Travel tips* and jet lag

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Except for the last week in Seattle, we escaped autumn this year. HURRAH. Back in Bandung, I revel in the warmth. The sky is similarly overcast at the beginning of rainy season. But oh my body loves the +25oC (70s-80sF) temperatures.

What I don't like as much are the mosquito bites. I get bitten several times within a few minutes of applying Picaredan insect repellent. I change back to Deet. (Picaredan, along with essential oils, is useless for me). I put flea repellent on the dogs, too.

Insomnia and jet lag. It's a thing. I've been up at night for 3-4 hours the last 2 weeks. Texas time is 2 hours before Seattle time. And Bandung time is 14 hours ahead of Seattle time. The swings in the time zones muddle up the clock in my head. 

Arriving in Seattle from Indonesia is usually fine but it takes up to 2 weeks when we return to synchronize our sleep with daylight. That's jet lag for you. I applaud travelers who invest in First Class tickets as they crisscross the globe.

My pink Merrill walking shoes made it here safely, though. We're good to go.

*Sunshine. *Exercise. The *rhythm of work and food. These are proven cures. W has banged up his knee so he's staying off it as much as possible. But I walk a few 1-mile loops most days. And I putter in the garden, feed the birds and fish, and pet the dogs outside.

Today I take Juno on the walk. Little poodle Bailey darts out of the gate and is reluctant to come back in: he sits down outside in hopes of a leash of his own. "Sorry, buddy. In you go!" He's not happy with me.

Yesterday I walked all 3 dogs What a challenge. I don't let them pull on the leash so I was constantly correcting them to follow, not lead. PakG takes them on two daily walks. He's a lifesaver. Walking is vital for dogs' wellbeing.

*Unpacking on the day (or night) of our arrival is another lifesaver. There are a few things here or there to put away, but the suitcases are emptied and stored, the cabinets are full, and things are tidy. There's time to brew a cup of tea.

Ibu Siti comes to the house at 8:00 a.m. to give us *post-travel massages. That a recovery hack when we fly a long way. For 2 hours @15 USD (220IDR), she pushes out the kinks and unblocks our circulation. We started *wearing compression socks for long flights a few years ago and lost the lower-leg swelling that used to make our shoes tight and uncomfortable.

W and I work on the talk for Sunday at BIC. With a short annual stay (rather than a year of home assignment), we return to work as soon as we're home.

We have new neighbors. Several households have moved into the offices and house next door. The dogs bark as people move around and let us know when someone uses the shared gate. I keep having to jump up from my desk to tell the newcomers not to feed the dogs. The animals will be as fat as hogs if this continues.

Every day, many people come and go. The stink of untuned motorcycles waiting for the unlocking of the gate is a new thing. Our house - with cracks around hand-built windows and doors - is not sealed, so the fumes seep into the rooms. Ugh.

At lunch, I cook one package of Klöße (potato dumplings), purchased at a German deli in Spokane. It's SO good! *I let my body decide on food: so far, yogurt in the morning and one meal midday is enough.

I chop 9 flowers off their stems in the garden, pop them into matching bottles, and send them plus 2 folding tables to the hall for BIC tomorrow. The simplest solution to flower arranging when you're weary..

Sunday

Ach, that's right. Good things we're up early since we start BIC setup at 7:00 a.m. The GG office has been moved in our absence so our hall internet is unplugged. Josh P and W are good at this and figure out a temporary alternative for the livestream.

It's wonderful to be with our BIC family. Lena brings by one of her favorite books for Pastor Appreciation month (October).

Afterward on The Porch, twenty-some young people hang out, eat lunch together, and play games. There are several new faces who thank Sam for making it happen. It's a pretty special time.

DrH, Hanny, and Aaron are over for lunch. Aaron is a gifted young artist. God drops into my heart that one of the BLICK illustration marker sets we hauled from Seattle is his. That passing of resources is normal: I find things, wonder why we have them on hand, and suddenly they find an owner. I can't wait to see what he creates.

Monday

I need my morning walk, Mom and I call though it's barely 2 miles up and around the neighborhood. As I stroll out the gate with Gypsy. Juno and Bailey howl their dismay at being left behind but I'm trying the Gentle Leader collar to see if we can control Gypsy's bite reflex (when he meets other dogs and hears a certain timbre of motorcycle engine.) Sure enough, he's pulled up short when someone buzzes past. (Lucky biker.)

We pass an actor's castle-house, complete with its spotted deer inhabitants. Two are growing antlers. May have a good fight in a few months, who knows.

It's a typical Monday morning packed with calls and meetings. Other tasks include:

• Assigning chores, including today's menu.
• Editing tomorrow's team agenda.
• Exploring themes for Christmas decor at the BIC hall, sketchbook and pen in hand. I think it's going to be "Jesus the Light of the World."
• Chatting with Robin, who may know a tailor who can make 2 new purses from my travel bag, which is falling apart. If I could buy another Mossimo bag like this, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

I brought fabrics and supplies from the USA. I could sew the bags if I had the energy! But there are other things vying for attention.

I write a newsletter and catch up with the team and our household. Before I know it, the afternoon is over. Welcome to home sweet home. (Love it here.)

Read more:

*The Lord God is a sun and shield. Psalm 84:11

*Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. Isaiah 49:13

*Jesus said to the disciples, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40

*Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Moravian Prayer: Amazing God, your faithfulness is without equal in all creation! Quiet the voices in our minds that whisper doubt and fear, and instill in us the constant faith that endows courage and inspires action. In your name, we pray.

Such wondrous love and compassion abound in your presence, O Lord! Mercifully remind us today of our sacred obligation to be channels of your blessings, that the world may know you and glorify your name. Amen.

Home sweet home, in 3 countries: Canada, USA, and Indonesia

 Thursday, October 20, 2022

We wake early and are on the road to Canada before 7:00 a.m. 

It's an easy commute: our moms live just across the border. On the way, I eat Keelee McGee's vanilla cookies. So good that I have to share with W .... though I realize how much I loved him because I do. hehe

We start with a drop-by to W's mom and then drive under an hour to my hometown and Mom's house. We make calls, notably to my 92-year-old Uncle Erich in Winnipeg, whom I have loved since childhood.

Friday-Saturday

It's busy. W meets with his family most of Friday. I run +20 flights of steps a day, up and down and around at Mom's: watering plants, doing laundry, fetching tea, and cooking. We chat together in the evenings.

Generally, I'm helping Mom sort through possessions and memories ."Either you dispose of it or someone else will decide where it goes," I encourage her.

Mom harvested enormous garlic bulbs and shallots this summer. I take a few along.

I sort cookbooks, too.

My brother Norm is pretty much the rock around Mom since Dad died 2 years ago. He and I finally schedule a trip to the cemetery. (Well, his rock-star admin Sandy schedules it.) We're choosing a tombstone for Dad (and Mom when she dies). The power is down in the cemetery office so the gal advises us to come back later. "No way. It's taken us nearly 2 years to get here today."

I hand over the sketch of what we want. 

She asks the standard questions and we fill in the blanks:

• Stone or metal? Stone.
• This color or that one? This one.
• White paint or not? Paint.
• This size or that? That.
• Add engraved flowers and other "stuff"? No thanks.

It takes 7-8 minutes to sort options. Dahers aren't known for taking a long time to decide. The gal hands us a paper of additional irrelevant information. She's shocked; it's gone too quickly for her. She promises to call with a price once their artist has the mockup.

I wonder: why do the dead have the best views in Chilliwack?

Later, Mom pulls out pictures and reminds me who's who. These are her maternal grandparents, Jakob and Blondina Gross along with a cousin. We think it's Roger, who did the Schmidt family genealogy a few years ago.

Here her sister Amalia is singing with girlfriends in the late 1940s or early 50s.

My maternal grandpa Fredrich Schmidt died of lung cancer on my 13th birthday. He was a heavy smoker in his youth, before he became a follower of Jesus. Grandma was widowed once more before her third husband outlived her.

In the afternoon, Elaine and I meet downtown for coffee together. It's her 60th birthday on Monday. Can't miss that! We haven't seen each other for years but I'm honored that she makes time for me.

One of my jobs is to see that everyone who has memories of a certain "something" at Mom's gets it. I labeled things two years ago but the labels fell off. Now I take pictures and send the options to her kids and grandkids.

I do some last-minute tidying before Norm brings sushi for supper. Mom and I chat and pray together as usual. She's rallying - she was very weak and frail before our visits but seems to have gained some strength with regular meals and time to heal. Painkillers help, too.

Saturday

I cook breakfast and lunch. Do last-minute chores. We have a precious prayer time together and take selfies before W and I leave.

We're late for supper with W's family at C-Food Lovers, which has excellent fish and chips.

We get to Seattle after 8:00 p.m. We unpack before sleeping, stacking the last few things that we'll put into suitcases on Monday.

Sunday

The kids are over for a sleepover, a noisy fun occasion while their parents slip away for a date night. My parents used to do that for our kids. 

The fun starts after church. We take the kids to Costco for pizza, hot dogs, sundaes, and pop. Once a year with their parents' permission, we totally wreck their nutritious meal plan. And make sure they are stuffed to the gills.

One of our favorite stops with them is Half Price Books. The first one we go to has nothing. We drive across town to the second HPB, full of "good stuff" for the kids. By evening, we're all tired.

My mom sent candles along: red stars for the girls and green for the boys. We light the candles and turn off the lights as we read Bible stories and listen to scripture together before bedtime.

Monday

Kinsey asks for a tea after breakfast. She arranges the tea tray and carries it to the table. The antique teacups are family heirlooms. We split a muffin and chocolate cookie from Keelee's baking gift; the pieces are huge and we've just had a big meal. A taste and tea are more than enough.

Before we came from Indonesia, W found a Lego set at a garage sale. That keeps them busy for most of the day. W catches up on his computer while I clean the flat.

Kinsey asks me to transcribe a violin introduction of a song she wants to play next Easter. Good thing she has time to practice. It's full of slides and uses all the strings. Good luck, girl!

It takes me almost an hour. I can't find my staff paper notebook so W prints a few pages. It's written in half-time (eighth notes into quarters, etc.) which may be easier for a beginner to read.) It takes ages because it's played very quickly (we slow it down on YouTube), has jumpy improvisations (I listen over and over to get the notes - yay for perfect pitch), and has syncopated rhythms. Sadly, I don't have time to write out the song's entire violin part. (And I don't have time to show her the piano chord chart that will get her playing anything her ear can hear. Oh well. next year.)

W drops off 3 packages at the post office while the kids and I visit the Dollar Store (disappointingly devoid of good stuff for kids!) Once we get home, the grandkids put a sheep-skin on the concrete floor by each heater and check out books from the grandparent library. They love to read.

When their parents come back from their date, they take pics of us together. LOVE those kiddos.

After packing and weighing our suitcases, we put them by the staircase. Then we go into Bothell for supper with our beloved youngest son, a feast of tastes. We've eaten well in the USA and not lost a pound.

Tuesday - Wednesday

Timo takes us to SeaTac airport at 6:00a.m. What a good son! He fights traffic all the way home. Seattleites commute to work early in the morning. Timothy explains: "When your company allows flex time, you try to get in really early so you don't sit for an extra hour in traffic jams." Makes sense.

We are on a long flight (15:20 hours) to Singapore as we cross the dateline to Wednesday. It's our first time boarding as "old people." Somehow W bunged up his knee so it's better to board early - besides we have 2 big carry-ons each. In one of mine, I have an old brown ceramic vase I remember from childhood

Mom lets me take it along but cautions me: "You'll eventually leave behind whatever you take to Indonesia."

I know. But I'm arranging flowers in Bandung not in Seattle. A few years of joy are worth it. If I leave it in Chilliwack and something happens to her, it's gone.

We run into our friend Dr Don at the airport. He's headed east; we're flying west.

The lounge breakfast is pretty good.

Unfortunately, the Singapore Airline meals are awful. I have ordered Kosher, which is usually an improvement. The dry chicken, hard bread rolls, and mush of vegetables are a disappointment. And the staff doesn't offer water as they pass with a full tray of glasses. I flag them down a few times for something to drink.

W is in the aisle seat across from me so that we don't have to climb over anyone when we stretch our legs. There's an empty seat in the middle of my central row of 3. Joy (the Indian lady on the other side of the row) and I decide we'll share the empty seat for naps. One sleeps a few hours 2 hours then sit up to watch a movie while the next person stretches out. We alternate who lies down and snoozes. It works well though our legs are drawn up to our chest or dangling over the side of the seat.

Singapore Air rescheduled our layover from one to 13 hours in Singapore. We arrive at dinnertime and stand in line at customer service for an hour. Their staff refuses to help us out, so we use our passes to the lounge for 3 hours (max time) before booking a hotel for 6 hours: 11pm-5am. It's very expensive, but stretching out on a quiet, flat surface is priceless.

Thursday

We catch the final 1:15 flight to Jakarta at 6:30a.m. The food is better - mie sian (noodles). The attendants are quick: they serve and clean up the meal without us feeling rushed. Amazing.

The customs assistant in Jakarta is late. Fortunately he shows up after our easy pass through immigration. We see our Indonesian kids Kristi and Jojo on the curb, just long enough for a morning hug and hello.

We've just missed Darrel and Gail, who fly out of Jakarta a few hours before we arrive. They're going from Bandung to the USA, an opposite trip to us. We heard only positive reports of their interactions while we were away. What a blessing to have trustworthy friends!

The view is spectacular along the toll road, including the train trestle bridges spanning the valleys. Can you spot it? (The line across the left.)

 PakG drives the 4+ hours to Bandung (105 miles/160 km). We relax. Overloaded trucks weave in and out. It's a competition of vehicles hitting the gas and brakes. Cars and trucks cut you off then create big gaps in front of them. It's a surging flow, like all of life in Indonesia.

Then we get rear-ended by someone not paying attention in the passing lane. "Should I pull over?" Gum asks. In the rearview, we check the bumper of the car who hit us. There's not much damage and no one is hurt.

"Ah, don't bother. What good would it do?" It would be complicated to get her info, cause a traffic snarl on a busy highway, be dangerous, and slow our way home.

When she passes us in the next lane, Pak G rolls down the window and calls to her, "Hati-hati, Bu!" (Drive carefully, Mrs!)

W snaps a picture of her license plate. Will it be useful?  Repairs are generally less expensive than in the West. The guys examine the crushed bumper and pull out the damage as best they can at home.

What a relief to be home before noon. It's taken 40 hours, door to door. Our helpers prepare lunch, which W eats before he falls asleep. I'm not hungry so I don't bother. IbuS has clipped flowers from the garden. She's getting good at arranging them!

When I open the luggage, TSA has done their usual vandalism in our suitcases. This time, someone has opened the TJ Peanut Butter cup box and scattered the chocolate all through the suitcase. It's a partly-melted mess in the tropical heat.

American TSA workers have a reputation for malicious damage, even though they're getting $20/hour to handle baggage. Whatever you do, NEVER put "Fragile" on a package you are checking in. That' guarantees extra throwing and maybe a stomping or two. I'm ashamed of them.

We never knows what TSA will ruin. One year they opened a big Costco bag of baking soda and let it drift through the clothing. Luckily, there's minor damage this trip. The Christmas ornaments have been scattered between things. Some are broken.

While W snoozes, it takes me 5 hours to unpack. When I'm done, the decor for Advent bags are set aside for BIC. Art supplies and greeting cards sit in my office desk. Food is in the kitchen. Tea goes in the cabinet. Updated makeup lands in the bathroom. Clothes and shoes are put away. Feels good.

It's 2a.m. Thursday in Vancouver and 4:00pm Friday in Bandung by the time the suitcases are empty. The helpers take them upstairs.

Juno the labradoodle has settled in while we've been gone. She's gorgeous as her tight shave grows out (accidentally cut SO short by the groomers while I was in a meeting.) I can't stop stroking her soft coat. The rest of the dogs are happy to see us, too.

Home sweet home. There's nowhere like it.

Read more:

*Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

*Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Moravian Prayer: Covenant-keeping God, where you have remained faithful, we have often proved faithless; where you have been steadfast, we have often looked for a way out of serving you. In your mercy, forgive us and help us once more. Amen.

Farewell Texas, hello Canada

Monday, October 17, 2022

Today's our last full day, so we check off things on the DIY/To-Do list. W has had two supervisors as he hangs pictures, removes squeaks from hinges, cleans the dishwater filter, and inspects plumbing valves. He confirms that the irrigation is working outside. Inside, he and I lift up the mattress so K and I can straighten a bedskirt. He's all-around handy! And K's house is cute.

Even the utility room gets a makeover with K's travel pictures and Grandma's tourist spoons. They represent every continent but Antarctica. It's fun to remember where the Daher family has traveled as I polish them.

It takes a while to get the lengths and heights just right. K has periodic tea parties so these spoons are both pretty and useful.

Similar additions grace the bedroom. On Saturday, we had a blank wall with frames scattered on the bed! 

We get almost done but something's missing.

Kirsten finds one more picture she loves. Once it's hung, the corner is set. One of my art teachers told us, "You'll get to know when it's finished. Then don't do any more." We agree. It's done.

I love the tumbleweed chandelier K designed. The plant was a rolling advertisement for an Austin company. Over 10 years ago, they spray-painted tumbleweeds in various colors and released them at SBS (South By Southwest , an annual media festival.) She has always had the knack of knowing fashion and decor before designers make them a "thing." Same with this cloud light.

K snagged a bare tumbleweed and stored it until she moved into her house last year. She poked wool roving through the yellow tumbleweed to cover the builders-grade 3-bulb chandelier.

Another DIY is bleaching and coloring her hair ... the bleaching gives her tortoise-shell marbling that is awful. Oh oh!

But the final color is lovely.

W and I get a final COVID booster at HEB. The guy giving the shots is gentle, quick, and friendly. We buy tea, some snacks for the flight home, and Salvadoran sour cream. The sour cream is delicious on our Indian-style supper.

We have eaten well in Austin. It's known for its great food and the variety of cooking. And our daughter Kirsten is a foodie. What's not to love?

Tuesday

It's a short night but we pack up easily. Cramming a week into a suitcase doesn't take long. W and I eat Noosa peach yogurt (our favorite here) for breakfast. It's creamy and easy on the stomach.

We wash a few loads of laundry, remake the bed, and hang out together.

So many roads in Austin! The freeways and cross-over are staggering.

After goodbyes, W and I fly back up to Seattle to sleep in our sofa-bed.

Wednesday

We have one day left for errands and packing suitcases for travel to Indonesia next week. Oh oh - I have too much stuff?! I send a call out to friends: does anyone have an extra suitcase lying around? 

Neal messages us: "Pick one from Amazon - and I'll have it sent to you." It arrives Friday, the right size AND a bright orange. It's easy to spot on the luggage carrousel, too. Thank you, Neal!

Dinner is with friends and partners. We talk and pray about our challenges - each age brings its own season and not all of the changes are invited. What a joy it is to share our hearts. Tomorrow morning we're off to Canada.

Read more:

*(Jesus said to Nicodemus:) "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:14-18

Prayer:

Save us, oh God. We ADMIT we cannot save ourselves. Thank you for sending Jesus to live among us to show us your kindness and love. Than you that he paid the penalty for our sins. We BELIEVE that your solution is enough - we don't have to win your favor or try to get your attention. You see us, know us, and still love us. We COMMIT to living for you - to being your people, to living in your family. Thank you for caring for us. AMEN