Back home to Fiji

July was a hectic but enjoyable month... we both crammed in so many things !
I finished teaching the Cert 3 of Children's services course with my students and we had many dinner celebrations together. They sang "Isa Lei" to me, which is the Fijian farewell song, which was very emotional. I spent a few days entering results and preparing for my new group of Cert 3's this term and be ready for my "old" Cert 3's to return as Diploma students ! I flew back home as planned on July 3rd to spend time with my delightful family, our 2 inseparable dogs, Lucy and Harry and catch up with as many work colleagues, neighbours and friends as possible in one week ! Sleeping in my own bed was just "heavenly", especially with my very own pillow ( which I squashed into the case to bring back here ) Both my Daphne bushes are still alive ! amazing !
Since our return Simon's Mum has been hospitalized with Salmonella poisoning and a chest infection, but is progressing well now. At 90, these things take a little longer to abate.
Christopher has booked to visit us in early Sept and one of my sisters, Dot and her partner Trevor are coming mid Sept. One of Simon's golfing mates is also flying over sometime too.
The weather is quite dry now, with daily temperatures hovering around 26 to 28 and sunny skies, but with cooler nights of 17 or 18 ... slightly different from Melbourne ! It was very odd wearing long sleeves, long pants, boots, coats and scarves ! It only took 10 minutes to change into thongs, t-shirts and shorts again.
We have been to the Bula Festival in Nadi and I was chosen to be one of the judges for the 9 contestants vying to be Miss Bula ( all in the name of charity)
As a token of appreciation we received tickets to the Bula Ball ! Simon wore one of his bright Bula shirts from his growing collection and I borrowed a very colourful Bula dress ! It was a memorable evening....
We look forward to celebrating Simon's birthday on Aug 1st..... better hunt for the candles !