Passin Time in Fiji

I am so far behind in blogging!  I think about writing all of the time.  My mind is always sorting through things....thinking, "I can write about this."   Somehow, even though I am not working, I am busy.   It's been difficult to find the time to sit down and write....but I do crave writing about life here.  It's like I am able to clear my mind once the thoughts flow from my brain to my hands to the "paper". This past week has been great.  First and foremost, things with Andie are better.   Thank you SO much to everyone who reached out to me and Andie.    It's pretty amazing to know that people care so much.  It immensely softened the blow last week.    This week she hasn't asked once to move back to Atlanta!   The teacher took care of the bullying situation and from what I can tell it's gotten better.   We talked the situation to death and she's had a few fun play dates and generally seems to be in a good groove...

Yesterday was swim carnival for Andie's school (grades 1-5).    It is sort of like field day in the states except that it all takes place in the pool.   In the morning there were timed events and in the afternoon, there was fun races...like the noodle races and kick-board races.   I volunteered to be a timer for the races.  It was a lot of fun...lots of adrenaline and cheering crowds.  I was exhausted after being in the sun, on my feet, all day long...but it was worth it!  (It also reminded me of the days when I would help out at field day at Bethesda).   Instead of classes competing against each other, the school is divided into four houses.   Each house competes for the championship.  It's pretty cool because it doesn't let the teachers get crazy competitive with their own classes (seen plenty of that in the past) and it allows for comradery among grade levels.  The houses each develop their own cheers and dance a lot throughout t...

The last week has been full of fun things.   I will be brief here and try to speak in pictures more than words.... (hard for me).   Last Wednesday we ate dinner at a friend's house.   She does not give her children another option for food besides what is put on the table.  If they don't eat it, that's fine...but they don't get anything else.  I remember I used to be that way, but slowly changed to accommodate my ever-increasing picky eaters.  I am committed to going back.  No more making a second meal for them.   If they are hungry, they will eat what is served!    If children are hungry enough, they will eat anything.  I do not want to be creating even more picky eaters!   (Although it is killing me to not give in!   I've decided if they don't eat what's on their plate, they can have carrots or cucumbers, but that's it!)    My friend told me of one family who serves the same meal again for breakfast and lunch ...

Some of  you may have heard that a HUGE cyclone was in the South Pacific this past weekend.   Here in Fiji, we heard about it about a week ahead of time.   About a week ago, local friends started posting things on social media about the huge cyclone coming to the region.   Everyone here began to prepare.   I got emails from the embassy and the school about emergency phone trees and ways to prepare for the storm.   We were told to be prepared to be without electricity (even though we are fortunate enough to have a generator), have extra money and bags packed on hand in case we have to evacuate quickly, and have plenty of water.    We also stocked up on food that doesn't require electricity to cook.  A friend told me that frequently before a cyclone, muggings are more prevalent because people panic, so in general...I was on high alert in every way.    In addition to this, Warren was out of town for the week, so I was a bit worried abo...

I've written before how grocery shopping here takes longer than it does in the states.  You cannot find everything you need for one meal here in one store.  There is no fancy Kroger with everything you can imagine.    You go to the butcher for your meat, the market for your fruits and vegetables, and the grocery store for the rest.   Often, you find produce in the grocery store, but it is frequently limited and you may have to search several places to find what you need.  I really don't mind it that much because it is what it is.   It's not like I have SO much to do that I cannot go to a few places.   One cool thing about shopping here is everything you buy is in season.   You know you are eating fresh produce, because so little produce is imported.  If it is imported, it is imported from Australia or New Zealand.   The downside is you only get the produce that is in season.  Too bad if you want pineapple for your salsa or mang...

In the states, they recently changed their time, springing forward one hour.  Every time there is a new time change it confuses all of my family and friends regarding our time differences.  I understand because it totally confuses me too!   So....let's see if we can get this straight.  Right now Fiji is 16 hours ahead of the east coast in the states.  For me, 16 hours ahead is hard to compute.  It is easier to think that we are 8 hours behind, one day ahead.   So... if it is 8pm there, it is 12 noon here...just one day ahead.   (I do the reverse here, knowing that the east coast is 8 hours ahead, one day behind).   Now, here's where it gets tricky.  Every time one of the countries participates in the time changes with daylight savings time, that changes.   So, just recently when the states changed, we went from being 17 hours apart, to 16 hours apart.   But....even though we are closer in time, we actually feel further apar...

I think I've mentioned that the eggs here are so delicious.  They taste incredibly fresh and the yolks are a little bit brighter.   In the states, I never had a double yolk egg.  I saw people post pictures of them on facebook, but for some reason I never have cracked one open myself.... until now.   This most recent batch of eggs have ALL been double yolks!  There are twenty eggs in the carton, and the 14 that I've opened so far...all double yolks.   I have no idea why double yolks happen...especially all in one carton but I've been in awe.   Pretty cool. P.S.   It was easier not to miss home when all the winter/snowy pictures were all over facebook.  Now that spring has sprung and I get to see everyone in their short sleeves with pants or long sleeves and shorts... I miss those chilly mornings and warm afternoons.   I miss the energy with spring.   I think spring and fall will be the hardest seasons for me to miss. Andie's...