Christmas Day Weather - Jay

The weather in Fiji on Christmas day is varied.

When the boys woke up this morning at 5:30am... it was Christmas morning... it was dark but still warm. It was still in the upper 70's and the warm air flowed through the windows. We could hear the voices from across the street of other children playing with their newly opened toys.

After presents and stockings, we headed down to the Gurenos and hung out. The sun was shining and hot. Reaching into the upper 80's, we could feel the heat burning our shoulders as we sat outside with a cool drink.

To hot to hang, many of the group jumped into the pool to cool down. Splashing, swimming, and relaxing. Then it rained. The rain fell like cold pellets out of the sky. The pool water and air were warmer than the rain. it splashed on the shoulders cooling us down even further.

The moral of the story is... don't like the weather? Just wait a minute. It will change.

Pure Gold - Jay

Here's something that you don't see a lot of here in Fiji. Cougar Gold! Yum. We brought a tin with us to the country. Cougar Gold cheese is good for eating directly out of the tin, or putting it on a piece of bread.

Merry Christmas - Jay

While our friends at home in California get their morning started... Its Christmas morning here in Fiji. The kids got up at about 5:30am local time (8:30am Pacific time). Yes, that is 21 hours ahead of time.

The boys opened up their stockings and pulled out all sorts of neat things. they got things like hand sanitizers, glow sticks, mini flashlights, walking pedometers, toothpaste, the standard socks and underwear, silly putty, pencils, and lotion.

Karen's stocking was awesome again this year. It was a pile of beauty supplies for the face: lip balm; for the hair: head bands, pony tail holder, & hair ties; and for the eyes: eye liner, fake eye lashes, and an excellent pair of sunglasses. The package suggests that santa shops at Athletic Performance on Lincoln Avenue in San Jose.

Jay's had socks & underwear, dental supplies, and some electronics. Just what was needed. He also collected some well sized "cool weather" outfits and a gift certificate from his favorite car wash.

Then came the Fiji style gift exchange: Creighton is into drawing right now and received a nice journal and pens where he can practice his craft. Easton got some Paul Frank items and an origami & paper airplane kits.

Overall a good Christmas.