The last post for Tris and Kim's Indonesian Adventure: Saying Goodbye

This is it.  It's been almost one year since I last wrote, and although I think of blogging regularly, haven't had much opportunity to do so.  It has become obvious that it is time to say goodbye, that this blog did what it was meant to do, and that was to both keep family and friends back home updated on the goings on of our lives, as well as to help me personally settle into a new life in a new land.  That new life has now become routine, and the new land has become a second home.

One final update for what has been going on and what is to come.  Our family has grown up.  In fact, today is Abby's 16th birthday.  Matt turned 18 in October.  Tris and I are well into our 40s.  We came here to Indonesia for a 2 year stint and fell in love with the lifestyle, the people, and the culture.  While there are still some things we don't understand, like why some of the older rich women back comb their hair so much that the hair above their head is the same length as their face, and why Indonesian men allow the few hairs on their face to grow to braidable lengths, we continue to make new discoveries.  Tris likes to imitate one that you often see on the side of the road, usually near a food stall, and that is men pulling their shirts above their bellies and then rubbing their bellies.  While our family is still very much Canadian, I find that my kids have some very 'Indo' qualities about them.  They don't rub their bellies like Tris does, but they do love Indonesian food, and Matt covers everything in hot sauce.  I'm not sure that it's Indonesian, and I think it's more school culture, but they spend a lot of time studying with friends and doing homework.  One thing we have done that is very non-Indonesian, and that is to adopt a black dog.  Dog's here are considered dirty (by the Muslim population), and black ones are considered evil by many, so if poor Jasper was to wander beyond our gates I'm not too sure he'd do all that well on his own.

Jasper the dog

Our personal updates?  Tris is working as the Diploma Program (IB) Coordinator at our school (SPH) as well as teaching physics and chemistry.  He's also involved in some other programs that allow him to travel a bit around Asia.  Just recently he began helping to coach Abby's basketball team.  Matt is prepping to leave us next school year, and is very busy with university applications and school projects and exams.  He has applied to schools across Canada and the US but we haven't heard where he'll end up.  My hope?  Close to family (UBC) but as Matt wants to spread his wings a bit, he's rooting for something a bit more to the east. For fun, Matt still loves to socialize, and he's in a running club that he and a friend organized.  Abby is busy as well.  Today, on her 16th birthday, she'll finish up an exam schedule that will lead us into the holidays.  Abby's time is spent studying, playing sports (soccer last term, basketball now) and perusing Pinterest in any spare time that she can find.  She has more ideas of  things to make over the holidays than we have hours, so we'll have to prioritize a bit.  Both kids are involved with Student Council (Matt with Motley, kind of like a school spirit club, and Abby with Social Committee, where they focus on people who are less privileged).  Time is precious in this family, and so we are going to use the 2 weeks that we have coming up to relax, eat, and recupe for the upcoming year.  I don't think our family has ever been this busy.  We do meet up at dinner time most evenings, thankfully.  My news?  I have been doing a Masters of Education for the last 2 years, and just have my practicum to finish up (Jan to April).  Once that's done, I will be eligible to work as an elementary teacher.  I will graduate the same time as Matt, and when he goes to university, hopefully I'll go to work to help pay for it:)  

I've tried to think of ways to end this blog, by possibly giving some sage advice or offer some profound bit of wisdom.  I've had a year to think about it and since I haven't come up with anything specific, I'll leave it.  What I have learned over the past 5.5 years is that everything comes down to God and His will for our lives.  When we're in it, things work, regardless of the level of difficulty.  When we chose to do our own thing, struggles seem to grow exponentially, and there is no peace.  My hope for my family, including myself, is that no matter what we do, where we go, or where we end up, that our eyes will be focused on God, and that our attitudes, actions and choices would reflect the wisdom, grace, strength, peace and love of God.

Thanks for reading.  

The End.

Abigail Turns 15!

Almost a month ago, my baby girl turned 15 years old.  As we were taking a holiday from all things intellectual (work and school), I decided not to blog.  However, now is a good time to celebrate Abigail.

One of the disadvantages of living away from your home country is that usually all your old photos are back where you came from, and that is the case with us.  However, I have managed to collect a few favourites and this is definitely one of them.  Abby was a DOLLY when she was a little girl, and every year we are quite convinced that she gets more beautiful, both inside and out.

Tris and I are pretty proud of her and how hard she works.  I would like to post a photo of her awards and trophies but #1, she's hidden them away in her closet and #2, she'd probably chase me down.  I will say, however, that I believe that the hard work ethic that she maintains at 15 will help her to succeed in future years, and she follows God's leading and puts her mind to what He directs her to.

Although Abby works hard, she also knows how to play.  I'm tempted to post a few of her goofier moments but usually her bbf Zoe is usually in most of those photos and I'm afraid I may be blacklisted if I do.  A few summers ago my mom came up with an old pair of very large, very '80s, glasses, which Abby and Matt have adopted.  They loved them so much they bought a 2nd pair at the Thrift Store.  This past month, Abby and Zoe wore them to the local mall (lense-less), and as I watched them enter the mall, I saw more than a few double-looks.  Made me laugh!

It's good to have Abby around, because when she's ready to relax, she often forces us to as well.  One of my favourite memories is of a picnic (sushi and rice paper spring rolls) we had outside one Sunday afternoon, under our pink Frangipani tree.  It was during Ramadhan, so we weren't really supposed to eat in public, so we made sure we were hidden from inquiring minds.

One of the greatest blessings in my life is my children, and I love that they like each other.  They usually enjoy each other's company, and I hope and pray that this lasts into a lifetime relationship of communication, loyalty and commitment.

I've mentioned it before, and I will say it again, that having a blog is a great way to tell others how wonderful I think my children are.  So, happy birthday my Abby-girl!  You are a blessing to me and your Dad, and we can't think of anything more wonderful than to have you as our daughter.