Embracing Creativity

So I made my costume, except I didn't get a full picture of it.
Green shoes, green pants (TK, I used my already-opened-gift PJ
shorts, so thanks a million!), turtle shell, face paint, turtle head
and turtle glasses! The turtle turned into Franklin... the kids say
it's a counting turtle. Anyone know who he is or have pictures of
this Franklin character?

Here we are at the end of the night. Here I am with Jennifer. She's
Wendy from Peter Pan, freckles and a teddy bear, too! Juliana ended
up going as an old Indian lady, wrinkles and all. Cyndi was a Peace/
Flower Child. Katie was Laura Ingles. Josiah was a Moroccan Arabian
Knight. Stephen was a decked out cowboy. Aidan was an army man.
Brenzie was Tinkerbell and Delaney was Cinderella. Brenda was
Kaylor, Kaylor was pregnant, and Donny was an athlete. And well,
Patrick was our driver for the night.

No apples or verses. And the candy didn't need to be x-rayed before
the kids devoured it all. And they had a lot of candy for only going
to 3 houses! It was so fun! This was my first time passing out
candy from home. And it was my first time to go to someone's door
saying "Trick -or-Treat!" Yet, I can hardly remember a year when I
didn't get dressed up!

I love creativity!

Kura-Kura

What a little costume designing can do! So after a weekend of
homesickness, I found a tangible way to embrace being here and still
loving home. We're having 9 kids come by for Trick-or-Treating
tonight! We're the first stop, and Juliana and I will follow along
to the other homes! I think there are only 3 families coming and 3
houses. But that's a pretty fun group all together! All of us
without born kids (Kaylor's pregnant) will be hosting and passing out
candy! Can you imagine, we won't run out of candy and the kids can
probably eat everything they get even before they get home.

I'll be eager to show you pictures tomorrow - I'm going to be a
turtle!!!!

homesick

somedays, just going out for coffee to talk about real stuff with certain people would simply be enough.

Coming

I came. OKAY?! I'm here! How do I know I can trust you? I entrusted Eric to you. And the first day I land, he's paralyzed from the chest down! What were you thinking? What was I thinking, entrusting him to you?! I was letting go. It wasn't bad enough that he didn't even want me afterall?! I already knew it. But then why bother holding out? And then, just when we get reconnected, he starts dating some new girl. And then we can't be friends because she's uncomfortable. And then, the week before my birthday. He gets engaged?! WTF!!?!!? Now, I'm supposed to release my fears? I was supposed to be ok with giving you my dreams? How do I know I'll be safe? How do I know that I can get through this? How do I know that you'll take care of me when I don't even know that you're taking care of others? I see others as better than me, yet I see myself as precious. So it's like others are the cupbearer. If they taste it and don't die, maybe I'll be safe enough, too. Yes, I am so selfish to think like that. Yes, I am self-indulgent. Yes, I want to be protected, safe and secure. Yes, I want to know that you will be there, that you really exist, that I'm not hoping on coincidences. Why the hell would I hope in coincidences after all of that with Eric anyways? What a miserable set of circumstances. I would rather hope in a god that sees something greater, a purpose for all of that, hopeful that something better actually is in sight...

Valley, Mountaintop, Waterfall, Swimming

What a busy Saturday morning!

Beginning with picking us up at 7:40 (we said 8), Sabrina and Rudy took us all over! Danny, their 9 year old came along beacuse their school had vacation (Traditional Indonesian schools are Monday - Saturday). They took us to their home for breakfast, then drove up the mountain for a short hike to see a beautiful valley! But we stopped short of the very top because it was so hot!

Our next stop was the waterfall. On our way up, we pulled over to see a beautiful view from the mountaintop! It was such a weird feeling. It was humid and the sun was blazing down, but in the shade, I had goose bumps because the wind was so strong! We could see the city and the swimming pool where we were later go.

We went to see a tall waterfall (air terjun). We got to walk all the way to the bottom of it. The water was soo cold (dingin!). It was so refreshing! And we saw a banana tree growing out of the rocks! We ate delicious grilled corn: sweet or spicy. I had sweet, of course!

We drove down the mountain and went swimming at the pool. Then, we ate sate - I had sate kuncing (rabbit!). It was even better than the chicken! Mind you, I think it was chicken skin and inner chicken parts, not so much just the chicken meat.

What a fun day!!!! And it's only half way through!

SMA=high school

Tonight, we had many guests over. People look at me and think that
I'm in high school. If I tell them that I finished with school, they
still ask where I am studying for college. And that is hilarious,
especially considering my 10-year high school reunion is next week!

11 of us talked about sheep and the Shepherd. We had a very
insightful conversation, including homework. We'll see how long I
can keep up with all of these conversations/studies stirring! It's
definitely stretching the core of me.

Then, Sabrina and Rudy called to stop by (That's rare. Most people
just stop by). When Jennifer described her yoga teacher, I didn't
realize exactly how rare it is to meet a go-getter, 'firecracker'
Indonesian woman! They just met on Monday, but have already invited
us to go rafting, to Bromo and Batu, and sailing to an island with
white sand... It's so exciting to meet people who are from here and
love to explore! They have 2 boys, 9 and 12. Rudy showed us pictures
on his laptop and cell phone from their last hiking trip, in the
middle of a lush garden, from various lakes and volcanoes, from Tanah
Lot in Bali. It will be an adventure tomorrow!

favorites of Liburan

Clean Floors, Slick as a Whistle

It's been hot lately. I had just walked home, so I was especially
thirsty (haus)! I was going to drink a glass of apple juice before
my language lesson with Juliana.

Our electricity went off earlier in the morning. So our helper
(pembantu) couldn't do laundry or cook. She had the whole morning to
wash dishes and mop the floors. And what a job she did! I was
wearing socks in our house with tile floors and crashed to the floor
- last cupful of juice in hand!

I landed on my knee, and it took a little while before I could move.
I was so bummed because it was the last of the juice! My knee hurt
badly, but I have learned to simply laugh in those situations.

A day later, I now have a bruise the size of my kneecap. Really
though, I'm not accident prone and klutzy. But, I have to say, these
do make for fun stories!

No Messing Around!

Here's my homework. I wrote an essay about my visit to the Pasar
Burung/Ikan - Bird and Fish market! Enjoy! (It's in Indonesian and
the photos come out backwards on Photo Booth.)

Transforming my Notebook

Ang, Thanks for my sea Turtle decal! I transformed my language study
notebook.

Today, I went with Ibu Eko to the pasar burung - bird market! I
needed force myself to more practice listening and talk with people
that I don't know. It was still tough. It all sounds like one long
word. It feels like I don't understand half of the words in every
other sentence.

But... I had a list of questions to read from. At least they could
understand my pronunciation! I felt good about that! We also saw a
few fish shops and turtle shops. Ibu Eko bought a couple fish for
Seigen because one just died yesterday.

Now, I'm off to do homework!

Birthday Lunch

I'm a huge fan of throwing parties. If I can, I like the full
ensemble: the guest list, invitations that arrive in the mail, ice-
cream cake, and party favors galore.

I got to do art with the girls for Katie's party. She's 11 and loves
art! It flew by with 17 kids! But yes, party favors, cake and ice
cream, too!

It's October, and I'm receiving free meals. My birthday isn't until
May! In Indonesia, when it's your birthday, you buy lunch for
everyone else. Today, it was beef and noodle soup (similar to won ton
noodle soup, but of course, minus won tons).

Cultural Interpretations

When the first words out of a man's mouth are, "Hi! I'm interested
in you," you kinda have to take a step back. For a man in America to
say this to a lady, it would come across as very forward. She,
positively flattered, might respond, yet taken aback. In a new
culture, you have to take even another step back and think, "What
does he really mean?" (Well, I guess you really wonder that in the
states, too!) Pam, Merro and I got a great kick out of that one,
especially when he introduces himself as "Risky."

We had a great time swimming and enjoyed eating at their #3 Chinese
restaurant for dinner. It's fun to meet people who, 1) when they
need to relax or release tension, also love to swim, 2) love jazz and
have similar music taste and 3) are free to laugh and smile a lot. I
found out that they are the 2 who started the language center where I
met Ibu Eko! It's definitely been fun.

Noah could have flown

Coming back from a village without doorknobs, let along television, I
encountered another one of those thought-provoking conversations that
I totally enjoy:

Noah could have flown. He had all of the same, necessary resources
available to him. Yet generations later, finally, two guys get
curious enough and "lucky enough" for the perfect weather. Their
plane actually went airborne. There's something fun about curiosity,
problem solving, and innovation.

When God told Noah to build the ark, I think Noah really had enough
faith that God could have told him to build a plane, or even a space
shuttle (GPS included). He still looked stupid in front of everyone
around him - why not go for light-years ahead? Yet, there's
something about being able to discover things for ourselves. There's
something about that journey, the process, the fun (and frustration)
of creating that God wants us to experience.

And so, exactly... I create.

HIV and paint brushes

If you send medical workers to an area infected with HIV and AIDS,
there's no doubt that they could take medicine and have a place, a
purpose, a dramatic affect! It would be impressive because people's
lives are being saved!

But what do you do about people who keep sleeping around, contracting
HIV or infecting others with AIDS? Maybe they didn't have it as a
child. But as they grow older, they have relationships in which,
eventually, they do.

Maybe it's then that a job like mine can change the world. So I
don't have the background to save people's lives once they've
contracted AIDS. I don't even have the education to work as an art
therapist in traumatic situations.

But to help raise up kids, who simply don't sleep around, that I can
pour my life into, that I can do. Kids who have been educated enough
to know what's out there. Kids who know that they are uniquely
valued and loved. And all I do is hang out with kids during the
after-school program, help out with art projects, and work with artists.

If even I can have this freedom, who's to say that a kid isn't
entitled to the same?

inSPiRING

These are the guys I work with at SPRING Creative Center! It's so much fun to attempt conversations with them - both in Indonesian and English. We laugh and create.

IMG_0268

Liburan!!!

Liburan (vacation/holiday) begins! I might go with Ibu Eko to visit
some of her friends in the kampung or to the alun-alun (center of
town) at 7 am to see everyone praying. Hoping I can get to go and
see what life is like here. We'll be back to the office a week from
Monday (22).

inSPiRING

So we got our new shirts!  I didn't know I was supposed to wear it
today, but I'm sure glad I did!  And I'm glad that I went into the
office today when I did -just in time for the photo shoot!

Calmer than it looks

One of my favorites so far. Of course, water and sky. Titled
"Through the Storm"

Home

Funny how I was listening to Michael Buble, and I was determined to simply enjoy the music and my place here. I was. I am. Yet deep inside, somedays, you just wonder, "What's really going on with everyone else back at home? Don't they have questions?" Because I feel like that's all I have. Well, I have opinions, too. Like: This painting still isn't finished.

Party at Pizza Hut

Celebrating Katie's 11th Birthday tonight! 

For now, just wanted to send a picture of the piece I'm handing over
to Juliana.  She actually likes my elementary, abstract art.  C;  She
actually wanted me to paint the wall in her room!  This one, I call
"The Life of Fire"

Sparklers at Ramadan

Idul Fitri begins at the end of this week. We'll have a week of
vacation beginning Friday.

Juliana got us each a pack of "Electric Sparklers". (They're usually
only sold during Ramadan.) We lit them up tonight! We could see the
tiny star shaped sparks shooting off. I could even feel tiny sparks
against my arm! But it was safe and fun! (It was a tiny version of
Fourth of July fireworks.) Reminded of you at home (many things do,
actually). And check out the fun artwork on the packaging!

Rivers of Papua

For now, from Papua, great inspiration to return to my long lost art:
oil pastels, water color and the site of rivers from the sky. It was
as if God carved out the rivers with his finger. It was affirmation
for me to continue my purest art form. Nothing very impressive in
hind sight. But the colors, the fluid movement of line, color and
water, and the process are free expression for me. I've finally
begun to paint like He's been telling me to.

Hayley and MJ

Enjoyed a delicious Indian dinner with new friends tonight. I keep
meeting more and more people that I'm simply "attracted to".
Meeting, watching, observing, interacting. Attitudes, passions,
compassion, inspiration...

I wish I knew how to communicate even better.

The second week I was here, I went to Wendy's for dinner on a Sunday
night. An Indian lady came to our table saying that they would soon
open an Indian Restaurant across the way. The restaurant opened
about a month after my arrival.

Her name is Dimple. She's lived in India, Malaysia, Singapore and Bali.

After dinner, we went back to Hayley and MJ's house. MJ's an artist.
I got to see the beginning of his studio there. They showed me a
book of art. The art is sold and artists gain exposure.
Strategizing to create scholarships for children - and to expose
their creativity.

If artists could mentor artists, if children could mentor children,
if followers could teach leaders, maybe I have a place.

So I dream of taking the art of children around the world. Because
it is in these moments of creativity that I simply sense the peace of
God's presence.
Inspired to dream a little more.

Banana Leaves Theater

In Kamur, we were again greeted royally. As I got to capture our arrival on video, I found a boy running, following our float plane all the way to the dock. And quite a distance he ran! A mass of people stood by to greet us. I wish I could have heard more of their life stories!

Our first night, we set up a sheet and watched Peace Child.

On the opposite side of the sheet, you could see the mirrored image. I still can hardly fathom that they had never watched a film before! The crowd of thousands filled both sides of the "screen," 360 degrees. Even without sound, adults and children were captivated! You could hear the buzz as the actors, now elderly, were recognized by their peers and children. Some sat in chairs, some on blankets, some on banana leaves. And some stood the entire time!

40 years later, we met Yohannes and a few of his children.

40 years later, a lady has nose piercing scars.

40 years later, a community has the beginnings of Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High, High Schools.

We played the movie twice that night and twice the next.

Sawi Sagu

The next morning, I woke up eager for the day. For breakfast, we ate Sawi "grubs" with ayam nasi goreng (chicken fried rice). Not minutes after my bowl was picked up, I began to feel sick.

Within minutes, it was really bad: stomache ache/cramps, watery eyes, sinus congestion, diarrhea, completely weak, dizzy, fever, difficulty breathing. They called the nurse; she even ran a malaria test - negative.

Finally, I was able to fall asleep.

They say it might have been my emotional reaction to finding out what "grubs" actually are: larva (aka caterpillars the width of your finger and actually the best part!) grilled in gooey, chewy, athletic-chicken-rubbery tree paste. C;

By 2:30, I woke up and felt completely better! Even better than I'd felt since our initial departure (swollen ankle and all)! The ladies were surprised by my quick recovery. They acknowledge that it was a miracle. Until our departure, people would notice that I was better. Before their very eyes, they could see that I had been miraculously healed.

I was sad to leave.

Blue Water

Hello from Papua!

My last day here, at least for this trip out. It's been amazing - yet I'm not sure how to share my experiences. For now, I'll begin with a highlight: Blue water.

My first impression of papua is abundantly beautiful! As we flew over the islands, I looked out to the ocean water. Never before had I seen such blue water in the middle of the ocean! Now I know that the people who choose crayon colors and name them MUST have seen this part of the world!

We were greeted by singers and dancers, some only wearing a cloth and headdressing (I'll send pictures as soon as I can!). They presented us with leis and escorted us directly to their cars, generously air conditioned. Our hotel was right by the water and our view spectacular. I know we were well spoiled, our arrival prepared in advance. It was there that I met Arius, Ibu Eko's (my WB language teacher) husband. What an honor to meet him. How eager I am to return to Ibu Eko. I am hopeful that she and Seigen (2 yrs. old) will find peace and great joy when they come together to live as a family! (Possibly January)

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Back from Bali, again, and Papua: Painting Inspiration

Last time, the guys from SPRING went to Bali without me. They brought back wood carved pencils as ole ole (souvenirs) for everyone. Here's my favorite, the sea turtle. This time, I visited Bali for 3 days. I brought back 3 paintings (one is pictured on my door). It was my 3rd visit since my arrival in July, and it took that long for me to find artwork I liked. Anyways, it was a perfect transition between a week in Papua and returning home...There were many highlights: meeting new friends, a brief reunion with kids at the children's home, eating at Bubba Gumps: onion rings, BBQ ribs and blueberry lemonade!, visiting Tanah Lot, enjoying the hotel bathtubs. But of the best was an hour of boogie boarding (even though I only caught one good wave). It was definitely refreshing to simply lie atop the waves! That's one of my favorite things about surfing. And this was all just on the way back from Papua! *Note: The new wood carving above my door way is from Kamur, Papua. After Christal's 2-week visit living out of a single backpack, I was challenged! You'll be impressed that I packed for 11 days in just my green, grandma bag (a.k.a. Vera Bradley) and my small backpack! Including 2 nights in the jungles of Kamur, close to the coast. We didn't know what to expect. More to come. For now, from Papua, great inspiration to return to my long lost art: oil pastels, watercolor and the site of rivers from the sky. It was as if God carved out the rivers with his finger. It was affirmation for me to continue my purest art form. It’s nothing impressive in hindsight. But the colors, the fluid movement of line, color and water, and the process are free expression for me. I've finally begun to paint like He's been telling me to.