The Wondrous Waterfall…

As the extracurricular lifestyle is lacking and dismal it’s a must to seek out adventure. This weekend we conquered the famous waterfall. This wondrous waterfall can be seen high on the steep mountain from almost every angle in Tembagapura. It’s a life force that breathes heavy from the rain water from the rocky cliffs above. When the waterfall weakens we know that water restrictions will soon trickle down to town.

The five of us (us and our Pembantu), a friend and another family (joined by their mom who was visiting from Canada) ventured up a roaring dam after parking the LVs.  The rocks were massive, slick and the water was cold. We shuttled the kids and each other across the big rocks at the base of the dam. There we met a slippery-like-ice rock ledge that falls off to similar large rocks, raging water, debris and rusted rebar. This section is the most hair-raising and difficult part of the hour plus trek. We safely maneuvered the rock ledge to find a steep and narrow passage layered with ropes that went up. One would assume that up we had to go but it was straight up! The bigger kids did great and enjoyed the obstacle. Mike wrapped his arm around Mason and the two of them pulled themselves to the top of the passage. From there it was an enjoyable walk surrounded by dense jungle with the occasional fallen tree and leaves that kiss your face as you walk by.

The jungle then opened up to a gigantic boulder field -- boulders the size of ancient dinosaurs all the while the waterfall water creeps down and fills the crevasses with its life. The clear and cold water rushes down as the boulder course takes us up to the waterfall. So jumping, sliding, scooting and climbing we went, up and up.

The course is distracting whilst carefully watching where to put your feet, your hands and where your children are going but wasn’t before long that I stopped and looked up and there it was, the waterfall! It was breathtaking. It was so colossal. The kids were right up to its crystal clear pool then down they came hopping from boulder to boulder. My heart began to pound due to the wind that was being created by its force. The closer I got the harder it was to breathe. The gushing force created such wind and freezing moisture that it was literally taking my breath away!!

It was like we were in another world -- away from the little town that can smell really bad at times, the screeching buses were no more and the mischievous town kids vanished! It was peaceful and amazing! With no worries and filled with excitement we enjoyed its beauty and life and then carried it with us as we made the journey back down.    

With great friends, family and weather our adventure was amazing. Another blessing from the mountain and our opportunity to be here.

 

 

Trying not to feel lost...

It has been almost a month now since our full time live-in Pembantu has moved in with us. Again, Pembantu is a nanny/maid.
WOW! That is all I can say! Wow, as in, fabulous, uncomfortable, awesome and what a learning curve! It's been an interesting but uneventful transition so far. Getting to know each other, how we function as a family and how she will fit into all that -- we're still getting it all figured out.  She is so sweet and kind. Probably more so than any other person I have ever met.
One of the biggest challenges is how much she wants to interact with the kids, especially Mason but they just aren't warmed up quite yet. I understand she really is a stranger. She speaks very little English and I know it'll take time but it breaks my heart -- rejection sucks especially from a kid! Nonetheless, it is truly beautiful to see her hug them and wish them good morning, every morning!
The best part so far is the time I have been able to spend with Mike, Hannah and Mason. I am lucky that I don't get to say to the kids anymore "one minute. I will play with you after I load the dishwasher". Someone might say that, that is benign and stupid but it is so important to our connection and their development.
She cooks on the nights I teach yoga and walks the kids to and from school on Wednesdays so that I can focus the entire day on my school work. I am in awe of how much my stress level has gone down and I never have to ask her or mention anything as she is already there two steps ahead. She has had to scold me (not really scold) but nicely remind me that she does the dishes not me and she really, really means it. I am pretty sure it frustrates her. I am just trying to help. Oh, the learning curve!
She is FABULOUS!  
The ultimate and biggest challenge is the internal struggle of trying not to feel lost. What is my purpose and direction in life? It has already been a struggle not being able to work (which is an ailment I think I am close to being healed from) but giving up the domestic duties that were a part of my "job description" (my contribution) has been hard. It's not my personality to not participate or not help out, particularly when it comes to my family but I have to keep reminding myself that there are so many benefits (none of them physically tangible) but the payoffs are and will be worth it.
There will never be a situation like this where I can walk my kids to and from school, help out in their classrooms, teach yoga, peacefully make dinner, work on finishing my degree and all the while employ a very special person who loves us, keeps me sane and, most importantly, gets to keep her own kids on track to going to University.    
All a blessing! And I only forgot to shut the bathroom door once so far (pretty sure it won't happen again). :)

As always to be continued....

Dear Egotistical Expatriate...

Dear Egotistical Expatriate,

So some friends and girlfriends of mine were talking the other day about how rude some expats can be. My girlfriends mentioned that they avoid certain hotels as there are so many insolent expatriates. The more we talked about it the more situations seem to surface -- the rude guy or the girl at the airport, the restaurant, the hotel pool or here at the mine. These expats treat others poorly, are degrading and disrespectful especially to the non-expatriates. And I began to think oh how I pity the Egotistical Expatriate (EE) and appreciate the amusement he/she creates. I giggle because they think they are better, they think they are “someone” but truth is, their friends are few and their opposers are countless in a land that is not their own. Their carbon footprint is heavy. They leave much to be desired and a reputation of defiance and ultimate unimportance by the view of many. From the stories I have heard from friends who work at the mine the Egotistical Expatriate thinks the only people who matter are the “Big Dogs” but given enough time they will be like glass and seen right through. I am saddened by the EEs lack of respect for the balance of culture, community and professionalism. I am humored by the mockery that they ignite -- I laugh when I think about them being rude to the person who is going to serve them food! I hope that one day the obscuring shadow of the EEs own head dissipates and they can finally see the beauty of learning and teaching with an open mind. I hope they get the chance to appreciate the gorgeous smiles and view that surrounds them. There is so much beauty to be enjoyed including their own...

Crap, a toast, creepy clouds and nervous...

As it's now approaching nine months since we've moved to the jungle all the way around the world I can't help but smile and grimace. It has been wonderful but it hasn't been easy. Yes, many people do it and often but the circumstances are different -- we literally live on a secluded mountain with natives who (most) don't wear shoes, litter the streets with trash and beetle nut spit which makes town look like a murder scene (picture below), break into our houses, steal our things, the grocery store is lacking and super expensive, there aren't hardly any extracurricular activities and the only ride out of town is by a helicopter or a nasty bus (phew, I feel better). The honeymoon is over and I am at the moment of cultural and environmental exhaustion but it is still pretty radical! Everything is relative and what happens here happens everywhere -- except everywhere else has better food, outlets and you can drive to get the hell out (only joking). Mike likes to say that here your highs are higher but your lows or lower. This place is what you make it. All crap aside, it has been the best adventure ever.

Just when you think you're going to break, your friends come in and save you! This happened on Saturday when I hosted my 1st Annual Toast to Accomplishments Party. This is a long standing tradition from a friend back home and I thought it would be the perfect thing for us women here. Fifteen of us got together and shared our accomplishments from 2013 and our goals for 2014. We laughed and we cried but we came together in love and support. It was just what I needed!

So it rains here almost every day and is easily predictable. I don't get too gloomy from it and appreciate the beautiful sound it makes and the shower water it creates. I do think my body feels the deficiency from the lack of sun from time to time. I always laugh to myself when I see the clouds roll in up the mountain valley. They slowly and quietly creep in with a promise that something is going to happen -- it's an eerie sight.

All in all, we are doing well. Mike's job continues to be very dynamic and he does his best to manage the cultural and operational demands (which don't seem to be very aligned). Yoga is still my saving grace and school is good. Hannah is doing well and seems to be more of a teenager than a little girl anymore. Breaks my heart but what can you do? Mason the other night, out of nowhere, started crying and said he wanted to go home. He never seemed to be emotional until now. I do think it is good for him as this is part of his life lesson. School has started again and I think we are all looking forward to the routine and I am sure that will help Mason.

Tomorrow our live-in Pembantu (maid/nanny) starts. I haven't been this excited and nervous in a longtime. She is so very sweet. It's going to be an adjustment for everyone but she is going to be a great fit! I hope we all can learn as much as possible from her. Just never thought in a million years that I would have a live-in nanny and be a stay-at-home mom at the same time but I am going to enjoy every second and take the time to focus more on school, my kiddos and my hubby! Blessed!!!!!!!  

We are preparing for the long haul as this quarter is the longest of the school year and the kiddos tend to get a little stir-crazy after a while but we are looking forward to going to Thailand in April and then in June going HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

As always to be continued....

  

Bali hai...

We left Jogja and arrived in beautiful Bali. Bali, in my opinion, is an acquired taste. It really is beautiful and its history and culture are fascinating. The streets are chaotic, there are no rules to driving (well there may be but I am a non-witness (no different from Jogja)), the people are aggressively sweet and the temples, garudas (Google that one) and statues are breathtaking. The service industry in Indonesia and the Asian airlines leave America with much to be desired.

The hotel we stayed at was a flat line aesthetically. However, the staff, entertainment, location and food were all fabulous! It was close to the beach, shops, stores and restaurants. You won’t escape the chaos of Bali but why would you – that is part of the deal!!

For two days we strolled down to the beach, bought some cheap (semi-cold) Bintangs and jumped into the warm, fish-infested, Bali Sea. It was remarkable! The kiddos loved it. We dove for coral and dug our feet in the sand!

New Year’s Eve came and the poor, over-exerted, kiddos were out by 8:00 pm despite their wishes of staying up late. Mike and I listened to the firework booms and pouring rain while watching TLC food shows that made our mouth water – missing home and American food. We watched the ball drop at 3:00 pm on New Year’s Day, it was weird! The rain continued and we stayed in the hotel which worked out great. I got to complete my final paper for school and the kids got some, much needed, downtime.

The rain subsided and off we were again for shopping and then to the Bali Safari Zoo. The zoo was awesome but a little nerve-wrecking with their wildlife tactics. Nonetheless, it was a great day.

We were sad to go but Mikey has to go back to work (somebody has to, right?) and back to the Denpasar airport we went. I am not going to insinuate that airports are fun but some are more than others. Our 1:50 am flight (terrible time to begin with) was delayed almost 3 hours by the time we boarded and took-off. I don’t get angry very easily but when the temperature of the terminal is a blowing-cold-less-than 60 degrees Fahrenheit for over four hours, this mama was mad. Mason was shivering in his sleep and I looked at the other, anxiously waiting, passengers they were shivering too, I asked them to turn the cold air off or make it warmer and the guy just said no (not a representation of my raved customer service). So finally freezing and tired we made our way back to Timika.

Due to transportation issues we had to stay another night in Timika before getting home after 48 hours later.  

Still tired but happy to be home, we now wait another 3 months before we head to Thailand.

As always to be continued….

  

Yogyakarta, the land of ancient wonders...

It has been a several weeks and Christmas has come and gone. We started our holidays in Yogyakarta (aka Jogja), a little town in Java. (Before we left Santa came early and left a note saying he didn't want to miss us. However, he did bring our stockings as a surprise on Christmas morning).

Jogja is a remarkable little town full of ancient wonders. I say little but Jogja really isn't that little. The population is about 400 thousand people. Upon arrival, the airport was no fluff and was a relief to tackle compared to Bali. We got our (soaked) luggage, easily got a taxi and set off to the hotel. 

We arrived in Jojga on the 22nd of December. The hotel we stayed at is beautiful (Hyatt Regency Jogja). It's quietly nestled between random buildings and structures. Its exterior has a very Asian-like feel with koi ponds and bell-chiming music. Its interior has western architectural flare and deftly decorated with Christmas pieces. It has like six or seven pools that are connected by tunnels, waterfalls, bridges and a large temple that houses a slide. There is also a beautiful 9 hole golf course, tennis courts and a neat lounge. It’s a little pricy but beautiful.

On Tuesday we got a driver and headed to Prambanan. Prambanan is an area of many Hindu temples built in the 9^th century. The (short) story goes like this- a man asked for the princess’ hand in marriage. She accepted only if he built a temple of stone in one night that was adorned with 1,000 statues. He gathered a large crew and started building. The princess didn’t want to marry him and brought her own crew to destroy his progress. Despite her efforts he completed the large temple but only accomplished 999 statues. He was furious and with her acts of defiance he turned her into the last statue. There she remains with the bull, the destroyer, the protector and Ganesh the elephant. Over time the temple was surrounded by hundreds of smaller temples. Only fallen remains of the temples lay due to earthquakes. It was an amazing, magical experience for us all.

Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas dinner were nicely planned at the Hyatt. Each table had candelabras with three tiered red candles, unique red-furred fruit and ribbons. Both nights they had a children’s choir that presented us with Indonesian and western Christmas classics. I only teared up a few times wondering how much Hannah and Mason will appreciate this Christmas and how much we are missing at home (the US). All in all it was very special- a true memory made.

After Christmas we met up with a gentleman that Mike works with who lives in Jogja. His family of four met us at our hotel and forward we went to one of the largest Buddhist temples- Borobudur. Borobudur is another 9^th century temple that was buried under volcanic ash and luckily discovered. Its true story I have yet to research but it is very awe-inspiring.

The magnitude of these places is almost hard to take in. How they accomplished so much with so little leaves much to the imagination. However, at both places we were mobbed several times with people wanting to take our picture. Just too funny to me. Hannah did get too uncomfortable so we had to leave Borobudur. She said “if I hear someone say Bule’ one more time, I am going to freak.”. They don’t mean it to be rude but sometimes it’s hard to be labeled or singled out.

We enjoyed the hotel, the pool, the food but mostly we enjoyed the drives we took through Jogja. Their vein-like routes led us through dense brush areas laced with shacks, little restaurants and open spaces of rice fields. We raced alongside horse drawn carriages and mobile food stands. It is a GORGEOUS place!!  

Our trip in Jogja was over and we, once again, boarded a plane to Denpasar (Bali).

As always to be continued…

Giving thanks, a tribut to my dad and the angels on high...

The holiday season is in full bloom and with it comes an awaited excitement- THANKS BE TO GOD! So happy to feel a little seasonal and spiritual familiarity.
Thursday we celebrated our first Thanksgiving without blood relatives. I say "blood" because we celebrated with our dear friends who have become our extended family. It was a beautiful time. However, we did miss our family back home.
On Friday, we recreated another turkey meal adorned with green bean casserole, home-made mashed potatoes, pumpkin cupcakes and chicken wings for Mike's Indonesian crew members. A bunch of them came, enjoyed an all-American meal and shared their beautiful laughter with us. I tried several times to speak (and botched) Bahasa Indonesia with them and was received pretty well (I think they appreciated the effort?). It was one of those moments where I realized that we are here to teach them and they are here to teach us-- they learnt about our cultural traditions and we are always learning about theirs. An ongoing benediction in our lives.
The togetherness of friends via events is endless and this month was Movember. Movember is a charity for men's health. It focuses not only on prostate and testicular cancer awareness but mental health, as well. So the men got the opportunity to grow mustaches for the entire month as part of the fundraising efforts (there were some unique looking 'stashes, I must say). This Saturday we celebrated Movember by a night of generous donations, auction items and card-playing. It was an awesome night that brought in roughly $10,000.00 (unmatched). I not only got to help a little bit but was able to thank everyone who came to support the cause and thank our friends who put it together but I was able to share my dad's story of his battle with cancer. He is a true inspiration, beacon of strength and stronger than me on my good days. It was an awesome night. I am very proud of my dad and this community's generosity! To conclude the evening, I got to shave Mike's mustache off-- PHEW.
As I said the holiday season has really made it's appearance. We have been able to attend two Christmas concerts so far. The first was a choir and orchestra that were absolutely gifted and tonight, the kids and I joined our friends to see their daughter dance as an angel. I was so filled with emotion! The concerts brought me such humility and happiness!
Soon everyone will be leaving again for holiday and I am very excited about this week as I will get to go caroling and join the ladies for a Christmas exchange before the mass departure. However, it's these occasions that hit me hard and make me miss my family back home.
We have only 21 days until we go on our next trip and this time it will be on two separate islands in Indonesia. Christmas in Yogyakarta and New Year's in Bali. Very exciting but another milestone-- our first Christmas away from family.
As always, to be continued...