Letter: 1 October 2006

So Indonesian

Here is a little story that describes perfectly how differently Westerners think. I recently won the equivalent of $50 at an import grocery store that I do most of my shopping at. They have been having a lucky draw the past month and I have usually won about $1 each time, but this time, I was lucky!!! - Hence the name. The woman giving me the vouchers was more excited than I was, I think. These vouchers could be redeemed at any time, but had to be used on American or Australian products.

I went in to do my regular shopping and before they totaled up my purchases, I handed them the vouchers. I assumed it would be an easy process - silly me. Normally, you would think that each product would be registered in the computer along with the barcode so the cashier just had to run each item over the scanner and at the end deduct the amount. Not the way it works here. The cashier called three other cashiers to help with the process and they began looking at the labels on each item to see where it was manufactured! I thought to myself, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ I decided to help them so I started separating all the US and Australian products and said to them in Indonesian that these were eligible items. They just looked at me. Maybe it was my lack in language skills or something, but they completely ignored me. They got totally confused by labels that said a state instead of USA.

After looking at several labels, they whipped out the calculator and started to add up each item! I was going nuts. Finally, 20 minutes later, they rang up the rest of my order and deducted the amount from my total. I was able to do the lucky draw again and won $10. Do I really want to go through it all again?


Running Man

Nash had his first track meet on Friday night. It was so pleasant on the track that evening. They have another meet on Saturday but it’s from 8am to 2pm. Those kids are going to pass out from the heat.

Nash ran the hurdles, 800m, long jump and he ran the anchor 400m in the relay. He did pretty well in the hurdles and the long jump. He and his friend, Garret, stayed together in the 800 and did fairly well. Soon after the 800m, Nash had to run the relay. He did so well staying right on the heels of the NJIS student. He pushed hard and was close to passing him, but the boy looked over his shoulder and saw how close Nash was and took off. Nash was able to keep up with him. That 400m is a hard race!! It was the last race of the evening and Nash crossed the finish line about ready to throw up. He did really well overall and we were very proud of him. He really enjoys running and is hoping to keep it up even though track is over next week.

Mallory went up to part of the meet with us. She had a great time pretending she was a track star and running all over the turf on the middle of the field. She kept going and going! She hadn’t had a nap that day and I had no idea she had that much energy. She got a hold of a little JIS pom pom and kept waving it and screaming, “GO NASH!”


All Girl

I just got back from the Indian Women’s Association Bazaar. It’s my favorite season…bazaar season. Several of the expat women’s associations have charity bazaars from now until Christmas and you can find the greatest things. I bought Mallory a smocked dress from the Pretty Stitches lady. She makes the most beautiful smocked dresses I’ve every seen. I brought it home and said to Mallory, ‘Do you want to see your new dress?’ Her eyes beamed and she jumped up and down. I pulled it out of the bag and she hugged it and said, ‘So pretty!’ She had to put it on of course so now she’s running around the house holding the sides of her dress and exclaiming how pretty it is, telling anyone she sees.

Mallory is frequently taking out every pair of sparkly beaded sandals I have or any shoe with the slightest high heel and wearing them all over the house. I have a daily ritual of going around the house collecting my shoes.

She has to watch me get ready in the morning and put lotion on just like I do, facial moisturizer, just like I do, and she’s trying to get me to let her wear mascara, but I told her she’s too young and needs to wait until she’s 14!

Dentist

I get to experience the joy of going to the dentist. I was trying to avoid it, but I can’t chew on the left side so I guess I should get in. I have to fly to Singapore next week for my appointment. I think I might bring Grant along so I don’t have to go alone. I was going to bring Nash, but his passport is going to be at the Chinese embassy getting a visa for his school trip next month. I’m sure I will be making a few trips in the next month or so seeing that I believe I am going to need a crown, so I will bring Nash with me the next time.

I am excited to go to the Borders Bookstore while I’m there and a real Toys R Us! I am also excited to get some American cereal at a price less than $9 a box. I am hoping to find a few Halloween things as well.

They come to your house

Strange things that happen here….the man on the bike with the sewing machine attached to his bike (remember him Heather?) has been just outside our gate for the past two days. He must be getting a lot of work. I should take a few things out to him.

The Linen Lady came to our house yesterday and I ordered several things for our beds. She will make duvet covers, duvets, sheets, pillow shams, anything for your bed. Each boy picked out a design for their beds. They are excited.

Because it’s fasting month here, all the restaurant windows are covered so those fasting don’t see people eating. The whole thing is interesting to me. They can break their fast at about 5:50pm so our staff has their drinks (some kind of strange tea stuff they always break their fast with) and their food sitting there on the table at about 5:15pm. They all hover over it just waiting. I would not be able to even be around it until it was exactly 5:50!

That’s about it for us in this part of the world. I envy all those that are enjoying the beautiful fall. The apple orchards and cider have really been on my mind. I miss it. I miss the crispness in the air and wearing long sleeves. I miss long pants and wearing socks. Enjoy it while I sweat to death just standing outside for 3 minutes and swat at the hordes of mosquitoes that are everywhere because the rainy season is late.

Photos: Sept / Oct 2006 - Track Meet

Nash getting instructions from the official on the starting line for the 800 meter race.

Mallory in the new dress.

Nash is the one in the closest lane on the track, getting ready for baton hand-off.

Long jump.

He may be too far away to see, but this is Nash doing the 100 meter hurdles.

This is Mallory at the track meet - we sat at a table to eat in between events.