Really looking forward to this Christmas holiday break in spending time with family chillaxing and taking time for some well deserved R&R i.e. rest and relaxation. Have currently got this Afro beats song on speed dial.
With only a few days before my work closes for the year, there's still a lot of paperwork to complete to close my class ready for graduation next year. It's been quite a busy year and so thankful that we were able to finish well.
Now still to put up our family Christmas tree...
This pic is of the end of year secret Santa (gift sharing) and shared cultural lunch that we had yesterday. It was such a neat last day to spend with my class and my lil' sis (who's been working with some of the students in my class to support them in their assignments) and my youngest who was able to accompany us too.
It was neat to start with our usual karakia or blessing (prayer) for the day and then some introductions to guests who had arrived to join us.
I was then able to share a few Ice-breakers that I had learnt and taught when I was back in high school which brought a few laughs too.
We then went onto sharing some highlights of the year but more about summarizing (in three words) what the year had meant to each person. I must say that this year was an interesting one in coming out of the COVID-19 environment into new norms with our renovated campus as well.
I was also gifted with some precious taonga (treasures) that I'll share about in an upcoming blog as it was such a special gift that I will treasure from my students. Perhaps one thing that I've learnt this year was that with all the pressure of management on us getting our information in a.s.a.p. (as soon as possible) it was important for my students to not feel that pressure although there was a deadline to work to.
Now looking forward for graduation with them as they definitely deserve the accolades of finishing the course despite the disruption of not having a campus open for them, being online most of the time and also having to drive some kilometres (15 min drive) to the alternative campus that we were given for class.
But all in all, now they can have a good well deserved Xmas celebrations with their families, knowing that (most) of them have completed within the time frame that was warranted and with the beauty of knowing that they will graduate in the new year. Definitely never a dull moment...
I'm really interested in this movie that will make its debut next year in January 2024. Hopefully, when I get back from Samoa, I'll be able to catch up with it as from a brief sojourn into the storyline of the movie, it's about a African American who makes journey around the world in search of connections.
I'm not sure that's the right storyline but you'd have to read the best selling book and then watch the movie to see where it leads too. But what I found really interesting was that they selected Stan Walker with his powerfully moving singing and storytelling to share his music on an international stage.
Not only does the music have lyrics that are both indigenous Māori and English but also the setting of the video are in different parts of New Zealand with Rotorua (steaming rocks) and other iconic areas of moana (seas), ngāhere (bush) and features contemporary Māori tattoo etc.
I'm definitely interested in watching the movie but even moreso that it features New Zealand icons at its best. It also puts New Zealand tangata whenua or peoples of the land as in indigenous Māori at the forefront despite our current NZ MMP government trying to take the Māori language out of the government buildings. Definitely a step backwards in time...
Had a great time working on my thesis of which I decided to delay submitting until early next year as there are still some things I want to do and check on.
But still got time in the last couple of days to spend in the outdoor pool and the outdoor and undercover spas that they had at the resort.
It was such a refreshing time that I would recommend it for any who have been so busy with so much that it's important to take some self-care time out for relaxing and getting a better perspective on things. That's the reason why I decided to delay the submission date as I still thought that I had so much to write on i.e. mini theses within the thesis.
Nice to be back and straight back to work with my last weekend class with my current cohort with their submission finals this weekend too with presentations. I just can't believe how fast this last few weeks have gone by with Xmas just around the corner and summer holidays coming up.
I also have plans for Samoa at the end of next month with never a dull moment and looks like I'll still be writing in Samoa too but feeling good as I'm at the last stages and tidying up as I go. It's not alike working on something important that needs to be done well and not just settling...
I got to spend my birthday there with my mum and children and had a great time. I even got to go on a Helicopter ride with my middle child which was pretty special too.
My mum and youngest were staying with my brothers family but as there were 6 of us travelling, the rest of us stayed at Phillip Island resort which is a 2-3 hour ride from the airport depending on traffic.
We really enjoyed our trip and even got time to go on walks and check out some of the wildlife (although used to humans) walking around the resort. I got to see a wallaby and some interesting endemic birds that I'd never seen before. We even had time swimming and going to the spa for a deep soak with so much to do.
We loved going out for dinner with two birthdays that were celebrated. One was at a Steak and Seafood Restaurant which was really neat as it was Greek theme and also a 'Flame Tree' where I enjoyed the seafood - some pretty special memories were made here.
All in all, a very special time away from NZ but still had time to Zoom in with my class as I'll be back for weekend work with them with end of year and work to be handed in. Just so glad to have some time out with family enjoying ourselves together. Feeling specially blessed...
It was such a neat time to be with my God-daughter and her son as she's been working really hard, alongside a cold, to finish her academic course and get ready to join the Masters degree study next year.
It's been a real honour to be able to support some of my students to enter into the Masters degree in Applied Indigenous Knowledge at my workplace, as I know that it makes such a difference in the doors that it can open and the places that they can influence regarding their indigenous knowledge.
The actual birthday lunch party consisted of 8 of us and we had a great time sampling the mains and desserts as well as sharing updates and plans for the upcoming holidays. Was also able to give the birthday girl a gift basket and a Cheese Cake shop birthday cake just for the occasion.
Wow! roll on Christmas, the festivities are already beginning and looking forward to what Christmas has to offer in remember the reason for the season. With our trip to Melbourne just around the corner next week...
But before then, I'm looking forward to taking my mum to visit Melbourne and family there. It's been a wish of hers to visit and I'm blessed to be able to take with with some family members as well.
We're flying AirNZ, as we've found it to be of good service and it's familiar to us since first flying on it with my family in the 1970s.
It's definitely had many upgrades but am glad to have been able to book earlier as sometimes this carrier has some bargain airfares, if you book early enough. It's also special as I'll be spending my birthday overseas and will take some time for R&R (rest and relaxation) when we're over there.
I'm also looking forward to seeing if I'm able to accomplish a feat that I've been looking forward to finalizing but more of that when we actually get there. Am also looking forward to visiting Phillip Island again which is a couple of hours drive from the international airport but will be good to be travelling with family.
Otherwise, just getting ready for a busy weekend of work and studies. Also trying to get things sorted for the end of the year and all that entails as well as another trip back to Samoa after Christmas and into the new year. Definitely, never a dull moment...
Last weekend after my Saturday work, I raced home to get quickly changed for an event that I was attending with my "glam team" (self titled) i.e. two elder daughters stopped me.
They sat me down and insisted that they would do my makeup and hair as well as choosing my outfit to wear. It was such a laugh but greatly appreciated as I would have just stepped out very quickly with minimum makeup and a plain dress.
However, with my "glam team" at work, I was out in under an hour smelling gorgeous and dressed the same with hair that looked like I'd just stepped out of a saloon.
Definitely proud of my girls for taking the time to step it up for me and to allow me to enjoy the moment with them. It also helped as it had been a long day in class i.e. from 9am in the morning until 7.30pm at night with time for my students to get their assignments in before the close of the year.
I then raced off to the event where everyone was dressed up the nines and the awards ceremony was over. It was a Pasifika ECE (Early childhood Education) Leader Award & Grand Ball for 2023. The team leader and I received our certificates for leadership and with trophies promised along the way.
Will be the last ECE event that I'll be attending as now turning my attention to other places and spaces but it was still a grand night with dinner (yummy seafood), dessert and dancing. We both had a good time and then needed to return home to rest and get ready for the next morning's class. Never a dull moment!...
Today I wrote a resignation letter to the board that I had served almost 4 years at my local church. The reason being that I did not agree with the closure that the present board members had decided on.
I think sometimes that one just has to walk away from environments that can have toxic people inside with a clear conscience of doing one's level best at the time.
It's sad for me, as my late father had been on the initial committee that had built the foundation of the Early childhood centre but as that former committee was dissolved to make way for a new Trust, there were several individuals who did not act with integrity and took advantage of the situations (it's a long story).
Suffice to say that I now no longer have to worry about the future of the a'oga (school) and can let go and let the present board continue in their work without my support. I've found over time, that I don't like to waste time on boards, or with organizations or individuals who like don't act in integrity, waste time and make questionable decisions.
It also allows me to reflect on the work that I've done and I can walk away with a clean conscience knowing that I did the best that I could do with the time and resources that I had. It's also a call to action to those who are able to serve carefully and wisely on boards to ensure that if there are individuals who are not acting in the best interests of their communities that they should be challenged and called out, therefore exposing toxic actions that are not beneficial to the many.
I'm glad that I was able to serve in the best ways that I knew how and that I made many good friendships along the way. There are already some who have contacted me in support but at the end of the day, I know that I did the best that I could with no regrets on my work...
The theme for this particular gift basket was for a female so we decided to go for a colour theme of pinks, purples and soft corals as well as toiletries and some chocolates with a bear to set off the tone.
We heard that it was well received, without the bottle of bubbly that we decided to leave out as it was for a church outfit. Such small pleasures bring me joy as we move into the festive season now that the Halloween season is over.
Now we've switched from oranges, blacks and purpley themed Halloween palette to Christmasy greens, whites and reds. I've seen how many shopping malls are already started to sprout Christmas themed shopping experiences and products and we've only just started November!
So I'd say, hold tight to your purse strings or you could easily get caught in early sales shopping sprees enticing customers to buy products on sales special for loved ones and especially on products that they might not quite need but may want...
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).
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...
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...
