Childhood Cartoon Characters

Making the rounds on facebook this past week was a request to change profile pictures to a cartoon character from your childhood, with the goal of increasing awareness in the fight against child abuse. I changed mine to the earliest cartoon character I can recall, Bobo, the blue bunny with green hair from a children's magazine I grew up reading in Indonesia.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when I saw a facebook friend's posting saying that she had heard that the people who had started this campaign are actually a group of pedophiles (which claim isn't supported in any way -- even by the article she posted on her page). Another friend, Dave, posted a comment in response to this that hit the nail right on the head, "If your kids are accepting friend requests from strangers just because they have cartoon profile pics, then you've got some teaching to do." AMEN! Some people are just total buzz killers.

In the mean time, I am really enjoying the stroll down memory lane and seeing the different cartoon characters from the 70's and 80's.

In Memoriam: Mary Elen Belnap

One of my mission moms passed away over the weekend. Mary Elen Bennett Belnap was truly a saint! The first time I met her was in Jakarta, Indonesia on the night I arrived from Malaysia sick as a dog. She had me stay at the mission home for a night until my stomach settled a bit. Throughout my mission, she was there to let me vent frustrations in dealing with bossy companions, family issues back home, distracting letters from boyfriends, etc. I am forever grateful for the little treats she would set aside just for me that would alleviate my homesickness for home and all things American.

According to the obituary, she "fought cancer courageously for 25 years. She lived as an amazing example of optimistic resilience. To the very end, she embraced life and loved her association with family and friends who returned that pure love in kind. ... Mary Elen and Dean served three missions, in London, England from 1969-72; Jakarta, Indonesia from 1992-93; and Frankfurt, Germany from 2003-04. ... Kind and childlike - a person without guile, Mary Elen never felt anyone was beneath her. Like Father in Heaven, she was no respecter of persons and treated a beggar on the street with the same dignity she showed Prince Phillip when she met him in London at Buckingham Palace."

Truly, my life is blessed from my association with her. She will be missed and will occupy a place in the many hearts she had touched in her life.

"Try to Remember"

I've not ever seen The Fantasticks (an off-Broadway musical from the 60s). In fact, the first time I heard of it was when the show's run ended in 2001, soon after 9/11. NPR ran a story about it and played the song as tribute. I cried like a baby as I listened to the story with the context of 9/11 in my mind.

As the anniversary of 9/11/01 approaches, I "try to remember" the lives lost on that terrible day, the heroes who gave their lives to save others, and how the event deeply touched us as well as the hearts of so many Americans and the world ... I hope that we can then follow these fine examples and do our best to restore what was lost that day to a time "when life was so tender ..."

Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Sugar Cane

Reminiscing of after school treats from my childhood days in Hawaii. One of my favorites was the rare treats of freshly cut sugar cane (about six inches worth) for a nickel and gnawing on it all afternoon long while hanging out with friends on the sidewalk, shooting the breeze. Such simple pleasures ...

A Quick Getaway

The 39 Steps

Took off on Saturday to Cedar City to see a play at the Shakespearean Festival.  I've not gone in a few years and go figure, I wanted to see just about every play they had to offer this year.  However, due to scheduling, I had to narrow it down to a couple of plays. So, I went down on  my own and went to see "The 39 Steps". What a fun and witty comedy! So glad that it was one of my "must see" plays and that I didn't  bend or compromise in seeing it.  The other play, "Macbeth", I will see in a few weekends. Those who have seen it have raved about it and I can't wait.

Lilly and Me

While down in Cedar City, I managed to squeeze in a quick visit with a college friend I've not seen in about 18 years. Lilly lived in Hale 2 with me and we were in the same student ward. Thanks to facebook, I have reconnected with Lilly and it was fun to catch up with her, even if it was only for a couple of hours. I'll plan my trip down there a bit better next time, so I can visit their home and meet her husband.

So, the most important thing I discovered on this trip: I can't sleep without my four pillows. A round pillow for under my neck, a pillow on my left and my right (one o give me some back support and other to hug) and lastly a pillow for my feet or to slide up between my knees. I must have gotten up about half a dozen time last night because of the lack of pillows.  Next time, I'll call for additional pillows ... even if it is in the middle of the night.

Other people's facebook photos of ME -- NYC Edition

Ingrid posted these on facebook:

Girls Night Out -- Les Miserables (c. 1994)

Back Row (L-R): Annie Morales, ???, ???, Belinda Vaca, ???, ???, ???
Front Row (L-R): Vivian Aguirre, Me, Ingrid Iturralde

Ingrid's Birthday Party! (c. 1994)

Standing (L-R): Harald Lins, Christine Haryanti, Rob Andrade
Sitting (L-R): Ingrid Iturralde with her two kids and mom, Me, Harry Surya

Other people's facebook photos of ME -- Hawaii Edition

I occurred to me that putting old photos of me in a blog that other people have put on facebook may serve as a great back-up. So here are a few of them:

Uilani, Dave Wright, Me

Dave posted this picture of us hanging out at the Hale 2 lounge with Ui. That was the most happening lounge on campus!

Marshmallow so good, I have to close my eyes to fully savor the flavor.

Marlyn posted this one of a ward bonfire activity. I can only think of a few places where we'd hold the activity: Hukilau Beach, behind the Bear House or the Canoe House. I remember the guy standing behind me is named Jeff. Todd Tamura is the one in the coral sweatshirt talking to a girl. Kim Archibald is the one sitting next to me assembling his s'more.

About to be tossed into the crater.

Marlyn  also posted this one. I believe we were on our annual pep band trip on the Big Island when these boys decided that they would sacrifice a virgin to the Volcano Goddess, Pele. As you can see, our band director, Bro. Sorenson, was oblivious to the whole thing and just stood there ...

Dave's Graduation

Dave posted this one.  I wish I could remember that day, but can't. Chances are I was probably hopping from one person to another wishing them well. I close my eyes and can almost smell those flower leis ....

Back in the day ...

Inge, Elder Nelson and Lisa

Lisa posted this picture on facebook over the weekend ... oh, the memories it brings ... and look at the great tan and skinny arms I had back then.

I think this was taken at the time Lisa took the missionary discussions. I can't think of too many places in Laie where there would a fountain or pool, so it has to be on the temple grounds, because I very much doubt that we were at the pool with the elders.

Define "Sandwich"

Today at work we had our monthly birthday party and a few people made ice cream sandwiches out of the chocolate chip cookies and ice cream we had as part of the array of desserts available.  So, it reminded me of what I used to do with my siblings when we lived in Hawaii.

We were latch key kids with both parents working and/or going to school.  Mom would usually call us mid-afternoon to check up on us. Inevitably one of us would complain that we're hungry and wanted something to eat, so mom would always tell us to go make ourselves a sandwich.

Well, define "sandwich" ... according to Webster's dictionary a sandwich is " two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between." Doesn't say what the filling HAS to be, so our favorite was NEAPOLITAN ICE CREAM! Why choose one flavor when you can have the three basic  flavors of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors in one container? Don't judge me!

And before you make faces at this, let me just tell you that in Indonesia you pay extra to have bread with your ice cream! I'm sure it wasn't what mom had in mind, but oh well ... Ahhh, childhood ...

Es Alpokat

One of my favorite things in the world is es alpokat (avocado shakes). It transports me to days gone by in Indonesia. There's not a blender or magic bullet at work, so I couldn't make myself some today for lunch, but what is a girl to do when she just bought a bag of avocados from Costco? So, I just basically poured chocolate syrup on the avocado and had it for my dessert. I've had the avocado in the fridge, so it was nicely chilled and with the chocolate syrup it was not unlike eating a creamy ice cream.

I'm picturing some of you cringing in disgust as you're reading this post, just as some of my co-workers did today. BUT when a few of them tasted the combination, they were pleasantly surprised and said that they would probably eat it again that way.

Okay, with that, how do you make an avocado shake? In Indonesia they use avocado, ice, condensed milk/cream/evaporated milk, palm sugar, a squeeze of lime/lemon juice and blend. I have no set recipe and who would have palm sugar handy in their homes, so my recipe is simplified and it's something like this: a whole ripe avocado in my trustee magic bullet, a couple of ice cubes, some milk, some chocolate syrup (optional), and whir away, add a wee bit more chocolate syrup to make some pretty design in your glass and enjoy the smooth, creamy concoction. Ahhh ...

When life hands you lemons ...

A few friends on facebook have "liked" a page called "Unless life also gives you water and sugar, your lemonade's gonna suck." My question is, why does life have to hand you everything? Where is your contribution to make your life NOT suck? That's all I have to say about that ...

On a different note, a few years ago, someone put together a potluck party with lemons as the theme. I loved it! What comes to mind when you think about foods that include lemons? Lemondade, lemon bars, lemon pie, lemon cookies ... mostly desserts, right? Oh, I was so wrong! I found a recipe for lemon couscous, someone brought a tasty lemon chicken pasta dish ... I can't remember what all were brought to the table, but there were so much more than just desserts. Lesson learned that day -- when life hands you lemons, yes, you can make lemonades, but why stop there? Even with lemons, you can make a feast.

How Great Thou Art ...

I can't believe that I shared this picture with facebook a week ago and had not made the time to blog about it. I had actually been thinking about the Koolau mountain range for a while and last week I surfed the internet and found a picture that depicted the mountains as I will always remember them. When Julie taught her lesson on The Creation a couple of months and asked me to help out, I brought a bunch of pictures of nature I had taken throughout my travels and also shared a story about these mountains. I love the water falls that form and cascade down the crevacis of the mountains after a good rain storm. I remember riding the bus into town one day and as I came out of Wilson Tunnel, this vista appeared.  The words of a hymn I love came to mind:

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

While the Rocky Mountains that sorround me here in Utah are beautiful, it's a different type of beauty and majesty. I love the Koolau mountain range ... these are the mountains I grew up watching ... I miss those water falls! God is GREAT!

Transportation to Church

Here's an Indonesian children's song I recall from time to time:

Pada hari minggu ku turut ayah ke kota

(On Sunday, I follow father to town)

Naik delman istimewa ku duduk di muka

(Riding a special delman, I sit in the front)

Di samping pak kusir yang sedang bekerja

(Next to Mr. Driver who is working)

Mengendali kuda supaya baik jalannya

(Handling the horse to walk well)

Tuk-tik-tak-tik-tuk tik-tak-tik-tuk tik-tak-tik-tuk

(Clip-clop-clip-clop ....)

Tuk-tik-tak-tik-tuk tik-tak suara s'patu kuda 

(Clip-clop-clip-clop ... the sound of horse shoes)

As children, if we were good during the week and got up early enough for church, mom would treat us to a delman ride to church. We'd sing this song and substitute the word "kota" (town) with "gereja" (church).  Dad was the branch president, so he was usually in church hours before we had to be there and seldom rode with us.  I wish there is a picture of my family riding a delman, but there isn't one, so here's one I found on the internet of some random family riding one instead.

On the rare occasion that we did go to church together, the whole family would pile on the family Vespa scooter and make the hour long trek to church.  Again, I don't have a family picture of this, so I had to search online.  We basically look like this family ... Dad driving, me and my brother between his legs and the handlebar, mom sitting side-saddled with my sister straddled between her and dad.  If it rained, we would all be under a giant poncho with only dad's head visible.

Oh the good old days ... these days, you can't go a mile without a seatbelt strapped on in a car that seats seven people and not worry that you'd get fined if you're caught by the cops.

The Creation

My friend, Julie, is teaching the Relief Society lesson this Sunday on the creation.  She asked me if I had any stories I can share about the topic. What? Does she think I've been around that long? Okay, okay, she didn't mean it that way ... but it did bring back a memory from my days in Primary ...

So, I was about 11-years-old and therefore one of the older kids in Primary.  During a particular Sharing Time the teacher did an exercise where each child would go up to the microphone and name something God had created in question form and the rest of the Primary would answer by practically screaming, "God made the [whatever]!"  Example:

Q: "Who made the birds?"

A: "God made the birds!"

Q: "Who made the trees?"

A: "God made the trees!"

So it went on ... After a while it started getting pretty hard naming some of God's creations without it being a repetition.  So then a younger child excitedly went up to the mic and he yelled out, "Who made the babies?" ... Ummm, some of us just had the talk about the birds and the bees and we had to pause ... good thing some of the younger kids were not armed with the knowledge yet and proceeded to answer, "God made the babies ..."  Well, yeah, I guess ... with the help of mom and dad ...

Say what?

With so many cell phone towers around these days, calls that break up isn't as frequent as it used to be.  I had a conversation that went something like this about a decade ago with a boss ...

Boss:  ... run a conflict check *%!# me on the U-*%!# *%!# -iac Fou-*%!# -tion.

Me:  What was that? You're breaking up on me!

Boss:  *%!# conflict *%!# for me on the U-*%!# *%!# -iac Fou-*%!# -tion.  You know, the *%!# -eeders!

Then the call was dropped.  I'm racking my brains? I'm pretty sure he wanted me to run a conflicts check on some foundation, but which one? I think the first word is "Utah" ... second, [something]-iac ... and the last word I'm sure is "Foundation" ... then what did he say, "you know, the [something]-eeders"? I don't know where my mind was but my best guess was that he had said "Utah Nymphomaniac Foundation? You know, the breeders" .... could there be such a thing?

Turned out he said, "Utah Hemophilia Foundation. You know, the bleeders."  Wow! That made quite the difference!

I ♥ hankies ...

This handkerchief is 18 years old.  That's right, 18 years old!  If it was a child, it'd be graduating from high school and starting college.

I bought a set of probably six hankies within the first couple of weeks of my mission in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.  This is the last of the set. You don't see many women using handkerchieves anymore ... I want  to find a few more.  I love the feel of a clean and freshly pressed handkerchief ... with a  bit of perfume sprayed on it.

What's the worst accident you've seen?

Recalling to a co-worker ("CW") a terrible accident while on my mission in Malaysia where a man on a bicycle was hit by a bus.

Me: ... the scene was so gruesome that they had to cover his head because it was cracked.

CW: Oh, my ... was he alright?

Me: Yes, he's now practicing law in Malaysia ... DUH!

Remembering 09-11-2001

I awoke that morning to various NPR reporters reporting planes crashing into the Twin Towers in NYC. I thought I must have been dreaming. I got out of bed and turned on the TV and sure enough the horrific images were on every channel I turned to. Panic rose, my family, where are they? Dad works the grave yard shift in Manhattan. Mom and Harry, where do they work? I can't remember ... are they anywhere near those buildings? I called every number I had for them and it would either ring on forever (I still don't understand why they don't have an answering machine?) or couldn't get connected at all. As I got ready for work, the coverage continued on the other attacks at the Pentagon and in PA. It boggles the mind that anyone could do something so horrific in the name of God. I went to work and by mid-morning, I managed to reach dad. He had gone straight home after work that day and didn't linger in Manhattan as he had done so many times. Mom and Harry were working in Queens, so they too were safe. Thank God!

I looked at my schedule for the day. I had an appointment with oral surgeon to get my two remaining wisdom teeth removed that afternoon. I couldn't possibly reschedule ... considering how much pain I had been in the last few days leading to this appointment. I must have been one of the few in America that night who slept (thanks to the drugs that the doctor gave me).

Within the next few days and weeks, replies came in from friends in NYC with news that they were safe and so were their loved ones. I love that America came together in the days, weeks and months that followed. I worried that there would be a backlash against the middle-eastern and Muslim communities (which did happen). I cried a lot. Despite the tragedies of that day, I think we are a stronger people and nation. The only phrase I can think of to describe my feelings for the day is the prayer I often utter, "God bless America!"

Accents and such ...

This is one of my favorite stories to tell about accents … and no lie, this really happened. Now, the story sounds a lot better when I tell it because, well … how do you do accents in writing, right? So, the accented words will be written out as what it sounded like when it was said. Anyway …

I was on my way to a party at Brenda’s house with a couple of friends (one of which was “M” who is a native of Mexico), when I got a phone call from the "hostess with the most-est" asking if we would stop at a store and pick up a few things before coming to the party. She needed three things: 1) drinks, 2) ice cream, and 3) toilet paper (she was running low and didn't want to be without with guests coming over).

As there were three of us, we divvied up the items and agreed to meet at a cash register in a few minutes. Five minutes later, we were at the appointed register except for "M" who had to get toilet paper. So, we went to find "M" in the toilet paper isle. There stood "M" looking overwhelmed by the choices of toilet paper. Basically, "M" believed that people are really picky when it comes to certain products and didn't know what brand Brenda would prefer. So, to get it over and done with I whip out my cell phone and called Brenda.

Inge: Brenda, "M" wants to know what kind of toilet paper you want us to buy.
Brenda: I don't care, just get me a small 4-pack.
"M": Tell her that there's Charmin, Quilted Northern ...
Inge: (repeats the choices to Brenda)
Brenda: Charmin!
Inge: Grab a 4-pack of Charmin.
"M": Well, which kind? There's the single-ply, double-ply, triple ...
Inge: (repeats the choices to Brenda)
"M": Tell her that the triple have more "shits"

We (except for "M") laughed so hard, tears were in our eyes ... "M" didn't talk to us the rest of the night ... but when he did finally talk to us again, "M" told us that he will also not say "beach" and uses the word "seashore" instead.

A famous visitor at the office ...

Elder L. Tom Perry came by the office today to go to another meeting with an attorney here. He passed by my desk, so of course I had to do a quick facebook status to gloat, even though he didn't look in my direction ... it did, however, bring to mind a couple of experiences I had with Elder Perry when I lived downtown (close to his condo). He actually helped me with my groceries once ... and we used to gas our cars at the same Chevron on West Temple ... and one of his grandsons worked at our firm as a runner once upon a time. But anyway, on with my favorite stories about Elder Perry ...

Story No. 1: My friend, Pat, used to own a condo in the same building as Elder Perry. She invited me over one night for a swim in their indoor pool. When we entered, there was Elder Perry, the only other person in the room and pool swimming laps. When he saw us on sitting on the side, he mentioned that there's plenty of room in the pool for all of us. Pat and I felt self-conscious and there's just something wrong with appearing before an apostle in your bathing suit, so we told him that we just wanted to just sit and chat for a minute before getting in. He finished the lap and then got out and left. I hope he didn't think we didn't want to get in because he was there ... regardless, we considered it holy water after that.

Story No. 2: I was washing my car in the driveway of my apartment one beautiful summer day with a nozzle gadget a friend had given me. The nozzle was fancy as it controlled flow of water and you can add a detergent tablet for washing cars. Unfortunately, the nozzle probably fell off a truck and did work at all. I kept forgetting to turn off the water before taking off the nozzle, so water hose flying everywhere drenching me and half of the driveway. By the third time this happened, I was pretty ticked. I yanked the nozzle off and was about to throw it on the ground and a choice word was about to escape my lips. "Sh ... oot!" I said, as I turned and saw Elder Perry coming down the sidewalk. "Nice save, sister ... and a beautiful day for a shower."