Saturday, July 25
Today at market, we bought enough obikola (cassava) and dried coconut so we could make lelenga on our own. We're still waiting for the chairman to build our outdoor kitchen, but we are continuing to move up the learning curve. Today, we did all of the preparation of the lelenga by ourselves. We peeled and scraped the obikola, then we scraped the coconuts. I knew that we weren't supposed to add much water so the coconut milk would be strong (unlike when I cook rice), but I wasn't sure how much. So I took a glass of water and a heaping BIG bowl of scraped coconut in search of a neighbor to help. I found Melissa, one of the ladies who occasionally helps us. She laughed at me, then told me that the water in the cup was just right for the amount of coconut I had scraped, but that if I used all of that coconut my lelenga would be "gris fo gud" (really greasy). So, we squeezed the coconut milk and boiled it, and when I tasted it, the coconut milk reminded me of my great-grandmother's famous coconut cake (which I've never been able to make to my satisfaction). Then we sliced our bananas and got ready to go over to Auntie Sarah's kitchen. You need to know that this took us 4-5 hours with only a break for some lunch. Lelenga takes a long time, but I anticipate we will speed up with more practice.
Auntie Sarah showed up just as we were getting ready to come to her house. So, we all traipsed over to her kitchen, and she built up the fire around the stones to preheat. I remembered how to heat up the banana leaves, and I learned the word for "shiny" which I recognized from singing the Magnificat every evening. You know the leaf is ready when the intense heat makes it shiny. I haven't quite mastered the technique of removing the majority of the thick stem from the leaf, yet. We had plenty of coconut cream left over, so I was able to leave some of it for Auntie Sarah to cook her haleav. As we layered the ingredients into our pans, Auntie asked if we wanted our lelenga for dinner tonight or breakfast in the morning, and I asked which was better. She said it would be sweeter if we left it all night, so we did!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Grand Bazaar
Friday, July 24
We cooked twelve dozen banana muffins to help raise money for the church's grand bazaar today. People from all over the Western Russells were supposed to come and bring things to sell today, but the weather was very windy, so only people from Marulaon and the village at the other end of our island came. The ocean was so rough that paddling a canoe would have been very difficult. Most people brought food (cooking bananas, umalau, lelenga), but there were also some paddles, mats, and some children's clothes that one of the ladies had made. The urio were hung up with string tied to a pole, and each held their price tag on a piece of cardboard. We just laughed to see their pinchers reflexively holding the price!
The muffins sold out very quickly, and we purchased a mat and a skirt for Katherine. Sarah has made a good friend with a ten year old girl, Harris. Harris is from Marulaon, but she lives and goes to school in Honiara. She is only here for the school holiday, but we're hoping to be able to keep in touch with her while we are in Honiara.
Coordinating Injuries
Tuesday, July 21
Olivia and Benjamin seem to be joined at the hip in adventures. This afternoon, the three big kids were swimming in the ocean. We have encouraged them to wear shoes when they swim to protect their feet from the coral and the trash. Sarah came dashing up the hill calling for Daddy to come get Benjamin who had cut his foot. Sure enough, Benjamin was bleeding everywhere again and had cut a chunk out of the ball of his foot. Aaron cleaned him up, and we propped his foot up and gave him a book. Then we called the girls in to shower and get ready for supper and church. While I was cooking supper, I heard Olivia holler, so I finished what I was doing and went to check on her. I found her holding her elbow and crying. She explained that she had slipped and fallen and her elbow had caught the edge of the shower basin on the way down. She had a nice "V" shaped cut on her elbow, so we bandaged her, too. I hope that Olivia and Benjamin are finished with coordinating their injuries!
Olivia and Benjamin seem to be joined at the hip in adventures. This afternoon, the three big kids were swimming in the ocean. We have encouraged them to wear shoes when they swim to protect their feet from the coral and the trash. Sarah came dashing up the hill calling for Daddy to come get Benjamin who had cut his foot. Sure enough, Benjamin was bleeding everywhere again and had cut a chunk out of the ball of his foot. Aaron cleaned him up, and we propped his foot up and gave him a book. Then we called the girls in to shower and get ready for supper and church. While I was cooking supper, I heard Olivia holler, so I finished what I was doing and went to check on her. I found her holding her elbow and crying. She explained that she had slipped and fallen and her elbow had caught the edge of the shower basin on the way down. She had a nice "V" shaped cut on her elbow, so we bandaged her, too. I hope that Olivia and Benjamin are finished with coordinating their injuries!
No Bikoi
Sunday, July 19 –
The bell this morning rang at 5:00 a.m. (over 70 times), then another one rang at 5:30, then the last one rang at 6:00 followed by the drums that signal it's time to come to church. The service began just after 6:30. We received an explanation during the announcements after church. Church services were going too late, so by the time Sunday School met (after the prayer service), the building was hot. So now, we will start morning prayer on Sundays at 6:30!
This afternoon, we discovered that the Bikoi had some engine trouble, so it was staying in Honiara for repairs. This means that our friend from SITAG won't be able to come out until next week, we're disappointed, but we look forward to getting e-mail fixed next week and meeting our colleague.
The bell this morning rang at 5:00 a.m. (over 70 times), then another one rang at 5:30, then the last one rang at 6:00 followed by the drums that signal it's time to come to church. The service began just after 6:30. We received an explanation during the announcements after church. Church services were going too late, so by the time Sunday School met (after the prayer service), the building was hot. So now, we will start morning prayer on Sundays at 6:30!
This afternoon, we discovered that the Bikoi had some engine trouble, so it was staying in Honiara for repairs. This means that our friend from SITAG won't be able to come out until next week, we're disappointed, but we look forward to getting e-mail fixed next week and meeting our colleague.
Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today...Saturday, July 18, 2009
Outside my window...bright sunshine & a brisk breeze drying the clothes on the line
I am thinking...that my brain can't absorb anything else in Lavukaleve right now!
From the learning rooms... History - WWI, Sarah –using symbolism in writing, math review, Benjamin – onomatopoeia, word problems with units of weight , Olivia –homonyms, Katherine – walking on a "balance beam", learning lots of fun action songs with big sister as a teacher, Science – batteries & electric circuits
Outside my window...bright sunshine & a brisk breeze drying the clothes on the line
I am thinking...that my brain can't absorb anything else in Lavukaleve right now!
From the learning rooms... History - WWI, Sarah –using symbolism in writing, math review, Benjamin – onomatopoeia, word problems with units of weight , Olivia –homonyms, Katherine – walking on a "balance beam", learning lots of fun action songs with big sister as a teacher, Science – batteries & electric circuits
I am thankful for...the foundation that was laid by the SITAG family who came to Marulaon before us. Over and over, Aaron and I see the fruits of their hard work & trials.
From the kitchen...we enjoyed baked French toast & papaya for breakfast, tuna salad for lunch, & for supper it will be some concoction with pasta to use the rest of the fish I bought at market this morning
I am wearing...blue & white floral sleeveless jumper, silver hoop earrings
I am reading..."A Life That Says Welcome" by Karen Ehman
I am hoping...that the next twelve years of our marriage is as wonderful as the first twelve years have been (our anniversary is tomorrow)
I am creating...our learning schedule & our school list of things to take with us when we go back to Honiara at the beginning of August.
I am hearing...sheets snapping in the breeze, laughter as we play a new card game we found in the house
Around the house...tomatoes ripening on the windowsill, crab waiting to be shelled, green coconuts lined up on the cabinet to refresh us, a countdown to Sarah's birthday on the chalkboard
One of my favorite things...watching my "three muskateers" clean up the kitchen after lunch while Aaron and I sat down to a language learning session that was earlier than we anticipated. The kids laughed and sang as they worked, and they are all so close in height! I marveled at the incredible people blossoming as I secretly observed them (when I really should have been notating Lavukaleve).
A few plans for the rest of the week...more language learning sessions, another SITAG member coming out to spend a few days with us and help us with the radio/e-mail (the Choate bed & breakfast is ready!), a bazaar on Friday to raise money for the church (we've been asked to bake & sell banana cake)
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Happy Birthday, Olivia!
July 15 - Olivia's birthday
Hard to believe that Olivia is six today. She chose a chocolate cake and chocolate icing from my recipes, and it was VERY sweet! I gave the kids the day off from school. We shared our lunch spaghetti (Olivia's choice) with our house girl, Melissa, but she wasn't too crazy about it. Olivia
keeps us laughing with her antics, and I'm so thankful for the zest she adds to our family.
Billikiki
Today, the Billikiki stopped by Marulaon. It's a small cruise ship
that
caters to divers. We have some of the most beautiful waters for
diving in
the world! The passengers were from America, Spain, Australia and
England.
The girls helped put frangipanni leis around the visitor's necks.
Our
village (including our family) sang and danced as a welcome for
them. I was
holding a little girls who fell asleep while I was trying to sing
and dance,
so I retreated to the sidelines and just enjoyed holding her.
Aaron's
singing and dancing was quite a hit with the neighbors! When all of
the
festivities were over, we walked with them on a quick tour of the
village.
The Bilikiki passengers ended their stay with a market to replenish
their
boat's kitchen. As they got ready to leave, a beautiful double
rainbow
filled the sky.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
more garden
Monday, July 13
Ruthie and Melissa came this afternoon to put in a n addition to our garden. Now we will have plenty of umalau & obikola to m ake lelenga during our next stay in Marulaon.
Ruthie and Melissa came this afternoon to put in a n addition to our garden. Now we will have plenty of umalau & obikola to m ake lelenga during our next stay in Marulaon.
Aaron & Benjamin to Eastern Russells
Sunday, July 12
Aaron finally got all of the kinks worked out to be able to travel to the Eastern Russells today. So, Benjamin, Aaron, Ezekiel, Chief Leonard and Patson (who owns the boat) left abround 5 a.m. to get over Louna for the Sunday morning church service. The day was windy and choppy, and their little motor boat bounced around as they sped across the waves. By the time they reached Louna, Aaron and Benjamin were soaked! Aaron, Ezekiel, and Leonard spoke briefly at the end of the service, and they all stayed to share a meal. They arrived back around three in the afternoon, tired and wet, but encouraged with the unity which is forming between the two sides of the Russell Islands.
Aaron finally got all of the kinks worked out to be able to travel to the Eastern Russells today. So, Benjamin, Aaron, Ezekiel, Chief Leonard and Patson (who owns the boat) left abround 5 a.m. to get over Louna for the Sunday morning church service. The day was windy and choppy, and their little motor boat bounced around as they sped across the waves. By the time they reached Louna, Aaron and Benjamin were soaked! Aaron, Ezekiel, and Leonard spoke briefly at the end of the service, and they all stayed to share a meal. They arrived back around three in the afternoon, tired and wet, but encouraged with the unity which is forming between the two sides of the Russell Islands.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
haleav
Saturday, July 11
Today, I bought some haleav at market. It's some kind of shellfish.
I asked Skita if she would show me how to open the shells and cook the insides, and she said she would. But later in the afternoon, she came by to tell me that she was leaving to go to another island for a Sunday School meeting, and that Nancy would help me with the haleav. (I'm still learning the Melanesian art of saving face and going through a third party.) When I went to find Nancy to tell her that I was ready, she had gone to the garden, but her sister helped us. It was harder than it looked! First, you took the knife and scraped some of the edge of the shell. Then, you inserted the tip of the knife into the scraped edge and wedged in the knife until you could easily slide it around and open the shell. Opening was the hard part, then it was easy to extract the meat. Benjamin and I poked ourselves a couple of times. I think I opened only three, and Nancy's sister opened most of them. She was an expert, and I enjoyed getting to know her as I struggled with the shells. After we had opened all of the shells, we boiled the contents. I also cut up some greens and squeezed some coconut milk. After the haleav were finished cooking, I drained them and put them back in a pot with the coconut milk and greens. I also started some rice cooking in coconut milk. While everything cooked, I learned that she had gone to school in Honiara to be a teacher, but had gotten sick and had to come back to Marulaon. She gave me the name and phone number of a cousin who lives in Honiara and can help us with our language learning while we are in town. I sent her home with a big bowl full of rice, greens, and haleav, and still had enough to share with another neighbor before we ate supper.
Weeding, Melanesian Style
Friday, July 10
Today we cleared more ground for umalau and obikola. Whew!
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