/frΛsˈtreιtəd/ adj. 1 foiled, stopped, disappointed. 2 suffering from frustration; dissatisfied, agitated, and/or discontent because one is unable to perform an action or fulfill a desire.
I have had a pretty interesting week this week.
One of the classes has been studying “Ancient Civilisations” and were doing a unit on Greece. Inise, their teacher, asked if it would be all right if they could hold a mini Olympic Games, since the Greeks were the ones who started off the tradition. All the other teachers thought it was a great idea, and pretty soon all the classes were involved. “How about we divide the children up into country teams?” one of the others suggested. “They could each wear coloured t-shirts to show which country they’re from.” Some of the kids could even dress up in national costume! Then somebody suggested an opening ceremony with a march into the arena, and this was quickly followed with a torch relay and the lighting of the Olympic flame. Next the idea came up that their families and a prominent “chief guest” could be invited, which would really encourage the kids.
So on Thursday at lunch, they had a practice of the entry into the arena, which took a considerable amount of time!
Then on Friday, it was time for the Olympics! The kids all came in their country colours, and before long, there were flags being painted on cheeks and arms. A brightly coloured sulu was hung up over the stairs, and from nine o’clock to ten o’clock the teachers were making flower arrangements to place around the officials’ seating area, and getting the morning tea ready! The kids all lined up behind the school ready to march and the Olympic torch (which had been doused in kerosene) was waiting to be lit. The Sports Co-ordinator from the Fiji Disabled Persons Association was there to officially open the games. He gave a wonderful speech about how proud he was that the school put in so much effort, and how sports are good for your mind and your body, and how he was looking forward to the day when some of these students will travel overseas to represent Fiji in professional sports (I don’t think he realised that the kids were going to be playing games like Eat The Apple Off The String Without Using Your Hands, and Who Can Chow Through A Bowl Of Porridge The Fastest?)
Then it rained. No, poured. Absolutely bucketed down! We were all standing out in the cold and the wet. But it was still a great experience, and they had a great time. Needless to say, the poor kids were soaked through by lunchtime, and so the conclusion of the games, score tallying, and prize-giving ceremony has been postponed to next Friday. The saga continues …
We have made friends with the other Australian volunteers who live across the street from us. One of them, Alex, brought a keyboard with him, and was looking for someone to show him a bit, or maybe give him some lessons. So that should be pretty fun, I reckon. They’re a pretty cool bunch; in fact, all the volunteers I’ve met have been really friendly and supportive … It’s strange how you can just be thrown together with a completely random group of people and need to make new friends, and get on with your housemates, and it just seems to work. I’m not saying this has been the case for everyone, but I have certainly been blessed in terms of where I’m living, and the people I live with, and the friends I’ve made.
My e-mail account and internet connection has been painfully slow lately. They tell us it’s got something to do with that particular provider not having very good support in Fiji (or something). Last night I was on the ’net for more than an hour trying to access one e-mail message. But it’s been the same with all our mobile phones here too. Our provider ran a special, where you would get double the credit for the value you paid (if you pay $11, you get $22 worth of credit … this also means the more you pay, the more free credit you get). Unfortunately this means absolutely everybody in Fiji has wanted to “double up” and now you need to call at least six times before you have a chance of getting a dial tone. The network just seems to be overloaded. There was even a topical comment printed in the newspaper the other day. Two little guys were standing about two metres from each other, both on their mobile phones. One of them says, “I’m calling you!” and the other replies, “But it’s after 7pm … So I can’t hear you!” Anyway. There are some little frustrations here that we put up with.
Overall I’m doing well, and promise to send out some more personal e-mails to people as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Andy
I have had a pretty interesting week this week.
One of the classes has been studying “Ancient Civilisations” and were doing a unit on Greece. Inise, their teacher, asked if it would be all right if they could hold a mini Olympic Games, since the Greeks were the ones who started off the tradition. All the other teachers thought it was a great idea, and pretty soon all the classes were involved. “How about we divide the children up into country teams?” one of the others suggested. “They could each wear coloured t-shirts to show which country they’re from.” Some of the kids could even dress up in national costume! Then somebody suggested an opening ceremony with a march into the arena, and this was quickly followed with a torch relay and the lighting of the Olympic flame. Next the idea came up that their families and a prominent “chief guest” could be invited, which would really encourage the kids.
So on Thursday at lunch, they had a practice of the entry into the arena, which took a considerable amount of time!
Then on Friday, it was time for the Olympics! The kids all came in their country colours, and before long, there were flags being painted on cheeks and arms. A brightly coloured sulu was hung up over the stairs, and from nine o’clock to ten o’clock the teachers were making flower arrangements to place around the officials’ seating area, and getting the morning tea ready! The kids all lined up behind the school ready to march and the Olympic torch (which had been doused in kerosene) was waiting to be lit. The Sports Co-ordinator from the Fiji Disabled Persons Association was there to officially open the games. He gave a wonderful speech about how proud he was that the school put in so much effort, and how sports are good for your mind and your body, and how he was looking forward to the day when some of these students will travel overseas to represent Fiji in professional sports (I don’t think he realised that the kids were going to be playing games like Eat The Apple Off The String Without Using Your Hands, and Who Can Chow Through A Bowl Of Porridge The Fastest?)
Then it rained. No, poured. Absolutely bucketed down! We were all standing out in the cold and the wet. But it was still a great experience, and they had a great time. Needless to say, the poor kids were soaked through by lunchtime, and so the conclusion of the games, score tallying, and prize-giving ceremony has been postponed to next Friday. The saga continues …
We have made friends with the other Australian volunteers who live across the street from us. One of them, Alex, brought a keyboard with him, and was looking for someone to show him a bit, or maybe give him some lessons. So that should be pretty fun, I reckon. They’re a pretty cool bunch; in fact, all the volunteers I’ve met have been really friendly and supportive … It’s strange how you can just be thrown together with a completely random group of people and need to make new friends, and get on with your housemates, and it just seems to work. I’m not saying this has been the case for everyone, but I have certainly been blessed in terms of where I’m living, and the people I live with, and the friends I’ve made.
My e-mail account and internet connection has been painfully slow lately. They tell us it’s got something to do with that particular provider not having very good support in Fiji (or something). Last night I was on the ’net for more than an hour trying to access one e-mail message. But it’s been the same with all our mobile phones here too. Our provider ran a special, where you would get double the credit for the value you paid (if you pay $11, you get $22 worth of credit … this also means the more you pay, the more free credit you get). Unfortunately this means absolutely everybody in Fiji has wanted to “double up” and now you need to call at least six times before you have a chance of getting a dial tone. The network just seems to be overloaded. There was even a topical comment printed in the newspaper the other day. Two little guys were standing about two metres from each other, both on their mobile phones. One of them says, “I’m calling you!” and the other replies, “But it’s after 7pm … So I can’t hear you!” Anyway. There are some little frustrations here that we put up with.
Overall I’m doing well, and promise to send out some more personal e-mails to people as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Andy
Andrew!
ReplyDeleteHello again from the USA! I enjoy reading your blogs and am praying for you. The Olympics simulation cracks me up- sounds like something we've done at my school!
You are now 1/6th the way through your stint- how does it feel? Enjoy each moment- even the ones that are not so 'enjoyable.'
Keep up the good work!
Alison
Hey Andy, sounds awesome what your doing and all the new experiences your having. Very jealous sitting here in my office. Have a ball!
ReplyDeleteMatt Reid