EEC Christmas Party

It was 7:09, thirty nine minutes after we'd invited people to attend the EEC Christmas party, an event we'd been planning for months now. I look at Josh and we both look at the crowd - 11 students are here. "Hmm. Well, at least we'll have plenty of food," I said, since we were planning for 50. Somehow, it happened over the next 21 minutes that 54 more people came in. I looked at my friend in amazement and he just said "That's the Indonesian way." I just laughed. We played a version of "Family Feud" with all the questions relating to Christmas. We even surveyed some of you in America for the responses. It was a huge hit. Josh was the host, with just the right amount of corny and cheesiness. He was like a celebrity, people wanting his picture after the show - haha.

We had a great time playing the game, eating Christmas cookies (my cake was frosted with red and green m&m's on top) -thanks to my mother-in-law sending them in a package! :)

Two of our teachers explained the difference between a cultural Christmas and a believer's Christmas, telling about the birth of Jesus. We ended the night with a fun photo session with our students and friends.

Botanic Gardens

Who could think of stuff like this except our awesome Creator God?

Weddings Asian style.....

The wedding shower.... Two of our friends are getting married this month and we thought we'd celebrate by throwing them a shower/party...

Showers are definitely not an Indonesian tradition so it was more of a party and showering of prayers, blessings, and love... along with a little spa basket gift.

I'll make sure to post some photos of the traditional Javanese weddings.

Teaching the kids at Kenjaran

These little ones are precious. We study math and reading each week as well as sing some songs with them. Their favorite is one in which the chorus translates "Turn to the left, turn to the right, turn all around, find another friend"

Happy Candy Harvest Day

So, the frosties were kosong (empty) but we drank some ice lemon teas and cokes and played mow for an hour or so while the Wendy's staff set up for what seemed to be a thrilling Halloween party. I'm still not sure what the "Blinkz" is supposed to mean. Josh also got to take a turn with pin the mouth on the pumpkin at our Pumpkin Party. No, there was no candy corn around or trunk or treating, but we still had fun!

Open Mic Night

EEC hosted an Open Mic night where one of our teachers performed a lot of original music and we opened up the mic for anyone else to sing. Lindsey and I sang a rocking Taylor Swift's "Our Song," much to the crowds pleasure, and after some coaxing, several female students sang a few songs in English. "More than Words"and "Leaving on a Jet Plane" were among favorites. We probably had 70 people come and I tell you, it was HOTT in there! We went through probably 36 cups of coffee, 4 plates of brownies, 1 cake, and 2 giant bowls of popcorn very quickly! It was a lot of fun. We wish you could have been there :(

Fantasy Futsal

Josh plays futsal (like indoor soccer) here every Tuesday morning. He's scored 2 goals last game.... the mvp on his team, I'm sure! hehe

Uniquely Indonesia!

Almost every day we come across something that we just don't remem

ber seeing in the States. We'd like to share some of these things with you from time to time.

Indonesia's KFC Colonel and Dollar General. Don't tell me you wouldn't eat this guys' chicken on a stick!

This bowl of popcorn was served as an appetizer. They called it "welcome corn"

And the truck.... well, it speaks for itself.

Josh's "man trip"

Tonight's menu: goat

We were invited to our friend's house to celebrate idul fitri with he and his family. We ate sate gambing (goat on a stick) and bakso (meatballs). Too bad Josh forgot to wear his sarung!

The big 25!

What do you do on your birthday? Why eat Italian food at the nicest place in the city of course! Haha! We had a great time getting dressed up and eating at Portofino's, located in the fancy hotel.

The other picture is when some friends came over for ice cream to celebrate. We had a great time. They taught me a traditional dance although for some reason it looks like I'm the only once dancing in the picture..... go figure.