Fijian Lemonade

In a few ways, my family trip to Fiji had a theme that could be summed up by the phrase: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Lemon: On the last family trip with Mom, Dad, Chuck, and Krista (to Alaska), I felt like the rotating third wheel, so this time I invited a friend to balance the group; but my friend didn't come, and I was on my own again.
Lemonade: I had a cabin room all to myself, and I spent more time with the crew and other passengers than I would have, making a bunch of new international friends.

Lemon: My mom changed the type of cruise to a more expensive cultural/historical trip that runs only four times a year. This new price made things harder for my friend to join us.
Lemonade: We visited schools, villages and areas rarely seen by tourists and were treated to traditional shows by Micronesian and Polynesian tribes as well as the expected Melanesians of Fiji; a much more special experience than a normal beach-hopping trip.

Lemon: Our tour bus's tire needed to be changed.
Lemonade: A good excuse to stop and visit the local markets and shops.
Lemon: After we were underway, that same tire spat off all of its nuts which a passenger noticed just in time before the tire came off the moving bus.
Lemonade: We all got off and enjoyed our cruise-provided morning tea of fresh fruit and finger sandwiches on the shaded side of the road overlooking the sea until a new bus arrived.

Lemon: I had a dramatic spill on slippery rocks near a cascading waterfall and badly sprained my ankle forcing me to limp on a cane for four days.
Lemonade stand: Large, well-muscled crew members supported and carried me on their arms and backs; I experienced local Fijian medicine first-hand; and a crew member picked and guided the hermit crab representing my cabin in the ship's crab race and won me a bottle of champagne.

Lemon: My underwater digital camera broke (again). This is the third time I've found myself mid-trip without a camera.
Lemonade: I'm now used to this occurrence and nearly expected it to happen. Now I have less to carry and worry about as I gave Chuck the (paper-weight) camera and charger to bring back to Hawaii. Fortunately, the memory card wasn't damaged, and we have some great underwater shots.

I really don't expect sympathy or praise; after all, how hard is it to make the best of a Fijian cruise with my family? I had a fabulous time, and honestly, the "lemonade" tasted more like champagne.

(Next stop: National Parks of the Southwest including Yosemite, Sequoia, Brice, Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon)

Fooled You!

As many of you know, when I came back from the Philippines, I made the decision to move to Portland, OR. Hawaii's been my base of operations for the past three and a half years, but it's never felt like home the way other places have. Home is where the heart is; and with my closest friends in Portland, New York, and DC, home felt elsewhere. As I've said before (see blog entry "A Turning Point"), my time in the Philippines taught me to be better at connecting with people. That improved ability helped me build stronger relationships with the people I knew in Hawaii--deeper friendships.
I spent much more time in Waikiki upon my return, which showed me that I'm a city person. I need to live where the action is. Mililani wasn't cutting it. Also, having seen a few international cities, I know how rare it is to find a major metropolis lined with pristine beaches; and this one has green mountains on its other side, just to rub it in. I fell in love with Honolulu.
After volunteering in Baguio, I saw how much I enjoy working in the child welfare field and that I'm suited to it. The past two years I've been here, I've built relationships and connections with the who's who in Oahu's child welfare sector. Without a relevant degree or specialized training, these relationships will be invaluable for providing me with at least a chance to prove myself in that field. Anywhere else, I'd have a much harder time of it and would likely still rely on my Hawaii network and their connections to open doors for me.
When I made my decision to move to Portland, I was sure it was the right one; but in the following month, my assuredness was shaken until it crumbled. There's much more of my heart in Hawaii than I thought. I'll begin my search for long-term employment and a Waikiki apartment when I come home in July.