Fiji Gold

First let me say that fans are a beautiful invention and should be honoured as such. Yesterday the temperature I am sure was above 30. All I did was sit and sweat, occasionally I would reach down and take a swig of water and that would cause a flood from my forehead. I spent the day with my sis Talei. She is 9 months pregnant and had to go into town to prepare for the birth. I would like to point out right now that she too was sweating.

We spent the day going to air con buildings and buying the necessary items for her diapers, oil, etc. I was taken aback a little when she had to buy her own needle but then I remembered I had to buy my own toilet paper when I was in the hospital there......There are soo many new places and malls in Suva its such a different landscape now.

After which I went to my old workplace PCRC. It was very refreshing to see my ngo friends and listen to the work they are doing. I have a deep respect and admiration for their commitment. I wasn't there 5 minutes and we had a discussion about the state of the nation and of course Obama. One lady in particular, Ema, has taught me more then she knows. She is classy, smart, strong and a leader and I was so happy to see her. I was visiting Peter, one of my besties here, in his office and I had brought some chocolate and Peter, Ema and I were talking and Peter turned his head to the computer and she admonished him quickly "take your head out of that screen and have some manners" man i just laughed but made sure I paid attention to the conversation and didn't daydream.

Peter offered to have a potluck at his home on Friday in which the gang from PCRC will come and we will have countless bowls of grog and many many laughs. I am looking very forward to our get together.

Peter started working at PCRC around the same time and got along well. He is around the same age as me, though not intellectually (ya know hes reading this). As such we may have made it a tradition to share much intellectual and political discussion around a couple Fiji Gold stubbies. After knocking off work, Peter, Vatea and myself headed to O'Rielly's for one......

Oh the laughs that ensued and how are lives have changed but the friendships are still strong. today I am going to attempt to drive to Rewa (about 30 minutes) yes I am going to drive and am going to see Talei's family. We will drive to the river and then take a boat across. I think this will be an experience :) Hopefully she doesn't go into labour when driving, can you imagine.

THis weekend Peter is hosting a potluck (as mentioned), my sister Putty is having family supper on Saturday in her home and on Sunday my bestie Ana and her family are having lovo. I am truly blessed and humbled by their generousity and friendship. I am looking forward to the laughs, the hugs and THE FOOD. There is nothing like lovo cassava with miti (coconut milk) and fish.

Oh and when I had lived here, I had gotten surgery (I am sure I could have another blog on that) and after the surgery I could not go back to work or into town because of the stitches so I spent a lot of time walking around the neighbourhood. There was a church being built on the corner down the street and when I had come back in 04 it still wasn't finished. Guess what....its finished. So I have been invited as a guest to go to church on Sunday. Stay tuned.

Finally I will meet with Fiji Times paper tomorrow to discuss writing an article for their paper - something like five years....I will be careful not to note any political tension.

Ekosi