"Through falling leaves
I pick my way slowly,
Talking aloud
Eases my my mind,
Sunlight filters through
I fell my head is drifting.
So full of thoughts
I've thought of
What am I gonna do
I need some thoughts that are new"
- 'Nature', the Mutton Birds.
Eight weeks have come and gone here in paradise. Eight weeks of questions around taking one step forward and two steps backward. Eight weeks of a life unrestricted.
And now, after eight weeks in Rarotonga, I think I might have found the antidote to a cloudy mind.
Being Sunday I went to church and this week found myself at the Apostolic Church in Tupapa covering the Olympic team’s attendance.
After the service I went outside and had a look at the landscape, the rugged terrain and gave myself a moment to soak in the sound of leaves caressing each other in the easy breeze.
That was it. It was exactly what I needed.
I didn’t need to find justification through my workload or an over-commitment to several groups of people on the island.
The answer was right in front me. Nature, in all of its beauty and intrigue, was the tonic.
--
I went and had dinner at Trader Jacks tonight. I sat at a bench and looked out over the water as the sun started to set and the recurring theme of nature complementing a well balanced mind re-emerged.
I sat, stared out and read a feature article about the Oglala Lakota people who live in the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation from this month’s issue of National Geographic.
What a touching recollection of past tragedies and the subsequent revival of traditional Indian cultures it was. I thoroughly recommend it and thank fellow Cook Islands News journo Rachel Reeves for sharing.
The link for the feature is here: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/08/pine-ridge/fuller-text
After reading it, I took more time to further soak in my surroundings - the beautiful glassy water, the fabulously contrasting peaks towards the middle of the island and the Polynesian twist to well-known songs.
It sure makes for a better place than the Red Hut only a few days earlier.
--
Can I just say how wonderfully appreciative I am of all of you who have commented on the previous post or commented on the link, or got in contact with me to discuss it. Sometimes you forget just how many people are in your corner and I do really want to thank you all for your words of encouragement.
As a result, I'm going to send out some postcards with a little thank you message/update to show my appreciation! Just message me your address either through email (matiuworkman@gmail.com) or my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Matiu-Workman/121748831238664 and I'll send one your way :)
--
Meitaki maata for another week,
MW
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Trouble, trouble, toil and stumble
As is par for the course, it's almost fitting that my first wee post on this update comes from (vaguely at least) one of my clearly favourite hobbies: Eating.
--
I ate dinner tonight at a place called the Red Hut. It's a pretty informal sort of place - on the side of the road that almost resembles a shed rather than a restaurant. With no lighting around, I sat at the table provided and ate across the road from a restaurant showcasing their island night - full of glitz, glamour and Raro-infused remixes of cult classics like Shalalalala from the Vengaboys.
The setting was almost metaphorical from where I am at the moment here in Rarotonga. All of a sudden, after weeks of confidence-building productivitiy and feelings of confidence, today struck. Away from the fun, festival-type atmosphere of Rarotonga I was instead in a dimly lit area on the street. Helpless. Struggling.
It was supposed to be a good day. Following on from good days where I'd run a fair bit of copy and sunk my teeth into a weighty topic, today was all about following up details.
But, for some reason, I emotionally collapsed. By 6pm on Thursday night I was ready to go home, find the darkest corner in my pad and just let it all out.
I still can't explain it, looking back. I got into one of those states where life just doesn't want to cooperate with whatever you want to do. Stress envelopes everything, and stress' endorphins are nothing but frustratioin and melancholy.
While only into my eighth week here in Raro, today's mental shutdown certainly reminded me that, especially in the early stages, there is no such thing as complete peace of mind.
I would hardly call it a fall from comfortability - rather a stumble. It's time like these where a familiar face or a warm hug to come home to is the perfect tonic.
I texted mum when I was down and almost instantly felt a touch better. I guess it's about who you keep closest.
--
The hardest thing about being a journalist is that any idea you had of pleasing all parties is thrown out the door almost from the beginning.
Frankly, I struggle with that. As a people person I'm all about trying to ensure people are happy and unsatisfaction is the bane of my existance.
Now, that only happens from 5pm-8.30am Monday through to Friday and for the weekend. It's tough to digest but like I've said, it's something I've got to get used to.
--
If you had no idea or forgot about it, my first video blog post was uploaded :) Click on it, enjoy it, and let me know if you think I should add anything!
I'v already got ideas for the next few ones but it's always cool to hear what YOU want to see. I get to live here and see this stuff everyday - you don't, and that's the key to the videos! :)
Friday, August 10, 2012
Music, motoring and more Rarotongan fun
Have you ever come across a song that, for some reason unbeknownst to you, always manages to make you miss home? A song that has no obvious links to where you're from?
I found that song today, and of all the artists in the world it had to be one of the biggest bands in the world: Coldplay.
The song? 'Your love means everything'.
It's a song that, up until a few days ago, had no significant meaning. And then, on a Tuesday night while I was working on a new project, I came across the song.
Then the unthinkable happened. Memories of 'home' surfaced. Memories of friends, family, highlights and lowlights that all made for a three-minute video package.
On reflection it's interesting to see whether there really is a subconscious connection between specific songs and life back home, but at the time it was just plain scary.
A few days have passed and I've realised just how improtant discovering that song was. It wasn't for times when life's high-flying and everything is taking off. Nor is it for times when perhaps work, cricket or anything else here is feeling a little flat.
Rediscovering that song is for the times when hopes of life working out here feel grim, or in times of loneliness, sorrow or times when doubt resurfaces.
It took me two days, but the song wasn't trying to alienate me from life in New Zealand, or showcase what I have left behind.
It was the opposite. It showed me what I have at all times. It showed me people who care and are there to support me. It showed me moments that led to this exciting adventure and times of trial that I've had to overcome in order to get here.
Who would have thought that something so seemingly impersonal in the form of a 3-minute melody with a few words could affect someone in the way that it has done with me.
You just have to sit and be in awe at the power of music sometimes.
--
The generosity of the people here in the Cooks is something I have always admired, but it has truly come to the fore over the last few days after my scooter broke down. Again.
Brian, who owns a cafe here called Cafe Jireh and whose church I attend, invited me to his beautiful place for lunch.
My tyre blew on the way to his place and, having pulled over, I started walking home begrudgingly with this weight between my two forearms.
Enter two papas who put the bike on the back of the ute then got me to sit on it.
None of this fastening the bike carry-on. It was plain and simple "we're going to help you the only way we know how" and it was bloody fantastic.
Brian met me at my place and later let me borrow his own scooter while mine was to get fixed. I'm still very grateful for this offer, which I took up keenly. His yellow beast (known as the Custard Square - what his cafe is famous for) lasted me two days, however, before it mysteriously died.
While Brian's scooter had gone ka-put, my own tyre scenario was getting increasingly frustrating.
For the second time in three weeks a tyre had gone flat, forcing me to walk to work for a few days, which I didn't mind too much.
On the way to work, which is a 3-4km walk, I had no less than four people asking me if I wanted a ride to work.
Needing the exercise I flatly declined any of their enquiries but was so surprised at, despite having their own places to be, they would pull over after seeing a guy walking to work.
It was a refreshing feeling knowing that there were still a lot of people with awesome intentions here in this beautiful paradise known as Raro.
My cricket team's captain, Hori, came to the rescue and fixed my back tyre. I'm very grateful for his help - shot brother! Really appreciate it for the umpteenth time!
--
Thanks to mum and Youtube I have finally got my video camera working! I've just finished filming and editing my first 5-minute webisode in Rarotonga, but I thought I'd open it to the floor and see what you guys wanted to know about life here.
If you're interested in interviews with locals, let me know. If it's more scenery you want to see, tell me. I'm super keen to get your ideas so that you fully enjoy life here (Don't lie - I know of at least three of you who are trying to live vicariously through me here! ;) )
Anywho, let me know whenever or on this post what you are interested in seeing and I'll endeavor to throw it on this first one. No little sneak previews or bits of detail about the first one - I didn't really think of a general theme when I went out filming so it's pointless trying to explain it! ;)
--
Met a relative for the first time a few days ago. This skux, Nikora Vaetoru, is related to me through my late birthmother Theresa.
I didn't really understand the specific relations thing - we're family, that's enough for me.
It was choice meeting up with him while he was here with some group - even managed to catch the eye of some girls in a church service he went to.
What can I say, must be something to do with my birthmother's side of the family hey?
--
Cricket season is starting soon and I'm bursting with excitement.
Shout out to Ryan for shipping my cricket gear over from New Zealand. Next Saturday is our first warm-up game and captain Hori - who is the Cooks' first international captain - reckons I'm going up the order to complement the master sloggers in the side (of which there are plenty).
Pretty excited to get more into sport here. It's an awesome way to make friends and the guys I ahve already met and trained with are all good lads with chat coming at a premium. Outstanding season ahead, I reckon.
--
Somebody asked me about the Sheraton site in the last post. Lawyer Tim Arnold, who is representing the landowners here in the Cooks, said the Mirage Group in Auckland are still intrested in developing the site and they are in consultation as to what to do next. The Mirage Group are paying rent on the property.
--
That's all for this week's summary :) Hopefully the video will be put up in the next few days. Until then, be safe, meitaki maata and kia manuia!
Matiu
I found that song today, and of all the artists in the world it had to be one of the biggest bands in the world: Coldplay.
The song? 'Your love means everything'.
It's a song that, up until a few days ago, had no significant meaning. And then, on a Tuesday night while I was working on a new project, I came across the song.
Then the unthinkable happened. Memories of 'home' surfaced. Memories of friends, family, highlights and lowlights that all made for a three-minute video package.
On reflection it's interesting to see whether there really is a subconscious connection between specific songs and life back home, but at the time it was just plain scary.
A few days have passed and I've realised just how improtant discovering that song was. It wasn't for times when life's high-flying and everything is taking off. Nor is it for times when perhaps work, cricket or anything else here is feeling a little flat.
Rediscovering that song is for the times when hopes of life working out here feel grim, or in times of loneliness, sorrow or times when doubt resurfaces.
It took me two days, but the song wasn't trying to alienate me from life in New Zealand, or showcase what I have left behind.
It was the opposite. It showed me what I have at all times. It showed me people who care and are there to support me. It showed me moments that led to this exciting adventure and times of trial that I've had to overcome in order to get here.
Who would have thought that something so seemingly impersonal in the form of a 3-minute melody with a few words could affect someone in the way that it has done with me.
You just have to sit and be in awe at the power of music sometimes.
--
The generosity of the people here in the Cooks is something I have always admired, but it has truly come to the fore over the last few days after my scooter broke down. Again.
Brian, who owns a cafe here called Cafe Jireh and whose church I attend, invited me to his beautiful place for lunch.
My tyre blew on the way to his place and, having pulled over, I started walking home begrudgingly with this weight between my two forearms.
Enter two papas who put the bike on the back of the ute then got me to sit on it.
None of this fastening the bike carry-on. It was plain and simple "we're going to help you the only way we know how" and it was bloody fantastic.
Brian met me at my place and later let me borrow his own scooter while mine was to get fixed. I'm still very grateful for this offer, which I took up keenly. His yellow beast (known as the Custard Square - what his cafe is famous for) lasted me two days, however, before it mysteriously died.
While Brian's scooter had gone ka-put, my own tyre scenario was getting increasingly frustrating.
For the second time in three weeks a tyre had gone flat, forcing me to walk to work for a few days, which I didn't mind too much.
On the way to work, which is a 3-4km walk, I had no less than four people asking me if I wanted a ride to work.
Needing the exercise I flatly declined any of their enquiries but was so surprised at, despite having their own places to be, they would pull over after seeing a guy walking to work.
It was a refreshing feeling knowing that there were still a lot of people with awesome intentions here in this beautiful paradise known as Raro.
My cricket team's captain, Hori, came to the rescue and fixed my back tyre. I'm very grateful for his help - shot brother! Really appreciate it for the umpteenth time!
--
Thanks to mum and Youtube I have finally got my video camera working! I've just finished filming and editing my first 5-minute webisode in Rarotonga, but I thought I'd open it to the floor and see what you guys wanted to know about life here.
If you're interested in interviews with locals, let me know. If it's more scenery you want to see, tell me. I'm super keen to get your ideas so that you fully enjoy life here (Don't lie - I know of at least three of you who are trying to live vicariously through me here! ;) )
Anywho, let me know whenever or on this post what you are interested in seeing and I'll endeavor to throw it on this first one. No little sneak previews or bits of detail about the first one - I didn't really think of a general theme when I went out filming so it's pointless trying to explain it! ;)
--
Met a relative for the first time a few days ago. This skux, Nikora Vaetoru, is related to me through my late birthmother Theresa.
I didn't really understand the specific relations thing - we're family, that's enough for me.
It was choice meeting up with him while he was here with some group - even managed to catch the eye of some girls in a church service he went to.
What can I say, must be something to do with my birthmother's side of the family hey?
--
Cricket season is starting soon and I'm bursting with excitement.
Shout out to Ryan for shipping my cricket gear over from New Zealand. Next Saturday is our first warm-up game and captain Hori - who is the Cooks' first international captain - reckons I'm going up the order to complement the master sloggers in the side (of which there are plenty).
Pretty excited to get more into sport here. It's an awesome way to make friends and the guys I ahve already met and trained with are all good lads with chat coming at a premium. Outstanding season ahead, I reckon.
--
Somebody asked me about the Sheraton site in the last post. Lawyer Tim Arnold, who is representing the landowners here in the Cooks, said the Mirage Group in Auckland are still intrested in developing the site and they are in consultation as to what to do next. The Mirage Group are paying rent on the property.
--
That's all for this week's summary :) Hopefully the video will be put up in the next few days. Until then, be safe, meitaki maata and kia manuia!
Matiu
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