Voting

Voters dip their finger in ink as a sign they have already voted.
Autumn went along for the ride, on Daddy's back.

Funny Boy

I am busy cooking and Soren calls out from the office that he has a problem. I say I can't come right now and can he bring the problem here. He takes a photo of the computer screen and brings the camera into the kitchen to show me. I love it!

Autumn & Agnes

Violin

I bought this violin for 300,00 rupiah which is about AU$30. I found it really uncomfortable to play, but Welly took it apart and put it back together and now it has a new lease of life! Not that I actually ever make time for it these days..

Baby Autumn

Just looking at her gives me a happy rush.

Spelling Matters

If you don't get the spelling system right, it's hard to read and even harder to write. You need community consensus on how to spell, so that one system is accepted and used across the whole language area.

Phil has been working with about 15 Nimboran community leaders. They come on foot and motorbike in the blazing heat from 10 different villages, keen to work. Based on the previous work of linguist Kevin May (and others), Phil has been helping them to understand what happens when different sounds in their language come together, and the pros and cons of different spelling choices.

A new Sun House, a new chief

A Sun House is an open-sided, leaf-roofed, raised building where adat (customs and culture) are passed on from the older to the younger men. This Kemtuik clan just built a new one, and we were invited to the installation of their new chief. It was made complicated by the recently deceased chief having three wives and thus three eldest sons. The other clan chiefs gave advice and swore them all in, the head chief to be chosen at a later point.

After the ceremony, the food arrives from various kitchens across the village.


People gather in groups around a bowl of papeda and side dishes.


Two of the new chiefs are either side of Phil.

Soren turns 6

Soren chose to have a party at school with his class. When we arrived they were all ready and waiting, and very excited. We played some games and had some cake.

Ibu Mici was born to teach children.

We are such avid fans of Ibu Mici I had to include this wonky photo. At pick-up time I can be seen making not-very-subtle attempts at pushing Reuben in her direction in a bid to foster their relationship in hopeful anticipation of him joining her class when he's 5..

In great faith Soren put my paltry cake-making skills to the test again this year, requesting a crocodile cake. Philip and I pulled together and produced something passable. Lovely Soren was very pleased.

A few of these kids seem to be making a polite, brave attempt at swallowing! Ibu Mici kindly informed us that not many of them liked it because Western-style cakes are much sweeter than the Indonesian equivalent. Oops. Oh well.

As each child left, they had to shake Soren's hand, say Happy Birthday and God bless you, then receive a party bag. There's always a formal, proper way to do these things here.