National Shake Out Earthquake & Tsunami drill...

 

I've been so busy lately that was just reminded that tomorrow is our National Earthquake and Tsunami drill.

This year, I've registered and will take part with my family to also consider what our Emergency plan would be too i.e. better to be prepared than not.

Tomorrow the drill will be enacted by mostly schools and organisations nationwide but individuals, families, and other groups can also register and join in. The idea is that at 9.30am everyone drops, covers and holds and then considers what other preparations need to be made and kept in mind.

It's called the nation 'Shake out' and all are encouraged to have an emergency plan and to check out what potential natural threats you might have close by eg. Tsunami for those close to open waters, Earthquakes (NZ on Pacific Fire Rim) etc...

Books as special wedding gifts...

Last weekend, two of my former students who were a couple were getting married and asked after some of my books as gifts for some special family members.

It was a real honour and privilege to be asked of this for their special day and I obliged willingly. As I must say that I've had a few couples come through my class as part of their learning journey together as a couple which has been a really neat.

The pics you see are bundles of books that I had made up for them and you are most welcome to contact me if you are interested in any book bundles too.

I'm also looking forward to the end of the year as I have some new titles being released and looking forward to seeing how they are received.

I've also been very encouraged by such requests as it reminds me that these ancient Samoan stories are still relevant today as they were when they were first being told. As there are a lot of information that's shared when these stories are brought to life through books or theatre (films & plays)...
 

Latch-hooking break from academia...

 

One of the neat things that's been keeping me busy and connected with my artsy side has been latch-hooking with a kit that I picked up not so long ago.

It was real helpful for my thesis writing too as it's a creative practice-led thesis that allowed me to add in pics and ideas from some of my art work then when it got too wordy and I wanted to take a break from academia I started hooking this rug.

I started this artform back in my late teens early 20s but it was quite expensive to do back then as the kits were coming from abroad and I only had a big rug that I've kept for ages.

Since then, I've hooked a cushion cover, another two smaller rugs and am going for another cushion cover that I'll be giving away as gifts for some unsuspecting family member who would appreciate the time and effort put into these works of art.

It's definitely not something that I see a lot of people doing as it's not as accessible but there are definitely more kits at affordable prices these days. It's also good for one's mental health in creating an artistic piece from a different type of medium that's not so commonplace...