Cute Kids on Independence Day

We celebrated Indonesia's 67th Independence day on Thursday this past week. The whole school wore red and white, and the students participated in games and competitions. This video is my class singing "Hari Merdeka" (meaning "Independence Day"). My partner teacher taught them some motions and steps on Monday, meaning they only practiced three times! I was so proud of them! This is the whole song, minus the first couple of seconds. Sorry it's a little blurry. The higher quality version didn't want to load for me. 

Baked Chicken Taquitos

I made a version of these with Erin this summer. They're so much better than the store bought ones! She makes them quite frequently, and freezes them. I can't believe I went all last year without making them! The only problem is, Chris eats so many of them, there aren't any left to freeze. . . 

Take a look below for the ingredients list. To be a good blogger though, I'm gonna send you on over to Our Best Bites for the full recipe because I didn't really adapt anything (except for things I didn't have). Gotta give credit where credit's due!

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese

1/4 C green salsa (I used Pace because that's what we always have)

1T fresh lime juice (didn't have any)

1/2 t cumin

1 t chili powder

1/2 t onion powder

1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder

3 T chopped cilantro

2 T sliced green onions

2 C shredded cooked chicken (I always want more than recipes call for)

1 C grated pepperjack cheese (wish I could get pepperjack here!)

small corn tortillas (and actually, flour ones are really good as well) 

kosher salt (or regular)

cooking spray

For the directions, click HERE!

Story of Hope and Light

I want to share a video with you today! Over the past few months, several people from Corban's media team have been working on a story to share about the connection Corban has with our school system here in Indonesia. This video does a great job of explaining the purpose and history behind the Pelita Harapan (light and hope) schools. It's 20 minutes long, but if you have time it will really give you a better idea of why we're here. Chris is even featured with a video clip, so you won't want to miss that! I  seriously prayed that they wouldn't include the part when they questioned me. . . I'm not the best when put on the spot! Praise the Lord, they must have thought so too :) 

Here's the link, because I don't think it will load onto the blog. . .

Story of Hope and Light

Now, to pack our bags and get ready to spend some quality R & R at this place. . .

Bali here we come! With friends: Erik, Amanda, Glenn, Gretchen, and Madi :)

Kemang Village

Tonight, Chris, Erik, Amanda and I did a little exploring around Kemang Village (the developing area that our apartment and school is in). We started off at Starbucks for buy 2 get 2 Frapps (Ramadhan special!!) and went from there. When Kemang Village is finished, there will be seven apartment buildings (skyscrapers), a mall, and country club pools spanning between them (about 10 floors above ground level). 

Digital projection of the finished product:

Actual shot, as of 2011. It looks more developed now, but that's the most recent aerial shot that I could find online. I wish we could digitally clear up the smog like the previous picture. . .

For the first time, we actually did some exploring around the unfinished parts, and found ourselves inside the mall (the short building, with the curved front in the middle of the picture above). The grand opening is supposed to be Sept. 26th, so it will be interesting to see what all is actually finished. 

sorry I caught you blinking, Amanda!

When it's done entirely, it will be quite the place! We will be spoiled for sure with a mall, movie theater, and so many great restaurants just around the corner from our apartment! 

Kemang. . . you're not so bad.

Weekend Project

I've been wanting to do this project since last year, but hadn't been able to get all of the supplies. I was inspired to do it after getting the frame last Christmas. I liked the size, and different proportions of it compared to a normal 8x10 or square frame. Several months later, I found the buttons I liked, but knew I wanted a burlap background. Knowing that I had a small stash of it left over from our wedding, I had to patiently wait until we went home for the summer. 

I didn't take any pictures of the process. . . 

I cut the burlap to match the cardboard backing. Then, after I glued it around the back, I basically just used the hot glue to put everything else in its place! For the heart, I used a scrap piece of batik fabric that I got from one of the clothes alterers where I got the buttons. Then I popped it back in the frame, and voila! I like the personal touch it gives to our living room (though I'm not sure I've found the perfect place for it yet), and it was just the type of relaxing project that I "love" ;) 

For some reason I couldn't figure out how to get the camera to pick up the real colors in our room. It must have been the effects of awkward lighting. . .

Snug as a bug "on" a rug

I still haven't taken pictures of our whole place yet, but I can't wait to show you our new purchase. It has made our living room feel so much more homey! The space is a lot bigger than what we had at our last place, and it's all tile. . . so it felt kinda open and uninviting.

So. . . we cashed in on a little Rhamadan sale and got this guy for half off !
{the rug, not the husband} ;)

Watching some olympic soccer and working. . .

Much better on a soft carpet! We love it.