coconut water & kitten craze

DIANE DRINKS DOGAN FOR DAYS

I am going to miss getting fresh dogan, (young coconut water) for less than a dollar.  So delicious.  So nutritious!  My coconut water fast/cleanse has been doing wonders and I feel better than ever.  I know it's my second coconut water post but I can't help but praise the stuff.  Everyone go start drinking it!  

Totally off the topic, I had an exciting dream last night about a two headed sea monster doing yoga on a rock and then jumping into a bay, followed by a fight with a giant gorilla and a vicious giant baby who turned out to just need love and affection.  

The weekend was relaxing and included watching Snow White & the Huntsman again with Chris and Megan, getting a massage, coconut water, a city ping pong tournament (pictures to come), painting, flower making, romantic comedy movie marathon (remind me to never do this again, it was a scary combination of irritation, addiction, depression and amusement) and trying to catch up on emails.  Love and miss you all.  94 more days until In 'n Out, burritos, camping and you guys.  XO.

One for here.

One to go.

STUNTED TAIL GROWTH ON INDONESIAN FELINES REMAINS WIDESPREAD IN SOUTH SUMATRA

flowers!

hard to find fresh flowers but easy to make paper flowers.

this makes me happy

magnetic accessories for my little pictures.

bangka round two

DAY ONE: BANGKA ISLAND

Back to Jati Pesona for a much needed weekend of sun and ocean and bonfires.  We were greeted in the morning by a huge thunder storm, a rather turbulent twenty minute plane ride and a very cramped hour taxi ride to Tanjung Pesona Beach.  We were hopeful that it would clear up and it did.  The water was as warm and wonderful as before.  The sand was a little hard from the rain but the sun dried up the wood so we could have an evening bonfire.  Our rooms were overpriced and ghetto but it was worth it for this private little beach.

Sandcastle no. 1

It was a great afternoon.  The sun was shining, we were getting tanned and the few locals around were staring at the crazy bule running around trying to get dark.  Then Serena stepped on a huge dead jelly fish.  Isn't it beautiful?

Nick moved it inland a bit so the dogs wouldn't try and eat it.  I was thinking we could wash it off, shred it a bit, marinate it and make a nice cold appetizer dish.  We didn't do that.  Instead we played until five or so, gathered a bunch of firewood and found a nice area surrounded by rocks near the edge of the water to make our evening bonfire.  After the prep work, we showered, went into town to Eat & Eat.  I ordered grilled chicken, some mixed vegetables and a drink called bandrek.  My exhaustion knew no bounds but the promise of s'mores (Megan got Hershey's chocolate and marshmallows in Singapore!) and a campfire kept me going.  Here's Axel, Nick and Serena.

DAY TWO: BANGKA ISLAND

Sandcastle no. 2

The bi-annual hermit crab race took place on the dilapidated 'sand ship' I made.  They were not too active this time around but did all manage to get back into the water through the race track/moat we created.  I got a little sunburned on my back.  We had an early bonfire this time, tried to get food afterwards but couldn't, so settled on packaged junk food, a couple beers and a good old fashioned game of King's Cup.  Slept.  Woke up.  Came back to Palembang.  Here I am.

paper art kit

The package Nate sent not only came with Martha Stewart comfort but also this awesome paper art kit!  I made one of the creatures but still have one more little pup to make.  So cute!!

The mail came!!

Eight weeks late but it arrived.  Thank you Nate!

I'M BACK!

I'm back.  Sorry I haven't blogged in so very long.  While I still love Indonesia and being here, I am really getting sick of Palembang.  I miss American food.  In fact, last night, I had a dream about roast chicken at mom and dad's house.  Mom was paying a fortune for this unlimited supply of roast chickens.  It was something like five hundred or six hundred dollars a year.  I was telling her what a fantastic deal it was and how we could have dinner parties and everyone could have as much chicken as they wanted!  And it was really bizarre because the chicken came in these little blue packages that you open up.  I believe they were seasoned with rosemary.  A true delight.

In other news, I know my time here is short so I must try and make the best of it.  I have only fifteen weekends left in Indonesia.  Here is my current itinerary for each weekend:

WEEKEND COUNTDOWN
1.) Bangka Island with Nick, Serena, Megan and Axel.  Megan managed to get Hershey's Chocolate Bars and Marshmallows in Singapore so we will be enjoying some S'mores during our bonfire!

2.) Chris, the new teacher arrives!  Axel, Nick and Serena will all be out of town so it will just be Tom, Megan and I.  Megan and I will be in the midst of toxin-cleanse and money-saving extravaganza so I hope we do not bore Chris too much by not wanting to do or eat anything.

3.) Weekend in Palembang.  On Saturday, I will attend taebo, return home to shower and hopefully go watch a movie at the theatre with Megan.  I have a little list of some restaurants I have yet to try in Palembang so I will try and get through one or two of those.  Unfortunately, because everything is either deep fried or bathed in refined sugar, it's hard to get through this list without feeling disgusting.  I will try and finish my Dodo bird paper cut this weekend and paint a glass plate.

4.) Perhaps a weekend in Jakarta with the teachers.  Nick, Serena and Megan have not spent a weekend there yet.  I would like to do this but I have to be careful because I want to save up money for my August trip and it is easy to spend a lot of money of food and shopping in Jakarta.  THEY HAVE MEXICAN FOOD FOR GOODNESS SAKES.

5.) Weekend in Palembang.  May try and meet up with some of my housewives for a cooking lesson.

6.) We are considering Pagar Alam round two and heading straight for Lahat so we can spend a day or two swimming in the river.

7.) Weekend in Palembang.  Hopefully watch more movies and eat some salty popcorn.

8.) Weekend in Palembang accompanied by a trip to Steve's village (a former EF teacher who has been living/working here for years) which is about an hour away.  I think this is also Nick and Serena's last full weekend here but I can't think about it or I'll be too sad.

9.) Weekend in Palembang.  Say good bye to Nick and Serena/welcome a new teacher.

10.) YES FINALLY, MY VACATION IS HERE!!!  Ryan is flying out here and we are going to see some awesome places!  Off to Kuala Lumpur for a night, then an early morning flight to HANOI, VIETNAM!!!

11.) Will either be in Sapa or Halong Bay.  If in Sapa, we will be high up in the mountains with an incredible view, sipping coffee or staying in a village home stay.  If in Halong Bay, we will be on a Chinese Junk boat lounging in the sun, kayaking, swimming or enjoying all the limestone formations in the Bay.  We plan to do both but haven't decided which order to do them in.

12.) Will be in North Bali ending the sixteen day travel excursion with snorkeling, swimming, motorbiking and eating.  YES!!!!  I AM SO EXCITED!!!

13.) Rabbit Rabbit.  First day of September.  Back in Palembang.

14.) Last weekend before I get another year older.  I thought I was 28 going on 29 but not long ago (with merely the use of simple arithmetic) I came to the discovery that I'm only 27.  That gives me at least another year to romp around in short shorts.  HOORAY!  This will likely be my last weekend in Palembang.  For as much as I complain about this city, I have really grown to love it.  Just how one loves and hates an annoying friend who has a mediocre personality but is the only friend around so in turn, loves them for being there.  It's too soon to get sentimental so I'll save all that for another post.

15.) Off to Singapore for a last hurrah with Megan (well only if we can get the days off together).  A nice transition into a developed country, complete with a trip to Top Shop and Cotton On.

I will leave Asia through Singapore and Taipei back to America on September 20.  Upon my arrival into the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, you will find me at the SFO airport kissing the soil of North America and breaking out in Song and Dance.  I may be requesting an In 'n Out double cheeseburger with french fries animal style and a diet coke from whichever sibling picks me up.  As that was the last meal I had in America, I find it only fitting to come full circle and make it my first.

So this is what's been inside my head recently.  Enjoy.  XO-d