Today is the day!...

 

On Tuesday this week, I was blessed and privileged to have completed the oral defence of my PhD thesis before a panel of esteemed educators and community leaders.

It was a panel of five members, led by a Professor, with one international examiner from NUS (National University of Samoa), two external national examiners, and my supervisor as my supporting professor.

It was indeed an auspicious occasion, and it gives me great pleasure and an honour to thank them for their thorough work and the consideration they gave, especially the international member, whose comments helped sharpen my work for the final submission.

I'm pleased to say that I passed the oral exams and can now complete the final polishing edits to submit and confirm my PhD thesis for graduation on 1st May of 2026. I must say that I could have burst into tears after my 20-minute presentation, when I sang a pese (song) my late father had sung many years earlier; it was some of his last words to me that kept me on track to finish the thesis...

Coles Cookies in song lyrics...

 

We're back from the Gold Coast, Australia, and this was one of the songs that my youngest played as we drove around in our rental. What was so funny about it was the lyric that said, "Cole's cookies in a good morning..." because it was one of our favourite cookies to buy and bring back to NZ.

It was interesting that when I spoke to my older brother, who lives on the Gold Coast, he didn't understand why we would buy boxes to take back, since they're not that big into them. However, for those of us who are chocolate cookie connoisseurs, there is a big difference.

So glad to be back, but just in time also for my final presentation and PhD defence tomorrow. Still quite a lot to go through, but trusting that there are some things I just have to put in faith, and more on that another day. I'll just dunk some Coles cookies in the meantime...

Last day in Coolangatta, Kirra Beach & the Gold Coast of Australia...

 

Our last day at the Gold Coast, and yesterday we were able to go on a 2-hour cruise down the Nerang River from SeaWorld to Surfers Paradise and back.

Whilst on the cruise, we found out some interesting facts about the area from the captain, who was also a local.

He told us the origin of the name "Surfers Paradise": it was named after the local eatery when locals considered a name change.

He also pointed out the sea life and wildlife around the area. It was also noted that the number of houses built on islands and facing the river, with potoons around, so they could go straight to the water if need be.

All in all, we had a wonderful time of rest and relaxation. We also had some time last night to go to the beach and dip our feet, then to the spa and pool. It's been a great time, but it's time to pack up and head home. A really fun time...

The last of our "Worlds" tour at the Gold Coast...

Yesterday, I spent the day at "Dreamworld" with my two youngest, and we had a great time exploring the various rides and scenes at the event park.

One of my favourite rides was the train that runs every 20 minutes on a loop, and we got to see the large area of land that "Dreamworld" occupies, as well as the wildlife reserve it holds.

It definitely is different from "SeaWorld" and "MovieWorld", which were busier with longer lines and a lot more people. We found "Dreamworld" more charming, with a lot of the food spaces closed due to fewer customers.

We also visited their official "Legoland" shop, where we received a free passport you can take to any Lego shop to have stamped.

This was because we have three Lego enthusiasts in my family, including me. Although I don't have much time to build, I enjoy it as a way to use my imagination and build with Lego, something I enjoyed as a child. I think it helped with my creativity.

That was the last of our "worlds" travels, as although we had tickets for "Wet'n Wild" and "Water World", we weren't too keen, as we had an ocean beachfront and swimming pool back at our hotel. Plus we still had the cruise and visit to SkyPoint to see too...

"Movie World" and enjoying the Gold Coast...

 

Yesterday, I went to "Movie World" on the Gold Coast, and we had fun until I went on the 'Scooby Doo' ride, which made me feel sick. Note to self: Don't have breakfast before going on the rides.

It reminded me so much of 'Disneyland' in Anaheim, California, where I visited family many years ago. It was neat to visit again, with so many changes since my last visit a few years ago.

It was also neat to visit 'Surfer's Paradise' strip near the beach, as I had tried to find accommodation there with our 'Timeshare' booking, but it was fully packed.

However, where we are on Kirra Beach is so refreshing because it's only minutes from the airport, and the beaches are lovely to walk along, with so many visitors from around the world.

I've also enjoyed grocery shopping here because food is a lot cheaper with more variety to buy, e.g., fresh mangoes, tropical fruits, although meat is about the same.

Today, we're looking to finally go on our 2-hour cruise. It's a long story, but we missed the boat twice already, so we're hoping to go early and then go to "DreamWorld", which is like "MovieWorld" but has a lot more to it.

Then I can't wait to finally complete our "Worlds" tour, and either jump into the ocean or go for a spa at our hotel pools, or even soak in the swimming pool after a long, hot day driving to the various destinations. 

It's definitely been a well-deserved break before the year gets into full swing: teaching classes, defending my thesis, working on more writing and publishing books, and then considering where the next holiday will take us...

Breathe, enjoy and relax at Kirra Beach, Gold Coast, Australia...

 

g

Here we are at Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast of Australia, enjoying rest and relaxation, with plenty of fun along the way. The pic is a view from our hotel resort balcony, with Kirra Beach on the horizon.

Yesterday, I was able to go for an early morning walk, and there were lots of people out and about walking, scootering, biking, running and enjoying the mild weather after some rain.

My family and I also visited SeaWorld at Surfers Paradise and did a little shopping along the way. It's been good to sightsee and notice little changes along the way; we last visited this area some 10 years ago, when our children were very little.

Last night, I had a visit from my elder brother and his wife, whom we had just met in Samoa last month. It was neat to meet my niece and her husband and catch up on their growing families.

Today, I'm also notching up to get ready to defend my PhD thesis, which I'm treating more as a 'talanoa' or cultural discussion about things pertaining to my thesis. I must say I thank God for getting this far; there were so many times I couldn't see myself finishing it, but I'm almost at the finish line.

I've also been so thankful for my supportive family; I couldn't have done it without them, and I'll never forget my father's last words to me: when would I finish? It willed me to complete it. So next Tuesday, I'll be ready to speak with my three examiners, one from Samoa and two from NZ, who were able to read through the thesis.

I'm also preparing my 20-minute digital presentation to summarise my PhD studies and share it with the faculty, other staff, and family. To get to this stage is nothing short of a miracle, and I'm so happy that I get this chance to reflect on what I need to do next, whilst taking stock and enjoying the Gold Coast...

Happy 21st Birthday celebrations...

 

I have been so crazy busy since returning from Samoa, with my middle child's 21st birthday, which we celebrated with a neat family dinner at a restaurant overlooking Henderson Valley.

She also got to enjoy her new wheels and stayed in an Airbnb for some girl time with her sisters. It's been such a whirlwind celebration, as tomorrow we're flying out to Australia.

Yes, we're going to the 'world's' to check them out with our youngest, who has never been to Brisbane. So it will be a first, and we'll probably check out the local markets there too.

Not to mention that we're staying at Kirra Beach, just south of busy Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, and we may even get some time to catch up with my brother and his wife, and my nieces and their families, so they can meet their NZ cousins.

Will be taking over some books to share some of the ancient Samoan stories with our family in Australia, and then check out the beaches there, with one just across the road from where we're staying. It's going to be fun, and I'm looking forward to it as I'm on long-service leave, which is an extra 2-week-long break from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, where I work.

Happy 30th Birthday lil sis...

 

Back in NZ again, in time to celebrate my lil sis's 30th birthday. She's the other artist in the family who joins me in continuing as creatives, which I know stems from our great and great-great grandmother's artisan skills.

Those artistic skills were then passed on to her son, our maternal grandfather, who made jewellery, then to my creative mum, who had a plethora of skills, including cooking, and then to us, the present generation, with my children developing in the area too.

This is my lil sis's fave cake from the Cheesecake shop, which is the Unicorn cake with its many colours of 7 layers, including: blue, green, red, pink, purple, orange and yellow.

We absolutely love the light texture of the cake, and the cream is over the top, and we can't help but enjoy bright colours as Samoans, as you only have to visit Samoa to know why.

This week, we are also preparing to celebrate the 21st birthday of my middle child, and it's been a joy to plan with several factors coming into play, but more in another blog. However, we are big in celebrating important milestones in our family with more to come...

Reflections on Samoa on last day...

 

Today is our last full day and night in Samoa before returning back to NZ with our family (kinda) missing us.

We have had such a productive and fun holiday in Samoa in meeting with our relatives and getting back on the fanua of my dad's (parents') and ancestors' legacy.

Going to Manono and finding out about our connecting historical story to Manono was mind-blowing and something I'm going to reflect on and write about later.

It was also sobering to visit what is known as 'R.L. Stevenson's Pool' which I think was 'Loimata Apa'ula'. Another mystery that I'm trying to find out whether both are one in the same that I wrote about earlier but when fact checking, a map shows different and when asking a local walker she expressed that there is only one waterfall as pictured.

If this is true, then it again confirms my earlier commiserations that 'Loimata Apa'ula' waterfall fell victim to possibly safety and tourism considerations for the modification of the fanua or land for those reasons. The pool, as you see it in the pool, is only a wading pool up to the knees and the waterfall was dammed.

I'm looking forward to possibly returning for a family reunion in November that my aunty who is based at the Return to Paradise resort and spa has announced for us diaspora Samoans to look forward to. At that time, I'm hoping to plan a visit to Apolima Island where my great grandmother Faletui lived for a time with her husband and where her grandchild, my father was born.

Yet more explorations and stories to continue in the next saga of visiting Samoa at the end of the year. Roll on 2026... Ia manuia ma ia soifua (may all go well and good bye)...

Amazing tour to the island of Manono...

  

Today, I had a great time with my youngest and was able to charter a boat to go on an amazing tour to the island of Manono. It was a whirlwind tour as it takes about 30 minutes for the boat to travel to the island and another 30 minutes to travel back.

On this particular morning, it was 8.30am in the morning with lovely weather. We were able to travel to the island and through our tour guide we visited the first spot of where the Methodist church started with a monument.

Interestingly enough, the minister who started the ministry was Rev. Turner who wrote books about Old Samoa that I had referred to in my thesis. This was especially surprising and neat to reflect on in seeing where he had started his mission and to be able to view where he had been those many years ago.

A second tour stop was at the place of 'Tamafaiga's monument' which is a tala or story that I had been aware of in my readings but in being able to connect the story to where I currently live in Fasito'o-uta Samoa. In fact, it was my parents who were able to take me to show me the connection and which I was able to confirm from a matai (chief) whom I spoke with today. Totally amazing!

Needless to say that this has been one of my favourite trips to Samoa but missing my mum as she decided to remain behind in New Zealand as she had been ill in Fiji late last year when we took her over for my birthday celebrations. However, it's been great that our technology has kept us in contact through Messenger video call. Simply wonderful...

Sweet treats in Samoa...

 

It's rainy season in Samoa at the moment, and after tidying up some things at home, we went for a drive into town and had a late lunch at the local 'Burger Bill's'.

We then drove in the opposite direction, past the international airport (just 15 minutes from where we live), to Mulifanua wharf, only a 20-minute drive away.

On the same road and way to the wharf, we discovered a new dessert treat shop called 'Delicious Cakes', and we went in to have a look.

It's a shop with lots of dessert pies, cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts, sandwiches, cakes and much, much more. My favourite is the Afghan cookies, which are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The sandwiches were fine, but their large custard pies were not really to my taste and my mum was the best bakery growing up and the treats she made were second to none.

I would definitely recommend them if you're looking for occasion treats, like birthdays or anniversaries. We had fun trying the various treats. Another place was in Apia town, at a new stop called 'Ten Below', a 24-hour eatery. Their treats are second to none, with a slice of brownies, caramel slices, and cake slices all for $10. It reminds me of sweet treats from NZ espcially for those who might be a little bit homesick...

Site seeing in Samoa...

 

Today, we're sightseeing in Samoa on a Sunday. This time, we decided to drive out to Mulinu'u, near the capital, Apia, where the round Parliament building stands and the new courthouse.

It was great to take a leisurely Sunday drive; usually it is busy and bustling, but today there were a few out and about, enjoying the sunny weather and taking a swim.

We had lunch at the Chinese fast-food restaurant chain DMC in Vailoa, which says it stands for Dad, Mum and Children (really?). It definitely wasn't to my taste, as I'm sure they add jam to the Sundae.

However, we did manage to track down "10 Below", which is the first (that I'm aware of) 24-hour Foodstop for fast foods and desserts in Apia, down the road from the Clock Tower roundabout.

I was so surprised to see it and highly recommend checking it out as we picked up some desserts for $10 each, including Brownies, Caramel slice, Chocolate cake slices and Carrot cake slices.

The only thing I would say is that it is dark inside, and I'd recommend adding a little more lighting. It is modern, but the dark interior isn't as welcoming in contrast to the bright sun outside. However, if you're up for big snacks and delicious desserts - this is the place to see!

Enjoying some of the sites of Samoa...

 

A couple of days ago, I managed to take my brother from Brisbane, Australia, his wife and my youngest on a round-trip around the island. 

I did, however, take a shortcut; it would have been longer, since we live on the southern part of the island and were visiting my mother-in-law and my beloved's family in the village of Siumu.

This is a photo of the Papapaitai Falls in Tiāvi, where I remember my father taking a photo of my family in 1972, when I first saw the falls.

It's so neat to take my youngest to see these falls, the same ones I saw as a child. The round trip took us a couple of hours as we visited another cousin who is also building in Samoa, and it's neat to see some diaspora Samoans returning to the motherland.

We also did some renovating on our family house, and it was good to complete that job, as there was quite a bit of wear and tear we needed to accommodate.

It's been so good to catch up with my older bro and his family. As his children are much older than me, they are grandparents of 13, whereas I'm patiently (not so patiently) waiting for mine, i.e., the next generation of diaspora Samoans...