2 Snakes in 1 hour

The day starts with a flurry of excitement in the trees at the Boys Dorm. A bamboo snake (bright green with a blue tongue and poisonous bite) has been spotted in the tree and needs removing. Unfortunately I arrived a little late to see all the action form that catch, although I was there to take photos. Here Pak Budi (the gardener of our dorm) stands behind Pak Didi, (the gardener of the Boy's dorm) Pak Budi isn't quite so friendly with snakes as Pak Didi is.

About 30 minutes later though the action started over, another snake had been spotted in the same area. Pak Didi (the gardener of the boy’s dorm) must have snake sensors or eyes that can define every shade of green because I found the snake almost impossible to locate up in the tree. Finally with fingers pointing into the branches the snake kindly revealed itself and I saw it was another bamboo snake about the same size as the previous one.

Question: How exactly do you catch a snake that’s hiding in the top of a tall tree?

The first thing the Pak Didi did was ask for assistance, of which there were three other willing helpers. I was going to help but had already assigned myself to the role of photographer.
There were some tools needed for the task: a large ladder, a very long piece of bamboo, a shorter (1.5m) stick of bamboo (1 per snake catcher) and a knife.

The ladder was placed against the tree and Pak Didi climbed into the tree and up from the ladder to a suitably stable branch. The long bamboo pole was then passed up and Pak Didi stretched out with the pole and proceeded to knock the snake off the branch it was wrapped around.

Once the snake became aware that it was under attack it made a run for it so there were two or three thrusts with the pole then the snake fell to the ground. Once on the ground the snake made a run for it. The snake had fallen just the other side of a wire fence, quickly the snake catchers were racing round to grab hold of it, then it disappeared into some undergrowth, “it over there” I was shouting, “no the other way”.

The shorter bamboo sticks were used to trap the snake by squashing it into the ground, enabling Pak Didi to reach in and grab its head. Once the snake was firmly grasped it was time for me to take a few photos before it was taken away to be beheaded and later cooked.

All in all it was a very exciting morning. Paul.

we're back after the summer :)

It’s been a while, we’re still here doing our stuff, in fact so busy we’re only just getting round to updating this blog.

The school year started August 12th, the dorm filled up with girls a couple of days before; we have seven girls this year. Having a years experience under our belt meant that we were a lot more confident starting the year and more capable, less splashing in the deep end. It also helps relationally that there are no new girls this year; we can just pick up the relationships where we left off last year.

Ok, so that sounds like things are easier and we should be able to update this blog; well as always when you get the hang of something you start taking on more things. In June the dorm program here received ACSI accredited (Association of Christian Schools International). It’s a big deal within international schools and shows that we are performing to a high standard. We are at the base level of the ACSI standard and have improvements to make over the next three years which is one of the adding to our work load. It’s a good thing though; the improvements are for the whole dorm program, helping to make life better for the dorm girls and the dorm parents. There are practical and safety improvements as well as administrative improvements; it’s a steady process. We are also more involved with the dorm budget this year and are thinking of creative ways to cut spending, the increase in fuel prices is global and is affecting us here. At the moment I am working with the dorm dad of the boy’s dorm at the possibility of installing solar water heating for the dorms.

Enough about work though...

We had a sunny relaxing summer, the boys enjoyed not being at school and we very much enjoyed having more time with them. Luke started back at school in second grade with a new teacher and Isaac started at the Kindergarten. They both seem to have got back into school life and are more settled than this time last year. They still have their moments, but then every child does. I think the summer was a really settling time for us and a family which is an answer to prayer. Emily and I were sent some parenting DVDs’ from our friend June (thanks June) which are really great; the lessons learnt and applied from them are taking a lot of stress out of parenting, leaving it to be more fun and loving, it’s fab.

We’ve done birthdays recently (many thanks for the presents) so I’m now 29 which means Luke is 7 and Isaac is 5, Emily is still 21 of cause. It’s a little crazy that Luke and Isaac are growing up. With all the busyness and transitioning over the last two years we’ve perhaps not realised how old they’re getting.

Sorry to those of you who have been trying to skype us recently we’ve been having internet difficulties. Last weekend the wireless antenna was struck by lightning (frying some equipment) and it’s not been working well since. We have internet at the school, which is how I’m able to post this blog, but it’s not so easy to just pop over and check emails and skype when we have dorm responsibilities. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon. Until then keep emailing and skyping, it’s always good to hear from people.

Paul.

The Summer Holidays Are Here

We are in the middle of our summer holidays and enjoying it very much. It’s a time for some quality family time with Family Noble.

We’ve had some visitors already, Sarah and Matt from Manchester and as I write this Emily’s younger sister Merry is with us. We feel blessed to have them with us and to show them the life we have here, the suitcase full of English goodies is pleasurable to.

We went to the beach last week and had a lot of fun just chilling out. We travelled south to Pacitan (look it up on Google Earth) and arrived at the Sunny Bay Beach Bungalows. They looked bigger from the picture we’d seen. We were told that it was basic accommodation so we were prepared but even then it took a little getting used to. The bungalow had one room and a bathroom with cold water only, a toilet that didn’t flush and a light bulb that flickered and went out just as you started brushing your teeth. I thing we got the raw deal because Sarah and Matt’s bungalow had a working toilet and a light bulb that stayed on.

After the first night we were adjusted.

The beach was in spitting distance from our bungalow and we headed out each day to lie around reading books, build sandcastles, jump over waves, body (boogie) board and chase crabs around. It was a relaxing break for us and the boys really enjoyed the beach fun, it reminded them of being at their grandparents (who live in a seaside town).

We returned home and enjoyed our last few days with Sarah and Matt before they flew back to England. The next day Merry arrived and so our holiday continues. We haven’t any plans to go to the beach with her (been there – done that) but we are very much enjoying her company and will be sad when she leaves in a weeks’ time.

As we get nearer to August we will start preparing for the next school year but until then we’re going to make the most of the holidays.

Here are a few photos from the past couple of weeks: