Hinduism's Sistine Chapel...

So we paid about $9 USD for an hour of internet at the resort so we could relieve the worrying minds back home. In the remaining 15 minutes, I posted a blog entry with some of our pics. Of course, I went to upload it on the 15th minute, and well...you don't see a blog do you?

Thus, I found an internet cafe (which by the way was only $0.97/hour by the way) as we strolled through the town of Nadi so I could tell you about the beauty of a Hindu temple Srin and I just visited (pictures to be posted later). This temple was unlike any other temple we have seen-sharp and contrasting colors greeted devotees while the open-aired structure lent itself to the crisp (yet hot) weather. Inside, the ceilings told stories of Hinduism, richly depicting religious respect to God. The one that impacted Srin's memory the most was a painting that showed Mount Kailash in the background with Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesh, Nandi, and so many others in the foreground.

The coolest part was right when we were about to leave, the guy who painted much of the ceiling introduced himself-Santhosh from Kerala. We were so interested in his work that he took us in and showed us around. He comes to Fiji just to paint and then returns home, a job he has had for four years. It seemed he was as interested in us (well, Srin since he is South Indian...) it seemed. My favorite part of the conversation was the story of how Fiji got its Indian population. Apparently, when Fiji was ruled by Britain, there was a need for laborers. The Brits started forcing the Japanese to come and work but to no avail. Next, they tried the Chinese. No joy. Then came the Indians from all over India. Success! Thus, the Indian population that came never returned home, creating what would soon become 40% of the Fijian population.

That's it for now. We are having a great time just relaxing and doing almost nothing! We'll be back in Sydney.


 

Notice the painted ceilings. Hence the Sistine Chapel...



This is the guy who came from India to paint.

Fiji Bound...

Slowly but surely. Of course it has already been eventful in small ways but we finally made it to the airport in DC (many thanks to Doug for a relaxed start to the journey, allowing enough time for a solid breakfast), finished our 5.5 hour flight to LA, and are halfway through a 9 hour layover in the ridiculously sub-par LAX. For instance, Wifi. Seriously-who doesn't have wifi in one of the States' major airports!?!?!? Then, ironically, the weather map showed an entirely clear country except for a lime green splash of color all over California. And by lime green splash, I mean thunderstorms all up in this mug. I thought Cali weather was enviable? Needless to say, we have self-entertained for the last 6 hours in the terminal using our fab gift a la the Clarkes. Teamed up with my brother's gift of noise reducing headphones and movies on the iPad, we have made it to within two hours of the much anticipated start of our three month honeymoon. No real complaints here!

Here's my man using up the last bit of technology before leaving the States.

Next up: Stop number 1. We will be back with a big BULA! from Nadi, Fiji.

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One would think...

that I would be used to this whole moving thing. After all, I seek stability and find mobility. In a moment I thought would be delayed by at least 20 years, I left JSC today. And, I finished the week off with my closest friends. And it wasn't really goodbyes. Everywhere I left friends or colleagues, I left among guffaws of laughter. Tears were minimal and emotions suppressed, and that made me realize just how lucky I am. I try to surround myself with friends who make me a better person-who keep me lighthearted-who are trustworthy. I could not have asked for a better way to exit the Cube of All Cubes. Toni, Cerise, our exotic visitors :), and laughter. Just the way I will always remember C&T and CATO. Gosh. Houston has been a tough return for me. I can't really explain here, but life didn't return as I had left it. Friends who I have known for decade+ remained my friends but just were not the same. Yet, I found myself surrounded by these new people, my three fellow bowlers with whom my previous interactions were minimal. You see-I don't generally make friends with anyone at work-something my sister, Hemben, taught me. Conflicts of interest, if you will. Though, Four Balls was something else. An exception of sorts. From night one, we hit it off. I had not had so much fun since returning to Htown. I knew instantly that I had found the type of personalities that I admired and respected. Then came significant others, food, and the addition of close friends in Brini and Gil. Pot luck nights have never been the same. Dan, Karen, Jats, Pooj, Purav, Adam, and Brini-Thanks for a fantastic night of fun, laughter, food, and joy. Marc and Laurie-thanks for the chat by the fire and the many dinners. Tonight, I leave Houston in peace, knowing that our friendships will grow stronger.

Onward and upward...my husband and I leave for our around the world expedition in T-8 days and counting. Forecast: 100% chance of takeoff.


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The Decision...

D.C.


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My new iPAD toy...

I am typing this post from my new Kensington Keyfolio. The keyboard is likened to one on a net book (which I also recently got) in terms of size. Keys are silicon-based so are super-soft (no screen damage). The only key I am having trouble typing is the letter a. You can use your normal home-row key typing, but not everything follows the usual pattern on this keyboard since it is smaller than your standard keyboard. Example you ask? Only one shift button. Overall though, it totally beats having to post using one finger typing from the native iPAD keyboard. And, the bad boy was only $79.95 on Amazon at least as of last week. Normally it is $100-$150. Oh, and it was super easy to connect as I tried for about 10 seconds without reading anything and voila!-I was posting!

I wish there was a mousepad though. But you can still use your normal finger-mouse-ing. I believe I give it 4/5 stars so far. We'll see in a few days.














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And now I don't even...

Get to see the launch? Reality bites.


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Seriously...

Really Southwest? Really? I don't see my husband daily as it is. Must you delay the rendezvous by another two and a half hours?



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Location:Hobby airport