between grief and high delight: May 2012

I killed my first cockroach this week. I guess I was always under the impression that cockroaches would outlive the apocalypse so there is no sense in trying to stomp on them, but after finding one crawling on me while I was trying to fall asleep on two separate occasions, I guess you could say I thought it was worth a shot. And the very next day I killed my second cockroach :)

This week was the Harvest Festival (Ka’amatan) in Sabah, Malaysia. We got three days off of work and I rounded some troops to accompany me to the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Centre/KDCA in a nearby town to see what the actual festival would be like. There have (most likely) been events going on for this all month long. We’ve seen the decorations. People had plans to “pulang kampung” [return to the village] but no one really explained what the whole deal was or how to celebrate it. What I did know was that a teacher from Seri Mengasih was in the Miss Harvest (or something) pageant and had won for her village and would represent her village at the finals! That I had to see.

Many blogs ago and about seven months ago I wrote about the KDCA. It’s a ‘cultural village’ with different styled long houses for the different tribes in Sabah. Last time I went to the KDCA it was just me and the small group from Seri Mengasih with our Japanese visitors. This time it was just me and this small group of ‘white people’ and a large crowd of Malaysians. I would go so far as to say that I only counted about 10 white people in the whole place of thousands of people! It was wonderful! I actually didn’t feel like a tourist. Anyways, the different houses hosted different activities as a reflection of what things look like at their villages around this time of year or simply how to have a good time. Fascinatingly fun! A little loud, crowded, and hot but the beauty pageant made it all worth it! All 41 ladies were gorgeous! We only watched them introduce themselves because that’s how insanely crowded it was. Seriously, I started to think all of Sabah was at the KDCA. I didn’t know this country even had that many individuals!! Just ignorance I guess.

All the holidays I’ve experienced in Malaysia have given me… stories to tell, to say the least. It’s really just rewarding to have the experience and feel part of the area we are living in, laughing together and cheering on those beautiful pageant princesses. I’ll have these memories forever, truly.

pretty right? pretty AWESOME!

Kotobian tadau tagazo do Ka’amatan!

peace

Another 90-day visa expired so the YAGM Malaysia crew went to Thailand. I really needed a distraction. Lately my mind has been occupied with thoughts of going home and my imagination can only do so much especially when going home might not be all it’s cracked up to be. My imagination has, for the first time ever, become my worst enemy; something I never realized was possible.

In Thailand we talked about ‘action’ in terms of what to do after you’ve observed and reflected on your observations. We had an amazing visit to the New Life Center in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The center is for girls who have become victims to human trafficking, of all types, in the area. The ELCA supports this center so we had a connection with them that way. I really appreciate what we learned that day and I’ve walked away with a new understanding and a reignited passion for art therapy. I got so excited when I found out they utilize art therapy at the center that I almost asked if I could work there. It got me thinking of how useful art therapy can be for all groups of people, globally. I should probably get some higher education in the field first, before I start asking places (even Seri Mengasih!) to have an art therapy program.

The members of the Malaysia crew like to assume the role of tourists when we go on our visa trips, so we did the touristy things as well. We went shopping in the street market, bought ‘Thai pants’ and ate sticky rice. Some even tried the bugs (cockroaches and crickets) but I was definitely not adventurous enough for that. We went to this amazing elephant camp where we rode on these little chairs on top of the elephants and then watched a show with all the elephant tricks you can think of! This camp is especially known for its artistic elephants. The trainer hands the elephant a brush with paint on the end and the elephant knows what to do with it! They made some beautiful pieces of art and we got to watch! There’s an entire gallery for the artworks and it’s super legit! I wish you could have seen it. We went to a different location where you can pet and hang out with tigers. Again, not adventurous enough for me to try but beautiful animals, and fantastically touristy!

We spent the 4-5 days at the Juniper Tree in Chiang Mai, which is this awesome place for missionaries of all types from all places to feel welcomed and get some rejuvenation time. The meals were very ‘western,’ to my surprise, and the facilities were superb for that ‘distraction’ I mentioned earlier. We did our group discussions in the library (no kids allowed!!) every night. These discussions were perfect for me. They helped me to visualize the mental locations of the crew members, our relationships, and think more concretely about what it will take to ‘finish the year strong.’ I really do enjoy our group so these retreats are stupendous! The only problem is that we probably joke around a little too much. Very dry, sarcastic humor too.

After the retreat Molly and I took off to Bangkok, Thailand for a few days. But before we left Chiang Mai we went bungee jumping!!!! It was amazing!! That’s another story for another time but it was my first time bungee jumping and it was totally worth it.

The best part, though, about going on these retreats, has always been coming ‘home’ to Seri Mengasih. Everything welcomed me back. I could smell Malaysia, feel its weather, taste the chili sauce, and hear the airplanes. This homecoming felt really great. It’s frightening that the other homecomings had three months before travel again and this one has only two months, but it is what it is. It serves as a reminder of how critical these two months will be. It smells better than ever!

Thanks for reading! Peace.