Goal planning and Serenity prayer for 2016...

I've been big on goals ever since I was a kid growing up. I think I got it from my parents who really encouraged us to do well in school in seeing education as a key to understanding the world around us and in being successful (whatever that might mean to the individual).

I, in turn, have passed this on to my children and in my job as an advisor to degree students. I also encourage goal setting and planning at the beginning of the year as a big part of becoming successful in their studies in continually checking on those goals throughout the year to the end.

I often say that the key to success is not about having a smooth sailing year, it's about being able to problem solve along the way to ensuring that unless it's a life and death situation or emergency - what strategies/contingency plans/re-routing can be put in place to overcome the situation/s or is there something that I really need to stop and think about.

I know in my own 3 degree studies, it's never been plain sailing, and it's to expect the unexpected. The other most important part for me is being grounded as a faith believing Christian that most times things will happen that are out of my control and that I just have to give it up in prayer to a God who can handle it but to also have the wisdom to know about when I need to move on things.

It's that time honoured Serenity prayer ...

Wishing you a Happy New Year for 2016...

Wishing all my friends, family and readers a very happy new year for 2016. Looking forward to what the new year offers in opportunities and openings as a publisher and author but also as a mom, educator and entrepreneur great hopes for my family.

In regards to new year's resolutions, I gave up on doing that many years ago and instead have a goals sheet that I write out at the beginning of every year. It includes two goals in each category with a timeline:

• Spiritual / Physical / Family / Financial / Professional / Mental / Social / Community support

So maybe if you have given up on New Year's Resolutions like me, you could give this a go. I've been doing it for many years and have found that it keeps me on track and I keep it close and review these goals throughout the year. So yes, last year, I also had the goals of publishing two books and it came true.

Just give it a go! you never know unless you do...

Looking forward to the new year 2016...

 Great to be spending time with family from overseas as it's been a real blessing with a BBQ prep organised for this evening, a family swimming pool event and welcoming the New Year with a church service and a dessert for our family get together.

Yesterday, we (almost) finished my lil' sister's bedroom reno with the wallpapering and it's looking really good and ready for her first year degree studies and in anticipation of her upcoming birthday next month. My brother now wants to take on our parents hallway with a new paint job replacing the old wallpaper and they did an all-nighter last night to get it done. You go bro! :)

It's been great to take a break from the books but am already anticipating our first launch which will be either late Jan or most probably early February with my first poetry collection of earlier poems I've written and some more current offerings.

I thank God for a great year in 2015 and so 2016, here we come...

Counting down last days of 2015...

 2015 has been a great year for our family and have been busy painting up ceiling, door etc. in my lil' sis' bedroom for an update and reno for the new year where she'll be starting her degree studies in Social work.


Which takes me back to our visit to Hawaii where it was quite funny to see, in Waikiki shops, quite a bit of winter gear - I guess for those who would be returning to the 'mainland' US as they call it but also the main department stores at Ala Moana shopping centre in Oahu, with winter woollies whereas both in Hawaii and NZ we share warmer weather so house reno's and gardening are tasks often taken over summer.


Also beginning to hit the swimming pool and beaches as the warmer weather drives us out of our houses and into nature. Looking forward to New Year celebrations and neat to have my brother and his family visiting from Melbourne before both they and my parents fly back to their respective abodes.


Have had a neat year in 2015, roll on 2016...

Highlights of 2015...

Sunning on Waikiki Beach, Oahu - Hawaii.

So many highlights for 2015 and so much to be thankful for:




1. Travelling with my children has definitely been a highlight in being able to see different countries/Islands and observing the similarities and differences in societies. A better fieldtrip experience in Sydney, Australia; Samoa and Savai'i; and Oahu, Hawaii.


2. Self-Publishing 5 books: 2 performance plays and 3 Bilingual picture books has been a real dream come true for me with many more titles to come and currently working on a poetry collection to launch in the new year as well as to continue publishing more plays and bilingual picture books.


3. Keeping in touch with family in Samoa and abroad and keeping the faith strong. This has been an amazing year for our family and looking forward to what 2016 brings...

NZ Boxing day 26 Dec...

Have had a nice quiet Boxing Day with warmer weather and time with family as well as not having to cook with so much food shared from different places.


Over time, I've noticed that Boxing Day in NZ is mainly about the big chain stores advertising their Big Boxing day sales and is very different from the original meaning of boxing day as being a time when boxes were given to staff to pass onto their families.


Today, I also visited the local markets and noticed that not many stalls were available as usual as well as the usual busyness of trying to find a carpark was gone with so many parks available. This was possibly due to people taking time off for the holiday season.


Just loving these summer holidays with family...