Chapter 1, Page 10

Katie called us early on Sunday morning to tell us that there was a suicide bombing in Central Java, which is about 2 hours from where she is located now.  The SIT program put all of the students on lockdown, so they couldn't leave the hotel until further notice.  She said having to stay in the hotel was making her homesick, but I'm sure all the students were feeling the same way.  Excitment is one thing, fear is certainly another. 

A BBC newspost reported this about the bombing:

"Witnesses said the bomber struck as people were leaving the Bethel Injil Sepuluh church in Keputon, Solo after a Sunday service.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country but is officially a secular state.

Militant Islamist groups have carried out a number of deadly attacks in recent years.

Indonesia's security minister Djoko Suyanto said two people had been killed - one at the church and one who died of their injuries in hospital. It is unclear if the two included the bomber.

"Some of the wounded were treated in two hospitals in Solo, while some of them were allowed to return home," he said.
'Inhuman attack'
One witness, Fani, said she had heard the blast as she was leaving the church.

"Everyone was screaming," she told Metro TV. "I saw fiery sparks and, near the entrance, a man dead on the ground... People around him were splattered with blood."

A hospital official, Bambang Sumarsono, said 20 people had been injured, three seriously, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Earlier, Mr Suyanto told El Shinta radio that nothing could justify the "inhuman" attack.

"It is the task of everybody to overcome this act of terrorism," he said.

He said he had spoken to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who had "conveyed his deep condolences for those who are now being treated in hospital".

The identity of the bomber and the motive behind the attack are not yet known.

Solo is the hometown of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, considered to be the spiritual leader of the Islamist militant group Jemaah Islamiah (JI), which has links to al-Qaeda.

JI has been blamed for a string of attacks in Indonesia, including the 2002 Bali bombings which killed 202 people.

The group has been significantly weakened by the arrest or killing of many of its key leaders, but lone bombers have continued to carry out attacks. In June this year, Ba'asyir was jailed for 15 years for supporting a militant training camp."

Katie texted me yesterday evening and said she was still on lockdown.  She will be leaving Java in the next few days and going back to the same place she started, which she really liked.  She wasn't too keen on Java from the beginning and this just solidified her feelings.

Keep her and her group in your thoughts that they will remain safe.

Chapter 1, Page 9

This past weekend was our family reunion and it was the first time in 22 years that Katie could not attend, so we planned a Skyping session so everyone in the family could see her, talk to her, and visit.  We Skyped for 2 hours and everyone had such a great visit with her! 

She told everyone about Indonesia and how different it is than here.  She explained a lot about their culture and she kept everyone's attention, doing a great job of explaining things from the food, to the houses, to the bathrooms and the culture.



This is their group in their Indonesian outfits.



This is a group of Gamalan Players they watched.



These are some dancers they watched and Katie thought they were beautiful.



This is outside of Katie's room in Puri Saraswati.  Isn't it beautiful?



This is the Water Palace.  It's absolutely gorgeous!  How lucky that she is there is able to experience this all!


More Water Palace



Katie at the Water Palace



This is her homestay family.  The little boy loves Katie and apparently "pees" on her feet to show her that he likes her...hmmm...doesn't sound quite right does it?



Homestay family



A statue in Ubud

These are just a few pictures and more to come!

Yesterday Katie moved to Yogyakarta and is in a hotel for a few days then on to another host family, (I think).  She is adjusting well now and is less and less homesick, (YEA!) 

Chapter 1, Page 8

What an exciting evening after getting texts that Katie is struggling and fighting a roaring case of homesickness.  Around 9:15 last night she texted me that she was on her way to Ubud so we could Skype for the first time and to log in in around 20 minutes.  Of course my computer was up and running and logged into Skype about 45 seconds after the text.

When she called and her face popped on the screen, all Ken and I could do was smile from ear to ear.  She looked SO good and so happy!  Maybe she was homesick earlier but you could never tell.  Katie took a taxi to a restaurant that had free WiFi and when she called me on Skype she was sitting at a table waiting for the food she ordered.  The WiFi is free as long as you buy food or drink.  And of ALL things to order in Indonesia, she ordered pasta.  When her food arrived, she held it up so we could see it and it looked like a spinach ravioli with tomato sauce.  Whodathunk?!

She had the day off from school because they had a 12+ hour day yesterday, starting school at 6:30 AM and ending at 7:00 PM, so the teachers gave all the students the day off to recover.  The SIT program gives each student 50,000 rupiah when they have the day off so they can eat lunch.  50,000 rupiah equals $5.00, but Katie says you can buy a lot with $5.00 and it's more than enough. 

Katie was looking well and I asked how she was feeling and the medicine has kicked in and she's almost back at 100%.  She said it cost her 500,000 rupiah to see the doctor which included the medicine and that her SIT advisor gave her 1,000,000 to cover the cost, (but Katie has to pay it back), because there were no ATM machines by the doctor's office.  It sounds as though it is a very well organized group and they make sure the students are taken care of properly.

I asked about her host family and if they were taking good care of her and she said they were, but that they talked to Katie about a family member who needed an operation and they didn't have the money.  I asked Katie if they were asking for money from her and she said she didn't know, but that she didn't and won't give them any, (as instructed by the SIT program).  I asked if Katie had given them her token of thanks, (Texas tshirts), and she said she had but that they don't show gratitude like we are used to.

The woman of the house is a chef, (or cook), as a local restaurant but hasn't spent time with Katie and teaching her about Indonesian cooking.  So Katie signed up to take a cooking class yesterday that she was very excited about.  She called me this morning to say she'd just finished the class and it was "awesome" and that she learned so much.  She is excited to take more classes and will definitely do so when she can.

On Monday the group is going to Jakarta, but she pronounced it with a "Y" instead of a "J" and I asked if that was the correct pronunciation.  She said they are going to "Yakarta" and not "Jakarta" because Jakarta is too touristy.  So I'm not exactly sure where she'll be, but she's moving on Monday.

She explained a little about the house she's in and I specifically asked about the kitchen.  Her eyes got big and she said it is nothing like what we know in the States.  She said they cook on a stove that looks a lot like our camp stoves we use for cooking chili.  Everything is small and meals are taken when you are hungry, not at a set time or with the other family.  Apparently meals are a solitary event.  A big pot of rice is cooked in the morning and stays out all day for when you are hungry. 

Katie tried to send me a few pictures on Skype but the connection was too slow and it never finished downloading.  She also tried to send me pictures by email but, again, the WiFi connection was too slow.  I'm sure at some point she will figure out what to do to get us pictures.

I noticed that she posted on Facebook yesterday that she was in Indonesia and was doing good.  She was shocked when she logged into Yahoo and saw she had hundreds of emails and there was no way she could look at them all.  You can only eat/drink so much at a time.

We are planning a family Skyping session on Friday at 8:00 PM so her grandaddy can talk to her, as well as any other family member, (Uncle Wes, Aunt Marja, Michelle, Kelly, etc.).  I'm excited to see her again and talk to her some more. 

OH...she had a test last week on Java, (the language spoken there), and made an 85.  She said Java is really hard to learn, but she's trying her best.  Honestly, I'm thrilled with an 85!

It was a GREAT night!!!  I went to sleep quite content!

Chapter 2 - The Chili World of CASI

This past weekend I attended my first CASI Great Pepper meeting in Kerrville.  What a great experience!  It was very organized which certainly helped the "newbies" adapt easily.

Ken and I arrived on Thursday and visited with many whom we already knew and met many whom we were Facebook friends but never met face-to-face.  It was great to finally be able to place the actual face to the person.  The hospitality room opened at 4:00 and most all of the GPs were milling around, snacking and enjoying the open bar provided by Texas Hill Country POD, The Buzzard Bar Cooking Team, and some of the liquor sponsors Jim Ezell snagged.  We had such a great time that evening!

Friday was filled with meetings, gatherings, a round table discussion with the current board members and those running, and even a class on how to become a better table monitor which was helpful for everyone.  I know I learned a lot and I'm betting everyone else picked up a tip or two as well.  The hospitality room opened again at 4:00 and we were served fajitas for dinner.  Many stayed up until the wee hours enjoying the "hospitality" as well as the hotel's bar.  (I didn't make it as long as many others.)

Saturday was "THE" day of the Great Pepper Meeting.  It began at 9:00 and was run professionally and as swiftly as possible.  We followed the agenda perfectly and were only delayed a few times for clarification discussions.  Renee Moore gave her final Presidential speech which was moving as well as touching.  She's served as CASI's president for many years and has done an amazing job.  The other directors also had their chances to give their points.  Not one speech made me yawn or lose interest. 

When it was Dana Plocheck's turn she introduced the 2011 TICC poster and asked me to stand to be recognized.  It was an honor for my poster design to be chosen.  She read to the crowd my explanation on how I came up with my design and I felt pride listening to her read it.  What I said was:

"I thought about the things at my first TICC that were not only memorable, but could be used as a design. Being a Houstonian, gazing at the night sky with the infinite number of stars isn't something that happens. And even though I was raised in a family that camped a lot and witnessed many beautiful starlit skies, there was something about the night sky at Terlingua that was unlike any vast night sky I'd seen.  So when I thought about submitted a poster design, the one thing that kept coming back to me was the night sky so I knew I wanted to focus on that. I then started thinking how everyone who attends TICC has one thing in common, the desire to win the pepper.

I was a Girl Scout and I remember one badge was an astronomy badge and I learned, and surprising retained, a lot about finding constellations. I thought that, probably, every person who attends TICC, at one point or another, gazes at the stars and wishes their number would be called at TICC. So how cool would it be if there was a pepper constellation that all CASI cooks could find and make their wish. So I made the Pepper Constellation and it seemed simple but appropriate and I thought most everyone could relate on some level." 

This is a copy of the small poster that will be given away and posted for advertising purposes.  There is also a large poster that is a little different from this one that has pictures of the winners from last year's TICC as well as the sponsors' logos. 

When we had our first break after the poster display many, many people came to be to congratulate me on my design.  I heard over and over that they've always wanted a poster that had to do with the Terlingua night sky and now they do.  They also stated they thought my story only made the design better.  Lots and lots of kudos and I was certainly beaming with pride!

Around noon we broke for lunch, which was provided to us and was delicious.  We got a see a presentation of cookoff and TICC pictures during lunch that was wonderful.
After lunch we started on the "meat" of the meeting which involved the rules changes.  There were 17 pages to get through, but many PODS withdrew their changes so it really didn't take as long as it could have.  At the end we passed some good changes and put off others until the next rules change year. 

Just before it was over we voted on the new directors and the board voted on the new vacancies.  There are now 4 new directors and Ed Blair is the new CASI President.  Dana Plocheck and Jim Ezell are co-vice-presidents.  We did not hear where or what the new directors' jobs would be, but I'm sure we all will soon enough.  Congratulations to everyone!  And for those 4 not returning to serve on the board next year, your service has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated!

The meeting was adjourned and the hospitality room opened for service.  Everyone was winding down and trying to catch up on 2 days of hard partying so it was somewhat more mellow on Saturday evening.  People were saying their good-byes and their see-you-in-Terlingua comments and there was a little sense of melancholy in the air.

Ken and I drove away feeling as though we really are a part of CASI in many ways other than cooking a pot of chili.

...more on CASI and Chili to come!

Chapter 1, Page 7

Katie called last night and is sick; she thinks she has an upper respiratory infection.  She was supposed to go see a doctor after school to find out what was wrong.  The SIT program was aware of her illness and is going to help her know what to do and where to go.

She texted me this morning and said she saw a doctor and, in fact, has an upper respiratory infection.  The doctor gave her medicine and took blood to make sure she didn't have an Indonesian virus.  She said she was worried about getting hepatitis because of giving blood.  All we can do is hope that doesn't happen and that she's better soon.  Once the medicine kicks in, which should be soon, she will start feeling better and ready to enjoy paradise again.

She also told me that finding an internet connection is difficult.  The closest available place is a 15 minute drive from her host home, so Skyping still isn't available as readily as we'd hoped.

Keep her in your thoughts for not only getting better, but for adapting to Indonesia. 

2 weeks in and only 93 days to go!

Chapter 1, Page 6

Katie called this morning, (8 minute phone call this time which equates to $20), and said she was at her first home stay, (not Jakarta, but don't know the name of the "town").  She said it was "awesome" and she actually has a bed to sleep in, so it was a definite upgrade from the palace accommodations.  The family hosting her is very nice and they have a 3 year old who is already attached to Katie, (not surprising). 

Katie thinks she was assigned to this particular family because the lady of the house loves to cook and is very enthusiastic about teaching Katie how to cook Indonesian cuisine.    So when Katie gets home I am anxious to try all the stuff Katie prepares, (and maybe we should have a homecoming where Katie feeds US).

The group is going on a scavenger hunt today to find all of the necessary landmarks; Internet cafes, post offices, etc.  She is very excited but stays very busy with classes; although, she says she will have more free time now that she's with a host family.  The Internet cafes have free WiFi as long as you buy coffee or tea, so she'll end up being wired once she's done chatting with us all.

They went to a market and Katie says everything is VERY cheap.  She says she hasn't even spent $100 yet, (YIPPEE!).  The traditional outfit she bought doesn't fit quite right because she's so endowed, so she's going to have one made to fit her which she says is even cheaper than if you buy one already made.  She said it going to cost her around $2.00.  (I think maybe she under estimated, but the premade outfit was only $20 so even if it's the same price it's certainly cheap enough.)

I told her that I would not be in town this weekend, due to the Great Pepper Meeting in Kerrville, but that I would have my laptop and we could Skype in the mornings if she can.  She will text me if she can get on the Internet so we can actually talk face to face soon.  I'm SO excited!

She has taken a ton of pictures and will post them soon, so keep checking for pictures of paradise with Katie smack dab in the middle of it.

I'm not counting days like I did last week, but just so you'll know only 98 days until Katie's home!

Chapter 1, Page 5

Here is Katie's traditional Indonesian outfit that she had to buy to wear to all of the Indonesian festivities.

Chapter 1, Page 4

Katie called yesterday morning and it was so good to hear her voice.  She sounded so much better and actually happy, which eased Ken's and my mind.  She described her "life" a little clearer than before so I can at least visualize what it's like for her.

She said the entire group is staying in a "palace", (but not like what you think).  The King of the palace determines who lives there and there are about 30 families living there.  The group of students are visitors which is why their living arrangements are so rustic.  They are sleeping on wooden mats and bathing out of a bucket.  She said the toilet facilities are far from what we know; they do not use toilet paper.  Apparently they use their hand and water.  I asked her if she was doing that and her response was "NO!  I bought toilet paper!"

She bought her traditional outfit and said it is beautiful.  She spent 200,000 rupiah, which equates to $20.00.  Thanks to Mayo and Ed for buying the outfit for her.  She will send pictures as soon as she can.

She said Bali is absolutely gorgeous!  Bananas are growing right outside her window and flowers are everywhere.  She said there are beautifully colored birds everyone, but they are in cages. 

On Wednesday, the group is flying to Jakarta, where they will have their first home stay.  She is very excited to make the move.  I should hear from her in the next few days and I'll keep everyone posted.

Chapter 1, Page 3

The phone rang this morning at 6:00 and Katie was on the other end.  What a wonderful call!  The first thing she said was, "I can speak some Indonesian!"  She sounded great, but a little stifled as if others were around her, but I expect that.

She said they are in a small village and it sounds as though the accommodations are rustic at best.  She said they sleep on wooden mats and she can hardly wait to move to their next place which will be a home stay.  She said there are no showers and they have to bathe out of a bucket. 

I asked about the food and she said, "I think I'll be losing some weight here.  The food is VERY different."  Katie's always been an adventurous eater, so for her to make this comment, the food must be extremely strange.  She said there is a lot of rice, so at least she has something familiar.

I asked if it was beautiful and she said it was gorgeous there.  I told her that I really wanted to see pictures and she said when they move to their next location there will be access to Internet so we can all see pictures.

She said she was doing much better and although she misses us, she's adapting.  Her housemate is from New Orleans and she said she was "quirky", which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

The call was short and she ended saying she had to go do homework.  Life is good!

Just 103 days to go!