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| my puppies |
Monday, October 22, 2007
My occasional guard dogs
Here are Cathlene (a boy), Bouser, and Carmen they are all adorable and incredibly loving for Fijian puppies...
figure drawing class
This is our second night of figure drawing. I was off this night, not nearly as successful as last week but Melanie assures me this is normal. I did learn that it is much easier to draw when your paper is on an easel and standing. It was suggested that I move my shoulder to draw with and not just my wrist, the movements become more fluid. Here are the results....
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| figurative drawings |
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Figure drawing class
We organized a figure drawing class, with a teacher from New Zealand. We arranged for one of the Oceanic dancers to come pose for us. As many experiences in Fiji he did not show up and showed no professional courtesy by letting us know he could not make it. So we convinced one of the gardeners to pose for us and we got our teacher to go home and change into tighter clothing so we could continue the class. The gardener was lovely and very patient with us and our teacher was a trooper. Here are some of my sketches, and Melanie our guest teacher supported our process by encouraging us to take one of the sketches and paint it. This is the result:
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| figure drawing |
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Our Crazy Canadian Thanksgiving
Three Canadian families got together at Robins house to have a Fijian version of a Canadian Thanksgiving. Robins husband tracked down "wild chicken legs" which are actually turkey, so we were able to have turkey soup for our dinner. We had a fabulous time and ended the night with dessert crepes.
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| thanksgivi |
png phallocrypt
My friend Ruth was going to PNG and I asked her to bring back a panis sheath, which are also called phallocrypts. I am now a proud owner of a phallocrypt:
Koteka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The koteka, horim, or penis sheath is a phallocrypt or phallocarp traditionally worn by native male inhabitants of some (mainly highland) ethnic groups in western New Guinea to cover their genitals. They are normally made from a dried out gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, although other species, such as Nepenthes mirabilis, are also used. They are held in place by a small loop of fiber attached to the base of the koteka and placed around the testicles. There is a secondary loop placed around the chest or abdomen and attached to the main body of the koteka. Men choose kotekas similar to ones worn by other men in their cultural group. For example, Yali men favour a long, thin koteka, which helps hold up the multiple rattan hoops worn around their waist. Men from Tiom wear a double gourd, held up with a strip of cloth, and use the space between the two gourds for carrying small items such as money and tobacco.
It is traditional clothing in certain New Guinea highlands societies including in the Grand Baliem Valley of Papua and the Ok Tedi and Telefomin regions of Papua New Guinea. It is worn without other clothing, tied in upward position (see image).
Many tribes can be identified by the way they wear their koteka. Some wear them pointed straight out, straight up, at an angle, or in other directions. The diameter of the koteka can also be a clue. Contrary to popular belief, there is little correlation between the size or length of the koteka and the social status of the wearer. Kotekas of different sizes serve different purposes: very short kotekas are worn when working and longer and more elaborate kotekas are worn on festive occasions. The koteka is made of a specially grown gourd. Stone weights are tied to the bottom of the gourd to stretch it out as it grows. Curves can be made in it by the use of string to restrain its growth in whatever direction the grower wishes. They can be quite elaborately shaped in this manner. When harvested, the gourd is emptied and dried. It is sometimes waxed with beeswax or native resins. It can be painted, and/or have shells, feathers and other decorations attached to it.
It is commonly assumed that there is a sexual display element to wearing the koteka, however, according to the locals, kotekas are worn only to cover themselves. Campaigns by the Indonesian government to suppress the koteka in Papua occurred in the 1970s. The campaigns have been largely unsuccessful in areas such as the Baliem Valley.
In 1971-1972 the government launched "Operasi Koteka" ("Operation Penis Gourd") which consisted primarily of trying to encourage the people to wear shorts and shirts because such clothes were considered more "modern." But the people did not have changes of clothing, did not have soap, and were unfamiliar with the care of such clothes so the unwashed clothing caused skin diseases. There were also reports of men wearing the shorts as hats and the women using the dresses as carrying bags.
Missionaries in the 1950s attempted to alter the local customs by forcing locals to wear shorts. Many of the Dani of the Baliem Valley felt exposed without their kotekas and could be seen wearing shorts with their kotekas sticking out of them. Eventually the missionary effort and the Indonesian government's campaign were abandoned. Nevertheless, western clothing is required in government buildings, and children are required to wear western clothing in school. Kotekas are still considered acceptable attire in church, however.
Phallocrypts are decorative penis sheaths worn in parts of New Guinea during traditional ceremonies. They are usually made out of gourds or woven fibers and decorated with feathers, beads, cowry shells, and small metal ornaments. The most elaborate phallocrypts are sold to tourists as souvenirs and are not usually representative of ones actually used in ceremonies.
A phallocrypt can also be a simple ornament hung from male genitalia as part of a cultural expression, for ceremonial use or pure decoration. Among a number of ancient and modern people throughout the Oceanic world (island cultures), Africa and many parts of the Americas it was (and still is in some places) a common form of ornamentation. Among Aboriginal peoples of Australia they wore an ornate carved pearl shell type called a Lonka Lonka. It is hung from the genitals by a twisted thong made of human hair. They are often ornately engraved with mainly geometric patterns and the grooves were colored with reddish ochre. Some South American cultures actually hung heavy, carved jade and other hardstone ornaments from piercings through the skin of their penis and scrotum. These were usually of a temporary ritualistic nature.
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| png phallocryp |
Koteka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The koteka, horim, or penis sheath is a phallocrypt or phallocarp traditionally worn by native male inhabitants of some (mainly highland) ethnic groups in western New Guinea to cover their genitals. They are normally made from a dried out gourd, Lagenaria siceraria, although other species, such as Nepenthes mirabilis, are also used. They are held in place by a small loop of fiber attached to the base of the koteka and placed around the testicles. There is a secondary loop placed around the chest or abdomen and attached to the main body of the koteka. Men choose kotekas similar to ones worn by other men in their cultural group. For example, Yali men favour a long, thin koteka, which helps hold up the multiple rattan hoops worn around their waist. Men from Tiom wear a double gourd, held up with a strip of cloth, and use the space between the two gourds for carrying small items such as money and tobacco.
It is traditional clothing in certain New Guinea highlands societies including in the Grand Baliem Valley of Papua and the Ok Tedi and Telefomin regions of Papua New Guinea. It is worn without other clothing, tied in upward position (see image).
Many tribes can be identified by the way they wear their koteka. Some wear them pointed straight out, straight up, at an angle, or in other directions. The diameter of the koteka can also be a clue. Contrary to popular belief, there is little correlation between the size or length of the koteka and the social status of the wearer. Kotekas of different sizes serve different purposes: very short kotekas are worn when working and longer and more elaborate kotekas are worn on festive occasions. The koteka is made of a specially grown gourd. Stone weights are tied to the bottom of the gourd to stretch it out as it grows. Curves can be made in it by the use of string to restrain its growth in whatever direction the grower wishes. They can be quite elaborately shaped in this manner. When harvested, the gourd is emptied and dried. It is sometimes waxed with beeswax or native resins. It can be painted, and/or have shells, feathers and other decorations attached to it.
It is commonly assumed that there is a sexual display element to wearing the koteka, however, according to the locals, kotekas are worn only to cover themselves. Campaigns by the Indonesian government to suppress the koteka in Papua occurred in the 1970s. The campaigns have been largely unsuccessful in areas such as the Baliem Valley.
In 1971-1972 the government launched "Operasi Koteka" ("Operation Penis Gourd") which consisted primarily of trying to encourage the people to wear shorts and shirts because such clothes were considered more "modern." But the people did not have changes of clothing, did not have soap, and were unfamiliar with the care of such clothes so the unwashed clothing caused skin diseases. There were also reports of men wearing the shorts as hats and the women using the dresses as carrying bags.
Missionaries in the 1950s attempted to alter the local customs by forcing locals to wear shorts. Many of the Dani of the Baliem Valley felt exposed without their kotekas and could be seen wearing shorts with their kotekas sticking out of them. Eventually the missionary effort and the Indonesian government's campaign were abandoned. Nevertheless, western clothing is required in government buildings, and children are required to wear western clothing in school. Kotekas are still considered acceptable attire in church, however.
Phallocrypts are decorative penis sheaths worn in parts of New Guinea during traditional ceremonies. They are usually made out of gourds or woven fibers and decorated with feathers, beads, cowry shells, and small metal ornaments. The most elaborate phallocrypts are sold to tourists as souvenirs and are not usually representative of ones actually used in ceremonies.
A phallocrypt can also be a simple ornament hung from male genitalia as part of a cultural expression, for ceremonial use or pure decoration. Among a number of ancient and modern people throughout the Oceanic world (island cultures), Africa and many parts of the Americas it was (and still is in some places) a common form of ornamentation. Among Aboriginal peoples of Australia they wore an ornate carved pearl shell type called a Lonka Lonka. It is hung from the genitals by a twisted thong made of human hair. They are often ornately engraved with mainly geometric patterns and the grooves were colored with reddish ochre. Some South American cultures actually hung heavy, carved jade and other hardstone ornaments from piercings through the skin of their penis and scrotum. These were usually of a temporary ritualistic nature.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Barty
This little angle was dropped in our laps one Sunday morning. Born that day she was left in the gutter. We figure her mom was moving her litter and got scared and dropped this little gipper and never came back. Well we phone the spca and they told us to come down with the baby. We did and were told no one was available to take of her and we would have too till Monday. We would have to feed her every 30 minutes and stroke her genitals to make her pee and pooh!!!! Well we put on our big girl panties and hunkered in feeding and peeing Barty every 30 minutes.
Josie and I did it all day and evening and at about 11pm Stan and Chris took over, since they would be up till 4am watching world cup rugby they could take care of Barty during the night. I got up at 6am and started taking care of her with Josie till the spca opened at 10:30am.
I would love to say that this story has a happy ending but it does not. She was too small and the vet felt from his experience that puppies this young never make it past 2 weeks, so we had her put down.
We are very grateful for the time we had with her, and trust that she felt very loved, safe and cared for which is a very foreign concept in Fiji.
In tradition of our street our little girl puppy was given a boys name (the boy dogs have girl names, why I have no idea)
With great honour I share with you:
BARTY
Josie and I did it all day and evening and at about 11pm Stan and Chris took over, since they would be up till 4am watching world cup rugby they could take care of Barty during the night. I got up at 6am and started taking care of her with Josie till the spca opened at 10:30am.
I would love to say that this story has a happy ending but it does not. She was too small and the vet felt from his experience that puppies this young never make it past 2 weeks, so we had her put down.
We are very grateful for the time we had with her, and trust that she felt very loved, safe and cared for which is a very foreign concept in Fiji.
In tradition of our street our little girl puppy was given a boys name (the boy dogs have girl names, why I have no idea)
With great honour I share with you:
BARTY
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| barty |
Nananu-i-ra
A group of us (15) decided to take off for the weekend and head to Nananu-I-Ra which is a small island at the very tip of the eastern side of the Viti Levu. Basically you go to Rakiraki and catch a boat to Nananu-I-Ra. We had a great time, I enjoyed reading, painting and hanging out with friends. Most importantly spending some quality time with Stan.
He did give me several scares that weekend. He tipped his kayak and could not get back into shore. He tried to swim himself and the kayak back to the shoreline but the current was way to strong. So he finally let go of the boat and swam to a reef and called for help for 30 minutes. Eventually someone saw him and contacted the resort that one of their guests was in trouble. He happily got rescued, by that time the boat had been swept by the current to the end of the island. The lesson of the story...He won't kayak by himself or if he does he will have a whistle with him!!!
The next day he decided to go for a run and he was gone forever and I was getting concern that he passed out from the heat. He had no water with him and it was very hot. He decided to go off the track and work his way down the slope to follow the shore line it was much more treacherous than he realized. Just as I was going to send out someone to find him he was coming back. I am relieved he is ok but at the same time I want to kill him for scaring me again!!!
Here are some pictures of our adventures....
He did give me several scares that weekend. He tipped his kayak and could not get back into shore. He tried to swim himself and the kayak back to the shoreline but the current was way to strong. So he finally let go of the boat and swam to a reef and called for help for 30 minutes. Eventually someone saw him and contacted the resort that one of their guests was in trouble. He happily got rescued, by that time the boat had been swept by the current to the end of the island. The lesson of the story...He won't kayak by himself or if he does he will have a whistle with him!!!
The next day he decided to go for a run and he was gone forever and I was getting concern that he passed out from the heat. He had no water with him and it was very hot. He decided to go off the track and work his way down the slope to follow the shore line it was much more treacherous than he realized. Just as I was going to send out someone to find him he was coming back. I am relieved he is ok but at the same time I want to kill him for scaring me again!!!
Here are some pictures of our adventures....
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| nananu-i-r |
Open day at USP
Every year USP has open day for high school students and potential students to explore the campus and see what programs are offered. The best part of open day is the show of dancing! Various countries will do their traditional dance, here are just a few pictures of just a few of the countries. The theater arts program also put on plays throughout the day!
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| open day fiji |
HomeStay gallery opening
Josie and I have our dolls and pillows for sale at homestay gallery. This is the galleries grand opening night...
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| home stay gallery opening |
Weekend away
After a week of having to listen to a Methodist Minister yell from 4 till 9 or 10 at night Josie and I had to escape the city on Sunday when we knew it would be an all day affair. I would like to mention that this gathering happened blocks from our houses but it was like he was in our room with a microphone.
On top of this when the methodists did there fund raising there custom is to have turtles. endangered turtles!!!! As a very hard compromise they were allowed 12 turtles to be caught to eat, much to WWF dismay, they felt it was too much. Well guess how many turtles the methodists caught.....84 thats right 84 endangered turtles!!!
Anyways here are a few pictures of the Warrick, our haven from the shouting.
On top of this when the methodists did there fund raising there custom is to have turtles. endangered turtles!!!! As a very hard compromise they were allowed 12 turtles to be caught to eat, much to WWF dismay, they felt it was too much. Well guess how many turtles the methodists caught.....84 thats right 84 endangered turtles!!!
Anyways here are a few pictures of the Warrick, our haven from the shouting.
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| warwic weekend |
Happy Birthday to Me
I started my day with Josie giving me a great present a basket from the Solomons filled with very important things like brown rice, strawberries, molasses and more. Then she took me for a hot rock massage which was heaven. Then for a surprise lunch with the girls. In fact the whole day was an amazing surprise!!!!!! The next night Stan arranged for a pizza night with family and friends and more cake! It was a great day, two days!!!
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| My Birthday |
A day of face painting
As a fund raiser for Josie's girls school they had a carnival day and I helped with face painting. At some point however the kids decided that they wanted to create art and that I was there canvas this is what happened....
There are also shots of carmen our lovely house dog, she is very sweet (she is yawning in that picture) and I am so happy she has found herself a North American caregiver.
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| face painting |
There are also shots of carmen our lovely house dog, she is very sweet (she is yawning in that picture) and I am so happy she has found herself a North American caregiver.
ED 281
This is the next level of the class that I took last term, the only difference is we actually get to do art!!!!!
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| art class ed281 |
The Playhouse art exhibit
I entered my first art exhibit in Fiji, the ANZ playhouse art exhibit that has been running for years. This is what I entered....
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| playhouse art exibihion |
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Lawaki Guest House
Next we are off to Lawaki Guest house for the weekend! It was my favorite place on the entire trip. I love the peace and quite, the amazing simple healthy food, fresh made bread, fabulous preserves made from local fruit, and great meals. The the owners are great and willing to go out of there way for dietary needs and requests. They are completely eco-friendly and get what a gift they have, a little piece of heaven. In saying that, it is not for the person that wants the high end experience. Rustic is the best way to describe this accommodation. www.lawakibeachhouse.com
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| lawaki guest house |
Friday, September 28, 2007
Pacific Harbour
We are heading to Pacific Harbour for a few days. We will be staying at the Uprising so we can explore the local area. Spend a day at Pacific Harbour Village shopping for war clubs. Then the next day a river raft up the Navua river to the Nakavu village that was established by John Humphrey Danford and then to waterfalls in the Namosi Highlands. www.discoverfijitours.com
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| heading to Pacific Harbour |
Oceanic Art
Here is some of the art that gets created at the Oceanic Art Centre. This is just a few pictures from the last show that happened. This is where I hang out some of the time and create art.
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| Oceanic Arts Centre |
The exploration of Suva
There was no rest for the wicked and my family was up and ready to explore downtown Suva. We barely scratched the surface of what can be explored in what is known as the Pearl of the Pacific. First Stop the University to see where Stan works and I play .
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| exploring Suva |
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