5 km dog walk...

 

Today, I went for my usual weekend walk of 5 km's in a hour. However, today was quite different as I somehow found a companion to walk the full hour with. It's quite a funny story...

Usually, when I see a dog that I'm walking towards without an owner, I immediately walk onto the other side of the road. When I saw this dog coming towards me, I did the same.

What I didn't know was that there was a lady on that side of the road and the dog had followed behind me. As I walked towards her, she tried to get my attention and said that she was afraid of dogs.

I saw that the dog wasn't aggressive at all and I encouraged her to keep walking as there was a man walking a short distance behind me. She kept walking but was very fearful and then I just kept walking thinking that the dog was going on his own way.

I walked up to a major intersection and saw that there were no cars coming, so I walked across the road and was so surprised to see the dog crossing besides me. It was a medium sized dog with a heavy duty chain around it's neck.

I'm not sure of the breed of the dog but it looked like a pit bull cross. It looked like it had been well cared for with no scars or abrasions and just started walking with me a little in the front and sometimes smelling the poles and bushes along the way.

I thought after a few minutes that it would leave or go it's own way but it seemed to be happy to just stroll along with me as I first started at a fast pace to get me warmed up and then took it easy as I walked up an incline.

Believe it or not, it continued to follow me for the full hour walk and I changed my usual route to accommodate it as I thought that it would be best for me to take it back to where we had first met, just in case the owner was looking for it.

Along the way, I saw the dog walk up to a young man who looked like he'd just been dropped off by a work colleague with all his clothes in one hand. He walked around the car and the dog followed him. I could tell that he was scared and so I reassured him that the dog seemed okay and to continue. I called the dog to "come here" and he left the man and followed me as we continued to walk.

When we were just about back home, a saw an older couple walking and the woman had an umbrella. The dog approached her and she feigned to hit the dog, they asked of whose dog it was and I explained that it was following me and that I didn't know who it belonged to. I told the dog to come with me and we continued walking.

When I hit home, I decided to go in for a shower and thought I'd lost the dog as it had run ahead of me. The next thing I know, is that it's whining outside the front door and banging on the door. I tell my youngest the story and she goes and wants to play with the dog. I go to see them playing like they're old friends and she gives it some water too.

I wonder if it's micro-chipped and that the owner might be looking for it or wondering what's happened to it (having lost dogs before and looking all over for it in the past). So I called our local SPCA (Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals) and they put us to the dog control department.

This story does have a good ending as when the dog control guy came to pick up the dog, the dog was micro-chipped and he was able to identify who the dog owner was. The dog wanted to jump into the van so it was no problem for him. He identified the dog as a frequent roamer and would have a talk with the owner to ensure the safety of all involved.

Wow! just another Sunday stroll, with a dog, and look what it brings (a lot of smiles)...

Watching the Barbie movie...

It was really interesting to take my youngest to watch the Barbie movie on it's opening week. I thought to book one of those recliners and it was neat to just relax and watch the movie.

I wanted to know if the movie lived up to it's hype with some of the cast saying that it (the movie) can make you laugh and cry and feel lots of other emotions. I must say that it did live up to the hype and some.

I thought the characters and storyline were quite fun and I liked the bright colours as well as the representations of the various Barbies both male and female.

It brought back memories of how it wasn't a priority growing up for me but I did buy some for my daughters with accompanying paraphenalia like a pony, doll house, clothing and accessories.

I also remember buying a Bride Barbie as a momento when it was my wedding as well. Now I wish I had left it in the box as it has seen better days. I think it's nice to know that there's a Barbie or Ken doll for any and the movie depicted that quite well...

Earrings from Samoa...

Almost forgot to post up a pic of the earrings that I managed to buy at the Apia markets in Samoa. As many of my earrings had been borrowed by one of my daughters, I thought it was high time that I replenished my collection.

Again, buying my favourite design which looks like a flower but is actually the footprints of a bird. So you can see the variety of beautifully handcrafted earrings that I was able to pick up.

It was also interesting to see how in one pair of earrings, paua shell or sometimes known as abalone shell had been incorporated into the design. Now paua isn't native to Samoa but it appeals to me as they are plentiful in NZ and more of a SamoaNZ design for first generation NZ born Samoans like me.

I also like how they've been able to incorporate the wood with various varnishes and painted designs. There were some shell earrings with a red nut called lopa which I think is native to Samoa (although not sure if those particular shells are). The brown round earrings are also a nut.

So there you have it, a small collection of earrings made in Samoa and sold in the markets with so many other designs that you'll just might have to add to your collection or buy for a loved one on your next trip to Samoa. The prices are reasonable and there is also room to bargain but for now these ones will suffice until my next trip to Samoa which will be at the end of the year, Lord willing...
 

Star compass on waka outside Maritime Museum...

This weekend, I was able to take my class to Auckland Maritime Museum for a fieldtrip. I wanted to see if my students would be able to see the Star compass aboard the waka (Maori name for sea vessel).

The double hulled Ocean voyaging Maori waka called 'Haunui' was moored right next to the Maritime Museum.

According to the sign that was alongside the ocean going vessel, its mission is to help in the revitalization of traditional waka culture and knowledge in the Pacific. 

Another one of its aims is to promote the awareness of the oceans, pollution and climate change. The waka has a fascinating history as it was built in Auckland in 2009 and has gone on many Ocean voyages in reviving ancient navigational systems such as learning about the star compass.

Through a video, I was able to share this knowledge with my class about some of the different thinking around traditional Pacific oceanic voyaging that uses star navigating rather than using tools such as sextants etc.

It was fascinating to learn that in the star compass that there are four quadrants and within each of the quadrants house 7 star houses that rise and fall. This was amazing for my class to learn about as they were fairly new concepts that was ancient ancestral knowledge that is being reclaimed today.

It's a part of reclaiming almost lost knowledge but also understanding the breath and depths of ancestral knowledge that too was almost lost. I spoke about changing the narrative in that the early explorers, such as Captain Cook, would have been shocked at just how adept Pacific peoples were with sea crafts when he first saw them around the Pacific Islands.

Suffice to say that it was a very long day after visiting an Maori and Pacific art exhibition at our local Mangere Arts Centre and then we went on a quick visit to the Ihumatao. This place was where protesting/protection and a stand off with police took place pre-COVID against a corporate company building residential housing on land that had once been indigenous owned land but had been confiscated in the around the mid 1800s and then resold to the new pakeha (European) settlers.

It was good to be able to share some of the recent history of the local manawhenua or indigenous peoples who had territorial rights of guardianship over the lands. Despite the colonial government, at the times, corruption and racist policies against the indigenous Maori people. So much has changed since but although we've come a long way, there's still a long way to go...

 

Beautiful song "Te Arohanui" by Stan Walker...

 It was so sad and scary yesterday to learn of a gunman who shot and killed two people on a building site and injured around 10 others. I had been picking up my online shopping from a local supermarket when I heard on the radio news that people should not go into the CBD Central business district as there was something serious happening there.

It wasn't until I went to my morning eye appointment that I found out from the optometrist that three people were dead (later learning including the gunman). With many injured as a result of the confrontation.

This evening, in my class, we took a moment of silence in paying our respects to those who had passed away, those who were injured and those who have been traumatized by these events. It's even more pressing as the Women's FIFA (football) world cup is being hosted by NZ and there are a lot of teams being hosted in the inner city hotels. 

But there is now a significant police presence as there is a belief that it was a lone gunman with a personal agenda moreso that acting on political or other beliefs. Still it does leave one apprehensive of going into the city as I had already arranged for my class to visit the CBD tomorrow in visiting the Maritime Museum.

Which brings me to this beautiful waiata (Maori word for song) that I heard yesterday by my favourite gifted male singer, Stan Walker. It's called "Te Arohanui" the great love (or deep affection). I've had on repeat since last night. It's a beautiful song about love and that's what we need to remember in times like these. 

It reminds me that despite the evil that lurks around every corner, that there are beautiful people out there who would help in times of trouble like the heroes who ran into danger to protect and keep the peace for others.

That's in remembering the frontline workers like the police, ambulance staff and some innocent bystanders who would give their lives without even second guessing in order to save the lives of many. Now that's something to celebrate but to pray and hope that there is never a need to have to do it. Here's a song that reminds me of the good in others and the hope that we can have in each other...

Woven mementos from Apia markets in Samoa...

 

Back from the motherland Samoa and got straight back into work and all the busyness of life here in NZ. However, we brought some neat woven souvenirs with us as a memento of our time together there.

These were purchased at the Apia main markets for around $15 SAT (Samoa tala). These are neat woven crafts that make nice gifts as an example of some of the beautiful handicrafts that are sold to support families.

I've always enjoyed visited the markets in Apia and viewing all of the beautiful products. They do allow bargaining but I also believe that it's important to also pay what's being asked for especially with the exchange rate of the Samoa tala not being as strong as other western currencies.

The orange lavalava in the background was one of three lovely Samoa inspired designs of lavalava gifted by my sister-in-law before we left for NZ. She also gave us packaged baked goods i.e. coconut biscuits, banana chips & taro chips packets that are popular with bringing to NZ. We were able to share with our families here which was such a blessing too...

Homeward bound from Samoa…

Am here in the departure lounge of Faleolo airport awaiting our flight back to cold, cold NZ.

It’s been a very fruitful trip with a lot of thought work finished. Having started illustrating a second book with research completed.

Now ready to watch a put me to sleep movie on the plane. Although I gotta say that I’m looking forward to watching the “Barbie” movie which is being released when I get back but that’s another story. 

So thankful for the opportunity to visit the motherland and blessed with so much done in giving and receiving a lot of love from family and friends. Tofa soifua Samoa…

 

Lali (traditional drum) in Samoa...

 

Yesterday, I went with my youngest to the Apia wharf to pick up our fumigated goods to be taken on the plane back to Auckland (not looking forward to the cold there).

Afterwards, we decided to go back to the markets, in Apia, to check out some drums that my youngest had spotted the last time that we had visited the markets.

She's been taking lessons at her school in learning how to play the Cook Island drums. This is amazing, for me, as I grew up in a church community with Cook Island drumming and it's a beat that I'm familiar with and enjoy in having been a part of a Cook Island dance troupe many years ago.

So we had a look and I saw that it was a lali or traditional Samoan drum that she was interested in. The Cook Island ones that they use in dance music are much larger and are propped up on stilt-like legs.

The craft seller remembered me from an earlier purchase and gave me a bargain price that I couldn't turn down. So we purchased it and my youngest is very happy drumming out her beats. Sad thing is that we won't be able to take this on the plane as it missed the fumigation window time period.

This trip has been such an encouraging experience that reinforces the studies on measina a Samoa that I've almost completed and reminds me that there is still much to do. Already, we're looking forward to our end of the year trip in returning back to Samoa, with more family for much celebrations...

Beach side drives in Samoa...

 One of the favourite things about Samoa that I share with my youngest is going out on long drives along the coast line of Upolu on Beach Road. With the azure ocean at my shoulder, the cool breeze blowing through my hair and palm trees waving as we glide slowly past. Absolutely relaxing.

My youngest took this video as we drove up to Falelatai and back from where my late Papa built his first house for his beloved mother. The island in the distance is the island of Manono which I'm hoping to visit soon.

We went to visit our family in Si'ufaga, in the Falelatai district, and went to visit my grandma Kika's grave there. It brought back so many memories of my first trip there in 1972 as a lil' child and the neat memories of exploring Samoa with my parents.

We were able to pick some frangipani plants and U'a (mulberry plants for making tapa cloth). My mother and I are keen gardens, back in the day, and I'm trying to revive that again with our family home in Fasito'o-uta. 

As both my parents were keen gardeners when they returned to retire in Samoa and we have so many vegetables, fruit and cultivated plants as a result of their fore site. There are a couple more plants that I'm looking to plant and that's the Teuila and the 'crab fingers' plant (not sure of the botanical name).

Only a few more days and we'll be back in cold, cold NZ. No wonder so many elder Samoans did not enjoy the cold winters of NZ when there are such beautiful cool breezes at this time of year in Samoa. Just enjoying it until it's time to fly back to our NZ home...

Siva O Le Siapo...

 This is an interesting song that I've been listening to the lyrics and trying to work out the English meanings and nuances with my lovely Aunty Lesina from Nofoali'i.

We need many more songs of our measina a Samoa and especially those songs that preserve those traditions that are now hard to find. I went looking for U'a or the Mulberry tree and found it in Mulifanua from a lady called Logotaeao Tipa from Tutuila who was visiting there.

She graced me by allowing me to take photos for an upcoming book and also she gave us (my mother was there too) some u'a plants from their garden there. What's so sad is that there aren't many of those u'a plants planted like they used to plant.

It's been a blessing to be here with my mum as she encourages me to still keep looking into these topics of things that were abundant in her upbringing in Samoa but that have now become almost extinct as the younger generation take to other priorities like IT Information Technology, western paradigms and away from cultural measina.

I hope that my undertakings through books, social media platforms and talanoa can somehow aid to preserving and stemming the tide and encouraging a dialogue on the important of protecting our cultural measina and then passing it onto the next generations...

"Maui & Sina" play featured in NZATE 2022 read list...

 

Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that one of my plays was featured in last year's 2022 NZATE New Zealand Association for the Teaching English recommended book lists.

It's the play called "Maui and Sina" which was one of the first plays that I wrote back in 1994 but didn't publish it until 2015.

It's such a blessing because I wrote it for the local high school that I was working at the time and it was the first major theatre production that they put on. It had so many rave reviews (that I wrote two more for subsequent years).

The other neat thing was that it was picked for Year 10 cohort as an Extended Written Text. I had been a high school English teacher for 6 years before changing my job. I remember always looking for texts for teenagers to read that related to them and to see one of my books accepted into the list is a real privilege and honour (as a former English teacher).

Then to have it featured alongside one of my favourite writers as a teenager, S.E. Hinton and her book "The Outsiders" which was later turned into a movie and William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is a neat feeling as a self-published author...

Rock Pool visits a favourite past time in Samoa...

 

One of my very favourite things to do in Samoa with my children are to jump into the various local rock pools for cooling down in the hot, hot sun.

This particular rock pool can be found in the village of Nofoali'i. It has been newly renovated with support from the UN development grants which I was told was probably over $100K and came from New York but I'm unable to substantiate that fact.

However they did a very nice job and I was invited to dip into the pool yesterday with my youngest and we had a great time dipping and enjoying the cool crystal clear water whilst my mother chilled with another elder aunt of the village. 

It also features a Samoan faleo'o which is a smaller version of a traditional Samoan fale (house) whereby one can discreetly change out of wet clothes into something dry. It's something I've been used to since taking my kids to the pools, beach and rock pools when changing rooms are scarce. There's a particular finesse to it but easily done.

So next time you visit Nofoali'i or other villages with rock pools why not take the time for a dip. There are several paid local village rock pools where you can dip for around $20 - $50 SAT (Samoan Talā currency) or if you have friends they can also let you in for free...

Beautiful tropical flora in Samoa...

One of the beautiful things that I've been able to learn about this trip to Samoa was learning about how to make lei from fresh flowers. Although I've made lei with many different types of material, it was refreshing to see how it was done in Samoa using fresh flowers, a needle and thread.

My aunt also gave me the cuttings for the possibility of growing some more flowers at our house here in Fasitoo-uta. It's so humbling to learn of how my parents when they first came to retire in Samoa was to plant a lot of different plants.

There are banana trees, pawpaw, breadfruit, mangoes, cotton, beans, taro, yam, pandanus (for making Ie Toga or fine mats), pineapple, coconut palm trees (often called the tree of life) etc.

There are some more plants that I'd like to plant as well in learning more about making siapo or tapa cloth, hibiscus bushes of different colours and other flowering plants too like teuila, frangipani, gardenia, tī of different colours etc.

So this particular trip back to Samoa has been one of learning a lot more about the flora of Samoa and some of the beautiful tropical plants that aren't readily available in NZ. I love the vibrant colours and looking at painting some in the not to distant future...

 

Memorial wall at the Return to Paradise Resort...

So blessed to be back in Samoa again for a quick break during the school holidays with my mum, my youngest and Aunt. Yesterday, we attended my Aunty's Memorial wall blessing at the Return to Paradise Resort in Lefaga. 

We left early and had breakfast there and then I had to drive back back with my Aunt to pick some fresh flowers to make quick leis for the VIP guests. We drove back with 7 purple and creme leis.

The memorial wall blessing was at 5pm in the evening and I had the privilege of gifting one of the leis to the current Samoan Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa as she sat in the front of the Chapel. Her late mother was from the village of Lefaga where the Resort was built and her mother was also a former politician that I had met as a student in Auckland.

It was interesting to note that the former Prime Minister, Tuila'epe Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, also attended the Memorial wall blessing which had the names of my late paternal grandmother and grandfather, my late father and two of his siblings who had also passed away.

It was both a beautiful service with some sadness at the same time of missing those who had passed on but who had all left a legacy for their children and grandchildren to continue in. The theme of the day was "standing on the shoulders of giants" in acknowledging those who had paved the way for the resort to now be fully functioning and built.

I wrote a poem about the resort when I was last there in April 2023 and am looking to publish it along with a collection of short stories and poetry in the not too distant future. Needless to say that visiting Samoa again brings back a lot of special memories with my late father, grandma and those who have gone before...

Disney's 'The Little Mermaid'...

 

Yesterday, I watched Disney's reality version of 'The Little Mermaid'. I found it very interesting to watch with it's diverse casting and glad that they kept some of the original music with some new tunes as well. It did veer off in adding bits that weren't in the original storyline but it was good to watch.

I like the brilliant colours of the ocean and the various sea creatures. The music complemented the film quite nicely and the main actress had such a beautiful voice as well. But somehow it didn't quite have the same magic as the first animated film.

Still, I would recommend it as neat family viewing for taking lil' ones to the movies these mid-year holidays. I think there's still some good teachings in trying to negotiate between the differences between parents and their children which was the theme that stuck me the most in the movie.

All in all, it made for an interesting film to watch this mid-year break...

Card making for July 2023...

I've just started my newest hobby, as a creative, which is card making. I've done the whole scrapbooking back in the early 2000 with Creative Memories, a USA company which had some neat card and paper stock.

Scrapbooking gave me a whole new appreciation for decorating family photo albums and I've now got so many for my wedding, family holiday albums overseas, birthday celebrations, graduation etc.

But now I've graduated to something not so intense and very practical because I'm forever (exaggerated) looking for birthday cards, wedding cards, celebration cards to go with a gift etc.

So then I came across another USA company called 'Close to my heart' and they distribute directly from the US and I'm now able to make my own cards at a fraction of the cost but also have the satisfaction of saying that I make them (with a lil' help from the company) on the graphics, paperstock, cardstock etc.

It also inspired to me make my own (next blog perhaps when I'll share) using cardstock that I bought and then laying it with whatever artistic things I have in stock. Most importantly to be in stock when I need one for an important occasion and also for when I can gift them to another deserving and appreciated individual.

So off overseas tomorrow and looking forward to coming back and making up some more for sending out. You're most welcome to take inspiration and try making some of your own with a little bit of imagination and resources that can be very much appreciated by the receiver...
 

Matariki celebrations starting...

 

Although this is our 2nd year of celebrating Matariki for New Zealand as an indigenous Maori holiday, celebrations are already starting as we count down to July 14.

I'll be home in Samoa on that day but it's in keeping with the call for Maori to return to their ancestral homes and make contact during the Matariki season.

In fact, the three important themes that are encouraged during Matariki or the celebration of the Maori New Year, is first remembering those who have passed on, celebrating with your whānau or family or loved ones and finally planning for a brighter future. All of these are important considerations to make for our families and friends.

Today, I took my students to visit a Matariki celebration at another local marae that we were visiting called Waatea Marae in Mangere. It had food stalls and various government and health departments, my place of work was advertising there and there were bands playing on the stage.

Lots of people attended so that it looked like a block party with cars parked all over the place and the good thing was that there were cops there but they weren't issuing tickets for all the cars that were parked illegally in many places which I'm sure would have been a relief to those drivers as well.

All in all, it was neat to see families and friends coming together to celebrate this unique upcoming holiday with people getting into the spirit of celebration. One thing that the organizers of Matariki have stated and that's that they don't want Matariki to be commercialized but that it's about family and I like it like that...