Goodbye Sam, and movie night 2023

Monday, January 16, 2023

Fact: American M&Ms become sticky in the tropical heat. (I'm talking about being out of the fridge for 5 minutes.) I savor the taste between sips of tea; I don't want to gulp them down. There's a different formula for treats produced for tropical climates. When we can, we drag the familiar originals with us from the West.

The hoyas on the porch release their full-bodied perfume each evening. In the morning, the porch smells delightful.

After some meetings, I make a visit to the hospital. The slick tiles and wrinkles in the rubber wheelchair ramp, cut through by metal bars atop a gutter, are not confidence-inspiring. But here, people know to watch out. If they wipe out during a rainstorm when the tiles are as slippery as ice, it's their own responsibility. Plus, they're close to a doctor.

The many legs of The Porch table call me to work. I slot my feet between a set of legs to work on the computer. The set is utterly useful for movie night. W puts the Porch projector in the center round table while the other 8 tables get scattered elsewhere.

Tuesday

I don't have time for a walk. I was awake 12-4a.m. and reset the alarm for 6:30. I leave for language school at 7:30.

For lunch, Sam makes time for us at Ethnic down the hill.

On the walk back to the house, my attention is captured by this tree, which insists on growing through it's been chopped and chopped ... and chopped down some more. Every joint is bursting with new growth.

This cool "twig house" above a neighbor's garage intrigues me, especially in a country where termites abound. How do they keep it from falling apart?

Another neighbor is erecting an addition. The wall along the narrow lane is made of brick, cement, and not-too-straight wood braces. When it's done, it will look professional and strong.

In the afternoon, the IES team is hybrid (online and in person). It's Sam's last meeting in Indonesia. He starts a 4-month journey around the world tomorrow. What a blessing he's been, leading the Porch Hangout and the youth of IES. Each person shares what having him here has meant to us. And we pray over him.

I leave the Porch before 5:00, as guests are ordering supper. I wash dishes from tea, put the baking away, and heat up spaghetti leftovers from last movie night.

Wednesday

Cooking for movie night starts after a 6:00 walk. As Sam leaves, we wave a good team member goodbye with "Godspeed!" and a prayer.

I'm done cooking by 10:00 but the food labels need printing. I always post the menu on the fridge whiteboard so we don't forget a dish in the fridge. The cooking assignments are divided: I prepare meats and veggies; the helpers chop salad, bake cheese balls, cut fruit for dessert with yogurt, and cook rice. (No rice needed today since it is in the special rice bowl ordered from Free&Safe Indonesia's Bowlah pop-up.) 

Two helpers arrive at 3:00 and leave around 10:00 at night after doing the bulk of wash-up and garbage removal. (Thank GOD for helpers!)

The house needs setting up = many questions back and forth. I prefer to do that the day before but it's not always possible. To host such events, portable furniture is a must. So is a clear "runway" in and out of the kitchen. The poodle Bailey sees me standing in the kitchen door and tests it out.

Lunch is fresh spaghetti (whose sauce is too sweet for W so he's left to his own devices.) I catch a short break before a call from Europe. People start arriving at 5:30. The Porch fills up with conversation and laughter.

By 6:30, everyone is ready to circle through the kitchen to fill their plates.

We've streamlined the process and regular attendees instruct newbies on what to expect and what to do.

Even the LR nook is full of chit-chat and food.

Our January birthdays are celebrated - Hessy brings a cake for Liana (and Shibli) to enjoy - and they line up for the photo as a new memory.

Dessert comes during intermission. Jorge explains the volunteer opportunities that have sprung up around his willing heart for incarcerated and under-privileged youth, women, and children. It's amazing. (They're the ones cooking the rice bowls for our meal, too.)

We fall into bed after 11:00pm and are asleep before midnight.

Thursday

It's a walking day. Last week we had 20 walkers. Today we have 4. Typically unpredictable and nonetheless fun.

It's not a long or hard walk (under 5 km or 3 miles), but the unevenness of the trails, sliced up by motorcycles, makes it an ankle and knee workout. Trees have fallen across the trail: the area was closed a few weeks ago due to windstorms. Many branches have been cut away and tossed to the side, but trunks and bigger branches remain. It's an up and down and through and under kind of walk.

Later we eat at a new place: Bask Cafe. The views are wonderful, looking across the valley toward the eastern side of our hill. (We live on the western slope.)

Before long, our plates are empty. V reminds us of the 30% off offer with an instagram post. The cafe grants the discount to us with this shot.

Since it's a soft launch, they don't have all the kinks worked out. "No one will sit in the sun," V notes, looking at the little tables and benches not yet under cover.

Back home, I splurge on a yogurt pop after washing off the trail dust.

At night, after a few hours of sleep, the alarm rings. The trans-Pacific call is with a wonderful mastermind group. As always, they clarify the question I ask and check for peripheral issues that pop up. SO helpful. A great blessing worth getting up for.

Friday

I fall asleep before 1:00 a.m and sleep until 5:30. This weekend is Imlek or Chinese New Year. A sweet package arrives by courier from a friend. It will be steamed and enjoyed.

"If you don't have an entry, make one," say the design blogs. Yesterday's hard work by our helpers puts our entry table back in place, complete with tissue box and guest book.

W and I walk the block with the dogs and have a delayed date-breakfast at #NaraPark. I try a new dish: noodles with smashed chicken but I miss my usual fiery-spice noodles. 

That's ok. Maybe next week. Every morning, and sometimes several times a day, a sweeper works his way across the lawns and driveways to clear off needles, leaves, and garbage. Swish-swish, go the long-handled brooms (sapu lidi).

This is a review week for language learning: on Monday I get tested to advance to the next level. I look back at words and sounds of earlier classes as well as recently-acquired vocabulary. I listen on 1.5 speed (more like normal conversation). Otherwise the recordings put me to sleep.

Read more:

*I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. 2 Timothy 1:14

Moravian Prayer: Eternal Word, we are grateful that you have given us knowledge of your will for us through scripture and the Holy Spirit. We pray for the wisdom and strength to live out your will daily. Amen.