It's Been Awhile

Matt and I are still alive and kickin' here in the South Pacific.  A little update on what we've been doing...

Last month our Peace Corps friend, Stephanie, spent two nights in Natuvu and taught the women's group how to make virgin coconut oil.  While Stephanie was visiting I got a nasty cut on my finger from the back of our very sharp kitchen sink.  The worse part is I was trying to smash a cockroach with my hand when I did it!  Searching out and killing them is a new hobby of mine, as I came across three big ones last month.  Got to kill them when they're small and under control!

I've starting working a lot more with the women's group.  They have a Tuesday exercise class with me, I've been helping with their commercial planting and hopefully the group will be starting a couple of projects to make money (like virgin coconut oil). 

For Easter, Matt and I stuck around home because we were helping with a youth (ages 18-35 yrs) retreat.  I gave a session on communication skills and Matt on money management.  We also sat through a 3 hour church service in which we were seated on a wooden floor, in a crowded room and with no fan or A.C.  Woot woot!

Exciting news- I am going down to Suva in a couple of weeks!  I have been up here since the beginning of October and want away for a bit!  I am going down for a training because I will be helping with the new group of Peace Corps Volunteers when they arrive in a few weeks. I am planning to meet my friend Marie and stay an extra night- fun times!

Matt was down in Suva last month for an agro-business training and he went with a counterpart from the village.  The counterpart is his friend, Luke, and it was Lukes first time to go to Suva. In Suva, they went to see a movie and that was also a first for Luke.  It made me smile to think of those two hanging out in 'the big city.' LOL!

In just five short weeks, we will be bound for America!  We have all of our flight tickets (three flights each way) and will be bringing our big suitcases to stuff full of things.  I am going to buy a bunch of 'bathroom' items, shoes, a few office supplies, spices, a little food/candy and maybe a new piece of workout gear.  Matt wants books and candy. 

I am in town today and Matt was here yesterday.  Maybe people think it's strange that we do stuff separately but still have just one cellphone but that's life! :)  Happy mother's day to mom, Becky, grandma(s), Kaity and Maggie (soon!)!!! 

Alyssa aka Liss