Christmas 2009

We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Great and Adventurous New Year in 2010!!

“Ahh.. Another Day in the Tropics.” We’ve been living here in Jakarta Indonesia for three years now and this phrase is actually a lighthearted comment on the sometimes frustrating but fascinating day-to-day life here. Our year was filled with new experiences and new places. It was also filled with family, old and new friends. We have had a wonderful 2009 and look forward to a fantastic 2010.

The year started off with us spending a week in Bangkok Thailand. The girls had a great time visiting cultural sites such as the Reclining Buda, Royal Palace, and various Wats. We took the MRT and river boat ferries all over Bangkok. Our favorite thing to do was eating the local cuisine on a floating restaurant.

We enjoyed several weekend trips to the ocean at our favorite beaches, Sambolo, and Tanjung Lesung. While in town we’ve succeeded in spending less weekends “going to the mall” and played in the pool more. One Saturday we were invited on a special trip to the orangutan house at the local Ragunan Zoo. Tia and Sara were allowed to climb in an outdoor jungle gym and play with the adolescent orangutans!

One of our best trips in Asia this year was to Sabah Borneo in the city of Kota Kinabalu, where we snorkeled in the crystal clear waters of the TAR islands under the bluest skies. Tia and Sara were thrilled when the fish literally “ate out of their hands”. We may have eaten some of the same fish later that evening at the fresh seafood market.J Near Mt. Kinabalu we took a “canopy walk” on a boardwalk rope bridge through the treetops, 200ft. above the forest floor. We also rafted down the Klias River of Sabah. What fun to raft in a warm river.

Tia and Sara continue to thrive at the Jakarta International School. They both have enthusiastically embraced their new favorite sport, gymnastics, and do cartwheels all over the house. The new highlight of the girls’ life is their kitty, Loui, who joined us in October. She snuggles with alternating girls every night, meows to wake them in the morning, and runs to be picked up and held as soon as they’re home from school. Loui is uncommonly vocal and has become an unwelcome alarm clock as of late.

As we do every year, this summer we “went home” to Washington to spend special time with family and friends. We went crabbing and boating with Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Del in Silverdale, and fishing and inner tubing at the cabin with Grandaddy and Hazel in Idaho. We even roasted marshmallows and played in the tree house with cousins, and went on a special nature walk with Great-Grandaddy.

An extra big summer treat was participating in the Giang family reunion. Over 75 Kay and Chi family members gathered at Fort Worden, WA. We all had a wonderful time reconnecting with family members, eating, visiting, and playing by the sea together. The talent show was an extra special treat for Quyen’s father.

Sadly, Quyen’s father passed away only 2 months later. The family gathered again in Washington to honor him in a traditional Chinese Buddhist funeral. A truly beautiful and moving experience to pay respect to Quyen’s father.

Quyen and Paula took a trip up to Alaska where they fished from their place on the Kenai River. They were thrilled to catch a 65 pound King Salmon, a new family record. It makes for an excellent fish story- until pictures are revealed.

We wish you a Great and Adventurous New Year in 2010!
Love, Quyen, Paula, Tia, and Sara

Thanksmas

Hi Family so far away.We are really missing you this year!!

Hope God blesses you with a beautiful Christmas this year. We celebrated our own "Thanksmas" last Saturday and let the girls open their gifts that day too.

We're leaving for our trip on the 24th and decided to not make them wait until we return on the 2nd. The girls decided to get Daddy a gong to add to the family's collection of gamelan musical instruments. They've been busy playing with the gong and their own gifts for several days now.

Thanksmas dinner at the Penrose home was fun. The kids all had fun playing in their pool and decorating cookies.

We're leaving on Christmas Eve for Borneo. Flying to Kota Kinabalu Sabah. (same trip as earlier this year to do some more snorkeling).

Then we'll take a short flight over to another town called Sandakan where we'll spend a few days at a Jungle Camp. Lodging in a cabin and several boat trips along the jungle river to spot animals in the wild. It's the rainy season so they might be hiding but hoping to see orangutans, probiscus monkey, lots of birds, and maybe even the pygme elephants. I'm the most excited member of the family- this 2nd half of our itinerary is my Christmas present. :-)

Love you all!Paula

Gymnastics and Girl Scouts Christmas

Hi Everyone!I'm behind in my email pictures because I've been busy getting ready for Christmas. And I STILL haven't sent out our Christmas cards. They're coming SOON!

The highlight last weekend was a gymnastics competition. We were so proud of how confidently both Tia and Sara completed their routines. Sara won medals (silver and bronze) in two of her events, and Tia tied with a friend for the overall prize in her group! (four medals but I think the stuffed animal they gave each overall winner was an even more treasured prize. :-)

Saturday their Girl Scout troop hosted a christmas party for about 40 children from a local orphanage. The scouts and orphans teamed up for making gingerbread houses for each orphans to take home. They had a pizza party, sang carols, and of course, Santa came! He handed out a present box to each orphan complete with clothes, school supplies, and a small toy. The Girlscouts had each contributed five dollars of money they had earned themselves toward the gifts.

When Quyen asked them afterwards if Santa had brought anything for them, Their immediate response was "No Daddy, Christmas is about GIVING. not getting presents!

" This weekend we celebrated our own invented holiday, "Thanksmas"! Our friend, Steve, is Australian so doesn't normally celebrate Thanksgiving, and his Indonesian wife, Lila, is Christian but didn't grown up celebrating Christmas much either, but we've all enjoyed getting together to celebrate our own "Thanksmas" tradition every year. They hosted this year with a wonderful dinner of turkey, ham, and all the trimmings. The kids frosted sugar cookies and we all enjoyed lemon mirangue pie! Fun!

Hope all your holiday celebrations are wonderful!We miss you! Love, Paula

Paula Golfing

I went golfing today with a group of gals at another course out of town Riverside. Cheaper prices during Idul Fitri (Muslim's time of year similar to Christmas is for us Christians). It was fun.

We're all beginners so had fun laughing and cheering each other on. My goal is usually double the par of each hole. :-) I just played 9 holes and the heat never got to me. Talked with my friend that played all 18 and she said it just wasn't enjoyable once it got too warm, glad I called it quits.

One scene you don't normally see in America- an entire squad of ladies were lined up resting near one hole. They were waiting to cleanup any debris on the green and pickup the plugs of soil a machine had left behind when aerating the green. Their bamboo sun hats were enormous!

Loui kitty

Meet the newest member of our family!

Tia and Sara are the proud owners of a 2 month old kitten named Loui. He's very gentle little sweetheart and purrs all the time. Needless to say, the girls are thrilled.

He was owned by a teacher who just had too many kittties (eight) in her house to allow one more to stay. Judging from his personality he got lots of loving attention at their house and I expect that'll continue. :-)

Girl Scouts Begins

Tia and Sara are both Brownie Girl Scouts again this year. I'm leading Sara's 2nd Grade Brownie troop (10 girls) and Tia's 3rd Grade Brownie troop (15 girls).

The Jakarta Girl Scouts Overseas opening ceremony was fun last Sunday. I led the event so lots of singing and parading by the girls and not much talking by the leaders. I know most parents attend these events to see and hear their daughters, not some silly ole' leader.

Tia's 9th Birthday

I had fun watching Tia host her own birthday party today. She really enjoyed making her cake, creating the homemade invites and paper mache piñata, and planning the cute snowman game. About 14 little girls came over this evening and everyone had a wonderful time!

At least she let her Mom feel a little useful- I got to order the pizza. :-) We're going ice skating tomorrow as it's a no-school day.

First day of School

Tia and Sara just finished their first week of school and all went well. They were excited to ride their bikes to school on the first day and we'll probably do that often. (at least until the rainy season...)

Both girls report that they really like their teacher too so that helps the transition. Sara has her best friend in class and Tia is with one of her good friends too. As you would expect, they still suffered from jetlag the first few days but that just means they woke extra early (3AM) and were asleep early too (down by 4:30 on Mon)Luckily their sleep schedule worked fine with school hours and everything else is flexible.All's normal now.

The school held a "Welcome Back" picnic today and the girls had a great time with their friends on the bungee jump and dumping bottles of water on each other's head. Yes, it was HOT.

Both girls will be in gymnastics and Girl Scouts this year. Hopefully piano too but their Mom has to get on the ball with arranging a teacher.

Giang Family Reunion

25 Randon Things about Quyen

Here's the list Quyen created in Facebook.
I truly love this man.

1. I have very few friends because I don’t put out the effort and I don’t like rejection. I cherish the friends I have in my life (especially my wife).
2. I believe that love is unconditional, unwavering, and forever.
3. I am so very grateful that I am married to such a beautiful woman, wonderful person, and caring mommy to my children.
4. I believe in doing everything 100% or not at all. My wife is terrified I’ll become a born again Christian and she gets out of the way when I set my mind on something.
5. I am not religious or political because I see religion and politics divide people in the world. I like beliefs that focus on the common good in all and for all (but I keep them to myself).
6. I want to do business deals based on a handshake and a person’s word.
7. I am the eighth child of 10 in my family. My mom is an incredible woman.
8. I love to hold my children. I love it even more when they hold me back. I have never found anything more special than holding my child (especially when you can hear her breathing in your arms when she is asleep).
9. I want my children to know everything I know and start from there.
10. I have two pairs of cowboy boots I’ve never worn. They looked so cool in Mexico . I look like an idiot with them on.
11. Once I get something in my head, I can’t let go. Drives me nuts and keeps me awake at night.
12. I built my own cabin in the woods with a chainsaw mill 10 miles off the road system next to a salmon stream. My neighbors call it a lodge. I just love to build and couldn’t stop. And there is something about being able to make your own lumber.
13. I used to like dancing but not anymore. Don’t really know why. Probably because of Elaine Benes from Seinfeld.
14. I constantly worry about my children and my wife’s safety. This keeps me awake at night too.
15. I think my mother in law is an incredible person and does not see limits that most people see. I wish I could have spent more time with her father (my wife’s grandpa).
16. I love anything about fish. Especially fishing, filleting/cleaning fish, aquariums, scuba diving, fly tying, fly fishing, boating, watching people catch fish, books on fish, big fish, little fish, cooking fish, eating fish. Something about fish!!!!
17. I hate being in crowds but I also hate being alone. My family is my cocoon.
18. I speak five different languages. I have some really weird dreams in different languages.
19. I think having a successful career means you have less time for your family and friends. I work to live not live to work. Hopefully I’ve done a good job of balancing.
20. I love to read Louis Lamour books. Can’t figure this out either, they are all the same but I keep reading them over and over.
21. My favorite things to do include fishing, crabbing, clamming, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, golfing, traveling, boating (especially jet boats up into small shallow streams), building things (especially structures), scuba diving, snorkeling, and being with the 3 girls in my life.
22. I love standing around a camp fire with friends and family drinking beers and making smores (even though I don’t eat smores). Ok you caught me, I like to drink beer.
23. People say I am smart, but my little secret is that I just work hard. Although I wish I was smarter, then I wouldn’t have to work so hard.
24. I believe the only thing that can replace hard work and sweat is more hard work and sweat. More action and less talk.
25. I love to cook. I love it when people eat things I prepare and love it. I wish I could’ve been a chef.

25 Randon Things about Paula

This is a list I posted on Facebook but thought I should include it in my Blog too.

1. I am usually a happy, positive person. I think it’s fun to be extra friendly to a grumpy person and have them grin back, despite themselves.
2. I think my positive attitude is a product of the blessed life I grew up with. I was raised by two nurturing and supportive parents, and surrounded by a close extended family.
3. I grew up on five acres where we raised horses, chickens, and lots of pets.
4. Who wouldn’t be happy?
5. I want to raise my girls with an inner sense of right and wrong and the self confidence to stand on what they believe, no-matter what peer pressure says.
6. I admire my husband for his passion. Everything he pursues with 110% effort and for-thought and I feel incredibly blessed to have found him as my soul mate.
7. I like people and make friends quickly. But I’m slow to develop close relationships. My husband and I were best friends first, and we still are.
8. I describe myself as an active, non-athletic person. I accept the fact that I have no natural athletic abilities but I still like to get outside and have fun.
9. My current favorite “sport” is walking, but I used to do a lot of hiking. I once climbed The Brothers in the Olympic Mountains with MY brother, Justin.
10. I was diagnosed with MS a couple years after I moved to Alaska.
11. I like to ignore ailments or frustrations and just assume they’ll go away. Usually they do but this hasn’t worked with MS. When my body temp. goes up, my legs get clumsy.
13. I’m kind of sarcastic but have leaned to be careful around sensitive people.
14. I don’t really like living this sheltered, spoiled life of an expat. We have staff to do everything but no privacy and really little independence.
15. OK, I’ve got to admit, having someone drive my car, do my laundry, clean my house, etc. does give more time to spend with my girls and pursue other interests. Who’s complaining?
16. I’m thinking about getting my teaching certification. Growing up as a teacher’s kid, I’ve always felt like I might end up as one some day.
17. I loved the adventure of living in Alaska and would like to get back someday, but maybe not permanently. I’m not sure I’m prepared for the winters cold enough to freeze the hair inside my nose.
18. I’ve caught lots of salmon in Alaska. Fly fishing for them is my favorite.
19. I think grandparent-grandchild is an invaluable relationship. I grew up seeing my grandparents at least once a month and they’ve always been very important to me.
20. I hope I can help my children form close relationships with their own grandparents and extended family, even though we live farther away.
21. I lived in Spain during my first 2 years of life and Germany during 5th grade.
22. I’m ever grateful that my parents raised me with a strong appreciation of the varied cultures in our world and an open mind.
23. I love being a stay-at-home mom, but can respect that it’s not for everyone.
24. I still love it when my 6-year old climbs in bed with me in the morning to snuggle, and when my 8-year old wants me to read a story to her.
25. My Mom has the best quote “I love every stage of your childhood; I just wish you’d stay in each stage a little longer.”

Climbing with the Orangutan

Tia and Sara were invited to join some friends at a very special house in the middle of our local Jakarta zoo, Ragunan Zoo. A sweet older lady lives there caring for the orangutans. The children played with two young orangutans, climbing all over a big jungle gym and watching the resident kittens. Then Ulla took them on a tour through the zoo to feed treats of fruit and Yakut (vitamin drinks) to all the other orangutans. Amazing Experience! Love you, Paula

Sara's 7th Birthday

Sara decided to have a balloon Birthday Party this year!

Girl Scouts Mother Daughter Tea

Tia and Sara are done with their year of Girl scouts and there's only 6 more days of school left. Summer's coming! The girl scout troops had a "Mother Daughter Tea" earlier this month. Each girl had sewn a simple project for their Mom and they were requested to wear their "fanciest/ funnest hat". I hosted both troops at our house at the same time. All had fun.

Their closing ceremony was last weekend and we're done for this year.

Science Fair

JIS Science Fair 2009
Tia made square bubbles and
Sara studies sugar crystals!

Easter

Hope you're having a terrific Easter!

Sara and Tia woke me at 5:30 this morning as they were excited to hunt for their Easter Eggs. Boy is that Easter Bunny a good hider. :-)

I think a few of the 142 eggs are still missing but luckily the 9 hard boiled ones were found.

The girls both wanted to "make something" for Easter breakfast so Tia made some cinnamon rolls and Sara used the same dough to make brown sugar filled sweet rolls. Hard boiled eggs, smoked salmon, and warm sweet rolls. Yum!