Friday, May 28, 2004
I'm sorry that I haven't written a lot in awhile. Things are going well here, but I've been very busy with lesson plans, grading papers, etc. I also forget who I've told what to, so if I repeat anything, I apologize ahead of time.
My mosquito bites are finally healing. Last Wednesday, after an interesting dinner appointment (where we felt as though we were being held hostage because they didn't seem to ever want us to leave), I went home feeling surprisingly itchy, especially on my feet. I woke up the next morning with feet that looked diseased. They were COVERED in mosquito bites. Because they were so bad, I walked to school in my tennis shoes (this also helped keep the swelling down), and I brought my sandals to wear during school hours (somehow tennis shoes and skirts just don't match). After school, I rearranged the entire classroom into groups and got a lot done, my feet hurt so much that I took a taxi home from school. I carried my sandals instead of putting them in my bookbag. Bad idea. I left them in the taxi. :0( I have an amazing sister who is sending me another pair. (Overall, not the best week I've spent in Fiji).
Anyway, this past week has been much better than the week before. The Narsimulus are continuing to feed us amazingly well. It seems that no matter how we try to repay kindness for kindness, they manage to stay ahead. Someday, I hope to cook food as good as Sister Narsimulu's.
The last week has been humid, rainy, cloudy, and kinda depressing. Today is gorgeous though. The sky is blue and huge cumulous clouds are floating through the sky. It is an amazingly nice day. Fridays are also one of my favorite days because I get to wear my khakis. Every other day, I wear skirts to school. While I'm beginning to like wearing skirts, I'm not quite ready to trade in my trusty khakis yet.
It is hard to imagine that I've been here a month. It seems as though so much has happened in that time and also nothing at all. I occasionally still feel lost when teaching.
I don't know that I mentioned that a couple of weeks ago, we got a TV from the landlady. It picks up one channel: Fiji 1. I love to watch the American shows like X-Files and The Dead Zone.
Anyway, last night I was thinking of all of the things I miss from the Us and all of the things I'm going to miss when I return. Here's a list:
Things I Miss: my family, my friends, HOT shower and baths (my apartment doesn't have a tub, and when the clouds appeared, the hot water disappeared.), Ragu spaghetti sauce, non-fat cooking spray, scabies-free children, good-tasting peanut butter, free Internet access, bug-free rooms, etc.
Things I'll Miss: new friends, passion fruit ice cream, Cadbury hazelnut chocolate bars, Tim Tam cookies, Curry in a Hurry (an Indian restaurant here), stops at KFC for 55 cent soft-serve ice cream cones, small bananas, Fijian hospitality, a balcony with an ocean view, and so forth
Interesting things I found in Fiji: Give Way signs (instead of Yield), and overtaking lane (instead of passing lane), rubbish bins (trash cans), driving on the left side of the road, bluffing (lying/kidding), spying (peeking in a game of Heads-up-7-up), set (okay), and many other things; also, people put doilies on just about everything--sofas, computers, TVs, computers, speakers. Another thing, during lunch, my teacher occasionally curls up under her desk on a woven mat and takes a nap; Saying What? when you can't hear or understand a person is considered rude here (my roommate told me this is also true in Canada). Currency here comes in the following denominations: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, $1 (coins), $2 (bills), $5, $10, $20, $50, if it goes any higher, I've never encountered a bill for it.
I've learned some Fijian during culture and vernacular classes. Here are the following phrases:
Vinaka--Thank you
Kua na vosa vosa--Stop talking.
O cei na yacamu?--What is your name?
E mucu na nomu penikau--Your pencil is very blunt.
E duka na ucumu.--Your nose is dirty.
Goodbye--Moce mada.
A note about pronunciation: c is pronounce th, an "n" sound precedes any d's, b's are preceded my a "m" sound.
I learned a few more phrases, but you'll probably have to wait until I get home to hear them.
My mosquito bites are finally healing. Last Wednesday, after an interesting dinner appointment (where we felt as though we were being held hostage because they didn't seem to ever want us to leave), I went home feeling surprisingly itchy, especially on my feet. I woke up the next morning with feet that looked diseased. They were COVERED in mosquito bites. Because they were so bad, I walked to school in my tennis shoes (this also helped keep the swelling down), and I brought my sandals to wear during school hours (somehow tennis shoes and skirts just don't match). After school, I rearranged the entire classroom into groups and got a lot done, my feet hurt so much that I took a taxi home from school. I carried my sandals instead of putting them in my bookbag. Bad idea. I left them in the taxi. :0( I have an amazing sister who is sending me another pair. (Overall, not the best week I've spent in Fiji).
Anyway, this past week has been much better than the week before. The Narsimulus are continuing to feed us amazingly well. It seems that no matter how we try to repay kindness for kindness, they manage to stay ahead. Someday, I hope to cook food as good as Sister Narsimulu's.
The last week has been humid, rainy, cloudy, and kinda depressing. Today is gorgeous though. The sky is blue and huge cumulous clouds are floating through the sky. It is an amazingly nice day. Fridays are also one of my favorite days because I get to wear my khakis. Every other day, I wear skirts to school. While I'm beginning to like wearing skirts, I'm not quite ready to trade in my trusty khakis yet.
It is hard to imagine that I've been here a month. It seems as though so much has happened in that time and also nothing at all. I occasionally still feel lost when teaching.
I don't know that I mentioned that a couple of weeks ago, we got a TV from the landlady. It picks up one channel: Fiji 1. I love to watch the American shows like X-Files and The Dead Zone.
Anyway, last night I was thinking of all of the things I miss from the Us and all of the things I'm going to miss when I return. Here's a list:
Things I Miss: my family, my friends, HOT shower and baths (my apartment doesn't have a tub, and when the clouds appeared, the hot water disappeared.), Ragu spaghetti sauce, non-fat cooking spray, scabies-free children, good-tasting peanut butter, free Internet access, bug-free rooms, etc.
Things I'll Miss: new friends, passion fruit ice cream, Cadbury hazelnut chocolate bars, Tim Tam cookies, Curry in a Hurry (an Indian restaurant here), stops at KFC for 55 cent soft-serve ice cream cones, small bananas, Fijian hospitality, a balcony with an ocean view, and so forth
Interesting things I found in Fiji: Give Way signs (instead of Yield), and overtaking lane (instead of passing lane), rubbish bins (trash cans), driving on the left side of the road, bluffing (lying/kidding), spying (peeking in a game of Heads-up-7-up), set (okay), and many other things; also, people put doilies on just about everything--sofas, computers, TVs, computers, speakers. Another thing, during lunch, my teacher occasionally curls up under her desk on a woven mat and takes a nap; Saying What? when you can't hear or understand a person is considered rude here (my roommate told me this is also true in Canada). Currency here comes in the following denominations: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, $1 (coins), $2 (bills), $5, $10, $20, $50, if it goes any higher, I've never encountered a bill for it.
I've learned some Fijian during culture and vernacular classes. Here are the following phrases:
Vinaka--Thank you
Kua na vosa vosa--Stop talking.
O cei na yacamu?--What is your name?
E mucu na nomu penikau--Your pencil is very blunt.
E duka na ucumu.--Your nose is dirty.
Goodbye--Moce mada.
A note about pronunciation: c is pronounce th, an "n" sound precedes any d's, b's are preceded my a "m" sound.
I learned a few more phrases, but you'll probably have to wait until I get home to hear them.
This was actually writting 5/17/04
Bula!
This last week in school were evaluations. The students took tests all week. I've gotten to grade basically all of the tests. It's really frustrating/sad sometimes. I had one student who got an 8/70 on a test! I know that he can do better than that.
Friday and today, my teacher was not there. I pretty much just gave tests on Friday. Today, I tried to wing it. It was interesting to say the least. I was overjoyed when I found the plan book with some outlines of lessons after first recess (10:45am). Unfortunately, I opened the book to the wrong page and began to do some activities from next week's lessons. Yeah, it was great.
On Saturday, I stayed home and lounged around the house. It was wonderful. I got laundry done--my first experience with hanging my clothes out to dry, and it worked! Unfortunately, all of my clothes grew in the wash and didn't shrink on the line. That's okay, they're not too big, just a little baggy at times.
Anyway, my roommates went to a beach an hour away. They had a blast. (I'm still glad I stayed home.) My roommates got back that evening--with horrible sunburns! One looked like a lobster.
At 7pm, we went to an anniversary celebration. Sister Singh, Heidi's teacher, invited us over for a feast (basically). We ate fish curry, chicken curry, chutney, some interesting looking yogurt salad, dhal, rice, cake, ice cream, papaya, etc. I was full by the end of the evening. We finished off the meal by watching rugby. If I watch enough games, I may be able to figure out what's happening.
My first Sunday in YW's was interesting. A lot of things have changed. I got to recite the motto and led everyone astray by totally skipping the part about strengthening home and families. Yep, a wonderful thing to do.
We had lunch at the bishop's home. It was wonderful, and I was stuffed for hours!
My favorite meal to make for myself are roti pancakes. I made up the recipe myself. In order to make roti (like an Indian food tortilla), you combine a little water with Sharp's flour and create a dough, roll it, etc. I combine Sharps and water into a batter-like substance and eat it with jelly. MMMMMMMM.
Anyway, there's not too much that's happening. I'll probably go back with my roommates to the beach next week.
Bula!
This last week in school were evaluations. The students took tests all week. I've gotten to grade basically all of the tests. It's really frustrating/sad sometimes. I had one student who got an 8/70 on a test! I know that he can do better than that.
Friday and today, my teacher was not there. I pretty much just gave tests on Friday. Today, I tried to wing it. It was interesting to say the least. I was overjoyed when I found the plan book with some outlines of lessons after first recess (10:45am). Unfortunately, I opened the book to the wrong page and began to do some activities from next week's lessons. Yeah, it was great.
On Saturday, I stayed home and lounged around the house. It was wonderful. I got laundry done--my first experience with hanging my clothes out to dry, and it worked! Unfortunately, all of my clothes grew in the wash and didn't shrink on the line. That's okay, they're not too big, just a little baggy at times.
Anyway, my roommates went to a beach an hour away. They had a blast. (I'm still glad I stayed home.) My roommates got back that evening--with horrible sunburns! One looked like a lobster.
At 7pm, we went to an anniversary celebration. Sister Singh, Heidi's teacher, invited us over for a feast (basically). We ate fish curry, chicken curry, chutney, some interesting looking yogurt salad, dhal, rice, cake, ice cream, papaya, etc. I was full by the end of the evening. We finished off the meal by watching rugby. If I watch enough games, I may be able to figure out what's happening.
My first Sunday in YW's was interesting. A lot of things have changed. I got to recite the motto and led everyone astray by totally skipping the part about strengthening home and families. Yep, a wonderful thing to do.
We had lunch at the bishop's home. It was wonderful, and I was stuffed for hours!
My favorite meal to make for myself are roti pancakes. I made up the recipe myself. In order to make roti (like an Indian food tortilla), you combine a little water with Sharp's flour and create a dough, roll it, etc. I combine Sharps and water into a batter-like substance and eat it with jelly. MMMMMMMM.
Anyway, there's not too much that's happening. I'll probably go back with my roommates to the beach next week.
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Hello again!
First of all, I'd like to make a general announcement that the phone in my apartment is not working right now. We've talked to the landlord, and she is working on getting it fixed, but yesterday was a holiday, and it didn't get disconnected until Thursday night.
It's Saturday in Fiji, and I just got back from the fruit market. My group and I bought mandarine oranges (funny though, they're green here and still ripe), guavas, carrots, cucumbers, little bananas, cassava (a root crop almost like a potato, but longer and thinner), and more. I was in heaven, everything was more reasonably priced, and there was tons more variety.
Today has been fruitful (haha, a little pun). I bought hangers, so now I can hang up all of my clothes and not be scared about finding bugs in the scary drawer. I also bought a few sulus (think sarongs). I also bought some postcards, so if you would like one, please supply me with your address.
Wednesday we went on a field trip to the beach. I got to see all types of hermit crabs and watch all of the students have a blast exploring the shore and looking at plants and animals. While we were supervising the students, I was able to talk to my teacher a little more. I'm really excited to be working with her.
Yesterday was an absolute blast. We went on a trip to the beach with the youth (yep, think young men/young women age) of the Tamavua ward. Danny was able to get us hooked up with the trip. We were supposed to arrive at 7am but we were about 5-10 minutes late (and still the first ones there). The youth arrived in time, but the transport (a truck with a blue canvas back and benches attached to the back) arrived at about 9/9:30am. It is about an hour ride of bumpy road to the beach. We got to talk to the different kids. It was fun, even when it started to rain. I kept on praying that the rain would clear by the time we got to the beach. It did, but continued to make an appearance every hour or so. We had a blast anyway. The kids played rugby, and Britt even joined in. I walked around and collected shells.
The best part of the beach was the barbecue that they had. Oh my goodness, we had barbecue lamb and sausages with cassava. It was amazing!!! They HEAPED our plates. Well, I was hoping to lose weight, but who knows if that will happen if the locals continue to feed us so well. I forgot to mention that the teachers of LDS Primary School also provided us with a small feast on Thursday. MMMMMMMM.
Anyway, after the beach, we made our way back home. They were incredibly kind and dropped us off right at our flat.
We rested a couple of hours, and then went to a youth dance at Wailoku. That was so much fun. Dances work entirely different over here. Everyone sits down between songs. Also, guys ask girls to dance every single song. There are no slow dances here. The guys also made sure that EVERYONE was included. The youth are thoughtful and kind and tons of fun. If no one asks you to dance, you usually sit there or dance in a group. The cutest boy, Isoa, was the best dancer there. He is only eleven and comes up to about my shoulder (if that). He also knew he was the best dancer. He asked two of us if we had husbands yet. I think, overall, it was the best dance I've ever been to. One of my favorite parts was the refreshments. They had these fried balls of some kind of dough/bread.
Anyway, overall, I am having a lot of fun. We're starting to get down to work. Especially Melissa. Her teacher just moved down two weeks ago from teaching at the LDS college (high school) and hasn't done ANYTHING to decorate or organize her classroom. Melissa has been working really hard and is doing a wonderful job. I'm still trying to get into the grove, but I'm sure I'll get there.
My favorite time of the day is morning. I get up half-an-hour early, take my journal and scriptures on to the balcony and read and write. It is peaceful (if you rule out the barking dogs and the birds singing), and the view is fantastic.
My roommates and I are doing well. No fights yet. We work together after school on lesson plans and decorations.
It's been great hearing from all of you. Keep the emails up. I LOVE getting emails (even ones about hoagie day).
First of all, I'd like to make a general announcement that the phone in my apartment is not working right now. We've talked to the landlord, and she is working on getting it fixed, but yesterday was a holiday, and it didn't get disconnected until Thursday night.
It's Saturday in Fiji, and I just got back from the fruit market. My group and I bought mandarine oranges (funny though, they're green here and still ripe), guavas, carrots, cucumbers, little bananas, cassava (a root crop almost like a potato, but longer and thinner), and more. I was in heaven, everything was more reasonably priced, and there was tons more variety.
Today has been fruitful (haha, a little pun). I bought hangers, so now I can hang up all of my clothes and not be scared about finding bugs in the scary drawer. I also bought a few sulus (think sarongs). I also bought some postcards, so if you would like one, please supply me with your address.
Wednesday we went on a field trip to the beach. I got to see all types of hermit crabs and watch all of the students have a blast exploring the shore and looking at plants and animals. While we were supervising the students, I was able to talk to my teacher a little more. I'm really excited to be working with her.
Yesterday was an absolute blast. We went on a trip to the beach with the youth (yep, think young men/young women age) of the Tamavua ward. Danny was able to get us hooked up with the trip. We were supposed to arrive at 7am but we were about 5-10 minutes late (and still the first ones there). The youth arrived in time, but the transport (a truck with a blue canvas back and benches attached to the back) arrived at about 9/9:30am. It is about an hour ride of bumpy road to the beach. We got to talk to the different kids. It was fun, even when it started to rain. I kept on praying that the rain would clear by the time we got to the beach. It did, but continued to make an appearance every hour or so. We had a blast anyway. The kids played rugby, and Britt even joined in. I walked around and collected shells.
The best part of the beach was the barbecue that they had. Oh my goodness, we had barbecue lamb and sausages with cassava. It was amazing!!! They HEAPED our plates. Well, I was hoping to lose weight, but who knows if that will happen if the locals continue to feed us so well. I forgot to mention that the teachers of LDS Primary School also provided us with a small feast on Thursday. MMMMMMMM.
Anyway, after the beach, we made our way back home. They were incredibly kind and dropped us off right at our flat.
We rested a couple of hours, and then went to a youth dance at Wailoku. That was so much fun. Dances work entirely different over here. Everyone sits down between songs. Also, guys ask girls to dance every single song. There are no slow dances here. The guys also made sure that EVERYONE was included. The youth are thoughtful and kind and tons of fun. If no one asks you to dance, you usually sit there or dance in a group. The cutest boy, Isoa, was the best dancer there. He is only eleven and comes up to about my shoulder (if that). He also knew he was the best dancer. He asked two of us if we had husbands yet. I think, overall, it was the best dance I've ever been to. One of my favorite parts was the refreshments. They had these fried balls of some kind of dough/bread.
Anyway, overall, I am having a lot of fun. We're starting to get down to work. Especially Melissa. Her teacher just moved down two weeks ago from teaching at the LDS college (high school) and hasn't done ANYTHING to decorate or organize her classroom. Melissa has been working really hard and is doing a wonderful job. I'm still trying to get into the grove, but I'm sure I'll get there.
My favorite time of the day is morning. I get up half-an-hour early, take my journal and scriptures on to the balcony and read and write. It is peaceful (if you rule out the barking dogs and the birds singing), and the view is fantastic.
My roommates and I are doing well. No fights yet. We work together after school on lesson plans and decorations.
It's been great hearing from all of you. Keep the emails up. I LOVE getting emails (even ones about hoagie day).
Note: This was actually written Tuesday evening, May 4, at around 5pm.
Bula! (Hello in Fijian)
I'm safe and well in Suva, Fiji. We finally found an internet cafe today, so I can write everyone. I got here Saturday morning after an incredibly long flight. I live in a wonderfully huge flat. There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a diningroom, a livingroom, a kitchen, a washer, and my favorite part a balcony. Every morning I get up, get dressed, and read my scriptures on the balcony. The view is beautiful--I can see the ocean.
Yesterday was a holiday from school and so is Friday. We were able to go with Danny Narsimulu, the brother of a friend in Provo and see some beautiful waterfalls and go swimming. To be honest, I had fun, but I am probably one of the worst hikers in the world. I fell twice, a record beat only by Melissa who fell five different times. By the end of the hike, we were all a little worse for wear. Melissa and Britt's shoes (Chocos) had given them blisters all up and down their feet. I had a bruise on my back from where I fell (and my whole butt was covered in mud). Swimming was fun, and I was able to clean up a little. When we got home, I was incredibly thankful for my warm shower (yes, we even have hot water).
Today was the first day of school. Everything went well. I met my teacher in class 5, Sister Rokobuludrau (it took me the first half of the day to learn how to say it anywhere near correctly). The children are wonderful. There are twenty-five in all. Five were absent today, though, so I didn't get to meet them. I even got to teach a lesson today. Sister R. had to arrange a field trip that we're going on tomorrow (to the beach :0) ), so she asked me to take over class for awhile. Little did I expect that I would end up directing Drop Everything and Read time and Health Science. Today, we did a demonstration on how to clean a wound. (What fun!) I am pretty tired, but I still have to go to Institute tonight.
Oh, I forgot about Sunday. Sunday, the Burbanks (the missionary couple supervising us here) took us to the Wailoku ward. Heidi played piano. In the middle of Relief Society, the bishop pulled us out. Guess who ended up conducting a full blown choir rehearsal. Yep, you guessed it. Heidi, the piano player (also one of the student teachers here) was the only one with music. I just had a sheet of paper that told me which people were singing. It was awful! I definitely developed some patience (as did the people I was working with). The ward was wonderful though. Probably half of the ward stayed for the impromptu choir session. After choir, the Sister Narsimulu invited us over for a last-minute lunch. I got to try taro (which I do not like) along with passion fruit (which is okay). They are the most incredible family.
Well, I'm sure I have more to write, but I'm not sure what. I'm sorry if I'm boring. I'll be sure to bring back lots of pictures (so be ready for one of those boring sessions with a photoalbum).
Also, I want to hear from all of you (especially you, Mom). What are your summers looking like. Any boyfriends/girlfriends?
I miss you all!
Bula! (Hello in Fijian)
I'm safe and well in Suva, Fiji. We finally found an internet cafe today, so I can write everyone. I got here Saturday morning after an incredibly long flight. I live in a wonderfully huge flat. There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms, a diningroom, a livingroom, a kitchen, a washer, and my favorite part a balcony. Every morning I get up, get dressed, and read my scriptures on the balcony. The view is beautiful--I can see the ocean.
Yesterday was a holiday from school and so is Friday. We were able to go with Danny Narsimulu, the brother of a friend in Provo and see some beautiful waterfalls and go swimming. To be honest, I had fun, but I am probably one of the worst hikers in the world. I fell twice, a record beat only by Melissa who fell five different times. By the end of the hike, we were all a little worse for wear. Melissa and Britt's shoes (Chocos) had given them blisters all up and down their feet. I had a bruise on my back from where I fell (and my whole butt was covered in mud). Swimming was fun, and I was able to clean up a little. When we got home, I was incredibly thankful for my warm shower (yes, we even have hot water).
Today was the first day of school. Everything went well. I met my teacher in class 5, Sister Rokobuludrau (it took me the first half of the day to learn how to say it anywhere near correctly). The children are wonderful. There are twenty-five in all. Five were absent today, though, so I didn't get to meet them. I even got to teach a lesson today. Sister R. had to arrange a field trip that we're going on tomorrow (to the beach :0) ), so she asked me to take over class for awhile. Little did I expect that I would end up directing Drop Everything and Read time and Health Science. Today, we did a demonstration on how to clean a wound. (What fun!) I am pretty tired, but I still have to go to Institute tonight.
Oh, I forgot about Sunday. Sunday, the Burbanks (the missionary couple supervising us here) took us to the Wailoku ward. Heidi played piano. In the middle of Relief Society, the bishop pulled us out. Guess who ended up conducting a full blown choir rehearsal. Yep, you guessed it. Heidi, the piano player (also one of the student teachers here) was the only one with music. I just had a sheet of paper that told me which people were singing. It was awful! I definitely developed some patience (as did the people I was working with). The ward was wonderful though. Probably half of the ward stayed for the impromptu choir session. After choir, the Sister Narsimulu invited us over for a last-minute lunch. I got to try taro (which I do not like) along with passion fruit (which is okay). They are the most incredible family.
Well, I'm sure I have more to write, but I'm not sure what. I'm sorry if I'm boring. I'll be sure to bring back lots of pictures (so be ready for one of those boring sessions with a photoalbum).
Also, I want to hear from all of you (especially you, Mom). What are your summers looking like. Any boyfriends/girlfriends?
I miss you all!
