Cricket -Day 3 Ashes Series Game 1

Top left: Mou and I

Top right: English Team fielding.

Bottom left: English team take the field on the third day.

This blog is dedicated to my family -brothers , sisters, nieces and nephews who are die hard cricket fans.

Finally in Toowoomba

A stop over at the Japanese garden before visiting University of Southern Queensland.

Flight to Brisbane went well despite the turbulance hick up prior to landing. Waited at the terminal for about 45 mins before I caught the airport flyer to Toowoomba which took another 2 and a half hours bus ride.

Haven't done much today as the weather looks to be wet , windy and cold.

Hoping to get around in the next fews day to explore much of Toowoomba.

Lake Koena

This blog is dedicated to all my fun and nature loving nieces and nephews of the Paine clan who are always willing to spend the day at the Lake with me.
Lake Koena view from Kokori pamo ( meaning red hill)
My nieces and nephews from the Paine clan

Warebe to'o A local villager settles to catch something for dinner

It is a must do activity when I visit my village every vacation. With no cost at all to spend you are free to enjoy the untouched nature that has so much history dating back to my great great grand fathers who lived a nomadic life- style until they settled for the banks of Lake Koena. It was here that my father was born and grew up imitating the ways of the villagers as a young boy, especially from his father and grandfather who were very much keen on passing their skills, knowledge and values to him as he was the oldest of the Paine boy.

With the news that aunt Ep is planning to spend the day at lake Koena the little ears are alert that they waste no time in alarming their cousins in the neighborhood. Morning arrives , I am ready with my swimmers, hat, sun- screen, water bottle, footwear and some food/fruits to keep us going for the day and I notice little bodies assembling; I know I have company. They worry nothing about a towel nor the swimmers, water bottle or hat. They are as happy as a clam that they know the day will be filled with fun and perhaps special treat from aunt Ep with lollies.

A typical day out at Lake Koena includes use of 2 0r 3 canoes to paddle to certain location; station at a location and swim as much as we can; enjoy local fruits/food for lunch; swim some more and then paddle back to the shore; last jump in for a swim (Mo'o) as my little nieces and nephews like to call it; pack up and we are all ready to walk another 30 -40 minutes back to Begabari pamo village (Village on the hill top).
Arriving at the village we are welcomed with food prepared by my extended family members
( The tireless and kindest sister in laws who happen to be the mums of some of the nieces and nephews I went out with at the lake) who will never let you pass by without having a bite of their best produce and a drink of mutari tu ( coconut juice).
After spending an hour or 2 we excuse ourselves and leave for our little family village -Deu.
By the time we reach home its 5.00 0r 5.30pm. Its been a long day and I am finally having the need to rest my tired feet and a few chats with family members about how the day went.

Farewell Koro

I was finally leaving Koro after 4 years 10 months and 10 years 10 months with I.E.A. This was official as of 15th October, 2010.

There was inquisitiveness amongst students that they wanted to know why I was leaving.They even made an appointment to visit me one afternoon in my office and asked me;

What do you find most difficult to leave Korobosea? What were your most treasurable moments?
There was one I remember very well as I was doing my usual walk-about around the school grounds when a very cheerless face confronted me and asked " Ms Paine..Why are you leaving us???..........

There is always a season for everything, a season to begin a new life somewhere, a season to renew your contracts, a season to celebrate life....For me it is a season to begin a new life somewhere; a future that is unknown but there is hope for something good to happen :)
My working life at Koro has been the most rewarding experience which I am very grateful for .The people I have worked with; the children, staff and parents of Koro. have been extraordinarily wonderful..As I depart I have every belief that Koro will continue to be the best with the best people who tirelessly and wholeheartedly commit their efforts in ensuring that the quality of education is the best amongst the schools in P.N.G.

Thank you Koro and farewell!