Passin Time in Fiji

It's been too long since I've blogged.   We've been happily busy with our guest, Mere.   We've loved sharing her first experiences of French fries and so much else while she is with us in Suva.   More details to come…

This past weekend I had to get out of Suva.  I was really feeling like we just had to get out of town.   We made plans early in the week to check out an eco-resort we've heard great things about.  The day before we were supposed to leave, the manager told me that they had no room for us (even though I thought we had already made reservations early in the week) and hung up on me twice.   It was silly, but I almost started crying because I was so looking forward to just getting away.  Lucky for us, we live in Fiji and there are so many options here!  Warren saved the day and booked us a bure at Beqa Lagoon Resort.   The girls and I left Friday morning for our weekend getaway, with plans for Warren to meet us after he got off work on Friday night.   (I know, I am a terrible mom for taking them out of school on a Friday.  I strongly believe in education and know that every day counts....but I also believe that on rare occasions, kids deserve a mental health day too!  I only do th

Saturday was the half-marathon I've been training for since I got here.  Every Saturday Wendy and I have run around 10 miles since January.    This was keeping up with my tradition of long runs every Saturday in Atlanta.  In Atlanta, there are MANY more opportunities to run half-marathons, so for the past four years or so, I've run at least three half-marathons a year.  In Fiji, there is a marathon, half-marathon, and 10k all on the same day, once a year.   (Actually this year there was also a 5k fun run/walk put on by another organization on the same day as the marathon because the other group wanted to take advantage of the road closure.  Makes me laugh).   Prior to half-marathons, I ran marathons (before kids) and had a steady year or more with triathlons of varying distances (one half-ironman!)   I started running in college when I took a jogging class, but more seriously post college when I decided to try for my first marathon.  I was inspired by friends doing the same thi

Today most of the schools started in Atlanta.   My facebook feed was bombarded with pictures of Andie and Zoe's friends' first day photos.   I loved seeing everyone's bright faces ready to start another year.   I think back to a year ago and it feels like ages ago.   I cannot believe I was starting an amazing job and my kids were in the perfect schools for them.  It was really an exciting, yet super cozy time of our lives.  It's weird to think that Zoe would be starting kindergarten if we were in Atlanta. Tonight as I was tucking in the girls, suddenly Zoe remembered a song from her preschool, GPCP.   We all tried to remember the words and finally it stumbled out of our mouths.   (Wash your hands song for those GPCP alumnae).   We spent the next 15-20 minutes singing GPCP songs and remembering the fun times the girls had at that amazing, magical place.    They were so lucky to start with that as their foundation. Even though I knew there were dishes to be done, lunche

Today I did something totally out of the ordinary for me and I am glad I did.  I took an improv class.  I first thought against it, knowing I'd be a few minutes late, worrying that I'd probably just feel silly, and feeling like I should be doing something more productive with my time....like picking up around the house or something boring like that.  But, a little voice inside pushed me to do it.  I've always been curious about improv and figured, "Hey, why not?"   I really try not to say no to opportunities here.  Anytime something new comes up, I try to say yes.   It can be exhausting at times, but also so rewarding!  A good friend of ours in Atlanta is very much into improv theater and he had suggested before that I would probably enjoy a class.  He was right! It was so much fun!  From what I can tell, improv is about more than just acting.  There are some great life lessons mixed in as well.   Today I learned the value of just going for, saying yes and being

This is the first week it feels like there is not a lot to blog about.  I wonder if the more time that I live here if I will feel this way.   I did start work last Thursday and I can definitely say, I LOVE working!  I am so happy that I have a job doing something I love.   It feels really good.  Lately I have been feeling a bit blah (probably the non-stop rain/clouds) and I think doing something productive has helped.  So worth the wait for the work permit!    I just went to coffee with a friend from the States, one from Australia, one from Japan, and one friend from Ecuador.  That's pretty cool and something I didn't find myself doing back home.    I love that about it here.... Last Saturday we went out for a friend's birthday dinner and it turned into a night out dancing.  I LOVE dancing!  Gosh, dancing brings out the endorphins more than anything else I do!  So much fun.   I look happy don't I??   And I have to mention I saw another stunning s