- Seen Fiji win it's first gold
- Had to explain another mass shooting in class
- Done a two-day workshop for Reproductive Health and Family Planning services of Fiji on "Therapeutic Use of Music"
- Watched classes wind down because of exams
- Seen the new group come to training
- Hit my 1 year anniversary of being in Fiji
A lot has happened between now and then!
Seeing Fiji win it's first gold was something out of a movie, and honestly, I hope they turn it into a movie one day. Knowing everyone in Fiji was watching TV for those thirty minutes, was insane. Yes, people literally partied in the streets! When you are a small country, you don't often get the public marketing that the big countries get. Most people only know Fiji has resorts.
It also was a time to process that the olympics are sorely geared towards first world countries. Most countries simply don't have the budget to spend millions on olympic sized sports arenas. They may not have clean water or enough food. They may have to train on dirt roads or sandy beaches. While it makes for a good story, it definitely shows how much the Olympics are set up for countries like the United States to win. A country that is around 500 times smaller than the United States and with a much smaller budget, has nearly no chance of winning. Think of how much sports stars make in the US... The Fiji olympic team got $3,000USD EACH for winning the gold- and they were happy!
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I hate explaining mass shootings. The kids here just don't understand it because there are no guns in Fiji except for the army. On one side, the kids kind of idolize guns, but on the other side of the equation, they have no way to find guns to play-act with. It's shameful and demoralizing. I absolutely hate it. I can't explain why people hate each other so much or why our government can't learn to compromise. I don't understand it either. I just hope that I make a small difference for the better, where I am able to do so.
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I put on my first workshop for the certificate of the therapeutic use of music for Reproductive Health and Family Planning Services of Fiji. I am excited! They are basically planned parenthood of Fiji. The workshop included information on what is music therapy, the qualifications needed in the USA and Australia, family and client centered care, music terminology, and use of music with children and adults. I learned a lot and am looking forward to updating the certification to be more Fiji-based.
I got responses from my evaluations like "all ministries should have this workshop." Stuff like that is why I am here. International advocacy for the therapeutic use of music and music therapy. It still gives me warm fuzzies.
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My classes are winding down because it is exam time. Unlike in the US, where exams are nearly a portion of your grade and government exams mean nothing to your personal grade, exams here are 100% of my students grades. These exams were modeled off the Australian testing system.
Less time with my students, means I have been spending more time in training with the new volunteers. It is absolutely insane that I am considered one of the older volunteers. This past year has had a crazy amount of personal growth. I feel like a more confident, natural version of me. I am stronger than ever before and I can accomplish goals that I never thought were possible. I have learned a new culture and occupation. I wasn't a teacher before! I have learned how to have a garden and do things the "old-fashioned way," as my grandfather says. Yes, I take a bucket and wash my laundry completely by hand with a scrub brush and washing board. Have you ever wanted to time travel? Just join the peace corps!
I can't wait to see what this next year has in store for me. I feel like I have finally got my "Fiji-legs" and am starting to get rolling on my projects here. And before anyone asks, no, I have no idea what I am doing next besides finding a paying job that qualifies for PSLF.
Vinaka vaka levu!
