Rumbai's Got Talent

The last week of school means it is time for ISR's annual talent show, this year titled "Rumbai's Got Talent." Kade and Brooklyn both had acts in the show. Brooklyn did a Hula Dance to the song Wipeout. She had a lot of fun. As you can see from the picture she's been working on her core strength.

Kade did a skit where he spoofed our Science Teacher, Mr. Anderson. Mr. Anderson is always showing the students critters and creepy crawlies from the jungle at our morning assemblies. Think Steve Irwin without the accent. Kade did an awesome job with his impersonation. He was pretty funny and Mr. Anderson was thought it was great so that made Kade feel good.Brooklyn showing off her Hula moves. She is pretty ripped for eating more than any of the rest of our family. Oh, to have a fast metabolism!

Kade and John hearing from the judges after his performance. John was Ryan Seacrest for this show.

Sydney's Pictures

These are the first copies we have been shown of the advertisement for "Image," the hair salons that Sydney modeled for. We think these are the ones that will be used in billboards outside of the studios.

PBL...No, not the Pro Bowling League

I was invited to play in the equivalent of a city league in the city of Pekanbaru, the Pekanbaru Basketball League (PBL). Some of the Indonesian guys we invite to play pickup basketball with us here at the school on Tuesday nights play on a team and invited me to join them. This is a picture of the outdoor court where the games are held. I played in my first game on Saturday. It was a rather unique experience. Here are some of the highlights (not of my play but of the experience)

1. Before the game both teams go into a tunnel and are announced over a loud speaker before running out to "Jock Jams" being played over the speakers.

2. They actually play the Indonesian National Anthem before the game.

3. There are three referees for this event decked out in uniforms (who also run out of the tunnel to music).

4. The have a manual score board on one end of the stadium.

5. We were playing a team that has not lost (they were pretty good) and we were ahead by 9 points. Once that happened all of the calls seemed to mysteriously go against the our team. I mean all the calls. My favorite was when I received a technical foul for closing out on a three point shooter and calling out "shot" to alert my team that he had shot the ball. Apparently in Indonesian rules you cannot say a word to the shooter while he is shooting the ball. New to me! We ended up losing by 8.

6. When you shoot freethrows they blair music and talk on the PA system while you are shooting...see #5.

Even with all of those oddities it was a really neat experience. I am looking forward to playing again. I had a great time.

It is kind of like a mini Roman Coliseum. Cement stands all the way around and you are in a bowl. This picture was taken during the high school girls team practice right before our game.

Model Behavior

So Sydney had her first modeling gig this weekend. Six hours for her hair on Friday, two hours of hair and makeup on Sunday followed by 4 1/2 hours of a photo shoot. She cleans up not too bad.

These are pictures that Kathi took with our camera. She tells me that the pictures the real photographer took were pretty great. She says we won't even recognize Sydney. That remains to be seen, but we will post a few when we get them from her. Sydney had a great time and said she would like to do it again. The photographer said she would like to photograph her again so who knows? Since Syd will now be on a billboard she can say she is an international model. How bizarre?

Right outside the salon.

"Try to smile with your eyes," is the advice.

It is hot out here...make-up!

What is on my shoulder?

Not Quite Extreme Makeover

Sydney got her hair colored and cut on Friday. She brought along two of her friends from school, Lyka and Milena for moral support. That was really important because after her hair came out of the foil it looked like white streaks I am told. The girls were a big help in allowing Syd to keep from crying. However after it was washed it looked like this.

On Sunday she is going to be doing a photo shoot for a hair salon here in Pekanbaru called Image. The owner is going to be using her on her billboard and advertising so she took care of the hair and even got Sydney a new gown for the shoot. This is the teaser photo. We will get a picture up after she goes through the two hours of make-up and dress up that will happen Sunday. Her hair looks so good!

Gibbons Call Run

This weekend was the second annual Gibbon's Call Run, There were many options for this running event. There was a half marathon, a 10K, a 5K, a mile (for the 3rd and 4th graders), and a half mile for the Kinder-2 students. Sydney ran her first 5 K race. She did great. Here she is coming down the final stretch. Kade and I ran the mile together. It was a fun event for kids of all ages.

Run, Sydney, Run!

Pigs

Getting pictures of the wild pigs here is pretty tough as they tend to only come out at night. Our friend Kathy Van Wagoner got these pictures. I just wish they didn't dig up our yards.

Swim Meet

Last weekend Sydney went with the middle school to our sister school, Duri, and competed against their swim team. She did great! She set personal bests in all 6 races she competed in and even had 3 firsts. She is really good at the backstroke. Not bad for a kid that didn't even do swim team last year!