Singapore farewell and a new companion

Wednesday, August 24, 2022 - in Singapore

"What are you doing after this?" people ask each other. 

Often the other person shrugs. S/he don't know because s/he is living in the day, like the garden roses that snap off when I try to wind the long stem around the trellis. They bloom one day at a time.

I try to limit planning ahead. I naturally live in the question: "What comes after this?" My challenge is to stay in the present.

On my radar? 2 trips before Christmas. And, what about Advent? I'm planning next year's calendar, feeling like it's high time to outline BIC Talks for the coming year. (It not too early: it's already August, right?) I'm also writing a Lenten study for next year.

Today though, W and I enjoy pics of the grandkids in hats made by a family friend. Aren't they cute? Yay for technology that lets us stay connected.

This morning, it feels like our Singapore adventures are almost past: we have 3 days, including today and a travel day (Friday). Then we'll be home. I'm fascinated by the unique plants here. I like this huge tree with fronds of tiny leaves. Each branch is soft perfection.

I'll miss the views out the hotel window.

A dozen herons flew around the trees on the coast each morning.

The ever-changing sky was energizing.

W's off to class early and I have my alarm set to make sure I'm not late for a ride on the SMRT (city train) to meet a friend. Sumathi and I first met in Cambridge while our husbands were researching at the Tyndale House Library. We went to lunch concerts and the same church. Our kids were in youth group together.

W and I went back to Seattle while she and Augustine went to Singapore. We visited there when W and I would teach in the summer. Then they moved to Indonesia. They relocated again in Indonesia. So that when we moved to Indonesia, we were living in the same city. When her husband Augustine passed away, she moved away. We send occasional texts.

Today we get to meet again. I hop the train to a central station. It takes us a while to find each other, but we do. It's fun to catch up over lunch.

Earlier this week, we ate with a young couple first met in our Singapore classrooms. It's good to see our students start families of their own.

Thursday

We pack up, ready to go home tomorrow. While W teaches, the morning flies by (meetings, calls, writing). Suddenly it's 1:00. I have had tea but no food. I think, "Ah, W will be back soon," and don't bother eating.

About 3:00 W comes back and we walk over to the mall next door. We enjoy some ok Thai food. This trip we've had a few food miss-es, other than food we've eaten with others and a wonderful hawker stall in Chinatown. 

In other ways, the trip has met every expectation. From scenes of nature to historic buildings, spending time in good company, the joy of teaching for Waldemar ... and for me, days of writing and rest, it's been a much-needed change of pace.

Friday

I head to the seminary with W in the morning. At 10:00, the class walks to a food court for brunch (parata and curry sauce). The food is waiting for us when we get to the little restaurant. The suitcases are in the car, so we head to the airport right after.

Of course Changi Airport is clean and interesting, a destination in itself. There's a long open-topped aquarium in one seating area.

Orchid gardens.

Water lily ponds.

Directions to a swimming pool ...

The 1 1/2-hr flight to Jakarta is smooth and efficient, Singapore style. We arrive in Jakarta to a long immigration line. Ours is labeled "all passports" and "visa holders," and is of course the slowest line. 

There's a stream of locals next to us. Indonesians like to coordinate outfits for weddings, trips, clubs, etc. Since clothing is cheap to sew here, many groups show up in matching dresses, trousers, shirts, and headwear. It makes it easy to find "your people" in a place where hair and eye color is the same.

W books a shuttle to Bandung after we're through immigration. (You never know when your flight arrives nowadays.) He's given our driver the day off. There's a costumed group marching up and down outside the terminal. Their trousers, socks, and shoes remind me of the Vatican guard in Rome.

We have to wait 2 1/2 hours for shuttle pickup - by which time Jakarta rush hour has begun. The driver cautiously negotiates his way out of the city with buses, cars, and trucks passing us on every side. By the time we reach the city limits, we're in full-blown Friday traffic.

Sometimes the driver scoots on the shoulder and then swerves back into the marked lanes, especially if there's someone parked on the shoulder ahead. He weaves in and out of traffic, and ... well, it's the "shuttle of terror" for me. Feels like a miracle to arrive safely at the terminal.

We get to Bandung by 10:30 pm, more than 6 hrs after pickup at the airport. Bandung is about 100 miles SE of Jakarta airport. Are we exhausted? Yes.

A fellow sufferer insists on bringing us home in his vehicle (his wife comes to pick him up at the shuttle terminal) and we're in the door before 11:00 p.m. Gypsy and Bailey are sleeping in their usual places. They jump around to greet us.

Our new retiree, an A1 Labradoodle, is on the porch. She was warmly welcomed by Melvi. When we show up in the middle of the night, we're strangers. She runs away and we can't catch her - but we look out of the window after a few minutes. She settles into sleep on the porch in her late mother Cocoa's spot. Aawww.

We unpack, put dirty laundry in the hamper, and carry items to where they belong. (I hate waking up to a mess in the morning.) Sweet sleep after 11:30.

Saturday - home sweet home

Tired. Both of us. That shuttle ride did us in. Bailey has been brushed into a fluffy lamb coat by Melvi - and comes prancing over when I walk outside to check out our porch.

J's not coming near us for anything. Every time we call and walk toward her she backs away.

Oh! hey, her owner said she loves walks. We rattle the leash and call "Let's go for a walk," and she shows up right away. Her tail is down, she's obviously tired. Poor girl is a long way from home after 2.5 days in a pet taxi ... 

W and 2 helpers set up the hall for tomorrow's BIC Round Table (discussion groups during the talk) while I make set the house in order. Our bare feet are dirty - will have to steam-clean the floors again. A quick sweep and mop just moves dirt around the cracks in the stone tiles.

Sunday

It's such a blessing to meet with the BIC community. It's a smaller group this morning; some regulars are sick, while others are traveling.

The office paludarium has been cleaned and disassembled. (It's now at home. Thanks, PakG!) I swing the office furniture into a simpler arrangement.

We enjoy good company around the lunch table at Maxis.

Monday

Meetings. A dissertation consultation after lunch. Friends come for supper and stay overnight. Our new doggie is settling in nicely with 3 walks a day ... her happy spot is on a leash.

When not walking, she waits outside our entry, always hopeful.

Tuesday

It's my first work-day in the office in a while. Ok ok, the dogs are giving me a death stare as I put on my sandals. I take J along to the office so she gets to know the places we hang out.

When I drop the leash at the office door, that's where she lies down to wait. When PakG walks the others, he comes to pick her up.

I wipe off the outside table and chairs before dropping into a seat on the BIC terrace. Some plants have suffered in my absence. The neighbor's banana trees form a green-walled canopy.

A sharp-nosed squirrel with a thin tail dashes between the leaves. It looks more rat than squirrel. ugh See the bananas growing as the flower unfolds?

Before I know it, it's time for the BIC team meeting. It's great to catch up, pray together, share work, and have warm camaraderie.

Read more:

*Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:1-6

*I call upon God, and the Lord will save me. Psalm 55:16

*On him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again, as you also join in helping us by your prayers. 2 Corinthians 1:10-11

Moravian Prayer: Saving God, we call upon you this day, relying on your power to uphold us and strengthen us. Remind us that, as we pray, we are not alone; our brothers and sisters around the world pray with us and for us. Amen.

Hedgehogs and the best food in the world

 Saturday, August 13, 2022

The swish-swish of the broom scrapes the driveway as the night's leaves are swept away. As I'm packing, I check the shelves in the LR nook. They have filled up with personal treasures. I browse to see if there's a book I want to re-read on our trip.

It was my "best uncle" Erich's birthday last week. At 92, he looks amazing. He still makes his own meals and he's a fabulous cook! Luckily, my mom keeps us connected. He can't hear my voice anymore.

At BIC tomorrow, we'll celebrate God's goodness toward people of all nations and affirm the privilege of living in Indonesia. Set-up doesn't take long.

There will be bracelets to bead (leftovers from 6 years ago, when someone came with a suitcase full of crafts). We'll paint batik and other regional patterns, color flags and draw traditions from home, and make cards to give away. 

We set up the crafts first thing, then meander down the street for breakfast at #NaraPark with our Indonesian kids and grandkids from Jakarta. We hardly see them but each time is a treat. Their girls have grown so much! Nara is a good place for kids to play with the tortoises, pet the hedgehogs, and run on the lawns.

Sunday - International Day/Art Sunday

The leaves are blowing off the trees (as they do twice a year) so it feels and looks like autumn.

I love the annual art Sunday. where people do art while W and I speak. We celebrate our diversity as an international faith community and our common love for God and each other.

W and I catch a shuttle to the Jakarta airport shortly after. There are no international flights from Bandung at this point. The shuttle ride is hair-raising as usual so I read on my phone most of the way.

Meanwhile, a bunch of young adults hangs out on our porch.

Monday

After a night in the Jakarta airport hotel, we check our luggage and have breakfast. Look at the mural of wayang puppets on the wall.

A Muslim group dressed in matching outfits for men and women is headed to the Haj in Saudi Arabia. I'm trying to imagine a Western group dressed alike - maybe matching T-shirts are the uniform of choice?

We're in Singapore for the week. We have a few things to accomplish, besides W teaching a university class. I finish up an online art class - hardly a burden - 

Mostly I have to finish some writing projects. My biggest challenge is writing a 30-Days to Encounter Faith devotional.

Singapore is our destination. It's a unique city-country that values diversity. For example, you can't buy a flat in public housing if the quota of Indian, Malay, and Chinese families is skewed. You have to wait until that missing culture catches up in home buying there ... and then your culture can buy a home.

Everywhere, the eye lands on beauty, natural or created.

You can get to any suburb on the SMRT (city trains). They're clean and quick. To get closer to your neighborhood destination, you hop one of a constant chain of buses.

Saturday

I admire the view behind the reception desk. 

Outside, the monkeys are gallivanting on the hotel rooftop.

We check out - we're off on our 2 feet to a downtown hotel. We'll spend one night there until our hotel has room again. We leave the suitcases  with the hotel while W schleps a heavy load of computers and gear along to the new place.

The room is basic, minimalistic, and clean. The view is more typical for Singapore,  concrete just outside the window. The noise level (we'e across from a fire station) makes me appreciate my construction-rated earplugs.

We walk maybe a mile to Chinatown (a historic district) where it drips and pours. As usual, I have a poncho along and W hauls out his umbrella.

W stands in line for Michelin-Rated food at a hawker stall. We choose the longest lines to find the best food. Singapore has cut-throat competition in food, whether in restaurants and hawker stalls.

It's definitely worth the wait. My spicy noodles and shared spicy dumplings are exquisite.

Parts of the old Chinatown remain. Many hawker stalls and shops we remember have closed during the pandemic.

I treat myself to a stop in a huge bookstore. Oh! so many books in English and other languages. There are whole rooms of novels, plus books on spirituality, history, decor, travel, culture, and children's interests. I don't even get to them.

I'm headed straight for stationary supplies. W's waiting outside so I'm in a hurry. Shopping with someone else is not the same as meandering alone, is it? Still, it's a little slice of heaven.

There are queues outside the luxury stores. Perhaps they have a quota for customers. Singaporeans are accustomed to standing in line for anything worthwhile.

5-Guys Burgers (a splurge while when we're walking and famished) has its own Singaporean touches. You get napkins (unusual for here) but also can use the gloves provided so your hands - and food - don't get dirty.

Every day the skies are interesting and the view is new.

One afternoon, our quick trip to IKEA ends up being miles and miles of walking in midday heat. We detour around a developing neighborhood, which adds a mile or so. 

Waiting a half-hour for a taxi after ("I'm not walking home!"), we meet a couple who are pastors in the city. They know people we know. There are brothers and sisters of faith everywhere.

The most common national bird seems to be the crane (though we spot 11 herons in the trees near the hotel. Their wingspan is up to 2 meters.)

Politeness is encouraged even on recreational sties. 

The garbage is picked up by a one-person truck with a vacuum attached.

The parks are pristine.

We are delighted to meet up with Mimi and CK, friends for over 20 years. They know just where to eat - the food is fabulous, as is the company. We prayed over them years ago ... and they show us pictures of their twins, now 11 years old.

Monday - Week 2

It's a day off for both of us. We meet friends for supper. Usually we stroll from the SMRT terminal to the hotel but they drop us at the lobby.

Singapore has maintained  heritage land. Gardeners plant parks or green spaces everywhere possible. The nearby mangrove forest is a leftover from the original topography. We walk the absolutely level boardwalk over the swamps.

We spot 2 water monitors (lizards 1-2 meters long - see the one below?) We encounter a long thin green snake on the path (which slithers back into the trees alongside the walking path). We also spot a variety of snails - some up to 6" long and watch the pencil-thin fish compete for bugs on the water surface. 

It's restful after the bustle of the city.

There are chickens wandering around. Look out for wildlife predators, you clucks.

There's beauty from morning until night.

Tuesday

While W works, I write newsletters, the book, and a blog. Our friend Lizzie sends pictures of her retiree, coming our way this weekend. Happy girl! Judi's the daughter of Cocoa (who we lost on our hike a few months ago.)

Kathleen, the uni registrar, takes us for Chinese food. Oh ... Singaporeans know what's good. The flight attendants may have to roll us off the plane when we go home!

Read more:

*My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

*I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

*Paul wrote: I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. 2 Timothy 1:12

Moravian Prayer: God of strength and comfort, we rely upon your steadfast love as a shelter to hide in when life is overwhelming, and as our motivation for the tasks of the day. Thank you for your wondrous grace. 

Life-giving Creator, may we be deeply rooted in your love, growing in your grace, and yielding fruit of the Spirit for a world hungry to know your love and acceptance. Amen.