::I wrote this two days ago, and since then I have gone paintballing for the first time in my life, in a jungle scene from out of a movie (!) and went today to the infamous Mangga Dua shopping center, the craziest set of shopping malls I have ever seen (e.g. small stalls with people vending their cheap wares like crazy, people everywhere bargaining for these things, and personal space = non-existent). I'll write about that adventure for sure next time...::
My cousin Marie says that her favorite blog entries are the ones that cover the happenings of the day. I love these too, but many times I feel compelled to write about more than just the mundane – even though the every day details are the things that everyone can identify with easiest and best. I have to agree with my roommate Ruth from a previous blog entry of hers that everyday has been different and extraordinary in its own way. Yesterday, as we are still on holiday, was no exception.
::A brief overview of yesterday:: Shortly after writing my last post and having spent the morning portion of the day with my roommate Rachel, I left Times Bookstore to join Ruth at home for a session of yogalates (or yoga + pilates). Exercise is extremely necessary here, as half of us are employed in sedentary desk jobs that require little physical activity, other than typing – yet cheap and delicious food is in abundance everywhere we turn! (We actually look quite hilarious while trying to imitate the instructor, flailing and struggling as we balance precariously over our beach towels – also known as yoga mats!)
After yogalates and just before leaving for a life group hangout in Jakarta, Sarah, Irene, and I had our first jam session in the living room. For those of you who don’t know, my roommate Sarah has perfect pitch and can play the guitar without having to rely on chord charts. Irene, known affectionately as a “Diva” to those who know her well, sings on our worship team (which consists currently of John on guitar and Rachel on keys). Sarah is also teaching Irene tambourine and the shaker, so that Irene can also contribute percussion to our Sunday Celebration worship. Irene got to practice yesterday while the three of us sang together, in three-part harmony (!) It was such a joy to sing and worship with my roommates, since I have never had more than one roommate, and I have never jammed with roomies to this point in my life.
And singing for me is yet another thing where I am still trying to find my voice. It’s something I’ve loved to do since I was little – in the shower of course, because the water was loud enough to drown me out. And when I was by myself, because I loved to do it so much but was so afraid of what others would think. I was horrified at the thought of rejection, hence keeping it to myself all of these years. At one point while the three of us were singing, I felt like the song in my heart was like a caged bird, the beating of my heart being the wings fluttering, trying to get out…and the only way to let it out was to let whatever came out of my mouth be a worship for God. And regardless of how I sound, that impromptu worship session was beautiful. And I am glad that there is still some time for many more.
After wrapping up our jam session, the three of us rushed downstairs to meet Rachel and our new friend Sassha to drive to Jakarta to meet members of our life group there for dinner and bowling! We adore bowling in Ann Arbor, especially the $1.00 bowling nights. Here in Jakarta, it cost Rp. 75,000 – approximately $7.50 USD – for two games and shoes. A pretty penny for people with Indonesian salaries! Our new friends from the Universitas Pelita Harapan volleyball team joined us. We met them because Ruth and Sarah and John were brave enough to go after work to the UPH gym next door and ask to play with the volleyball team. Since they invest much of their energy to volleyball, bowling didn’t come so naturally to some of them initially, but we were amazed to see how quickly they learned. Lots of cheering going on in lanes 9-12 yesterday at the bowling alley, as each team competed for the highest score.
I thought that bowling was going to be the highlight of the night, and then our new friend Edwin (the cousin of Joanna and Louisa Halim, Michigan alumnae ’05 and ’04 respectively) said, “I want to introduce you guys to nasi gila,” [literal translation: “crazy rice."] You can imagine the thought that was going through all of our heads, and was eventually said out loud: “What is crazy rice?” Edwin grinned mischievously and said, “you’ll see…” John asked, “Wait…is it crazy because of what’s in it, or is it crazy because of what we will experience tomorrow after eating it?” Joanna smiled and said, “Both.”
John had asked the question because Jakarta is known for its cuisine, “Street Food.” This savory fare is prepared, cooked, and served on the streets of Jakarta from stalls on wheels known as kaki lima or five feet. Here is a description from Culture Shock: Jakarta: “The cheapest, and arguably the most authentic Indonesian food, is that sold by the kaki lima. These are five-legged, two-wheeler, mobile restaurants – meals on wheels – which hawk their wares day and night, albeit by a schedule...The kaki lima washing up facilities are never very advanced, limited usually to a bucket and any running water there happens to be nearby. Supplying your own plate and watching the food cooked with your own eyes should dispel any fears you may have about hygiene.” (230)
I was going to post pictures from my roommate Ruth’s camera, but unfortunately I haven’t gotten a chance to get them from here. You’ll just have to imagine the everythingness that was nasi gila: chicken, sausage, mystery meat, eggs, and whatever else have you (we were in the dark, so we couldn’t quite see everything) piled over white rice. We learned from a missionary friend of Rachel’s father this simple yet powerful concept a couple of weeks ago: “If you don’t know what it is, don’t ask – just eat it!” It was interesting to see our venue - some dingy plastic chairs and stools, imitation wood fold up tables, and a bright light with nyamuk [mosquitos] dancing illuminated (and subsequently biting every bit of exposed flesh on yours truly et. al) - with the kaki lima, juxtaposed with the houses of diplomats and ambassadors on Jalan Thamrin. The mixture I couldn’t quite see was definitely delicious (and I definitely ran to the refrigerator once we got home last night and gulped down a probiotic drink to combat any of the bacteria that my body might not agree with)… a welcome spontaneous adventure!
In summary, I got to spend quality time with each one of my roommates yesterday while doing things that I love; got to know people in our life group better while experiencing the enjoyment part of LIFE (love, investment, faith, enjoyment) Group...and I mentioned all of that because just like the nasi gila, the day was a mixture of everything! Thanks for reading!
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