My FRE-7 group who arrived in May 2009.A lot has happened. I have a Close of Service date!! I leave my village July 4th and leave the country July 10th! Then it’s off to California to explore the West Coast and hang out with some friends, see family in Texas, and eventually make it to Alabama for Mom and Atlanta to plan my Sis' wedding! Whew, good thing I don't have to get a job immediately!
Dim Sum
The last time I was in Suva we had a big group get together for Dim Sum. It was the most amazing meal I have ever shared across a lazy Suzan. We ordered about 12 different dumplings/cakes/appetizers and got to try one of everything. It was soooo neat. Highly recommended.
Itatau
In Fiji there is a cultural ceremony anytime a guest or villager leaves a village called an itatau. All of the FRE-7 volunteers in Fiji went to an itatau with the Peace Corps staff to get a good feel of how our own itatau will be presented in our respective villages. Three of the Peace Corps volunteers came up with a song to acknowledge all of the hard work that went into their support for us over the past two years. Here are the lyrics:The Office Song!
We arrived here one day at the end side of May
I think nearly 2 years now
And man it’s been fun, but hooray it’s nearly done
Before we go we want to give a few shout outs
Goodbye Suva Fiji
What would Peace Corps be without kemuni
Hard work with a smile keepin’ it Fiji style
Goodbye Suva Fiji
It sure wasn’t fun when you had the runs
Or that boil on your face
But when we had a fever we just call La and Fina
Felt better by the end of the day
You get a package from yo Momma, Lutu and Delana
will go pick it up for you
And if you need a ride, there is no better guy
They’ll do anything you need ‘em to do.
You do all the dishes, you fill all our wishes
Miri you keep the offices clean
You’re even sweeter than those tasty treats
That you help serve us at tea
Goodbye Suva Fiji
What would Peace Corps be without kemuni
Hard work with a smile keepin’ it Fiji style
Goodbye Suva Fiji
When you walk into Peace Corps, she opens the door
You see a smiling Sera
You report OCL; it’s a drag but oh well
at least you’re talking to Kelera
These guys are the reason, every cyclone season
We’ve got cash to make our escape
Jacob and Andrew, you always come through
Because of you we always get paid
If ever you were in danger, or had a scary neighbor
Or were involved in a barroom spat
There was no need to worry, he’d arrive in a hurry
Cause there no man tougher than Sat
Goodbye Suva Fiji
What would Peace Corps be without kemuni
Hard work with a smile keepin’ it Fiji style
Goodbye Suva Fiji
Remember when pigs used to run
All around happy and care free
But thanks to Lisa and JC you remembered how
To make a compost piggery
There’s too much oil in the curry and sugar in the coffee
And the kitchens are all unclean
Mita and Luse always save the day
And can give advice about those NCDs.
Sometimes we weren’t careful, or particularly thoughtful
And we caught ourselves a virus
I know it’s absurd, I never remember my password
And that’s why we keep Taufeeq at the office
Goodbye Suva Fiji
What would Peace Corps be without kemuni
Hard work with a smile keepin’ it Fiji style
Goodbye Suva Fiji
And who could be finer than those lovely Americans
Who help make things run smooth
Rose Sheila and Ruth, let me tell you the truth
If it weren’t for ya’ll we wouldn’t know what to do
We arrived on the plane, we didn’t know a thang
But you gave us some great advice
Felipe and Grace trained us to be great
It’s like we were born in this island paradise
Achaa, kei sa hey, ko lesu beak mai vei? (Hindi)
Man we sure are smart to speak
JT and Mahen, yeah we give you a 10
For the language lessons you prepare and teach
Goodbye Suva Fiji
What would Peace Corps be without kemuni
Hard work with a smile keepin’ it Fiji style
Goodbye Suva Fiji
It definitely doesn’t read as well as it sounds with the jingle and the “Wheelbarrow boys” singing.
Close of Service Conference
For our Close of Service Conference we went to a resort called The Pearl,
the same one that Sis, Mom, and I stayed at when they visited. I hung out with the meke crew a bit and even won a drink from the bar for knowing how many islands there are in Fiji. They really shouldn’t let locals raise their hands! Anyways, somehow the performers got me out of my seat and onto the dance floor only to embarrass me with a silly dance!
Passover Sedar
We also got together for a Passover Sedar, which I didn’t know anything about and thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you Melissa and Jules for pulling it together and inviting everyone!
Slide Show
Jules and Sean also put together a spectacular slide show and movie clips of volunteers dancing over the two years. No one in the room got through it without a few tears streaming down their face from laughter. The dancing included several clips of Lydia singing and dancing to a dog at the beach. HILARIOUS!“The End” Bash
After our COS conference we headed to Nananu-I-Ra for a “close to the end” celebration. It was complete with birthday celebrations, a walk to the Labyrinth, lots of guitar playing, swimming with bioluminescence, and a huge bonfire. Quite an enjoyable time.
Back in the Village
Once again, time for a break from school. The kindergarten had an end-of-term tea where I was the special guest.
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