Selesai {finished}

Ramadan is finally over. For some reason it was a tough season for me this year. You really have to reorient your whole life so that you do not eat or drink in front of anyone all day. Especially in our little house in the kampung. It felt like we were hiding behind our door and curtains- perhaps because we were.

The last night of Ramadan was a crazy one. The neighborhood stayed up all night and partied. The prayers were going off on the loud speaker, chanting and singing and sometimes just someone speaking. Occasionally they would have a drum session and music would fill the air. Throughout the night fireworks were continuously being set off.

But personally I think if you successfully fast- from food and water- from sun up (6am) to sun down (6pm) every day for a month you have every right to party it up.

All that to say, I am glad Ramadan is finished. I feel a new sense of freedom as I am sure my neighbors do as well.

In other news we are getting lots of rain these days. It seems there won't be a dry season for us this year. It is suppose to quit raining in April or May until about October or November so we can dry out before raining season starts up again for the rest of the year. Looks like that won't be the case this year. It just keeps raining. Guess that means we will have lots of green hills.

Sawah {rice field}

I am obsessed with rice. Both eating it and watching it grow.
My neighborhood is surrounded by rice fields. In every nook and cranny it seems
that someone has planted some rice- across the street, in between houses,
along the road, in every patch of empty space.

I find it absolutely breathtaking.
I am amazed at how green the fields are, from the time they are planted
with little tiny bundles until it grows up tall and bushy. Only in the very final stage
does it begin to turn golden brown and then you know it is time for harvest.

This morning on my way to school the air was crisp
and the sun was shinning
and the rice fields were glowing.
Little water droplets clung to the tips of each individual blade.

And somehow it seemed that all was right with the world.