Trying New Things

Living overseas brings us many opportunities to try new things.  New forms of transportation, new styles of clothing, and new food for example.  Though we have experienced many great new things and even incorporated some into our lives, it can still be risky. 

I, Erin, am always looking for suitable substitutions for ingredients I am accustomed to cooking with, yet cannot find here in Barat, even more so during the holiday season.  Much of the cooking or baking I do simply requires ingredients I must prepare from scratch.  For example,  I have had success making gingerbread cookies, though molasses isn't available and I have to grind my own ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.  Melted palm sugar makes a very acceptable molasses substitute.    

Whitman measuring ingredients for Gingerbread Men

Caedmon reading the instructions and patiently waiting to cut out cookies

 One of my favorite holiday cookies are Mexican Wedding Cakes or Russian Tea Cakes.  Unfortunately they call for walnuts or pecans, neither of which are available here.  There are peanuts, which would drastically alter the flavor, or candlenuts.  I had never heard of candlenuts until living here, though it is the state tree of Hawaii.  Candlenuts remind me of macadamia nuts, only slightly larger.  They are used in sauces here, as a thickener.  Having never used them before, I decided I should look up a little information on them before immediately trying them as a substitute in cookies.  The information I found said they are slightly toxic, acting as a purgative, when eaten raw.  But the toxic components break down when roasted or cooked.  To be safe, I roasted the nuts first, then used them in my cookie recipe.  It worked really well and they were delicious, quite like the originals, or so we thought.

Roasted Candlenuts

 

About an hour or two after John and I had eaten many cookies, we began to feel quite nauseous.  That evening we experienced the purgative effect of the candlenut, though they had been both roasted and baked.  Caedmon had eaten two cookies, which was enough to affect him.  Thankfully Whitman had eaten one and experienced only a stomach ache.  I since have been asked by the boys not to make any more 'poisoned cookies.'  Not to worry, I do not have any plans to use candlenut again.

In other family news...

Evangeline has started eating solids, though she is not yet a fan.

We did some seasonal decorating, for which Caedmon was very enthusiastic!

Evangeline is almost sitting on her own.

Hanging out and being silly.

Like Father Like Son

homeschool and language study

Aside from our candlenut incident, we are all well.  Keeping busy with the usual language study, schooling and life.  I have been enjoying slightly cooler weather as rainy season is in full swing.  John has just wrapped up a youth soccer league, comprised of 5 teams, and I will continue to find ways to enjoy and celebrate the holiday season, though maybe a little more cautiously with my substitutions, while we are far from the usual festivities. 

Happy December to all and please enjoy the snow for us!

Whitman Performs

A couple weeks ago we were informed by Whitman's teachers that he would take part in a school performance, towards the end of the month.  Whitman didn't know any other details, nor was he sure what he would actually be doing. 

Tuesday morning I, Erin, attended a PTA type get together at Whitman's school.  There was an announcement that some of the children would be performing the next day, Wednesday.  Afterwards I verified with a teacher whether those performing included Whitman.  She informed me Whitman would perform next month, December.  Later that day, I received a phone call from one of Whitman's teachers informing me there was a practice going on and Whitman was to join.  So after nursing Evangeline, Whitman and I took off on the motorcycle to find out more. 

Whitman with his instrument at practice

practicing positions

practicing their instruments

It is often difficult to know how much of our lack of understanding is due to a language barrier or just culture differences in the way communication happens.  What I understood after practice on Tuesday was that Whitman was called in as a replacement or substitute for someone else. I gathered further information about the event from talking to other parents and from the sign hanging on the wall at the event location. 

The event was to show case children from a handful of kindergartens from across the city.  Whitman was to be at school by 7am and then be taken to the performance location at the Mayor's office.  We decided I would accompany him as there wasn't any information as to how he would be taken with the other students to the Mayor's office.  I helped Whitman get dressed in a traditional outfit, then at 8am we left on our motorcycle. 

Whitman was pictured on the large banners at the event.

Whitman dressed and ready. 

In his school yard.

Many pictures were taken and the kids waited and waited.

Schoolmates

Speeches were given as the children sat.

Whitman playing music at the end of the event.

The event finally got started a little after 9am, at which point I had to leave to nurse Evangeline.  I would have just brought her along but we have decided she is too small to ride the motorcycle as she doesn't have a helmet yet.  On my way back to the event, I picked Caedmon up from school.  When we arrived the performances had concluded and the closing speeches were being made.  Thankfully we did get to see Whitman play his instrument at the very end while the Mayor walked around greeting children from the various schools. 

Comforts, Conviniences, and Contentment

As westerners, we are automatically considered to be wealthy.  This plays out in various ways.  A friend told us she could never be a rich person in the States because she didn’t like pizza.  She had concluded that pizza was a food of rich people since westerners eat it and westerners are rich.  Other people think life must be easy and carefree for all Americans because of the abundance of money in the States.  It is difficult to communicate the reality of life in the States with just words but, in comparison, we are quite materially wealthy. 

A Local House

About half of our community live like this; most have electricity, but few have running water.

Simple things about our lifestyle here portray our wealth.  For example, we furnished our house all at once when we moved in.  We frequently travel to the big city.  We eat more chicken than fish, which is more expensive.  We replace items when they break.  We have a washing machine and we hire a lady to help clean our house, not to mention our water is piped directly to our house.  Many of these things are not considered extravagant when seen through our own cultural lenses, yet we do come from a wealthy country when you consider the infrastructure and the availability of resources and opportunities.  This has led to a great deal of personal adjusting for myself, Erin. 

Just yesterday I found the basket of nicely folded clean laundry covered in ants.  Why, I still do not know.  But that is part of life here.  For a period, we can hold the ants at bay, then one day they are in and on everything.  For a period, we have an uninterrupted water supply.  Then one day the city water doesn’t come on and occasionally our water storage tank runs out before the water returns.  Some days I just don’t feel like cooking, but the only pre-prepared food is ramen and there are not any ‘drive-thru's’ or even fast food establishments.  Other days I just don’t want to dress in pants and sleeved-shirts to leave the house, even just to take out the garbage. 

At times, I’m surprised I am not more use to the way of life after living for almost 4 years here.  But, I have recently been learning my focus has been on the “living here” not the “why” we’re living here.  How I would love to shop at Walmart, with its air conditioning and endless variety, though I was not fond of it when it first came to Walla Walla.  But as much as I miss the comforts and conveniences of the States, the Father is teaching me to put Him first, love Him more than my own comfort, and focus on eternity.  That doesn’t mean the ants will go away, there will always be running water from my tap, or I’ll stop dripping with sweat.  Instead, it means His glory, His love, and His grace will not only be sufficient to supply my needs, but will be immensely more fulfilling and joy giving than any comfort or convenience I could attain in the States.  As my focus changes, I also begin to see all that I do have and have been blessed with, not just materially either, but eternally also.  As I grow in this area I know it will not always be easy and is likely be a long journey of growth, but I also know it will be rewarding! 

My Garden

From the left: cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, and bell peppers under the make shift chicken fence. 

And, really, there are some advantages to living here.  My garden is flourishing and it is November!  My bread dough rises quickly because of the heat.  We can walk right into a pharmacy and buy prescription medicine for a fraction of the cost, without the prescription.  Lastly, I get to (though I often feel forced), cook with 'fresh from the farm' ingredients. 

 And Aunt once told me, "The difference between ordeal and adventure is your attitude," or perspective!

 The rest of life lately, in pictures...

Whitman playing with friends

Studying language with daddy.

Halloween

Caedmon carved a watermelon, all by himself.

Pumpkin pie for Halloween dessert.

Evangeline turned 5 months.

Whitman lost his first tooth!

A new pet: two little green birds. 

Caedmon is doing great caring for them himself. 

Happy, healthy kids.

Another wedding, Whitman was not too excited to attend. 

Bath time, on the dinning room table. 

Getting close to sitting. 

A friend's new baby. 

A Grand Visit

On Sunday we said good by to Grammy and Grampy B.  It was the longest we've had visitors and yet in many respects not long enough.  Ever since Caedmon's birth, we have lived more apart from family than near them.  Knowing this was a necessary evil of the life work we've chosen doesn't always make it easy. 

We picked Jack and Melinda up from the airport in the big city and spent an extended weekend there.  It was a nice break, enjoying many comforts and conveniences, such as western food and shopping, mostly of cheese and butter. 

The much anticipated arrival of grandparents!

Holding Evangeline for the first time.

Enjoying perks of the big city.

Grampy Time

After the big city, we brought Grammy and Grampy to our home in Barat.  We spent much of our time just doing life, which included language study, homeschooling and sharing what our life is like here.  It was so wonderful just spending time together!  Jack and Melinda both went above and beyond in helping.  Jack worked on small jobs around the house, while Melinda helped with cleaning and homeschooling. 

Riding a public mini-bus.

Grammy and John on our motorcycle. 

We all attended a 'rowing' boat race.

The large crowd of spectators.

The closing ceremony for the boat race included traditional drummers and dancers. 

Along with speeches from key community figures. 

John was asked to say a few words as well as we were considered esteemed guests.

Family

Pure Joy

- to have grandparents visit!

More grampy time!

A few last words before saying goodbye.

Saying goodbye.

We all had such a wonderful time!

Schedules

John often wakes up before 5am.  I, Erin, wake up about 6am, and the boys follow about 15minutes later.  We get ready for the day, trying to push the boys out the door by 7am so as not to be late to school.  The boys return from school about 11am.  We eat lunch and then follow with homeschooling until about 3pm.  The rest of the afternoon is spent by the boys and I playing outside, interacting with neighbors, or just hanging out at home.  Dinner is a quicker and lighter meal in the evening, then the boys shower and are in bed by 8pm.  The rest of the evening John and I have spent just the two of us catching up or relaxing, as we are usually pretty spent by that time.  This schedule has worked pretty well in our home, but it does not always mesh well with the culture outside. 

Whitman and Caedmon playing outside. 

We recently covered our front yard/parking area with a palm frond roof. 

Locals, here in Barat, are up early like us, off to school and work early, then after lunch they take a nap, children and parents.  This nap then promotes a very late bed time.  Most of our neighbor children are up well past 10pm.  This also results in people stopping by our house, quite a lot recently, after 7pm.  Many events really get going about this time too.

Whitman at school, waiting to greet his teachers. 

(usually by 7:30am)

 A couple weeks ago we were invited to a groom’s pre-wedding party, the night before his ceremony.  We met our friends at their home at 5pm so we could all drive together in their car.  We ended up leaving their house after 6pm, and hanging out at the groom’s house, also the location of the event, until things got started, sometime after 7.  Though the event was interesting and a first for all of us, it was stressful as none of us had taken naps, Whitman almost turned into a pumpkin, and it all resulted in a later dinner and night than we are used to, all on a school night too. 

The groom, center, with two nephews. 

A small ceremony, performed by a couple key figures, was done in preparation for the wedding ceremony the following day.   

Food served after the ceremony. 

From top left: chicken, crunchy sweet noodles, fish cakes, shredded chicken, duck eggs, and curry in the middle. 

Watching the ceremony. 

Men sat on one side of the room, while the women sat on the other. 

The occasional event and altered schedule, even unplanned, doesn’t kill us and usually turns out just fine, but John and I frequently discuss how to adjust our schedule to better enable interaction with locals.  Unfortunately, aside from changing our largest meal to lunch, which enables me to spend more time with people in the afternoon/evenings, we are at a loss for how else to change our schedules.  This is a common dilemma we face in most aspects of life overseas; how do we adjust the way we do things, to enable people interaction, yet be sustainable by us for the long term.