Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Oh my goodness. I can't believe that I'm leaving in just a few days. Today was my going away party. My teacher actually made a sulu and chamba for me LAST NIGHT. I can't believe she got any sleep. (She told me she was up until 2am. I believe it.) It fits PERFECTLY, which is amazing since she never took any measurements. She used her daughter as a mannequin. It is red and has a turtle print. I wore it today. My class also bought me a hair barrette, a sulu (I know own about a hundred, Una also gave me one this week),a fan, and a cute necklace. I love my class so much. They have so little, and they all gave me so much. Three little girls came up and gave me some gold earrings. I think they came straight from one of the little girl's ears. It makes me want to cry, because I know that these girls have little to nothing and they probably gave me the only earrings they had.
Today was our last devotional at the school. It was Brittany's class's turn. Her class did a wonderful job. After the devotional on the Good Samaritan, Sis. R. had us all come up and they gave us leis and allowed us each to say a word. Then, they sang "Isa Lei," a Fijian farewell song. We were all crying at the end. I do not want to leave this place.
Today was also our class party. A fact which the class almost managed to keep secret from me. (The Whiteheads told me about it yesterday, when I mentioned that I didn't know if or when I was having a party.) It was so fun to see the boys and girls have fun and dance. I love each of them so much!!!
This whole week has been really hard. We've been eating at a different family's house everyday. Last night, we said farewell to the bishop and his family along with other young men and women. It was a lot of fun, and the food is always delicious, but the sight of the family waving us off as we drove off in the taxi was heart-wrenching.
Yesterday, when I was finishing the book Phantom Tollbooth, and Milo was going back to the real world and leaving his friends behind, I almost started crying. I felt so much like Milo who didn't want to leave his new-found friends.
It's also been hard giving up control of the class again to Sis. R. I often don't know how to answer the students when they ask me what's next or if they can do this or that. I miss having my own class. I talked to the Whiteheads today. I signed their evaluation for me. They gave me 3-4 on everything. I felt that I really could be a teacher. It means a lot that they have confidence in me. I was a little disappointed because my teacher gave me some lower marks, mostly because they told the teachers to lower the marks.
Somewhere along this adventure, I've truly developed a love for this country. I can also feel a little bit more confidence welling up under my skin. I really miss everyone at home, but now I'm going to miss everyone here. I told my class that I would write them. I wish I could translate all of my feelings right now into words, but there aren't any. All of my students were asking me not to go, and I almost wish I didn't have to.
Today was our last devotional at the school. It was Brittany's class's turn. Her class did a wonderful job. After the devotional on the Good Samaritan, Sis. R. had us all come up and they gave us leis and allowed us each to say a word. Then, they sang "Isa Lei," a Fijian farewell song. We were all crying at the end. I do not want to leave this place.
Today was also our class party. A fact which the class almost managed to keep secret from me. (The Whiteheads told me about it yesterday, when I mentioned that I didn't know if or when I was having a party.) It was so fun to see the boys and girls have fun and dance. I love each of them so much!!!
This whole week has been really hard. We've been eating at a different family's house everyday. Last night, we said farewell to the bishop and his family along with other young men and women. It was a lot of fun, and the food is always delicious, but the sight of the family waving us off as we drove off in the taxi was heart-wrenching.
Yesterday, when I was finishing the book Phantom Tollbooth, and Milo was going back to the real world and leaving his friends behind, I almost started crying. I felt so much like Milo who didn't want to leave his new-found friends.
It's also been hard giving up control of the class again to Sis. R. I often don't know how to answer the students when they ask me what's next or if they can do this or that. I miss having my own class. I talked to the Whiteheads today. I signed their evaluation for me. They gave me 3-4 on everything. I felt that I really could be a teacher. It means a lot that they have confidence in me. I was a little disappointed because my teacher gave me some lower marks, mostly because they told the teachers to lower the marks.
Somewhere along this adventure, I've truly developed a love for this country. I can also feel a little bit more confidence welling up under my skin. I really miss everyone at home, but now I'm going to miss everyone here. I told my class that I would write them. I wish I could translate all of my feelings right now into words, but there aren't any. All of my students were asking me not to go, and I almost wish I didn't have to.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Hello Again!!!
It seems like forever since I've written. At the same time, the last two weeks have FLOWN by! I've had a blast, and I have to admit that I'm not really excited about school starting tomorrow. I hope I don't bore anyone, but at least a few people (mostly family, really) are interested in what I've been up to the past couple of weeks.
Week 1
Unfortunately, I cancelled the solo trip to the Yasewa Islands. I had been sick the week before and the cancelling deadline was coming up, so I felt safer cancelling. I was a little disappointed, but time heals all wounds.
I was planning on spending the week alone, in blissful solitude, roaming the city, watching movies, etc. Things don't always happen how we plan them. A couple of nights before my roommates were to leave on their trips, we hear what could only be described as a domestic disturbance in the flat below us. I won't go into details, but needless to say, we all agreed that I shouldn't stay alone in the flat, especially not for a week. I was not happy. Fortunately, someone suggested that I stay with the Steele's, a family from Orem, in Suva with their dad on business. That sounded okay to me and the Steele's were gracious enough to take me in.
The week was heaven. It has been awhile since I've been around a real family, and I really enjoyed spending time with the family. There were a couple of other perks. They have a DVD player, so I got to watch a TON of movies. I was in heaven. Another plus was that Sister Steele can cook. wonderfully. AMERICAN FOOD!!! enough said.
I spent some free time shopping at the flea market and handicraft market. It was a lot of fun.
Rachel, Sister Steele's daughter, was in my class five class, but it wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. The family was really nice, and I never really felt out of place. I was sad when the week was over. I was tempted to try and stay another week, but they're in process of moving back to the States, so I knew I couldn't.
Week 2
This last week was a little more exciting. Sunday, everyone got back from their respective destinations. They were all in one piece and well. We talked to Danny, a local friend who was going to go to Taveuni with us, and he informed us that he couldn't go. We were disappointed, but it was okay. We looked at the boat schedule, and decided to go Monday at 7pm. Whoa! Everything happened so fast. I almost didn't want to go because we didn't know where we'd stay or what we'd do there or anything. Fortunately, I took a deep breath and went anyway.
We booked with Suilven Shipping to go to Taveuni. It is a LONG boat ride. We boarded at around 6pm, the ship left at around 7. We didn't get to Taveuni until 1pm the following day. Ugh. I was really sea sick for about an hour even with Dramamine. Then, I decided to try and sleep. Sleep helped, and I wasn't seasick anymore when I woke up.
Once we got to Taveuni, we found a hotel. They had one $40 room and a few $60 rooms available. They wouldn't let all of us stay in the $60 room, so we split the difference and got one $60 room (equipped with bathroom, shower, stove, and mini-fridge) and one $40 room (equipped with 2 beds.) That way, each person could pay $25 a night, not too bad.
From the hotel, we found our way to the beach. It was beautiful, sunny, and deserted. Have I mentioned I love Taveuni. We spent time at the beach Wednesday and Friday too. On Wednesday morning, we visited the International Dateline (or where it would be if it didn't skirt around Fiji for ease). We also were led to a natural waterslide by an eighty-two-year-old man. It was so much fun! I actually went down too (I tend to chicken out a lot). At one point, I had trouble getting out of a natural pool of water, and a local man (not the guide) jumped in to help me out. He was really nice. We all survived the waterslide and the hike. On Thursday, we went to see a waterfall in Buoma National Park. It was really pretty (and the water was really cold.) We went behind the falls and jumped off some rocks into the pool there. Yep, that was fun too. We also got to eat at Cannibal Cafe (slogan: we'd love to have you for dinner).
Overall, Taveuni was a lot different than Suva: more relaxed, cleaner, friendlier. The buses only run three times a day up and down the island. There is less litter. It was SUNNIER!!! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and we had to return home. We got back to Suva on Sunday at 6am, and the rain greeted us. :0( It's still raining here.
Well, back to work. There are only four more weeks of school while I'm here. School offically starts tomorrow. Time is flying, but I'm excited to be coming home. I can't wait to see how everyone is doing.
Wow! This is getting really long.
It seems like forever since I've written. At the same time, the last two weeks have FLOWN by! I've had a blast, and I have to admit that I'm not really excited about school starting tomorrow. I hope I don't bore anyone, but at least a few people (mostly family, really) are interested in what I've been up to the past couple of weeks.
Week 1
Unfortunately, I cancelled the solo trip to the Yasewa Islands. I had been sick the week before and the cancelling deadline was coming up, so I felt safer cancelling. I was a little disappointed, but time heals all wounds.
I was planning on spending the week alone, in blissful solitude, roaming the city, watching movies, etc. Things don't always happen how we plan them. A couple of nights before my roommates were to leave on their trips, we hear what could only be described as a domestic disturbance in the flat below us. I won't go into details, but needless to say, we all agreed that I shouldn't stay alone in the flat, especially not for a week. I was not happy. Fortunately, someone suggested that I stay with the Steele's, a family from Orem, in Suva with their dad on business. That sounded okay to me and the Steele's were gracious enough to take me in.
The week was heaven. It has been awhile since I've been around a real family, and I really enjoyed spending time with the family. There were a couple of other perks. They have a DVD player, so I got to watch a TON of movies. I was in heaven. Another plus was that Sister Steele can cook. wonderfully. AMERICAN FOOD!!! enough said.
I spent some free time shopping at the flea market and handicraft market. It was a lot of fun.
Rachel, Sister Steele's daughter, was in my class five class, but it wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. The family was really nice, and I never really felt out of place. I was sad when the week was over. I was tempted to try and stay another week, but they're in process of moving back to the States, so I knew I couldn't.
Week 2
This last week was a little more exciting. Sunday, everyone got back from their respective destinations. They were all in one piece and well. We talked to Danny, a local friend who was going to go to Taveuni with us, and he informed us that he couldn't go. We were disappointed, but it was okay. We looked at the boat schedule, and decided to go Monday at 7pm. Whoa! Everything happened so fast. I almost didn't want to go because we didn't know where we'd stay or what we'd do there or anything. Fortunately, I took a deep breath and went anyway.
We booked with Suilven Shipping to go to Taveuni. It is a LONG boat ride. We boarded at around 6pm, the ship left at around 7. We didn't get to Taveuni until 1pm the following day. Ugh. I was really sea sick for about an hour even with Dramamine. Then, I decided to try and sleep. Sleep helped, and I wasn't seasick anymore when I woke up.
Once we got to Taveuni, we found a hotel. They had one $40 room and a few $60 rooms available. They wouldn't let all of us stay in the $60 room, so we split the difference and got one $60 room (equipped with bathroom, shower, stove, and mini-fridge) and one $40 room (equipped with 2 beds.) That way, each person could pay $25 a night, not too bad.
From the hotel, we found our way to the beach. It was beautiful, sunny, and deserted. Have I mentioned I love Taveuni. We spent time at the beach Wednesday and Friday too. On Wednesday morning, we visited the International Dateline (or where it would be if it didn't skirt around Fiji for ease). We also were led to a natural waterslide by an eighty-two-year-old man. It was so much fun! I actually went down too (I tend to chicken out a lot). At one point, I had trouble getting out of a natural pool of water, and a local man (not the guide) jumped in to help me out. He was really nice. We all survived the waterslide and the hike. On Thursday, we went to see a waterfall in Buoma National Park. It was really pretty (and the water was really cold.) We went behind the falls and jumped off some rocks into the pool there. Yep, that was fun too. We also got to eat at Cannibal Cafe (slogan: we'd love to have you for dinner).
Overall, Taveuni was a lot different than Suva: more relaxed, cleaner, friendlier. The buses only run three times a day up and down the island. There is less litter. It was SUNNIER!!! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and we had to return home. We got back to Suva on Sunday at 6am, and the rain greeted us. :0( It's still raining here.
Well, back to work. There are only four more weeks of school while I'm here. School offically starts tomorrow. Time is flying, but I'm excited to be coming home. I can't wait to see how everyone is doing.
Wow! This is getting really long.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Hello!
It's amazing how time flies. I haven't written a big e-mail in awhile, and I thought it was about time again.
We left for Nadi on Friday at 5pm. It was POURING! By the time we got to the bus station in Suva, we were soaked. Danny met us at the bus station, and we boarded right away. Luckily, I've learned to wrap everything I own in plastic bags, so my clothes for the weekend weren't soaked. The bus was crowded when we got on, and the bus people continued to squish us like sardines until the bus was filled to capacity. Luckily, some people got off rather quickly once the bus started off. The trip took about 5 hours when all was said and done. Definitely not the most comfortable 5 hours I've spent in my life. At one point, the bus was going up a really steep hill and just couldn't make it. At this point, the bus driver started yelling. About half of the bus, mostly guys, got out and started PUSHING the bus up the hill. Definitely a cultural experience. I can't imagine anything like that happening in the U.S. People would probably start to complain immediately and demand their money back.
We pulled up to Nadi airport around 10pm and met Danny's friend, Akuasita. We stayed at her house for the weekend. She was a very gracious host, and she cooked us some really good meals. That night, we slept on the floor. (This was a little disconcerting considering that the first thing I saw when I put my bags down was a dead cockroach in the living room, the same room where we slept.)
We got up very early the next day and were off to Beachcomber Island. The mood was hopeful as we pulled out of port. The sun was peaking through the clouds a bit. The boat ride to the island was hilarious. We sat on top of the boat deck (it was a rather large boat, a catamaran I think). Heidi and Melissa were absolutely soaked when the boat hit any kind of wave. They were good sports and laughed the whole way. The entire top of the boat was laughing with them, and some random guy even pulled out his video camera.
The island was very relaxing, but unfortunately, it rained almost the whole day. It was clear when I first got there, so I walked around the beach for awhile. After that, I hung out and read Pride and Prejudice again. Lunch was pretty good, and everyone stuffed themselves. Britt REALLY overate and felt nauseated afterward. Overall, everyone had a good time, but no one really thought it was worth the $74 FD it cost.
On the way back from the island, Heidi and I sat next to some members of the Royal Airforce Rugby team. It was really interesting. Leon, the guy I sat next to, is from Zimbabwe. We talked for awhile (he ended up giving his e-mail address, etc. to Heidi, go figure).
We got back to Akuasita's around 6pm, and I was asleep by 8. Dinner was very interesting. I actually tried and ate raw mussels (I didn't know they were raw until after I tried them.) They were burning, mouth on fire, hot. The first one I ate made me want to drink a gallon of water (unfortunately, I was about out of bottled water). I swallowed the other two I had taken as fast as possible and ate a few rolls to try to cover the taste. It is an experience I would rather not relive if ever given the opportunity.
Sunday was great. We got to go to church, and it was a good day. We went home on a really nice bus. It was only about a dollar more. Definitely worth it.
Time is really flying. I can't believe how fast everything is happening. Term 2 is almost over at school. (Just one more week.) Then we have a 2 week vacation. I'm going to Nanuya lai lai in the Yasawa Islands the first week (next to Turtle Island--$2000 a night with a 6 night minimum stay--I get the same view only MUCH cheaper). The second week, we're going to Taveuni and Savusavu. When we get back, there's only 4 more weeks of school.
While it still rains almost everyday, there has been some sunshine, which has helped a lot. I never realized how much the sun can affect my mood. I've definitely been happier since the sun has decided to make occasional appearances.
It's amazing how time flies. I haven't written a big e-mail in awhile, and I thought it was about time again.
We left for Nadi on Friday at 5pm. It was POURING! By the time we got to the bus station in Suva, we were soaked. Danny met us at the bus station, and we boarded right away. Luckily, I've learned to wrap everything I own in plastic bags, so my clothes for the weekend weren't soaked. The bus was crowded when we got on, and the bus people continued to squish us like sardines until the bus was filled to capacity. Luckily, some people got off rather quickly once the bus started off. The trip took about 5 hours when all was said and done. Definitely not the most comfortable 5 hours I've spent in my life. At one point, the bus was going up a really steep hill and just couldn't make it. At this point, the bus driver started yelling. About half of the bus, mostly guys, got out and started PUSHING the bus up the hill. Definitely a cultural experience. I can't imagine anything like that happening in the U.S. People would probably start to complain immediately and demand their money back.
We pulled up to Nadi airport around 10pm and met Danny's friend, Akuasita. We stayed at her house for the weekend. She was a very gracious host, and she cooked us some really good meals. That night, we slept on the floor. (This was a little disconcerting considering that the first thing I saw when I put my bags down was a dead cockroach in the living room, the same room where we slept.)
We got up very early the next day and were off to Beachcomber Island. The mood was hopeful as we pulled out of port. The sun was peaking through the clouds a bit. The boat ride to the island was hilarious. We sat on top of the boat deck (it was a rather large boat, a catamaran I think). Heidi and Melissa were absolutely soaked when the boat hit any kind of wave. They were good sports and laughed the whole way. The entire top of the boat was laughing with them, and some random guy even pulled out his video camera.
The island was very relaxing, but unfortunately, it rained almost the whole day. It was clear when I first got there, so I walked around the beach for awhile. After that, I hung out and read Pride and Prejudice again. Lunch was pretty good, and everyone stuffed themselves. Britt REALLY overate and felt nauseated afterward. Overall, everyone had a good time, but no one really thought it was worth the $74 FD it cost.
On the way back from the island, Heidi and I sat next to some members of the Royal Airforce Rugby team. It was really interesting. Leon, the guy I sat next to, is from Zimbabwe. We talked for awhile (he ended up giving his e-mail address, etc. to Heidi, go figure).
We got back to Akuasita's around 6pm, and I was asleep by 8. Dinner was very interesting. I actually tried and ate raw mussels (I didn't know they were raw until after I tried them.) They were burning, mouth on fire, hot. The first one I ate made me want to drink a gallon of water (unfortunately, I was about out of bottled water). I swallowed the other two I had taken as fast as possible and ate a few rolls to try to cover the taste. It is an experience I would rather not relive if ever given the opportunity.
Sunday was great. We got to go to church, and it was a good day. We went home on a really nice bus. It was only about a dollar more. Definitely worth it.
Time is really flying. I can't believe how fast everything is happening. Term 2 is almost over at school. (Just one more week.) Then we have a 2 week vacation. I'm going to Nanuya lai lai in the Yasawa Islands the first week (next to Turtle Island--$2000 a night with a 6 night minimum stay--I get the same view only MUCH cheaper). The second week, we're going to Taveuni and Savusavu. When we get back, there's only 4 more weeks of school.
While it still rains almost everyday, there has been some sunshine, which has helped a lot. I never realized how much the sun can affect my mood. I've definitely been happier since the sun has decided to make occasional appearances.
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.
