New Year's Eve celebrations in 2019...

For the last day of 2019, we'll be having a countdown at my parents' place in saying goodbye to the old year and hello to the new.

It's also a time for reflection on how things went in the last year in preparation for new things to happen for this new year.

I'm looking forward to 2020 as it's the start of a new decade with many things to look forward to.

For example the start of University for our eldest child in pre-law school and my youngest sister starting her Master's degree in Indigenous knowledge in having been their academic mentors over the years.

We are also looking forward to a year of graduations with my beloved's Masters graduation ceremony as well as my sister's Social work degree graduation and mine in the Certificate in Maori and Indigenous art programme.

In these last few hours of the old year of 2019, there's a lot to be thankful for and also considerations for the new year ahead. Tonight at church there is a New Year's Eve service that I've attended over the years but for tonight I'm looking forward to praying it in with my family with good wishes for you...

Prayer Breakfast week...

This morning I was blessed to attend our PIC (Pacific Islanders Presbyterian church) weekly prayer breakfast group that meets regularly on a Monday morning from 6 - 7.30am at the church.

It was a group that was pressed upon my heart to found some 20+ years ago and though numbers are small, the prayers are fervent as where there are two or more gathered, God is also there.

Over the years, it's been neat to see so many answered prayers and some prayers took many, many years before the answer was a "yes".

A couple of examples was a senior couple (both since passed away) who prayed for their children to come back to God in the sense of seeing them fellowshipping in church.

When the mum passed away they started to return to be with their aging father and when he passed away some of them continued with one even becoming an elder of the church and continuing his father's (parents') legacy.

Another was a prayer for Niuean women to be permitted to be elders of the church by their own Niuean EKLS (Ekalesia) or congregational group as they did not permit women to be elders due to their cultural structures. Those were overturned a couple of years ago and now women can become elders.

It's been a humbling experience in seeing so many seniors who joined the group pass away and then others step up and join in for a time of reading a bible passage, reflecting on the 'Our Daily Bread' reading and then praying together over the various prayer requests of the day.

In addition, this week there will be three groups meeting to dedicate time in prayer over the first week of the year with the Niuean, Cook Island and the English speaking Prayer breakfast groups praying on different days and times of the week. For the Prayer Breakfast group, it will be starting on Wednesday for the rest of the week.

It's a time that the groups get together to pray ahead and dedicate the year ahead for God's blessings. What will you be doing in preparation of 2020?...

Last days of 2019...

Buying new diaries for 2020 signals the last days of 2019 as we begin preparations for the new year's eve celebrations with family.

A habit I've acquired over the years has been to pick out two diaries. One for my daily appointments and another for my daily reflections and devotions.

And already I've started adding appointments for the new year with planning already underway but as they say 'you make the plans but God has the last say'.

I have given electronic or virtual diaries a go i.e. on my mobile phone but I've found that it doesn't quite capture the information that I want in the same way that a hard cover diary does.

Plus I'm able to carry important papers within to the various meetings that I go to. So, unfortunately, I'm not quite paperless as there are still important considerations that I make on paper.

What do you do as you undertake preparations for the new year? I know that I have a lot to be grateful for in this passing year as I look with anticipation forward to the coming year. All the best for your new year ahead as this old one passes to the next...

Happy Holidays...

I hope you had a neat Christmas day and Boxing day celebration and relaxation with family as I over these holidays with my parents, children and one of my brothers visiting from Australia.

It has also been a time of sadness with some of our families due to three funerals in our family during this time and our thoughts are with them too.

It's interesting that Boxing Days sales have now outstripped Christmas day sales as many people now flock to the shopping malls to pick up Boxing day bargains the day after Christmas and the sales now stretch through for a week.

To me, it seems like a massive sales gimmick to get shoppers to spend even more money but the crowds that are packing shopping mall carparks and full shopping malls tell the story that it's most appreciated after Christmas day close down.

I for one, am happy to just relax and enjoy the holidays without racing out the day after Christmas for more shopping frenzy. I think I'll leave that to those with hefty bank balances and who enjoy shopping till you drop, it's just one less thing I'd rather not do these holidays.

So happy holidays everyone and as they say "be kind to one another"...

Happy Christmas Eve with family...

Wishing you all a safe and Merry Christmas for 2019

I remember as a youngster looking forward to Christmas Eve on the night before Christmas when our family/s would get together to count in Christmas day or sing Christmas carols with the excitement of what might be under the Christmas tree for us.

And I see the same anticipation in our children, especially our youngest, in looking forward to what tomorrow might bring.

These important family traditions and times of making special memories with our children ensure that they know that they are loved, not so much for receiving presents but in being esteemed in our love for them during this special season.

In my formative years, I remember our Samoan Youth group (Mangere PIC Autalavou) would hire a large bus for Christmas Eve, for many years, and start at around about 6-7pm and we'd go Christmas caroling to many of our church families and wish them a Merry Christmas up until midnight.

That tradition has since stopped to make way for new family activities but I remember those special memories of spreading joy and love in our communities as well as having a special time with my church family and enjoying our time together.

Enjoy your Christmas Eve and the real reason for the season in the birth of baby Jesus who gave peace on earth and goodwill toward all people as we join in on celebrating this festive season together with our families...

MERRY CHRISTMAS to one and all...

Tau'au-Filisi Family's Merry Christmas card

This Christmas we're spending with our family, three generations under one roof with grandparents, parents and our children enjoying this festive season together.

However, what has been sad this year has sadly been the number of loved ones who have passed before Christmas and the sadness that they will be feeling with the absence of loved ones.

This particular Christmas card pictures us with my beloved sitting as Santa Claus in a shopping mall that we thought we'd surprise him by arriving to take a photo with him.

It's funny because growing up, as with my beloved, we weren't brought up believing in Father Christmas or the Easter bunny, the tooth fairy, Jack Frost etc. as our parents were from Samoa and such things weren't taught to us until we got to school.

So it was very interesting to visit and then watch the wonderment in some of the children's faces in believing that they were meeting the 'real Santa'. What's even more neat was that we got to take a picture with him as a souvenir for his first time as Santa.

And so HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS to one and all this season. God bless...

Thank God it's Friday...

One of the owlets with a Samoan tattoo theme

I'm so glad that today is the last official day of work for 2019 with holidays beginning for the next three weeks whilst contemplating what 2020 will bring or rather what needs to be started for 2020.

It's a week after our youngest finally finished school for the year and whilst busy with her end of year events at her school, I spied this owlet sculpture displayed in the school office and administration building and did a bit of research as to the neat art that it features.

I found out that it was one of the 60 owlet (90cm) sculptures that was a part of the 2018 'Big Hoot' arts event whereby 47 larger owls (1.65cm)  and the 60 owlets were painted up by emerging and established artists around Auckland for exhibiting then auctioned to raise funds for the Child Cancer Foundation.

Mesui Moala, a sports and design tutor, assisted a group of the school's senior students in late November 2017 to design the owl over a number of weeks and this was the finished product. The art piece features traditional patterns or designs from Tongan, Samoan, Indian and Maori cultures.

The school would have purchased the beautiful owl from the auction and it is proudly displayed next to the front door entrance. It's neat in that it is set right at the front as if to greet visitors and its quite striking with its beautiful designs.

This is inspiring to in contemplating my next art projects over the holiday break and to begin preparations after Christmas to begin painting up our next book after some R & R (rest and relaxation).

Let the holiday festivities begin!...

Remembering loved ones this Christmas...

I am mindful that there are some families who are mourning for the loss of loved ones this Christmas and the last thing that they are interested in is listening to Christmas cheer and laughter.

In my own family, we have two funerals this weekend with the loss of an Uncle and a first cousin both with beautiful families who will be missing them this close to Christmas.

In Samoa, I am aware of the 75+ families of those (especially the young) who died through the measles epidemic in Samoa.

This Christmas will be a difficult time for many families in experiencing the loss of so many little ones in their untimely deaths.

In times like these, it is important to be mindful of their needs and to allow them space to mourn and grieve during this festive season.

And in a sense remembering that it is a space that we never quite feel comfortable to talk about and yet it is the only appointment that we will all experience at some time, so that if at all possible, it is important to take the time to speak about it with loved ones where possible.

So please give some thought to those around us who might want to take some time out, or who need to be alone or may not want to spread Christmas cheer all around as we all mourn and express our experience of grief in many different ways.

Our love and prayers go out to all our grieving families. May God's quiet presence and and ever-abiding love bring comfort and solace in this difficult time. And may His rainbow remind us of the days we did get to spend together rather than those that are lost. God's blessings be with you all...

Crafting ribbon braided leis...

Ribbon braided lei blues designs

This weekend I was also busy making up some ribbon braided leis that I had learnt to do a couple of years ago and then forgot only to go back onto YouTube to be reminded on how to make them again for our student writers.

I think the neat thing about it is that it can be quickly made up and is easy to pass on to teach our younger family members.

I've particularly noticed how Tongan mothers and family members have taken the braiding of ribbons into leis with lollies to another level by the intricate designs of their braided ribbon leis that incorporate the lollies or in many cases, foil-wrapped chocolates.

You only have to check out 'Pinterest' to see the various designs and at the various graduation and prizegiving events that I've visited this year to see how resourceful and artistic their creations are. The recipients proudly display them and many pics are taken with family and friends.

In fact, I'll be checking out how to make some over the holidays as a project of mine to learn as I have a few graduations to look forward to attending next year...

Frozen II movie of Indigenous Sami narratives...

It's been really interesting since teaching in the Indigenous research space for the past few years and in researching my doctoral work in indigenous studies these past couple of years in noticing a definite shift of focus in accepting (sometimes very reluctantly) of indigenous cultures and their knowledge as being equally credible and often far-reaching in being more sustainable to our natural environments.

Yesterday, I took our youngest to watch 'Frozen II', a movie that she had been wanting to watch having enjoyed Frozen I. Since school had finished and she had done well in prizegiving as well as positive comments on her school report, I thought to out her out on a treat in which she also received a Frozen II handbag before watching the movie.

We both enjoyed the movie and it was very interesting to later research the story behind the movie which is about the indigenous Sami people of northern Scandinavia. What was more interesting for me was the inclusion of a narrative about how colonial cultures often blame indigenous cultures for starting wars and this is apparent in the movie.

Without spoiling the movie, it does take a turn from the first movie and doesn't have the iconic songs as the first that are as memorable but it does tell an interesting story and takes the movie watcher on an interesting journey.

I'd highly recommend the movie, this summer, for families and especially if you've little ones who enjoyed the first movie. The relationship between the sisters is strong and the ending might not be quite what you had imagined...

Launching 'Navigating Journeys' by Mana Mangere writers' collective...

Mana Mangere writers and guests at our 'Navigating Journeys' book launch

Yesterday we celebrated launching our latest 'Mana Mangere writers' collective' book "Navigating Journeys". It's the third collection so far and we were very proud to showcase the talents of our community writers both youth and our seniors.

It was held at our local Mangere Town centre library of which also happens to be the venue that we regularly meet at for our bi-monthly meetings and where I grew up and regularly visited as a student growing up in Mangere.

The neat thing about the book launch was that we got to meet the families of some of the writers and then listen to writers reading out their poetry or short stories. I especially liked listening to the youth as there were many stories written from the heart about their life experiences and the seeing the world through their eyes.

I would like to especially thank the staff at the Mangere Town centre library for providing the support and making it happen. To Lemauga Lydia Sosene, the chairperson of our Mangere-Otahuhu local board, who has supported our writers' group right from the start with her plea for us to "amplify" it next year and invite the community to our next book launch, a much-appreciated thanks!

To all the writers, I hope they enjoy their break over the Christmas and holiday break and we look forward to coming together in Feb 1st for our first meeting to start looking at what we will be working on in the coming months.

And an especially big thanks to God who makes miracles such as these things happen, as when I see the smiles on the young writer's faces with the support of their families, I know we're going in the right direction and you never know what can become of something that God blesses in time to come...

'The Greatest story ever told' production...

Last night, our family went to view Life church's Christmas Production called 'The Greatest Story ever told'. It was a fantastic performance at the City campus auditorium playing to a full house.

I particularly loved listening to the Christmas carols and the digital sets together with the theatre like setting made for an engaging performance by all actors, singers, and dancers. The performance included an aerial dancer, a dancer dancing with an adult length hoop, a balloon drop and much more.

I would highly recommend this family-friendly show with all its artistry to any who have the opportunity to view it this Christmas (although I did hear that it was sold out) but they may add other days which they have already done.

It definitely gets me into the Christmas spirit and also reminds us of what the true story of Christmas is really about...

Secret Garden Thai Restaurant with staff from my old school...

Last night I had a nice dinner at 'The Secret garden' restaurant in Otahuhu with staff from my former primary school where I am in my first year of serving again as a board of trustees member.

One of the community services that I've been involved with over the past two decades has been as a Board member of local schools in Mangere where my family members attend. It's my second stint as I was a board member at my old school as the first was when I was in my twenties when my youngest brother attended and now with our youngest is attending there (at the request of my dad) and I got elected for another term, a few months ago, to serve my community.

Again, it's a privilege to be able to share what knowledge I have in supporting the education of our young ones in schools in wanting them to get the best out of the resourcing that is provided from the Ministry of Education for them.

Over the years, I've been a board of trustees member of many schools in the area and have seen the good, the bad and the ugly but it's really about ensuring that the children have the best educational experiences that can be offered to them at their schools.

In having been a former high school teacher, Dean, Library manager, School Production Producer etc. in the state school system, I was able to see from first-hand experience what could be available for children and although curriculums change over the years, there's still the expectation of families and the state that the best care is given to children in these formative years of their education.

I'm especially interested in supporting low Decile (Ministry of Education ranking of school according to the socio-economic status of local parents) schools in wanting to support children in their education and have been in some confrontational situations whereby senior managers are asked some pressing questions which sometimes are not appreciated but need to be asked.

Suffice to say that it's sometimes what needs to be done but it's also nice to step into a school where staff get on well and there are some neat stories about the positive support that good teachers can give to needing students.

All in all a neat evening and thinking to bring my family for a night out. Maybe at next year's graduation...

Framing Malu watercolour paintings ...

My Malu inspired watercolour painting

This Christmas I'm taking some time out to begin framing up some of the watercolour paintings that I had the opportunity to paint this last semester in my Cert. in Maori and Indigenous Art class. This particular painting is one inspired by the Malu (Samoan indigenous tradition female tattoo patterns) which I cannot get (my namesake's story) but it's been a neat journey to study the patterns and meanings.

It's also given me the inspiration to continue with the studies that I'd started in now feeling ready to begin painting up the book that I've been working on over the past few years on Samoan tatau (indigenous Samoan tattoos) origins in our 'tala o le vavau' series or ancient Samoan stories.

It's such an important story that I don't want to get it 'wrong' but at the same time, it's taking that leap of faith and courage, moving it forward having started the Samoan historical series. The last book from the origins series was 'Fale Samoa'. So I guess I'm ready to begin after this book launch and during the holidays and now with my malu lima (often controversial) it's time!

Again, I'm so thankful for God's hand upon us for the various talents that we are bestowed with the purpose of using it for the betterment of understandings and for others and also for praising His name in all that we do with a humble heart.

So without further adieu, (as they say) I'll be blogging about the artistic journey going forward having started from humble beginnings and with a long way to go. I've learned that you can never be perfect at what you do but if you never try, you'll never know where it can take you ...

End of year prizegivings and lolly leis...

Today we celebrated with our youngest at her school's prizegiving ceremony which was neat to attend and also to see the proud parents, caregivers and recipients celebrating with their family and friends.

Our youngest received a certificate for being top in her class in literacy as she loves to read and is a voracious reader. She also received a certificate for competing in the Weetbix tryathlon last week (the only one representing her school).

What was so neat was that she took the initiative of her own accord and made an appointment together with a letter she wrote to the principal explaining the benefits of the competition in hoping that there would be a team to represent the school but because of the school already being committed with other programmes we still encouraged her to represent her school although the school was not officially entered.

I've also trained myself to get 'ula lole' or lolly leis/necklaces ready as it's a more recent phenomenon that I've now become used to whereby children receive these delights upon receiving prizes at prizegiving.

What's even more neat is that teachers are gifted them by parents/caregivers and especially children who haven't received any from by their families, there are teachers or other parents who give them away to unsuspecting children and it always brings a smile.

I also encouraged our little one to give away some of hers after the ceremony to children that didn't have any that she would like to gift them too and that made it even more special in celebrating together with them.

So afterwards we had a celebratory lunch with ice cream and later a cake for dessert with Christmas just around the corner...

Back cover of new book 'Navigating Journeys'...

Christelen Filisi's art piece for back cover of new book

I just wanted to give a 'shout-out' to our middle child, Christelena, whose art piece features in our 3rd community prose and poetry collection on the back cover.

What's so neat about this artwork was that I'd the privilege of watching her artistic flair and talent develop this year with Pasifika patterns when I watched her doodling (as I did many years ago) which I first witnessed during a church sermon a few months ago (yes I've been guilty as well).

This is her third large piece in a series that she's been working on and when I was considering the artwork for the new book 'Navigating journeys', I saw her working on this and asked if she would give permission for me to feature one of her works on the back cover (paid commissioned art).

She chose this art piece and it complements our front artwork nicely as with the theme. I was really impressed by how she chose Pasifika patterns and namely Samoan artistic iconic patterns to build up the body of the artwork that tells a story in itself.

It reminds me of our many Pasifika students who have been brought up in our families who are artistic through the environments that they have been nurtured in i.e. dance, art, creative arts, performances etc. and the list goes on.

It's about nurturing within them a belief that they are able to create and be creative within environments and opportunities that we can support them in eg. in schools, church, joining groups developing art, performance, writing, directing, filming, designing, collaborations etc.

And looking forward to our book launch this weekend on Saturday 14th Dec at the Mangere Town Centre library from 1.30 - 2.30pm where we get to celebrate with our community and youth artists, writers and poets in launching our new book. There's never a dull moment...

Reading "The Pacific in the wake of Captain Cook with Sam Neil"...

At the moment I'm reading 'The Pacific in the wake of Captain Cook with Sam Neil' written by Meaghan Wilson Anastasios which was gifted to me by one of my students in both sharing a love of reading and learning about the Pacific.

It's a very interesting book because it was based on a TV series that aired last year which traced the voyage/s of Captain Cook in NZ and around the Pacific. Sam Neil hosted the series and I had been interested to watch it but decided that it probably would not say much about the indigenous peoples' viewpoint so I thought not to catch up with it.

However, upon reading the book, I was quite surprised that there was a definite interest in the indigenous peoples' viewpoints and how Captain Cook had made mistakes in his actions and even more importantly, that Captain Cook hadn't discovered anything because there were already people populating all of the islands that he visited which must have been astonishing for him.

I think as a teacher of Indigenous research, it solidifies for me that there is a reawakening of a lot of scholars and teachers in the reworking, rewording and rewriting of history books to give credit to those who had already lived upon the lands that colonial powers thought they'd "discovered" back in the 1700s+.

The so-called 'Doctrine of discovery' or ideas surrounding seemed to be based on an arrogant belief that colonial powers were the superior culture and would conquer and subjugate nations that did not share the same 'enlightened' beliefs or who did not have technology that could kill in an instant eg. weapons such as muskets and knives etc.

It's now interesting that indigenous cultural knowledge holders are being called upon to assist in sustainable living as people search for answers on how to 'save' this planet from ideologies of developed countries that are actually killing it through pollution, over-forestation, gaseous emissions through cattle etc.

I would recommend this 400+ page book to those who are interested in the different viewpoints of Captain Cook's voyages with discussions by Sam Neil (famous NZ actor) and indigenous peoples perspectives at the various Islands that he came in contact with as those islands were never the same...

Book Launch of 'Navigating Journeys' next Saturday...

Our latest offering from Mana Mangere writers' collective "Navigating Journeys"

 Next week Saturday, I'm looking forward to our final book launch of the year that features our third collection of the Mana Mangere writers collectives. The titles of our collections so far are:

1. Mana Mangere Voices (2017)
2. Sense of Belonging (2018)
3. Navigating Journeys (2019)

This year, I decided to invite some more youth writers to join us in contributing to the theme 'Navigating Journeys' and we were able to work with 13 student writers aged from 5 - 18 years old. This was alongside 7 adult writers from the group who contributed their poetry and/or stories.

What was really neat was to read the different perspectives of each writer navigating a journey and I hope that readers will also share in the celebrations on Saturday as we will be having it at our local library with families and friends invited to the event.

This year, I decided that the front cover would need to reflect the idea of going on a journey and I used my 'malu patterns' (traditional Samoan women's' tattoo) painting i.e. acrylics on canvas to portray that idea as discussed in earlier blogs.

For the blue background, I wanted to highlight the idea of navigating the deep blue moana or ocean as my past ancestors from many, many moons ago would have done. I then saw some artwork that our middle child was drawing and asked if it would be okay to use it for the back cover (commissioned of course).

As an artist, I always want each book to look unique and for each book's front and back cover to feature as an original art piece that captures the eye with symbolic meanings that correspond with the theme. To also showcase the artistic talent of artists around me is very important in sharing their gifts.

I hope that readers will enjoy our latest collection of prose and poetry with an eclectic mix of perspectives and thoughts on the topic. So if you're free, why not join us next week Saturday with some poetry and prose reading at Mangere Town centre library 1.30 - 2.30pm with light refreshments...

Congratulations to South Auckland 'Weetbix Tryathlon' participants...

A big congratulations to our youngest, and many other South Auckland youth, for accepting and completing the challenge of competing in her second 'Weetbix Tryathlon' at Mountfort Park yesterday in Manurewa.

The event started with our running to register and drop the bike off at the transition bike station and then to wait until the official start at 10 am. The organization of the event is a well-oiled machine with lots of support from family, friends, schools, officials and volunteers.

It was also neat to see one of my students there at the welcoming area and she helped to write our youngest's numbers shin and forearm, making it so real. The neat thing was that there were so many participants from different schools, individuals, teams etc.

For our 8 year old, it started with a 100 metre swim and then they quickly changed and transitioned to a 4 km cycle or twice around the track and finally to a 1500 metre run/walk to the finish line whereupon the would receive a drink and a medal and lots of pics, high 5s and smiles all around.

I asked our youngest if she would like to compete again and she assures me that it's all go for next year as well, Lord willing. She also got to choose her favourite cheesecake to celebrate with and then a deep sleep for school the next day...

Final shared dinner with class...

A big thank you to my neat class for the breakup dinner that we had last night with the sharing of gifts and lovely speeches and then a shared meal before we call it a day with the end of another year of learning on the course.

What's been so encouraging is the learning journey that we've all had in learning from each other and about each other as well as the curriculum lessons that we shared in discussing various perspectives and becoming more in tune with indigenous ways of thinking and doing.

I feel very privileged to have been able to share this space with my students and very humbled for the special gifts that they shared with me and lovely cards and speeches that we shared about some of the highlights over the year.

And now we can all look forward to graduation next year, Lord willing, with some continuing on to the Master's degree course, one moving overseas and many continuing on with their learning journey to other courses.

As for me, it's continuing with my studies and looking forward to acquiring new students to teach and looking forward to what the new year will bring...

'Last Christmas' movie...

"A pinch and a punch, first day of the month." This was one of the sayings that I learned as a kid and we'd literally say and deliver to an unsuspecting victim with an additional "No backs" so that they couldn't return it back to us with another proviso that it had to be said before midday.

Anyway, a happy first day of the Christmas season (month) with lots of Advent Calendars beginning their countdown today with chocolates or other little goodies to eat each leading up to Christmas day. It's something that I've done with our youngest which she looks forward to.

Last week I got the chance to watch the movie 'Last Christmas'. I must admit that I wasn't really expecting for it to be very memorial as often some of the Christmas movies are i.e. from Hallmark where a happy ending is expected but I found this movie to have quite an interesting turn to it.

It also showcases some of the late George Michael's movie that I used to enjoy back in the day and it has an interesting storyline that you have to suspend logic, a bit, to appreciate the ending of the movie with the story that it has to tell.

I'd recommend it as not the usual happy ending Christmas movie that also subtlely asks one to consider being a donor in case of the event of an untimely death. That statement will make a lot more sense once you watch the movie (but then that might be a spoiler alert right there!)...

South Auckland 'PopUp Business school of Aotearoa' short course...

 It's been a real privilege to have been able to 'pop' in and out of the South Auckland 'PopUp Business School of Aotearoa' which is running an intensive 10-day short course out of Te Haa Cooperative space out in Manukau.

The idea was brought back from England by Tony who is the founder of the movement here in New Zealand. He was an ex-pat living in England for a number of years and then returned back to NZ and brought the idea with him.

A big thanks to the Mangere-Otahuhu, Manukau-Otara and Manurewa boards whose funding along with MSD Ministry of Social Development has made this possible for many who are either in business or are considering business ideas.

It's been a very fruitful consideration of the various ideas that are out there for businesses to consider and especially for startups. I'd highly recommend this course for any who are considering business concepts or who want some more support as it's like attending a Master class for business owners.

What's even more refreshing is that all of the facilitators all own their own businesses and are able to share from first-hand experience the different things that they've been able to overcome in order to have successful businesses with overseas experience as well.

Also looking forward to being able to pop in and out of the course next week with a few ideas that they have in store for us as participants to try out. Never a dull a moment...

Measles outbreak in Samoa 101 years after the epidemic...

Our book launched this year about the epidemic 101 years ago

It's an alarming concern when some 32+ of mainly children have died through the measles outbreak in Samoa this year with many still sick with the disease that is causing grave concerns for medical practitioners in Samoa.

What's even more alarming is that it reminds some of us of the influenza epidemic that ripped through Samoa some 101 years ago in 1918 and took with it over a quarter of the population although statistics of the time only present it as one fifth of the population.

The frightening thing about it is the realization that many of the children who died may have survived with immunization although some dispute that this is a very serious strain of measles that is causing the deaths of so many vulnerable children.

There is no amount of support that could ever take the place of these beautiful children who have lost their battle to the disease and even more to the families who have lost beloved ones in being powerless in what they could have done to fight back as many of us know that immunization has been a concern when last year two children died in Samoa due to having had contaminated immunization shots.

The comforting thing is that many nations are now coming forward to provide aid to Samoa with Australia and New Zealand sending nursing and medical supplies and other neighbouring Pacific nations also adding their support.

My parents have returned back to Samoa today and we pray for their safe journey and also to the many families who have been affected by this disease. May the worst be over and may the families affected be comforted to know that they loved ones are now in a better place...

Watching another "Charlie's Angels" movie...

A big thanks to my lil' sister Maria who shouted me out on my birthday to watch a new 'chick-flick' i.e. the latest 'Charlie's Angels' movie which was a little different from the storylines of former Charlie's Angels movies.

What's so interesting is that in having been brought up watching the original Charlie's Angels back when they first started and the various 'Angels' who were taken away with new ones added during the various seasons in the 1970s and 1980s, the storylines were more about solving crimes with their womanly charms and intellect than it was about fighting criminals.

And then watching the remake and the redevelopment of the characters with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu, it was very interesting to watch the change in how the characters solved cases and used deadly force with lots of fight scenes and developed character backstories.

This new film I found deviated somewhat from Charlie's Angels storylines with Bosley's character changing and with few references to the former Charlie's Angels story. I'm not sure that it was as successful as the former but it was different.

I'm not sure that I could recommend it as it was okay, but for those who have watched the earlier versions of Charlie's Angels, they may be in for a bit of disappointment but still an interesting chick flick to watch...

Thank you for the birthday wishes...

 It's been a great birthday with big blessings from above with my family and friends as it started with attending a workshop (that I'll blog more about in upcoming blogs) and then I was able to celebrate it with my parents and my aunty (my mum's sister) as well as my children and my beloved.

And then to top it off, my lil' sis shouted me out to the movies with Jumbo snacks i.e. drinks (that I couldn't finish), a massive popcorn that I couldn't finish and took home and the way for the m & m's (chocolate covered).

And a big thanks to all the well wishes on Facebook etc. who also wished me a special day. May God bless you all and lots of love to you also...

A happy 18th wedding anniversary...

 Happy 18th Wedding Anniversary to my beloved. Today we were able to celebrate this special day and share it with our family with a family dinner and dessert with a profiterole cake. Yum!

And we have much to be grateful for in the blessings of our supportive parents and families, our children, the provisions through God's blessings and also the different talents that we've been able to share with people in our communities and in our churches.

We're also sending our love to other couples who have gone through their ups and downs and if we were to give advice to young couples, it would be about trusting God in all things and to love to support and service our spouse throughout our lives rather than be self-centred.

It's truly been a blessing to look back on the years that we've shared together and look forward to many more, Lord willing, where we could be a blessing to others too. Well, the night is still yound and we're looking forward to a date to the movies and maybe even a late dessert.

A wonderful day to spend with the love of life, my beloved and the one whom I would like to spend the rest of my life with...

One day arts exhibition at TWOA, Mangere campus...

Navigating Journeys themed exhibition at TWOA today

 A big FAAFETAI TELE or THANK YOU to my family and friends who were able to attend our one-day exhibition at TWOA Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Mangere campus. It was neat to be in an indigenous arts exhibition that featured whakairo (Maori carvings), raranga (Maori weaving) and Toi (fine arts) of which I had the privilege of studying under this past six months.

As earlier blogged, it was a privilege to have had space and the opportunity to study malu, pe'a/malofie (traditional Samoan tattoo) designs and to also be able to study Samoan tapa or siapo designs as well.

I was then able to create my own renderings of designs and then displayed them amidst the other exhibitors of six main pieces. I would have loved to have displayed a lot more but because of the limit of time and in wanting to keep it fluid, I certainly thank our teacher and the institution for the opportunity to do so.

It was neat to see so many people coming to support fellow artists and to share in a cup of tea and refreshments afterwards. This was something that my mother said used to happen at her old school, Avoka (a Samoan Methodist girls school in Faleula Samoa which has since closed) whereupon they would have a handcrafts display where crafts could be sold.

I'd definitely recommend this course of study for the novice or those wanting to have the experience of learning to draw, paint, print, sculpt or photography. Our tutor Trinity, was second to none, and very versatile in supporting new beginners as well. Definitely a experience I would highly recommend to all...

Saying NO to the End of Life Choice Bill...

It has been interesting to follow the David Seymore (MP Member of Parliament) End of Life Choice Bill that was proposed again in 2017 and has now completed its 3rd reading having won majority MP voting since it's inclusion.

What that means for NZ is that at the next elections in 2020, we have a referendum in that not only do we vote for the party that we feel best represents us and then our local MP but we also get to cast our vote as to whether we as individuals within the nation agree to the Bill that supports the choice of terminal patients with six months to live be given the choice to end their lives (euthanase voluntarily).

It has been really interesting to listen to the Pacific MPs speeches in the debating chambers especially for those who have voted against the Bill citing medical, professional, cultural, spiritual etc. reasons for their recent conscience votes.

What worries me is that those who are voting for the Bill cite the main idea as being given the right to have the choice to choose death in terminal cases. However, as many of the MPs voting against the Bill stated that it is a slippery slope especially with the elderly, people with disabilities, those who are terminally ill and the vulnerable upon which coercion or the decision being made for them could happen.

It was reported in Alfred Ngaro's speech against the Bill (National MP) that in Oregon State (USA), Canada and Victoria State (Australia) they all have measures that have been put in place to try and ensure that individuals are not abused in the system. However, NZ has not put the necessary steps to ensure that an individual's choice is not abused by others.

It also puts doctors in a very difficult position with 1,500 doctors petitioning against the bill with a conflict of interest put upon them of once upholding the sanctity of life but if passed the bill would pass then it would give doctors another option of ending life which could bring about so many other unsafe practices for patients.

I'm definitely voting NO to the bill and will be advocating for many of our Pasifika peoples to block vote the same way...

Art exhibition at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Mangere campus this weekend...

My 5 finished pieces for our exhibition

Looking forward this weekend as have submitted five finished pieces for my classes' art exhibition as the culmination of 18 weeks work in our Certificate in Maori and Indigenous course (although I petered out toward the end with so much other work happening).

A big 'THANKS' to our kaiako or teacher, Trinity, as she did a wonderful job of sharing her knowledge of the use of different medium and she was so versatile in her knowledge of painting that she helped me to get over my 'fear' of using watercolours as I hadn't mastered the art of use watercolours until I learned under her tutelage.

The modules of learning include:

1. drawing
2. painting
3. printing
4. sculpture
5. photography

The neat thing is that all of the students who stayed the course produced some fantastic pieces that we'll be proudly displaying this weekend on Saturday 23 November at Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Mangere Campus from 9am to 2pm (open to the public).

I only wish that I could have spent more time perfecting the ideas that I had for all of the pieces but suffice to say that I had a neat time dabbling in the various fine arts medium and enjoyed the freedom and pleasure of creating new pieces.

I'm inviting my family to view but if any are interested in finding out more information then you are most welcome to view our exhibition next to the atrium area and you can always sign up for next year's course fees free...

Final noho marae (overnight stay) for the year...

This has been an interesting and informative year as it draws to a close with my class. What's been really neat is watching adult students add to their journeys of learning and also in their personal lives to share goals and pursuits, difficulties and triumphs and developments. With more to come.

I've really come to appreciate the privilege it is to be a kaiako (teacher) and to share some of the insights that I've learned along the way of my educational journey. Both the good and the not so good but in all we still continue to learn from our successes and our failures and hope that our children will succeed in the role modeling that we put before us.

One of the important lessons that I've learned along the way is that for us as parents, despite whatever our circumstances, we need to be able to set a good foundation for our children in providing that important safe haven at home in order for our children to succeed.

I've seen how my mother and father, and many other visionary parents provided that space where we (as children) were able to dream our dreams and then given the space to make them happen. If that's what we as mothers can do, then we go a long way to making it happen for our children, no matter what choices they make in life.

Fathers also play an important role but from my perspective, as a mum/mom, we make those choices that can either make or break our children's dream so that it's imperative to ensure that we first and foremost are in a good space and then enable our children and families to be in a good space too.

I think of the pioneering woman whose path I follow, as in my mother as an important role model and the many other women who make or have had daily sacrifices in order for their children to succeed. Honouring those important people are important to do in life.

I'm hoping that as my class goes forward in their endeavours that they continue to shine that light of hope that it's never to late to keep learning and to be neat role models for their families, of providing that special space at home for their children's dreams to come true...

Congratulations to my beloved and completing Masters students...

A big congratulations to my beloved for completing his final presentation yesterday that counts towards 20% of his Master's degree course work. This was the culmination of two years of intense work and the final presentation completes his study journey with his graduation next year.

This has been such a neat journey to observe as he was formerly one of my students in my first Certificate in Indigenous Research class in which he completed with flying colours four years ago. There he was able to research some of the missing parts of his family's genealogy of which he was able to link.

And congratulations to the many in his cohort, some of whom were past students of mine, who have also completed their final presentations and are also looking forward to graduation ceremonies with their families. The sky is the limit and a real blessing from God...

Congratulating my lil' sis Maria on her application success...

One of Maria Tauau's book illustrations

A big congratulations to my lil' sis (Maria) who's just finishing her Bachelor of Social Work degree for this year and has been accepted into the Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge cohort starting next year as a 2-year degree.

I'm so happy for her as it continues a family tradition now that my beloved is also finishing his Master's degree this week with his final presentation and with my sister starting hers.

What's so neat about her indigenous knowledge practice is that it will be based around her art that incorporates a lot of Samoan symbols and with my art research this year, I'll also be encouraging her to look at Samoan iconology through malu and pe'a (Samoan traditional male and female tattoo) patterns.

As well as Maria's artwork featuring on some of the covers of our books, she also has some artwork at a local hospital in the maternity ward, I've taken some of her paintings to our house in Samoa with some hanging at our parents' house as well.

This is quite exciting as for her community project she has a number of ways of expressing her artworks and I'm looking forward to her ideas for an exhibition or whatever she chooses to do as an artist...

"Measina a Samoa" - Aganuu Samoa...

Our knowledge holders teaching my daughter to make luau (from taro leaves and coconut cream for the umu)

Last weekend, I had the privilege of participating with our youngest in a Aganuu Samoa event at our local church that included an overnight stay, weeks of rehearsal with siva (cultural dances) and learning about Samoan rituals and protocols (aganuu Samoa).

So for the past 3 months, we have been busy since joining our local church's Samoan Autalavou (youth group), of which our youngest and I joined to give her a taste of what I used to be involved with growing up.

The event was called Aganuu Samoa or rituals and protocols involved in our faaSamoa (Samoan way of doing things). There were weekly dance practices that involved learning three different dances: a dance using coconut shells, a mauluulu (light rain) or refreshing elegant dance as well as a dance that depicted Samoan chores.

So the night before the Saturday event, all the children had the last practice and then we brought in our things into the church hall for the sleepover i.e. airbeds, pillows, etc. I helped to teach some of the young ones on how to win in dominoes and then the adults started prepping the veges for the following day's cooking feast.

Needless to say that with all the excitement, we didn't get to sleep until after midnight and then I was up early at 4am when some adults came in early to begin firing up the rocks for the umu (earth oven). So that we were up and putting away our sleeping quarters by 6 - 7am.

The children were encouraged to go and listen and watch demonstrations of plaiting food baskets using palms leaves and then to learn how to peel taro, plait up fish using palm leaves, peel green bananas and make different types of luau using taro leaves and coconut cream.

It was a neat learning experience especially for our second-generation NZ born Samoan children with so much to experience and learn from. So that after preparations with the hot umu rocks ready for placing the food to be cooked on and then covered around 8am, when then got ready for the festivities that were to begin shortly.

The proceedings started with a 9 am breakfast for all and then a large photo of all the Autalavou and important guests was taken so that by 10.30am the opening service began. By 10.45am we were ready for the ava (welcoming ceremony) whereupon a few of us with matai (chiefly titles) were able to drink from the kava that had been ceremonially prepared by our taupou (village maiden).

When finished the cultural dancing started, followed by a scenario with fine mats being gifted for a wedding between parties with ie togo (fine mats) exchanged with money and food boxes. This was so that the youth could learn speeches but also witness what our parents do when such faalavelave (events that disrupt i.e. funerals, weddings, birthdays etc.) whereby the faaSamoa (Samoan way of doing things) rituals were displayed.

After this, gifting began with attendees bringing gifts of money in appreciation of the day and in placing it in a bowl placed in front of the stage, they would then dance to accompanying Samoan music and others would come with money gifts to join the dance in support.

We ended with more dancing and a toonai (feast) whereby the umu had been uncovered and the Autalavou was able to serve the guests who had arrived. By the end of the day, there were more speeches of thanks and the Autalavou shared the total amounts of $ that had been gifted with gifts of food and money going to the appropriate important guests who had attended.

The festivities ended at around about 1.30pm and then the tidying up began with guests departing with plates of food and many happy memories. All in all, it was a wonderful day of learning and some new experiences for our young children.

A big thanks to the committee and all the members who contributed to make it a wonderful day. Later on photos were shared on our Autalavou Facebook page and comments of praise and support flowed in with much appreciation to the committee for organising it with smooth execution.

The interesting thing for me at the end was the speech of our minister who identified these rituals as "measina a Samoa" meaning important treasures of Samoa that were demonstrated for our children but also for the guests to witness.

This happens also to be the topic of my thesis and I guess a way of confirming for me the importance of such rituals and ceremonies to be meaningfully passed onto our next generation of children to learn about but then also to understand the importance of participating in and then continuing on for the next generations...

Dictionary legacy left by the late Papalii Dr Semisi Ma'ia'i...

It is so sad to hear about the recent passing of author and doctor Papalii Dr Semisi Ma'ia'i who was also the writer and researcher of the book 'Tusi'upu Samoa' a well researched Samoan dictionary, Volume 1 from Samoan to English. Published by little island press in 2013.

In my beloved studies, he came across the dictionary and purchased it to assist in a deeper understanding of some of the nuances of words within the Samoan language. I only gave it a cursory glance in having two other dictionaries that I would often refer to i.e. 'Pratt's Grammar & Dictionary of the Samoan language' (Reprinted 1960) and 'A simplified dictionary of modern Samoa' by R.W. Allardice (reprinted 2006).

However, in starting to seriously study some of the meanings of Samoa words, their semantics, nuances and literary meanings etc. I've found Papalii Dr Semisi's dictionary of over 460 pages to be far more superior in the vastness of information available. It's also the first that I've read that has been written by a learned Samoan.

He definitely left an amazing legacy for Samoans and other interested people to discover. On the final page it's written "Continues in Volume 2 English to Samoan" and one can only assume that this is the work that he was working on to complete the two volumes.

I would highly recommend this dictionary for students or scholars studying any topics related to Samoa or for general use in deepening knowledge of gagana Samoan (Samoan language)...

"The Pilgrim's Progress" (2019) movie highly recommended...

"The Pilgrim's Progress" (The Journey of every Christian believer). So looking forward to watching this movie and recommending it, having read an adaptation of the book many, many years ago. It's based on a book by John Bunyan who was an English writer and preacher back in England in the 1600s.

This particular book rang true for me as a youth because it tells the story about a man going on a journey and some of the things that happen to him are universal truths about the struggles we have in life. He wrote it as an allegory or story that contains symbols with greater meanings for the Christian life.

And just found out that you can also buy the DVD that has just been released in Manna Christian stores both online and in stores so seriously considering to go and buy it over the weekend and to watch it at our church's weekend sleepover...

To ban or not to ban the annual Guy Fawkes fireworks...

 Yesterday we celebrated Guy Fawkes with letting off a small number of fireworks as our youngest had reminded us that we hadn't celebrated it for a couple of years. There's reasons behind this as:

1. Our pet animals get agitated by it and everyone else who's letting off fireworks in the surrounding neighbourhood.
2. I always equate it to burning my money and what level headed budget-conscious mother would do that? (haha) However, it is a concern when families decide to buy fireworks over providing food for the table.
3. It's an antiquated holiday from an old colonial past that actually supports the burning of a 'Guy' as Guido Fawkes back in England in 1606 who planned the 'gun powder plot' against the Crown but he was caught and sentenced to death.
4. There are crazy people in our society who don't responsibly use the fireworks and instead point it to people, animals, and property with harmful intent.
5. Accidents have been known to happen with ambulances, callouts to police with fire departments on alert during period time.
6. Although it's illegal for people under the ages of 18 to buy fireworks, often children can get their hands onto it with detrimental effects.

I'm in two minds about banning fireworks which is a suggestion that is being seriously considered by various councils due to the negative effects of allowing them for general use to the public and there are others arguing vehemently against banning them.

It does have it's positive points in having free public displays that are professionally orchestrated and that families can attend or as a time that brings families together for BBQs signalling the beginning of summer etc.

I'm still on the fence on that as I see many families responsibly using fireworks and keeping it within their budget and not going overboard but it is a no-brainer for those who have been caught up in the negative effects of fireworks...

Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge (Level 9)...

Today, I just heard the good news that 6:7 of my past students made it to the presentation stage of the Master of Applied Indigenous Knowledge course (final stage) before having their degrees confirmed for graduation this year.

I also have another two students of whom I supported but didn't complete my research paper so it's 8:9 students that I was thankfully able to support into the programme. As they only take around 40 candidates each year.

Like a mother hen, I feel so excited and privileged to have supported and witnessed their journey 3 - 4 years earlier from starting with me in the Cert. in Indigenous Research course and now having almost completed their degrees.

It is definitely not a journey for the faint-hearted as there would have been a lot of learnings along the way as well as challenges and obstacles to have overcome but so proud to hear the news.

I am also hoping to get permission to attend each presentation (as appropriate) in having spoken with each candidate earlier about what their topics might be to what they have completed. The presentation time is only 15 mins with a set format for their slides, topics and their findings, etc. so it will be so interesting to listen to them over a 2 day period next week 14 - 15 November

I also have another 7 students (plus another student whom I'm supporting but didn't teach) waiting in the wings to see if they get into the next cohort of the Master's degree that recently closed last week. That announcement will probably be made at the end of the month and wishing my students the best.

It's something that I believe in, in having scaled the heights (and still metaphorically scaling) and seeing the panoramic view up ahead, as a teacher, it's important to keep encouraging our students to continue their journeys and to give a helping hand when we can. The benefits to their families and others around them can be life-changing and life-transforming...

Script to Screen 2 day workshop....

This weekend, I've had the privilege of attending a two-day workshop about developing film scripts for the screen. It's a wonderful opportunity because I've kept missing this type of workshop over the years with so much already going on.

This 2-day workshop, however, allowed me some time to consider where my writing could go to in the future, after my studies, as I'm always looking for challenges to develop my writing i.e. taking it up another level.

It was neat to meet a wide range of people from different ethnicities, ages, backgrounds, etc. all brimming with film ideas and considering writing scripts to make them into short and/or feature-length films.

I'm at the short film stage and interesting in developing ideas for a 10 - 15 min short film in the next year or so in script form, whilst learning the ropes regarding production, etc.

It's early days with my studies as first priority and with more book ideas that I'm working at. It was exciting to even consider the idea, especially when there are so many film ideas to weigh up. Although, I've already decided that some stories easily lend themselves to film and others to publishing in short story form or poetry.

I got to listen to some Samoan New Zealand women filmmakers i.e. Nikki Si'ulepa (Snow in Paradise) and Marina McCartney (Vai - Samoan section) and watched some of their films and watched an interesting Maori short film called 'Hinekura' by Beks Arahanga.

We also had a pitching session whereby each attendee had to pitch a 3-minute film proposal to a panel of 3 and get feedback on it. My printer wasn't working so I decided to text it into my mobile phone and used that as my note taker which was funny as everyone else read from paper notes.

All in all, it was a neat experience and one that I would definitely recommend to any would-be filmmakers out there who're considering it, as it definitely is not for the faint-hearted. Even Peter Jackson started out making short films too.

So watch out world, there are some amazing stories that I heard today that need to be developed into scripts and then to get a good production crew around to start shooting after planning and budgeting and then to sit back and watch it on screen after distributing it worldwide. An interesting consideration for future filmmakers...

Graduations to all our senior Pasifika students in their final high school year...

 Last night, we accompanied our eldest to her final high school year's senior prizegiving at Mt Roskill Grammar school, a progressive, liberal and highly competitive school but still caring of cultural diversity and inclusion. We thank God for her time there and the lessons that she's learned along the way.

Our eldest sat in the final row for prize winners who had won tertiary prizes, scholarships and had made important contributions to the school. It was a long but well-oiled prizegiving with many recipients and it was neat to see diversity displayed on the stage with many Pasifika, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, European etc. students walking up to receive their trophies, cups and/or certificates.

It was neat to see our eldest enjoying the evening with her friends and peers. It was quite a subdued affair with few shouting out, with only one haka tautoko performed for the Maori students who had gained certificates/trophies. Very different to the Wananga graduation ceremonies that I've now become accustomed.

I reflected on my final year of high school and how I 'collected' many prizes being in a Year 13 class of only 12 students and I was able to top Geography, Art and History and English being one of only a few or even the only one of my class. (Ha ha.)

Some would have said that that wouldn't have been an accurate reflection of my place if I had been in a large secondary school but it didn't make a difference because I still competed with students from other schools when we reached Uni and kept going when others dropped out.

So that was one of the reasons for why I opted for a larger grammar school (our eldest insisting for a co-ed school than the single-sex school that I would have preferred) to have that experience of working in an environment which was more indicative of the diversity of NZ society and at Uni.

Our eldest has had the opportunity that I only dreamed of, and she held her own, is a year ahead of her cohort, with me as a mother/teacher watching over and seeing how fast she was able to progress in the tenacity that she displayed and put her up a year so that she is one year younger than her peers.

That wasn't to put her off as I knew that she was able to rise to the challenge, in being a voracious reader and with her young soul having an interest in social justice at a young age, her acceptance into Law school at both Uni of Auckland and AUT, was easily chosen from when she received her Kiwa (Pacific Students) scholarship from AUT. She also received a senior Enterprise award for her contribution to the school in the many different spaces that she represented and walked in.

After prizegiving photos and well wishes and yes, I made some 'ula lole' (last minute in the car) as I had forgotten all about it whilst in Whakatane, we left with one of her prize-winning friends for a quick celebration at a local family restaurant.

We then drove to visit my parents and it was neat to share in a prayer and blessing with them in seeing their next-generation elder grandchild (from my line) continuing the legacy of working hard and succeeding in a given goal.

It reminded me of the lessons that I learned growing up, about believing in something bigger than yourself (having faith), of having a goal and working hard towards it (despite the obstacles), of never giving up and not forgetting your family or those giants who have walked before you and humbly walking with your God because these are the lessons that we learn not from school but from our faith, our families and of love...

Happy 100th birthday to my grandma Asia in Heaven...

 Today would have been the 100th birthday of my grandma Maria Mareta Asia Su'a and thinking about doing something special to mark this day. She went to be with her Lord soon after her 98th birthday but so glad that I had the privilege of having her as my grandma.

I'm still working on her memoirs as I have so much gong on at the moment but it's one of those priorities that I hope to make some time during the holidays to really get it moving as I had hoped to get it ready for today but sometimes things don't quite go the way you plan it.

Still, there are many life lessons that I learned from her (in past blogs) in not letting her age or being fearful of people and places, or any disabilities etc. define her. She was a very strong woman and in living till 98 she demonstrated how faith in God and living in prayer helped her to bless others.

I'll always be thankful for how she demonstrated love in being generous and giving things away, her determination and tenacity in her faith through prayer and fasting as well as enjoying the simple blessings that God gave her through the blessing of her descendants and our little ones. Happy 100th birthday Grandma...

Last day in Whakatane at Te Wananga o Awanuirangi campus...

Sunset at Awanuiarangi, Whakatane campus

Today is our last day in Whakatane and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity of coming here to have discussions with my PhD supervisor in checking to see if my writing and thinking is on the right track.

I could have had two more days with the other PhD students but because I have so many other commitments that need my attention, I need to return back to Auckland i.e. my job, church commitments, our elder child's senior school prizegiving in which she's receiving awards, our youngest's school athletics day and I'm behind in some art projects etc. and the list goes on.

This time, however, I was able to concentrate fully on the task in front of me with the various aspects of my thesis that needed attention. Having changed my thesis (over the years) from a research-driven study to one with a more indigenous lens and creative focus, it's going to be interesting to see how this one pans out in the end.

Some of the interesting aspects include: being encouraged to leave the poetry and drawings/paintings in my studies that I initially decided to leave out; having discussions with Samoa elders that will inform my writing pieces; having discussions with a group of diaspora Samoans who will provide feedback on my writings before publishing them to a global audience etc.

There are still lots more considerations to make but I am so pleased that it's worked out for me to complete my studies with an indigenous tertiary institution as it positions me for where I would like the studies to take me to and that's in supporting other indigenous writers and academics in their spaces.

And so now looking forward to the road trip back with my DJ daughter, our music playing (mostly Pasifika beats), schnux (snacks on the side) singing our hearts out during our 4 hour non-stop drive, and praying for protection as we drive into the sunset towards Auckland...