They started cooking at 4 o’clock for a 5 o’clock party. Flour was clumped on the ground like snow, Indomie was sticking to the walls, and knives were being tossed around the kitchen. ETA Kiyoko “Kiki” Nakamura loves throwing parties but misjudged how long it would take to cook enough food for 50 people. Luckily, she had all of her roommates to help her flip the tortillas, cook the beans, mash the potatoes, cut the watermelon into Christmas trees, fry the Indomie, make the cheese plate and arrange the cookies and cakes while Kiki ran around the kitchen trying to find the jam. Thanks to her roommates, the party went smoothly.

The party (in secular Christmas fashion) was to celebrate and appreciate all of the community members who helped Kiki feel welcome in Pangkalpinang. She loved watching how the teachers and students interacted in a non-formal setting. She was elated that her female silat coach and best friend knew each other. And she was super excited when her two favorite families from opposite sides of town started chatting. The party was a reminder of how intertwined the small city is and also a reminder of the many giving, generous and gentle people who fill her life in Indonesia.

Kiyoko “Kiki” Nakamura-Koyama is currently teaching at SMA Santo Yosef Pangkalpinang, Bangka-Belitung