June 9, 2004

June 9th 2004

Thoughts-after all the company we have had I awoke sneezing and coughing uncontrollably. Amazing how your body can hold everything together just to fall apart when you want to feel your best! The sun rose, the dog barked and the bird sang. All I could do was groan! This being the third time I am here I think it is about time I explored a bit of photography. With numerous subjects at hand it is only a matter of discipline, discipline I have lacked for too many months now. Time to purge, cleanse or whatever you may call it and get centered. With the possibility of an assistant looming in the future I need to get on it-no excuses will be handy. Paula has introduced me to her assistant and the possibility is at hand to have here sell my photographs, stories and even books. With 4 years of cruising under my belt there is no excuse for not hitting the workbench once again. I have had plenty of time to relax. The boys are almost grown and Jim is busy with his own business of the day. Time to write goals, jot ideas and focus on end results once again. With news of my previous chiropractic office going down the tubes it is evident what happens when an owner is not "present "in the moment. Rich decided a long time ago not to seek my advise and it unfortunately looks like he will pay the piper for not seeking someone's advice as the business is faltering badly. Amazingly this does not surprise nor sadden me as once he paid the loan off with a bank loan I expected as much. Why is it that those who need it most are the most stubborn when it comes to seeking the wisdom of experience? Is this not a key business success strategy? As I have spent more than enough time wondering about the downfall of my previous business success I will not ruminate more on the subject-but it is a source of mild frustration that you can turn over so much to an individual and they can sabotage themselves via previously set patterns instead of following their dreams! And Kelcey-so what are your dreams?? This will take some thought.

--Jim and I decided to go into Nuku'alofa today and shop for our groceries as well as for everyone else's groceries. It was a study in Tonga. We went to the market and the grocery and then Jim went back to the boat to deliver things and pick up a few checks while I went to the airline office to confirm Mary Ann's flight. Well first I found I was at the wrong office, There are not one but two emerging airlines!! When I walked across town in the pouring rain I found a very nice pleasant woman with a diamond the size of a doorknob who politely said,"I am so sorry we have no reservation for a Mary Ann Yates!" and I just as pleasantly walked out of her office-then I went to the bank to deposit checks into my ANZ account which I opened in new Zealand and was assured I could deposit Tongan money into and out of with no service charge---wrong-after Jim and I sat there for over 20 minuets we were again politely told"I am so sorry this can not be done". Off to lunch-I am happy to report that the Tongans get an A+ in politeness as well as being able to feed you efficiently but in all other areas I am not sure if I should be frustrated or pleased with their gentile nature! After 2 trips to Nukulofa and a third looming in my mind due to the defunct airline and now two airlines as start-ups that can't keep a reservation straight I have little hope that those who wish to visit this summer will be able to! And such is life in third world countries especially those which are monarchy's!-one dream is to have an airline working in Vavaú!!