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.
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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!
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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! ;)
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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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