New Food Friday...Where Do I Begin??

In my 5 weeks in the States, I didn't write much(or at all...oops!) in my blog and I definitely didn't really try many new foods...I mostly ate all my favorite things! But, since being back in Indonesia, I've definitely tried enough new food to cover all those weeks. During Idul Fitri(the major holidayfor Muslims in Indonesia after the 30 days of fasting for Ramadan), it's custom to visit friends at their home. With that comes a lot of eating because they'll always offer food. This past week I think everything I've had at someone's house has been a new food for me! There have been lots of soups, cookies, and side dishes that I haven't tried before, but since I can't remember for the life of me what most of them are called I'll go with the one I remember(and my favorite one I tried!).

Dendeng Ragi is made with cut up beef and topped with a mixture of spices and flaked coconut that's panfried. It was so delicious!! This is definitely a dish that I'm going to learn how to make! 

I tried the dendeng ragi at my friend, Ririn's house. Myself and a couple other families from the language school we go to visited her family for Idul Fitri. Her family had made a ton of food for us and every dish was a new food I've never tried before.

Ririn's family is such a sweet family! It was great to go to her kampung, meet her parents and grandmother and see where she lives. Below are a couple more pics from our time spent at her house.

As is customary during Ramadan and especially Idul Fitri, people set off fireworks and firecrackers. These guys tied them all on a rope and set them off all at once. People lined the street to watch...and yes, it all started before 7AM :)

 

Ririn(left) and Puji(right) waiting for the show to begin!

 

After we ate the amazing meal, Ririn and Puji took us on a tour of the area where they live which included the rice padi fields and the cemetary nearby where everyone in that kampung is buried.
 

Just hanging out in the fields...I could spend all day there. It's beautiful!

Trip to the Flower Market

One of my favorite places to go in Malang is the flower market. They sell so many different types of flowers, plants and seeds. It's amazing to just walk through and take in the smells(good smells haha) all around you! And I love going and interacting with vendors and other customers there...I always end up striking up conversation with someone there!
Today I went with my friend Widya to get some flowers. I went to get a plant for my room, but got sidetracked by one of my favorite flowers here, "sedap malam," which means "fragrant at night." I have never bought flowers for myself because I can never get myself to spend the money on it, but with spending 5,000 rupiah(about 50 cents) for an entire bunch, it seemed justifiable. :) It lives true to the name...as I walked into my room tonight, my entire room was filled with the fragrance of it!

A little taste of my time State side...

The past month has been pretty much a whirlwind. I tried my best to take lots of pictures, but I never seem to succeed at that. Any time I was with friends or family, I'd rather be in the moment and would forget to document it. I guess that's why I'm not called to be a photographer...

The conference I was back for was in Colorado and most of the other part of the trip was spent in MA. Below are some snapshots from the trip.

One of the highlights of my trip was getting to spend time with the one and only Alice, my grams. My first few days of my trip were the last few days of her long, well-lived life. I still am amazed at God's timing of my trip and His gift of time with her.

I missed many, many weddings this past year, but one I got to be home for was one of my bestie's, Bethany and Martin's wedding. I love her to death and am so happy I got to be there for her big day!

Reunited at last! I spent most of my time in the States with my family. It was soooooo good to be with them so much and catch up on time missed this past year! We did a lot of "favorites" together and I got to catch them up on life in Indo...I even made them my favorite Indonesian dish(above)--Pecel.



I got to spend a couple days before the conference in FL with old college roomies, the Scoobs(what we call eachother...long story!) This was a picture put together with Callie's Instagram app...I stole it since I'm not capable of such things with my flip phone(don't hate!). It captures some of the great moments of the trip. We got to hang out, go to the beach and meet Andrew and Avery...2 of my friends' new babies! Even though, we didn't all get to see each other at the same time, I got to see the majority of the Scoobs.

Like I said, in my trip I got to do a lot of "favorites." My mom, sister and I took a day trip to Cape Cod to visit family and to my favorite beach, Wellfleet.  

I got to be home for another friend, Maggie's wedding. It was such a beautiful wedding and a blast seeing her and friends from Boston. Congrats Maggie!



Year 1 in Indonesia

700: Hours Spent in Class Learning Indonesian

1,328,7384: # of Language Blunders Made

2: # of Accidents on my Motorbike

1,500,000: # of Indonesians I'm surrounded by in Malang :)

11: # of Roomates I have

3: # of Indonesian "Moms" I have

4: # of Nasty Hand Size Spiders I've killed in my room(4 too many...)

Last week was my 1 year mark since moving to Indonesia. As I was reflecting back on my first year in Indonesia, I realize it will be so much different then the rest of my time there. So many new experiences, learning language(although I don't think that will ever stop!), making relationships with Indonesians and learning so much about them and their culture. One word that God brought to mind was "Grace." God's grace has marked this year. In 2 Cornithians 12:9-10, Paul talks about God's grace being sufficient and His power being made perfect in our weaknesses, hardships and difficulties. As it's been hard to be far from family, especially when trials at home happen, God's presence has been nearer than ever. As I have learned a new language and interacted with people God's grace has covered over any language blunders I make(quite often I'm sure) and difficulties that come with cross cultural differences. I for sure have gained a better sense of humor through it all to be able to laugh at what comes! 
Looking back on this past year of full of great memories, but more important full of expectancy for next year. I look forward to see God's words and visions played out in the future.