I made it to Fiji! It has been almost two weeks and man what a long couple of weeks it has been! I have had three yaqona (kava) ceremonies, many, many meals with dalo, some time at the Vidividi board, and lots of heat rash on my arms! But, it is wonderful! I am thoroughly enjoying the Fijian culture and my host family! I am not sure how detailed I can get about my village so I will just say that I am near Nausori town. My village has running water and electricity, but I have not really gotten a so called shower yet. More like sponge baths! Warai-na-lega (No Worries). I still get clean! Fijians are extremely accommodating and caring! They take care of each other starting at a young age and know how to raise children by 12 or so. Each village is made up of clans or “families”. Here there are 4 clans, but yet I feel like everyone is my Nei (Aunt) or my Tavale (Cousin). It is so nice to be part of a large extended family! There are several adorable people in my village that I would love to give a shout out to, but I think their names may need to remain confidentiaI. I mean, come on now, I work for the US Government. Lol! Anyways, I am going to add a few pics of my first couple of weeks. So please enjoy and call me anytime! +011-679-945-6310. Just remember… it will be expensive for you, free for me, I would love to hear from you, and I am 15 or so hours ahead of central time. Vinaka (Thank you)!

Much love to all of you!

P.S. Of course I have a huge want list… including my Fiji Rough Guide that sis insisted I leave behind. Maybe the Fiji Lonely Planet May 2009 Edition is out now??? I would also love some letters, size medium womens Nike biker shorts, a few pair of comfy knee length lounge pants, another mesh hamper, some generic naproxen sodium, some Frontline dog or cat flea and tick medicine, and I think that is about it! Oh, pictures of home and friends! Miss ya’ll lots!

Moce (Goodbye), Sota Tale (See ya later!)

Ok, pictures are not loading so I will say more! I learned how to go crabbing, clean the piggeries, garden, cook roti and pancakes, cut veggies, and do masimasi (dishes). So, keeping busy with my cross cultural training and Fijian learning. It seems like an easy language to learn I am just rushing myself. This weekend a few other volunteers and I are going to visit a current volunteer on the other side of Vitu Levu. I am stoked! So I get to learn how it is to live on your own in a village... which involves a lot of book reading, self motivation, and cleaning!! Lol. I will have a CLEAN house so that I don't get any scary hookworms, ringworms, roundworms, scabies, fleas, ticks, lice, bed bugs, Dengue, Diarrhea, or any other infestation Peace Corps keep scaring us with! Well, I better go. Time for class again... oh yay!

Much more love,

Me

Im GoInG aWaY... PaRtY

Well, I had my official going away dinner last weekend. My mom made my favorite meal of Brisket and an absolutely amazing Black Forrest Cake (from Bruno's). Mmmmmm! I am going to miss my Hosey, Bestie, and friends... sad day. 

I am all packed for Fiji though! Now I need to work on packing for Ireland since that trip comes first! Oh, and my hiking backpack is 30 lbs and my duffle is 49. Wow, I cut it close... but everything is ready to go! Yay! So exciting! My best friend Lauren is here! We have been busy doing unique Alabama stuff like Crawfish Boil, Homestead Hollow, and a Rodeo! Having her here is finally giving me some down time though! Thank goodness.

So, just 5 days until Ireland and 2 weeks until Fiji! WOW! It has not sunk in yet. I do not realize that I am leaving the comforts of home, friends and family. I guess I will realize it a month into it when I don't pack my suitcases back up and get back on a plane for home. I am committed to the 27 months though, if not longer. From what I have been told I am going to paradise! So lucky!

Well, I am off to bed... if you have Facebook consider joining my Fiji Group - "FRE-7s"!

Amazing Life

Well, it has been a really good few weeks. Since my birthday I have gone to Pensacola, FL, burnt my entire back side, peeled, gone to Atlanta to visit my sis, had third row center tickets to Wicked on Broadway, worked all week in Destin, FL at the Chadwick's beautiful beach house, and now visiting Joel in Auburn for the Sticks Country Music Festival! Busy busy! I am moving on Sunday! Ahhhh! I didn't realize it until today that I spent my last night in my bed last week. Sad day. My bed really is Heaven! 

Anyways, Peace Corps stuff is coming along. I still have to buy some kind of camera/computer backpack, Chaco's, tennis shoes, rechargeable batteries and underwear. That should be it. Although, most of them are heavy items. I think I am cutting it close. I am getting extremely excited though! It hasn't really sunk in yet that I am MOVING to Fiji. Right now it just feels like I am going on a nice vacation. I probably won't realize it until I am indefinitely stuck there. Training may take some getting used to from what I hear. I know I will be fine though.

Oh, and of course IRELAND is coming sooner than I think! Castles, castles, castles! Oh, and of course some ale! We even get to eat dinner with an Irish family inside their home! Oh boy! I can't wait! And before Ireland my best friend Lauren is coming down from Jersey to visit and go to Crawfish Boil! Yay! She is so fun!

Well, enough of my jibber jabber! I will post soon!