGh53AbtmG9P0xshXFYQNqmsxm/s320/IMG_9582.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
smashing up all the spices by hand</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EQb3iccPb5KWsm5zT_TPX_EtYP3rxnF1c4h85TKvZRHYZRXkTjKrrKYyUNIfXtu9IjWTANT61mApGMpO8_3tqxElv7lME6tyt8tkak2P9TdmZlSfPu597U0J5zqFaKerfCKuuYRqPytL/s1600/IMG_9586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EQb3iccPb5KWsm5zT_TPX_EtYP3rxnF1c4h85TKvZRHYZRXkTjKrrKYyUNIfXtu9IjWTANT61mApGMpO8_3tqxElv7lME6tyt8tkak2P9TdmZlSfPu597U0J5zqFaKerfCKuuYRqPytL/s320/IMG_9586.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPLg2ivmWTXLa2KWrEbuUGX9QKb1weW6EQk5jHDL-Mf-jSR461Ok9FAts4J02UVGCdTocdCfSa9GRgY_ExZAAwbRjfX0fVA7en77B7oOrusC-JSOOIv4TuZpffsEkTl7Rqu2B-Cc0bvHy/s1600/IMG_9588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPLg2ivmWTXLa2KWrEbuUGX9QKb1weW6EQk5jHDL-Mf-jSR461Ok9FAts4J02UVGCdTocdCfSa9GRgY_ExZAAwbRjfX0fVA7en77B7oOrusC-JSOOIv4TuZpffsEkTl7Rqu2B-Cc0bvHy/s320/IMG_9588.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqebHQg1xQ2lxnwp9Srg2ar7WpkKy2AVmUtWRuFTEbzIBl7FpA3W_kZm7Nt8bgHF6B7S4GXXF8KND8I1KQScXe_aHctvpDV-SgK-9HLc4uSyyTwI5UOTR-7b0ewojE7MANP3-fCBW6Huf/s1600/IMG_9591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqebHQg1xQ2lxnwp9Srg2ar7WpkKy2AVmUtWRuFTEbzIBl7FpA3W_kZm7Nt8bgHF6B7S4GXXF8KND8I1KQScXe_aHctvpDV-SgK-9HLc4uSyyTwI5UOTR-7b0ewojE7MANP3-fCBW6Huf/s320/IMG_9591.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
now time to cook the chicken...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpqKVDa3cT9qQJxFRss-CwhxgxZJTmEp8KwQDdFDrXKgkIPRC7orj1BTWzDvDIDF57oq3uv8NEfzOXOgFaariBPcje_Vn9IxHYKNE-9biE7i3BCxz-jc4QOWrbMnWAwusM7ulypaczb6C/s1600/IMG_9594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpqKVDa3cT9qQJxFRss-CwhxgxZJTmEp8KwQDdFDrXKgkIPRC7orj1BTWzDvDIDF57oq3uv8NEfzOXOgFaariBPcje_Vn9IxHYKNE-9biE7i3BCxz-jc4QOWrbMnWAwusM7ulypaczb6C/s320/IMG_9594.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the meat is cooked one time and then remarinated and then cooked again</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93iLcm6SbDM__K0eOoVL6Z3yh8h36XXeCn1K2CZtw6Jc6Tsf8LEsSHz2t52VIh13ZtD1R5aUBeJVnnCdeLoL5yCTB3LO-TlSG8FkBcW3-QmRJPhen6Fyc7gXN2Dlu_6SGaZ7RXb0QS2H3/s1600/IMG_9597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93iLcm6SbDM__K0eOoVL6Z3yh8h36XXeCn1K2CZtw6Jc6Tsf8LEsSHz2t52VIh13ZtD1R5aUBeJVnnCdeLoL5yCTB3LO-TlSG8FkBcW3-QmRJPhen6Fyc7gXN2Dlu_6SGaZ7RXb0QS2H3/s320/IMG_9597.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSQDxQFWgpD7_B-inVa7S4Ztw-7-Oe_00G4BI4FkMfmWaS0DBd3hKzAFyTR2Ewcu8qP92yTWoTRxbA3pkI38wcN6-OZ5TwVV3Vw1UBjICGO5_ghAmoRh_1OBxnu_hCxi7JOB16-YtPQmf/s1600/IMG_9599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNSQDxQFWgpD7_B-inVa7S4Ztw-7-Oe_00G4BI4FkMfmWaS0DBd3hKzAFyTR2Ewcu8qP92yTWoTRxbA3pkI38wcN6-OZ5TwVV3Vw1UBjICGO5_ghAmoRh_1OBxnu_hCxi7JOB16-YtPQmf/s320/IMG_9599.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
quite the process!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoB2SO4p61G4wHbGA8YRyxjJhod2k0vaTq7fjjwtRlg72hbhyphenhyphenzKCvyyCH-zaCyBWti3h__36fnM59BSw0jR9rbNByUvgTADzGpcA-P4EL-1DWp-3RYNs-AR4WyBUan8gaL2QZDOxaBfM0/s1600/IMG_9607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoB2SO4p61G4wHbGA8YRyxjJhod2k0vaTq7fjjwtRlg72hbhyphenhyphenzKCvyyCH-zaCyBWti3h__36fnM59BSw0jR9rbNByUvgTADzGpcA-P4EL-1DWp-3RYNs-AR4WyBUan8gaL2QZDOxaBfM0/s320/IMG_9607.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and then we get to enjoy with rice and a peanut sauce...I also learned to make the peanut sauce but Ill save that for another time!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ITXcFra6lXfhmebP26xy_WiHGtdPCCwRHXM6f3cwCnmVxzOIyzWQtgg5ryez7RNY7vJjlyDR11mnRENMwUVdGAYkHd2mmAOSJyS-LcPaol5e5dAVin5HDytV0I1zPJkrbFYlfglpO7Ic/s1600/IMG_9608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ITXcFra6lXfhmebP26xy_WiHGtdPCCwRHXM6f3cwCnmVxzOIyzWQtgg5ryez7RNY7vJjlyDR11mnRENMwUVdGAYkHd2mmAOSJyS-LcPaol5e5dAVin5HDytV0I1zPJkrbFYlfglpO7Ic/s320/IMG_9608.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Craig enjoyed it! This is one of our kids favorite meals!</div>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-51073967054410934922013-12-11T06:11:00.002-07:002013-12-11T06:11:44.010-07:00Another month come and gone...It is crazy to think that we are approaching 8 months in country! WOW! How did this happen? We are almost getting to the point that we are not completely "new" at everything any more. Well, at least I feel that way some days....today was not really one of those days...but more on that another time!<br />
Yesterday I went to another of our monthly women meetings. Being in this country you quickly realize that everything revolves around "menjalin hubungan" or building relationships. It is actually quite cool. Our communities are divided into groups and they have monthly meetings. The men all get together one evening a month and the women one afternoon a month. We meet in our neighbors houses and it is an good opportunity to catch up and share information. An awesome opportunity for me to observe culture and show that I want to be a part of the community. I love that each month I can understand more and follow along more. This month I was actually able to read and understand most of the little hand out that they gave us! WAHOO!!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxtLoLxadfGQ5Wzzzng1O4RA9-GBQ4l6MdjBzpxLzDcW_Xm6EUygNTlxoEEjmYtouvDYzRFUqtNh6a5g760nM6JZfGyYWD75VG3MfE6QclO1-h-SKAu_WtItqe9mytEoPctNzY5C8IKsR/s1600/photo+1(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxtLoLxadfGQ5Wzzzng1O4RA9-GBQ4l6MdjBzpxLzDcW_Xm6EUygNTlxoEEjmYtouvDYzRFUqtNh6a5g760nM6JZfGyYWD75VG3MfE6QclO1-h-SKAu_WtItqe9mytEoPctNzY5C8IKsR/s320/photo+1(3).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
A large part of building the relationships is sharing what you have with those in need. In these monthly meetings the women participate by each contributing a certain amount of money. Then all the names go into the "bottle" and one person is chosen to receive the money. They have a system so that everyone has a chance of winning the money. I have yet to participate in this way... but it is cool how they are always looks out for those in need. The women walk into the meeting and suddenly start handing out the designated amount of money to whoever it is supposed to go to. Usually it is no more than $2 or $3 each.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYCfS9z90a9FMTYea73ugQJQfB4HrpePrS6XhgR5wHg1HcDrCtKIHbFOOJilWktED5kHlAZaPsh09aQYb4e_ovfUnHYq54eYx6i11uaQyFFYx5kUpp_rmGhh-sgLlN_8AWVz6VNOZwW5t/s1600/photo+2(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYCfS9z90a9FMTYea73ugQJQfB4HrpePrS6XhgR5wHg1HcDrCtKIHbFOOJilWktED5kHlAZaPsh09aQYb4e_ovfUnHYq54eYx6i11uaQyFFYx5kUpp_rmGhh-sgLlN_8AWVz6VNOZwW5t/s320/photo+2(3).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Each family also contributes to the "social" fund each month $.50. This money goes toward buying food and other things within the needs of our neighborhood. This month it will go towards a Christmas/New Years party that we will have soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmteAhpGf80Z5A8jCs1d9Lk95I4ykNCWazLnyfgYl5mHD1h6OcCK8k3BWzdlM8rZ3diKqVTSJHabKR5tHEB27A2QFw9xTNzfNRbmWgBCHLeIKvUxrK9T0va9Kc_pLFjq_HfeD9W9hRGjp/s1600/photo+3(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmteAhpGf80Z5A8jCs1d9Lk95I4ykNCWazLnyfgYl5mHD1h6OcCK8k3BWzdlM8rZ3diKqVTSJHabKR5tHEB27A2QFw9xTNzfNRbmWgBCHLeIKvUxrK9T0va9Kc_pLFjq_HfeD9W9hRGjp/s320/photo+3(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I always feel weird taking pictures that is why these are not super good. I don't want to draw a lot of attention...but the ladies all sit around on the floor. The women just inside the door is about 60 years old (Very kind). She was just arriving and wanted to go to the other side of the room. To be culturally appropriate she scooted on her knees all the way through the room...she would not stand and walk through the room. I could tell it was not comfortable for her to go on her knees...but that was what she was to do culturally.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Aq_EixiZXpj1nV24ZmT2jGEffYlEo8fqrsnCiHtZmbbNDGAkliUlYpxDQpRG5aeJLsG72kL8egEeit_z5rUvDLmqTkIpO-wOHSQJlpM2E3CtryerYHcS-fP0_qOLGGIHpvOC4FxjH9mT/s1600/photo+4(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Aq_EixiZXpj1nV24ZmT2jGEffYlEo8fqrsnCiHtZmbbNDGAkliUlYpxDQpRG5aeJLsG72kL8egEeit_z5rUvDLmqTkIpO-wOHSQJlpM2E3CtryerYHcS-fP0_qOLGGIHpvOC4FxjH9mT/s320/photo+4(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Also it is very rare to see women sitting with their feet out in front of them...and believe me after over a hour of sitting cross legged I wanted to! There are to major contrasts in this picture. There is a women sitting with her feet out....but what you don't see is that she is probably over 70 years old...so she gets to. Also the women sitting across for her also has her feet out but as you can see she put a small cloth over top of them as to not show the bottom of her feet...always learning and observing! I am so thankful for these meetings and all I learn from them! Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-64617678350305042092013-12-04T07:40:00.003-07:002013-12-04T07:40:39.062-07:00My sweet girl...Today as we walked through town I couldn't help my smile. Just a step or two behind I watched my priceless treasure confidently walk the busy streets. As she walked just about every head turned and watched, she is a pretty rare sight. Her pure white skin and bright blue eyes!!! Often people would stop what they were doing and watch her or maybe even reach out to touch her. Thankful no rough pinching! We stopped in a book store to look for some colored paper for a Christmas craft we are going to do together. There was a group of 8-10 middle school aged girls also shopping in the store. They crowded around her, touching her nose, rubbing her cheek and asking a million questions... What is her name? How old is she? Does she know Indonesian? Where is she from? Where do you live?....kind of fun for me to actually know what they were saying and be able to answer :) And all the time she stood there...just smiling and allowing them to "giggle" about her. <br />
We went from shop to shop with the same reaction everywhere we went. I kept waiting for her to get sick of it or get annoyed by it...but she didn't. She kept her head held hi and was not only polite but was very kind and gracious. All the while, asking me "how do you say this?" or "how do you say that?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EtjZRnv6aqH0RPn5vntc43eJd0ewhmN2o59QR79Cq7CHbBqPp97kUG9PjSLbHMzLgNlSbJexN7tBelm2C2-IA7zDAuLayiFZxLuMhm8dC-Au5KsHMI5lxjhAekpS7TNLlhxHjUu3z4zi/s1600/8238_582640687256_59747827_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EtjZRnv6aqH0RPn5vntc43eJd0ewhmN2o59QR79Cq7CHbBqPp97kUG9PjSLbHMzLgNlSbJexN7tBelm2C2-IA7zDAuLayiFZxLuMhm8dC-Au5KsHMI5lxjhAekpS7TNLlhxHjUu3z4zi/s320/8238_582640687256_59747827_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I am SO SO SO thankful for this beautiful girl and her beautiful heart for others. Now, of course I am not claiming she is perfect. But I am so thankful that already God is giving her a heart and love for others! Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-2718936985048508062013-11-21T08:56:00.000-07:002013-11-21T08:56:37.236-07:00Hold on tight...This is a bit of a continuation of my last post about driving in Asia Pacific. Sometimes I am amazed at the things that I see people carrying/transporting on the motorcycles. I really wish I could have a camera ready at all times to capture some of these moments.<br />
For instance, about a month ago I saw a man driving a motorcycle with his dog. This may seem odd in itself but let me explain more... Picture this, the motor cycle was a Honda CB (a similar bike is pictured below). As you can tell from the picture the gas tank is on the front of the bike and is pretty long. Well, on the gas tank sat a little Dachshund (yes, the long skinny "hotdog" dogs). The little dog just sat there, no one holding on to it, nothing strapping it onto the bike. Just sitting there ears flapping in the wind. Oh man, I wanted to take a picture sooo bad! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK6zT_vxlQum9AnOpv5mM9IfP8UtueahOIQlE0Ls7gKTEkSdi36ojzjbdaSuPifmmvNdiFbwOw0CnlIy8uk6SWhAbJKQiX6fduQlJw1emiTUC_RSEQRGd7H3P_6J1KgZsrQokqhrJsaMa/s1600/1969-Honda-CB750K0a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK6zT_vxlQum9AnOpv5mM9IfP8UtueahOIQlE0Ls7gKTEkSdi36ojzjbdaSuPifmmvNdiFbwOw0CnlIy8uk6SWhAbJKQiX6fduQlJw1emiTUC_RSEQRGd7H3P_6J1KgZsrQokqhrJsaMa/s320/1969-Honda-CB750K0a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On a more recent day, Stella and I were in town doing a little shopping. As we approached one of the very few stop lights in town I noticed a motor cycle ahead of us that I knew she would be excited about. It was pink and purple with Hello Kitty all over it. As I pointed it out to her and she got all excited, we were met with much the same excitement! And not because of my bike...but because of my sweet adorable little girl. As we stopped beside them (a little bit behind) the woman on the back of the motorcycle quickly pulled out her phone and took multiple pictures of Stella (wearing her helmet-you could hardly see her face). As the light turned green the Hello Kitty motorcycle (which I must add was being driven by a man in a purple shirt smoking a cigarette) turned the same direction we did. As we followed behind them I watched as the woman continued to sit (side saddle in her pink minnie skirt and wedges) texting or maybe even uploading her recent photo to facebook or instagram. I had to pull out my phone and at least capture part of the moment. (see image below) Not sure if this will seem as funny or add to you as it did to me...but there were just so many funny elements!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRpbv-WdGk7rOkksoYz1xLn8IWIPyjuzpbKnRaE1YxBlU8ECPF-BWH1FAdno7uKk8f1VYgaNQlW35Dz_0TosDTx0q5_3tMRkMHu7x5KNW_wBSmrkyFKKflYKXAVLeLF4yTHR0T5k-XdaW/s1600/1450728_581340233376_495304806_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRpbv-WdGk7rOkksoYz1xLn8IWIPyjuzpbKnRaE1YxBlU8ECPF-BWH1FAdno7uKk8f1VYgaNQlW35Dz_0TosDTx0q5_3tMRkMHu7x5KNW_wBSmrkyFKKflYKXAVLeLF4yTHR0T5k-XdaW/s320/1450728_581340233376_495304806_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Who knows what we will see next...just hope I have my camera ready in time :)Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-1877052014182327182013-11-09T05:40:00.000-07:002013-11-09T05:40:30.633-07:00Vacation from my vacation...Have you ever heard someone say that phrase? I know I have...I know I have probably even said it a few times. We plan these trips that seem like they are going to be so relaxing and so fun. And yet, at the end of it we just CAN'T WAIT to get home and sleep in our own bed.<br />
I kept thinking about this today. The reason being that, today our neighbors returned from a vacation. These were our neighbors I have mentioned before that took their trip to Mecca. 40 day "vacation" or trip of a lifetime! WOW! 40 days away from home. Sleeping in another bed. Walking all day. Experiencing new culture, new food, new language....and so much more. You would HAVE to be exhausted! I know I would be.<br />
Well, it all started about 3 days ago. We noticed that people started coming by the house of our neighbors who were gone. They stayed. They cleaned up the yard and the house. They washed the car. And they made food...lots and lots and lots of food. I know this because most of it was cooked right next door and there were "different" smells coming from their late and night and early in the morning. <br />
Today the couple returned home. Welcomed by friends and family who live near and far. WOW! So many people in their yard, in their house. And it wasn't like people were just there to say, "Hi welcome home." No, they stayed and ate the food and talked and listened and hung out. I was exhausted just watching...I can only imagine how this couple felt after traveling all day, after a 40 day trip. When we left their house, which was over three hours after they got home, we saw people finally unloading their car. I mean isn't that one of the first things that we do. We might not get it unpacked right away but we at least bring it inside. Nope, three hours later the bags started going into the house.<br />
Now, why am I writing all this. 1) to share differences in culture here. 2) Because I am so challenged and encouraged by these people who make life about people and not stuff. It isn't about what I want...it is about loving other people. It is about caring for friends and family and considering them above my own comforts. There are days that the differences in culture make me go crazy....then there are days when I think wow, we could really learn a lot from our new home.Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-57377015746651702062013-10-24T07:39:00.001-06:002013-10-24T07:39:09.090-06:00Experiencing new things...like dressing up as a traditional bride!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH26lLGHHuYBUbvcTvtbLIT-gbJcFHgIh7EojLOip8i3A_GB543QASkR5ApzodfoX9Z5N8fe8q4mJ_xipknsGSsjNByYF8aGDQoNPPuFk75f13lPcUEuLnYS5WZeSLNjVrbVdyDHjg6VLA/s1600/IMG_7368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH26lLGHHuYBUbvcTvtbLIT-gbJcFHgIh7EojLOip8i3A_GB543QASkR5ApzodfoX9Z5N8fe8q4mJ_xipknsGSsjNByYF8aGDQoNPPuFk75f13lPcUEuLnYS5WZeSLNjVrbVdyDHjg6VLA/s320/IMG_7368.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Last week a friend and I went to a local beauty school so they could practice on us. I think it was a pretty fun and LONG experience for us all!! This is our "before" shot! A bunch of the students came up and told us that we had to take after & before pictures ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iI-P9SuKX6KSgnrHcBb-RPH04aENdnqaRWySon0ZujO3kRM3EYmQL5bTEkB5UmIKisDjwP3EDKpYUxwvR9hKlvfpVubEalYnmbXKtUtzRj2SOraHFU1fw8k2FivEQHI_92FEPiErzLzs/s1600/IMG_7373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iI-P9SuKX6KSgnrHcBb-RPH04aENdnqaRWySon0ZujO3kRM3EYmQL5bTEkB5UmIKisDjwP3EDKpYUxwvR9hKlvfpVubEalYnmbXKtUtzRj2SOraHFU1fw8k2FivEQHI_92FEPiErzLzs/s320/IMG_7373.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here they are putting on stickers to help open my eye lids more...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh5eDkKoKVlClwvDR2_1REHJcSeJP8lrw0lySMHocBDvyCUNnWtx2zSd-E3MakSX1Y0U9d_1l2N3SwN3fISrBZivgYSvHQmGXiXPeLzQ1L6oxSMzJF118bQme0GPTeQgi-b1Dp9Q1f1BT/s1600/IMG_7383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh5eDkKoKVlClwvDR2_1REHJcSeJP8lrw0lySMHocBDvyCUNnWtx2zSd-E3MakSX1Y0U9d_1l2N3SwN3fISrBZivgYSvHQmGXiXPeLzQ1L6oxSMzJF118bQme0GPTeQgi-b1Dp9Q1f1BT/s320/IMG_7383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This was just after they rubbed my face with an ice cube! This actually happened twice. I was told that it is a technique to help make your face "sparkling". Any one know anything about this? It was new and painful for me. Talk about brain freeze!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecdBU39BxrMhs6K-ATSGHNyRAaucRwZiHzNtdwmyueW9gNKLTPdAdX0oJn1KqAK57CTX3n7G4N1x6XwH6e2aSXLvAUdBiQpMMBvf112RjqL4UIIjYRVRwGS_WOdHEpYpUU6yO5mtKJvuv/s1600/IMG_7385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecdBU39BxrMhs6K-ATSGHNyRAaucRwZiHzNtdwmyueW9gNKLTPdAdX0oJn1KqAK57CTX3n7G4N1x6XwH6e2aSXLvAUdBiQpMMBvf112RjqL4UIIjYRVRwGS_WOdHEpYpUU6yO5mtKJvuv/s320/IMG_7385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This technique was to make my nose look longer...oh thanks! They were pretty excited to do our make up because our features are very different from theirs'.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1vVAyb2X0HuyC5o_TYTSNiamwNM6u4Zw4SiAiMksghGNfiZ6dQjVThjGhulDyKRGyF_pCNOihpQBqGtsfD2V4me3-dh0oZlQ1-VUr5E2Fes8yz9NeJBERf3wtR0dORvGJbfEpTQUGJKK/s1600/IMG_7391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1vVAyb2X0HuyC5o_TYTSNiamwNM6u4Zw4SiAiMksghGNfiZ6dQjVThjGhulDyKRGyF_pCNOihpQBqGtsfD2V4me3-dh0oZlQ1-VUr5E2Fes8yz9NeJBERf3wtR0dORvGJbfEpTQUGJKK/s320/IMG_7391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do believe they used ALL of those colors on my eyes! I couldn't believe that it took over a hour just to do my eye shadow! WOW! We were told that a bride will wake up as early as 3 or 4 AM to start getting ready for her big day. And I thought I was tired at the end of my wedding day...I can't even imagine!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3ejlPlqwwiBEzijBvdoF9_FnerKO4i1yhUJHKTS876TgNCAgXqvasdzIkPOF4JXZ8DmIxen372qUX8Hdi6-kXU5aosEkonFnq3wPns9ITF5dXSpuGFYQO4n1YrDFUz9YvyICXUmZI7G-/s1600/IMG_7401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3ejlPlqwwiBEzijBvdoF9_FnerKO4i1yhUJHKTS876TgNCAgXqvasdzIkPOF4JXZ8DmIxen372qUX8Hdi6-kXU5aosEkonFnq3wPns9ITF5dXSpuGFYQO4n1YrDFUz9YvyICXUmZI7G-/s320/IMG_7401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A shot of the colors...before my false lashes & eye brows!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pV2ur9_ig4MSFtog3xFY2FKa89lUuBth7RO9vhFT-W6Hn0sC_jiq2pWLa_181citTK1hXAONeUnRwZ0pPMB0BBpZkbSuppe2Rmj9CBZv_PK8E2bOaP1s967jz3NYu7uXa4q8SK4p1eGa/s1600/IMG_7405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pV2ur9_ig4MSFtog3xFY2FKa89lUuBth7RO9vhFT-W6Hn0sC_jiq2pWLa_181citTK1hXAONeUnRwZ0pPMB0BBpZkbSuppe2Rmj9CBZv_PK8E2bOaP1s967jz3NYu7uXa4q8SK4p1eGa/s320/IMG_7405.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And they gave us lunch too....YUM!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_40j24rCjfKt-kiCh9JeF9Fh5qFJZnNV0fhxN1pV9TGdTGuNlfjfqs816pJ9KhBMBrBmn8PVXXa7vWm6w0xrcm1xeYdbtEIC5p3kONI9M9vLV3jZAQcOkropi1sMtXy9SfBSi9LVyWZ3E/s1600/IMG_7418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_40j24rCjfKt-kiCh9JeF9Fh5qFJZnNV0fhxN1pV9TGdTGuNlfjfqs816pJ9KhBMBrBmn8PVXXa7vWm6w0xrcm1xeYdbtEIC5p3kONI9M9vLV3jZAQcOkropi1sMtXy9SfBSi9LVyWZ3E/s320/IMG_7418.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are my tree branch eye brows :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TBpLkvCs4I4xkLChMttlNdGQrk16aQB3vVj5HUKpZdJg7IsMuw3mIENQv9Np_20JNrhykQipLbS-ln1lAOQmgY1IeBcmjeGYVk9ow2zcWpZXTsDhVhMAqzm45aDypikBcl2q8gJqHNgn/s1600/IMG_7438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TBpLkvCs4I4xkLChMttlNdGQrk16aQB3vVj5HUKpZdJg7IsMuw3mIENQv9Np_20JNrhykQipLbS-ln1lAOQmgY1IeBcmjeGYVk9ow2zcWpZXTsDhVhMAqzm45aDypikBcl2q8gJqHNgn/s320/IMG_7438.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stella was more than excited that she got to be made up also!!! A dream come true for my little princess!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eLX_PPQGAm5lERXBqEbZh-eF7bd9oFReSG4bLatEQlY6OROh98DeVc3xeBjX_WuAtyLul17UPHSaHyfnJmZug18-cZjJw1XYFwwHY73FQJfeU_sbzN7YZE0PHQOjb8spJ68srEKur7u0/s1600/IMG_7442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eLX_PPQGAm5lERXBqEbZh-eF7bd9oFReSG4bLatEQlY6OROh98DeVc3xeBjX_WuAtyLul17UPHSaHyfnJmZug18-cZjJw1XYFwwHY73FQJfeU_sbzN7YZE0PHQOjb8spJ68srEKur7u0/s320/IMG_7442.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Surprisingly my little prince was up for the occasion too!! YEAH! This was of course after he ran away from me crying because he didn't recognize me and was scared of me :( </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLzC_YgoWOpZF6BZsphRw27IaBdbCzYOghTckTPTfXlA6LCsd9e4gKXxWp6K_KQgxNIw5O89DTHzk_aeSd6eG_vK0xGE3yx5pi-0n5ZJ1C5X2_vYWqSzbT4IdR6G4fSgX2g2Ly9XB637S/s1600/IMG_7449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLzC_YgoWOpZF6BZsphRw27IaBdbCzYOghTckTPTfXlA6LCsd9e4gKXxWp6K_KQgxNIw5O89DTHzk_aeSd6eG_vK0xGE3yx5pi-0n5ZJ1C5X2_vYWqSzbT4IdR6G4fSgX2g2Ly9XB637S/s320/IMG_7449.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He forgave me quickly :) Love my BIG THREE YEAR OLD!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSwiJe58FfGZI20UQaYWqtEQBCbO7jI0-a_ICmffQF-equBUjtyNn3FCzW4tlL9cQ-SEF75UWJocDaIzTg5j0bb5GMFR7Jpp97hSDdl-hjwrZ4hjxXKOkUyKHAd3KAf-3XwA2NecDdY2l/s1600/IMG_7464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSwiJe58FfGZI20UQaYWqtEQBCbO7jI0-a_ICmffQF-equBUjtyNn3FCzW4tlL9cQ-SEF75UWJocDaIzTg5j0bb5GMFR7Jpp97hSDdl-hjwrZ4hjxXKOkUyKHAd3KAf-3XwA2NecDdY2l/s320/IMG_7464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Me & my Groom!!! (isn't he a cutie!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxwjvuyocD23lAnKk0jspRZ0W9dqxQsp7k0jTPgXVtsLAHha_ZrKSiKAu-rVG5ToGlr8m75ij7V4KOp4vDsSHNe0wU6O2PI2DlHY3gWj7xMN_3Ebw3lEzEBW-il5JDHOHIXxRRniP50wU/s1600/IMG_7485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxwjvuyocD23lAnKk0jspRZ0W9dqxQsp7k0jTPgXVtsLAHha_ZrKSiKAu-rVG5ToGlr8m75ij7V4KOp4vDsSHNe0wU6O2PI2DlHY3gWj7xMN_3Ebw3lEzEBW-il5JDHOHIXxRRniP50wU/s320/IMG_7485.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as always Stella stole the show...and had A MILLION pictures taken of her. Yes, she also had fake eye lashes...what an experience!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgk9KMywtaS7c7OBl-OAXZx-XMTFqRPleWQk1y_FS1naioEbGy8ZKR6andWGTTthtM7131FstVd9UohXLovpFz7kZD2C-X5-SEvyg9v2QLIXWrzZrNs-z5SMBZX8yrk2K6HGnLsvrrg9-/s1600/IMG_7544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgk9KMywtaS7c7OBl-OAXZx-XMTFqRPleWQk1y_FS1naioEbGy8ZKR6andWGTTthtM7131FstVd9UohXLovpFz7kZD2C-X5-SEvyg9v2QLIXWrzZrNs-z5SMBZX8yrk2K6HGnLsvrrg9-/s320/IMG_7544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And...last but NOT least...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The "AFTER" shot!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-81950116508476706632013-10-01T08:02:00.000-06:002013-10-01T08:02:00.796-06:00Lessons from the ants...Since arriving here in Asia Pacific I have a daily battle with the ants! Big ants, small ants, red, black, barely can even see ants...EVERYWHERE! There are good days when they are just in a few places and then there are bad days when I can't find a room that doesn't have a ton.<br />
The more I think about it though you have to give them some credit for their hard work and determined spirit. I mean seriously I use bleach, strong vinegar, bug spray, ant chalk, borax...and other random methods to try and keep them away...but they just keep coming back! One day Craig and I sat watching the ants and were amazed. Here is a short video clip of what we saw...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyaJmRkFWx6Gyced3DxNEYhKCd6Ic_Y0aHsNdPzieq4LP5B3GUWROgSXrU6lpqhTJ4ChwFE00Sv5A05Sw4EFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
As I sat in my class today studying language I was encouraged thinking of this concept. Today was one of those days that I felt FULLY overloaded! Homework didn't get done last night because I was working on an update video for our friends and family. Didn't get done this morning as my kids really needed me. My son is going through a VERY STRONG WILLED phase (to put it mildly) and my daughter was diagnosed with pneumonia. That on top of always feeling the need/want to study and learn more about this new country that is our home. I felt at my end...I physically do not have the time or the strength to accomplish it all. The task is too great!<br />
But the cool thing is that I don't have to...I have an amazing Sovereign Heavenly Father who is taking care of the details. He is providing me with friends and family rallying for us in prayer both in wisdom with our son and health for our family. He is providing me with friends who are willing to help get to the Dr and get medicine (since I am limited in my language). He is providing friends who stop by to check on us and drop off "Get Well" gifts. He is providing teachers who are understanding of my situation that aren't pressuring me to go above and beyond, but rather encouraging me to do the best I can and get the most out of being in class. And although I wanted to make it all happen and make it all work...instead I surrender to my Father who has perfectly designed the Body of Christ to work together. And just like the ants...work together to accomplish what may seem like an impossible task. So here I am at the end of another day...still battling those DARN ants! But thankful for the lessons they teach me...and thankful for my fellow co-laborers in Christ working together!!! So instead of feeling defeated at how bad today was...I feel encouraged that tomorrow will be a new day and I will have the support and encouragement that I need to keep chugging along!Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-57848649641290579062013-09-30T08:13:00.000-06:002013-09-30T08:13:45.916-06:00Desert SongTonight as I was looking through some old music I came upon this song...Desert Song.<br />
I have listened to this song many times before. But something about it tonight definitely struck a chord! Tears filled my eyes as I listened to the song (multiple times). I love how our INFINITE Creator created people with the ability to write songs, sing, and be a blessing and encouragement. Reminding me, reminding us of who we are in Christ and the HOPE we have in Him!!! I would encourage you to at least read through the lyrics and maybe even listen to the song.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WYK6TxWX7s">Here</a> is a link to the song on youtube. <br />
<br /><u> DESERT SONG</u><br />
VERSE 1:<br />
This is my prayer in the desert<br />
When all that's within me feels dry<br />
This is my prayer in my hunger and need<br />
My God is the God who provides<br /><br />
VERSE 2:<br />
This is my prayer in the fire<br />
In weakness or trial or pain<br />
There is a faith proved<br />
Of more worth than gold<br />
So refine me Lord through the flame<br /><br />
CHORUS:<br />
I will bring praise<br />
I will bring praise<br />
No weapon formed against me shall remain<br />
I will rejoice<br />
I will declare<br />
God is my victory and He is here<br /><br />
VERSE 3:<br />
This is my prayer in the battle<br />
When triumph is still on it's way<br />
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ<br />
So firm on His promise I'll stand<br /><br />
CHORUS:<br />
I will bring praise<br />
I will bring praise<br />
No weapon formed against me shall remain<br />
I will rejoice<br />
I will declare<br />
God is my victory and He is here<br /><br />
BRIDGE:<br />
All of my life<br />
In every season<br />
You are still God<br />
I have a reason to sing<br />
I have a reason to worship (x4)<br /><br />
CHORUS:<br />
I will bring praise<br />
I will bring praise<br />
No weapon formed against me shall remain<br />
I will rejoice<br />
I will declare<br />
God is my victory and He is here (x2)<br /><br />
VERSE 4:<br />
This is my prayer in the harvest<br />
When favour and providence flow<br />
I know I'm filled to be emptied again<br />
The seed I've received I will sowKaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-39078132962929176692013-09-26T06:40:00.002-06:002013-09-26T06:40:54.765-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrU48-HjLmC8vbGitxkNvqpBcO7rkAp6q9JDiaaae3jZ2KUBWtDv1aS9RwIRNTTDbyy0wjyy2KTMHau1f7cIHCNfatiXdLtkdlmh1Ts4PEnoJiwATeO2wcD37qE8XsaSirUQqTCJACGiz/s1600/photo(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrU48-HjLmC8vbGitxkNvqpBcO7rkAp6q9JDiaaae3jZ2KUBWtDv1aS9RwIRNTTDbyy0wjyy2KTMHau1f7cIHCNfatiXdLtkdlmh1Ts4PEnoJiwATeO2wcD37qE8XsaSirUQqTCJACGiz/s320/photo(12).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I'm curious what comes to your mind when you see this picture. (Yes, that is my PINK scooter you can see in the bottom of the picture!) But what else do you see?<br />
Here I am...stopped at a red light. As you can see there are two other people stopped ahead of me and also another beside me. But notice the large gap? Why are we stopped so far away? We are stopped in the SHADE!!! HA HA! I have actually never done this before today...but I OFTEN see others doing it. The red light counts down until it turns green and people are more than willing to wait quite a ways back to stay in the shade. As the number gets closer to 1...GREEN they will begin to inch forward. Something you cannot see in this picture is that the women next to me is actually wear a long sleeved (what appears to me as) winter coat. NO JOKE! I think it was over 100 degrees today and there she is wearing a coat. Again you may ask why....as I often do! It is common to see people wearing gloves, longs sleeves, and pants in SUPER HOT AND HUMID weather! As far as I can tell from what I have learned so far...the people here DO NOT like getting tan. They will completely cover themselves to make sure that their skin does not get more tan. It is also very common to see people (particularly little kids) with white cream on their faces. What may appear to be sun screen that is not rubbed in well...is actually cream with whiting agents in it. Trying to make their skin lighter...ironic don't ya think!<br />
Now, here is the kicker....the other day a local friend of mine noticed Stella's swimming suit tan line. And her comment was, "oh look how beautiful her tan is!" I was so shocked and confused. I said, "I thought that you didn't like to be tan and wanted to be white." She said, "Tan is beautiful for white people, but white is beautiful for us!" ...OK I still don't get it!<br />
But...for now I will enjoy the shade on these VERY HOT days!Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-90869653365968860782013-08-27T07:59:00.003-06:002013-08-27T07:59:45.959-06:00Dinner time...Martabak!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUxh3n73pOb-YUDcFIIybtFiR4ML4lnC3ql9QiN6AeqVm7rs5MNBhOiZpQydLogbcYEtFazRqLgtshwN1J_xbvmuUImHwDt1dMLJQMlLuXIfSnv53N2xURKFcXK8QU4APher70vciumCf/s1600/IMG_6173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUxh3n73pOb-YUDcFIIybtFiR4ML4lnC3ql9QiN6AeqVm7rs5MNBhOiZpQydLogbcYEtFazRqLgtshwN1J_xbvmuUImHwDt1dMLJQMlLuXIfSnv53N2xURKFcXK8QU4APher70vciumCf/s320/IMG_6173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
When we first moved here Craig went out with a friend and bought some
Martabak. He told me about the fun experience and delicious food...and
then he told me it was made of Duck egg. Ok I know it isn't that
odd...but they are GREEN eggs. <br />
A few weeks ago a new store opened near us which along came a few new street food sellers. AND...yep you guessed it Martabak. I have been hesitant to try it but finally it was time!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVdqr6FQcT_KWrzsZW8m5y39QH59_HRlouee51O2i1VhWtpOOsw1MgKT1WnyPzPwE__bjATZw0mK_eRHAQpe0Ya4HcJfdKKLyazkQBaQhuXgwJJ55iffTzTodIbfjGsuU1Ry29AAZ24B-/s1600/IMG_6176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVdqr6FQcT_KWrzsZW8m5y39QH59_HRlouee51O2i1VhWtpOOsw1MgKT1WnyPzPwE__bjATZw0mK_eRHAQpe0Ya4HcJfdKKLyazkQBaQhuXgwJJ55iffTzTodIbfjGsuU1Ry29AAZ24B-/s320/IMG_6176.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here he is preparing the ingredients. Green onions, spices, duck eggs, chicken meat, and who knows what else...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGjPaprZlzvhLzZ9w1ZgcXKRNZRCdwfAzHITp4UH33o7kZ-Ci0-RGZt0erpA58Qcdjlp89UhWmUdA7c4EVFcCzoQXqTQzFzdjDpVgc57wRqD19WlkIAE-RIQrzh4LnlJVQKrYwDFztlU4/s1600/IMG_6185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGjPaprZlzvhLzZ9w1ZgcXKRNZRCdwfAzHITp4UH33o7kZ-Ci0-RGZt0erpA58Qcdjlp89UhWmUdA7c4EVFcCzoQXqTQzFzdjDpVgc57wRqD19WlkIAE-RIQrzh4LnlJVQKrYwDFztlU4/s320/IMG_6185.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mixing it all up</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMohxqNzip8DEzRqldEFI2BYWoPytZYfdm64N0ziIq3qFXMIpKBxQEh9uUKLBUdosZ9Ze4qKiEZOoKsG0Xazc-VNoqNXXubz-tSGu654EK-wmrR3r9sauWL4QrLURm07J1ZgSIPUVYL-Io/s1600/IMG_6187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMohxqNzip8DEzRqldEFI2BYWoPytZYfdm64N0ziIq3qFXMIpKBxQEh9uUKLBUdosZ9Ze4qKiEZOoKsG0Xazc-VNoqNXXubz-tSGu654EK-wmrR3r9sauWL4QrLURm07J1ZgSIPUVYL-Io/s320/IMG_6187.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
now adding some oil to the surface to prepare the dough...oil is a word you hear a lot here...and you will understand why soon</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxKGM637weiFtMPKg6Wp3YMbpfpC2gSDP7fiLeL_26KmYqHRX44MFccDAqqgVSQlE6hKuIM__kkIuqe41SNVbLQQs8tjRWjaqhNNpOGN6mawlj8vgHmerul8Fh2ijwpJBlsfaSuQf8eyB/s1600/IMG_6188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxKGM637weiFtMPKg6Wp3YMbpfpC2gSDP7fiLeL_26KmYqHRX44MFccDAqqgVSQlE6hKuIM__kkIuqe41SNVbLQQs8tjRWjaqhNNpOGN6mawlj8vgHmerul8Fh2ijwpJBlsfaSuQf8eyB/s320/IMG_6188.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
flattening out the dough...kind of like the consistency of a tortilla but really big</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyleStd0LXUqXGItWsTaC39cQD6LdsfDZh5UeeccNJ9de1RNYA8gRqUgsOEXpOvZ_d3F9lLF2ltftpv6n83NB9o7bx9vi9hDvhjhB5C9rB69xBkGXhoueyCW_-NymXOiYsBg8LgQvw0WNa/s1600/IMG_6189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyleStd0LXUqXGItWsTaC39cQD6LdsfDZh5UeeccNJ9de1RNYA8gRqUgsOEXpOvZ_d3F9lLF2ltftpv6n83NB9o7bx9vi9hDvhjhB5C9rB69xBkGXhoueyCW_-NymXOiYsBg8LgQvw0WNa/s320/IMG_6189.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
doing the pizza toss to make it bigger...I got a video of this and it was really cool but seeing as it took 25 minutes to get all these pictures on here I am not even going to attempt a video :( guess you will just have to come see for yourself...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmb2GMq_IRD3BOLsh83M2g8kw3GJiBWNRJvwAAgObodV8eCtxZzobwR063r7MZ1FdKmCaOFa4kLojFxoutDajkCVwesSR4VKQlG8n0zQnYjsU54RXND34jrON5ydOJdLJl1Qbmiz8DqcS/s1600/IMG_6191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmb2GMq_IRD3BOLsh83M2g8kw3GJiBWNRJvwAAgObodV8eCtxZzobwR063r7MZ1FdKmCaOFa4kLojFxoutDajkCVwesSR4VKQlG8n0zQnYjsU54RXND34jrON5ydOJdLJl1Qbmiz8DqcS/s320/IMG_6191.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
spreading the ingredients out on the dough which is now laid out on the hot wok with lots of oil on it<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBokNDM3i39gl8zfkUYRxlYl0C35lSP8puknH5uGKmNoMXXmpv6vgqHY8S3zNqb210odrNgMfhtnhDnkDS6BEiNhmyBcsMvg_dYaB4yRkVliFXyCcjsd90-yKNPLyCFgNvhMdctvA0kJ9I/s1600/IMG_6194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBokNDM3i39gl8zfkUYRxlYl0C35lSP8puknH5uGKmNoMXXmpv6vgqHY8S3zNqb210odrNgMfhtnhDnkDS6BEiNhmyBcsMvg_dYaB4yRkVliFXyCcjsd90-yKNPLyCFgNvhMdctvA0kJ9I/s320/IMG_6194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
then he began scooping the oil all over making sure that the entire thing was covered...nice and flavorful and very crunchy! He took the once flat piece of dough and folded the edges in to make an envelope type shape<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMrR022jasrvOeRLUTdiqQji3anmjdQ_6uYoL4PBPEm4BtIyQCe-VMWaLVlZMq4yi_DwDMClsUH3Iyd_K5ADQEu6dJYAjgzxBQI279E3XYH3SQ7WLFz2ELd2kBKsDGAMA2za6OeB_sOSl/s1600/IMG_6198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMrR022jasrvOeRLUTdiqQji3anmjdQ_6uYoL4PBPEm4BtIyQCe-VMWaLVlZMq4yi_DwDMClsUH3Iyd_K5ADQEu6dJYAjgzxBQI279E3XYH3SQ7WLFz2ELd2kBKsDGAMA2za6OeB_sOSl/s320/IMG_6198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At this point I thought he was draining off some oil...but Craig pointed out that he was actually just making sure that the ends were nice and friend in oil too...ha ha</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu4x_5prKqLDwAnCy1-sprsr10uIqgW8y7-jnD1NLcNNmB04v0LOJdofCN0ADDm12esarGLGssQV16um_eSumsdOWzeX6yuT4mmfLx1JogoSjnSuOUpHxq1XpX-Z6l3w_NPbTCCcsQ1Uo/s1600/IMG_6203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnu4x_5prKqLDwAnCy1-sprsr10uIqgW8y7-jnD1NLcNNmB04v0LOJdofCN0ADDm12esarGLGssQV16um_eSumsdOWzeX6yuT4mmfLx1JogoSjnSuOUpHxq1XpX-Z6l3w_NPbTCCcsQ1Uo/s320/IMG_6203.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cutting it up after it has all been cooked</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf68B9DJG2lWwyoBHFvshiCaHVUf3dF-pmoi4xc6pnLN0xwbcCVJlETg9aRFuxeNFeW84ExGdKhi9qjlXpXB8CYD0JUz1KcFInca6s6BY-W_MRF2cneGSVI0gwhC5yV3JpijoXVmStc-3/s1600/IMG_6204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf68B9DJG2lWwyoBHFvshiCaHVUf3dF-pmoi4xc6pnLN0xwbcCVJlETg9aRFuxeNFeW84ExGdKhi9qjlXpXB8CYD0JUz1KcFInca6s6BY-W_MRF2cneGSVI0gwhC5yV3JpijoXVmStc-3/s320/IMG_6204.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
here it is...ready to go home and only for about $1.50</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have to admit that I actually really liked it a lot. The kids were a little hesitant to try it but that was ok because it left more for Craig and I! :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ENAK SEKALI!!! (very delicious)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN26QnYMS5lK9YU7Gyn8LAzMgGPWp-B3Av4hcCJj2zb3GBBTsrBr6XYm38I-61kmpXupuA76dorKnZ54NIcUsROmDmh95SyyfpxQMV330CUVU_da_l2-An4M523gFfNbMPEtW-FnlxMFpm/s1600/IMG_6175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN26QnYMS5lK9YU7Gyn8LAzMgGPWp-B3Av4hcCJj2zb3GBBTsrBr6XYm38I-61kmpXupuA76dorKnZ54NIcUsROmDmh95SyyfpxQMV330CUVU_da_l2-An4M523gFfNbMPEtW-FnlxMFpm/s320/IMG_6175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now we go home to eat...(notice the mountain/volcano in the background? I am so thankful for it ...been missing the beautiful ID mountains recently!)</div>
Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-54099283070363509612013-08-18T05:31:00.002-06:002013-08-18T05:31:21.510-06:00Another Unexpected Day<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS03Wff4N_S1GbbSerXM3NcMyWvudKwOlvZYixyeFkDEXXeZRgspQRjgnA4_u3BdFObBW43ztEYEt6SdJRq4FN6gXhTstOZUlJTHG-yB1QCXvu2lCCoWcymPAveDtNic1k2R8yrXaxNg0/s1600/photo(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS03Wff4N_S1GbbSerXM3NcMyWvudKwOlvZYixyeFkDEXXeZRgspQRjgnA4_u3BdFObBW43ztEYEt6SdJRq4FN6gXhTstOZUlJTHG-yB1QCXvu2lCCoWcymPAveDtNic1k2R8yrXaxNg0/s320/photo(8).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
August 17 is the Independence Day of our new homeland. Although it is DEFINITELY no 4th of July celebration (which we REALLY REALLY missed...the BBQ, parade, fireworks...) this was a day of new cultural experiences. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViWZD8-Md8WtXp5e0iVHT62cnHlATkB84vCc6eH4649GRuMxPQvqq9WKvILnGySVfML69bDKzyMHNVoj-up_O6ezAc90OQN7wfpqg3Frm870l-yMiSr12HmtkZDETBrlKbDPUk8jTTpbc/s1600/photo(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViWZD8-Md8WtXp5e0iVHT62cnHlATkB84vCc6eH4649GRuMxPQvqq9WKvILnGySVfML69bDKzyMHNVoj-up_O6ezAc90OQN7wfpqg3Frm870l-yMiSr12HmtkZDETBrlKbDPUk8jTTpbc/s320/photo(5).JPG" width="320" /></a>We left our house a little after 8 to head into town. We are so thankful that driving around is becoming more "normal" for us all. We enjoyed using the public transport for a time but we are very thankful to be able to go around more by ourselves these days. We were told that the festivities could start around 9...which ended up being 9:30 not too bad! :) <br />
I definitely had my western/patriotic feeling for the day. I wanted to dress in RED, WHITE and BLUE...ok just RED and WHITE. I expected crowds of people lined up ready to go. Maybe we should have gotten here sooner so we could get a good spot. As we approached there were very few people around. Not a major crowd by any means. <br />
We went to the city center where we watched different groups marching,singing, and different government officials read speeches. Much of this went right over our heads ....and it was VERY HOT outside. In fact when we first got there we noticed different medical teams spread around with stretchers. This seemed a little odd to me but we soon figured out why. They were prepared! There were many groups of people standing in line formation out on this field in the direct sun light. Many of the men were in full uniform and women were covered from head to toe as their religion requires them to be. And it wasn't long into the morning that they started passing out. I kind of wanted to say "dropping like flies" but that sounds bad. But there were definitely quite a few who passed out. The ceremony was very formal and structured (no big tractors or Hispanic dancing horses) But it was a very cool experience! H and his buddies really enjoyed the marching groups :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6IsTIaUuAjTF4bZep7AOdTzlvcc6RUoif40IgzhyphenhyphenHChtdnh2Wss9ibhl8kkp4yXzcrQ-lrdniI7VePDEmwMbhEhZfSjqArJYMT8bOfeFHCShp1yMEb22Jj_DLMw3UGZ_j052MUdNiwKZ/s1600/photo(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6IsTIaUuAjTF4bZep7AOdTzlvcc6RUoif40IgzhyphenhyphenHChtdnh2Wss9ibhl8kkp4yXzcrQ-lrdniI7VePDEmwMbhEhZfSjqArJYMT8bOfeFHCShp1yMEb22Jj_DLMw3UGZ_j052MUdNiwKZ/s320/photo(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We were about to take off when a woman walked up and asked if we would like to go and meet/shake hands with the Mayor. Uh...sure! Our group (15-20 people) filed over to the tent where the Mayor and also head of parliament were seated with their wives. We all kind of stood in a line and shook hands and took pictures. S was a show stopper as always...thankfully no painful pinching this time ;) Just lots of, "WOW she is so beautiful!" After we took pictures they invited us to the Mayor's house for lunch. <br />
Lunch was cultural chicken soup with rice. It was yummy!<br />
Once lunch was over we were invited to come back for dinner and celebration that night. We got details on when, where, how....and graciously accepted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGwk2PkHcK5owuUQ9isusf2WM_VQlOFw2wH4JQiCSsomsVE0Y7UWJ4ZiQgzz0aLniTdc0BXdRdVnEXey2Yxqjm7ZHkvCKAT8f9TZVqN5IBiWJpbP3vxI17l4BakRzRy316MY2a3YNpT_T/s1600/photo(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGwk2PkHcK5owuUQ9isusf2WM_VQlOFw2wH4JQiCSsomsVE0Y7UWJ4ZiQgzz0aLniTdc0BXdRdVnEXey2Yxqjm7ZHkvCKAT8f9TZVqN5IBiWJpbP3vxI17l4BakRzRy316MY2a3YNpT_T/s320/photo(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
with the head of Parliament<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEyg0_VpFRDSv1qLs8oh6Aqduz50c3CkN_0IUnVcBwBxzYxXlOQI-z6U2vPr7k3mPbZkCsmkoeqgwxIMMV3b9fT6RFefV-gYimd39niZN7VMUWob35Q-jhv6TyjgFu5eHRGk-l8wiDIs3/s1600/photo(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEyg0_VpFRDSv1qLs8oh6Aqduz50c3CkN_0IUnVcBwBxzYxXlOQI-z6U2vPr7k3mPbZkCsmkoeqgwxIMMV3b9fT6RFefV-gYimd39niZN7VMUWob35Q-jhv6TyjgFu5eHRGk-l8wiDIs3/s320/photo(9).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
meeting the Mayor and his wife<br />
<br />
What a cool opportunity!<br />
more pictures and details on the night next time...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFRW6m0WTYR_A1nAcQ0bz_mmPAcu6NaSx4sZ7e2Sze38VAwfYQR9TNbDzNW_t5_RY2_mYoMEq-Zg4Adk2AVzZxm9OGnahDQFipQ6VUwE9HW_brMAYPb6BxUWgRhZwi0iQk55uftfHOHw8/s1600/photo(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFRW6m0WTYR_A1nAcQ0bz_mmPAcu6NaSx4sZ7e2Sze38VAwfYQR9TNbDzNW_t5_RY2_mYoMEq-Zg4Adk2AVzZxm9OGnahDQFipQ6VUwE9HW_brMAYPb6BxUWgRhZwi0iQk55uftfHOHw8/s320/photo(10).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
its been a long couple days...what a trooper!!!<br /><br />Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-86631563570539791342013-08-16T09:06:00.002-06:002013-08-16T09:06:31.131-06:00Not 8-5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TGZ0EkzOjaMmsdj0Mw3icirbyUsjvIw7gY0IbJIx7ahXl1naJQDqut7PTGf1DNasMjdzHl3olYEgxrHwHaYPR17AgEhqrqidlX9ctYqAyDUdOB5MxIHFeyf1IkyPstBA7CQX_HqWuOvp/s1600/DSC03414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8TGZ0EkzOjaMmsdj0Mw3icirbyUsjvIw7gY0IbJIx7ahXl1naJQDqut7PTGf1DNasMjdzHl3olYEgxrHwHaYPR17AgEhqrqidlX9ctYqAyDUdOB5MxIHFeyf1IkyPstBA7CQX_HqWuOvp/s320/DSC03414.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
out and about<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2C1AbPOEzonWs-WhgRV4W0mayYdc_jUVrZ6cRG2XE98pzT-Pvlq52pp2gDwLZBQJTTbTbA3QP3BVw_FHb7QZDyLzJfecUja2KRQPdnHp34wSQ7ZEekr1g3kA0No6Ndmom3VGPndu6gNk/s1600/DSC03452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2C1AbPOEzonWs-WhgRV4W0mayYdc_jUVrZ6cRG2XE98pzT-Pvlq52pp2gDwLZBQJTTbTbA3QP3BVw_FHb7QZDyLzJfecUja2KRQPdnHp34wSQ7ZEekr1g3kA0No6Ndmom3VGPndu6gNk/s320/DSC03452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
a little shopping in the market<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eKi55bN_ww4SnXcW9_Cc4JX7LyH0g0X-paAPyNpbURN0VrB8t5fMeXCqWkUhyphenhyphen-twultn4nfksUF-0Hd8R9niZfN5FKiwKbQ-8asQ7TBQ5IZrstFPrzN5gZPGuBpoJ2Z5ccSr6a1Lukwe/s1600/DSC03460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eKi55bN_ww4SnXcW9_Cc4JX7LyH0g0X-paAPyNpbURN0VrB8t5fMeXCqWkUhyphenhyphen-twultn4nfksUF-0Hd8R9niZfN5FKiwKbQ-8asQ7TBQ5IZrstFPrzN5gZPGuBpoJ2Z5ccSr6a1Lukwe/s320/DSC03460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
they are like movie stars everywhere they go...<br />
<br />
<br />
Learning culture and language is definitely not an 8-5 job. Although we are encourage/required to spend 40 hours (for Craig) and 20-30 hours (for me) a week studying...those hours definitely do not fall within your typical work hours. We often find that Saturday and Sunday can become our busiest Culture Experience days, while the weeks days are often full of our sessions with our language helpers and studying or filing. <br />
Today is a perfect example of that...here were are Friday night (TGIF) the time where you are ready to put your comfy pants on, order a pizza, turn on the TV and just chill after a long week. But tonight we get the opportunity to experience something new. Something that happens only once a year. Tonight our neighborhood begins the Independence Day celebrations. Our meeting began at 7:30 (about) the women in the garage on chairs and the men in the driveway on chairs. Our usual monthly meeting things took place...which is often exchange of small amounts of money (.$50-$5) for various things within the community. Maybe the money is for neighborhood get togethers or to pay the garbage man...then we are given a small talk from the government. Usually along the lines of cancer related topics or obesity or something like that...then we wait more. At about 8:30 the ceremony began. Oh I forgot to mention that people usually dress in their traditional batik clothing for this but tonight they seemed EXTRA dressed up. I do have to be honest and say that I showed up in my batik shirt and capris and quickly found an excuse to go home and put on a long skirt. It is now almost 10 pm and I came home early for the festivities to put our WORN OUT children to bed. I think they were asleep within like 2 minutes...poor kiddos! My friend told me that it is common for this meeting to go very late into the night...perhaps even mid night to bring in the celebration. As I sit here I hear the fireworks being shot into the air..again! We just had about a two day break from the Idul Fitri fire works and now we have new ones :) Needless to say Craig will have plenty of "hours" of language and experience by the end of tonight. <br />
And that leaves us at Friday night...what about a relaxing Saturday. Maybe time to mow the lawn and take a nap...HA! Tomorrow morning we start at 8 am taking the public transport to the city center. Tomorrow will be a parade for the Independence Day. We are told it could start between 9-10 ha ha! And also that tons of people will be there. Pray that H Boy does ok. Sometimes large crowds are NOT his favorite. <br />
We are so thankful for all of these new opportunities. Just tonight as I sat beside a good friend "who called herself Stella's Indo Grandma" she told me so much about this new culture. Such a learning experience! I am so thankful! Yes it is not a 8-5 job...and some days it is just down right dirty, tiring, and I feel lost...but I am so thankful for each experience that we have. I am so encouraged by how much we are learning and growing...We are so blessed to be able to here and be part of what God is doing. And we are soo very thankful for everyone who supports us in the prayer and financial! We are CONTINUALLY amazed at God's work! Keep us in your prayers that we can stay focused and keep learning!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCnc1_CVbmDu2RcmKOKIOaM6NGXzf51ZzFep8EW67XS3n5VaaJfLWiNQ9Sz2SAygSefOzK1c9elP_vu2r_ER_QQ-LcmJF1U58vI-2oOqsdJnYITF8KPGw2i_xOOZtM_4BJYm1cThvvda8/s1600/DSC03464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCnc1_CVbmDu2RcmKOKIOaM6NGXzf51ZzFep8EW67XS3n5VaaJfLWiNQ9Sz2SAygSefOzK1c9elP_vu2r_ER_QQ-LcmJF1U58vI-2oOqsdJnYITF8KPGw2i_xOOZtM_4BJYm1cThvvda8/s320/DSC03464.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
walking through town (a few months ago when my parents were visiting)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBNzFcTUhdW5rLJN0uvyq6o0hsVD5Q5Q1fHcopz0z3ucp7-ePY9vIttG2hFR8OR43urXVBcCIxIbKXATpdkhusPKcKJik6lZR5dGnvvL1w_BQtfwVoE-SrnMjLdF7-hoFQsSXX8UU7_6g/s1600/DSC03469-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBNzFcTUhdW5rLJN0uvyq6o0hsVD5Q5Q1fHcopz0z3ucp7-ePY9vIttG2hFR8OR43urXVBcCIxIbKXATpdkhusPKcKJik6lZR5dGnvvL1w_BQtfwVoE-SrnMjLdF7-hoFQsSXX8UU7_6g/s320/DSC03469-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
this is just a small group of my neighbor ladies that I meet with every month (not sure why I look so unhappy..oh well)Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-36784831100314339732013-08-13T09:08:00.001-06:002013-08-13T09:08:20.541-06:00I am blessed...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbey-WWR7rH41X82CRP4waF-DwUn-iCPuPGtM2AAsSpAQjAqaXwTjBEB6F6KX0iG5jc3JP1sGrPeRwGIcP5m6-dtukUecUZAnLDOke1nydRs8v_RNYLi4zJO4tvX5Ebz_mQuk8lM80N1HR/s1600/11156_198072070621_6848036_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbey-WWR7rH41X82CRP4waF-DwUn-iCPuPGtM2AAsSpAQjAqaXwTjBEB6F6KX0iG5jc3JP1sGrPeRwGIcP5m6-dtukUecUZAnLDOke1nydRs8v_RNYLi4zJO4tvX5Ebz_mQuk8lM80N1HR/s1600/11156_198072070621_6848036_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The book of Titus Chapter 2 in the Bible talks about the role of older women. It talks about how they are to not only instruct younger women but also be an example to them. Well, I am blessed to say that I have many women like this in my life. Particularly two that I am very close to...my older sisters! From birth I have had two older sisters to look up to and learn from (sometimes good and sometimes bad). When I got to the age where I wanted to know more about my personal Savior it was my sisters who sat me down and explained the details to me. Many nights we have stayed up talking about who knows what...but I was always listening and always learning. Early on in my life God began giving me a burden for overseas missions. Little did I know that God gave me that passion early on...so that when the day came to board the plane to fly so far overseas I would be 100% confident that this was God's will. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our last few hours in the US were spent in LA with my sisters. It was amazing to have 23 hours with them right before we left which I never expected. It was God's special blessing to me. If you know my sisters than you know exactly what I am talking about. I know that I am definitely not the only person that they have mentored, loved, and taught. If you don't know my sisters well then...you should! ;) They are amazing Godly women. They desire to love and respect their husbands through the ups and downs. They love their 4 children, yes they both have 4 (can't say I've wanted to be like them in that way). They love the Lord and desire to live to glorify Him daily. They are sound advice givers. They are honest. They are forgiving. They are amazing women. Sometimes they mess up but they learn and grow from it. They are real women. Part of me wants to write this about them separately but the truth is that I feel the same way about them both...and I'm not just saying that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When the day came...about 5 years ago that I was challenged with the question..."are you willing to do the hard thing for God? are you willing to give up _________?" And we were to fill in the blank...I immediately knew my blank was FAMILY. Five years ago God began preparing my heart to say good bye to my family that I am so close to and love dearly...he was preparing me to say good bye to my sisters. Yes, we have computers, instagram, facebook, email, and even facetime...and I am SOOO thankful for that. But there are days that I just wish they were awake when I am. Or days that they could just experience where I am and what I am doing. There are days I wish we could sit down and talk about homeschool curriculum and ideas. Or days I wish I could hold the new born baby just for a few hours to give her a break....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I don't say this as a sob story or...look at me and the sacrifice I have made. But rather to say....I AM BLESSED! I am so blessed to have sisters that I look up to so much and love so dearly that I miss them this much! I love you my sisters and I am so thankful for you both!! Happy Birthday and I wish so much that I could be there to celebrate with you! Continue to seek the Lord and live for Him because your little sister is watching and learning...and if you don't let me play with you then I am going to tell Mom ;)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_W6BwIC66TMcNNFmt2eIAtjNokFEf8tI3IIfU_pKuFyGSJFMOxLuwovOJCinLCUL7KE1_xo17Ax5RzrpqN8K0FeaZY0L9FBL2ExkQLl20hWHo176652n9Sx-1-812RPlPAF8n3l_cY4PR/s1600/969448_573702704046_1737374534_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_W6BwIC66TMcNNFmt2eIAtjNokFEf8tI3IIfU_pKuFyGSJFMOxLuwovOJCinLCUL7KE1_xo17Ax5RzrpqN8K0FeaZY0L9FBL2ExkQLl20hWHo176652n9Sx-1-812RPlPAF8n3l_cY4PR/s320/969448_573702704046_1737374534_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-14181650435282831212013-08-04T07:16:00.001-06:002013-08-04T07:25:15.980-06:00Pinching Episode...When we first arrived here we joked that one word/action we would easily learn is "pinch". The reason being that this is a common thing for people to do, especially to our fair skinned children. You know what I mean, that typical Grandma "oh you are so cute" type pinch. Where they get a little skin but really no harm done. Of course our two year old is not typically fond of these type things at all (a little too close for comfort) but overall a fine thing. Not tonight...<br />
As we stood waiting for Dad to pull the motorbike out of the tightly packed little lot (which usually requires moving a few bikes here and there to get yours out) the kids and I stood just outside the entrance to one of our favorite restaurants. As we stood there in the dark a little girl about 6-8 years old walked up to us and very sweetly said Hi to the kids. She walked over to S and stood really close. I kind of though she might pinch her cheek but honestly didn't think anything of it because it happens all the time. Also I figured S would react if she did something to her. The little girl quickly walked from S to H and stood close to him. He however was NOT happy with her. He yelled no at her and pushed her away and immediately burst into tears. At this she ran to the other side of the road. I then realized that S was standing there with tears streaming down her face and she was holding her arm. The little girl had pinched them both....and this was no granny pinch. I couldn't even look at the little girl I was so confused, angry, and hurting for my kids. Daddy was done by this point and ran over to find out what was going on. Typically he would say something or talk to the parents or something...but right now it was clear that wasn't going to do anything. Not only was there a language barrier there was a major cultural barrier that had been crossed. Fighting the urge to go across the road he stood there are glared at her. To which she responded in her language "don't worry about it...its ok". All that was within me was saying NO ITS NOT OK. My kids have welts on their body because you just walked up and pinched them and you don't see anything wrong with it. But there was a little something in the back of my mind saying, "She doesn't know anything different. This is what she has been taught. This is normal to her."<br />
We drove the short ride home both kids still in tears. We sat them on our laps and hugged them close. They both definitely have little welts and even bruises :( Holding them close it was a good opportunity to remind them that mommy and daddy can't always protect them. Even if we are standing right there we can't always see what is going on or feel how hard someone is hurting you. We talked about how they have to take responsibility to look someone in the eyes and tell them NO! If you don't like how someone is touching you or treating you then you have to let them know and make sure they know you are serious. We even talked about the words they would use in this new language. For the last hour or so we have been practicing with them...but it is so hard for them to role play how it would really be.<br />
I can honestly say that I am thankful for this overall experience and the reminder it is to help our kids know how to protect themselves. Although it breaks my heart that this little girl would hurt my kids for no reason...just because she thought she could get away with it. I know it was a good way to talk about these important things with our kids. They are young but they can learn to say no to people when they are not comfortable with what they are doing or saying. We love our kids and want to protect them...and sometimes that means giving the to right tools so they can protect themselves. Praying that next time this will have different results with less tears and no welts! Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-73986410708353334472013-07-29T07:53:00.001-06:002013-07-29T07:53:04.397-06:00Before we moved here I shared with some of my dear sisters in Christ that I often felt like David from the Bible. The reason I felt this way is because I felt like I was about to face Goliath and I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I knew I was going to face this giant with a few stones in comparison to his shield and sword...but I also knew that I was going to be prepared just as David did. When you look at David's life you realize that it wasn't like God just said, "Hey go fight that Giant for me." Instead little by little God was preparing him for this HUGE step of faith...and this would continue on throughout David's life. Sometimes he would step out and faith and sometimes he would fall flat on his face.<br />
Today is a day I feel like I fell flat on my face...<br />
Why you may ask? Although I can't exactly pinpoint the precise cause it is just a general overall feeling of homesickness, exhaustion, loneliness... I think a lot of these feelings came out today as we started something new in our session. Having to finally say these words that we have been hearing over and over again proved to be QUITE humbling and difficult. I so badly want to be good at learning this language. I want it to come quickly and so we can move on to the other region and help out...but instead here I am inching along. Barely able to say "This is a dog." or "That is a woman." <br />
I don't say all of this to whine...but rather to Praise God for the way He has faithfully prepared me for this day. I didn't know when it was going to be or how it was going to hit...but I knew there would be good days and bad days. And I am sooo thankful for a faithful Heavenly Father who is willing to carry my through today and into tomorrow. Where once again I will try and say, "This is a ____" Thank you Heavenly Father....and thank you friends and family praying for us. We ALL need it...keep them coming!Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-76123921810431838792013-07-21T08:17:00.000-06:002013-07-21T08:17:17.885-06:00Today was an encouraging step from the Lord. For the last 5 weeks or so we have been attending a small local church. Although there are times of discouragement of not having any idea of what is being said (unless we use google translate). The songs are becoming more familiar which is fun. Also we are becoming more familiar with the people. Usually we go to the worship time and then I leave and take the kids to Sunday School. This is divided into two groups younger kids and older kids. It is really fun because most of the moms also go with their kids. This is an awesome opportunity for me to get to know them. Also I have really loved learning the simple kids songs (Halla lu halla lu halla lu hallelujah...Pujian Tuhan!) Also it has been fun to be able to understand the stories a little too. <br />
Today after Sunday School the Pastor's wife came up to me and put her arm around me and asked me how I was doing. I said fine. She asked again..how are you really doing? I said honestly we are doing pretty good. She asked specifically how Hudson and Stella were doing. I explained to her that Hudson had been having a hard time but overall was doing better. She then told me that her 5 year old son prayed for our kids the other night. She said he said he wanted to pray for his new friend Hudson...and she said what Hudson and he said "the one from church you know Stella and Hudson." WOW! What an encouragement!!! Truly the body of Christ at work! Now it is important to mention that this whole conversation was in broken english and indo. Can't wait to be able to communicate more. Day by day....little by little!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3gaDlUlrkq3DhLglakrhqKHhEMkLzQgIsmiHKQK7Wb8KbIMA369wppjhgf37rXcZy1HTKslJ6mp_RKBL843EIwQyq3gWVh7cryXXWgsZf7p_2ieKmk8lduX-dj6vuGck_CE_ftMd_gp7/s1600/photo(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3gaDlUlrkq3DhLglakrhqKHhEMkLzQgIsmiHKQK7Wb8KbIMA369wppjhgf37rXcZy1HTKslJ6mp_RKBL843EIwQyq3gWVh7cryXXWgsZf7p_2ieKmk8lduX-dj6vuGck_CE_ftMd_gp7/s320/photo(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfhAyt2acgUyIJ9tZEU-rHB-hCgO_UWY3r6j7GQIIxGhluJ_mke9wjIAXSo4gih0FAiFvle_IE3GRPhth-17Sx2ETOlpuOOrIVH97uWSP-3EYBHomJWkOTEfb3mxzVYzDQveIAUfB5eOl/s1600/photo(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfhAyt2acgUyIJ9tZEU-rHB-hCgO_UWY3r6j7GQIIxGhluJ_mke9wjIAXSo4gih0FAiFvle_IE3GRPhth-17Sx2ETOlpuOOrIVH97uWSP-3EYBHomJWkOTEfb3mxzVYzDQveIAUfB5eOl/s320/photo(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1tzXJmOzGq4B2pmKd8C_IkcmSAvkk8chC3517F3_2OL6ULZoM3UntKFgiuK8jHtit4GJm-fQcylMmm9-h-d6R6IaQzpbfmJ6YSW-q5YLh92p1KN_vjmYn53YoZKAcN1JRztmNP9SRWFF/s1600/photo(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1tzXJmOzGq4B2pmKd8C_IkcmSAvkk8chC3517F3_2OL6ULZoM3UntKFgiuK8jHtit4GJm-fQcylMmm9-h-d6R6IaQzpbfmJ6YSW-q5YLh92p1KN_vjmYn53YoZKAcN1JRztmNP9SRWFF/s320/photo(3).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-52241095641108112752013-07-08T08:01:00.002-06:002013-07-08T08:01:43.118-06:00just when things were starting to seem "normal"...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZwILfY-zlIt_Sp6V_Br5d0cXyblBWG7iZDhFkz7VTTlwzN7PeUKRq91CGSPqyJ-3lLgSSwyIBiu8-JZ7n7aA773xBxjdGz3QKtc5ggNAuh12QNhIJ4eQvrgSzlzZXR2RAFf3krzJ-jl8/s1600/IMG_02857aaaf9.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqZwILfY-zlIt_Sp6V_Br5d0cXyblBWG7iZDhFkz7VTTlwzN7PeUKRq91CGSPqyJ-3lLgSSwyIBiu8-JZ7n7aA773xBxjdGz3QKtc5ggNAuh12QNhIJ4eQvrgSzlzZXR2RAFf3krzJ-jl8/s1600/IMG_02857aaaf9.1.jpg" /></a></div>
This next month is a very important month for the people that live near us. It is different than any other month. As this time approaches it seems as though the people are really excited and yet really hesitant all at the same time. In the recent days there have been many out of town visitors to our neighbors. There has been a lot more noise in the evening including fire crackers and such...and we have been told to expect this more and more in the coming days...<br />
With all of this surrounding us I definitely feel myself tense up a little. I feel the hesitation towards feeling culture stress. According to one article I read culture stress can be defined as, "Culture stress is the stress that occurs when you change to a different
way of living in a new culture. It is what you experience as you move
beyond understanding the culture to making it your own so that you accept
the customs, becoming comfortable and at home with them. If you are trying
to become a real part of the culture, to become bicultural, you are likely
to experience culture stress as you assimilate some of the conventions to
the point that they feel natural to you."<br />
YES! That is me right now!!! I feel this tension and towards nothing in particular. Just toward things being different...and now even more different. I know this is not a wrong feeling. However, I also know that it is something that I have to trust God with 100%. As one of my all time favorite songs says, "He never said it would be easy...He only said you would never go alone!" Thankful for my personal relationship with God, thankful for friends and family who are praying for us daily, thankful for my sweet children who reminded me in their prayers tonight to just be THANKFUL even when things are not easy! God is good!!! <br />
Recently I read this, "Whenever you start to feel anxious, remind yourself that your security rests in God alone, and He is TOTALLY trustworthy. You will never be in control of your life circumstances, but you can relax and trust in His control!"<br />
<br />Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-72506367871982748192013-07-04T04:12:00.001-06:002013-07-04T04:12:41.954-06:00its all part of the learning process...About a week ago a couple girls came to our front door. Instead of knocking like I am accustomed to they stood at the door and made lots of noise until I opened the door. As I did they smiled and handed me this little blue box. Right away I noticed a paper on the top of the box with a picture on it. The girls did not say much. However, I noticed that they had a bunch of other boxes just like the one they just gave me.<br />
I quickly sent a text to a friend who has been living here for just over a year. She has been a huge help to me as she knows a lot of culture and language. She told me it was probably a baby announcement and we would be expected to visit the baby that day or the next. We also needed to bring a small gift but NOT bananas. Didn't get all the details...will have to learn more about this later. <br />
The next day I asked my neighbor and she told me which house I needed to go to and said that she had already gone to visit the baby. (I was hoping to be able to go with her so I knew what to do. oh well!) My sweet little girl who loves babies was my perfect companion. We built up our courage (ok maybe it was just me) and headed down the road. Opened the gate and approached the door. I reached out to knock and then remembered what the girls had done at my house. I made noise talking to Stella said, "HELLO"quite loud in my opinion. But the TV inside was really loud. Finally they came to the door. It was the grandma, mother, and sweet baby boy. Just over a month old. We stayed for about 15 minutes and gave them our gifts of crackers. They gave us tea, chocolates, and other treats. We talked a bit. Mostly just me trying out the few phrases I know. "This is my daughter. She is 3. Oh sorry, she is 4. Her birthday was June 22. I have a son. He is 2. Is this your only child? My older sister just had a baby, a girl." <br />
We said thank you for having us and then we headed back home. They seemed happy to have us there. I was so nervous to go. But they were so welcoming and kind. I was so thankful for my little companion...I don't think she even knows to be nervous. Next time visiting will be that much easier...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-1uivZQl0AOWDv1njw5Vni2kZznnVswRqgXil-EfQyxkDiTkDL8McD793lyjGKeypBLm5ESJzekjeD0MK1p3CqxxoIYj_AICA1Qca_p0MBRLa3wkFWgfU2Xn5HH6rlPy-41dKIu7XPOz/s612/971476_570378964846_1848358703_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-1uivZQl0AOWDv1njw5Vni2kZznnVswRqgXil-EfQyxkDiTkDL8McD793lyjGKeypBLm5ESJzekjeD0MK1p3CqxxoIYj_AICA1Qca_p0MBRLa3wkFWgfU2Xn5HH6rlPy-41dKIu7XPOz/s320/971476_570378964846_1848358703_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-80109821921344553612013-06-27T07:45:00.001-06:002013-06-27T07:45:31.124-06:00Recently we have been learning familial terms. It is fun to be able to see this is my husband, daughter, son....<br />
The most exciting thing was that today I was actually able to tell one of my new friends that my " older sister" had a baby today. A baby girl!!! I could also say that she has 4 kids now three girls and 1 boy!<br />
COMMUNICATION!!! It is things like this that keep me pushing forward to dig deeper and learn more.<br />
But it is hard...it is hard that my sister one of my best friends in the whole world just had a beautiful amazing baby girl and I am so far away. Yes, I have seen pictures and even been able to facetime a couple times. Which I am SOOO thankful for. But my heart breaks when I think that this precious baby girl could be about 4 years old the first time I really get to meet her. Just hard sometimes!!!<br />
Another hard thing happened today. We have had a hard time connecting with people on our road, especially the kids. They often run away when we come outside to play with them. Stella has turned to making them gifts and bring them toys and food to try and get them to play with her. It is so hard to watch her want to play with them so bad...but they just run away :( Today she looked at me with sad eyes and said Mom please just tell them not to run away. Tell them I want to be their friend. I said baby I wish that I could but I don't know how to speak their language. She said but you have brown skin like them so they like you...you can tell them. Oh man! Heart breaking!!! But we are making some progress with th kids and I am thankful for that. We practice our few phrases "please come in" over and over again!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw-BfhRAvFkL8jz85yr8jQDh5W9EUpQ0zUSFJrhHT10nHYjazZM5brp6Uq-McmLPIk2dlKBYNAEoTqt6RAveUzgACcgX2WUgpIwTrYcINFs0ACU7G1k_ODE2WUrfnXcLzFzs9ftR_-Xam/s700/BBZ_arbollleno2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifw-BfhRAvFkL8jz85yr8jQDh5W9EUpQ0zUSFJrhHT10nHYjazZM5brp6Uq-McmLPIk2dlKBYNAEoTqt6RAveUzgACcgX2WUgpIwTrYcINFs0ACU7G1k_ODE2WUrfnXcLzFzs9ftR_-Xam/s320/BBZ_arbollleno2.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-67494383779213242192013-06-26T05:36:00.004-06:002013-06-26T05:36:49.887-06:00Public Transportation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTTBGfjcJe22V4wit12bby1FfKZcHImMWa0pROzVeb410i8qPuQgczw8MDA430YUAG35GhoBnsNaJEAqeQsXzAdm9BxKp57TvyS-KStJ86Ta2Or3Lx3bM4VRXARgf8Et_jNsBTMe3FeJg/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTTBGfjcJe22V4wit12bby1FfKZcHImMWa0pROzVeb410i8qPuQgczw8MDA430YUAG35GhoBnsNaJEAqeQsXzAdm9BxKp57TvyS-KStJ86Ta2Or3Lx3bM4VRXARgf8Et_jNsBTMe3FeJg/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m8EMftXD7lRN6AJD1ovhmBH8LK5aPilQtKU1Bm5Tg_gwHaCKdRzGE9ioLsVwXTzN3NkJYZzNZCAXIw-0fc_wLLatdksVEo3DacK2OvY5Z6-A4axlju9qQGWwM1YUGOxe_uHy9MfPqOlK/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8m8EMftXD7lRN6AJD1ovhmBH8LK5aPilQtKU1Bm5Tg_gwHaCKdRzGE9ioLsVwXTzN3NkJYZzNZCAXIw-0fc_wLLatdksVEo3DacK2OvY5Z6-A4axlju9qQGWwM1YUGOxe_uHy9MfPqOlK/s320/IMG_1186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETbW9SGJ0uwAKHzG4ZCvUiyFO3D9Tqvrfda9VVcRz9ks7wCTlRC0NmEb3Xu2aSfPKBtHNFrMt_kduxsaNvoCwlJyxeS4FPg7CmHmQmyQzGDOzGPKYO9XmbEluYh19SsXkv7jtC3fWf2Ql/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgETbW9SGJ0uwAKHzG4ZCvUiyFO3D9Tqvrfda9VVcRz9ks7wCTlRC0NmEb3Xu2aSfPKBtHNFrMt_kduxsaNvoCwlJyxeS4FPg7CmHmQmyQzGDOzGPKYO9XmbEluYh19SsXkv7jtC3fWf2Ql/s320/IMG_0711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHjOqs_bK2X2G3sPEk8ndQktnhDT6kXub0J37iNbDMA4XzttsufOtPd4sdUe9zokin75TmS2ra4A9WCamwNmYN4gK5JOvfgyzD7kCmw4eQLpFTfALmccxgAqKxGQBfE7AYxQCnEr7oVpg/s1600/969189_10151382289981968_1342173618_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHjOqs_bK2X2G3sPEk8ndQktnhDT6kXub0J37iNbDMA4XzttsufOtPd4sdUe9zokin75TmS2ra4A9WCamwNmYN4gK5JOvfgyzD7kCmw4eQLpFTfALmccxgAqKxGQBfE7AYxQCnEr7oVpg/s320/969189_10151382289981968_1342173618_n.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
In the time we have been here we have truly grown to appreciate and even enjoy public transportation. For a mere 20 cents we can get from our home into the main part of town. The only complicated part is that they do not run after dark which is generally 5:30pm. For this reason we have also taken advantage of a horse drawn cart (a bit more expensive at $5) or a small cart driven by a man on a bike (about $1). Because we do not know much of this land or the language we have not been allowed to drive ourselves around. We have finally been here long enough that we can start driving! However, for the next month we are still limited to a small (back roads) area and not into town. Which I am definitely ok with!<br />
Today the kids and I took the van into town to look for something. We walked to the route where the number we needed would drive by. There are not specific stops by rather wherever you are they will stop and wherever you need to get off they will stop :) When we got on the van did NOT sound good. Now I am no mechanic but I do not what a car should and should not sound like. We road a short distance when an older man got on...holding his rooster. Stroking the rooster he looked at us and said the word for rooster. I just had to chuckle. H kept saying how bad it smelled. For that reason I am glad our kids do not know the language yet. As we continued along people got on and off. I long to be able to communicate with them. For now we smile and say hi!<br />
The time in town was pretty uneventful thankfully...even though we did not find what we were looking for :(<br />
Headed back home we boarded the van again. This time it was close to 5pm so it was PACKED. The kids were not happy because they were being poked and pinched and stroked (this is VERY common). The people mean it with very good intentions and the kids tolerate it well...but sometimes enough is enough.<br />
This van sounded a little better...but I soon realized that if the driver stopped to drop off or pick up someone he had a VERY hard time starting again as it would constantly stall out...he kept trying to stop on the upside of the hill..ha ha! Just a simple little adventure from our daily life...Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6494213053393160480.post-18796022571599371112013-06-24T07:13:00.002-06:002013-06-24T07:13:59.431-06:00I often find myself experiencing new and exciting things. It is fun to be able to write them down and remember them. Especially to look back and see God's faithfulness. To see how He answers my prayers often times even before I take the time to pray about things. RUSH RUSH RUSH! Anyways....all that to say I was inspired to start up my blog again. Short and sweet tid bits about our new life and pictures too of course. Thanks for reading, caring and most of all for praying for our family!Kaylahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15786758786084949543noreply@blogger.com0