I'm Goin' Ta Bali!

Well, we are off to Bali. Forget tropical paradise and mysterious temples. I’m just excited to go to a place where I can buy tampons and a good bra. Sorry to all you faint hearted men out there, but these are important items in any modern western woman’s life and sorely missed when they are not available.

I’ve been a good sport about making bread from scratch for every meal. My family has been very accommodating as well since I’ve found one recipe that works well in the Betty Crocker Easy Bake Oven. Whether it’s shaped like a biscuit, roll, hotdog or hamburger bun or breadstick, they all taste familiar.

I’ve also been happy enough to wear flip flops everywhere along with my jeans and long sleeve shirts in 90 degree humid weather. But a good foundation is necessary and now that the baby is weaned and all the ten pounds I’ve managed to get rid of since her birth seem to only be from my chest, something new is required. I’ll leave the other comment as it stands.

One other mystery of life I question before I sign off; why is it that even though Rob will only get to play one round of golf while we are in Bali, he has to take his golf clubs? Why can‘t he just rent?

Ciao!

House Turnover in Banda

These are pictures from one of Rob's house turnovers. It is such a great experience to witness this and you feel very humbled to think that these people have been living for two years without a house. You go to the community building where the village chief says a few words, the local Imam says a prayer, the keys are handed over and you have a little snack together. Women and men sit on opposite sides of the building.

Here is where some of these people were living.



Here is a brand spankin' new CRS house. Very nice.



Construction



Some happy kids at the house turnover.

Christmas 2006

Oh it's a slippery slope! Sabrina's first barbie and boy does she love it!


Santa DID find us!!



Counting the booty



The race to the 'tree' in Banda.

Christmas Eve Dinner Aceh Style

Thank goodness for great friends! Between hoisting forks to our mouths and phone calls to the office to figure out logistics for the floods in Northern Aceh, we had a great dinner together.




Sabrina enjoying her first big shin dig and sitting at the big kids' table!