The Pursuit of Happiness

So last time I posted, I explained how I went into to Suva for a few appointments; well they were more because of my work site. Let’s just say things didn’t quite work out, so I was moved into Suva for a few weeks until Peace Corps was able to find a place that was safe, secure and a health center to work at. Well of course, as I was traveling into Suva that Thursday there was an expected cyclone to hit Fiji that very same weekend. Luckily it veered itself off from Suva, but still hit devastatingly over the west of Fiji including several other volunteers’ hospitals and homes. In Suva, we lost power and water but I had moved into the hotel by Monday so I hadn’t lost too much where as the volunteers in the west are still without power, and were without water for quite some time!!

All of this reminded me of home in Florida!! Cyclones are the exact same as hurricanes, and do just as much damage. But here, the devastation is just felt a little more with little relief and less government funding to the protect the people of Fiji that are left without homes or jobs to go to. Because of Cyclone Evan; 5 people in Samoa were killed and 1 in Fiji. Also due to Cyclone Evan, the entire water system in Samoa is shut down and there was a huge outbreak of Typhoid in the Ba region of Fiji. So much devastation from a cyclone that was originally marked as a non-threat to the people of Fiji; and while that same system is warning of another possible storm making its way down South, more reports say that it may grow cyclonic.

But on a lighter note, during the cyclone I stayed at another volunteer’s house and we had so much fun playing games and just cooking fancy on our non-electrical stoves. Also I spent sometime making cookies at my country directors house with his grandkids! Such a big family!! It reminded me of living in the village with all the kids and I have to admit I missed it so much that for Christmas I decided to go back to my home-stay village and stay with the other family I became really close with there. And Christmas was a blast!! We made a million dishes of food, I saw a pig and cow get slaughtered in front of my eyes and I met my older brother who had been at teacher training college while I was in the village so I hadn’t met him before! Plus on Boxing Day we splashed everyone with water and it just became so much fun trying to get everyone with water secretly! It will also happen New Years Day, so I'm excited to go back to the village again this weekend for that! After that we danced around the house, took naps, drank kava, then went to the river where we swam, jumped off a landing and then just enjoyed each other's company. It was nice to reminded what Christmas was really about without having all the stress of gift giving and the fake face of happiness around family that can sometimes happen during the holidays. All in all a wonderful Christmas, though I have to admit when my grandma and I skyped one day and she began to cry... it really made me miss her and the US!

But even now I still don't know where my new site will be and I've just been hanging out with the Peace Corps staff, a few volunteers, but itching to back to the village to get that cultural exchange. I swear I really do love the Fijian people, even though sometimes they can be difficult to work with I just love what they bring. And for what ever reason maybe I have a better relationship with many of them than most but I'm just really fortunate for that! I can't wait to go back for New Years and I will have a full post to report with hopefully news on my new site then as well!! So talk to you later!! BYE!!!!

Breathe, stretch, shake... Let it go

Over the last six weeks so much has happened its hard to even try to explain, but don't worry, haha I'll try!!

My second week here I met a lot of wonderful people in my village. I was able to do some talking while drinking plenty of yaqona or kava! It's a great tool to get to know people that's for sure!! Even if it is bad for you, in excess anyways.

My third week was thanksgiving!! Also I had conference in Savusavu on the new reporting system in the Ministry of Health, which was actually very enlightening!! And one of the presenters, Siga from Labasa, was amazing!! So knowledgeable! That whole week was pretty crazy, went out to have a couple drinks with two of the other volunteers on Wednesday. Thursday met the other volunteers from the North and other group, then Friday helped another volunteers supervisor with some accounting stuff. Then I met a couple locals of Savusavu and they were so wonderful! That Saturday we went to Labasa to have another Thanksgiving with other PC volunteers, but also JICA and AUSAID volunteers, very international haha. That was a great night because we got to go dancing and its honestly the best medicine for me.

My fourth week was pretty random. My supervisor got really sick so the clinic was closed. On Wednesday I helped with the prize giving or certificate of completion day at one of the local schools, which was so much more fun that I can tell you! The kids danced meke, guys drank grog, and women brought some amazing food. I definitely did not starve the week she wasn't cooking for me. It was cool because I learned how to make a fire and to cook over and open fire. I have to admit I felt very bush at that point. But also this week, PC staff came to visit me and I ended up being able to ride a horse too! Fun!

My fifth week here was short and sweet! I went to a tabu fishing area workshop for all the areas in my district. Two response volunteers were there and it was very informative! Made me want to help my village in that area too! Also, later that week I went to a tuberculosis conference in Labasa! That was pretty cool too, and I liked being able to understand some of the procedures with TB. I stayed the weekend in Labasa, because I got to go to an Hindu-Indian wedding on Saturday, then left Sunday! Of course I missed the bus that would take me straight to my village, so instead I went to Savusavu and took a ridiculously expensive taxi cab home.

My sixth week was nothing short of a weird time for sure: I did some good patient talks on Monday about the importance of not keeping babies coddled up so heavily, then hung out with one of the girls in my village that's home from school. Tuesday I went to town for a bit, then went to the gift exchange party for the women of my village. Did I explain at all of these functions, workshops and conferences I'm eating a ridiculously amount. They won't let you leave the table until they know you're full. I have to start faking my fullness or something haha. I've gained 7 pounds since I've been in the village!! That's crazy!! I ended up having a small medical issue Tuesday night so I talked to the doctor and she said I should come and get a few things checked. So by today I'm in Suva having a few appointments here and there.

All in all an interesting time to say the least!! So much to be thankful for!! Happy Christmas in case I don't post again :) miss everyone back in the states!! With all my love <3