Breakinng the Cycle of Poverty for Trash-Pickers’ Children through Education
Issue #118, 20 May 2014
Story & Photography by Gail G. Collins
As we approached the school to volunteer our time, girls swept with rush brooms and boys tidied up. They are used to picking up trash; many are the children of pemulung (scavengers). But their actions represent more than that. This is Sekolah Kami, or Our School in Indonesian, and these children have a sense of pride in their school that other students might take for granted. Continue reading “Sekolah Kami”
Issue #118, 20 May 2014
Story & Photography by Gail G. Collins
One doesn’t plan to live 97 years, but in doing so, it is impossible not to consider how it was accomplished, and moreover, what one contributed to the betterment of others during that lifetime. Herawati Diah has been described as the epitome of the Indonesian woman. Personally, she sees herself honouring traditional customs and a modern mind. This outlook translated as proud nationalism, when as a journalist, Herawati reported on Indonesia’s struggle for independence, and as an ambassador’s wife, she carried its culture abroad, and as leadership, she stood in the streets with women, urging them to find a strong voice. Benchmark moments in her life shaped her vision and steeled her steps for her book, An Endless Journey: Reflections of an Indonesian Journalist. Continue reading “An Endless Journey: Reflections of an Indonesian Journalist”
Famed Southeast Asian Fare Expanding in Downtown
May 2014
After returning from a trip to Thailand, serendipity awaited me—I’d be visiting four Thai restaurants, all located on San Francisco Street or Bangkok Street, as locals might come to call it. As on our trip, this nourishing task involved colorful stir fries and fragrant curries, eaten in friendly company. Each restaurant is owned by a Thai, whose culture makes meals a social occasion.
In Thailand, dishes are ordered and enjoyed family style—the more, the merrier. The meal doesn’t contain courses, but choices from many categories served together. These include a variety of meat and fish dishes, served with rice and noodles, plus soup and a simple fruit, such as pineapple or mango, for dessert. Within these dishes, a mix of sweet, salty, sour and spicy elements creates a satisfying meal. Continue reading “Fit to be Thai”
6 May 2014, Issue #117
Story & Photography by Gail G. Collins
When visiting Bali, people either stay by the sea or head for the hills. My husband and I opted for Ubud’s cooler mountains. Everything necessary for a happy holiday exists – lush forests, terraced rice fields, ancient temples, crafts, cheap accommodation and luxury hotels. Ubud is an artisans’ hub, encompassing a sprawling collection of villages that is spread over several kilometres. A great way to explore the area’s natural beauty, interact with locals and taste the island’s bounty is by bicycle. You can make tracks on back roads, yet stop to indulge every interest. The pace is your own. You also will burn calories in the process. Continue reading “It’s All Downhill on a Cycling Tour of Ubud”
A compassionate heart beats under the leathers of a Harley-Davidson rider.
23 April 2014, Issue #116
When you ask guys who own Harley-Davidson motorcycles how long they’ve been riding, most of them give the same answer: “I always had somethin’.” The Big Wheel they turned donuts with in the driveway at five years old was the only legal option before they inevitably could own a Dyna custom bike. Rob Jagodzinski was no different. Big Rob, as he’s known, didn’t come by his name for being puny, and explained bike passions as he feasted on crawfish, pulling their heads off and building a pile of beady-eyed red carcasses on a tin plate. The smaller Harleys are more useful in Jakarta, but he would prefer something bigger. Big Rob is a HOG—a member of Harley Owners Group Indonesian Chapter. The 120-member international group takes Sunday rides to Puncak and weekend trips to Pelabuhan Ratu. Continue reading “Custom Bikes with Powerful Pipes”
The Breakfast Staple is at the Heart of Amazing Local Dishes
April 2014
The incredible, edible egg is all it’s cracked up to be. The nutrient-packed ovum delivers dense protein for a measly 70 calories. And while it’s high in nutrition, it’s low in cost. Each year in the U.S., 75 billion eggs are laid, and well over half are used by consumers. The egg is a versatile food, and it’s been said that the many pleats of a chef’s toque represent the many ways an egg can be prepared. Scrambled, fried, poached, baked and soft or hard boiled. For Easter, they are dyed every shade of spring, and those hard-boiled pretties become egg salad, deviled eggs and more. Continue reading “The Exciting Egg”
March 10, 2014
Story & Photography by Gail G. Collins
As Pak Parno threads his way through the gamelan, he claps his hands to guide the tempo and calls out to beginners who have lost their place in the music. Eyes focus on notes as mallets tap out a lancaran or simple song. The cyclical melody is carried by the metallophones, embellished by the ringing tones of bronze, knobbed kettles. This is punctuated by hanging gongs and led by the beating of the kendhang drum. Repetitive lines pulse on counts of two and four. These crescendo and accelerate before winding down to pause for the strike of the massive gong gede, followed by the musicians’ final note. It is mesmerizing music. Continue reading “The Gamelan Group: All Nationalities, Ages and Motives Welcome”
Tavern Fare Gets the Gourmet Treatment
March 2014
When it comes to lifting a Guinness on Saint Paddy’s Day, everyone flirts with being Irish. And according to the Census, 34.5 million Americans actually call themselves Irish. That’s seven times the population of Ireland. So, Americans are right at home in a pub. The term pub is short for Britain’s public houses, which the working class frequented. These neighborhood watering holes also served meat pies and fish and chips to mop up the beer. It wasn’t fancy, but it was filling. Now with food the star of its own television channel, bar snacks, pub grub and game munchies have received an upgrade. It is still based on traditional eats, yet these reinvented classics boast high quality, inspired ingredients. Continue reading “Pub Grub Upgrade”
A Sugar Land Couple Finds the Perfect Pooch at Poodle Rescue of Houston
Spring 2014
When Beverly was rescued from a local Houston shelter, she was a brown, matted mess. Poodle Rescue of Houston (PRH) cleaned her up, and two hours later, she looked like a fluffy, cream dream. The non-profit haven assisted 800 distressed and homeless poodles last year alone. “Once we rescue dogs, we rehabilitate them and offer them for adoption to carefully screened families and individuals,” says PRH Executive Director Guinette Peebles. Continue reading “Oodles of Poodles”
Cypress Running Club gives families an opportunity to train and compete in events alongside one another
Spring 2014
When Leslie Reames ran her first 5K race two years ago, she looked around her at the 10K racers at the YMCA Turkey Dash and wondered how she could ever double her distance. But joining the Cypress Running Club (CRC) gave her the support and know-how to do just that and more.
A year later, Leslie was hoofing it in the Rock ‘N Roll Series Marathon in San Antonio. She felt her strength flagging at the 21-mile mark, when she spotted a member in the club’s signature neon shirt, snapping photos and cheering her on. It pumped Leslie up and pushed her across the finish line. This is CRC in action. Continue reading “Going the Distance”
