hey everyone
its been a few months. and there are only a few more to go!!
i'm in a funny transition stage where i'm trying to prepare for my life after fiji, yet still trying to soak up everything about living here. my projects are going to be just fine so i don't really have to worry about them so i'm really just hanging out, reading a lot and enjoying the passing of days.
i don't really know how to prepare to go back to the u.s. some people tell me that i'm going to be in for a huge culture shock, but others tell me its going to be a breeze. i hope its at least amusing. i don't want any breakdowns in grocery stores (although if i go to a mall maybe), i just want to be reminded of how strange and beautiful my home is. we are a very strange culture, but i'm really excited to come back. the thing i'm most excited for, other than being with family and friends, is hearing live music and being around art. i might cry when i get to drink a nice beer and see someone on stage playing something that they've created. i'm not joking so don't be surprised.
another thing that might be funny is my reaction when seeing american men. i've gotten really used to huge muscular black men walking around barefoot with big machete's in their hand.
sometimes when i'm bored i lay in bed and wonder what i'll actually miss about fiji. most things in life come and go without much notice, but maybe there will be some things from here that i'll wish i still had in my life. maybe i'll miss being a superstar in town and everyone always saying hello to me even though i don't really like it that much while i'm living here. i'll miss all the friendly people and definitely miss Indian food. maybe writing letters...who knows these things....
two years ago i was in south america wondering around and excited for what the future held. even though i'm not doing any traveling, i know big changes are right around the corner and right now i'm excited. life has gotten too easy here, small town life is one big routine and i'm definitely ready to move on to the next challenge. what? where? still undecided, but i'm sure it'll be great!
anyways, enough talk, i know most of you come here for the pictures. i've had some fun times and saw some new things, here are some of the moments i got on camera.
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| the road to bubba and michell's village to do a aerobics, nutrition and gardening workshop with them |
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| greta and i got off the bus and hoped we were walking down the right road |
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| we made it. bubba and michelle live in a village ON the beach. most people think that since I live in Fiji i get to be on the beach all the time. sadly its more like every 3 or 4 months. i loved this walk. i love being in pants and a sweater on the beach. i miss northern california. |
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| and a beautiful sunset |
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| preparing for my gardening and nutrition talk |
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| bubba promoting herb gardens. their village youth are considering starting a business selling herbs at the market (a great idea because no one does it!) |
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| hanging out with some wailevu easterners |
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| drinking bu with a cat that apparently wanted some too |
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| preparing for greta's aerobics class with the women. |
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| chels is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| cheeky kids |
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| on her way to snorkel |
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| waitabu (forbidden waters) village. they protect and monitor the marine park where chels went snorkeling |
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| Isa Anna, our receptionist and friend on our leaving from Lavena |
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| And recently it was Greta's birthday! It was rainy and windy for weeks and all we
wanted to do was dance, so we just went outside and danced in the rain. |
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| going to see some pearl farming |
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| oysters on a rope |
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| harvesting |
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| i forget what this is for |
well, hope you enjoyed the photos. i can't tell when i'm going to be in the mood to upload anything more (isn't that exciting because it means i'm almost done). my family comes in march and sara stays until april and then two more months and we can all party in my return. i can't wait to see you all.
much love
monica
