TAKI.

Yesterday was a blur. In the morning, we had DELICIOUS french toast- seriously so good. Tiko is a cooking GOD. I had my weekly meeting with one of my Country Directors and we talked about goals and things. I'm really excited for some upcoming stuff I'm going to be helping with! One includes and potential trip to another part of the island (Tavua I think) to work with an organization mostly on finance, but last time they were there, Brittany taught a short kickboxing class and the ladies there LOVED it. So we may do something similar again. I think it will be so cool to see another part of the island and meet new people from different villages!

After my meeting, Meghan and I set out for the Ministry of education because we still hadn't heard back from any of the schools. And it just happened to be Meghan's birthday! So we got to the Ministry and Vili was awesome and sat us down around his desk and started calling all of the Principal's himself to get their answers as to when we could come. He would hand the phone to Meghan and she would talk and set up a day and time for us to visit. While she was on the phone, Vili would turn to me and ask me questions about my stay in Fiji. Fijians talk... very very quietly and quickly (mumbling if you will), throw on an accent and I can hardly ever understand what people are saying. So apart from say "what?" or "i'm sorry?" 15 times, I always hear the wrong thing anyways. So when I thought Vili was asking me about how I like the weather here, he was actually asking me if I had had the McDonald's here in Suva (yes this was real and I am not making it up). McDonalds vs. weather. He was so confused when I said "It's just like home only a little more humid". Then he started talking about how he didn't understand why a piece of bread cut in half with just beef or chicken in between is considered good food. Then I was confused. We laughed about it later (Meghan more than anyone after her phone call). So to get her back, I told her "I'm going to embarrass you" then turned to Vili and said "Did you know that today is Meghan's birthday?!" HAH. So Vili wished Meghan a happy 17th birthday (she turned 26) and he told us his birthday was August 4th and he would be turning 18 (so not true. He has 6 kids and I'm pretty sure he's around 50). Either way, it was super funny.

So we got lots of appointments set up for schools for next week and we headed home for lunch. Then a bunch of us went to the Handycraft Market in town. This place was AWESOME. So many amazing things everywhere. The specialty at this place is Tapa things (placemats, pursers, etc.) and wood-carved things (clocks, clubs, mini boats, figurines, etc.). I needed about 12 more hours and about 1200 more dollars. I just want to buy it all and take it home! But I did get to have a few bartering experiences! They are super good sales people and say things like "oh for you everything half price! Buy one get one for free for my American friend!" It's quite funny (not to mention flattering and tempting). I will be making more trips there for sure!

Next we headed to the grocery store (more yogurt and Tymo's! Fijian tim-tam type cookies). And then we went to the flea market. It was raining and super cloudy outside so it was really hard to see everything. But this place was loaded with sulus (the skirt wraps AKA lava lavas). I will be getting one before coming home, but I didn't get one this time.

Then we all went to dinner as a whole team for Meghan's birthday.We went to a restaurant called Nando's. Famous for their peri-peri chicken (chicken basted and fire-grilled in a chili sauce). I'm a wuss, so I went with the lemon-herb baste, but others tried just the mild and their mouths were on fire! It was entertaining. Then we went to USP (University of South Pacific) for a dance performance show by a bunch of the clubs and groups there. It was a Men only dance show. HOLY SMOKES. IT WAS FREAKING AMAZING. They had traditional Fijian dances (Reke, war dances, etc. these were all my favorite), a rapping group, a Stomp type group that played metal cans and gas tanks (they were so good and so fun!), a slower group that did the more formal styles and even the one number up in the air on those rope sheet things (crazy), and it was just fantastic. It was so great. Not to mention, so many attractive Fijian dancers (OH MY MERCY).

After the show, we went to Vili's house for a Kava ceremony for Meghan's birthday. Kava is a kind of drink that is used here for celebrations. So for the ceremony, typically the father is the Big Chief, but since it was Meghan's birthday, she was the Big Chief. and I got to be the Small Chief (usually the eldest son, or daughter if eldest son isn't there or there isn't a son). The Small Chief is basically the Big Chief's right hand. They give all the commands, decide when we all drink, decide how much is given per cup (the cup is a carved out coconut half), and when the Grog (Kava mixture) is ready, or needs to be spun (mixed). It was a big deal and a lot of remembering! Whenever it was time to drink, I had to say "Taki!" and then the Engineer (the Grog mixer/server) would fill the cup to the level the Small Chief said- either High tide (almost full cup), Low tide or half (half cup), or Smack or Football (FULL). The first cup is passed to the Big chief (your arm must be straight and one person is the designated passer). You must clap (cupped hands) before accepting the cup. Then you say BULA and drink (trying to do so in one mouthful). Then everyone claps 3 times after it is drunk, and after you have drunk and passed the cup back, you have to clap 3 times. The Small Chief is served next (I drank all of mine in 1 gulp!). Oh and by the way.... KAVA IS DISGUSTING. Seriously so nasty. It makes your mouth and tongue kinda tingly and if there isn't enough water in the mixture, Vili said it's just like drinking rum. But don't worry! It's not against the Word of Wisdom ;). Although I wish it was. that stuff was seriously so gross. Anyways, the cup is passed until everyone has had a drink. Then you talk some more until the Small Chief (usually dictated by the Big Chief) decides it's time to drink again and says TAKI! It was a very funny process, but we had all had 4 cups of the stuff before we finished the whole bowl! And then.... to our utmost HORROR. THEY MADE MORE. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. We all had this super huge "unhhhhhhhhhhhh" look on our faces as they started making it and telling us how to make and mix it. We didn't want to be rude.... SO WE HAD TO KEEP DRINKING IT AND DO MORE ROUNDS. UGHHHHHHH. My stomach hurt so bad and it tasted so nasty and we were all starting to get tired from it! Not to mention I had to pee about 10 times that night. But it was so fun and so nice of them to have us over and teach us how to do everything the traditional way. And they had the cutest kids ever. Finally. We finished the last round (most of us taking only a teaspoon size serving- very low tide). With many Vinakas and thanks to Vili and his family, we left, feeling very full and even more full bladders.

Then we caught a taxi and went to a bar called O'Reiley's to finish the night by clubbing and dancing for Meghan's birthday. It was packed, but it was the most recommended place we had heard (and the safest). We all danced and busted our American moves and acted crazy. It was so fun, but so hot and too crowded for my liking. We had a great time and it was a must have experience. Natalie and I stayed for about 45 minutes and then we caught a taxi home (it's not too far from our place, but it was pretty late and we decided it was safer). Showered and then off to bed!

WHAT A DAY. So many great things. I can't believe I'm getting to experience all this! Miss you all!

Moce and much love,
Sarah (Sera is the Fijian spelling!)

PS of COURSE there are pictures!

-Poasa carving out a coconut

-Traditional Fijian Dance (one of my Favorites!). Sorry the video is such poor quality- it was taken on my phone.

-Beautiful dance! So cool!!!

                                                       (Photo cred- Audrey Dickerson)

 -With a traditional down below. This was amazing!

(Photo cred Audrey Dickerson)

(Photo cred Audrey Dickerson)

-'Heavy Metal Crew' These guys were hysterical and so good.

                                                          (Video cred Audrey Dickerson)

 -Lucy got pulled up to dance in the finale!

 

                                                                 (Photo cred Audrey Dickerson)


-Best dancer in the show. And super attractive. Sadly, I'm 96% sure that he is most definitely probably maybe gay. Dangit.

(Photo cred Audrey Dickerson)- THANKS A MILLION FOR THIS ONE.

-Birthday girl Meghan!

-Vili's kids playing with Alex.

-Alex getting her hair did.

-Natalie the Grog Engineer Mixer!

-Alex, Vili and some of his family

Multiplication WAR!

Today was a bit of a lazy day at the beginning. Meghan and I were waiting to hear from schools about when we could come visit (she is conducting Professional Development workshops for some of the secondary schools in Suva, and while she does that, I will go to the PE department and see how/what they're doing in their programs- possibly will do a workshop after collecting notes from what they're doing, if it will help. I may just end up doing on the spot collaboration type meetings while at the schools, who knows). While we waited, we both worked on researching for projects. It was lazy, but productive nonetheless. We didn't hear anything all day though, but we were almost expecting that. After lunch, Meghan, Gre (his name is Gregory, but when he was little, he only liked to wear grey sweatpants, so his brothers started calling him Gre) went to the store to get a few groceries. We had a fun time and laughed a lot. The best part was we were crossing a street and this olderish guy was walking with us, and he said 'Bula' in a passing, but nice sort of way. Then did a double take (there aren't that many white people here, we get looked at a lot), and he said "OH!!! AUSSIE???" We started laughing and said No, United States. And he liked that even more! And started telling us how to get places and things. It was so cute. But I was seriously so flattered. Australian. Hah!

Then it was time for tutoring. No awkward topics this time! But Kini (misspelled his name on the last post. oops!) was there and thanked me for helping him study. So sweet. Today I worked with an 11 year-old boy named Suli for the first part of it. We did Multiplication War. Like the card game War, except you multiply the cards and the first person to say the correct product gets the cards. So of course, I let him win a few, but mostly I didn't. And oh my gosh. Seriously, THIS KID KICKED MY TRASH. He was so smart! He doesn't come there for tutoring- his sister does, but he has to go with her. One of the staff members walked by and told me he was really good at math, and needed more help with elementary science and English. So after we played War for awhile, I said let's work on science. So I riffled through my brain to think of the most basic science I could think of. The Solar System! I remembered learning that in Elementary School and Carly (my nearly 4 year-old nice) knows all the planets. So I asked him what he knew about the planets, and he just stared at me. So I said, "what planet are we on?" he said "planet??" and I went ohhhhhhhhhh noooooooooooo they haven't studied their planets?? So I turned to an older girl (Andi) and asked her when they learn about planets in their schools. She said "Class 7" I interpreted that as 7th grade. 7TH GRADE IS WHEN THEY LEARN THE PLANETS. I couldn't believe it. But Suli wanted to learn more, so I drew a quick diagram and told him there were 9 planets. Then I remembered all the stupid controversy over Pluto not really being a planet, so I said, well 8, but Pluto wants to be a planet. And I told him we lived on the Earth. It just never crossed my mind that he wouldn't even know the planets! Yikes. So then we played more Multiplication War and other kids joined in. It was fun, but man alive. THE PLANETS. I can't get over that.

We walked home and it started to rain lightly. We had an AMAZING dinner cooked by Va and Tiko (spelled her name wrong earlier too!). It was DELICIOUS. OMG. It was chicken with this unbelievable sauce and I don't even know how to describe it. YUM. And now we are watching the movie UP. Hopefully tomorrow Meghan and I will get to a school or a few, but who knows.

Moce and much love,
Sarah

PS Tutoring pictures! 1- Suli, the math smarty pants! 2- Studying hard. 3- Silly faces.

Squatter Settlement

Today was a very long and full day! Had a delicious breakfast of baked oatmeal and papaya. Then I went with Brittany, Natalie, and Yan Chun to a Squatter Settlement. Let me explain- everyone in Fiji is given land. But for most, the land is given to them on their own islands and very remote locations. A lot of people leave the land they are given and travel to the city to find work, but it's super expensive to live in the city and have actual land. So people make these villages (or settlements) on unclaimed land to live on. These are called Squatter Settlements. The government is typically aware of these locations, but often times let them be, but sometimes the people are forced out. The Ministry of Health told us of this one over by one of the universities and helped us make contact. We went there today so Yan Chun (a very financially smart guy from Singapore). He asked a lot of questions about what they sell, how much, where do they sell, and stuff like that. He hopes to set up a workshop to teach them better marketing strategies and other finance stuff. It's really cool, and hopefully will be very helpful. This particular settlement makes and sells Tapa cloth (very common around here, but it's AMAZING stuff- very intricate hand-made and painted cloth that takes forever to make) and a very old (but hilarious) man that makes small wooden canoe/sailboat models by hand. They were BEAUTIFUL. If they would fit in a suitcase, I would bring one home for everyone I knew. Anyways, hopefully we can help them with their marketing stuff. We also have a garden project we're hoping to start there and get them good soil to grow fruits and vegetables for themselves and to sell. And we're also wanting to start English lessons (a few spoke English, but not many)- this will also help with their businesses and marketing methods. The people were so nice, but so very poor. It's amazing how little they live on, but how happy they were. The kids attacked me when I took out my camera and wanted to see every picture I took on the camera. They loved it. We spent a few hours there and left telling them we would be back over the next few weeks to get things started. 

We walked along the coast for awhile until we found our bus stop (again, not the gorgeous beaches, but actually kind of a trashy bit of beach, but the ocean nonetheless). We rode the bus back to our side of town and walked home and had lunch. Then we went to Hilton Special School (disability and deaf school) and was promptly mauled by the kids. THEY REMEMBERED MY NAME. It was so sweet! We hung up some door decorations on the teachers' doors (reading helps us grow, water, hygiene, sanitation, and motivational quotes, etc.). Then I was introduced to the Headmaster (principal) of the school, Nanci. She was really excited when Brittany told her I taught PE. She launched in to how she wanted me to teach PE classes there and had this huge and very time consuming plan... I told her that I wouldn't have time to do all she wanted (I'm only here a month! And there are several other projects that I want to help with), so I told her I would teach a class with all the kids twice a week from 12-1. It's all a bit stressful and I'm feeling overwhelmed a little with everything I have to plan- I was not at all expecting or really wanting to do my own projects, but the need is here and it's something I can do. So I have to start planning some lessons, and of course I don't have any of my lesson plans or school notes with me, but oh well. I will try to come up with something :) It's really only 7 classes. So not that big of a deal, but there is some accompanying paper work that I have to do with it for HELP. YAY PAPERWORK. Good times.

I'm really quite enjoying myself. I'm busier and have more work than I thought (not that I thought I would just come here to lay on the beach) but I guess I didn't really know what to expect anyways. We're having enchiladas for dinner here in a bit. Well.....as best of enchiladas as one can make in Fiji (we seriously couldn't find the right sauce anywhere!). Prayers would be much appreciated that I remember things I learned in school about adapted PE lessons. I've facebooked my fellow classmates, and I hope they respond, but if not, pray that I have an excellent memory! Vinaka! (Thanks!)

Moce and much love,

Sarah

PS Here are a few pictures from the Squatter Settlement

Holy awkward study topic, Batman!

This afternoon I went with Meghan (girl on the team who teaches 3rd grade in Virginia) to the Ministry of Education (yes, I always almost say Ministry of Magic, and whenever they just say Ministry or the Ministry I wonder why we would ever go there and want to work with them! Dumbledore's man through and through!). Anywho, they were not evil in the slightest. They were actually quite pleasant. We met with a man named Vili (pronounced Billy- he used the example of Bill Clinton and made sure we knew that Bill Clinton was named after him- he was super funny and kept saying things like that so we weren't sure if he was joking at first or not, but then he'd just start cracking up.... It was super funny/slightly awkward). Meghan has been here since June (I believe) and has been working with the schools in the area and doing teacher workshops on better teaching skills/strategies. She's put in a lot of work and a lot of heart to this project and is nice enough to let me tag along. We were hoping that we could work a PE related thing in there (it's a high-need area along with music, arts and crafts, and reading). Meghan had talked with him for awhile about meeting with some teachers on a more individual basis and wants to visit as many schools as she can within the next week (she goes home next Thursday :( not ok). So we asked if I could go along and see what kind/if they did PE. We found out that in the grammar schools, the individual teachers are in-charge of doing PE, but they find all kinds of excuses not to (too much paperwork/planning, don't know how/what to do, too lazy, etc.). So Vili and I talked about me going with Meghan to the schools and observing/asking questions to the teachers about their PE, and then putting together a teacher workshop focused on PE. Vili thought it was an awesome idea! So looks like I get to do my own project after all! When Meghan did her workshops, she had 10-15 teachers show up, so it's not like it's this huge presentation to hundreds of eager Fijian teachers, but if it helps even one teacher improve their methods, then it's a success. I'm really excited/kinda nervous to be heading this up, but it's so needed and it's a way I can help.

Meghan, Lucy, Brittany and I went to a tutoring center later this afternoon. It's a really great program that is basically a homework center where kids can get help. A lot of them struggle with basic things like reading, but most of them need help with math homework. I had a hard time with some of the secondary school math (it's been like 8 years since I've taken a math class besides stats) so I helped a girl named Louisa with her time related word problems. Then I switched with Lucy to help a boy named Kin (sounds like King). Kin is a very VERY shy teenage boy who has an incredibly low reading level (I learned this later tonight). He was studying for a test in Life Sciences. I wasn't sure what that entailed, so I just sat down and had him start reading aloud to study. Can ya guess what he was studying? Try the most awkward topic known to mankind for a teenage boy. PUBERTY. I was like ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh kay. So he read the first paragraph of his notes (stopping occasionally to ask me what a word was, but it was words like 'positively' and 'capable') and in a very monotone way. It was very obvious that he was just reading and not understanding/comprehending any of it. So I asked him to try to explain what he had just read. Nothin. So then I tried to tell him things that help me to study (like rewriting things, quizzing myself, etc.) but none of it was making very much sense to him. So then I said Ok how about I ask you questions about what we just read? He said ok and we tried that, and it worked ok, but not great (mind you, the questions were about puberty).  So we went through that and I asked if he had any questions, and he, of course, said no, so we moved onto the next topic. MENSTRUATION. In my head I said ‘ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!’ But he kept right on reading aloud to me (which leads me to believe that he was not comprehending or understanding any of this because he was not at all embarrassed, or showing any emotion of any kind for that matter). After he finished that section, I tried quizzing him again and asked things like ‘what is the  egg called? What holds the eggs? How often does a girl menstruate? What’s another name for menstruation?’ As basic of questions as I could get. His answer to every single question…. vagina. Oy. So we reread the paragraph together  (he rewrote some of the info to help him remember- so at least he was trying some study methods) and then we moved on. Then we took a quick break to talk about rugby, and boy did his eyes light up and a huge smile came across his face! Just after that it was time for us to go. Kin asked if I was coming back on Thursday, which made me feel good because I thought the session went horrible and that I hadn't really helped him at all. Well maybe he just wants to talk about rugby, but oh well.

We then headed to the movie theater (yes they have one and it’s great! So cheap!) and we saw Despicable Me 2. Not as good as the first one, but still cute with funny parts. Then we headed home (hearing many ‘BULA LADIES!’ on our way back from slightly sketchy fellas) and had dinner (some kind of stir-fry, which was quite good). Looking forward to a good sleep tonight, but not quite as long as yesterday! Oh, and my feet are killing me. I did not bring good enough walking shoes. We walk everywhere, which is fine, but oh my poor feet. Here’s hopin I get over that quickly!

Moce! Much love,

Sarah

Sleep, Glorious Sleep!

So yesterday I left off at around lunch time and I had gone to the market. Well after I got home and had a delicious lunch of strawberry Pop-tarts.... (first meal in Fiji- the most processed American food imaginable.....10 points from Gryffindor). After that I went with a few of the girls on my team to Hilton School for the Disabled and Deaf. OH. MY. GOSH. I am in LOVE with these kids. They were the best. So many smiles and waves from all of them. They immediately surrounded me and started asking me a zillion questions. I quickly learned how to spell my name in Fijian Sign Language, and I taught them how to spell it in American Sign Language (they LOVE to learn ASL and know quite a few words and the alphabet). They love to learn new words and then they teach you in FSL, so I guess I need to study up on my ASL. I got so many hugs from them. My heart melted. They are so cute. A girl on my team is teaching them a dance routine- the school got invited to a city-wide dance competition (they've never been invited because they're a disability school, which is sad). The routine is amazing. It starts with a typical Fijian song and dance... and then goes into.... NUMA NUMA. It's hysterical and so fun. It has bits from other songs and ends with I Believe I Can Fly. It's amazing and they are all so good at it! You can tell they love it. The competition is August 10th and I hope to record it! They are amazing. I may be starting an exercise class at the school and teach them some games- we'll see. 

After the school we came back home and worked on some decorations for doors for a school. I asked a bunch of the team members what projects they are working on. I've been told that I can go to whatever I want, so I may just try a bunch of them over the next week and see what I like best. Then I finally took a shower and we had dinner (Our cooks made us Pizzas!). We share a house with some people who run a catering business. Poasa and Va are married and they run it. Va is one of the cooks we have- the other is Tika (I think). They are all super nice and very funny. 

It was super hard to stay awake after dinner. But we cleaned the house really quick and did our weekly Team building activity- played a couple games. By then it was 8PM. I went to my room, quickly threw on my sheets and fell into bed. I'm pretty sure Brittany (one of the country directors) came in a talked to me... I have no idea what we said... I was incoherent. I woke up this morning at 8:30 AM. A GLORIOUS 12 HOURS OF SLEEP. So necessary. I feel so great this morning :) Woke up and had delicious oatmeal Chocolate chip pancakes (doing so great on the Fijian cuisine..... hah!). I talked a lot with people about their different projects and what I could do to help. I basically just want to try as many different things in as many different places as possible. 

I'm really excited and I'm kind of glad so many things are in full swing. It was great to go visit one of the schools on my first day here! It's amazing how happy they are, even though there are so many struggles and so much poverty. Just goes to show that money and possessions aren't true happiness. Hope you're all doing well! Moce (pronounced mothey- means bye!)

Much love,

Sarah

Ps Here's a picture of the back of the tiny plane I took to Suva

PPS This is my backyard.... Hello Paradise Jungle <3

PPS I promise to take more pictures!

Bula!

BULA! That means hello in Fijian! Actually it means a lot of things. You say that for hello, after someone sneezes, when something is good, and all kinds of stuff! But I am safe and here! It was CRAZY travelling day. Can I just say that I don't care for LAX?? That place is HUGE and I had to ask approximately 5 people how to get to the International Terminal... no one said anything about going outside to get there. Dang Califorians. ANYWAYS. That flight. SO LONG. But it was ok. I landed in Fiji around 5:30am and then had to wait about 2 hours and change for my hopper flight to the other side of the main island to Suva (the capital). I was in the smallest plane I've ever been in. We're talking outer propellers and everything.
We were only in the air for 15 minutes and a few minutes for take-off and landing. Then I got picked up by my Country Directors (Lucy and Brittany- they are super awesome girls) in a 'taxi'. Taxi's here are basically any kind of car and are typically driven by native Fijians or native Indians (there is a huge indian population here). Today was kind of cloudy and cooler than it's been. I dropped my stuff off at the house and went grocery shopping with Brittany and a girl on the team named Meghan. We went to the outdoor market- I needed about 15 more eyes to see everything! It was massive and different vendors everywhere. They don't have shopping carts or baskets, you either bring your own or you hire one of the wheel barrow boys- they are super nice and help you find the best produce from the best vendors. And he kept making sure our vegetables weren't crushing the eggs and things like that. The part of the Island I'm at is definitely city, but it's right on the coast. However, it's not the crystal clear blue ocean with white sandy beaches in this area (I hear that's more up north, hopefully I'll get up there one of these weekends!). Brittany then took me to get the best ice cream in town (I got orange with chocolate chips! YUM- reminded me of Lexy  and her fav Swiss Orange :)). Then she showed me around a few other places and we got me some basic groceries. Jaywalking is common, and you go as far in the street as you can until more cars come and you just wait there til there's an opening. Basically I thought I was going to die about 6 times. I'm not at the house for lunch and trying to find some energy to make it until about 6 or 7 when I can pass out. It's been a long day and it seems like I left Utah forever ago. I don't even remember what Jenny looks like. Oh well! Here's to Jet Lag! Love and miss you all already.

-Sarah

Here we GO!

Hello hello!
I'm sitting in the SLC airport waiting for my flight to LA. I got here at the recommended time of 3 hours early for an international flight. Well... that was uncalled for! There was ZERO line at the check in gate, and hardly any line at security. BUT. I did run into a few friends of mine flying to Denver for their next session of EFY. How crazy. It's been a busy and fun day full of packing and getting excited and nervous feelings! I can't believe the day is actually here! It's surreal. After I get to LA, I have a short layover and then I leave at 11:30PM to go to FIJI!!!!! Thank you all so much for your love and support, and of course, your prayers.

Much love,
Sarah