The passing of a generous friend...

I've just returned tonight from the Family service of a good church friend who was a humble but straight forward servant of God who loved to serve in the church in many capacities.

I've known her for over 30 years and she was the Prayer Breakfast leader of a group that I founded some 25+ years ago in my birth church. I remember how she would pray for her family, friends and church members.

She also was so generous in sharing the bread from the bread ministry, that my late father had founded at the church, with bread given to her neighbours and family who lived close by. It was so sad to think that we no longer be able to hear her loud but clear voice. Her songs and guitar strumming and her heart filled with love for so many.

The church service was full with over 300+ persons of Cook Islands, Niuean and Samoan descent (our church congregation) but she was able to touch so many people's lives. Unfortunately, her husband died a few months ago and she is survived by her two children with one who is currently in hospital with ailing health.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family in now living life without their matriarch. She passed away in her early 70s but she was such a strong woman that no one thought that her time had come so soon.

I still remember how she would always be asking after my parents when I would attend prayer meeting and she would always remember to lift them up in prayer. She was definitely a prayer warrior and very passionate about her faith and encouraging people in her good works.

I'm definitely going to miss her presence. In times like these, we are reminded to hug and share love with our beloved family members. Those of whom we often take for granted that we will always see them. It's also a reminder to be grateful for the legacy of those who've passed and who have shared beautiful memories with us.

Dearest Kei, you have been called to rest as a faith-filled servant now rejoicing in the presence of the One that you believed in for so long. Now with my late father and other church pioneers who helped to build a place that welcomes Pacific peoples into a space of love and belonging. You are dearly missed but not forgotten. Ua manuia lou malaga (your journey is blessed).

 

Loving long weekends...

I really do love my long weekends spent with family and already have plans with my eldest to have lunch and watch a movie with my mum. Three generations together and just loving it this long Labour weekend.

I also have plans to write and get some housework sorted somewhere in that but will be especially taking time out with family to just enjoy each others' company and to relax.

I'll shortly be going on my usual weekend 5km walk to just take that time out to walk and meditate. To pray when the thoughts come and to consider what other things I need to work with.

It's neat to be mindful of things to be sorted as although this is a weekend for sports and other important social activities, I always take it as a time to also take stock to consider what needs to be completed before the end of the year with Christmas coming just around the corner.

I know that I have some work obligations for the next two weekends, so I'll be taking that in mind as well as to consider bringing things together for a quick family trip to Melbourne, Australia next month to take my visit my brother and his family there. As my mum enjoys travelling to Australia to visit family.

So there's a bit to do this long weekend but the most important is to slow down and relax, enjoy time with family and to take a deep breath to consider what needs to be done before the end of the year. This is a good time to be mindful of all that then start making plans towards finishing the year well...
 

Re-open of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Mangere campus...

 

Yesterday, I returned back to work after the official opening last Friday at 5am. It was a dawn re-opening ceremony but unfortunately I wasn't able to attend.

The re-opening of the campus was due to flooding because of freak weather and torrential rain that burst the drains and then swept through the corridors of the campus.

In returning there's been a change with new furniture, flooring, classroom interiors etc. It's been really neat to also catch up with other staff members as since the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us have been working from home and especially since the floods closed our campus. Which meant a lot of Zoom classes and also had been driving to Manukau Institute of Technology for a time.

It's neat now that we can return back to campus and I'll be taking my students through (those who haven't been before) on an orientation of the various services that our Wānanga (Māori higher learning institute) has on offer for students.

This has been really neat also as the new look has given the campus a more 'airy' feeling and more lighter in the interior with the use of white hues, light browns, with black which is the the signature colour of choice of the wānanga. Great to see and roll on Christmas...

Voting today...

 

Totally forgot that it was Friday the 13th yesterday followed by Saturday with our national voting. I went on my usual 5km morning walk and then accompanied my mom, on her scooter, to our local voting booth that's just down the road from our house at my old primary school that I'm currently on the board of trustees of.

It was really interesting to attend early in the morning as I recognized a student who'd gone to the same primary and high school as me and she's just finished voting. 

Then I walked in with my mum and noted another past pupil who'd also attended the same primary and high school as me who was the main scrutineer and organiser of the voting booth.

Of course I forgot to take my voting card as I didn't know what happened to it but once they were able to establish who I was and gave me my voting paper. I was able to go to the closest booth and tick my preferred party and my preferred local Member of Parliament.

We then returned home only to come back later with my middle child to accompany her to vote. So now I can relax and then will watch the outcome tonight as I used to with my late dad. We'd sit in front of the TV until the last votes were in and one of the main parties conceded to the other. 

It looks like it's going to be a very interesting race to the end with some who will be happy with the outcome and others who will be in tears...

"Underdog" stories...

 

I received this book in the mail, a couple of weeks ago from a Group that I've joined that's been good for the soul. This particular book is by Dean Graziosi and it's an interesting read about being the "underdog".

Now that's where it gets really interesting because I remember back at primary school (in the 1970s) that I really felt at a disadvantage. Back then most of my teachers were European and at home we spoke Samoan so there was already a massive difference in valuing different types of knowledge.

I remember as a kid thinking that there were all these new words that I was learning that were really important to learn so that I would understand what teachers were talking about.

So I made it my mission to learn those new words in stealth mode. So much so, that students in class started thinking that I must be smart because I was reading like crazy and was scoring well on a lot of tests in class. Plus I wasn't too bad at art and there were two us who would be called on to draw pictures and borders for other children's book's title pages. (Yes, I was showing promise as an artist then.)

That continued through to university with people thinking that I was some sort of smart but I put it to my parents teaching me to pay close attention in school (not just there to eat my lunch) and that most things were worth learning about and to put my best foot forward as such.

It didn't help that I then started wearing glasses (short sighted) when I turned 12 - 13 years with the addition of braces! now I could have had a real ugly duckling complex, but I didn't. I just became more confident in wearing glasses, in that I could actually see detail but I just didn't smile for the camera - something for which I now regret in not having any photos of me in braces for my children to see.

So back to the book. It's a pretty neat book and having listened to some of Dean Graziosi's seminars, I'm not surprised that he's become a New York best selling author and multi-millionaire. He's in the knowledge industry and it's an area that I'd would be interesting to check out a little later down the line.

Yeap! I've definitely felt like an 'underdog' at times in my life but it hasn't stopped me, like Dean, from checking out the many possibilities and being creative about it. I'm savouring this book and taking my time as many of the stories about the huge disadvantages that he had to overcome in order to get to where he is and that's serving people.

I'm also interested that he and Tony Robbins sponsor the 'Operation Underground Railroad' to eradicate children trafficking. It's hard to believe that adults can traffick children but there are some 'sick' people out there who need taking down and as an advocate of the organisation  and movie that was out earlier "Sound of Freedom" it's good to know that there are good people supporting them.

So if you haven't had a chance to watch the movie or read this book? I would highly recommend both to you. The film is a hard watch. It's difficult to believe that grown men would sexually abuse children for their own self-gratification but if there's anything that we can do about it, we should definitely send them behind bars. And supporting organizations and individuals such as these are important to recognize in doing our part...

Digital gaming culture after Ph.D...

One of the things that I'm looking forward to checking out after my Ph.D. is submitted and I finish defending it, is having the time to be able to study some of the online games that my famz (younger generation) have been playing as teams on.

Some of the online games that I've watched them play with started with 'Fortnite' then moved onto 'Apex' which is where this edited version of one of my children's YouTube links is from. It's been real interesting to watch as they've conversed and played with gamers from all over the world depending on the server that they're hooked into.

I'm particularly interested as I've always been interested in games that require hand-eye coordination and back in the day it consisted of games such as badminton or squash, baseball or softball, soccer (although that's more foot co-ordination) but you know what I mean.

The gaming culture is quite different though and there's still gaming etiquette and I've been fascinated when my famz get into teams and go for gold. Which often means eliminating the opposing squad in stealth fashion. I'm not into the violent nature of these games but one does wonder if you were put into a real life scenario whether some of this information would be useful to know.

Anyway, it's been very interesting for me to view as a 'Boomer' in watching how the next generation (my children) engage as individuals but also as a family group in these digital scenarios. I've seen team work, team building, a lot of shared laughs, a lot of shared critiques and honing of this hand-eye co-ordination until it's all synched. Oh well, something 'fun?' to look forward to after all the seriousness of a thesis...

 

"Spookers" school holidays attraction...

Had a very busy full on weekend with my family starting with a neat brunch with my eldest and then followed by re-watching the movie "Barbie" with my middle child as had missed out.

The following day my youngest's friend came over for a day out with our family as we went to visit 'Spookers' which is a Horror themed park out in rural Auckland, Karaka. This was a neat 'shout' by our middle child.

It's set at a place which was formerly known as Kingseat Hospital which was an institute that was established around the 1930s for treating the 'mentally ill'. It has had a checkered past with many changes to it's original use and purpose but there were also complaints that surfaced post 2000 (year), as to the abuse of patients during a national inquiry of such facilities.

Institutes such as these, were notorious in NZ, during the 1960s - 1970s and earlier in being unchecked for the ways that they treated patients and the experimental and non-ethical ways that certain so-called "professionals" worked. So that in 1999, it was closed and other recommendations were considered for the park like setting. 

Yesterday, our family of 5 plus a friend arrived during a rainy period and snaked our way through the maze of roads until we got to the main office. There we were introduced to our tour guide for a behind the scenes tour R8+ (restricted to persons over the age of 8 years old).

It was a tour like no other with our guide screaming around as we went up the stairs and followed our tour guide through a maze of rooms with horror themes. I'm actually not a fan of horror as much as some of my family members are in the adrenalin rush that they get but it was an interesting tour.

I must say that even for 8 years old's, it's not a tour for faint hearted adults especially if you are easily spooked or if you have a heart condition. The horror themed rooms with scary looking clowns, missing appendages on so-called operated corpses and porcelain dolls missing heads, ghosts etc. were certainly interesting to view.

Probably the highlight for me was walking through "Disturbia" house with 3D glasses and seeing the artwork 'pop-out' with it's fluro colours. The other was walking along a bridge within a steel round casing spinning around with flying colours that made me think that I was going to fall. Very interesting!

All in all, our family enjoyed the spooking (if that's what you can call it) and then headed for our local Denny's for dinner and dessert. This was a neat 'shout' by our eldest. It was quite comforting and a stark contrast from where we had previously been.

Almost forgot to mention, that the younger two of our family group opted for a $5 makeup makeover (before leaving 'Spookers') and went to the Restaurant with blood cuts (special effects makeup) that our tour guide had painted on their faces. 

Needless to say that there were a lot of quizzical looks when they saw our two but then understood once they saw that it was only makeup. Probably with the understanding that Halloween is just around the corner...

Times flies when having fun...

 

This week, my eldest took me on a drive to lunch (my shout!) in her first car gifted to her for her 21st birthday and I marvel at how fast time has flown by. She's now a 3rd/4th year law student studying double degree with criminology.

I know my parents really embedded in me the importance of education and to follow a path that opens up opportunities to help others. My eldest has that self same belief that's lead her to the path of study in supporting some of the more vulnerable in our communities.

It's been a real blessing as a parent to see her fly and take on her own responsibilities to grow as an adult. It hasn't been an easy journey but she knows that she has my support along the way.

I think, we as parents, often underestimate the values and principles that we pass onto our children. They don't go by what we say but what we do. I know that for a fact, in the values and principles that my own parents passed onto me that I've tried to pass onto my children.

Those values about integrity, honesty, caring, standing up for those who are less fortunate or vulnerable, using our/your platform or power for good, to not be arrogant or grandstanding and there's so much more.

It's important to spend quality time with your loved ones and for them to know that they are loved. It's been a blessing to spend this special time with my eldest in knowing that there were dreams and goals that I had for her as a mother those many years ago and that they have come to fruition. Thank you God...

Visiting a couple of my local walk...

Yesterday, when going on my usual 5km walk, having had a rest for a couple of weeks due to health and busyness, I came across this couple and had to cross the road and take a closer look.

It was such a pleasant surprise as often you don't get to see such things and had I not been taking notice of the environment around me, I could easily have missed seeing this cute couple.

I noticed that there wasn't a tag or explanation and they seemed to be mounted on two metal prongs stuck into the dirt. They were propped outside a wooden fence that surrounded the property were intentionally put there for passer-bys, like me to pay attention to.

It definitely brought me a smile as I was reminded that years ago when my children were very young that I had bought knitted dolls off a national website, similar to these, as cute crafts that my children would play with. In fact, I think I may some have some in storage too.

It made me think that sometimes we can get so stuck in our own thinking when going about our daily lives that we miss some of those important but often quirky or funny things that bring a smile or a memory that's so comforting.

Those moments can be momentary but important as if to say to not take things so seriously, or to worry, or be depressed or fret but instead to smell the rose, look up at the sky and remember that there are still some neat things in our lives to be thankful and grateful for and that joy can be found in even the seemingly simplest of things.

I'm grateful to whomever it was who decided to bring a smile to passer-bys. I think they were so considerate, even it it wasn't so calculating. Perhaps it was a reminder for us to sometimes let go of life's worries and concerns and allow a little joy to come into our lives... even if for a moment... 

 

Recommended Gift Baskets...

 

One of the things that I enjoy making up for birthdays, special occasions and for a special someone is a personalized gift basket. I make up two for my eldest for her birthday and it was packed with goodies that I knew she would enjoy and also would give her great joy.

The reason why I think that gift baskets are particularly special is that you don't have to do it last minute. I recommend that you purchase a decorative cardboard box or plastic storage box and then begin filling it with things that you know that that special someone would appreciate.

The first box that I made up was a set of personal skin based products that I knew she liked and added in other celebratory products like choc's a personalized mug, tissues, lofah etc. So you can make them themed through the use of colour or product themes and the list goes on.  

And then I top it off with a large cellophane wrapped around it with a themed coloured ribbon with a card inserted inside for the special one to read of your sentiments for the occasion etc. This is something that I've been doing over the years as it takes off the pressure of last minute gifts and it's something that can easily completed within a short time frame too.

Some people even make it their business to make these and they're fantastic for Christmas if you're thinking of food related festive themes or care packages etc. So if you're stuck for buying that special gift for someone special, why not consider a themed gift basket. You don't have to choose a big box either, it can be as small as you wish and then fill with things that you know that that person would really appreciate. They'd thank you for it too...

World Vision out of India...

One of the surprising news that I just picked up this week was the fact that many NGOs Non-government Organizations have been barred or cancelled from working in India since last year i.e. over 20,000 overseas organizations who had been doing charity work in India have now been withdrawn.

The main reason being that the present government (and governments before) do not like the criticisms that many of these NGOs reports write about what they see as happening politically within India. Especially in terms of not helping their own poorest of the poor people.

These sanctions and the changes in the laws of India to not allow foreign charities into their countries have caused a mass exit of these international groups from supporting the very vulnerable families in India and could potentially cause and even more widespread poverty of communities there. 

One such community is a young boy, his family and community of whom I'd been sponsoring through World Vision since 2018/9. The financial support that many sponsors were able to provide aided the community in their various projects and also assist in alleviating poverty in the those communities through planting schemes, cottage industries for women especially and obtaining clean water.

This work was made known to me through the late Rev. Bob Challis who was a London Missionary society missionary who encouraged the early church that I currently attend, to sponsor children in those nations as a church organization.

As a result, I have been doing the same for over some 30 years or so but this was very sad news for me as I had wanted my donation to go to the poorest nations in need and this family in India had been brought to my attention to support.

The letter that I received this week has brought this sad news of their withdrawal and I have now been given another child (their family and community) in Bangladesh to support. I'm hoping that as I write this post that many will consider sponsoring children as you can make a big difference to an entire village and especially an individual child in poor nations.

I also sponsor a group called 'Kidscan' in NZ as I'm also aware of the vulnerable children and families in NZ and have seen this group right at the front lines of trying to support children with providing  clothes, food and other opportunities for vulnerable children in our nation.

If you haven't already, please kindly consider supporting an international organization and local organization that looks after our future leaders and families of tomorrow. The care that we give them now in their vulnerable states will not be forgotten...

 

Happy 21st Birthday to our eldest...

Had a great family birthday celebration of my eldest daughter, who turned 21 this week. We're having a birthday week as she decided to have a small celebration with family on her special day and a friends party for the weekend.

It all started with a countdown till midnight and then we broke out the bubbly and she cut her first Red velvet cake from the Cheese cake shop. Then took her up to her bedroom that had been kitted out with a makeover!

Here she is at the Restaurant that we chose to have lunch at with her 21st two tiered Red velvet cake (by Decor Cakes in Otāhuhu - our fave cake shop for celebration cakes over the years) and her 21st key given by my mom.

My mother, her maternal grandmother was able to pray a blessing over her and to hand her the key as my mum played a special part in also taking care of her in her formative years when I went back to work and she had retired by then. All of my children are close to their grandmother and she enjoys their company as well.   

 For dinner we went out to a Pasifika Seafood Restaurant that had amazing trays of seafood (her choice of Restaurant) and we had a ball trying out the new cuisine. I love seafood and it was another treat that we enjoyed.

Then the birthday girl shouted us to a game of 10 pin bowling with 2 teams of family and a couple of friends. It was so funny as the birthday girl's boyfriend came first followed by her mum (that's me) just making it to 100 points. All in all, we had a great day and she was showered with gifts.

We're now getting ready for the weekend where we'll be supporting her in her Saturday evening party with friends. Hopefully the weather will hold and it will be at the backyard with canopies, fairy lights and cool music. 

We'll be there to just set up and get things ready for her and then we'll just take it easy at my mum's home whilst they party all night up into the wee hours. Then Sunday I'll be making a small donation to my late dad's beloved church as he would have wanted. Just blessed to have seen this day come to fruition 21 years after, as my first born...

Pinata's sampler pack...

 

This weekend whilst busy preparing for the birthday week of my eldest turning 21 on Tuesday, my second child and I went to sort out the birthday cake at a local cake shop that we've ordered our specialty cakes to be baked at over many years.

Afterwards, we decided to take a dip into one of my late father's fave Samoa food outlets called Pinata's. It has a lot of tasty island foods but we thought to just have a drink and a steamed lamb bun.

I got to speaking with the lady of the shop and found that we had connections with my dad's village of Fasito-o in Samoa and also with the Tau'au name that my dad's family is associated with. We're again looking forward to spending after Christmas holidays and the new year back in Samoa.

It was such a blessing to be able to make those connections and as we spoke she offered to us a free sampler pack of Pinata's that they give to new customers (as I hadn't been there in years). I tried to pay for it but the lady refused it as a special on offer that they had for their new customers.

So I brought it home and my family was able to sample the panikeke (fried round pancakes) that had shredded coconut inside, a custard bun, a chocolate bun, a coconut bun, a caramelized shredded coconut bun and a cinnamon and sugar donut. Definitely, not for the faint hearted but a nice sampler treat for the day.

I would highly recommend Pinata's for those wanting to have a taste of 'home' of local cuisine and I noticed that whilst we were there, a lot of people chose to visit and pick up their favourite island foods options. I'll definitely be back there, as a result, and will check out there hot foods options as what my dad would have enjoyed too...