Selamat Sore!
It may be a bit too early to tell, but I think I may actually be starting to feel a deeper connection to this place. I know I know, I'm nearly halfway through, and perhaps you're thinking, "Well it's about time!" However, those of you who have done this kind of thing (and who are not Jason Horlings, the world's most adaptable SALTer :p) probably understand what I mean by this. Learning a new language, navigating a new culture, and adapting to an entirely new lifestyle, takes time. It is only in the last few weeks that I have started to feel like I'm in a bit more of a groove with teaching, like I may potentially have some people whom I could call my friends, and like I might actually be on the cusp of grasping- and responding appropriately to- a cultural difference or two. That said, it seems that as soon as I think I have one thing understood, another (or three more) thing pops up, and I'm reminded that I still have a LOT to learn. There truly were three new blatant "cultural learning opportunities" this week, and I have Pak Thio, a very wise and insightful man, to thank for confirming and clarifying two of them...
After almost every meal, my host mom and I have the same conversation with regards to helping clean up. I bring my dishes to the counter and ask if she needs help. She always says no, and provides a reason why not. I always say "are you sure?" and she always says "yes" and so I thank her for the meal, and head off to do other things. This response stems from my own upbringing, particularly in regards to what I see in our family's kitchen. My mom is a straightforward woman, and if she wants help, she'll ask. However, more often than not, she'll turn down the offer for help. She finds it easier to do the clean up herself (and I don't complain about this at all) because she knows her kitchen and she has her way of doing things established. She's always appreciative of the offers, but I know with absolute certainty that when she says she doesn't need/want help, she is not just being polite! I have also grown up in a direct culture, where people will take you up on the help you offer, usually on the first offer, and if not, definitely on the second (or the tone of their voice is indicative of what they are trying to say). Here, because of the indirect culture, a lack of ability on my part to fully grasp tone, and my own personal observations of my mom, I have been thinking that my host mom truly doesn't want help, and have not wanted to get in the way of whatever she is accustomed to doing. However, on Sunday, I was at a retreat, and asked if the people inside needed help setting up. I asked this to Pak Thio, and (without knowing of my daily interactions with my host mom) his response was, "In Indonesia, people will almost always turn down the offer. If you truly want to help, you just... help. Try it, and see what their response is!" (Un)fortunately, when I got there, the set-up was complete, but now I know that trying to help without asking is the way to go, and I'm sure I'll have many opportunities to put this theory into practice.
In the same conversation with Pak Thio, I was asked if my host sister was joining the retreat. When I said no, he asked, "Why?", to which I had no answer. She just... didn't join. This interaction forged a conversation about justification and explanation. In Indonesia, I have found myself constantly having to answer questions that are, in my eyes, completely unnecessary and leave me thinking "Why do you care?" (and I don't think that in a nice way). Questions like Why do you like this food and not that food?, Why didn't you come to this event?, Why did you go here or there at this or that time via this or that mode of transportation? Where are you going right now? How are you getting there?, can really REALLY get to me, because either I feel like my shred of independence is being ripped from me, or I simply cannot answer them- It just is the way it is! I don't know why! Pak Thio told me that here, people back up what they say. You always provide a reason. Coming from an individualistic culture, where no one could care less whether I rode my bike or walked or drove to the store, I have sometimes felt like I'm being interrogated. I realize now that this is a way of communication, a way of showing interest and demonstrating concern for other people. These questions are not just asked of me- everyone asks everyone the same type of questions! In changing my view on these Q&A sessions, I think that they can be spun into something positive.
Finally, I have come to the conclusion that complimenting attire here must not be a frequent occurrence (anyone who knows more about Indonesian culture than I do is welcome to correct me in this- I'm genuinely curious). Almost every time I compliment a shirt or a piece of jewelry, the response is either, "Oh, but this wouldn't fit you" (nice, thank you), or "Oh, do you want it?" Today, a girl was literally taking the ring off of her necklace with the intention of giving it to me. I'm not sure if this stems from me being a foreigner (I certainly hope not) or if there is some unspoken idea that a person is hinting at wanting something for themselves if they tell you they like it. I have stopped complimenting clothing in particular (three separate responses of "oh, but this will be too small for you" is enough), but I would like to get a better handle on the "compliment culture" (so many cultures!!) here, so that I know what is appropriate to say, and what is not.
My weekend with Riki was surprisingly busy. We went to the TK in the morning, and Riki gave me some much-needed encouragement in my teaching capabilities. I feel re-energized now that someone has affirmed that I'm not the world's most pathetic teacher! We headed off to reacquaint Riki with the city life after school (the village is limited in terms of resources), and then spent the evening cooking for my host parents. We made chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli casserole, and pudding. The whole ordeal took over three hours, and I was pretty frustrated by the end of it. My poor host family didn't really get the break that I was hoping to give them by providing food since they ended up helping a lot, and then extended family arrived with even MORE food, so I think I'll take a break from "extravagant" cooking for awhile, and stick to my Mr. Noodles and KD.
On Sunday after church, we headed off on a retreat with the youth. My enthusiasm for this wasn't all too high, but the benefit of that was that it FAR exceeded my expectations, and I ended up having an AWESOME time. I was asked to lead games, and they went off without a hitch, and people laughed a LOT which I think is a good sign. There was good food, good sessions (well, good opportunities for me to read my Bible), and best of all, good opportunities to just chat with the youth. I only stayed the day (I got picked up late in the evening), but it was enough time to establish a bit more of a connection with the youth group. The location was also really beautiful- nice and cool and green and quiet- which was an added bonus.
I usually go to Salatiga on Mondays, but this past Monday there was a PPA competition that I wanted to watch. I didn't stay for the whole thing- it was an all day affair- but I stayed long enough to see some singing acts, before heading off on one last adventure with Riki. She headed out in the afternoon, and... I have no idea where the evening went! That likely means that it was a quiet one.
Tuesday was back to the normal schedule. I love the way my week goes- I go Tuesday to Saturday, but I'm eased into it with a relaxing schedule on Tuesdays. I had a free afternoon that I used to get caught up on some laundry and cleaning and much-needed sleep!
I indulged in a "thinking about home" day yesterday, and made list after list after list (I love making lists) of things like "What I'm Going to Do on My First Day Back", "Foods I Want to Eat", "My Summer Vacation Plans", and other such things. Sometimes doing that kind of thing lifts my spirits (though after 56 food items, I thought I'd better stop- it was getting obsessive!), but it can be a slippery slope, and now that it's out of my system, I'm going to fold those lists up and put them away for another time.
Today I was at PPA Sendang Guwo ("rural" PPA), and we were playing a game in the classroom with an inflatable beach ball (a teaching tool that I, a novice teacher, would highly recommend- best loonie I ever spent). The kids were learning, "My name is...." and "What is your name?" It was raining- the rainy season is in FULL swing now, after Chinese New Year- and when I threw the ball to someone on the other side of the classroom, the ball went over their head and outside. The kid stood up, hopped over a bunch of other kids in the classroom, ran out barefoot, and grabbed the ball. I looked up just in time to see a chicken squak and run frantically out of the way of the ball, its feathers puffing as she scurried to avoid the ball. I had to laugh at the uniqueness of this moment. I was in a classroom of 25 kids in the middle of a city in Java, sweating hot in January, watching chickens running about outside... These are the moments that remind me why I'm here.
Laura will visit tomorrow, and I always look forward to that!
Have a great day!
Love,
Ellery
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
The Catch-Up Post
Hello Hello!
I have been asked a few times now when my next blog post was to go up (which means that people are still following- thank you!!), and I figured that it is definitely high time to get this post up!
In just over two weeks, on February 4th, us SALTers are reaching an important milestone in our journeys- the halfway point!! Part of me thinks that the time has just flown by, and the other part of me thinks, "How is it possible that we haven't hit that mark yet!?" I am ready to be on the other side of February 4th- I think that, at least mentally, this milestone will have a positive impact on my mental state (ahem, sanity), and will perhaps make me feel that there is an end in sight. I'm not yet desperate to come home (ok, that's not always true- I have my moments!), but I'm hoping that I will appreciate this more when I feel like it's less permanent, and like I really truly do only have this short amount of time here.
Until then, I have been trucking along as per usual. Everything has settled back to "normal", and I think- I THINK- that all of the Christmas celebrations are behind us (though Jeanne once attended one that happened in March, so I cannot be too sure). Besides the typical day-to-day activities, this week has been full of little surprises here and there, to keep things interesting...
Last weekend was, as I predicted, a quiet one. Those can be really nice, but the amount of time on my hands allows for too many opportunities for my mind to wander. I am an over-thinker by nature, and so by the end of the weekend, I had worked myself up into such an anxious state over this, that, and the other thing. I have spent a good amount of time this week trying to unwind myself from that!
I headed on up to Salatiga again on Monday, for my weekly getaway. It was my first time being there completely alone (well, MCC is there of course, but usually I hang out with Laura or Nicole), and so I used the day to do things that I would not otherwise do. I walked all around the city, and sat in the Cosy Cafe ("our" spot, appointed so during our time in language training) with a book. This shocked the waitstaff, who for one, are used to seeing me come in with a group of people, and for another, are likely of the mentality that one is lonely if they are by themselves. I really enjoyed it though! The waiter remembered that I like water better when it's cold, and I was flattered by one waiter who asked me about my relationship status, and looked completely dejected when I told him that I "sudah punya pacar" (already have a boyfriend).
Tuesday was a really great day! I was at the TK in the morning as usual, and then at 2:30, we headed to Kudus. The reason for the visit wasn't one of an overly thrilling nature (a retirement celebration for two pastors- the "celebration" aspect taking the form of a church service), but Jason and Laura were both there, as was Sushant, one of the MCCers who is serving in Solo. I enjoyed watching Jason sing in the choir (he's practically double the height of everyone else) and many of the pastors from the GKMI synod of Indonesia were there, which was interesting- there are a lot of them! As fun as Tuesday was, however, it didn't really compare to Wednesday...
I think I've mentioned before, that the "serving" role that I find myself in here is very different than the one that I was envisioning before I arrived here. Most of the time I find that I have absolutely no clue HOW I'm helping here, but every so often, something- or someone- pops into my life as a glaring reminder of the vast and diverse ways of service. Wednesday's reminder was Zoe, a stick-thin, white and patchy kitten with a stub tail and different sized eyes...
Wednesday nights is my night to help at the Gloria Patri Learning Centre. The teachers are Ibu Linda, her daughter Vania, and Debora (all of whom speak English), and I look forward to an evening of English and sharing a meal together after the class. The kids who attend this drop in learning centre are a bit more... enthusiastic than the kids at PPA (particularly in their desire to NOT sit and study.) They have energy unlike anything I have ever seen in human beings before (and I've spent a good deal of time with human beings) and it is not always channeled into the most positive activities. On Wednesday night, the activity was "Throw the Tiny, Starving Kitten Down the Slide." Now, there are many many cultural differences between here and Canada, and I try very hard to bear in mind that I am the guest here, and that my role is to adapt. I draw the line, however, at a lack of concern over the well being of other animals. I realize that pets in North America are often overindulged, and I by no means believe in putting animals on the same level as human beings (though I do refer to my cat Stella as my brother. Nonetheless, that "brother" sleeps in the garage), but I do firmly believe that they are little creatures that are deserving of respect. Here, however, cats roam about everywhere, and are likely more of a nuisance than anything; they are not viewed in the same way as most people in North America would view cats. So, much to the shock and dismay of a dozen young kiddies (who insisted that they weren't hurting the animal, and couldn't imagine why I would have taken their object of entertainment away from them), I put an end to "Throw the Tiny, Starving Kitten Down the Slide." The kitten thanked me by digging all of her claws into my arm when I tried to remove her from the area, but at last I got her into what I thought was a safer space.
About two minutes later, said kitten came wandering back over to the play area (admittedly, I did not move her very far away), but the kids respected my desire to keep the cat off the slide, and I felt safe leaving the cat outside to go and have a discussion with some grade 12 kids. After the class was over, however, I was informed that the cat was "on a shelf." Sure enough, there she was, stuck up on a bookshelf, where the kids had stuck her. I plucked her off, and at the same time, Ibu Linda said, "Would you like me to take her home and take care of her?" Well, the options were these: leave the kitten out there to fend for herself, or bring her to a home where she'd be loved and cared for. "Yes I would" was my response.
We weren't even at the car yet and I had her named (Zoe) and she had decided that I was not her enemy and she calmly snuggled into the crook of my arm and fell asleep. It seemed that at about this point in time, Bu Linda realized what she had just committed to, and began offering alternative solutions. We stopped first for supper on our way home, and had no choice but to bring Zoe in with us (lucky for us, Indonesia has substantially different standards regarding the presence of cats and other wild creatures in eating spaces). Bu Linda asked the owners if they would like to keep the cat, promising that I (the white foreigner) would visit frequently if they did. I suppose the incentive wasn't enough (though I can't imagine why ;)), and the owners politely declined Zoe. Our next stop was to drop off some of Ibu Linda's students, where she offered Zoe to them. They have a dog who, I was told, is VERY friendly, and it was requested that I introduce Zoe to the dog. Friendly as the Golden Retriever was, Zoe was by no means ready to befriend a dog, and took one violent swipe to the dog's nose, her stub tail puffing to four times its normal size. She hissed as mightily as her little body would allow her to, and I think a little cat spit even flew from her mouth. It need not be said that Zoe was not warmly welcomed into the home after that.
So, long story short, Ibu Linda now has an adorable little kitten named Zoe. I consider her mine (with all the perks of not having to care for her myself! Thanks Bu Linda!!), and plan on visiting her frequently. This weekend, Zoe is coming for a little vacation while her new family is away. She should be arriving tomorrow around 11:00. My host parents said yes to this idea (provided she stay in her shelter), which was an extreeeemely kind gesture on their part, especially because they aren't the biggest cat fans. I am pretty excited about this!
On Thursday, I arrived at Ichthus FM to discover that Chris, my co-host, was not coming that day- I would be hosting all alone! Of course, this had been mentioned to me the previous week, but somehow, I completely forgot, and so I was totally shocked and unprepared, and had about five minutes to put something together. Luckily, I have already been taught how to work all of the radio stuff (this likely sounds more impressive than it is), and a topic came to mind (just a big answer session to all of the most FAQs that I get here), and I got through it remarkably well! So that was a big "first" (and likely "last") for me this week!
Riki arrived today, from her placement in a small village near Jepara (about 2 and a half hours away). Together, we led a discussion at PPA, made and ate Kraft Dinner (a real shocker), and came up with a menu for tomorrow night's dinner, as we offered to cook. There will be 10 of us eating together, and I am crossing my fingers that everything will turn out! In her village, Riki has to bike about 2KM to get to the nearest internet source, so she's been taking advantage of the internet here tonight. It's another reminder of how much I take for granted; in fact, most of the SALTers do not have regular internet access. I am lucky that I can send updates, check my email, and keep in touch with those at home, whenever I want.
This week I learned that one of my students has not returned to school since Christmas because of a lack of desire on part of a parent, for their child to get an education. This absolutely baffled me! I learned that the parent themselves is not educated, nor do they have a good job (if any job at all), and yet they don't feel that it is important for their kid to go to school. The siblings of this student are also uneducated or have received a bit of homeschooling (though not up to standards). I found out that the only reason that the child is even enrolled in school is because the family is receiving financial support from an organization that requires children to get an education- no education, no funding. However, at the time, the organization has not stopped providing support, and so apparently the incentive is lost. This story really saddened me, and prayer for a change of heart on part of the parent, to allow the child to return to school, would be greatly appreciated.
Tomorrow is TK, then Zoe's arrival, and then out for an adventure with Riki! The rest of the weekend filled up with a youth retreat on Sunday and a PPA competition on Monday, so we'll have to use tomorrow afternoon wisely!
Well, there's the update on my end! I'm always thrilled to receive updates from your end too, wherever you are! Emails, letters, packages... I wholeheartedly accept them all! ;)
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read!
Lots of love,
Ellery
I have been asked a few times now when my next blog post was to go up (which means that people are still following- thank you!!), and I figured that it is definitely high time to get this post up!
In just over two weeks, on February 4th, us SALTers are reaching an important milestone in our journeys- the halfway point!! Part of me thinks that the time has just flown by, and the other part of me thinks, "How is it possible that we haven't hit that mark yet!?" I am ready to be on the other side of February 4th- I think that, at least mentally, this milestone will have a positive impact on my mental state (ahem, sanity), and will perhaps make me feel that there is an end in sight. I'm not yet desperate to come home (ok, that's not always true- I have my moments!), but I'm hoping that I will appreciate this more when I feel like it's less permanent, and like I really truly do only have this short amount of time here.
Until then, I have been trucking along as per usual. Everything has settled back to "normal", and I think- I THINK- that all of the Christmas celebrations are behind us (though Jeanne once attended one that happened in March, so I cannot be too sure). Besides the typical day-to-day activities, this week has been full of little surprises here and there, to keep things interesting...
Last weekend was, as I predicted, a quiet one. Those can be really nice, but the amount of time on my hands allows for too many opportunities for my mind to wander. I am an over-thinker by nature, and so by the end of the weekend, I had worked myself up into such an anxious state over this, that, and the other thing. I have spent a good amount of time this week trying to unwind myself from that!
I headed on up to Salatiga again on Monday, for my weekly getaway. It was my first time being there completely alone (well, MCC is there of course, but usually I hang out with Laura or Nicole), and so I used the day to do things that I would not otherwise do. I walked all around the city, and sat in the Cosy Cafe ("our" spot, appointed so during our time in language training) with a book. This shocked the waitstaff, who for one, are used to seeing me come in with a group of people, and for another, are likely of the mentality that one is lonely if they are by themselves. I really enjoyed it though! The waiter remembered that I like water better when it's cold, and I was flattered by one waiter who asked me about my relationship status, and looked completely dejected when I told him that I "sudah punya pacar" (already have a boyfriend).
Tuesday was a really great day! I was at the TK in the morning as usual, and then at 2:30, we headed to Kudus. The reason for the visit wasn't one of an overly thrilling nature (a retirement celebration for two pastors- the "celebration" aspect taking the form of a church service), but Jason and Laura were both there, as was Sushant, one of the MCCers who is serving in Solo. I enjoyed watching Jason sing in the choir (he's practically double the height of everyone else) and many of the pastors from the GKMI synod of Indonesia were there, which was interesting- there are a lot of them! As fun as Tuesday was, however, it didn't really compare to Wednesday...
I think I've mentioned before, that the "serving" role that I find myself in here is very different than the one that I was envisioning before I arrived here. Most of the time I find that I have absolutely no clue HOW I'm helping here, but every so often, something- or someone- pops into my life as a glaring reminder of the vast and diverse ways of service. Wednesday's reminder was Zoe, a stick-thin, white and patchy kitten with a stub tail and different sized eyes...
Wednesday nights is my night to help at the Gloria Patri Learning Centre. The teachers are Ibu Linda, her daughter Vania, and Debora (all of whom speak English), and I look forward to an evening of English and sharing a meal together after the class. The kids who attend this drop in learning centre are a bit more... enthusiastic than the kids at PPA (particularly in their desire to NOT sit and study.) They have energy unlike anything I have ever seen in human beings before (and I've spent a good deal of time with human beings) and it is not always channeled into the most positive activities. On Wednesday night, the activity was "Throw the Tiny, Starving Kitten Down the Slide." Now, there are many many cultural differences between here and Canada, and I try very hard to bear in mind that I am the guest here, and that my role is to adapt. I draw the line, however, at a lack of concern over the well being of other animals. I realize that pets in North America are often overindulged, and I by no means believe in putting animals on the same level as human beings (though I do refer to my cat Stella as my brother. Nonetheless, that "brother" sleeps in the garage), but I do firmly believe that they are little creatures that are deserving of respect. Here, however, cats roam about everywhere, and are likely more of a nuisance than anything; they are not viewed in the same way as most people in North America would view cats. So, much to the shock and dismay of a dozen young kiddies (who insisted that they weren't hurting the animal, and couldn't imagine why I would have taken their object of entertainment away from them), I put an end to "Throw the Tiny, Starving Kitten Down the Slide." The kitten thanked me by digging all of her claws into my arm when I tried to remove her from the area, but at last I got her into what I thought was a safer space.
About two minutes later, said kitten came wandering back over to the play area (admittedly, I did not move her very far away), but the kids respected my desire to keep the cat off the slide, and I felt safe leaving the cat outside to go and have a discussion with some grade 12 kids. After the class was over, however, I was informed that the cat was "on a shelf." Sure enough, there she was, stuck up on a bookshelf, where the kids had stuck her. I plucked her off, and at the same time, Ibu Linda said, "Would you like me to take her home and take care of her?" Well, the options were these: leave the kitten out there to fend for herself, or bring her to a home where she'd be loved and cared for. "Yes I would" was my response.
We weren't even at the car yet and I had her named (Zoe) and she had decided that I was not her enemy and she calmly snuggled into the crook of my arm and fell asleep. It seemed that at about this point in time, Bu Linda realized what she had just committed to, and began offering alternative solutions. We stopped first for supper on our way home, and had no choice but to bring Zoe in with us (lucky for us, Indonesia has substantially different standards regarding the presence of cats and other wild creatures in eating spaces). Bu Linda asked the owners if they would like to keep the cat, promising that I (the white foreigner) would visit frequently if they did. I suppose the incentive wasn't enough (though I can't imagine why ;)), and the owners politely declined Zoe. Our next stop was to drop off some of Ibu Linda's students, where she offered Zoe to them. They have a dog who, I was told, is VERY friendly, and it was requested that I introduce Zoe to the dog. Friendly as the Golden Retriever was, Zoe was by no means ready to befriend a dog, and took one violent swipe to the dog's nose, her stub tail puffing to four times its normal size. She hissed as mightily as her little body would allow her to, and I think a little cat spit even flew from her mouth. It need not be said that Zoe was not warmly welcomed into the home after that.
So, long story short, Ibu Linda now has an adorable little kitten named Zoe. I consider her mine (with all the perks of not having to care for her myself! Thanks Bu Linda!!), and plan on visiting her frequently. This weekend, Zoe is coming for a little vacation while her new family is away. She should be arriving tomorrow around 11:00. My host parents said yes to this idea (provided she stay in her shelter), which was an extreeeemely kind gesture on their part, especially because they aren't the biggest cat fans. I am pretty excited about this!
On Thursday, I arrived at Ichthus FM to discover that Chris, my co-host, was not coming that day- I would be hosting all alone! Of course, this had been mentioned to me the previous week, but somehow, I completely forgot, and so I was totally shocked and unprepared, and had about five minutes to put something together. Luckily, I have already been taught how to work all of the radio stuff (this likely sounds more impressive than it is), and a topic came to mind (just a big answer session to all of the most FAQs that I get here), and I got through it remarkably well! So that was a big "first" (and likely "last") for me this week!
Riki arrived today, from her placement in a small village near Jepara (about 2 and a half hours away). Together, we led a discussion at PPA, made and ate Kraft Dinner (a real shocker), and came up with a menu for tomorrow night's dinner, as we offered to cook. There will be 10 of us eating together, and I am crossing my fingers that everything will turn out! In her village, Riki has to bike about 2KM to get to the nearest internet source, so she's been taking advantage of the internet here tonight. It's another reminder of how much I take for granted; in fact, most of the SALTers do not have regular internet access. I am lucky that I can send updates, check my email, and keep in touch with those at home, whenever I want.
This week I learned that one of my students has not returned to school since Christmas because of a lack of desire on part of a parent, for their child to get an education. This absolutely baffled me! I learned that the parent themselves is not educated, nor do they have a good job (if any job at all), and yet they don't feel that it is important for their kid to go to school. The siblings of this student are also uneducated or have received a bit of homeschooling (though not up to standards). I found out that the only reason that the child is even enrolled in school is because the family is receiving financial support from an organization that requires children to get an education- no education, no funding. However, at the time, the organization has not stopped providing support, and so apparently the incentive is lost. This story really saddened me, and prayer for a change of heart on part of the parent, to allow the child to return to school, would be greatly appreciated.
Tomorrow is TK, then Zoe's arrival, and then out for an adventure with Riki! The rest of the weekend filled up with a youth retreat on Sunday and a PPA competition on Monday, so we'll have to use tomorrow afternoon wisely!
Well, there's the update on my end! I'm always thrilled to receive updates from your end too, wherever you are! Emails, letters, packages... I wholeheartedly accept them all! ;)
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read!
Lots of love,
Ellery
Friday, January 13, 2012
Life's Little Blessings...
Hello, Hello!
This week, for one reason or another, I found myself in much higher spirits. I'm not sure what came first- special little things that made this week a better one, or a refreshed mentality that helped me to more clearly see the little things that are actually always there. I like to believe that it's the second one, and that I will see the beauty that surrounds me every day, if I choose to look for it.
Perhaps the biggest "Little Blessing" this week happened yesterday at the TK. I was teaching colours to the A-2 class (4 year olds), and, since I am not above bribery in any way, I was handing out candies to all of the kids who got their colours right (which meant giving each kid a candy regardless of whether they got it correct, or whether they eagerly yelled "blue!" when in fact the colour was yellow- this is much easier than attempting to deal with the tears of anguish that follow the catastrophe of not receiving a candy). I was slowly making my way around the class, and finally got to one boy (who, I have to admit, has always been my favourite kid in the TK- forget that rule about teachers not having favourites!) who, as I handed him his Sweedish Berry, quickly and quietly slipped a baggie containing one candy, into my hand. It was the smallest gesture, but it seems that it often is those little unexpected moments that can fill us with more joy than the bigger, predictable ones.
Another highlight of this week included learning how to make a batik, the traditional Indonesian fabric. Those of you who have been reading my blog regularly may remember my explanation of the process of waxing and dyeing material in order to produce a pattern. Some of the more intricate patterns (particularly the hand drawn ones) that use a lot of colours, can cost a few hundred dollars for just one shirt. I realize now why that is. First, I was given a photocopy of a pattern, and a piece of thin white material. I traced the photocopy onto the fabric with a pencil. Then I used a little tool that I dipped into hot wax, and traced the entire pattern in wax. Of course, those tools are by no means idiot-proof, and the result is a picture that is covered in huge drops of wax that will now stay white when my fabric is dyed a different colour. After tracing the entire pattern in wax, you have to flip it over and trace it AGAIN on the other side. It was so tedious! And that's just for the first colour! The process of waxing and dyeing could happen over and over if you wanted a multi-coloured batik! I think I'm going to stick with just one...
I had a really awesome conversation this week with my host parents, about the cultural differences between Canada and Indonesia. Pak Har initiated it by mentioning a conference held at a hotel here in Semarang that is attended by people from the more rural villages. Many of these people have never seen an elevator, a swipe card (in place of a key), or a bathroom that does not contain a special tub that is always filled with water, for both toilet and shower purposes. He said that people were SHOCKED to see a group of men go in an elevator, and then see the same doors open a few seconds later, to find a group of women standing there! I cannot fathom it, but I suppose it really would be like a Magic Box (as Pak Har said they described it) if you had never seen an elevator before. He also mentioned the mistake that people would make, of filling the bathtub in the hotel to compensate for the lack of "Indonesian tub", and then having huge problems with water being everywhere. They also had never showered under a showerhead, and found the lack of a bucket to be quite a struggle!
At the moment, the church is planning a tour to Israel, and Pak Har said that at the meeting the other night, they broke the news that the bathrooms wouldn't have water. For me coming to Indonesia, the difference in bathroom practices is an easy one to deal with. I simply use tissue instead of water! But for them, if there's no water available, then you're pretty much out of luck! If I had to completely switch my bathroom rituals so that I could only use water, and no tissue, it would be an extremely difficult adjustment, so I can just imagine how they're feeling about the reverse situation! These little differences are the ones that I find most interesting, since there is such a tangible "flip side" example that I can relate it to.
Yesterday, I went to PPA to join in on the craft time, and learned how to make a bracelet in a different pattern other than a braid. Those homemade things were super popular when I was younger, but I never had the patience or mental capacity to make sense of the pictures that tried to teach you how to make them in those "Make Your Own Keychain/Bracelet/Choker/Toe Ring/etc. etc. etc." books. So I felt like a lifelong goal had been accomplished in learning how to make a much more intricate pattern- something to cross off the bucket list!
I love those craft times because it's an opportunity to just sit and chat with people. Yesterday's topic of conversation was my white skin. A question I often get here is, "Do you like white skin or dark skin better?" This is sort of a catch-22 type question, and I usually find myself launching into a long speech about how people always want what they don't have, and how the skin products here have whitening in them, while the products in Canada aim to make you look darker (this always blows them away). People here always call me beautiful (despite the dewy appearance and frizzy hair), and I've had several interactions with people that have made it clear to me just how much many people here think it is more desirable to be white. They aren't referring just to my skin colour, but also to the shape and colour of my eyes, and particularly my nose- my nose is another common topic of conversation. Hearing people talk about this makes me realize just how CRAZY it is that we are never satisfied with our own appearances, and how we're always striving for something unattainable. It looks utterly ridiculous when people here wear whitening makeup, and it must look equally as ridiculous when we falsely darken our skin. Among the MANY things I am learning, being satisfied with my appearances is another lesson that seems to keep repeating itself.
We found out this week that we'll for sure have to leave the country for a few days in February, in order to renew our visas. This in and of itself is exciting news, but it was further enhanced by the news that Mike (one of the two YALTers who are not serving on Java) will be coming for four days prior to our trip, to visit and see what my position here is about. I'm really looking forward to that!
Yesterday, my host mom made me two different types of mashed potatoes for supper (onion, and cheddar). I'm not sure if it was in response to our conversation about cultural differences (during which I mentioned the food differences that I wrote about on my blog a few days back), but whatever the motivation, I felt very loved, that she would go out of her way to make them for me.
I used balloons to teach colours to the TK-B class, and 5 lucky kiddies got to take a balloon home. As I was walking home from school, I noticed a green balloon on a motorbike that was approaching from the opposite direction. As it came closer, I noticed that it was one of my students, clinging tightly to her green balloon with a huge smile on her face! I also noticed one of the other kids (the one who received the yellow balloon), running around with his balloon, taking small breaks between his imaginary karate fight to scream "YELLOWWWWW" into his balloon. I feel that today's lesson was successful in many ways.
This weekend looks to be a quiet one, concluding with my weekly trip to Salatiga on Monday. We're already into mid-January!
I've heard that the weather at home is finally hitting those really cold temperatures that include snow flurries and icy roads, and I hope that everyone is keeping safe, warm, and cozy! I'll be thinking of you as I sweat my way to and from my different activities in 30+ degree heat. ;)
Have an awesome day!
Lots of love,
Ellery
This week, for one reason or another, I found myself in much higher spirits. I'm not sure what came first- special little things that made this week a better one, or a refreshed mentality that helped me to more clearly see the little things that are actually always there. I like to believe that it's the second one, and that I will see the beauty that surrounds me every day, if I choose to look for it.
Perhaps the biggest "Little Blessing" this week happened yesterday at the TK. I was teaching colours to the A-2 class (4 year olds), and, since I am not above bribery in any way, I was handing out candies to all of the kids who got their colours right (which meant giving each kid a candy regardless of whether they got it correct, or whether they eagerly yelled "blue!" when in fact the colour was yellow- this is much easier than attempting to deal with the tears of anguish that follow the catastrophe of not receiving a candy). I was slowly making my way around the class, and finally got to one boy (who, I have to admit, has always been my favourite kid in the TK- forget that rule about teachers not having favourites!) who, as I handed him his Sweedish Berry, quickly and quietly slipped a baggie containing one candy, into my hand. It was the smallest gesture, but it seems that it often is those little unexpected moments that can fill us with more joy than the bigger, predictable ones.
Another highlight of this week included learning how to make a batik, the traditional Indonesian fabric. Those of you who have been reading my blog regularly may remember my explanation of the process of waxing and dyeing material in order to produce a pattern. Some of the more intricate patterns (particularly the hand drawn ones) that use a lot of colours, can cost a few hundred dollars for just one shirt. I realize now why that is. First, I was given a photocopy of a pattern, and a piece of thin white material. I traced the photocopy onto the fabric with a pencil. Then I used a little tool that I dipped into hot wax, and traced the entire pattern in wax. Of course, those tools are by no means idiot-proof, and the result is a picture that is covered in huge drops of wax that will now stay white when my fabric is dyed a different colour. After tracing the entire pattern in wax, you have to flip it over and trace it AGAIN on the other side. It was so tedious! And that's just for the first colour! The process of waxing and dyeing could happen over and over if you wanted a multi-coloured batik! I think I'm going to stick with just one...
I had a really awesome conversation this week with my host parents, about the cultural differences between Canada and Indonesia. Pak Har initiated it by mentioning a conference held at a hotel here in Semarang that is attended by people from the more rural villages. Many of these people have never seen an elevator, a swipe card (in place of a key), or a bathroom that does not contain a special tub that is always filled with water, for both toilet and shower purposes. He said that people were SHOCKED to see a group of men go in an elevator, and then see the same doors open a few seconds later, to find a group of women standing there! I cannot fathom it, but I suppose it really would be like a Magic Box (as Pak Har said they described it) if you had never seen an elevator before. He also mentioned the mistake that people would make, of filling the bathtub in the hotel to compensate for the lack of "Indonesian tub", and then having huge problems with water being everywhere. They also had never showered under a showerhead, and found the lack of a bucket to be quite a struggle!
At the moment, the church is planning a tour to Israel, and Pak Har said that at the meeting the other night, they broke the news that the bathrooms wouldn't have water. For me coming to Indonesia, the difference in bathroom practices is an easy one to deal with. I simply use tissue instead of water! But for them, if there's no water available, then you're pretty much out of luck! If I had to completely switch my bathroom rituals so that I could only use water, and no tissue, it would be an extremely difficult adjustment, so I can just imagine how they're feeling about the reverse situation! These little differences are the ones that I find most interesting, since there is such a tangible "flip side" example that I can relate it to.
Yesterday, I went to PPA to join in on the craft time, and learned how to make a bracelet in a different pattern other than a braid. Those homemade things were super popular when I was younger, but I never had the patience or mental capacity to make sense of the pictures that tried to teach you how to make them in those "Make Your Own Keychain/Bracelet/Choker/Toe Ring/etc. etc. etc." books. So I felt like a lifelong goal had been accomplished in learning how to make a much more intricate pattern- something to cross off the bucket list!
I love those craft times because it's an opportunity to just sit and chat with people. Yesterday's topic of conversation was my white skin. A question I often get here is, "Do you like white skin or dark skin better?" This is sort of a catch-22 type question, and I usually find myself launching into a long speech about how people always want what they don't have, and how the skin products here have whitening in them, while the products in Canada aim to make you look darker (this always blows them away). People here always call me beautiful (despite the dewy appearance and frizzy hair), and I've had several interactions with people that have made it clear to me just how much many people here think it is more desirable to be white. They aren't referring just to my skin colour, but also to the shape and colour of my eyes, and particularly my nose- my nose is another common topic of conversation. Hearing people talk about this makes me realize just how CRAZY it is that we are never satisfied with our own appearances, and how we're always striving for something unattainable. It looks utterly ridiculous when people here wear whitening makeup, and it must look equally as ridiculous when we falsely darken our skin. Among the MANY things I am learning, being satisfied with my appearances is another lesson that seems to keep repeating itself.
We found out this week that we'll for sure have to leave the country for a few days in February, in order to renew our visas. This in and of itself is exciting news, but it was further enhanced by the news that Mike (one of the two YALTers who are not serving on Java) will be coming for four days prior to our trip, to visit and see what my position here is about. I'm really looking forward to that!
Yesterday, my host mom made me two different types of mashed potatoes for supper (onion, and cheddar). I'm not sure if it was in response to our conversation about cultural differences (during which I mentioned the food differences that I wrote about on my blog a few days back), but whatever the motivation, I felt very loved, that she would go out of her way to make them for me.
I used balloons to teach colours to the TK-B class, and 5 lucky kiddies got to take a balloon home. As I was walking home from school, I noticed a green balloon on a motorbike that was approaching from the opposite direction. As it came closer, I noticed that it was one of my students, clinging tightly to her green balloon with a huge smile on her face! I also noticed one of the other kids (the one who received the yellow balloon), running around with his balloon, taking small breaks between his imaginary karate fight to scream "YELLOWWWWW" into his balloon. I feel that today's lesson was successful in many ways.
This weekend looks to be a quiet one, concluding with my weekly trip to Salatiga on Monday. We're already into mid-January!
I've heard that the weather at home is finally hitting those really cold temperatures that include snow flurries and icy roads, and I hope that everyone is keeping safe, warm, and cozy! I'll be thinking of you as I sweat my way to and from my different activities in 30+ degree heat. ;)
Have an awesome day!
Lots of love,
Ellery
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Another Day in the Indo
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening to you, wherever you may be in the world!
I woke up this morning feeling in one of my dream-like states, where nothing felt real. I had a similar phenomenon happen to me when we went to "Lottemart", the Indo equivalent of Costco or Sam's Club. It's the feeling I get when everything feels just slightly off from "normal" (and the fact that Lottemart had the exact same floor plan and product placement layout as Costco, only with different products, is a prime example of that skewed sense of normal).
My walk to school this morning was particularly noteworthy today (though it probably is every day, but as I have mentioned, "normal" takes on a new form here). I was rounding the corner by the school, when out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a... I want to say man, but it could go either way... making a beeline toward me, "pacman-ing" (in the words of my father) his way across the street. (Though I have been informed that the game "Frogger" is a more accurate description- my apologies to those of you who know your games better than my dad and I!). Anyways, this person was unusually tall for an Indonesian, and extremely skinny. The most notable aspect of his appearance, however (not counting what I detected as a crazed gleam in his eye) was the leopard print miniskirt that he was wearing. He attached himself to my side (as close as anyone I have met here will get, though they keep their hands to themselves, which I greatly appreciate), and followed me a few steps. My guess is that he was hoping for some cash, though I was not looking directly at him so I am not certain. It was the most persistent situation of that that I have found myself in, and required that I stop completely, take a few steps backward, and make very deliberate "leave me alone" hand gestures (which I really don't love doing, I always feel like I'm shooing someone away, and "shooing" another person does not sit very well with me) before he moved on. Needless to say, this further perpetuated the "dream-like" state that I already felt I was in.
I noticed on my walk home, that a rival cell phone shack has set itself up not but 15 feet down from the original one (I believe I've mentioned this one in previous posts- the owner is really friendly and we always say hi to each other on my way to or from church). This new booth does not seem to have the loyal clientele of the other one yet, but perhaps within the next few weeks, I'll see more people milling about. What more reliable place to purchase a cell phone from than a roadside vendor, right?
There is also a becak (rickshaw) that parks itself about a foot and a half from the driveway of where I live. Most often, the driver is someone I have seen before, but on some occasions (like today), it is someone new. I love their reactions when, just as they finish asking me if I would like a ride, they see me turn into my driveway. They're usually pretty cool guys, and I've learned that a lot of them support their entire family on the money that they make as a becak driver. My moments of becak need are few and far between, or else I would use them more often.
I tried Indonesian-ized sushi on Sunday for lunch, and I have to admit, it was better than any sushi I have eaten at home! I was quite impressed. Monday was off to Salatiga, and I got to see Laura, who is my oasis of familiarity in this desert of... unfamiliarity. (That metaphor didn't come out as well as I was expecting.) Her friends at STTS took both of us out for lunch to a beautiful- truly beautiful- warung in the mountains of Kopeng, with delicious food and a breathtaking view. That evening, I attended what was either my sixth or seventh Christmas celebration (eight or ninth if we count the two 3+ hour New Years services), and this one included a gift exchange. I am now the proud owner of a Niko AM/FM portable radio, and can enjoy tuning into Ichthus FM whenever my heart desires!
I got home from school today at around 1PM, and we headed to the tailor again after lunch. Almost all of my pants and a few of my shirts needed altering, and today they wanted to check a few items to make sure they were altering them properly. I was VERY impressed! They even took into consideration the fact that "you will get big again", and left the extra fabric to accommodate such a situation.
I decided today that I needed to get out and do some adventuring on my own (an impulsive desire came over me, and I seized it, for those moments are not the most common for me). I headed off in my comfy running shoes, to explore what I thought was just a small market near the mall. It turned out to be much bigger than I expected, and I only made it a little ways down (stopping for a photo op with a boy who kindly forewarned me that it would be going up on facebook) before turning around to continue my adventure in different places. It would have been a good picture-taking day had I remembered to bring my camera, but luckily, I still have plenty of time! ;)
I finished an entire book today in one sitting. It's called "Heaven is For Real" and it is the account of a young boy's trip to heaven and back. It was a really uplifting and encouraging read, and I've found myself feeling a bit more lighthearted because of it!
Tomorrow is the five month mark in my SALT year (FIVE MONTHS!!), and it also means that I get to open the January gift that my sister sent me- I always look forward to waking up on those days!
Have a good one!
Love,
Ellery
I woke up this morning feeling in one of my dream-like states, where nothing felt real. I had a similar phenomenon happen to me when we went to "Lottemart", the Indo equivalent of Costco or Sam's Club. It's the feeling I get when everything feels just slightly off from "normal" (and the fact that Lottemart had the exact same floor plan and product placement layout as Costco, only with different products, is a prime example of that skewed sense of normal).
My walk to school this morning was particularly noteworthy today (though it probably is every day, but as I have mentioned, "normal" takes on a new form here). I was rounding the corner by the school, when out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a... I want to say man, but it could go either way... making a beeline toward me, "pacman-ing" (in the words of my father) his way across the street. (Though I have been informed that the game "Frogger" is a more accurate description- my apologies to those of you who know your games better than my dad and I!). Anyways, this person was unusually tall for an Indonesian, and extremely skinny. The most notable aspect of his appearance, however (not counting what I detected as a crazed gleam in his eye) was the leopard print miniskirt that he was wearing. He attached himself to my side (as close as anyone I have met here will get, though they keep their hands to themselves, which I greatly appreciate), and followed me a few steps. My guess is that he was hoping for some cash, though I was not looking directly at him so I am not certain. It was the most persistent situation of that that I have found myself in, and required that I stop completely, take a few steps backward, and make very deliberate "leave me alone" hand gestures (which I really don't love doing, I always feel like I'm shooing someone away, and "shooing" another person does not sit very well with me) before he moved on. Needless to say, this further perpetuated the "dream-like" state that I already felt I was in.
I noticed on my walk home, that a rival cell phone shack has set itself up not but 15 feet down from the original one (I believe I've mentioned this one in previous posts- the owner is really friendly and we always say hi to each other on my way to or from church). This new booth does not seem to have the loyal clientele of the other one yet, but perhaps within the next few weeks, I'll see more people milling about. What more reliable place to purchase a cell phone from than a roadside vendor, right?
There is also a becak (rickshaw) that parks itself about a foot and a half from the driveway of where I live. Most often, the driver is someone I have seen before, but on some occasions (like today), it is someone new. I love their reactions when, just as they finish asking me if I would like a ride, they see me turn into my driveway. They're usually pretty cool guys, and I've learned that a lot of them support their entire family on the money that they make as a becak driver. My moments of becak need are few and far between, or else I would use them more often.
I tried Indonesian-ized sushi on Sunday for lunch, and I have to admit, it was better than any sushi I have eaten at home! I was quite impressed. Monday was off to Salatiga, and I got to see Laura, who is my oasis of familiarity in this desert of... unfamiliarity. (That metaphor didn't come out as well as I was expecting.) Her friends at STTS took both of us out for lunch to a beautiful- truly beautiful- warung in the mountains of Kopeng, with delicious food and a breathtaking view. That evening, I attended what was either my sixth or seventh Christmas celebration (eight or ninth if we count the two 3+ hour New Years services), and this one included a gift exchange. I am now the proud owner of a Niko AM/FM portable radio, and can enjoy tuning into Ichthus FM whenever my heart desires!
I got home from school today at around 1PM, and we headed to the tailor again after lunch. Almost all of my pants and a few of my shirts needed altering, and today they wanted to check a few items to make sure they were altering them properly. I was VERY impressed! They even took into consideration the fact that "you will get big again", and left the extra fabric to accommodate such a situation.
I decided today that I needed to get out and do some adventuring on my own (an impulsive desire came over me, and I seized it, for those moments are not the most common for me). I headed off in my comfy running shoes, to explore what I thought was just a small market near the mall. It turned out to be much bigger than I expected, and I only made it a little ways down (stopping for a photo op with a boy who kindly forewarned me that it would be going up on facebook) before turning around to continue my adventure in different places. It would have been a good picture-taking day had I remembered to bring my camera, but luckily, I still have plenty of time! ;)
I finished an entire book today in one sitting. It's called "Heaven is For Real" and it is the account of a young boy's trip to heaven and back. It was a really uplifting and encouraging read, and I've found myself feeling a bit more lighthearted because of it!
Tomorrow is the five month mark in my SALT year (FIVE MONTHS!!), and it also means that I get to open the January gift that my sister sent me- I always look forward to waking up on those days!
Have a good one!
Love,
Ellery
Friday, January 6, 2012
All About Food!
Hello, my BEAUTIFUL Family and Friends whom I miss so very dearly at the moment,
Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like all of the progress you've made on something seems to disappear, and you find yourself feeling like you took two steps forward, only to find yourself falling three steps back? Today is that day for me. My positive mentality went out the window (this is why I said "special prizes for those of you who make it to February" with your New Year's resolutions- I lasted a solid six days with mine!), and I've found today to be a day of longing for my family and friends who know me best, and who are most familiar to me.
My family left five days ago, and the minute hand that seemed to be moving forward at warp speed has suddenly decided to take a nice, slow-paced break. I find myself struggling with the same challenges of living in a new culture that I thought I had conquered before Christmas. They are nothing big in and of themselves, but when compiled together, one really has to make up their mind that they are going to look at them positively, or else one can easily find themselves slipping into negative ways of thinking. I was SO lucky to have my family come and visit, but their absence is felt very keenly right now. I am looking forward to hopefully at least one more familiar visit from home, but the time between now and then is quite long, and it feels a bit daunting right at this moment.
On two separate occasions, people have commented on the food-focus of my blog. I didn't notice it until it was pointed out to me. My dad, being one of those two people, now completely understands the reason for that food focus, and I think that it would require being here (or anywhere besides home) for an extended period of time, in order to really understand this. Nonetheless, it has given me something to think about, and I will do my best to explain to you where that food-focus comes from...
Food represents more than just nourishment, and is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of cultural differences. For one, the food itself is different. Last night on our table, I found cow brain in a type of coconut sauce, and cow spleen in another kind of sauce (and yes, I tried 'em both!). Other new foods include goat stomach and lungs, cobra blood, and dog meat (those last two I have yet to try). Every culture in the world has their own foods, and every family within those cultures has their own way of preparing and providing it. In my situation, my host mom goes out early- around 6:30- every morning, to a warung (food stall) that sells a variety of different foods. She chooses small amounts of anywhere between 6 and 10 of these foods, and brings them home. Those foods go out on the table, and remain on the table for the rest of the day. (This is common of many homes in Java). At each meal, white rice is heated up and served alongside these dishes. The dishes are usually ethnic Chinese, and consist of a lot of pork (surprising, I know, for a Muslim culture), chicken, and some beef, as well as lots of sea food and tofu, and many of them are in some type of sauce. People here generally prefer to eat food at room temperature, and do not heat it up. Foods are often quite sweet- this is typical of this region, and not of all of Indonesia. A lot of food is also fried, which is why it is not harmful to have it sit out all day. Of course, every culture on earth varies dramatically in their use of ingredients, creating a world that is absolutely filled with a vast variety of flavours, some delicious, some not-so-much (as any "normal" person who has ever tried durian fruit would attest to).
Beyond the food itself, there is a culture surrounding food etiquette. In Indonesia, it is polite to decline food offers the first few times, and accept after the third time. In North America, you are offered food once, and your response is taken at its word. Here, it is also considered an honour for guests to be taken into a different room, where they eat alone. It is not uncommon for a guest to be served first, and for that guest to eat their meal entirely, before other people start eating as well. Sometimes you are left alone in those circumstances, and other times, you are watched and served. Meal times are a time to eat- not so much a time for visiting- and silence is not uncommon around the table. As a result, meal times are often over very quickly, and everyone resumes their activities. Going over to friends' houses for a meal is extremely rare- people would sooner go out to a restaurant. Eating at restaurants takes on a different appearance here too- since food doesn't need to be hot, there is no rush for all of the food to come out at once. I have sat with food in front of me, or with food in front of other guests, for as long as half an hour, before actually beginning to eat.
Now, I come from a Russian-Mennonite family in a small town in Canada. In my culture, we cook most of the food we eat, ourselves. We make enough for one meal, and any leftovers are immediately put in the fridge. Food is eaten either hot, or cold- I think I can count on one hand the number of foods we eat at room temperature. Having worked in a restaurant for four years, I have seen the absolute rage that can consume a person when their meal is not piping hot, or when food does not arrive at the same time. Meals in my culture usually include a meat, a starch (most often potatoes), and a vegetable, as well as a side of bread or salad.
Meal times are also a time- often the only time- to catch up with the family about life, and we often sit until well after we are done eating, just talking. At least once a week, we go to friends' homes for a meal, and make a whole afternoon or evening of it. Restaurants are the rarer choice, often reserved for more special occasions. If I am offered food once and I decline, the matter is closed. I know that if I change my mind, I could help myself to more, but it will not be offered again. What I eat is my business, and there are usually no comments made regarding what I put upon my plate, or how much of it I eat.
I think that, when I am home, I take my food culture for granted. It is not a topic worthy of discussion because it simply is what it is- familiar, and nondescript. It has, generally speaking, stayed the same for my whole life, and it will likely continue in the same patterns that it always has. It is only in being here in this new food culture, that I am acutely aware of the differences in my food life, at least three times a day. Sometimes the new food-culture scenarios are really exciting; other times, there is nothing that I want more than a pizza (without corn, unlike the devastating little mix-up in Laura's Pizza Hut order last week) or, better yet, mom's homemade chicken divan.
In reading this over, I realize that the differences may not sound so huge. However, more than anything else, my bouts of homesickness stem from the food culture. My host family bends over backwards to provide me with as many comforts from home as possible (such as bread at breakfast, rather than rice, and the option to heat my food rather than eat it at room temperature). They ask many questions regarding what I eat and why I eat it, in an attempt to gain an understanding about my food preferences (which, of course, seem completely strange to them too). I am so grateful for that. I think though, that this is why my blog so often focuses on food. Going out for a Western meal is a treat that is too exciting not to blog about. When I'm not blogging about that, I'm blogging about the new food-related experiences that I have had, which, I think, provide some of the best insight into the culture I am living in. It is likely that my blog will continue to have a heavy food focus, since food just is a focus of my life here! I hope that this does not come as a disappointment to those of you who have been anticipating stories of roaming with orangutans (my dream, which will have to be fulfilled in 2021, when the Mennonite World Conference is held here), narrowly escaping komodo dragons (the other thing I will have to wait to see in 2021), or more mountain climbing escapades (which will likely NOT happen ever again).
These last five days have gone by quite uneventfully. I spent Monday and Tuesday with Nicole, in Salatiga. We had a really relaxing time, and it put another buffer night in between when my parents left and when I had to be alone in my room again. The transition was not as horrendously awful as I was anticipating, and I needed a full two days to get my room cleaned and my laundry done, which kept my mind off of things.
I started at the TK again today, and it was so nice to see all my little kindergarten kids again. I was afraid that they might have forgotten me, and that their original fear of "The Bule" (white person) would return, but judging from the hugs and squeals of excitement, I have not been forgotten in the slightest! My schedule will slowly return back to "normal" in the next two weeks, and I am eager to resume the routine that I was only just becoming familiar with before Christmas.
I am working at putting together a more concrete (and interesting) teaching "curriculum" for the TK, creating learning goals and steps to achieve them, but I must admit that I am still completely lost in the teaching world. I've been told that many SALTers don't really get their act together until just before they are about to go home, and I think that I will fall right into that category.
It is also strange to think that in the coming weeks, we begin receiving information about coming home again. The beginning of February marks the halfway point, and I've been informed that time just flies from that time on (perhaps by then, that minute hand will have had the rejuvenating break that it seems to be needing...) I am also working- hopefully proactively enough- at creating my Fall Term schedule back at UW, so that I can meet all of my criteria and graduate next year, in April.
This time of year is a busy one for MCC as they put together next year's team of one-year service workers embarking on SALT, IVEP, or YAMEN, and I'm sure that both the future team members and MCC would appreciate prayers around this time, for those three programs.
Thanks for your support, your love, and your encouragement!
I love and miss you all, and I am grateful every day for you!
Have a great weekend!
Lots of Love,
Ellery
Do you ever have one of those days where you feel like all of the progress you've made on something seems to disappear, and you find yourself feeling like you took two steps forward, only to find yourself falling three steps back? Today is that day for me. My positive mentality went out the window (this is why I said "special prizes for those of you who make it to February" with your New Year's resolutions- I lasted a solid six days with mine!), and I've found today to be a day of longing for my family and friends who know me best, and who are most familiar to me.
My family left five days ago, and the minute hand that seemed to be moving forward at warp speed has suddenly decided to take a nice, slow-paced break. I find myself struggling with the same challenges of living in a new culture that I thought I had conquered before Christmas. They are nothing big in and of themselves, but when compiled together, one really has to make up their mind that they are going to look at them positively, or else one can easily find themselves slipping into negative ways of thinking. I was SO lucky to have my family come and visit, but their absence is felt very keenly right now. I am looking forward to hopefully at least one more familiar visit from home, but the time between now and then is quite long, and it feels a bit daunting right at this moment.
On two separate occasions, people have commented on the food-focus of my blog. I didn't notice it until it was pointed out to me. My dad, being one of those two people, now completely understands the reason for that food focus, and I think that it would require being here (or anywhere besides home) for an extended period of time, in order to really understand this. Nonetheless, it has given me something to think about, and I will do my best to explain to you where that food-focus comes from...
Food represents more than just nourishment, and is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of cultural differences. For one, the food itself is different. Last night on our table, I found cow brain in a type of coconut sauce, and cow spleen in another kind of sauce (and yes, I tried 'em both!). Other new foods include goat stomach and lungs, cobra blood, and dog meat (those last two I have yet to try). Every culture in the world has their own foods, and every family within those cultures has their own way of preparing and providing it. In my situation, my host mom goes out early- around 6:30- every morning, to a warung (food stall) that sells a variety of different foods. She chooses small amounts of anywhere between 6 and 10 of these foods, and brings them home. Those foods go out on the table, and remain on the table for the rest of the day. (This is common of many homes in Java). At each meal, white rice is heated up and served alongside these dishes. The dishes are usually ethnic Chinese, and consist of a lot of pork (surprising, I know, for a Muslim culture), chicken, and some beef, as well as lots of sea food and tofu, and many of them are in some type of sauce. People here generally prefer to eat food at room temperature, and do not heat it up. Foods are often quite sweet- this is typical of this region, and not of all of Indonesia. A lot of food is also fried, which is why it is not harmful to have it sit out all day. Of course, every culture on earth varies dramatically in their use of ingredients, creating a world that is absolutely filled with a vast variety of flavours, some delicious, some not-so-much (as any "normal" person who has ever tried durian fruit would attest to).
Beyond the food itself, there is a culture surrounding food etiquette. In Indonesia, it is polite to decline food offers the first few times, and accept after the third time. In North America, you are offered food once, and your response is taken at its word. Here, it is also considered an honour for guests to be taken into a different room, where they eat alone. It is not uncommon for a guest to be served first, and for that guest to eat their meal entirely, before other people start eating as well. Sometimes you are left alone in those circumstances, and other times, you are watched and served. Meal times are a time to eat- not so much a time for visiting- and silence is not uncommon around the table. As a result, meal times are often over very quickly, and everyone resumes their activities. Going over to friends' houses for a meal is extremely rare- people would sooner go out to a restaurant. Eating at restaurants takes on a different appearance here too- since food doesn't need to be hot, there is no rush for all of the food to come out at once. I have sat with food in front of me, or with food in front of other guests, for as long as half an hour, before actually beginning to eat.
Now, I come from a Russian-Mennonite family in a small town in Canada. In my culture, we cook most of the food we eat, ourselves. We make enough for one meal, and any leftovers are immediately put in the fridge. Food is eaten either hot, or cold- I think I can count on one hand the number of foods we eat at room temperature. Having worked in a restaurant for four years, I have seen the absolute rage that can consume a person when their meal is not piping hot, or when food does not arrive at the same time. Meals in my culture usually include a meat, a starch (most often potatoes), and a vegetable, as well as a side of bread or salad.
Meal times are also a time- often the only time- to catch up with the family about life, and we often sit until well after we are done eating, just talking. At least once a week, we go to friends' homes for a meal, and make a whole afternoon or evening of it. Restaurants are the rarer choice, often reserved for more special occasions. If I am offered food once and I decline, the matter is closed. I know that if I change my mind, I could help myself to more, but it will not be offered again. What I eat is my business, and there are usually no comments made regarding what I put upon my plate, or how much of it I eat.
I think that, when I am home, I take my food culture for granted. It is not a topic worthy of discussion because it simply is what it is- familiar, and nondescript. It has, generally speaking, stayed the same for my whole life, and it will likely continue in the same patterns that it always has. It is only in being here in this new food culture, that I am acutely aware of the differences in my food life, at least three times a day. Sometimes the new food-culture scenarios are really exciting; other times, there is nothing that I want more than a pizza (without corn, unlike the devastating little mix-up in Laura's Pizza Hut order last week) or, better yet, mom's homemade chicken divan.
In reading this over, I realize that the differences may not sound so huge. However, more than anything else, my bouts of homesickness stem from the food culture. My host family bends over backwards to provide me with as many comforts from home as possible (such as bread at breakfast, rather than rice, and the option to heat my food rather than eat it at room temperature). They ask many questions regarding what I eat and why I eat it, in an attempt to gain an understanding about my food preferences (which, of course, seem completely strange to them too). I am so grateful for that. I think though, that this is why my blog so often focuses on food. Going out for a Western meal is a treat that is too exciting not to blog about. When I'm not blogging about that, I'm blogging about the new food-related experiences that I have had, which, I think, provide some of the best insight into the culture I am living in. It is likely that my blog will continue to have a heavy food focus, since food just is a focus of my life here! I hope that this does not come as a disappointment to those of you who have been anticipating stories of roaming with orangutans (my dream, which will have to be fulfilled in 2021, when the Mennonite World Conference is held here), narrowly escaping komodo dragons (the other thing I will have to wait to see in 2021), or more mountain climbing escapades (which will likely NOT happen ever again).
These last five days have gone by quite uneventfully. I spent Monday and Tuesday with Nicole, in Salatiga. We had a really relaxing time, and it put another buffer night in between when my parents left and when I had to be alone in my room again. The transition was not as horrendously awful as I was anticipating, and I needed a full two days to get my room cleaned and my laundry done, which kept my mind off of things.
I started at the TK again today, and it was so nice to see all my little kindergarten kids again. I was afraid that they might have forgotten me, and that their original fear of "The Bule" (white person) would return, but judging from the hugs and squeals of excitement, I have not been forgotten in the slightest! My schedule will slowly return back to "normal" in the next two weeks, and I am eager to resume the routine that I was only just becoming familiar with before Christmas.
I am working at putting together a more concrete (and interesting) teaching "curriculum" for the TK, creating learning goals and steps to achieve them, but I must admit that I am still completely lost in the teaching world. I've been told that many SALTers don't really get their act together until just before they are about to go home, and I think that I will fall right into that category.
It is also strange to think that in the coming weeks, we begin receiving information about coming home again. The beginning of February marks the halfway point, and I've been informed that time just flies from that time on (perhaps by then, that minute hand will have had the rejuvenating break that it seems to be needing...) I am also working- hopefully proactively enough- at creating my Fall Term schedule back at UW, so that I can meet all of my criteria and graduate next year, in April.
This time of year is a busy one for MCC as they put together next year's team of one-year service workers embarking on SALT, IVEP, or YAMEN, and I'm sure that both the future team members and MCC would appreciate prayers around this time, for those three programs.
Thanks for your support, your love, and your encouragement!
I love and miss you all, and I am grateful every day for you!
Have a great weekend!
Lots of Love,
Ellery
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