tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45416969156589772212024-03-08T14:04:19.986-08:00BenWilliamsPCVFijiBen Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862616323586783941noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541696915658977221.post-31553026082189343272011-08-18T11:02:00.001-07:002011-08-18T11:02:19.828-07:00Last blog post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Dear Faithful Blogging Readers,</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have decided to terminate my service from the Peace Corps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this may come as a shock to many of you and possibly a disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My decision was not made without considerable thought and contemplation on the issue as well as a heavy heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the past month that I have officially been at my permanent site, I have severely struggled with the realities of isolation and homesickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, in talking with my village, there seemed little to accomplish and make sustainable improved healthy living habits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My decision came down to either spending the next two years very miserable, homesick, bored, and needing the company of family and friends or deciding to terminate my service now with the possibility of regret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end the former seemed a greater evil. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In coming to this decision over the past few weeks, I became aware that even the smallest and most insignificant things were causing me to overreact and be very negative about others and my situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As anyone who knows me will attest, I am not like that and I do not want to be like that at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully I realized that in order to grow and advance my life, I needed to come home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say humorously, that it felt strikingly odd to be standing in the shallows of the ocean on a white sandy beach on a beautiful sunny day in Fiji nonetheless, being very unhappy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was definitely something you do not hear every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a great friend of mine said, “There are no mistakes in life, there are only opportunities to learn”. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I do not have any regrets about doing the Peace Corps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I am so proud that on May 15<sup>th</sup>, I boarded that plane, boarded another plane to Fiji, got through training which was sometimes stressful, and became a Peace Corps Volunteer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I never left Boise, I would always wonder “what if” and I am so glad and proud of myself that I do not have to wonder anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do hope the best for my village and I know there has been meaningful progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I must take care of myself before I can help and take care of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">In conclusion, I cannot thank all of you enough for your amazing support of me these past few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I got a comment or a Facebook message, my day truly brightened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also would like everyone to know that I encourage you to ask me about my experience, because although I am no longer a Volunteer, I would be glad to share this beautiful but often hidden culture with anyone who is interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to seeing all of you soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please do not be a stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Thank you all again so incredibly much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ni sa Moce, ka Vinavaka Vinaka Vakalevu.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Domona (Love),</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Ben</span></div><div closure_uid_rpkfji="89"></div></div>Ben Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862616323586783941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541696915658977221.post-22212312498963613902011-07-20T19:50:00.001-07:002011-07-20T19:50:26.257-07:00Missing Idaho, but loving Fiji<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Hello everyone,</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I really do need to do a better job of keeping up on this whole blog thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much has happened in the last few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to remember everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has also been challenging to get some free time that I am not mentally exhausted, but here is what I can remember now and it should get a bit more consistent from here on out.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am officially at my site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately I cannot tell you exactly where that is due to Peace Corps policy, but if you would like to know, you can either ask me, my parents or Michelle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hard to imagine that I have already been in Fiji for about two months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Training went by so fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the last few weeks I have been staying with my host family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a wonderful experience and I hope that I will be able to stay in touch for many years to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, I am excited to now be at my permanent site for two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best way to describe training, really all of Peace Corps in general, is that the first day you are born again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not referring to a born again Christian (although it could happen).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In terms of Language, you are back to being a baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You first learn how to say hello (BULA!), then you learn yes (io), no (senga), and shortly thereafter, you learn a few more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still feel very novice however with my language skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learn so many new things every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today for instance, I went to Savusavu to say good bye to some PCVs that are finishing their service and I took the Drakaniwai bus, unfortunately this bus takes a detour to another area of the island that adds about an hour to the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I got to Savusavu, I vowed never to take that bus again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, I forgot the name of the bus that I vowed never to return on and I happened to get on the same bus again for my return trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say I am very thankful to be at home now resting and not sitting on a noisy bouncy bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also should mention that the trip is on par with some of the Central American counterparts in terms of road conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am actually surprised that some of the bridges over creeks are able to support a bus with 75-100 people on it (don’t listen to this last part Mom </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My time in Fiji is funny to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never thought that the Peace Corps would be tremendous emotional ups and downs but it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I have been to site (which is only a couple of days now) I have been a little overwhelmed with it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that living alone, in Fiji, on the other side of the world from home, the realization of two whole years have all contributed to possible homesickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, I do not have internet (which I didn’t realize how much I would actually miss) and the only place I can get cell service is by hanging my phone on a lanyard on a nail over my door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even missed a call today, so whoever you are, I am sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had many ups and downs but I could not get through it without the support of every one of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I should mention that although normally one would think of Fiji as a warm beautiful, sunny, green paradise, … and it is, but not without the occasional weather interruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, a few weeks ago, we had a tremendous amount of rain and partly due to that it got really cold (when I say really cold, I mean in the 50°F).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even had to put on my one light jacket and wear my one pair of jeans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a little bit of a shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Since it is after July 4<sup>th</sup>, I figure I should say a few words about my swearing in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I might have missed the celebration of it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, it was an incredibly happy and joyous time, but as I was sitting there listening to the President of Fiji as well as the American Ambassador speak, I was concentrating more on the oath I was about to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been in the military and so I have never pledged my loyalty and service to my country for anything accept the pledge of allegiance, and definitely not for two years of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit of a humbling experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did pledge, although at the point where you say “I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>say your name</u>”, all of us said “I <u>(awkward pause</u>) do solemnly swear…”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pretty hilarious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all missed our name interjection point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowd had a good laugh too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">The day after swearing in, about ten of us boarded a plane for Labasa (pronounced Lambasa) to meet our Initial Community Contact Person (ICCP).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do like my ICCP.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sorry Michelle, but I might actually have a little bit of a man crush on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just say he’s ripped!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name is Illimo and he is actually a really nice guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is also really smart and worked with Melissa (the former PCV) on an extensive water sanitation project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a very motivated village although it will take a few months for me to get up to speed in my Fijian as well as understanding of village dynamics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am very grateful for being able to follow after another PCV in the community I am in, although it is not without its hardships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is tough to always be compared to the version of the PCV that left, not the former PCV that started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that this will just take time however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, my house is incredibly small, even for one person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I will not leave without leaving you with extensive mouthwatering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My village is on a little hill that overlooks the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are white sandy beaches on one side and high mountains (or hills to Idahoans) on the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because my village is so remote, horses are often used as a means of transportation and carrying loads (usually sacs of Kasava or Dalo, which are like a Potato without the taste).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact my first day here, I was on the beach and a Fijian on horseback came ridding up to give it a bath in the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Missing Idaho, but loving Fiji,</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Ben</span></div></div>Ben Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862616323586783941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541696915658977221.post-15504080637852978212011-06-16T01:19:00.000-07:002011-06-16T01:19:07.361-07:00Finally Ben!!!! An update (sorry everyone)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Bula everyone and hello from Fiji,</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am now entering my third week here in Fiji and it is amazing how fast it has been going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only have 4 weeks of training left and then I will be off to my host village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time is really flying by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it has been a while since I last wrote and I wanted to update everyone on what has been going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Fiji is an amazing place but also an entirely different place from Boise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never forget the morning getting off the plane in Nadi and just sweltering and asking if it is always this hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reply I received was “This is winter; it gets much hotter in the summer time”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as I write this, I am sitting in my room sweating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it goes with the territory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">The thing about the Peace Corps is that whatever expectations you might have about a place, it will be entirely different from what is actually going to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, since Fiji is a bunch of Islands, I half expected to see the ocean or the beach a bit more, but I have been inland and have only seen the ocean the first day we were here when we did our water safety training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are hoping to go with our host training families possibly this Saturday though so we will see if it works out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">OH!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forgot to mention that we are in host villages and each of us is assigned to a host family that provides us meals as well as helps us to integrate into Fijian culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also must note that I do not think that I have ever learned a language this fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow is our first language test and so all the trainees are studying up for the verbal test (including me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a relief to know that although I need to know the material, there are no such things as grades here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more Fijian you know now though, the better off you will be come July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a relief not to have to compete with anyone but yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have made many new friends here that are fellow trainees as well as volunteers that are currently serving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff here is top notch too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a great country director that is a wonderful person and very personable to get to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There are striking differences between the US and there are striking similarities as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Fiji is a very missionized society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every village has a church and village week announcements are relayed during service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in the village is in attendance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I consider myself a religious person, this is a stark contrast to the role religion plays in America as an optional entity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is also much simpler here for better or worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every water faucet usually only has one spigot: cold, and I had to learn the hard way that I need to pack toilet paper and soap around if I plan on using the bathroom at any location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There are similarities as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, Vampire Diaries is a very popular show here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a soap opera called “Southland Street” which is a huge success here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have an American Idol-like show called M.I.C. which Fijian University music students compete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh and I forgot to mention that Miley Syrus (I think I spelled her name right) and her song “Party in the USA” is also a rather large hit here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I never thought that I would have Fijian boys serenading me with “Party in the USA”, but I guess life is full of surprises</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I will hopefully find out where my work site will be in a week or two, although I will still not be able to tell you my exact location (Peace Corps policy, sorry :/).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More to come though on my job description. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I hope all is well and feel free to facebook me with any news or just to say hi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might take me a few weeks to respond, but you words and thoughts mean a lot to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Signing out, or as they say in Fijian, Ni sa Moce!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Ben</span></div></div>Ben Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862616323586783941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541696915658977221.post-81950431227390024442011-05-20T21:11:00.000-07:002011-05-20T21:11:42.642-07:00Culture shock!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hello everyone.<br />
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I am doing well. This is my 3rd day in Fiji. We arrived on Thursday morning (which is really Wednesday for people in the states). We bussed to another part of the island and stayed at a motel where we had a traditional welcoming cerimony called a Savusavu (say-voo say-voo) by the PC Fiji staff. Following that we had several lectures on multiple items worth discussing. <br />
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The following day was spent in the ocean where we learned that basically if it is not sand or water, don't touch it! In addition, we went over boat safety and alittle bit of snorkeling.<br />
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The food is tremendously different hear. We eat alot of root crops, one of the main ones being dalo which is less thick than a potato but still pretty tasteless. Other items include alot of fruit, specifically mango and watermelon. Life is good here. Im trying not to be too overwelmed. I ran this morning with some PC trainees which was alot of fun and I am getting to know everyone here although names are still a bit tough. Fiji is a wonderful place and I feel that this is exactly where I need to be in my life at this time.<br />
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Again, thank you everyone for all your support.<br />
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Moce ("Moe-thaee")<br />
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Ben</div>Ben Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862616323586783941noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541696915658977221.post-30580079416610686112011-05-16T09:09:00.000-07:002011-05-16T09:09:05.019-07:00Sitting in the Boise Airport<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Hello Everyone,<br />
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Sorry for the minor inconvienence the other day. Google decided to have a stroke and erase my blog and first post. <br />
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I am as we speak sitting in the Boise Airport (BOI) waiting to depart for LAX as of 10:52am. I have said goodbye to at least one person for the last month now and although it has been difficult, I know that everyone is rooting for me to do great things on the other side of the world. As I was waiting in line to get through security, I was right behind a guy by the name of Joe Coulter who I went to BK 9th grade. He just got back from Chile with the Peace Corps and said it was the most amazing time in his life. That made me feel a whole lot better. Its a small word. It seemed like just another confirmation that I was supposed to do this. <br />
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I wanted to thank everyone for all they have done for me through the years. I even got two phone calls this morning wishing me luck. You have all meant so much to me. However, now I should probably go and get ready to board so farewell for now (or how they say it in Fijian, Ni Sa Bula).<br />
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Ben<br />
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</div>Ben Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862616323586783941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4541696915658977221.post-36038315072818021692011-05-13T10:33:00.003-07:002011-05-13T10:33:37.481-07:00Test<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Test</div>Ben Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10862616323586783941noreply@blogger.com1