bush walk

Last weekend we went on a bush walk to a wonderful waterfall. We walked through a dark cave which was dug out during the war times and then we walked up and up for another 6 kilometers until we reached the waterfall. We saw lots of little monkeys in the trees and running across the road and then saw a wonderful waterfall. The other great thing was a small play area and I was able to swim in the pool for ages while we waited for dad to come back with the car. We had fried rice at a little shop and then drove home. I was so tired i fell asleep straight away in the car!

 
 
 
 

Medical Clinic

On Friday mum and Aunty Sue went to another area of our city and helped out with a medical clinic. This was a free clinic with local doctors providing free checkups and free medicines. About 300 people turned up and were checked. Sue took up a role of checking blood pressure and Corinne became a pharmicist for the day dispensing medicine. As people were going home they were also given a small packet of food and things which helps them to live. They were working alongside a small team from Singapore and they had another clinic the following day way out in the village and about another 160 people turned up. The day was a real sucess and a great encouragement to all involved and provided great links with the community.

 
 
 
 

Corinne Tailor!

We have recently helped one of our neighbours get a small sewing business started. She is making various quilted things, at the moment she is making a series of aprons which are wonderful. The sewing machine is an antique but very strong singa which she is very proud of. The original asking price for the machine was 800,000 and she bargained them down to 350,000 and she was very pleased with her purchase. When another neighbour saw the machine she was so impressed that she offered her 700,000 to buy it off her! She politely refused and is determined to make the most of her new machine. If you have any patterns or things she could use she would greatly appreciate it!

 
 
 
 

Mum's big Surprise!

On the morning of mum's birthday, we all woke up early (like usual) and opened presents on mum and dad's big beg! Mum was very excited and we gave her big hugs and kisses as well as chocolate which she was very happy about. We went out for lunch with some friends and I had a great time eating and playing with Ethan, Ezekiel and Sienna. But the most exciting part of the day took place late in the afternoon. I had just woken up from my afternoon sleep to find the house full of young girls and boys who were hiding in the front room ready to give mum a big surprise. They were all laughing and trying to be quiet but were too excited. When mum came home they all jumped out and said "SURPRISE!" and mum nearly fell over! They had gathered all their spending money and brought a really yummy cake with pink icing on top. After the blowing out of the candle and eating the cake, the icing then managed to get stuck on everyone's faces as they smeared each other with ice cream!

It was the best surprise ever! Mum was so happy that her english class loved her so much!

PINK EYE!

Last week our whole family had to be quarantined as we got the PINK EYE! Dad got it the worst and his eyes were fluro red! We were not allowed out of the house for three days as we were highly contagious! This photo of dad is after he had taken the medicine and the redness had gone down!

 
 

Uncle Mike and Aunty Mindy

Uncle Mike and Aunty Mindy came to stay with us for a week or so and we had a great time. We went up into the mountains to stay at the cottage which was great fun! We played on the grass and ate chocolate and even had a fire at night! We also visited the animal safari which was great fun. Mike tried to feed the cow by sticking a carrot up his nose! We went on a train and I saw dinosaurs in a cave! Dinosaurs are now my favourite thing in the world and I continually retell the story of seeing the dinosaurs and how I was scared and how they move! My favourite dinosaur is a t-rex and my favourite question at the moment is "what is your favourite dinosaur?" We also visited the tea plantation and had a great time!

While they were at our house we spent time with our neighbours and played lots and lots! I miss them and am so glad they came to visit us!

 
 
 
 

Hari Raya

We recently celebrated one of the biggest events of the year called hari raya idul fitri. This day celebrates the end of the fasting month and is similar to Christmas day in Australia. On the night before people pray and pray all night long over the load speakers and people beat on drums until early in the morning. I managed to sleep right through it but mum and dad kept waking every hour or so until 6 in the morning when it finally went silent again. Then, very early in morning, the whole community meets together on a local field to pray together and hear a talk and then they ask for forgiveness from each other for sins that they may have commited during the last year.

After that everyone goes from house to house and asks for forgiveness. In every house there are loads of yummy cakes and drinks and chocolate and I am allowed to each as much as I like. For some people it is a very emotional day as they meet with their families and seek forgiveness, many people cry and travel for hours and hours to visit relatives. We had lunch with Ibu Tati and Ibu Sumi and their families and I got to play with their turtle. We also visited many other people and had dinner with another close neighbour and many people brought us food so that we had enough to eat for 2 days!