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!