****Since I wrote this post I have really been contemplating what I said in it. The Holy Spirit would not let me forget what I wrote in here. I have to apologize, because I have lots of girlfriends in the States that are housewives. I think this post downplayed the very important role that they play. There are also certain conveniences that we have here in Indonesia that housewives in America don't have. The biggest (and most helpful) is a househelper. We call them "pembantu". For us, our helper comes three times a week. She does all of our laundry, hangs it out on the line to dry (we don't have dryers), irons everything, and cleans the house. This makes it easier for us, because it frees up alot of time for other things- like cooking. When I think about my friends in America and what their life is like, I get tired! They work so hard. Washing clothes, folding clothes, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, cooking, taking care of babies, being actively involved with church events or other events, and still finding time to go for a run or a trip to the gym- sometimes all in one day! So, I am sorry because I don't think what I wanted to say came across clearly. No one told me that they were upset with anything, but I just know that if I were living in the States and I read that, I would be offended. I think you're super, and you work hard- much harder than I do. So please read the following, but extending lots of grace to me. Thanks, Amber****
Housewives in America have it sooooooooooo easy compared to housewives here. Now, don't get me wrong, that job is hard anywhere in the world. What I am saying is that Americans have more "convienences" than some other parts of the world.
Take for example, Wal-Mart. I never really appreciated that store and others like it until I moved here. Now I play games with my friends like the "What one item would you buy from Wal-Mart?" game. At Wal-Mart you can buy pre-packaged, pre-cooked food. Amazing. Pop it in an electric oven (oh yeah, what's that? everyone uses gas ovens here)and presto! You have a fancy Italian meal that only took you 20 minutes! Man, I miss those days! Want a whole cooked chicken? No problemo! Just head to Wal-Mart's deli section and pick one up. Want some mashed potatoes on the side? Tidak apa-apa (no problem) just buy some at the deli or pick up an instant potato package.
That is the life I am used to. That is the life I grew up in.
Transition to now. Wal-Mart? What's that? Instant? What does that mean? We have instant milk and instant noodles (like Ramen, but the flavors are much better). So I am learning to cook from scratch. That should be the title of a cookbook (it probably is somewhere). It should tell you how to cook everything worth eating in easy steps and without breaking a sweat! That would be A M A Z I N G!
So, do you cook from scratch? What are you favorite recipes that don't involve a "can of whatever" or a pre-made package of whatever? Please pass it on! Any tricks that you have? Any cookbooks that you suggest?
The adventure of becoming domesticated is hard, I'm not going to lie. I'm always trying to find "short-cuts" or "the easy way out". It's hard to have a hot meal prepared and on the table for dinner. We don't even have kids yet! So hats off to you moms that work hard everyday to put a hot meal on your table!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
T I I.
T I I = This is Indonesia
*Have you ever lived in a place where you take atleast 2 showers a day, just to escape the heat? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where the family dog runs around with about 5 other dogs that hang out in your yard and bring trash into your yard? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived next door to a soccer stadium and across the street from a place where everyone dumps their trash? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever been bit by one mosquito about 18 different times on one leg? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived with people who's teeth are always red because they chew beetlenut? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where the ratio of motorbikes to people is equal or more than equal? We have... or we think we have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where you can hear the local church congregation singing at the top of their lungs while it echoes through the streets? We have.T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where you can look at the face of a child that you don't know and get a smile? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where you meet a stranger and are instantly part of the family? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where normal things take twice as long? We have. TII.
***Have you ever lived a place that's far away from your real home, but all these things that make this place unique is slowly making this new place become your home?
We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where you take atleast 2 showers a day, just to escape the heat? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where the family dog runs around with about 5 other dogs that hang out in your yard and bring trash into your yard? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived next door to a soccer stadium and across the street from a place where everyone dumps their trash? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever been bit by one mosquito about 18 different times on one leg? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived with people who's teeth are always red because they chew beetlenut? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where the ratio of motorbikes to people is equal or more than equal? We have... or we think we have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where you can hear the local church congregation singing at the top of their lungs while it echoes through the streets? We have.T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where you can look at the face of a child that you don't know and get a smile? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where you meet a stranger and are instantly part of the family? We have. T I I.
*Have you ever lived in a place where normal things take twice as long? We have. TII.
***Have you ever lived a place that's far away from your real home, but all these things that make this place unique is slowly making this new place become your home?
We have. T I I.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Water Aerobics Make Me Feel At Home
Today begins the second official week of living in Sentani.We moved from the blue island to the orange island. We live right on the border of Indonesia and PNG. This past week we met alot of different families. They really made us feel welcomed. Saturday night they showed a movie up at the international school. It was just a relaxing time.
On Sunday, we went to the international church. We were so used to going to an Indonesian church that we showed up late! Showing up late in a national church really means showing up on time. The believers shared in remembering the Lord's supper. This was special for us, because it was our first time in Indonesia.
We got an email about our things we shipped from the blue island to the orange island. It basically said, " Your stuff has been shipped, but we apologize because there might be a chance your stuff didn't make the boat. If it did make the boat, your stuff might be there tomorrow. If it didn't make the boat, your stuff will be there May 4 or 5." Interesting, huh? Life is a little different here. Patience is a life lesson here. Everyday is the classroom.
Today I went to the pool and did water aerobics- me and five other ladies. I was definately the youngest there. I might have been the only one not wearing a swimsuit with a skirt on it. It was lots of fun! I didn't know how much work it would actually be. Let me tell you, it's a lot harder than it looks. It was a nice way to get some exercise in and cool off at the same time. It was a nice pool, and I haven't been swimming in a long time. The pools on the blue island aren't heated so normally they are freeeeeeeeezing! The pool on the orange island is heated by the sun, so the water was sooooo nice.
While we were there these clowns showed up.
Just kidding! They weren't there :)
This is what it looked like:
Just imagine me in the very back row trying to figure out what is going on! It was easy to catch on to and lots of fun :) Maybe I'll go again on Thursday.
Friday, April 3, 2009
what a week!
When I last wrote, we were relaxing in KL. Here's a quick update to bring you up to speed on us.
-Caught our plane from KL to Jakarta that was delayed 2 hours. Our neighbors were meeting us at the airport to drop the cat off.
-Checked in for our flight from Jakarta to Papua, and say goodbye to the cat.
-After a looooooooong and cramped flight, we arrived. Lots of families met us at the airport. It was great and really made us feel apart of the team.
We got our luggage, but something was missing... the cat. The cat got stuck in Makassar, which is where we switched planes at 2:30 AM. So we unloaded our things and went on with the day.
**Sad story following**
The cat arrived on Monday morning. Josh came home with him. We let him out, and he sniffed around. Our neighbor came to tell us we had to take him to the animal quaratine office at the airport. So we all loaded up and headed for the airport. After a quick (but confusing) conversation, we were given the option of sending the cat back to Jakarta or putting him down. There would be no one in Jakarta to pick him up. I started crying. I felt really bad knowing that this cat trusted us, and well you know... So Josh took me home, and I grieved all day. The next day was better, because it was already finished. It's sad. We had everything in order, but this province has special rules that other parts of Indonesia don't have to follow. They are rabies free, and will not allow animals that have been vaccinated or exposed to it. That cat was both.
**Sad story finished**
Today we were welcomed by a stomach bug. We both were welcomed at the same time. So we spent today in bed recovering and sleeping. That's just one of the ways a new place says "welcome, glad you're here." it's also a way that the enemy can discourage us and get us down. Please pray that this will go away, our appetites will return, and we can get back to the norm.
It's also VERY hot here. Bandung was comfortable, Papua is sooooo humid. My skin is not reacting very well. I have a rash that is red and scratchy on my arms, neck, chest, legs, and hands. I've started some new meds, and today was better. Pray for our adjustments here.
Thanks for following this. Sometimes the news is good, sometimes it's sad, and sometimes it's bad. This was a mix. Life is a journey with ups and downs, and we're lucky to have you come along on our's.
-J&A
-Caught our plane from KL to Jakarta that was delayed 2 hours. Our neighbors were meeting us at the airport to drop the cat off.
-Checked in for our flight from Jakarta to Papua, and say goodbye to the cat.
-After a looooooooong and cramped flight, we arrived. Lots of families met us at the airport. It was great and really made us feel apart of the team.
We got our luggage, but something was missing... the cat. The cat got stuck in Makassar, which is where we switched planes at 2:30 AM. So we unloaded our things and went on with the day.
**Sad story following**
The cat arrived on Monday morning. Josh came home with him. We let him out, and he sniffed around. Our neighbor came to tell us we had to take him to the animal quaratine office at the airport. So we all loaded up and headed for the airport. After a quick (but confusing) conversation, we were given the option of sending the cat back to Jakarta or putting him down. There would be no one in Jakarta to pick him up. I started crying. I felt really bad knowing that this cat trusted us, and well you know... So Josh took me home, and I grieved all day. The next day was better, because it was already finished. It's sad. We had everything in order, but this province has special rules that other parts of Indonesia don't have to follow. They are rabies free, and will not allow animals that have been vaccinated or exposed to it. That cat was both.
**Sad story finished**
Today we were welcomed by a stomach bug. We both were welcomed at the same time. So we spent today in bed recovering and sleeping. That's just one of the ways a new place says "welcome, glad you're here." it's also a way that the enemy can discourage us and get us down. Please pray that this will go away, our appetites will return, and we can get back to the norm.
It's also VERY hot here. Bandung was comfortable, Papua is sooooo humid. My skin is not reacting very well. I have a rash that is red and scratchy on my arms, neck, chest, legs, and hands. I've started some new meds, and today was better. Pray for our adjustments here.
Thanks for following this. Sometimes the news is good, sometimes it's sad, and sometimes it's bad. This was a mix. Life is a journey with ups and downs, and we're lucky to have you come along on our's.
-J&A
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