Its been a few weeks since my last update. I've been busy and with only 2 1/2 weeks left in Fiji, I am trying to stay that way each and every day.
One big event was the wedding of my host sister Sala. It was a treat to be able to attend the wedding, and also in some sense be a guest of honor. The family treated me as one of their own, and had a custom printed bula shirt made to match everyone else in the family. It is my favorite bula shirt. I got to sit up alongside other family and friends at the front during the ceremony, and even got to help serve ice cream and cake to all of the guests. This wedding was quite special. It was held at Taunovo Bay resort along the coral coast of the main island. Taunovo Bay is a 5 star resort with absolute 5 star service. I was able to spend a night, though I slept in my own private movie theater. The family rented 3 villas along the ocean, each equipped with two swimming pools, a hot tub, 4 bedroom suites with an indoor and outdoor shower, jacuzzi, movie theater, gourmet kitchen, dining and living rooms, and your own private beach. It was incredible. 7 of the other students also attended the wedding, some excited to be there, while others seemed more interested in plans of the previous evening. The wedding was half in English and half in Fijian, and I will be given a DVD of the ceremony. Let me know if you want to watch it!
Prior to the wedding extravaganza, Allison, Melissa and I took a trip of our own (part research, part fun). We departed from Suva city on Wednesday afternoon heading straight to Nadi via coach bus (a 4 hour ride, only stopping at resorts along the way). We stayed with a family friend, who is a pastor and his wife. This was an excellent example of Fijian hospitality. They cleared the kids out of the bedrooms and moved us in, cooked us meals, and even gave us rides to and from the bus location. They refused any sort of money, though we did buy them a nice glass and pitcher set from the MH Homemaker Store (kind of like a combo between Target and Sears).
Being in Nadi again was interesting. We hadn't been there since February when we first arrived. I remember it being much dirtier and more of a mess, but now it actually appeared to be quite nice. Perhaps they have spent some time and money cleaning up from floods that happened two weeks prior to arrival. Maybe I was just used to how Fiji looks (kinda polluted and dirty in towns), so Nadi, being catered to tourists, seemed a bit nicer. Pushing aside the hassling of taxi drivers and vendors along the street, town was really nice.
On Thursday of last week, I was able to visit the Nadi International School for my research. It was a beautiful school, filled with amenities and resources that one would not see other places in Fiji. It caters to students from overseas, but also serves as a top-notch school for locals who are not afraid to pay. You can read my research paper if you want to know more. It will be about 30 pages, so get out your glasses.
We spent Friday night at a backpacker's resort along the coral coast called Mango Bay. We had a room to ourselves filled with about 10 beds, and only paid $30 for the night (about $15 US). This was a deal- its a fairly new place, included breakfast, and we definitely hit up happy hour on the beach, by the pool. I ate spaghetti for dinner, which always makes me happy!
This week, I am spending a lot of time in the International School in Suva interviewing children, teachers, and observing classes. I will visit four schools in the next 4 days: Ghandi Memorial Primary School, the Marist Brothers Catholic Primary School, Draiba Fijian School, and spend another day at the International School. I am getting worn out, but a few of us will be going to a place called Bounty Island for 4 days next week to relax. I'll be leaving my homestay 2 weeks from Saturday and spending some more time at a resort, saying goodbye to all of my good friends I have made in Fiji.
Last chance for a post card- let me know!
5.20.2009
5.05.2009
Random News
Off to Grad School
I just got word on Saturday that I have been accepted into the University of Hawaii-Manoa!!! So, come August, I will be going on a one-way flight to Honolulu. This is my next big adventure, and it should be exciting. I'll be starting out studying secondary social studies, but have the option to switch into the elementary education program during or after my first year.
Why Hawaii you ask?
Simple. If I could go anywhere in the US to live, it would be Hawaii. I've been there once before on a choir trip, and it took my breath away. This is my opportunity in life to go live somewhere without many restrictions or possessions. I have a room full of things at Mom and Dad's house that I need to liquidate this summer, but I don't really need any of those things to make my life work. Fiji has helped me to realize this. I also love the education program at UH because it is a cohort system with high priority in experience. I'll be in the classroom 3 days a week from the start, only increasing throughout my 2 years there. Life is good.
Back in Fiji...
We just began our independent study on Monday. This is the last big task I have during my college career (before graduate school, that is). We have one month to do whatever we want, but we must turn out a 20-40 page paper in the end. I chose to study education for obvious reasons, and will specifically be studying the comparative relationship between the student and the teacher in a primary school classroom. So, I am busy right now planning all the details of this work:
-Contacting schools
-Meeting with principals
-Preparing interview questions for teachers/students
-Analyzing results
-Meeting with academic advisor
-writing a big paper (hopefully on the beach)
So, I'll be busy for a while.
In the meantime not a lot else is going on. My host family is all wrapped up in their megachurch conference. I am trying to steer clear of that business. It scares me a little bit, but they don't pressure me to go to any of the events. Actually, its kind of nice for the house to be empty and quiet for a change. Its really only me, my host sister and her baby hanging around the house until about 11pm, when the whole crew comes home. By then, I try to be sleeping. In the 2 1/2 months I have lived there, I have not been home alone one single time. It gives the Wellman house a run for its money in being hectic!
In 2 weekends, my host sister will be married. This is also big news, and I cannot wait for my handmade bula shirt to be done!! Be ready for a new Austin with many, many bula shirts (which are kinda like hawaiian shirts) when I come home.
I just got word on Saturday that I have been accepted into the University of Hawaii-Manoa!!! So, come August, I will be going on a one-way flight to Honolulu. This is my next big adventure, and it should be exciting. I'll be starting out studying secondary social studies, but have the option to switch into the elementary education program during or after my first year.
Why Hawaii you ask?
Simple. If I could go anywhere in the US to live, it would be Hawaii. I've been there once before on a choir trip, and it took my breath away. This is my opportunity in life to go live somewhere without many restrictions or possessions. I have a room full of things at Mom and Dad's house that I need to liquidate this summer, but I don't really need any of those things to make my life work. Fiji has helped me to realize this. I also love the education program at UH because it is a cohort system with high priority in experience. I'll be in the classroom 3 days a week from the start, only increasing throughout my 2 years there. Life is good.
Back in Fiji...
We just began our independent study on Monday. This is the last big task I have during my college career (before graduate school, that is). We have one month to do whatever we want, but we must turn out a 20-40 page paper in the end. I chose to study education for obvious reasons, and will specifically be studying the comparative relationship between the student and the teacher in a primary school classroom. So, I am busy right now planning all the details of this work:
-Contacting schools
-Meeting with principals
-Preparing interview questions for teachers/students
-Analyzing results
-Meeting with academic advisor
-writing a big paper (hopefully on the beach)
So, I'll be busy for a while.
In the meantime not a lot else is going on. My host family is all wrapped up in their megachurch conference. I am trying to steer clear of that business. It scares me a little bit, but they don't pressure me to go to any of the events. Actually, its kind of nice for the house to be empty and quiet for a change. Its really only me, my host sister and her baby hanging around the house until about 11pm, when the whole crew comes home. By then, I try to be sleeping. In the 2 1/2 months I have lived there, I have not been home alone one single time. It gives the Wellman house a run for its money in being hectic!
In 2 weekends, my host sister will be married. This is also big news, and I cannot wait for my handmade bula shirt to be done!! Be ready for a new Austin with many, many bula shirts (which are kinda like hawaiian shirts) when I come home.
Here are some photos, new and old, in case you want to see where I am.
This is my host sister Mele with her baby, Jannette.
Here are some of us students at Colo i Suva Rainforest Reserve. We had a picnic here one afternoon and played in the waterfalls. I think I saw 15 waterfalls that day!
A few of us went to the boxing match at the Vodafone Arena. It was pretty cool.
In case you are not on facebook, here is a video from about a month ago when we chilled with the dolphins. Look carefully! They are tricky to see. This took place during our Fijian village stay in Silana. The water really looks that blue!!
Here are some of us students at Colo i Suva Rainforest Reserve. We had a picnic here one afternoon and played in the waterfalls. I think I saw 15 waterfalls that day!
A few of us went to the boxing match at the Vodafone Arena. It was pretty cool.
In case you are not on facebook, here is a video from about a month ago when we chilled with the dolphins. Look carefully! They are tricky to see. This took place during our Fijian village stay in Silana. The water really looks that blue!!
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