used to be one

This past week we visited the massive, ancient Bhuddist monument at Borobudur. It used to be one of the 7 wonders of the world. We're not sure how it got bumped off that list, but whatever. (Maybe because someone discovered Ankur Wat?). It was pretty impressive. You can Google Borobudur for more (and better) information than i can (or should bother) writing here. It's pretty interesting. We are amazed that it's still standing after all this time (built in the 700's), and after all it's been through (volcanic eruptions, WWII, earthquakes, bombs, etc.).

No mortar was used in the original construction of the monument. Each piece was hand hewn from local stones into interlocking shapes, creating a massive, sturdy temple that has stood the test of time - so far anyway.

It was a hot and sunny day, but Nadia made it up all 5 flights of stairs, in the full sun, on the baking hot stones. She only broke down in tears when someone asked to take her photo (for the 10th time).

She toted her water bottle all day, asking for refills (Thanks, Josh and Sarah for our indestructible water bottle. Nadia is conducting some further testing on its durability). She loved touching the hot relief carvings that surround the outer walls of the monument. (Mom, notice her outfit :0)

At the top of the 5 story monument, she decided she wasn't quite high enough.

Inside each of the stupa (those bell shaped thingies), is a statue of Bhudda. Remember, all of this was carved using only what tools that were available in the 700's. Unbelievable.

A typical village road on the way to Borobudur (really, actually quite nicely maintained).

Our smoking volcano, Merapi and a local farmer doing his daily chores.

my smarty pants

Today in the (e-)mail, Phil received a copy of his brand new Master of Arts Degree in Intercultural Studies from Moody Bible Institute (who's new name is Moody Theological Seminary). After over 6 years and 62 credits, Phil has completed his graduate degree. I'm so proud of him! (he just hollered in from outside, "Well, don't put anything on the blog about it!"). :0) Too late.

This photo is old, but I just love it. It's a great picture of how he actually completed this degree of his. We do not owe a single entity a single penny for any of the requirements of this degree. He took classes as we could afford them. We never had to live on the college campus, we were able to have a wedding and then a baby, and then move across the planet to begin our work over here in Indonesia - because Phil didn't put this degree first. He held it loosely, yet worked tirelessly on it. He was even able to complete the final stages of the degree from all the way over here.

His hard work and patience has paid off (once again), and now he has an official piece of paper that states part of what I already know about him. He's smart, sweet, quietly persistent, and absolutely irreplaceable.

Congratulations, Phil!

Borneo Trip #2

We wanted lots of great photos to share from our trip to Borneo this past week, but we never really got around to taking any. We were able to attend lots of meetings, as well as spend a good deal of time with our coworkers up there. Also, Nadia was sick the entire week with a very nasty fever (we're not sure if it was dengue - it also looked and acted like the measles ((which is highly unlikely)). Whatever it was, it kept us hiding in our air conditioned room for much of our time there. We're thankful that she's feeling better, and that we got to go, and that we're back on Java safely.

Nadia schmoozing with the stewardesses... getting as much candy as humanly possible.

Who knew that Indoensian airlines and Argentinian airlines were such good buddies. Actually, phil's seatbelt buckle was from Bolivia, and the other one next to me was from another Indonesian airline.

This is how we spent much of our week.

I used to have Jolly Ranchers. Today i found an ugly, dirty gecko trapped in the bag... He ate a hole through the plastic, and chowed down on my candy. Yet another reason to hate those gross, sneaky, poopy lizards.

New Digs

Here are a few photos of the new place.

Our cute little cottage on the hill.

N's room

Part of the kitchen

N watching workers laying a cement slab for the washing machine

The dining room wall that Phil allowed me to scribble on.

Aloe Vera from Angie, transplanted to our new yard. Aloe Vera here is called Lidah Buaya = Crocodile Tongue

I forget the English name for this plant, but here it goes by Lidah Mertua = Inlaws' Tongue :0)

Trail Mix

This past week has been a blur. We are all moved in to our "new" house, and we love it. We've not yet had time to take good photos to post here, but that's coming. We've been busy with other things as well, and here are a few photos of a couple pieces of the chaos.

Today, the windows in our house are getting screen. YAY! Up until now, this past week has been very buggy. Thankfully, it hasn't been anything we can't handle with a few flip flops and 3 cans of Raid. I lost count of the roaches after I had killed 15... during our first night in the house. Look closely at this pretty moth (who was mercifully set free out the back door after this photo shoot). He has LETTERS on his wings!!!

Our nearly-two-year-old is trying to figure out how to play with others... I snapped this photo right AFTER Nadia did the same thing to this little "friend" of hers. They are both wanting to play with the same pair of nails cemented into the stone wall. What in the world? Another interesting note is that Nadia is a full 8 months younger than her friend pictured here. She's sort of a beast... and she packs a punch. I wonder if that's genetic...

With our new place, we've got way more space. We. Love. It. Nadia spends her whole day putting her shoes on, running outside for 5 minutes or less, taking her shoes off, running around the house for 5 minutes or less, ad nasaeum. She's completely enjoying her new discoveries such as dirt, spiders, chickens, small rocks, etc.

At the end of a long day of running around and getting nice and filthy, and after her cold bath, she likes to kick back and munch on a few bites of her dinner.

Through all this moving and shaking, we've continued our learning of language and culture. Granted, this photo was taken a long time ago... we still think it's funny. And it applies. This little blue van is part of the vast public transportation system in our town. Each one is personalized. This driver has either a tart sense of humor... or a poor understanding of the English language. Either way, we like it.