Three days til we go to Singapore and then the next morning~ Genevieve and I begin our long journey home. We leave at 5:45 am Singapore time on Saturday April 3rd. We fly 7 plus hours to Tokyo. We have an hour or so. We fly from Tokyo to Portland~ about 10 hours and we arrive on Oregon's time Saturday April 3rd at 8:30 am. Go figure- seems like 2 1/2 hours and yet in truth it is about 18! Darn wish it was 2.
We will be sad to kiss Devin goodbye as we travel home first. He will stay here and work for 2 weeks and then join us in the States. We will miss him... especially me on this long journey again ALONE with a six year old. Thank goodness, she is a great traveler, occupied by movies, can read herself, loves music and well.....sleep will come eventually when you are traveling for 18 hours...at least a Mum can pray!

a few items

Plants make all the difference in a space. A month ago we finally went to a local nursery and bought a few for our space. Our bedroom feels alive now- all with a simple green living plant!

This is one of my favorite items we bought in Indonesia...

And this is another favorite from Central Java, Indonesia. Good thing Xerox moves us home cause we have acquired some beautiful things while traveling around...

Birthday Bliss

Today is my 42nd birthday. What a nice day. My friend, Kate, Kate's step mum, Sue and I went to get our toenails done...nothing like a pedicure with neck warmer pillow....arm and leg massage...warm foot soak....green tea.....and then the owner, Stephie went and bought me a cake! We all had a lovely slice of banana chocolate mousse cake. Yum! Never in my life have I had birthday cake while being pampered! Such a relaxing treat.

What fun with the girls...thank you!

Birthday Dinner

Devin and Genevieve~ Thank you for the lovely sushi dinner for my birthday tonight! The food was yum and the company even better. This is our favorite sushi place in JB. It is in a mall- surprise surprise. They have monthly deals and tonight was the night! During dinner Nevi got serious and said she wanted to ask a question...she said she did not want to say it to loud...I leaned in to her. She said, "what does it feel like to be a parent?" Wow....my heart. I explained that for me it is the most amazing feeling ever. That I never knew I could love as much as I do until she came from by body. I explained that it is really hard work. Hard work to love so much, to keep a child safe, comfortable, happy and secure. And that it is the best and most challenging feeling ever. Her Dad then gave his answer...he explained that the best feeling in the world to him is when Nevi lays or sits on him and let's her body completely relax into him. It makes him feel like she is safe, secure and loved...and it makes him feel the exact same way. So- that moment was the best birthday gift ever....spoken from the mouth of a babe- what does it feel like to be a parent? And she said, " I think about that alot".

Starbucks in the hood

Yup it is true- around the corner and down the street is my local shopping grocery...and inside the little mall type place is a STARBUCKS. At home I try to limit my Starbucks intake and support the local shops....but here- they know me by name- they know I'll have an iced Americano with milk.......and I LOVE them. First there is nothing like being known by name and really made to feel like a local- even though I am white skinned...and only a temporary local- non the less- these beautiful folks make me feel at home...and so does the coffee which I am addicted too:)

Our creations

My elephant
BEFORE

AFTER

Sue's traditional Malaysian horses

Kate's Camellia

batik

Well- today we brought Kate's Dad and step mum to the batik painting studio. This is Kate and Sue.

These were our final products today. Kate's, Sue's and mine~ drying in the sunshine after a nice rain.

traditional show

The show began with some music. Drums, wooden marimba type instrument and this cool bamboo pipe instrument. this woman was amazing. As she wiggled the pipes they made both a wind sound as well as a block type sound.

So- celebrations and weddings and events are usually decked out here in Malaysia. I have no idea what this is used for....perhaps wedding pictures...but WOW. Seriously- right down to the wedding car....very gaudy,elaborate, often chintzy.....wow!

The Malaysian traditional dancers~

Distracted

I have not been as disciplined about posting in the last few weeks. Sorry. I am not sure if it is because we have a new camera and I am not as familiar with it therefore taking less pictures. OR if it is that in less than 2 weeks Genevieve and I leave for our home visit to Oregon. Devin will be staying here for two weeks and then joining us on April 17th.
I have been trying to gather up as many things as possible that we no longer need here with us. For example both Devin and I brought a few jackets each.....have not worn a jacket here in Malaysia yet! I did wear one in Australia...but not such need here EVER. So those are going home. I have also spent my time preparing to be in Oregon where although it seems Spring is arriving- we do need jackets and shoes...not sandals! I just ordered Genevieve a pair of fake uggs from target and had them shipped to grandma's- cause this girl only has flip flops. I know the life, right?
Devin has been working endlessly to get our car insured...cause that will be important. I can't wait to see how hard it is for me to drive on the OTHER side now. But I also love the idea of having my own car- going where I want- when I want- ahhh independence.
As excited as I am to come home for a bit- for an infusion of friends and family- familiarity and comfort...I also see this journey as a gateway into our final months here when we return. I have very mixed feelings about our time here closing in. I appreciate our life here. I respect the work my husband does each day. I love the freedom to travel. I love hearing the prayers come echoing through the trees to remind me I live in a culture where prayer happens 5 times a day. I love the sunshine and the swimming pool. I love the spices and the choice of foods. I deeply feel grateful that while the economy is struggling...we have stepped outside of the chaos- I mean into a different type of chaos- but I am aware of how lucky we are for Devin to have a job. And me to have a practice/job to come home too. BUT the main thing that keeps us from having another year here is education. Don't even get me started on my thoughts of the Malaysian education system.....but it is not what we want for our daughter. A year of cultural education is priceless- what she has been exposed too could shape parts of her life. BUT too long in an education system that is based on rote memorization, product not process and never being encouraged to ask "why"- does not illuminate the love of learning or develop critical thinking...and well- I want more for our child. So we will come home in time for Genevieve to start school next year in the States. The other thing I know I need...is involvement. I need to be involved- with people, friends, family, organizations, schools, community, collaboration...so for me even though I think the transition back to the States will be really hard...I will welcome involvement. A level of involvement that does not reach the levels before I left the States....but just enough for fulfillment and not too much for chaos in each day. I have learned so much in our time away.
OK stay tuned for more posts as I get back into the ritual of blogging. LOVE

growing up

JUNE 2009

JANUARY 2010

Every now and again- I reflect on what this experience must be like for a six going on seven year old child. Our daughter has grown in so many ways. She has grown through struggle, change, travel, time together, exposure, culture, love and her own strong will.
This child came here because her parents made the choice to come.
I am so grateful for her flexibility, generous spirit, adventuresome nature and love.
Thank you, Genevieve.

friends

Here are the girls and above is Genevieve's bestest friend, Hannah.

Batik Painting

The other day our friends from South Africa invited us into town to a place that does batik painting. Little did I know , I had been there on my very first trip to Malaysia. But I had no idea that WE could batik paint! The girls and each Mum painted our own. It was such fun- so soothing to be creative. The canvases were all made and waxed. You chose which canvas you liked and then got to apply the dye. The girls all go to school together- so this was a great after school adventure. Brina and Ruby are from New Zealand. Charlene and Celeste are from South Africa, Hannah is from Australia and Genevieve from the States. What a dynamic group of beautiful girls!

Genevieve chose to paint the Malaysian national flower~ Hibiscus.

This is Lisa working on hers...

this is the beautiful studio- it is open aired...with many batiks hanging by the local teacher. These beautiful women helped us learn different techniques. You can be quite sure I am going back. There was nothing more relaxing than creating with color in the fresh air...it even rained this afternoon and it was cool and a pure delight!

Mee Goreng

I am still educating myself on local dishes. These are fresh Mee noodles. I sauteed red peppers, chicken, onion, mushrooms, basil, carrots and yellow squash. Garlic and ginger too. Then added oyster sauce, a bit of soy, and chili sauce. Then the noodles into the hot pan and fried it all up! A very common local dish in both Malaysia and Indonesia-Mee Goreng (fried noodles)!

light

The other evening was so beautiful with the sun setting. I am so grateful for the light. I worship the sun. I am aware each day that I live in a tropical wonderland and I do not take it for granted. This year I have escaped the gentle and consistent rains of the Pacific Northwest. As much as I miss the smell of moss, pine trees and raindrops. I am in my bliss in the sunshine~

Prabanan Temple

In the rain, we witness the majesty of this Hindu temple...yet another amazing place. How did they build these? How did they carry all the stone? Sacred space.

self portraits

Devin is great about capturing pictures of the beautiful people we meet...and he is also great about adding himself to the picture!I love these self portraits!