I'm in FIJI!!

I'm so sorry about not being able to upload a post my iPad is having technical difficulties right now without being aligned with the Fiji network plus the SIM card is stuck!!! :( But life here is amazing! Seriously even here I somehow live like a princess, most of the trainees don't but I somehow (again) have gotten the best of the best. Most people live and eat on the floors, I have a comfy bed and have couches plus a table to eat on. I get corn flakes and most of them get curry/rice maybe a fried something for breakfast! SOO SPOILED!! I'll try to post again soon but just know that I'm happy and life here is amazing. You wouldn't think that so many people live here in poverty but it's truer than true. People here need help, especially with their problems with NCD's which is where my Peace Corps group will come in. Our jobs and sites won't come until the last week of October so I probably won't post again until then but this place is amazing. It can't disappoint, I'm sure I'll have down days especially when things don't work out and from what it sounds like I might live in the main island because most of us have really great technical training skills for the people and medical centers of Fiji but we don't know anything until then. I can't wait to find out!!

My homestay house I have been staying in is a princess house. There's no other words. Then the family is seriously amazing, and I'm not sure how I got so lucky. The other 24 volunteers here too are seriously crazy intimidating and perfect, but from what it sounds like we ALL think similar things. It's crazy to think how much we all agree on how amazing our group is too, I'm sure I'm not the only one gushing!! We have long term nurses, EMT's, DOCTORS, crazy travelers, everything. Our age ranges are actually pretty random too. 1/3 of us are over 35 "seasoned" but very experienced in the medical field, 1/3 of us 26-34 and in the middle of life stages, and then 1/3 of us are just out of college. It's crazy how different we all are. I'm so proud and excited to see what we do in the coming years, our group is out of this world with our resumes combined we could probably find solutions to most Fiji problems! (haha too optimistic but seriously they're crazy amazing). Plus the staff is really great to us!! Our country director and his wife love Fiji so much they've lived here almost longer than they did in the states. I can honestly see why!!

I have so many people to thank for all of their amazingness and so many friends and some great people who have entered my life this year that I couldn't have even been able to understand this experience without them!! First my dad, he's been phenomenal and seriously even though we fight all the time I love him more than anyone. My grandma, she is my saving grace, enough said. Anne, thanks for being awesome! My beautiful siblings! Seriously you are perfect and I miss you everyday <3 I think about you every time I look in the face of another child. My family overall is seriously just phenomenal. My little, Sam Pastran, she hasn't forgotton about me yet and it makes me so happy. My best friends Justin, Madison, Shannon, Frank, and Amanda! I miss you more than you'll ever understand :) Just know I think about you almost everyday if not everyday! I'll try to get a hold of all of you when I can! Stacy Hopkins and Nonnie Owens, please know your giving grace will always stay with me, I think about your kindness and know you have given me more than just gifts to help me here but intangible gifts no one can see but me! I love you both so much <3 I will always go back to Fort Myers for you two! :) Staging was amazing and really overwhelming, the place ride over too! It's weird to think I'm a Peace Corps trainee right now. Or that I've just spent an hour on the internet! Obviously I've been having withdraws.

I leave today...

So today I leave for Fiji.

Last night we had a nice meeting with the other trainees. I'm not sure of much besides the fact that today I will know more about my time in Fiji and get to know the other trainees a little better. I'm excited, nervous, anxious and ready to go! I was so fortunate to see so many people across Michigan and Florida! I'm already missing everyone but I know this experience will be fulfilling to say the least!! I will promise to listen to what my dad says and make the best out of every situation, everyday, even when I want to cry lol.

Today, I got to know a little more about a couple of the other trainees and it makes me really excited to see what we all focus in once we're there. The group seems really well educated and come from all different educational backgrounds!! It's sounds like we have a really driven group of people, so I think it'll be crazy to see what we all do with our two years in Fiji!

Well... We're about to leave for sessions! :) hope everyone is having a great time in school!! I love you all and thank you so much for all you have given to me over my last four years and especially everyone who helped me with my Fiji packing list!!

Neerrrrrvvvouuusss me

Some Fiji Facts

So Fiji... Wow. Fiji. FeeeeeJeeee

For those of you irate with jealously, don't worry your country will be just as cool... Sort of ;) or for those who are dear enough to me to read my blog...just come visit so you can see all the beauty that Fiji has to offer to!! But let's have a little history lesson while we wait the arduous 7 weeks before I leave!

The Republic of Fiji is composed of 332 islands, of which approximately 110 are inhabited, spanning approximately 500,000 square miles of the South Pacific Ocean. It is known as the soft-coral capital of the world and thousands of miles of coral reef thread throughout the islands. It is home to a population of approximately 883,000 people.

Fiji obtained its independence from Britain in 1970. A succession of coups - in 1987, 2000, and 2006 - has left Fiji struggling to regain political and economic stability. Leaders of the most recent coup in 2006 established an interim government led by Commodore Bainimarama. The Fijian Court of Appeal declared the December 2006 coup and the interim government unlawful and the 1997 constitution was abrogated. A state of emergency was imposed in April, 2009 and in July 2009 the interim cabinet appointed Epeli Nailatikau, a former military commander, diplomat, and speaker of the House of Representatives as the new President.

Following the coups, Fiji has suffered a high rate of emigration of skilled and professional personnel, causing shortages in the service sectors and in the areas of education and healthcare. Half of the population lives below or close to the poverty line, particularly in rural areas. Over-fishing and environmental degradation have reduced food security from traditional sources. Revenues from tourism, expatriate remittances, and exported sugar and garments remain the largest contributors to the economy, though these have dramatically fallen with the current worldwide recession. Fiji ranks 86 of 169 comparable countries on the Human Development Index (composite indices .669), and places above the regional average of East Asia and the Pacific (composite indices .650).

The currency of the country is the Fijian Dollar.

Although the country has a combination of both native Fijians and Indians it is an English Speaking nation. They do however speak their own dialects but all staff at resorts, restaurants, shops and the like are English speaking.

One of the most common words you hear in Fiji is a cheerful "Bula". This is the Fijian word for "hello" but in Fiji it can also mean a plethora of other things too!

The country's capital is Suva which is located on the eastern side of the main Island, Viti Levu. Suva is also the largest city in Fiji and contains one of the two ports in the country.

Fiji’s current government is headed by the military, per the 1999 constitution. In April 2009, Prime Minister Bainimarama and then-President Iloilo nullified the constitution, restricted the press, and pushed the date for elections to 2014. As a result, Fiji was excluded from the British Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum and has ongoing disputes with other countries over its governance, most notably with Australia and New Zealand.

Indigenous Fijians have a well-developed local system of government, beginning at the village (koro) level. Each village is represented by a village headman (turaga ni koro), who is elected by the villagers. Villages are grouped into 18 districts (tikina) and these districts are grouped into 14 provinces (yasana). The Fijian Affairs Board appoints a “Roko Tui” to head each province.

Indo-Fijians and other non-Fijians are served by a provincial administration that represents ministries at the local level, provides funding for infrastructure projects, and maintains government services. An advisory counselor represents Indo-Fijians’ and other non-indigenous Fijians’ interests at the provincial level. The traditional sociopolitical governing system of the indigenous Fijian people is the chiefdom system. The chief can be male or female, though most are male. The Fijian word for chief is ratu for men and adi (pronuounced “andi”) for women. The chief has sovereign power over the people of his or her village.

(references: Wikipedia, Fiji Welcome book, and CIA World Factbook!)

INVITATION!!!!! FIJI!!!!

HELLOOOOO FIJI!!! 

  Or should I say Bula!! Can't believe it!! I'll be leaving September 4th for 27 months to Fiji!!! :) 

  The unfortunate part is that I am in Ghana still so I haven't actually received my invitation just a welcome packet, and job assignment!! I will be working as a Community Health Promotion Facilitator! Working with several different outreach programs with a long range of items to educate communities on! 

  Of course the over achiever in me has already looked up information from WHO, the Peace Corps Fiji Program Evaluation, and the Fiji Health Systems Review. Yea I'm awkward like that. The opportunities are endless! Can't believe I ended up in Fiji when I was so sure I'd be in Africa!! Everyone keeps telling me we've hit the Peace Corps lottery and I can't help but agree. Not only will this be a great experience but if I live in a more rural village, and when family arrive they can see both sides and still get an actual vacation out of it too!! Now I know since there are 8 weeks away something could happen to not go through but I'm hoping for the best!! 

  Just want to give a shout out to everyone who has been following or supporting me through this process! Thank you so much for everything :) can't wait to see what the next few years bring!! 

Dreams...they do come true!

Not to put all my eggs in one basket as I am still two months away from when I could possibly leave... But after speaking with my placement officer and getting the questions such as: How is your family support, where are you in terms of safety and precautions, what have you been doing to live the life of a volunteer, really everything that they should but after the phone call and a check with legal my placement officer emailed me the most amazing news, I did the happiest happy dance I've done in years:

Hi,  

I checked with the Legal Eligibility  Office and was informed that your ticket was/is not a problem. So, I am clearing you for Peace Corps service and issuing you an invitation to serve in a Peace Corps health assignment departing for the Pacific Islands September 4th .  However, there is one condition.  I will need a final transcript that has the words “degree conferred” and the date by the first week of August at the latest.    

Your invitation should arrive in 5-10 business days.  After reading through your invitation materials, please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.   Otherwise, please follow the detailed instructions in your invitation packet on how to accept your invitation.  

Thanks for the information regarding your address. I suspect that our mail room will not be too keen about sending a packet to an addresses in Ghana without numbers.  Therefore, I would be inclined to use the P.O. Box address, as it seems a bit “safer” if you will."

seriously can't believe this...

Sometimes I really do wish I was a crier. I feel amazing. I know it's all speculation and things could happen to make me not be apart of it but... Im on cloud 9 right now so I'm just thinking about all the positives. I probably won't be too crazy until I'm on that plane over and have fully be swore in after training to know that everything is real, but until then I'll be in my dreamland just happy to know that my dreams are coming true. <3 thank you everyone for their support. It's been an amazing ride just to get this far. I love you daddy, my life would mean nothing without you.

PLACEMENT OFFICER!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhh omg!

I just received this email:

Hi,  

Greetings from the Peace Corps Placement Office.  My name is B and I am your Peace Corps Placement Officer. I believe that you are overseas now; however, I would like to arrange a time for a final interview for Peace Corps Suitability. Please let me know a number where you can be reached and a time this week (or next) when you are available to speak for 30min or so. I can call internationally, and am usually in the office from 8:30 AM EST through 5:30 PM or so.

  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.



Then we confirmed to talk Wednesday evening after I get done with my after school club I have here in Ghana!! Ohmygosh!! I'm so excited!! I'll keep you posted for more news!!!!

Peace Corps, Peace Corps, Peace Corps :)

It's taken me a while to update because well... I did have some complications with my grades unfortunately but I got really lucky and found an online Developmental Psych class at the University of Florida through their Flexible learning department. It's all set up and I'm just working on submitting my final projects now while I'm in Ghana. Yay for my last class as an Undergrad!! It's amazing how one mistake can feel like the end of the world one day, then a great life lesson the next. I'm sad it's postponed my assurance with the Peace Corps but I'm really privileged to have such a supportive father to assist with my bigger mistakes that cost me. 

But bad news aside I talked to my pre placement officer and am passed preliminary review!! I'm not sure how well off that makes me but I can only pray that it means I am headed in a good direction!! It's a little difficult living in a small village in Ghana and trying to be patient with all this down time. I can only hope my trials in Ghana will prepare me for a more successful time with the Peace Corps. 

Something funny I did realize is that, it's okay to be nervous about living in a developing country. I was really excited for my time in Ghana but then realized a lot of the experiences I'd have and wasn't sure I'd be ready for them. Bucket baths, power outages, limited Internet access, no air conditioning, different foods, constantly being reminded I'm a foreigner, limited wardrobe, lots of downtime, slowing down the go go go attitude, all of that. And yet, those are some of the easiest things I've adjusted to, if not real problems at all!! 

I think the biggest difficulties I've overcome were missing my family, talking to my friends everyday, not knowing if I am making a lasting impact, evaluating my worth to the community and certainly how uncomfortable I can get when I'm not in control of the situation and can't express how I feel in their language!! But even with all that to think about I can only say, I am so glad my time in Ghana is what it is because it has prepared me for so much. I won't lie and say I don't get down on myself but most days I think how happy I am here and wonder if I'll ever want to leave. I've read so many Peace Corps blogs that I'm starting to understand what some of them are talking about. I'm glad too because it's made me understand how committed I am to joining the Peace Corps and how I know it's the right avenue for me because of the personal journey it has taken me through already with the application process. I really want to do whatever I can to make an impact, understand more cultures, put myself out there and initiate change as much as I can!! 

My time in Ghana is amazing, and I'm so thankful to all the people that helped me get here. Crossing my fingers for good news with a placement officer soon!! Thanks for reading!! Good luck to you if you're going through similar struggles.