School break and fun memories

Monday, June 26, 2022

No school today! I'm in meetings from 7-11 a.m. and then study. It's cleanup day all around. The house gets hard use on the weekends. Doesn't take long with good help: then it's ready for the next group.

But our friend's dog Casey reminds us to relax between efforts. She's here for the week and gets 1-2 good walks in the morning. We give her the afternoon off.

This week we celebrate the 60th anniversary of my Uncle and the most beautiful bride I'd ever seen, Auntie Edith. Happy Anniversary, you two! 

My cousin (5) and I (6) were her flower-girls. At the end of the day, my shoes were scuffed, dress was dirty, and socks were wrinkled. Mom says that my legs were a mass of bruises. Someone (moi, right) had fun! with so many new people to meet and so much to explore ... haha, this is obviously the Before picture at the studio.

Later in the day, you can see my dad peeking at me while everyone else behaves during the family photographs (below). Mom is on his right, with her parents flanking her. My brothers stand beside me in the front. 

But what makes me laugh is how politely and quietly my cousin stands compared to me. She looked just as tidy at the end of the day. Her dress, flowers, white socks and shoes were in perfect condition. I remember looking at her in 6-yr-old amazement, and thinking, "Boy, she's not like me! Did she even have fun today?" (I'm sure she did. She loved to dress up.)

Wednesday

Today is our first "date" day in ages. We drive to East Bandung to the wholesale building supply and grocery stores. This iguana is in a 28" (72cm) cage in the market. Lunch?

Closer to home, the 3-storey brick wall of a new-build house is getting its skim coat of cement. It will look sturdy over the red bricks and dirt mortar that fill in the gaps between concrete pillars. We watch the construction with trepidation and awe. Under all the nice walls are ... whatever. Wouldn't pass a building code inspection, that's certain.

Thursday

What great weather! We feel the change from rainy season in the cool nights without clouds. The trails are still wet and slippery, though dry season is coming.

Today we drive up to a parking lot - and down and back up to the starting place. At least we don't get lost on the trails this week. As always, there's a mosque near the parking lot. This one has green corrugated metal roofs.

First, we hike steep hills down to a curug (waterfall.) 

In some places you have to sit down to reach the next step of the trail. Some of it's washed away, some is just plain steep. We space ourselves - one slip and everyone slides down the hill like dominos.

Of course, what goes down must come up.

We take a long loop on rocky tea field roads and wander the paths between shrubs. 

The sun is hot but in places there is shade.

We come back to the parking lot through a twig tunnel over typically uneven stairs. After a while you don't even think about your feet - you're watching them all the time.

Afterward, we have lunch at "The Barn," a restaurant conveniently located for the impatient who can't get into Kampung Daun Resto (Leaf Village Restaurant). It's school break so things are full. We queue briefly at KDR, a complex of gazebos and traditional fare, and then head for the Barn down the street.

There's a 3" (10 cm) horned beetle under the table. Luckily it's on its back and not running for my feet. I leave it there.

If someone had brought me these tropical bug skeletons as a child, I would have jumped for joy. I already have other delights planned for our grandkids on our next trip back to Canada and the US.

The decor is a clutter of bird-ish things. We take pictures in the "cage" and snap a few of the dozens of birdhouses.

Kristi gets a picture of the 1" blue bee buzzing the begonias around our table.

Friday

Our morning walks are relaxing, with little Casey strolling with the rest. We pass neighbors wearing red Tai-Chi shirts; it must be Friday, when batik or other patriotic clothes are di rigeur.

The white bulbs bloom like lamps against a stone wall.

Read more:

*The Lord is my strength and my might, and he has become my salvation. Exodus 15:2

*May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to the place of silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Psalm 115:14-18

*But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:17-18

*Keep my commandments and live, keep my teachings as the apple of your eye. Proverbs 7:2

Mary said, “The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Luke 1:49

*Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. James 3:13

Moravian Prayer: Lord, our desire is to honor you in all we do, but we confess that we often fall short of keeping your commandments; please forgive us. Teach us to walk in faithfulness and integrity according to your word. Mighty God, strong to save, holy is your name. Amen.

Endings, a Volcano chicken, and good company

 Friday, June 24, 2022

After breakfast and a walk, W drops me at Green Gate. It's wonderful to work on the BIC balcony again. I record Monday videos through the end of July, talk on the phone, and clear out WAs and emails.

It's Kristi and my last day of language school together. Our assignment is to write about yesterday - in Indonesian. We read it aloud in class and mark our corrections. Kristi's done but I'll pick up again after a few weeks break. I need to review the terms running together in my head. Things need to simmer and settle down.

We take pictures with our teachers Maria and Rani before saying goodbye. I grab an orchid pot from the table that happens to match Kristi's new batik dress perfectly.

After class, Kristi suggests a stop at Volcano Chicken, a rotisserie chicken shop that we pass on the way home. We each bring a bird back. W and I eat outside at the tulip table. How good it feels to be outdoors after midday spent inside. The dogs are thrilled as we toss them scraps of meat.

I can't believe it's 4:00 p.m. when we're done. It's gelap (dark) outside and feels like night is about to fall.

Saturday

W and I do a couple of loops around the neighborhood. I know that it's a climb, but this elevation map surprises me. What would we do without W's gadgets and apps? (Perhaps, live a less informed life?) The lowest point is the start at our house. Looks like each loop is close to a 100' climb with a few ups and downs between. Who knew?

Is that why I was gasping for a few months after Covid last year? This morning I'm gasping at the beautiful multi-colored hedge along the lane.

The hedge is about 10' tall, a mass of yellow, green, and orange.

A masseuse messages that she'd like to come to our house today. Well why not? After a morning of writing and cleaning up, I'm happy to relax. She's been off work with carpel tunnel syndrome for over 2 years and probably needs the $15 (incl tip) for 2 hours of massage. She also gives Kristi a work-over before she heads back down the hill.

W, who has been on his Saturday appointments, brings home Chinese food. The downtown branch of Mandarin is good. It just isn't as good as the branch in Lembang up north. We sometimes stop there after the Thursday walk. Could it be that we just have more of an appetite after our walks?

It's a day of preparation of heart, mind, and spirit. Between chores, I read a book recommended in one of our feeds: The Young Visiters by Daisy Ashford. It's a 9-yr-old's hilarious romanticized view of 1890s society in England. I think I'm ready for tomorrow's challenges.

The new beta (70c) is doing fine  with the other fishes in the cylinder on my desk. He's such a pretty color. All the baby fish have disappeared though.

Sunday

It's Round Table Sunday. Today's discussion topic: suffering as a good person and follower of Jesus. At the end of the Gathering, we baptize several people in water as their confession of faith in Christ. That's always a highlight for a community of faith!

Our friend and former team member JD's back in town. We haven't seen him during the pandemic years. It's a delight to meet his girlfriend for the first time. So we take them and other friends for lunch. Venues are back open - the hill is noisy and the restaurants are full.

The rain pours down for a half-hour. We shift chairs into the non-wet areas of the terrace. Several times! It's like musical chairs with chairs moving around to prevent a soaking.

Yesterday, I chopped some bullrushes and weedy vines taking over a hedge. I lopped the top off a dracaena that was growing into the eaves. Last wee's alliums are still red. That's enough for today's simple 6' (2 meter)-tall bouquet in the new 15" pot.

Except that it's Round Tables  ... and that means 10 little arrangements for the tables. I head for the garden. The spider plants are everywhere - they go with the neighbor's blooming vine.

We come home in early afternoon to over 20 young adults on the porch. Why we live where we do? So it can become "everyone's house" as needed. We love the laughter, games, and community feeling. And we don't have to organize or clean it up! (Bonus).

Read more:

*Know then in your heart that as a parent disciplines a child so the Lord your God disciplines you. Deuteronomy 8:5

*Jesus said, “I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” John 13:15

*His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9

Moravian Prayer: God, we have often strayed from your presence, but in your infinite love and compassion, you gently lead us back to you. At times, your discipline seems harsh, but without such discipline where would we be? We thank you for the interest you have in us. Amen.

Celebrations and goodbyes

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Sidra is going home to Pakistan. She and her family drop by the porch for a goodbye. Her husband is on a military visa, along with officers from around the world. She and the children will head back tomorrow. This is the nature of overseas friendships: people come into your life, enrich it, and go home again. The networks span the world.

Sidra has been a lovely addition to our walking group, as were her kids. They'll be missed. Her husband leaves us a pewter medallion:.

"Don't forget me," Sidra says. I won't. We put the token on the memory shelves in the nook.

The kids love the dogs and had fun walking them last week.

When they leave, Gypsy is not impressed by the thunder rumbling in the distance. He finds a corner and refuses to look at us.

Kristi heads out with some international students to teach English to neighborhood youngsters. The kids learn animal names and make paper bag puppets.

Sunday, Fathers Day

Today, W's live-streaming the BIC Gathering for the first time. Ron and Faith are back for a few weeks to say goodbye and wrap up their friendships. They lived here 9 years but when the pandemic started, they were given 48 hours to leave the country. Faith has been sick most of the time back, so Ron's said their goodbyes on her behalf. We pray over them as a couple and wish them godspeed and safe travels home. They'll be missed.

This morning, Ron speaks one more time to BIC about God as Father. It's a wonderful expression of God's goodness toward the children of humanity. And his invitation is warm and inviting. Hear it here. He reminds me what a good father I had, too, though my dad's in heaven celebrating in a different way.

While the BIC kids hang out with Kristi, the teens join Sam in the BIC office. But first, every kid gives his/her dad a fun present: a multi-tool. I think I might need one of those as well!

It's my youngest brother's birthday in Germany. We call briefly and agree to disagree on politics. Our Dad drummed into us that family is family. Nothing trumps the love and care we have for each other. "Happy Birthday, Will!"

We celebrate Tota and Tetty's anniversary over lunch at Ethnic - good food but delightful company. 

When we get home, W uploads the morning livestream online to a second venue. We stroll back to the office to pick up my computer and the bag we left there. The court is full of neighborhood kids playing soccer. How great to see a training center fully utilized by the community.

To be able to walk anytime to work is an amazing blessing. Parking spots have been created along both sides of the roads. The informal parking attendants wave cars through one-way: it's too narrow to squeeze two cars between the roughly-parked vehicles. Traffic has picked up; Jakarta is back to Bandung on the weekends and most people no longer work from home during the week. We didn't miss the traffic surges during the pandemic. 

Monday

Language school from home saves us two hours of commuting and prep. So Mondays at home are a blessing. This is Kristi's last week of IEP language learning for now. I'll take a break to catch up on the words that are slipping - and then resume. We've learned enough to understand the banner along the road ...

It curses those who throw garbage at this spot. The base of the tree became a dumping ground for neighbors until that was erected.

Beside the house, the white aliums are blooming again. They have no fragrance but their glow at night is lovely.

Tuesday

We walk out to a cool and sunny day. Bandung is about 6o south of the equator so this week we have the shortest days of the year. Winter in Australia brings cooler temperatures (high 60s nights, low 80s days), with sun from 6-6 each day.

We buy chicken breasts and freeze them in the fridge freezer - there's not much else in there yet. So glad to have it up and running.

Wednesday

PakG finds us street snacks sold by vendors who walk between cars. The flat treat is a casava-rice blend that is crispy, light, and addictive. He bargains to $1.50 for all 4 in the bag.

Another favorite mentioned by language teachers is this favor of ice cream, which has boiled mung beans. It's actually pretty good for 35c. We buy some extras to share.

W and I make a trip downtown for supplies. This entry fascinates me: there are 8 steps up to the 2-storey elevator into the hardware store. On the other side of the stairway, you step down 8 steps to the Informa store.

So, to get to the long elevator for the ACE Hardware, you must take the stairs. To get to the Informa store on the same level as the road, you take 2 sets of stairs, one up then one down. There's a tiled landing between the staircases. Did they have flooding and need to build a dike? Did the architect change his mind partway? Very strange to us.

W and I have a late lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant. Labor is cheap here: someone might earn $3-$8/day at a service job. So there are many employees. We count 7 - and still have to call someone over to take our order or bring the bill. They're chatting, not looking at the customers. They make a cursory pass every 5-10 minutes. That's common, not unusual. Customer service is not a priority.

Thursday

We walk! My first walk in weeks. We're all clean when we start.

The trail is muddy. Slippery. Refreshing.

At lunch after, Sidra's husband (still on work break), zooms us in to her. We miss her already and it's good to see her smile.

In the late afternoon, W and I walk up to #NaraPark to meet Kaleb, who's transitioning to another island and other work. 

He's written a poem about his time in Bandung. How grateful we are for such young people!

The setting is beautiful. Dinner is delicious. And the company is warm. The lights are on all along the street, including at the gelato restaurant. We're not tempted. We're full!

Friday

This week, someone rehomes their new Tulip table for $35. We put it in place and confirm that it's a perfect breakfast table. "Wow, when we move, it will be a great garage sale," W says. True. But in the meantime, how useful.

After our morning walk, I head for the porch at work. It's time to make videos for the next months. After that, I take calls and study language. It's our last day and our assignment is to write about what we did yesterday - in Indonesian. Oh boy.

Earlier this week, PakG cleaned the moss at the back of the office paludarium. The moss filters the water the pump sends through the waterfall. Works great except that the back wall turns dirt-brown within a few weeks. One beta swims lazily between the rocks and plants.

I'm ready for a lazy day myself. (Wishing and dreaming)

Read more:

*For dominion belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:28

*Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want. Proverbs 11:24

*Paul said, “In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Moravian Prayer: Lord, you gave your all for humanity; teach us to give sacrificially, so that the message of hope and reconciliation can reach all peoples. Amen.