Australia.was.EPIC.
We ate a lot, did a lot, saw a lot, and took it at our own pace!
Highlights from Sydney:
*Our first dinner (of course it's about food) at The Rocks was this awesome rocket, date, pecans, and pear salad that had GIANT chunks of blue cheese (which we should probably have not eaten all of as it was pretty rich and we paid for it later) * Best night of the trip: going out dancing at Selena Club which was at the Coogee Beach Hotel, dancing till 3am and then running directly across the street and riding the waves (in our clothes...no worries) in the Pacific Ocean- SO FUN! * 2nd best day of trip: Riding on motorcycles with our friend Michael and his bud all throughout the northern beaches of Sydney and over the Sydney Harbour Bridge! We had famous meat and veggie pies and Magnum bars: honeycomb and this new Brownie one in case you were interested... *
Highlights from Tassie (Tasmania):
*Some of the best food!: first meal there was at Machine Cafe (well-known bc has good food AND you can wash your unmentionables!) where I had grilled haloumi cheese for the first time- my gosh it was heavenly. there was also free salmon samples at this Salmon shop as Tassie is famous for their salmon (among SO MANY other things- they have just the right temperature so they can grow a variety of things that other places can't....ex. poppy seeds!) * Best day of trip: We did a tour out to Wineglass Bay, Freycinet Penisula and National Park, The Friendly Beaches, and more! It was so fun to be in the park and listen to the sound of the wind, we went into this cave our tour guide had found which was SUPER cool * Cascade Brewery- Oldest Brewery in AU...really fun, found some extra tokens so that made it more fun! * Tasmanian Devil Park where we saw some ravenous tassie devils get fed...in general they're pretty stupid but sure love their raw meat * Got some awesome Jumpy photos! * all in all just had a really fun time enjoying ACTUAL winter weather!*
Highlights of Melbourne (prouncounced Melbin that is!)
* I think the St. Kilda Music Festival was by far our favorite- they have this festival all along the St. Kilda Pier and have ALL different kinds of bands/entertainment come and perform at random bars/shops in the area- SO COOL! One corner was legit Jazz, one corner acoustic Michael Buble, another 90's rock music, and then our favorite was this hippy style band called ** freaking awesome! We were dancing mid-day with a bunch of other awesome people! PLUS that was the day we had dark chocolate fondu for two which included churros, the spanish donut- MY GOSH* Outdoor Cinema in the Royal Botanical Gardens- it was a bit chilly but it was still cool, just had to drink wine to stay warm * Ate Kangaroo here too with the family we stayed with! surprisingly good!* A cooking class- which we thought we'd be at our own stations but it ended up being just us watching this guy while we all sat and drank wine...which we actually ended up preferring!*
Thursday, May 24, 2012
First Blog Post Peace Corps...
When I first returned to America after serving two years and three months as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I found there were two common questions people typically asked:
'How was it?' & 'Do you feel changed?'
Excuse me while I check out reality for about 3 minutes trying to figure out how in God's name I would answer these. 3 minutes later....'Umm soo, yeah man..' How do I share 2 years and 3 months worth of outrageous experiences with someone who probably can't relate in too many ways and also will probably be checking out of this conversation if I talk more than 2 hours? After much pondering, I came to my soundbite: 'It was the most challenging yet rewarding two years & three months of my life thus far. I went on a lot of adventures, met a lof of truly wonderful people who I someday hope to help. But for the time being, I am enjoying just being in America.'
It's been almost a year now since returning and it's definitely been a whirlwind, like everyone says it is. I think each person is different, though, and experiences different challenges at different times in different ways. I think my challenges have been with this slump of an economy & employment. At first it was not knowing what I wanted to do and just needing a job. Then it turned into having too many great ideas of what I could do but not knowing how to achieve them as they are WAY out there and not on your typical path. I've now arrived at the path of just needing to fix my 'right now' situation and that's what I've been working on at present.
And after being back for almost a year, I've more often gotten the question, 'Are there things that bother you about our society?' The answer is most definitely YES, but it's a weird, mixed feeling. I love America and it's amenities; I truly value things like fresh running water, AC, cars, etc. but what I don't love are people who DON'T appreciate them. People just don't even know...
There's also something random that has REALLy stuck out in my mind & I often find myself thinking about it: Makes me sick...
For one, America has WAY too much advertising with a focus on clothes. But what I really hate is when they exploit locals from developing countries in magazines for these clothes. When I look at these ads, I immediately start thinking 'Where did the locals come from? Were they near a local village and these Americans just popped in for the day with their nice white teeth, expensive clothing, and nice cameras? Did people have to put off their daily lives (of probably very hard work) so that they could stand with these random, beautiful people smiling as if they know them??' AND I think what bothers me most of all is that most people in other countries don't SMILE like Americans do...so did the camera people have to tell them to show their teeth like Americans do!? It's so weird to think about how the elements of this photo came together. AND more than likely, that women's clothing was probably not culturally appropriate. Every other girl in that photo has her shoulders covered-- so get it together. Lastly, I think my favorite part of these photos is how in some/maybe all of them...the models seem to be leaning away from the people...It's like I can see them thinking, 'ewww these children probably have diseases.'
And honestly...it's probably true...sadly.
Cheers,
Courtney
'How was it?' & 'Do you feel changed?'
Excuse me while I check out reality for about 3 minutes trying to figure out how in God's name I would answer these. 3 minutes later....'Umm soo, yeah man..' How do I share 2 years and 3 months worth of outrageous experiences with someone who probably can't relate in too many ways and also will probably be checking out of this conversation if I talk more than 2 hours? After much pondering, I came to my soundbite: 'It was the most challenging yet rewarding two years & three months of my life thus far. I went on a lot of adventures, met a lof of truly wonderful people who I someday hope to help. But for the time being, I am enjoying just being in America.'
It's been almost a year now since returning and it's definitely been a whirlwind, like everyone says it is. I think each person is different, though, and experiences different challenges at different times in different ways. I think my challenges have been with this slump of an economy & employment. At first it was not knowing what I wanted to do and just needing a job. Then it turned into having too many great ideas of what I could do but not knowing how to achieve them as they are WAY out there and not on your typical path. I've now arrived at the path of just needing to fix my 'right now' situation and that's what I've been working on at present.
And after being back for almost a year, I've more often gotten the question, 'Are there things that bother you about our society?' The answer is most definitely YES, but it's a weird, mixed feeling. I love America and it's amenities; I truly value things like fresh running water, AC, cars, etc. but what I don't love are people who DON'T appreciate them. People just don't even know...
There's also something random that has REALLy stuck out in my mind & I often find myself thinking about it: Makes me sick...
For one, America has WAY too much advertising with a focus on clothes. But what I really hate is when they exploit locals from developing countries in magazines for these clothes. When I look at these ads, I immediately start thinking 'Where did the locals come from? Were they near a local village and these Americans just popped in for the day with their nice white teeth, expensive clothing, and nice cameras? Did people have to put off their daily lives (of probably very hard work) so that they could stand with these random, beautiful people smiling as if they know them??' AND I think what bothers me most of all is that most people in other countries don't SMILE like Americans do...so did the camera people have to tell them to show their teeth like Americans do!? It's so weird to think about how the elements of this photo came together. AND more than likely, that women's clothing was probably not culturally appropriate. Every other girl in that photo has her shoulders covered-- so get it together. Lastly, I think my favorite part of these photos is how in some/maybe all of them...the models seem to be leaning away from the people...It's like I can see them thinking, 'ewww these children probably have diseases.'
And honestly...it's probably true...sadly.
Cheers,
Courtney
Sunday, June 19, 2011
'Staying strong until the end!'
Without Sunlight, there is no Moonlight
This last blog goes out to Roshni, someone who I believe I was sent here to meet, work with, and share so much with. Without her, God only knows where or what I'd be doing. It's so crazy, her name means 'Sunlight' in Hindi and mine just so happens to mean 'Moonlight'. Roshni and Chandani. The day I realized this I was on the verge of tears; I just realized how much she means to me, how her ability to give is an unyielding force much like the sun, and how I don't think I would have been successful in my community here without her. It was truly meant to be. It's amazing, and it's Chisu (Jesus). As much as I'm SO ready to be HOME, everytime I think of leaving her, I blubber like a baby. However, if someone were to ask me what I'm most proud of or my greatest accomplishment, this would be my answer: Among all the things I've shared with Roshni, computers, working as a businesswoman, etc, I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to be able to teach her her worth as a woman and as a hard worker. Above all things, I believe this to matter most...and it's definitely taken two years for her and myself to come to this realization. I look at her and see how she's now able to stand up for herself and is such a bright, professional, and caring businesswoman. She is the epitome of compassionate, and I will never forget it.
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| My last breast cancer workshop and first HIV/AIDS one as well! |
Lately it's been SUPER BUSY with closing up things in the office, continuing to do breast cancer workshops (still so fun!), introducing new HIV/AIDS workshops into my community, and then also visiting with my community on evenings & weekends! As much as I've been stressed out I've still enjoyed it (although shout-out to my friends and family who I've called whilst mid-breakdown, it's helped more than you know).
These last few weeks have been really great because I feel like I've actually seen and heard ways that my presence has actually changed the office for the better. Listening in on conversations where men are talking about the importance of women and have realized just how hard they work, especially here in Fiji. I truly feel like I was constantly challenging my organization to better themselves...and turns out, I succeeded! I'm not trying to toot my own horn, believe you me, I just feel better about leaving Roshni here in a more positive working environment.
 | |
| I donated these flowers to the office, that way when I come back they'll all be abloom! |
Now I march on to eat my last few meals of curry (last night I had some of THE best fish curry I think I've ever had) and tonight will be my last grog sitting at my host family's house. I'm pumped!
Once again, thank you to all my friends and family who have supported me the past two years, it's really meant a lot to me. I hope I've kept you slightly entertained while reading this ridiculous blog and that I'll get to see you upon returning home! Fijian grog, Indian snacks, and maybe even some Fijian Bounty Rum will be at the house on Sunday the 26th for lunch!
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| My Bhabi cleaning some mussels for curry! |
Cheers,
Vinaka Vaka Levu (Thank you very much in Fijian),
Bahut DHaanywaad (Thank you very much in Hindi)
and MOCE (see you later in Fijian)!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Random Compilation of Stories...
...that I'm sure you're all just DYING to hear about. ;0)
Lessons Learned:
-People who have less give more
-Kindness knows no culture
-How wasteful Americans can be
-I like to cook and I'm pretty good at it
-I like to cook even more with groups
-Everything tastes better when you share
-I get comfortable with people much faster than they get comfortable with me
-I process things differently than other people
-I second guess myself far too much
-the grass is always greener in the other village: as much as I enjoy visiting my friend's villages (and wish that I were in one), I've realized that every site has it's pro's and con's and that I should be content in the community I'm in...because it's a wonderful one.
Things I thought were extinct but aren't:
-Peddle sewing machines (see photo)
-plowing via cattle
Things that frustrate me about the Fijian Culture:
-When you ask questions that end in this or that? The answer from a local is always Yes.
Will appreciate in America:
--CUSTOMER SERVICE: whilst having breakfast in my favorite town, savusavu, I spent approximately 2 1/2 hours walking back and forth through town searching for some panackes. Apparently when a sign says 'Open 8am' it really means 10am. I finally found a place that had some normal pancakes (aka not deep friend half uncooked dough) I received them alongside some vegemite syrup and had to ask for plain syrup about 4 times. And who doesn't love lukewarm coffee? oh wait, no one does.
--The Little things: Having your feet clean (not sandy) & having air conditioning on vacation
--Just feeling clean and staying that way: My House is an Easy Bake Oven...no really (temperature-wise, color-wise, and 'cool-as' wise) Thus I will HIGHLY appreciate Air Conditioning! This past year at the heat of summer I recall myself taking 7 showers a day and just wasting away in my 'full body sweats'.
-I think because of the heat, however; you do learn to enjoy the art of doing nothing. I remember many times of just laying on my host families floor staring at my hands and the ceiling, talking about nothing, and drinking lots of grog.
-Amazing friends and family of course
Things I've Struggled With Lately....
-Despite the job as a capacity builder, how do you politely tell a grown adult that they should be washing their hands after they use the restroom? I don't want to seem like that 'pompous American' who thinks they're better...and I also don't want to hurt their feelings
- In the same sense, it's hard to tell women that they need to go specifically to a gynecologist for a check up once a year when it's obvious they have no money to do so, it kind of hurts a little bit....
Feel accomplished when:
-I take clothes off line
-I wear out clothing, a sensation of 'YES, I've used this to it's max capacity'...I can't remember the last time I said that in America
New things that have seen molding:
-cooking apron
-spicket from my wine box
-nose pads on my glasses
-spices...SO annoying!
Story time:
Once upon a time, when I visited my friend Sally in her village...they said 'Yandra Bhaini' to me! so Yandra in Fijian means good morning but Bhaini is Hindi for Sister. This seems random but I remember feeling so appreciative at that moment. Why? Because her village friends recognized that I wasn't working with Fijians but with Indian people, and they made a point to represent that in the language they spoke. I just felt so grateful because I know many people don't think that anything with Indo-Fijians isn't the 'Real Fiji'. I get frustrated at this because not only is it a bit racist but it also disregards all that Indo-Fijians have brought to the country of Fiji...which is a LOT.
Awesome food days- where I found myself giggling to myself like a 12 year old school girl:
-Egg plant parmesan (when I discovered...hey I can cook)
-omelette with Dill
-PB & J fluff sandwich
-Taco salad
-sushi on my b-day (mostly bc of the real cream cheese)
-Eggplant curry at office
-When I discovered Beets!
-cobbler with Kara
-coconut chutney at Christmas
-beignets
Mystery Taki Song **Taki means Chug in Fijian**
It's time for the Mystery Taki
Who gonna get the Mystery Taki
Time for the Mystery Taki
Who's it gonna be!?
It's ME!
Lessons Learned:
-People who have less give more
-Kindness knows no culture
-How wasteful Americans can be
-I like to cook and I'm pretty good at it
-I like to cook even more with groups
-Everything tastes better when you share
-I get comfortable with people much faster than they get comfortable with me
-I process things differently than other people
-I second guess myself far too much
-the grass is always greener in the other village: as much as I enjoy visiting my friend's villages (and wish that I were in one), I've realized that every site has it's pro's and con's and that I should be content in the community I'm in...because it's a wonderful one.
 |
| My host mom sewing on her Singer peddle sewing machine! |
Things I thought were extinct but aren't:
-Peddle sewing machines (see photo)
-plowing via cattle
Things that frustrate me about the Fijian Culture:
-When you ask questions that end in this or that? The answer from a local is always Yes.
Will appreciate in America:
--CUSTOMER SERVICE: whilst having breakfast in my favorite town, savusavu, I spent approximately 2 1/2 hours walking back and forth through town searching for some panackes. Apparently when a sign says 'Open 8am' it really means 10am. I finally found a place that had some normal pancakes (aka not deep friend half uncooked dough) I received them alongside some vegemite syrup and had to ask for plain syrup about 4 times. And who doesn't love lukewarm coffee? oh wait, no one does.
--The Little things: Having your feet clean (not sandy) & having air conditioning on vacation
--Just feeling clean and staying that way: My House is an Easy Bake Oven...no really (temperature-wise, color-wise, and 'cool-as' wise) Thus I will HIGHLY appreciate Air Conditioning! This past year at the heat of summer I recall myself taking 7 showers a day and just wasting away in my 'full body sweats'.
-I think because of the heat, however; you do learn to enjoy the art of doing nothing. I remember many times of just laying on my host families floor staring at my hands and the ceiling, talking about nothing, and drinking lots of grog.
-Amazing friends and family of course
Things I've Struggled With Lately....
-Despite the job as a capacity builder, how do you politely tell a grown adult that they should be washing their hands after they use the restroom? I don't want to seem like that 'pompous American' who thinks they're better...and I also don't want to hurt their feelings
- In the same sense, it's hard to tell women that they need to go specifically to a gynecologist for a check up once a year when it's obvious they have no money to do so, it kind of hurts a little bit....
Feel accomplished when:
-I take clothes off line
-I wear out clothing, a sensation of 'YES, I've used this to it's max capacity'...I can't remember the last time I said that in America
New things that have seen molding:
-cooking apron
-spicket from my wine box
-nose pads on my glasses
-spices...SO annoying!
Story time:
Once upon a time, when I visited my friend Sally in her village...they said 'Yandra Bhaini' to me! so Yandra in Fijian means good morning but Bhaini is Hindi for Sister. This seems random but I remember feeling so appreciative at that moment. Why? Because her village friends recognized that I wasn't working with Fijians but with Indian people, and they made a point to represent that in the language they spoke. I just felt so grateful because I know many people don't think that anything with Indo-Fijians isn't the 'Real Fiji'. I get frustrated at this because not only is it a bit racist but it also disregards all that Indo-Fijians have brought to the country of Fiji...which is a LOT.
Awesome food days- where I found myself giggling to myself like a 12 year old school girl:
-Egg plant parmesan (when I discovered...hey I can cook)
-omelette with Dill
 |
| Beignets- compliments of Sandra! |
-Taco salad
-sushi on my b-day (mostly bc of the real cream cheese)
-Eggplant curry at office
-When I discovered Beets!
-cobbler with Kara
-coconut chutney at Christmas
-beignets
Mystery Taki Song **Taki means Chug in Fijian**
It's time for the Mystery Taki
Who gonna get the Mystery Taki
Time for the Mystery Taki
Who's it gonna be!?
It's ME!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Wonderful Weekend- Thanks, Fiji!
We had a pretty big training this week (new volunteers are HERE- ahh! I'm helping train them on a bit of the Indian stuff and how to deal with Safety & Security issues), and after that a small group of us headed to an 'eco lodge' here on Viti Levu that was of course run by the local village. (sidenote: I'm realizing that people back home think we go to resort's all the time or feel like we 'hit the jackpot'. But I would just like to say although the places we go to are naturally beautiful [which we DO appreciate]..we're still not in paradise. The local 'lodge's' are rustic to say the least and often times we still feel like we're in the village/settlement. As Americans we have all these expectations of what a resort/vacation should be like and 95% of the time those expectations are unmet. For example: having your feet be dirty/sandy the entire time you're on vacation, being hot/sticky the entire time because of lack of air conditioning, our reservations/rooming situations never being what we asked for/planned on, and having a margarita or a Corona in your hand is just not existent. And I don't want to complain by any means, I just want to give people an understanding. EVERYWHERE in the world has positives and negatives to where you live.)
Saw around 100 spinner dolphins...they come in to a bit shallower waters, near large mass of crescent moon shaped coral and then head out to feed at night. They broke up into smaller 'clique's' and would swim in unison..so neat to watch. And some of them would do tricks for us, jumping in and out of the water spinning forward and laterally! Then we went to a different area to snorkel in more shallow waters (I mean...we still couldn't see the bottom) but the coral WAS GIANT and the species were so diverse. Just really neat. I didn't see anything new really but we did see a small nudibranch black with lime green design) and some really beautiful and bright colored small fish (orange, magenta's rich purple's).
ON the way home we managed to find transport in a minivan that came by mistake..so we were jammin' out to Fijian Christian music- really beautiful...like you guys have no idea. It was a very surreal moment...looking out the window, reflecting on the past two years. After that we came home and I somehow churned out a full load of laundry (by hand as always), a banana cake AND a cobbler. took me 2.5 seconds to fall straight asleep. Thank you Jesus for a wonderful weekend!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
April Fools!
for the entire month? YES.
So this past Saturday afternoon I found myself just lying in a sports bra and underwear doing nothing but sweating. I decided enough was enough and that it was better to sweat with my local friends as opposed to sweating by myself. I went over to my neighbors house (fully clothed) to deliver some Fiji famous peanut brittle that my Uncle Ray sent me! 5 hours later of sitting around, learning swear words in Hindi, and goofy Indian dancing we had a pretty fun time! During this time my friends and I were talking about where I've been for the past month....and this friends is what happened:
APRIL
week 1: mid week, on my way into work, feelin' good and lookin' good, I slip and fall uneventfully in some murky water on the sidewalk. I fracture my right pinky toe and am forced on crutches. This was definitely a low point in my service, mostly because I was having yet another security issue with some half crazy half drunk fijian dude who was harassing me a bit and trying to follow me.
week 2: still on crutches, had some nice raspberries forming underneath my arms.
week3: stayed at my house for just one night then had to head straight to our COS (Close Of Service) Conference which was at a nicer hotel that DID have awesome food. It was kind of a whirlwind of emotions because I kind of just wanted to be home and rest, and I wasn't mentally ready for the Pearl and to be around my whole group. But it turned out to be pretty great and we had a good time in the AIR CONDITIONING! weeeee! but it was a bit of a bummer when I'd go to eat because my stomach bacteria I have was acting up and I couldn't eat as much as I wanted to....maybe that was actually a good thing. ;0)
week 4: went straight from my conference back to my Organization's Annual Convention that happens every year over Easter (over the Public Holiday of course...I was a bit bummed because all my friends were hanging out BUT it turned out it was great I was there). At our table this year I did face painting for the kids for any kind of donation and it was a big hit! At one point I had like 25 kids around me (a bit stressful) and I made enough to buy some plants for the office that I've been wanting to plant here. :0) And to end my week I headed out to the YASAWAS with my friends, Kara and Jewels! The Yasawas are the 'tourist islands' that truly are BEAUTIFUL with some of the bluest water I have ever seen. Hands down. Fiji's treasure trove for sure. As amazing as it was (also with AWESOME food) :0) I wound up getting the flu AGAIN with shivers and the sweats. At my lowest point I had signed up for a massage and by the end I could actually feel blood flowing in my body again and felt MUCH better after that. Kara also wound up getting a bit sick too....she actually fainted during breakfast and we had to carry her to our bure. a bunch of sickies! but luckily we both felt better and were still able to enjoy the amazing island we were on.
On the last morning Kara and I went snorkeling in their AMAZING coral reef and saw a bunch of new fish we'd never seen:
-school of squid! they're AWESOME looking and change colors when you get close
-rare rockmover wrasse: they're tiny, Kara spotted it and kind of float like they're a piece of seaweed
-saw my first boxfish: black with orange spots
-counted 10 giant clams
-stingrays
-2 ft long cornetfish
- really interesting trumpet and filefishies as well!
We were out there giggling like little school girls - So that was my April, hope you guys enjoyed it! :0)
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| a low point of my service.... |
 |
| Close Of Service (COS) Conference @ the Pearl! |
APRIL
week 1: mid week, on my way into work, feelin' good and lookin' good, I slip and fall uneventfully in some murky water on the sidewalk. I fracture my right pinky toe and am forced on crutches. This was definitely a low point in my service, mostly because I was having yet another security issue with some half crazy half drunk fijian dude who was harassing me a bit and trying to follow me.
week 2: still on crutches, had some nice raspberries forming underneath my arms.
week3: stayed at my house for just one night then had to head straight to our COS (Close Of Service) Conference which was at a nicer hotel that DID have awesome food. It was kind of a whirlwind of emotions because I kind of just wanted to be home and rest, and I wasn't mentally ready for the Pearl and to be around my whole group. But it turned out to be pretty great and we had a good time in the AIR CONDITIONING! weeeee! but it was a bit of a bummer when I'd go to eat because my stomach bacteria I have was acting up and I couldn't eat as much as I wanted to....maybe that was actually a good thing. ;0)
 |
| NO this is not a swimming pool- OCEAN baby! |
 |
| Jewels and I on the beach! |
 |
| Harry Potter anyone!? YES! |
On the last morning Kara and I went snorkeling in their AMAZING coral reef and saw a bunch of new fish we'd never seen:
-school of squid! they're AWESOME looking and change colors when you get close
-rare rockmover wrasse: they're tiny, Kara spotted it and kind of float like they're a piece of seaweed
-saw my first boxfish: black with orange spots
-counted 10 giant clams
-stingrays
-2 ft long cornetfish
- really interesting trumpet and filefishies as well!
We were out there giggling like little school girls - So that was my April, hope you guys enjoyed it! :0)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Things I thought I'd never be able to say or do until I met Fiji:
-get knocked in the shin by a lady holding a frozen chicken while walking through town.
-be able to eat rice and curry with my HANDS and thus be able to hold up my hand to show that I've eaten (stained yellow from the turmeric powder)
-make peace with [count it]: cockroaches, lizards, spiders, ants, and flies.
-find myself laughing now when a super smelly person sits next to me on the bus
-have a multitude of illnesses: especially having stomach issues and not be anywhere near an accessible toilet (despite being in a city)
-enjoy cooking- makes me appreciate the wonderful selection of cheeses and cooking items in America.
-(On the flip side) being able to go out to my backyard and pick as many fresh and organic eggplants, long beans, papaya's, bananas, pumpkins, spinach, bok choy, dalo leaves, bele leaves, cilantro, mint and lemons as I want to!
-ride in the backseat while the driver was drinking beers with a friend and NOT being able to do anything about it...just because I was a woman.
Lately I've been finding myself on an emotional roller coaster though: going from really loving this place and trying to soak it up...but then Fiji happens. Aka I go from SUPER enjoying the dusty yet beautiful walk home, loving hanging out with my community here (sharing stuff and eating, of course) but then back to being ready to go when I wake up in the morning and want to go for a run....only to find my brand new running shoes GONE. Fiji just happens. But it's still good. you just find yourself laughing when stuff goes wrong. :0)
-be able to eat rice and curry with my HANDS and thus be able to hold up my hand to show that I've eaten (stained yellow from the turmeric powder)
-make peace with [count it]: cockroaches, lizards, spiders, ants, and flies.
-find myself laughing now when a super smelly person sits next to me on the bus
-have a multitude of illnesses: especially having stomach issues and not be anywhere near an accessible toilet (despite being in a city)
-enjoy cooking- makes me appreciate the wonderful selection of cheeses and cooking items in America.
-(On the flip side) being able to go out to my backyard and pick as many fresh and organic eggplants, long beans, papaya's, bananas, pumpkins, spinach, bok choy, dalo leaves, bele leaves, cilantro, mint and lemons as I want to!
-ride in the backseat while the driver was drinking beers with a friend and NOT being able to do anything about it...just because I was a woman.
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| Bananas Foster from my bro!! :o) miss that kid. |
 | ||||
| GOTTA LOVE the signs/stickers here in fiji |
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| The latest: First ever International Womens Day Celebration with Sanatan 8 March 2011 |
Lately I've been finding myself on an emotional roller coaster though: going from really loving this place and trying to soak it up...but then Fiji happens. Aka I go from SUPER enjoying the dusty yet beautiful walk home, loving hanging out with my community here (sharing stuff and eating, of course) but then back to being ready to go when I wake up in the morning and want to go for a run....only to find my brand new running shoes GONE. Fiji just happens. But it's still good. you just find yourself laughing when stuff goes wrong. :0)
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