Makanan (Food)

Bananas!  Bananas!  Where are the bananas?  It has been just as the song says:  "Oh, Yes!  We have no bananas, we have no bananas today!"

But TODAY, I went to the large open market in Old Bintulu.  I have avoided it like the plague, as it is next to the open Fish and Meat Market, and I had taken a firm and unshaken oath never to return there.  

I asked for bananas... no English spoken, but kept being motioned to walk further and promised many many bananas.  SO, ok, ok, ok.  I kept walking...

No, not that.  What in the world is THAT?

But, this amazing scene soon appeared.  What fruit or vegetable could not one find here?

Ah yes!  Bananas!  MANY bananas!

What do you want?  Red?  Green?  Yellow?  Tiny?  Small?  Very long?  We have some bananas today!

We also have:  Don't know, but pretty.  And very small corn...

Love the color and the shape.  Where is the artist?

And in addition, we have mushrooms!  Very very fresh.  This market was a wonder.  Dad was waiting or I would have lingered.  Must go back to look.  Do you think I might ask for raspberries?  My greatest longing is for raspberries.  I think they would motion a very, very, very long way!

A Visit with Nofia

The path to Nofia's house -- the beautiful Indonesian girl who has so haunted my thoughts.  Her possessions:  her baby.  Her home?  What would you say?  Her future?  What dare we hope?  Her hope?  The gospel.

Today?  A toy and some clay for the baby.  A blessing from the priesthood.  An invitation:  please come to church.

What do we remember?  Her surroundings?  No, her smile.  Could we be so brave?

Malaysian Dress

This is at the "canteen" at the entrance to the Kompung where in the afternoon the women sell the greens and fish and fruits they've gathered during the day.  The woman has on the Malay sarong.  I love the batik fabric.  They wear them many ways.

Is this an irresistible one?  He has on a miniature version of the traditional sun hat they wear, which is very ingenious!  It is handwoven and sewn.

Our Bintulu Home Sweet Home

A picture of our home, so you can imagine us.  I am so pleased with my little tropical garden.  The Hibiscus is rare and stunning!  The dieffenbachia we have in the states as a houseplant!

Lunch with the Elders

P Day and the Elders wanted to have lunch with us at "this great fish restaurant."  It was a typical outdoor corner cafe, and the menu was basically the same as everywhere:  "Chicken Rice," but it was good and we always have a great time with them.  Elder Hart (from Rexburg) is closest to me, and then Branch 3 elders are the first one on the left and the one in the back next to Elder Hart.  Terrific young men.  The BEST!

Box Lunch

We saw a sign in a nice hotel advertising:  Box Lunch.  We thought it was a take out of some sort, probably in a sack.  Then we saw someone served this beautiful "Box."

We ordered immediately.  It was delicious!  and... beautiful!  Cost?  About $8 a piece!

Malaysian Evening

Saturday evening and the couples decided to go to the HOTEL for dinner.  It was a buffet.  It offered a fantastic array of delights and unknowns to cook at our table.  The little cookers had hot broth in the middle and a griddle to cook fish and meat.

Some of the offerings...

Pick a sauce!  Any sauce!  I dare you!  Hot pepper, rosemary in oil, curry, peanut, fish.  They were very good!  I could eat a whole bowl of peanut sauce without any thing to go with it!!!

Presiding over the dessert bar.  One of their favorite treats is a jellied "jelly."

Varieties of rice... Bee Hoon, Kiway Teow, Yellow Noodle, Egret Noodle, Glass Noodle

Fish Delicacies

Mushrooms

Meats available:  Prawns, Beef, Mussel, Satang Kembang, Grouper, Snapper, Chicken...  It was GREAT!  Well, Dad thought a little adventurous, but I loved it.  It was the Peanut Sauce on everything!

The Very Burned Chocolate Cake

I was asked to teach the Relief Society sisters how to make a cake...  "What kind?" I asked.  "Oh, Chocolate!"  "OK" I say.  We make a very very chocolate cake!  So I go home and survey my options and ingredients:  flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, I think.  Baking powder, maybe.  Buttermilk, no.  Eggs, yes.  And so I began testing out some possible recipes.  After a few trial runs, I finally came up with one that I liked the results, substituting a combination of yogurt, cream, and lemon juice for buttermilk.  (The elders got several servings of cake and served as the taste testers.)

Day of the demonstration:  7 sisters, 17 children.  Quickly divide my ingredients for "half cakes" and cupcakes.  Put cakes in oven.  Smoke!  Billowing from oven!  Open oven.  Se a very very burned cake.  Try 3 cakes.  Sisters can't wait to ice cake.  Warm cake.  Hot kitchen.  Warm icing.  Ice anyway!  Sisters like chocolate cake!

Family Home Evening

This is our branch president.  His wife is Relief Society president, his daughter is Primary president!  I teach his two daughters: Robecca and Mazura piano.

John and Annie

Julie and Annie

Investigators

Missionaries teaching that night.  It was pouring rain!  Not cats and dogs, but elephants, monkeys, and snakes!

These two sisters thought it was so funny that John was so tall and they were so short!  Norlia on the left is preparing for the temple.

The Eyes Have It!

When I am resurrected, I want to come back looking like this little girl.