Monday 21 November 2011

Christmas Lunch With The FCOSS Crew...


It's not even December yet, and I'm already getting into the Christmas spirit. Am definitely feeling more Christmassy now than I have in the past 2 years...the constant playing of carols in the supermarkets definitely helps! Last Friday, I went to have Christmas lunch with the lovely FCOSS crew at the Raintree Lodge: a great restaurant in Colo-I-Suva National Park. That's a good one to test tricky Fijian pronunciation- it's 'Tholo- I Suva'. Raintree Lodge looked out onto a lake in the park itself; the rainy weather added to the authentic rainforest experience! You can even go out for the boat ride in the lake as well- for free! It's nice to have found a haven to escape to away from the city; you couldn't contrast more with bustling Suva if you tried.

We all finally gave our Secret Santa presents...yep, the ones that were decided on my first day in FCOSS back in September! The red necklace and earrings that I'm wearing in the photos below are presents from my Secret Santa buddy, Rosie- the lady whose wedding I attended a few weeks ago. I gave Ro Iva a framed limerick that I wrote about her- in a purple frame, of course. There's a running joke at FCOSS about 'purple' and what you're really trying to say about yourself when you wear that colour...

Anyway! The food was great and the company was terrific as always; I'm always have such a laugh with these guys. I thought I might not have a chance to see them again...but it turns out I'll be staying in Suva!! I'm thrilled to announce that I've found a teaching job here at the International School! Never thought it would happen in a million years, but am extremely grateful that I've been given this opportunity.

Enough about that...here are some pictures from our Christmas lunch:

L-R- Ashika, Ro Iva, Shahana, Mr. Khan, me, Neil











Friday 18 November 2011

Lizzie Hayes' Magical Christmas Travels- Part 8

Here's Part 8 of Lizzie Hayes...finally!! Sorry for the delay once again...it's been a very busy, very exciting week (more on that later :-D). But for now, I hope you enjoy the latest of Lizzie's Christmas adventures...




Lizzie Hayes' Magical Christmas Travels

Chapter 8

Our heroine, young Lizzie Hayes
Had been at Granddad’s for six days-
Tomorrow would be New Year’s Eve,
The day after, they would leave Steve.
But our Lizzie was getting near,
As everything would become clear
When she read Granddad’s diary through-
Lizzie now knew what she must do.
So after breakfast, off she ran
To the library for her plan
Was the diary still in the spot
Where she’d left it? No, it was not-
Someone had moved while she dozed-
So that path to truth was now closed
(If Liz was honest, she would say,
She’d feel bad reading anyway.)
So Liz decided just to play
With her dollies another day,
Outside, the poor sky was crying
But Liz had a rain-defying
Present that let her explore
Even when skies outside would pour!
But as usual, she had to wait
‘Til day had gone and it was late
Making sure her mum was asleep
Before she could silently creep
Toward Granddad Steve’s study door
Where, with much relief, Liz saw
The door was open, letting light
Spill into the hallway that night.
‘Lizzie!  I’d hoped that you’d appear-
Come closer now, and sit down here.
I think you noticed something gone
From the library, once upon
That desk- that’s why you’re here tonight.’
Young Lizzie sighed and said ‘You’re right!
I’m sorry I had a look through-
That’s something that I shouldn’t do.’
‘You’re right, Lizzie, you shouldn’t peek-
But I know there’s something you seek,
You must be desperate to know
About my beaver friends, and so
Before revealing their magic,
I must tell you what is tragic.
Before that photo was taken
Something left Mum and I shaken-
My father sadly passed away
When he was chopping wood one day,
He was a carpenter, you see-
And his job always inspired me.’
‘How did he die?’ young Liz inquired,
‘Chopping one day, he was so tired
My poor father chopped off his hand-
And from that moment, I was banned
From following in my dad’s shoes.
To become a carpenter too.
Mum thought we both needed a break-
My dad’s family lived near a lake
In central Canada, so we
Went there to visit them, you see.
That’s when that photo was taken
As well as events that have shaken
How I, and now you, live our lives
For as long as that globe survives.’
Lizzie was dumbstruck by this tale
Granddad said ‘Why are you so pale?
I think we need a trip, don’t you?
Of course, we should bring our Chumps too.’
Before Steve could say any more,
Young Lizzie had run out the door
To fetch the globe and doggy friend,
And brought it back, ready to send
The three of them to somewhere new-
To where? Well, I don’t have a clue!
Let’s find out right now, as they land-
All around Liz could just see sand,
Like Africa- but Liz, somehow,
Knew they were not in Africa now.
‘Well, this is not what I had planned,’
Said Granddad Steve, ‘We’re in a land
That I have not been to for YEARS-
Oh well! Let us walk on, my dears!’
So off they walked, Chumps, Liz and Steve
In a heat Liz could not believe-
What country had they landed in?
Suddenly, Lizzie saw a grin
Rise up on Granddad’s wrinkled face-
The three of them slowed up their pace.
Granddad Steve said, ‘Well, what a shock!
Is this a mirage sent to mock
Or is this my old friend, King Kong?
Let’s move close to see if I’m wrong.’
What was Granddad talking about?
Liz didn’t know, then gave a SHOUT
As she saw, rippled in the heat,
A humped creature with four hoofed feet
Walking towards them- Lizzie knew
Just what this creature was- do you?
Young Liz had studied it at school
And thought that it was rather cool,
A CAMEL now was by their side
Poor Chumps whimpered and went to hide
Behind Steve’s legs. ‘Don’t be scared, Chumps,
Of King Kong here with his two humps.’
Then the camel bent to the floor-
Steve said ‘What are you waiting for?
Let’s all jump on King Kong’s back!
As our friend King Kong has the knack
Of carrying a heavy load-
No more chit-chat, let’s hit the road!’
Granddad sat in front of the humps,
Liz in between, holding poor Chumps,
As King Kong stood, Lizzie felt scared
Somehow, our girl had not prepared
For such a HIGH and bumpy trip-
All young Lizzie could do was grip
As tight as possible, and pray-
Then Granddad had something to say:
‘We are in INDIA, my sweet-
I hope you’re OK in this heat,
Rajastan state is hot and dry…’
Liz said ‘I feel like I might fry!
This definitely is something new-
Granddad, where are we headed to?’
‘A desert village over there‘-
Granddad Steve pointed it out- ‘where
There is a marvelous lagoon
Don’t worry dear, we’ll reach there soon!’
Not long after, the camel stopped
By a huge tree- off Lizzie hopped
To the lagoon she’s heard about-
When she peered in, she gave a shout-
What reflections did Lizzie see?
Of CHILDREN- at LEAST thirty three!
She looked up at them, as they stared:
Granddad Steve said ‘Lizzie, don’t be scared!
They’ve never see a girl like you-
I bet that you’re curious too!’
Liz had to admit that she was:
‘Lizzie, we have to go, because
There’s someone we must see today-
When we come back, you all can play.’
The staring children started to smile-
Liz said ‘I’ll be back in a while!’
It was clear Chumps wanted to stay,
To run with the children and play,
‘He’ll be OK...’ said Granddad Steve,
‘But Lizzie, you and I must leave.’
Next to the lagoon, Liz saw
Something she had not seen before:
Ladies wearing bright blue, purple and red
Carried water pots on their head,
To do that while so beautifully dressed:
Young Lizzie was really impressed!
‘We must follow that lady in blue,’
Said Steve, ‘For she’ll take us to who
We need to see.’ So they pursued
The path of the lady in blue
Right to her house, where she turned round,
Put down her pot, then with no sound
She swept her arm towards the door,
With the prettiest smile Liz ever saw.
Steve nodded and said ‘Dhanevat
Took his shoes off on the doormat
And walked inside; Liz had bare feet
So followed Steve, ready to meet
Whoever Granddad had brought her for,
Relieved to have a wooden floor
After the roasting desert sand-
Suddenly she saw a hand.
‘Lizzie, this is a very good friend,
Pranish, and he was kind to send
King Kong to bring all of us here,
You see, he KNOWS when we appear.’
‘Really?’ said Liz, ‘So he can track
Our trips around the world and back?’
‘Yes,’ said Steve, ‘for you see
He knows the magic of the tree
In the lagoon- just he alone,
Even to his wife it’s unknown.’
Poor Lizzie felt a little dense
As none of this made any sense
So studied her new friend instead
While all this whirled round in her head.
Pranish had flowing, thick black hair
With sprinkles of grey here and there,
Lizzie had never seen before
The diaper-type thing Pranish wore.
Granddad, catching Lizzie staring,
Said ‘That’s a dhoti he’s wearing.
That loose shirt he wears just above
The dhoti is a kurta, love.
I will have to explain for Pranish
As he’s does not know much English.
But first, let us all take a seat
As Shee’s prepared something to eat.’
Then, the lovely lady in blue
Came in with tea, and dishes too
All filled with food Liz had not seen
Of many shades of brown and green.
‘Liz, this tea is masala chai-
It’s sweet, it’s spicy, and I won’t lie
It’s my favourite type of tea!
Now, this green dish is a curry
Palak paneer- spinach and cheese,
It’s certainly a dish to please!
These flat breads are called rotis, dear.’
Liz said ‘What is this brown one here?’
‘That’s chicken curry- very nice,
But watch out it has lots of SPICE!’
Said Granddad Steve, ‘But where was I?
First, let me have a sip of chai
Now let me start. This magic tree
Allows Pranish alone to see
The worldwide trips you and I make,
And even the NEXT trip we’ll take!’
‘Where does he see all this?’ said Liz,
‘And how do you know all of this?’
‘When the globe brought me to this place,
Pranish met me, smile on his face,
And he gestured for me to ride
King Kong, as he walked alongside.
It seemed like a long trip, but soon
We came to that famous lagoon-
Pranish took me to the waterside
Asked me to look in, then he cried-
‘I SEE you in there! I SEE you!’
Well, I didn’t know what to do-
This strange man was telling me
It’s MY reflection he could see?
It sounded crazy and untrue,
I was disbelieving like you,
What was it that made me believe?
I’ll tell you, Liz…’ said Granddad Steve,
‘Pranish and I cannot converse,
His English- bad, my Hindi- worse,
But he had DRAWN pictures of me
Based on everything he could see,
Pictures of things he COULDN’T know-
Like me in Nepal in the snow,
Like me in Canada with Bert
And of the time that I got hurt
When a bear and I had a fight-
So Liz, you get the picture, right?
For many years I’ve had a think,
My conclusion is there’s a link
Between our globe and this strange tree-
That allows our Pranish to see
Our every move in the lagoon.’
Was Granddad actually a loon?
Could two countries so far apart
Both beat with the same magic heart?
It was crazy, but then she knew
A magic GLOBE was crazy too!
‘Liz, I know that’s an overload
Of info, so let’s hit the road.
But I think we can have one chai
Before we have to say goodbye.’
One tea was given to Lizzie,
She drank it down, then felt dizzy
As into the study she fell,
And of course, Granddad Steve as well.
‘We forgot Chumps!’ cried young Lizzie,
‘Don’t worry, he will be busy
Playing, running and having fun
Under the hot Indian sun.
I’ll go back and get him very soon
From the desert’s magic lagoon.
So Lizzie, off to bed with you!’
Reader, off to bed with you too!
So you and Liz can dream of trees
And more of the globe’s mysteries,
Just two more days ‘til Lizzie's home-
So where's the NEXT place she will roam?...




Monday 7 November 2011

My First Experience Of Conducting A Workshop...


A few months ago, the Executive Director of FCOSS, Mr. Khan, asked me to conduct a series of short workshops on 'Effective Report Writing'. Never having attempted such a thing, the process was daunting at first. Where should I begin? Did I know enough about report writing to conduct a whole workshop about it? I quickly got reaquainted with an old pal of mine from school- Powerpoint- and within two weeks, had my presentation ready...sort of...


The first day was a little shaky at first...mistiming your presentation and finishing 45 minutes early is probably not the best way to start. I'm not a naturally confident public speaker, and unfortunately nervousness got the better of me. But, after re-arranging my presentation a little with a stronger focus on activities, the next few days were more successful. Most of the participants appeared to engage with my presentations (even during the slightly-more-tedious punctuation sections!) and the pieces that they produced on the last day were beautifully written.


Whatever their purpose for attending, I hope all of the participants enjoyed themselves, and that they pushed their boundaries to learn something new...I certainly did! Long may the testing of my boundaries continue...

See the photos below to see the participants and I in action!





My attempt to look 'scholarly'...or something like that.









Each participant received a certificate at the end.








Saturday 5 November 2011

Lizzie Hayes' Magical Christmas Travels: Part 7


Here is Part 7 of Lizzie Hayes' adventures...sorry it is so late! Hope you enjoy it...


Lizzie Hayes' Magical Christmas Travels

Chapter 7

The next morning, laying in bed,
Liz pondered all Granddad had said
About how dreams must be pursued-
She’d woken up feeling renewed!
But suddenly she had a thought
Of a most uncomfortable sort-
In 4 days, she’d be going home!
Though she’d still be able to roam
Around the world using her globe,
There’d be no Granddad in his robe.
Even Chumps had become a friend-
She didn’t want it all to end!
4 days to be a master sleuth
And finally find out the truth!
That day, when her mum took her out,
Liz took the chance to clear up doubt
As she’d seen her poor mum suffer
All because she’d been a bluffer.
As the two walked down the crescent,
Liz said ‘Mum, I got a present
From Granddad with magic powers
That lets me travel at all hours.
There’re many places I have been…’
‘Liz, what on earth do you mean?’
‘A globe- I know that sounds insane…’
Then Lizzie started to explain.
When she had finished, her mum smiled,
‘Well Liz, that all sounds pretty wild!
This countryside isolation
Makes you use imagination,
Keeping amused with crazy tales-
This one is really off the rails!
You’ll make a fine writer one day-
Now come, we should be on our way.’
Liz knew her mum would not believe
Until she heard from Granddad Steve
(It’s very sad a child’s word
Is usually believed absurd).
As Mum was choosing to ignore,
Young Liz did not say anymore
So off to Steve’s library she went,
Where Lizzie’s afternoon was spent
Trawling through books with pages curled
Finding out more about the world-
About where she’d been, where to go-
There’s so much she wanted to know!
She was determined not to doze
But then her eyes started to close…
Next thing she knew, it was night-time
And she could hear the distant chime
Of Granddad Steve’s old cuckoo clock,
Which really gave Lizzie a shock!
With her right cheek covered with dust,
Young Lizzie quickly had it sussed
She’d fallen asleep on the book-
Then, as she took a second look
At the page where she’d had a doze,
She saw the word ‘beaver’ and froze-
The sentence read: ‘28th May-
Bert and I made a chair today!’
Then Steve appeared out of nowhere
And said ‘Liz, what’s that you’ve got there?’
Today, he wore a purple robe,
And Liz saw that he held the globe.
Liz closed it. ‘Nothing, Granddad Steve.’
Steve’s face said: ‘That I don’t believe.’
But he seemed willing to let go
And said: ‘Almost time you should know
Exactly why this globe has power.
But look! It’s just past midnight hour
Which means it’s time for a small trip-
We should bring Chumps, or he might flip!’
So Steve whistled for Chumps to come,
Liz wondered if he would wake Mum
As Chumps was not a subtle pup,
But Mum didn’t seem to wake up.
Steve took Chumps’ paw and Lizzie’s hand
And said: ‘We’re now off to a land
That’s literally the other side
Of the world: hang on for the ride!’
Young Lizzie felt dizzy and sick
But luckily the trip was quick-
The three of them landed with bumps
In a forest. Excited Chumps
Began to bark. ‘Be quiet!’ said Steve,
‘You will make all the kiwis leave!
They’re such shy creatures anyway
Especially during the day.’
The third forest that Liz had seen,
But no forests had been THIS green!
As Lizzie looked up to the skies
A few raindrops fell in her eyes-
Steve said ‘It’s not raining much yet,
But soon it will be very wet.’
Liz said ‘Granddad, how can you tell?’
‘I know New Zealand very well
I know its skies, and what they mean
This is the seventh time I’ve been
Into this forest, I just pray
That my friend Keith is here today.’
‘Granddad, describe this friend you seek.’
‘Well, he has a long, pointy beak
His brown-feathered body is round
He always lives close to the ground.’
‘Granddad, your friend sounds like a BIRD-
To live on the ground sounds absurd!’
‘Liz, I’ll let Keith explain the rest,
Now we just have to find his nest.
You thought koalas hard to find?
Kiwis are a trickier kind!’
They seemed to be searching for hours
Getting soaked in the rain-showers,
Then Granddad noticed Chumps’ stiff tail:
‘Lizzie, I think he’s found the trail
But Keith has a great sense of smell-
Will Keith find Chumps first? Who can tell?’
So they followed Chumps down the path
Who took an accidental bath,
He was so focused on the smell,
Into a deep puddle he fell!
Lizzie tried hard not to giggle!
Then, she saw a leaf-pile wiggle
Out of the corner of her eye-
‘It’s Keith!’ said Steve, ‘Come, don’t be shy!’
It was only then that Liz saw
Two feet she had not seen before,
Then a long beak, and two small eyes
That looked on with fear and surprise.
‘Do not be sad if Keith is shy,
His whole species is the same. Why?
Because they’re always under threat-
They’re lucky they’re not extinct yet.’
‘What does extinct mean?’ Lizzie said,
‘When a species is declared dead
Forever, never to be seen
Because predators have been mean.’
Liz looked at Keith, feathered and round,
Then the bird made a bizarre sound
And Granddad Steve lowered his ear
To Keith’s beak, so that he could hear.
‘Chumps looks a beast, but he is kind,
The soppiest dog you will find!
He’ll not harm you, no need to fear.’
Granddad Steve said: ‘Lizzie, my dear
Keith says his wife has just been killed
In the cruel hands of the ill-willed,
We must hide him, and then- oh MY!
He says we must teach him to FLY!’
‘He cannot fly?’ young Lizzie said,
To which the bird nodded his head.
Granddad Steve cried: ‘What can we do?
Honestly, I don’t have a clue!’
Liz closed her eyes and racked her brain-
‘I know that this must sound insane-
I’m not sure we can give him flight
But maybe we could give him HEIGHT!’
Steve said ‘He can’t stay up the tree-
He has vertigo, just like me!’
‘Wait!’ said Liz, ‘I have an idea!
I must go home then come back here.’
‘Liz, it’s hard for you to come back.
I’ll go- what is it that you track?’
‘Back in my room, there is a ball
That bounces up to ten feet tall,
It’s pink with a purple flower.’
Steve said: ‘I’ll be back in an hour.’
Waiting for Granddad to return,
Liz decided that she should learn
More about her shy kiwi friend
And about his wife’s tragic end.
‘I’m so sorry about your wife.’
‘She was the love of my life.’
Liz did not expect him to speak,
Keith continued, voice low and weak,
‘So easy for us to be caught.
My Janet went without a thought
To find some food late in the night
When a possum fancied a fight.
There was no chance- she cannot fly.
How many more of us must die?’
Lizzie felt hot tears prick her eyes
At this tale of Janet’s demise.
‘Don’t worry, Keith- there is a way
Hopefully it’ll save you one day.’
The kiwi sadly nodded his head,
For a while, nothing more was said
Until a rustle in the trees
Made young Liz and Keith both freeze:
But it was only Granddad Steve,
Lizzie’s relief, you’d not believe!
‘Lizzie my love, here is your ball-
What do we do? What’s your next call?’
‘I noticed a flat pavement square
Raised at an angle, over there-
So, he could either hide beneath
Or it is a launch-pad for Keith-
He must hold onto the ball right,
Bounce off the slab to launch his flight
Up into that neighbouring tree
Where the ball will then stick, you see.’
‘Liz, that sounds a brilliant plan!
The question is if young Keith can
Hold onto the ball with small wings.’
Liz said: ‘I didn’t know these things.’
‘Liz, this doesn’t change anything-
We will just get a piece of string
And tie it tight around the ball
As though young Keith’s wings may be small,
He can secure them to the string!
Lizzie said ‘That makes my heart sing!
We have no string- that being said,
We can use this long leaf instead.’
‘Let’s try! We have no time to spare!’
Said Steve, ‘Let’s take Keith over there
To the slab with your ball and see
If we’ve ended his misery.’
Around the ball, they tied the leaf
And said: ‘Keith, you must have belief:
Attach your wings, RUN to the square
Bounce off it hard, then fly up there!
Does that make sense?’ Granddad Steve said,
The shy kiwi nodded his head.
‘Now try it after one, two, THREE!’
It didn’t work for the kiwi
The first few times, but the tenth go
Keith’s confidence started to show
And he could bounce right to the tree,
To which he yelled back down ‘I’m free!
Thank you, dear girl- I’ve lost my wife,
But you have helped to save my life!’
‘Keith!’ said Granddad, ‘we must depart.
Keep safe, my friend, keep strong, keep smart.
We will be back- you must be here.
Hopefully now you won’t have fear.’
Granddad grabbed Liz and Chumps, and ran
(He ran well for an older man)
To the spot where poor Chumps fell
In the puddle, deep as a well!
‘The three of us must now jump in
And shout the words ‘THE CRUEL CAN’T WIN!’
Liz repeated the words with passion,
Jumped and fell in normal fashion,
But into the LIBRARY this time,
She heard the early morning chime
And saw the sun rising outside.
Steve said: ‘Liz, I have so much pride!
Your cleverness will take you far.
Goodnight my dear- you are a star.’
With that, Steve swept out of the room
Which looked nicer without night’s gloom.
Liz was about to head to bed,
But she looked at the book instead
And recalled what she’d seen before-
Too familiar to ignore.
She was beginning to believe
That this was the diary of Steve
When he had been a little boy
In Canada, with a new toy
That let him travel everywhere.
She shut the book with utmost care,
Seeing words she dare not believe:
‘1940- Diary of Steve’.
Question is, did this journal hold
All young Lizzie wanted to be told?
I know you want to know as well-
Only the next chapter will tell.