Less Depressing This Time

Hi y'all,

It's Alyssa and this post should be quick and less glum.  Matt and I had a busy and good past couple of weeks in the village.  We did two seminars each for the high school aged kids in the area on health relationships, sexuality and making good choices.  I think each of us talked with about 25 kids (him the boys and me the girls).  We also helped to paint the school, as 'summer break' is coming to an end and school is actually starting again today.  In the upcoming weeks, we have a super bowl party in Savusavu and Matt's parents are coming at the end of February- very exciting!  Other than that, it is deathly hot here and I have taken to wearing headbands to hide my sweaty head....

Bye for now!

 Serema (age 9) at Natuvu Kids Club.

Semi (age 3) at Natuvu Kids Club.

Emeli (Age 13) and Rabuli (age 12) at Kids Club making Xmas cards.

Natuvu Kids Club Xmas party 'tea'.

'Healthy Relationships' seminar for the girls doing a warm-up game.

 'Healthy Relationships' seminar boys (they met in the church in Natuvu).

 Shift clinic (travelling medical care) in Natuvu.  Alyssa got to talk to people about healthy diet, exercise, etc...

 Matt and Alyssa on Xmas Eve having their own little party.

 The Natuvu women (and a couple from surrounding villages) on New Years Eve partying it up with yaqona (aka grog).  We went to bed around 4 am and were some of the very first to leave.

Oh what a day (actually month)...

It's me (Alyssa) again.  I am in town by myself today because Matt is sick with a nasty head cold.  These past few days have been really rough, particularly yesterday (I cried four times).  Being away from home and the familiar is just starting to wear on me.  When I am busy with work (which I haven't been now for a month), I am distracted and feel like I have a purpose.  When I have nothing to do, I question why I am here and not at home with my handsome little nephew (and the baby on the way).  It is tough to explain, but the way of "getting things done" is very different from America and follows a complex hierarchy system.  Basically, you need a lot of cooperation from all participants and, most importantly, approval from the proper chain of people, or you are completely stuck. Unfortunately, a lot of 'educating' about our purpose of being here (improve the capacity of the people here and cultural exchange) needs to be done.  Often times, people think we are here to hang out or bring them money.  I feel very discouraged right now, so that's all I will say about the matter.

On a positive note, these are the best things/people that I have experienced while here:
1.  My friend Vika and her mom.  Vika will help me with any project for kids or youth and just wants to hang out with me.  Her mom talks to me in Fijian and includes me on crafts and random activities, sort of like a mom away from home.
2.  Matt's friend Manasa.  It sounds cheesy but Manasa being around as a true buddy for Matt is one of the things I am most grateful for in this whole experience.
3.  Manasa's son Semi.  He is three years old and (unlike a lot of other kids) he doesn't think anything much is different about me or Matt.  He just acts goofy, smiles and genuinely makes me happy. 
4.  A complement by a women visiting her sister that I am very quick to learn how to speak Fijian.  To speak Fijian is not like learning to speak German or Spanish.  It is nothing like English and there are not countless pieces of literature to help you learn it.  The only way to really learn it is to talk with people and find anyway possible to commit it to memory.  To me, this is very intimidating.
5.  A comment made to me by a man from a neighboring village.  To paraphrase, the man told me how it must be very hard for me and Matt to be so far away from home and that he respected what we were doing.  Often times, I feel like I can't bear another minute of being stared at as the 'keivaligini' (white person) and for him to step into my shoes and sincerely appreciate that is something I will never forget.  Just writing about these things is almost making me cry yet again.

Indeed, I will survive and probably by my next post will be happy as a clam.  But for now, I am learning important lessons.  I am learning that it is so important to see how people are more the same than different, make others feel welcome and like they belong, celebrate and truly be interested in the differences in other people and see how other ways of living are good, too.  These are simple concepts but it seems that every group of people (including me) needs to remember over and over again to put them into practice.  Peace out y'all.

Two Posts in Two Days!

So, me and Matt are still in town and I feel like posting again.  This post is a bit early but it is primarily for new volunteers to be.  It will be about items that I am glad I brought with me and/or would suggest to bring.  This will apply to about 5 people (more precisely girls) whom I haven't even met yet and don't even know they will be in Fiji next year, but here goes...

1.  Clothes that you feel comfortable and like yourself!  As long as the shirts aren't super tight, way low cut or completely sleeveless and the skirts are below the knee, you are fine.
2.  Skirts that you can comfortably sit on the ground and cover your knees/entire legs.  Try it at home first!
3.  Good tennis shoes and sandals/flip flops that can get wet.
4.  Computer and plenty of shows/movies that can keep you entertained, as it gets dark between 6-8pm here (and many places don't have electricity).
5.  A sturdy mid-sized purse.
6.  A head lamp and/or solar flashlight.  As mentioned, many sites (rural) don't have electricity.
7.  A good cooking pot/frying pan.  It should be one that you can use and abuse while in Fiji and then leave behind when you go home.
8.  Knifes (2-3) and cutting board(s).  I have a set of flexible plastic cutting boards from home that I am so glad I brought!
9.  Spices!  You can make pretty much anything as long as you bring with spices.  Bring Italian, vegetable seasonings, meat seasonings (which you probably won't have much meat but can use for other things), black peppper, taco seasoning, chicken or beef boullion, grill seasons, etc... Don't worry about Indian or curry- there is plenty of that here.
10.  Dish washing sponges.  Sounds stupid but the sponges here suck and I would bring about 6 with you.
11. An umbrella.  I use mine almost everyday for rain or sun protection.
12.  A digital camera.
13.  A hard drive for your computer.  Again, you will use that computer a lot for entertainment but will also need it for work purposes.  Save your work and your entertainment!
14.  A small amount of 'office supplies,' such as pens, notebooks, two pocket folders, markers, scissors, tape (duct and scotch), stapler/staples, paperclips, rubberbands, etc.  These things can be tough to find here and you may need them for your projects but find yourself living in the middle of nowhere.
15.  Some (just a couple) clothes/jewelry/make-up that you can where to 'go out.'  You will be in Suva, resorts and other places where you may want to look like you normally would back home.
16.  A sweatshirt.  You will likely get chilly at night here occassionally.
17.  Plastic bags (small and gallon sized).  Maybe too much information, but in the village some things, such as underware, need to be kept in plastic bags, so that the ants don't eat them.
18.  Sports bras.  These are much more comfortable than regular bras in a crazy hot environment.
19.  Pictures of family and friends (maybe even some in frames, cuz pictures do mold here).
20.  Certain bathroom items, such as contact solution, eye drops, toothbrushes, dental floss, deodarant, razors, shaving cream, tampons/mini pads (if you don't want to use cardboard applicators and maxi pads supplied by Peace Corps), facewash, lotions, and shampoo/conditioner for fine hair. Most of these items you could buy here but they would be expensive and hard to come by. If you have room and extra weight, I would bring them if you are at all particular about this type of thing.
21.  A set of sheets.  Only if you are willing to pay about $80 for a set of sheets can you get any of decent quality here.
22.  Misc:  a sturdy water bottle, water proof watch, travel size sewing kit, sunglasses and/or hat (whichever you would normally wear in America)

Things not to bring...
1.  Peanut butter- there's plenty here!
2.  A lot of sunscreen or bug spray.  Peace Corps can give you that.
3.  Tons of books.  Bring a few but then swap with other Volunteers and the library at the Peace Corps office in Suva.
4.  Excessive amounts of nice clothes.  If you end up in a village most of your stuff will be ruined anyways.
5.  Tons of kitchen stuff.  You can buy most of it here (but bring the couple things I suggested above).
6.  Food stuff- there's plenty here that you will figure out stuff you like!!!
7.  Your cellphone.  Unless you are really attached and want to try to have yours unlocked when you get here, just buy one in country.
8.  Cleaning or gardening supplies or tools.  We bought all of ours in country and it wasn't too hard to find them or afford them with our Peace Corps money.  This includes laudry soap- buy it here!
9.  Medications- over the counter or prescription- or first aid kit.  Peace Corps will supply these things, so just bring what you need for the first few weeks.  Also, Peace Corps DOES SUPPLY BIRTH CONTROL PILLS TO ANY FEMALE VOLUNTEER.  Sorry to put that so bluntly but some future volunteers may be curious. 

Stuff you may consider bringing...
1.  A tent and sleeping bag/sleeping pad. There are suprisingly quite a few Peace Corps gatherings where you may want it.
2.  Some cards, small games, crossword puzzles/brain games or craft items.  There is plenty of spare time in the village and villagers will also get a kick of it!
3. A world map... and maybe a USA map, too.
4.  A little chocolate- it's expensive here!
5.  Exercise bands (I brought a mat, too, but it wasn't that necessary for me...)
6.  Coffee and tea, if you are particular about the type you drink.
7.  MP3 player.  Matt listens to his all the time, though I could care less...
8.  A decoration or two that will remind you of home/those you love.

Okay, I hope this list is helpful to anyone coming to live in this beautiful country.  That was kind of fun! :)

Alyssa

Savusavu Kind of Day...

Hello all,
Matt and I have (nearly) survived December in the village.  Other Peace Corps Volunteers warned us that it would be a long month in which not much work gets accomplished.  The reason for this is the same as in America- everybody is celebrating the holidays (native Fijians are mostly Christian), traveling, visiting family and relaxing.  Of course, the Fiji version of relaxing and enjoying the holidays is different.  The adults like to drink yagona (aka grog), the young adults and teens play volleyball and the kids just run around outside.  Also, Fiji is different in that it is summer here.  Lately, the temperature has been about 90 degrees, high humidity, very hot sun and little breeze (I am guessing about the temperature because there is no thermometer or weather man).  Usually, though, it rains pretty heavy for a little while in the afternoon and that cools things down a bit. 

For our Christmas, Matt and I had some of our American traditions.  I made bruschetta, roti w/chicken (well, not totally American!) and brownies.  We also hung up some Christmas lights from my mom and listened to an audio version of 'The Night Before Christmas', as read by the Wolf gang.  We had a few presents to open, played cards and watched a movie.  I enjoyed it and I think Matt did, too.

New Years is coming up in the few days and Fiji also has their own traditions for this holiday.  I'm not sure how it all got started but on January 1, Fijians throw water on each other all day in good fun.  When you get the water thrown on you it's called 'veisui', which means something along the lines of to be wet. 

So, that's what the holiday season looks like here.  There have also been two funerals in our village this month, so that has also slowed everything down.  For the funerals, large sheds were put up for cooking, preparing food, eating and sitting.  When people grow old in Fiji, they prepare for their funeral by owning cows and pigs which will be used at the meal(s) surrounding the funeral.  The funeral is much like one from America but different in that a group of older women will sit awake with the body the night before the funeral, guests don't give money- they give dalo, mats and pigs, and the body is buried in the casket immediately after the funeral by some young men from the village.

I am enjoying my time here in Fiji and I find that one of the most enjoyable, yet most challenging things is always being caught between two cultures.  When I stay in the village, I need to modify the way I act, dress and express myself in order to connect with the people who live there.  I also need to try my best to speak in Fijian (both with the spoken language and with non-verbal communication, as well) and look at my work success from the perspective of a rural site in a developing nation.  I get a kick out of doing these things but sometimes I miss the comforts and familiarity of home and of the ways in which Americans act.  Strangely, though, when I talk with my family from the states, I find that I need to go back to acting American and use expressions and have conversations that make sense in an American context.  It's odd because I do truly feel like I am somewhere in the middle of the two cultures and just want to find acceptance and a niche in both.

Today Matt and I are in town for a little time away and to ourselves.  Matt already headed back for the hotel but I wanted to put up a post. I best be going because I am supposed to meet him in five minutes in front of the grocery store called MH. 

All my love,
Alyssa

Pictures Part Deux!

Our house at night, with kerosene lamp in the center of the floor

Our new defender against rats, thanks to Jason and Angel.  He magical puts the rats to sleep and then hangs them from his leg, its quite effective.

Thanksgiving with all of the Northern volunteers right before we are about to eat.

Alyssa talitali tiko or weaving a Fijian mat, which now is finished in our bedroom.

Me burying the kids with some help from Jo, as we transported sand for the Community hall construction site.

The very beginning of the construction phase.  We were bending rebar for the columns in the community hall.

The women playing volleyball at "Fruit and Water Fun Day".  I got to be a refree and offical score keeper.  The event was Alyssa's idea and was planned by the local health staff.

The Fruit!  A key part of fruit and water fun day.

Alyssa leading the ladies in a prewalk warm-up

Alyssa with the Doctor and the two Nurses from the Health Center displaying the food.

No Pics Again...

Bula! 
I always have great intentions of putting up photos, but alas I have failed again!  I have a hard time remembering to bring the camera to town and then I hate waiting for them to download... 
Anyways, news from home has reached us that a certain Mr. and Mrs. Goldade will be having a baby in June! Grand-baby number one on that side of the family.  That timing will work out quite nicely with our other handsome little nephew's first birthday!  (Well, Matthew and Maggie may have a girl, then we'd have a niece and nephew.)  The plan right now is to come home early June for about 2-3 weeks.  Maybe plans will shift a bit if any other big events come up but it shouldn't change too much.
The holiday season is kicking off over here in Fiji, too.  A group of about 20 Peace Corps volunteers gathered for Thanksgiving and stayed together in two rented houses at a resort.  Me and Matt brought brownies (made in a stove top oven), homemade carmel and BBQ sauce, glazed carrots and ice cream. It rained most of the time, so the ice cream wasn't as needed as I thought it would be!
Matt has been busy helping to build the new community hall/evacuation center in the village.  Maybe when it's finished the women and I can have aerobics classes in there?!
We're both still having a lot of fun with the kids.  Matt buried a few of them in the sand yesterday while he was working on the hall and I get a kick out of the little girls sharing their one pair of (way too big) high heels.  We gave them cookies last week for helping to pick up trash in the village and taught them the song "Hole in the Bottom of the Lake" for their school concert.  Coming up we are planning a little Christmas party.
As for friends, Matt has a good friend named Manasa who he hangs out with and does a lot of work with, too. Manasa has three kids and laughs like a crazy person all the time! I have a friend named Vika who taught me how to weave a Fijian mat and I shared my American word find puzzles with her.
We're still doing a lot of vegetarian cooking.  Matt finally is starting to like my pumpkin curry- heck yes!
Enough rambling from me.  Hope you enjoyed this little snap shot of Fiji life.  Keep us informed on yours- our lives are far less exciting than would be imagined! :)

Much love,
Alyssa

Last post continued...

Hey hey all,

Matt wrote last time and now it's my turn.  Since he never got around to what we've been up to, let me summarize:
Matt- working with a youth (30 years old guy) from our village to put together a proposal for a fish/prawn farm to generate income (which is harder said than done), Natuvu Kids Club founder/leader, helping to harvest sea cucumber, working in our garden, waste management stuff and  Fiji 'guy' stuff- drinking grog, spear fishing, playing rugby.
Me- working with the local health center on a healthy lunch competition and a strategic health and wellness plan for next year, Natuvu Kids Club leader, letter exchange between the school and Becky's school and Fiji 'girl' stuff- weaving a mat, cooking, hand washing clothes, visiting with the ladies.
Other stuff going on: Thanksgiving with the entire Vanua Levu crew (about 17 volunteers) is this week and my friend, Kara (another volunteer) is visiting from Viti Levu and is staying over at our house tonight.

Lately, me and Matt have gotten a bunch of care packages- THANK YOU!!!!  It is so nice having stuff from home: candy, shampoo/condition, movies, pictures, books, decorations, etc... There are just some things that you can't buy over here or they are not nearly as good of quality.

That's enough from me. Hopefully next time we can put up a few pictures.  Write us/call us- we miss everyone!  Also, we'll try our best not to be punks and do the same for you!

Love,
Alyssa aka Liss