Stan Walker - "The Lord is my Light"...

 

When I heard Stan Walker (my fave male artist) sing one of my favourite gospel songs, "The Lord Is My Light", originally composed and sung by the Samoan duo Adeaze, I almost cried. I chose it to walk down the aisle with my parents at my sunset wedding to my beloved on Saturday the 24th of November, 2001, at Sonaisali Island in Fiji.

I still like the original in its simplicity, but this rendition elevates the song with Stan singing it in English, Samoan and Te Reo Māori to another level. I chose the song for our wedding as it captured and acknowledged the presence and essence of my relationship with God and my understanding of the Christian faith that my parents had brought me up in.

I also like the orchestral instruments that give it breadth and depth, but I still love the original best. I'd be interested to see what you think when comparing the original, which is over 20 years old, with Stan's version.

The other important thing was getting the opportunity to thank the two Adeaze singers for their song, whom we met at a function some years ago. I think they were surprised to hear us share our story but we mustn't have been the first as it's such a special song...

Toa Samoa vs France - Rugy World cup 2026...

 

It was good to watch the first official match of the Rugby World Cup for 2026, last night with my beloved - an avid fan with Australia winning against NZ by only a two-point difference. Tonight I'm watching Samoa play against France, with Samoa dominating.

It's so good to see our small nation doing so well against other International teams, and especially as they were runners-up last year. Samoa is currently dominating the game for the first half and looking forward to seeing if there's any way that France can catch up.

This is so promising because there is so much support going out to them from diaspora Samoans all over the world. This is with the pride of Samoans worn on T-shirts, Samoan flags on cars, lots of merch, parades, and that's just the beginning.

Wishing Toa Samoa all the best for the Rugby World Cup for 2026 and not forgetting New Zealand as well...

Term 4 starts...

 

The last term of the school year starts today, and our youngest is preparing for external exams starting next month and also completing internal assessments.

This is a pink/purple rose that she fashioned with play dough during the holidays. It reminded me of how the creative DNA has been passed down to all my children through their interests in art and creativity.

I think with the rise in mental health awareness, creativity has been underrated in many respects, be it handcrafts, journaling, scrapbooking, crocheting, knitting, etc.

I have seen an upsurge in creative digital platforms such as Etsy, Canva and Pinterest (just to name a few). I like how there has been interest in people being able to sell their creative products so that one does not have to be the 'starving artist' because there is always someone out there who would be interested in purchasing good-quality creative arts.

I think pf my eight Samona bilingual picture books are an outlet for me to continue my creativity of not only by sharing the knowledge that I've gained through indigenous research but also in translating the stories into art for readers to share in my imaginative journey. With more books to cameo...

Holidays and Term 4 starts...

 

It's been a very busy two-week holiday, with our youngest chilling the first week and then having a friend sleepover the second week. There were definitely lots of things to keep them busy for the whole week, including going to watch the Spider-Man (2026) movie at the cinema with popcorn and drinks.

Unfortunately, I had a virtual meeting that I needed to join, so I had to sneak out before the end of the movie, but I'll probably catch up with the ending when it comes through on a streaming platform. It was interesting to watch because the last Spider-Man movie was a few years ago, and it brought the story up to date.

Another excursion that they went on was to 'Spookers' on the final night, with the entertainment (that's what they call it) sessions starting at 9 pm for the R13 session. I'm not into horror movies or such because I don't know why I'd pay someone to scare me, but anyway, they enjoyed themselves, with our middle child joining the fray too.

Now there's one more sleep before Term 4 starts again, and I have an end-of-year in-house conference to prep for and organise. But more on that at the end of the month, as today was the annual White Sunday or Lotu Tamaiti (Church for children), in performing plays, speaking memorised Bible verses and a to'ona'i or feast, at the end of church and until next year...

Rocky and Rani - Bollywood movie...

 

Today I got to watch an 'epic' 3-hour movie about a love story, Bollywood style, with two characters named Rocky and Rani. It was really interesting because it's been a while since I've watched such movies, and it surely didn't disappoint.

What was so interesting was the intergenerational exchanges that took place and the cultural and religious aspects of the film. Of course, I loved the dancing, the bright colours, costumes and the weaving through of the traditional versus the contemporary and the changing views towards what a woman's place is within the family.

Even as a Samoan watching this movie, it was interesting to consider the similarities between the different perspectives of malel/female, young/old, traditional/comtemporary, religion/no-religion, educated/life experience, and the bright colours didn't disappoint.

I mean, what man likes to dance around in a full suit coloured fuchsia pink? First of all, not all men could carry it off, and it takes a special kinda guy to wear that colour without making a fuss; that of all the colours in the rainbow, you've gotta be super-confident to make it rock - that's Bollywood style!...

Anticipating upcoming movie 2027 'The Resurrection of the Christ'...

I'm very interested in and quietly anticipating watching Mel Gibson's upcoming movie 'The Resurrection of the Christ', coming out in theatres next year. I've learned that it is a two-part movie, with the first movie released early next year and the second around mid-year.

It comes on the tail of his first movie, which was produced for screens in 2004 and which I watched and was very moved by it. It definitely was not a movie for the faint-hearted, and these next movies, I think, will be interesting to see what the reactions will be.

It sounds like very ambitious movies that bring into view stories and scenes from the Bible that have only ever been read and/or imagined. I don't think I've ever watched on the screen scenes depicting the epic battle in heaven between fallen angels and those who stood their ground before humanity existed.

This movie, however, promises to bring to light the story, for another generation, of what the Resurrection of Christ was about and its importance, whether or not one believes it. I think it will call on people globally to consider which side you would side with. It definitely would not be an easy answer for some...

 
 

Faletui Family Reunion 7 - 9 Jan 2027, Samoa...

 

Looking forward to our Faletui Family Reunion, set to take place in Samoa from January 7 - 9, 2027. It will be hosted at Return to Paradise Resort & Spa in Lefaga.

We've started booking our accommodation there, with flights already booked for three of us to travel from NZ.

It's going to be very interesting, as it's my paternal late dad's side that I know some of the stories about and looking forward to learning a lot more.

We're also hoping to visit the island of Apolima, where my dad was born, which is a little way off from the island of Manono that my youngest and I visited earlier this year (earlier blog).

My aunt (my late dad's sister) in Samoa is organising and arranging transport to all of the sites that we will be travelling to and following the various villages that our ancestors lived in, spanning from Matautu close to Apia, where I stayed with my gran in 1989, to Savai'i on the big island.

I'm also looking forward to visiting with all our cousins from overseas, with visitors coming from not only NZ but also Australia (where my brother is travelling from) and within Samoa itself. No doubt there will be many stories to share and much to learn at this Faletui Family reunion.

Faletui is my dad's grandmother, who lived in Fasito'o-uta, where our family house is on our ancestral village lands. I remember my dad telling me that he would meet with this gran when he would be running errands and she would call to him to come visit her.

Now, with more descendants descending into Samoa in the new year to share more ancestral stories, travel to ancestral villages, and to find out about the ancestral land, stories, people and places. I'm also hoping to source some information for a book that could be helpful for next generations...

Celebrating our eldest's birthday as a new graduate...

 

Yesterday, we celebrated the birthday of our eldest with lunch, presents and a cake. This particular cake was chosen by her beloved and her sister. 

The flavour was red velvet, and the frosting was quite decadent, but that didn't stop us from enjoying it, with chunky chocolate bars as decoration.

Now that she's newly graduated, I'm glad that she can chillax, as her law assignments would have her up for days reading and researching.

She is considering continuing next year by pursuing her master's degree in law, but will see how it goes next year and take one day at a time. I did similarly by continuing my postgraduate studies straight after graduating from my first degree with the support of my parents, especially my mum.

It's really important to have that support, as it can be a lonely journey in postgraduate studies. I know this from teaching a course for postgraduate students whose studies often take them away from their families once a month for 8 months.

Wishing her well for her future endeavours, and that the world is now her oyster in making decisions for what her career will look like and where she wants to work. It's exciting but quite daunting to know that she has fulfilled her wish in graduating from her law studies and now looking forward to what the future holds for her...

Ice cream celebration and mourning...

Last week, I was able to attend a Scholarship luncheon for some of the students in our postgraduate diploma course (from my colleague's class) who had received scholarships.

I offered to be the designated staff driver to support the celebratory group. However, I missed the turnoff on the motorway and had to drive in a roundabout way to get to the venue on time.

It was a very happy occasion that helped to distract me from some very sad news about the sudden death of a work colleague who had passed away that very same morning.

There are now plans for many to pay their last respects, and I found it so sad that I had blogged about the 65th birthday gift that I had given to her, only for her to pass away a few weeks later from a suspected aneurysm.

We will dearly miss her, and so driving down to Hamilton for the celebratory occasion kept me busy and in good spirits with the group and afterwards I was 'shouted' to an ice cream at Pokeno, which is known for its amazing flavoured ice creams, as can be seen in the photo.

The particular flavours I chose were a scoop of rum and raisin (I like the raisins but not so much the rum), and the top scoop was deluxe ambrosia on a fresh cone. It was definitely worth the trip, and then we returned to Auckland, and I took the weekend to mourn before returning back to marking student work.

It was also a reminder to cherish the times that we have with our loved ones and to take the time to celebrate the little ones as well as the big ones. She reminded me of the 'salf of the earth' kind of person who got along with everyone and didn't let her circumstances affect her outlook on life. She was also super-fit and I'm glad that I got to know her as a friend and colleague...

 

Open Day at Manukau campus of Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi...

 

Last week, I was invited to TWWOA (Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi's) Open Day to sit on a panel with other postgraduate students and share our study journeys with prospective Master's or PhD students. It was a real honour to sit there and share, and also especially to meet my supervisor and gift her with a measina kava or ava bowl (symbolic) from my studies.

In my rush to get to the Open Day, I remembered I still hadn't bought her the measina gift from Samoa, so I decided to go to my local Sei Orana SSAB store, just down the road from where I live and to find that special 'something' for her.

There, I bought a small tanoa and a lavalava to go with it. The very helpful cashier put it in a box with the lavalava and added a symbolic hibiscus flower to go with it. Then he tied a beautiful burgundy ribbon around it after I placed a handwritten card inside it.

I was beaming when I walked out of that shop, as I had finally kept true to my promise and when I passed it over to her, I knew that she was quite 'chuffed ', and I was honoured that she accepted it with much grace. She was certainly that quiet support that I needed during my studies, although she probably didn't quite know what I was on about half the time.

But I will always acknowledge that she played a pivotal role in my completing my PhD in the way, shape and form that it took. She gave me the space to just 'breathe' in completing my nemesis PhD. That was all I needed in that space, and the thesis was able to take form and thrive...

Hidden gem of a poem on a bridge...

 

Here's a piece of poetry etched into steel on a bridge that I frequently walk across. It's interesting how it's placed at the beginning and the end of the bridge, and it's the first time that I've encountered poetry etched onto a sculpture on a bridge.

It doesn't say who the author or the sculptor is, and many people walk past it every day and would be none the wiser.

I think it's one of those hidden gems that it just takes one to have a close look and then be presented with a poem; it's so neat to see.

I'm sure that there are more of these hidden gems placed around, but it might take a good eye, some patience, and not being rushed to be able to 'catch' these moments.

Which reminds me that I'd been so busy with so many things on my plate that I quite missed the annual poetry day last month. So I thought I'd write a poem about the poem that I'm blogging about and see how it goes:

Poem etched on a bridge

Many don't see you as they run, walk, cycle across the bridge

holding hands, exercising, talking, laughing, puffing away

you hold your space, waiting, watching, wondering if someone

will behold your secret, your hidden gem, a poem of a fish.

A little hand wonders at your markings as she places her hand

on the words that she hasn't quite deciphered, so young, patient

whilst her grandmother pulls her away to see the funny birds.

A sad figure with tears stops but doesn't see you, eyes afar.

Another walks past but then backtracks, missing the words 

but seeing the deliberate rust above the anonymous sculptor's

artwork, then rushes away to capture other thoughts 

then you see her slowly walking, reading the words suspended.

Time stands still as she ponders, continues walking, absorbing.

Ash-grey hair poking out of a sun-bleached hooded jacket.

Life has been kind to her, and she reads between the lines that

someone had taken the time to present a moment of beauty.

She sighs, sees the expanse of the bridge ahead and wonders 

how a moment of slowing down allowed her to experience 

the delight of a poem carefully crafted and etched into a bridge

whilst others rush past into their day, missing a rare beauty.

 

Kelly-styled white stitched bag...

 

I've been really enjoying the space of working with Babylon leather and stitching this Kelly-styled bag from a kit.

As a creative practitioner, I find myself looking towards my next project, whether it's a painting, a sketch, or crocheting a scarf, visiting a museum or viewing an exhibition; the creative possibilities are endless.

This is currently my favourite thing to do, as it reminds me of the skills that my mother taught me of hand stitching or hand sewing with a creative project in mind.

I know that it harkens back to the creative DNA that was passed down from my matriarchal ancestral line, with my great-grandmothers from Samoa, weaving mats and making tapa cloth whilst learning the skills and tools entailed.

Passed down to me through my mother and now to my daughters, with my youngest announcing that she was the first in her photography class to complete her photography board ready for examining at the end of the year.

This gave me great satisfaction in knowing that the creative gene has been passed down to all three of my children, each having completed senior years with art or photography and creativity as a part of their educational learning journey.

Now looking forward to making a Berkin-styled bag as my next project with a different colour and size. What's so neat is that I don't have to think about cutting out the pattern or priming the resources because that's already done.

All I need to do is follow the video instructions and try to keep in sync with the sewing of it, then relax and enjoy the creation. But that's another journey and I'll post on the finished product of that too when the time comes...

Over 1 million views and new novel work...

 

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A big THANK YOU for the 1,000.000+ views on this blog. I hope that it is of some use to regular readers, especially if you're interested in some of the topics that I regularly blog about.

I'm also encouraged to announce that I'm working on my second novel. The first I wrote back in 2012, and it's still making its way towards printing. Now that's another long story.

Perhaps the two go hand in hand someday, but currently working on drawing the threads together with memories, ideas, character arcs, timelines, places and events.

There's so much to take into consideration, and even more so with some parts radiating out from my life experiences and also with the ways that I view the world.

It's been some time in the making, as I knew that it would have to do with an epic journey of sorts and of finding what I was looking for from the get go.

I'm also interested in how it draws from my PhD indigenous research and some of the things that I discovered along the way. It's also informed by my growing up in Aotearoa NZ and some of the profound things that I learned about Samoa as well. 

That's enough to go with as I continue to sort and check out pieces of the puzzle or mystery of this novel. Not to mention that I will have different 'voices' and perspectives in the novel with so much to write about. The world is a writer's oyster...