fiji is full of surprises

Fiji is....ok. Who knew I'd feel ok when I got back in the village? Who knew that I would have fun? That life wouldn't seem so miserable after a super month of love and laughter with my family and friends.

I was flabbergasted at how easily I slipped right back into the lifestyle, the language, the food (minor hiccups there, but mostly ok), the skirts, the heat and humidity (which I have grown to prefer over the dry air of winters), the being alone thing. My perspective is different now. I am here to help. If there is no help wanted, I will just roam around this rock, taking my vacations days, enjoying my last bit of time with these wonderful people.

After a year and a half of work continuously falling through because of a slight tactical error or misjudgement, it was getting increasingly difficult for me to maintain a positive attitude. I no longer saw the distinction between the people and the work. The work would fail and therefore the people doing it were bad. I was heavy-hearted. Now I feel light-hearted. I gained perspective while I was home.

People are not work. At least Fijians should not be considered work. They should be my respite from a long day of environmental health inspections. I should be able to come home and laugh with people I care about. I realized that I have many people like that in America, but also in Fiji. Now that I had a chance to get some distance, I feel more relaxed in the village. Like I can just have fun instead of it being a punishment I must endure.

I come home in a few months and I don't want to remember my last months here as painful and tiresome. I'm doing my best to maintain my positivity and continue work with a sense of purpose and pride. When I come home for good, I can be happy with my experience, not only because of the work, but also because of the people.

whirlwind

America. It's been about 4 weeks in the States and it has gone much too quickly. I managed to see and hug and laugh with so many people. I apologize for missing the folks I didn't get to see, but I assure you I'll be home very soon. Right when the weather gets so hot you think you can't stand anymore, I'll be flying home.

I consumed so many calories of deliciousness:
gourmet wings pizza from Greek's
2 christmas dinners and leftovers
cinnamon rolls
concannon's donuts
chicken empanadas with jalepeno-apricot sauce
Puerto's burritos
toasted chicken sammie from subway
blueberry french toast and blueberry cobbler
2 bags of jalepeno chips with sour cream dip
ben and jerry's chocolate chip cookie dough
domo roll
frisco melt from steak n shake
hazelnut latte's
chicken poppyseed and brownies

And that's just what I can remember off the top of my head.

Thanks to everyone who fed me, bought me a beer, or showed me love in another way, like driving 2 hours just to bum around ball state with me and check out the new buildings. I am so loved.

I have 6 more months, give or take, in Fiji. I know I will face many challenges, but it'll be rewarding as well. I'll be honest, after this trip, I don't want to go back. My loved ones are here, America is comfortable, I love freedoms (small and large), Fiji is difficult in myriad ways. Yet, I promised to do 2 years and when I'm done, I'm done.

Saturday I will say goodbye to my family and boyfriend at the airport. I am not looking forward to another goodbye, but I know the final reunion will be very, very soon. And very, very sweet.