Came back from Fiji 3 weeks ago. It was a nice "working" holiday. And when I say working, I mean we were in the office at 8.30 and out by lunch time. Obviously these Fijians had no time for us, which fit in nicely with our alternative agenda of shopping. Window shopping to be precise. Although our meagre allowance did allow for a few ie faikagas (pinstripe, the latest in ie faikaga fashion) for the boys back home (Henry ma le vaega), havaianas and other $5 items. Spent a weekend at Sofitel on Denarau for a 2 day conference. The days were spent locked in the conference room planning ways to make every man and his dog buy our cigarettes. The nights were spent on the beach, swinging on hammocks and sipping vodka cruisers. Not my type of drink, but I wasn't paying so can't complain :) I staggered to the room the second night and dropped $50 on the way, my gift to the cleaners for a job well done. I spent the following day in a slump, thinking of all the things I could have bought with that $50. In Suva we stayed with my good friend Simone & husband John Tagiilima who works for SOPAC, while Simone has the life envied by all working women. A life of leisure. They have a beautiful 5-bedroom house with a pool. All that's missing is a pool boy to entice Simone into an affair, and the picture is complete. I ate so much while I was there, I returned home 5kgs in excess and we're not talking about the luggage.
In tiny tots news, Gianna went through a phase last month where she would cry nonstop for hours on end. It was frustrating for me, and probably even more so for the poor child. The doctor diagnosed her as lactose intolerant. I was overjoyed to find this out and cure it and stop her from crying with such anguish. My happiness outweighed the fact that a can of soy milk formula costs $60. SIXTY BUCKS!!! Highway robbery! I said pretty much the same thing to the store owner who gave a look which said "sister, you want the milk or prefer the sleepless nights with a baby who won't stop bawling? not my problem." Right.
I'm looking for potential schools for Tino for next year. Her teachers at Uncle Sam's say she's clearly bored, can't be bothered participating in activities with the other kids, and just shows no interest. So we went through the list of schools -
RLSS - beyond my current budget ($600 per quarter + $400 building fund) but definitely on my top list.
Samoa Primary - number one on my list, but too far. I love how they teach in Samoan for Yr 1 & 2. Definitely a must for my kid.
Peace Chapel - possibly going to be our choice, their standards have gone up (as have the school fees) and Christian education as part of the curriculum is a plus (for the offspring of someone who hasn't gone to church since Xmas)
St Mary's - I would take Tino to St Mary's - nothing like a good Catholic school to instill values and good morals in a child. However, the standard of education (in primary only) leaves much to be desired, and 70 kids in a class is not what I call value-adding. Add the number of fundraising activities held in a week and you've got an X against St Mary's.
Vaiala Beach School - Another good school, but again, FAR. And too palagi. I want my children to know their ancestors came from nothing, and made a living from planting taro on volcanic rock, and not think they drove hiluxes and owned large supermarkets.
I've started playing netball again. Our office has a team playing in the Saturday tournament. So we have yet to WIN a game, but such a good workout trying to chase the young fit girls who run circles around us. I console myself thinking that once upon a time, I used to be them. And that I could be again if I just put my mind to it and stopped putting every edible thing I see into my mouth.
And I am still at work on a Tuesday at 11pm. Time to go home and see these 3 angels -
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