I Believe

I believe . . .
that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe . . .
that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I believe . . .
that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe . . .
that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe . . .
that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe . . .
that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I believe . . .
that you can keep going long after you can't.
I believe . . .
that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe . . .
that either you control your attitude or it controls you!
I believe . . .
that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I believe . . .
that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe . . .
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe . . .
that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I believe . . .
that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down,will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe . . .
that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel!
I believe . . .
that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.You have to decide if that is enough.
I believe . . .
that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe . . .
that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe . . .
that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe . . .
that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,but we are not responsible for who we become.
I believe . . .
that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I believe . . .
that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I believe . . .
that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I believe . . .
that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe . . .
that even when you think you have no more to give,when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.
I believe . . .
that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe . . .
that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
(Anon)

Smurfs Addict!

Because it is Monday and I have not had a proper sleep since Saturday. I have no inspiration to write what I have been up to lately and even then I haven't done anything interesting worth blogging about so instead I have travelled back in time to bring to the present a memory from my past of something I used to enjoy.

When I was young like a trillion years ago I used to wake up early Saturday mornings to get my weekend fix of American cartoons. I would sit infront of the telly to watch the KVZK line up which included Godzilla, Turbo Teen, Rubic the Magic Cube, The A Team, Pony Tales, Mighty Orbots, Spider Man, Care Bears, Scooby Doo etc etc.At the top of my list was Smurfs I was addicted to it.
If you can remember these cute little blue people then you might understand my fascinaton with them. I loved all of 'em from Papa Smurf, to Brainiac, the little painter guy, that joker who loves to make explosive presents, the baker...
I didn't understand why there was only one girl Smurfet

but I loved their adventures especially their little village.I loved each time Papa Smurf and his little group of feisty followers would foil Gargamel's evil plots and Azriel would get zonked on the head and see stars the silly cat.
Many times I would find myself humming the theme song "la la la la la la la la la" Quite a catchy lil tune.I don't know if my daughter will enjoy the Smurf's show as much as I did as she is very much into the Japanese manga & cartoons such as the Puffy and Ami Show, Transformers, Powder Puff, Pokemon etc but I hope she will be a smurfs fan in the future. It can be one of the many things we can share together!

A Woman's Tears.

I can still remember what our Samoan Language teacher Mr Afatiti Leiataua said to us one day in class when I was in Samoa College... "E taugata loimata o le tina!". A mother's tears are exprensive. He wanted to remind us that the tears a mother sheds when she is happy is a far cry from that those she releases when she has been hurt by something we or others might've said or done. It didn't register then but it sure makes a whole lot of sense now. I gave my mom a lot of grief back then and even sadder I think I have brought her to tears once or twice. Thinking about it now I pray that she has either forgotten completely or has totally forgiven me for all that. (knowing my mom she probably did both a long long time ago)

I think of some of my friends whose mother's have passed away already and I thank God that mine is still around. That even though the aches and pains of old age is quickly catching up with her, she still has her wicked sense of humor and all the other loving qualities that makes me so proud to be her daughter and grateful that she is my mom.

What has brought this on?? This little piece of writing has something to do with it. Came across it while I was browsing my fav graphics site Sparkletags.
Hope you'll enjoy it.

I believe all women, ought to be treated in such a loving way. Neeways I'm gonna demand money for my tears next time someone makes me cry *jokes* This one is for you ladies.. something for the gentlemen to ponder and hopefully put into action!I love these little stories and so I have added this one to this entry perhaps it will help clear up many things for a lot of people. Why do Women Cry? A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will." Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?" "All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he asked God. He said, "God, why do women cry so easily?" God said: " When I made the woman she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children. I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly. I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly. And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed." "You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides." (Anon)That's it for today folks!

Omedeto Gozaimasu Tama Sii Tonga.

Ph.D (Permanent Head Damage) Crew : It's so serious we can't even tell time. The watches are just fashion accessories.



Palentina and I flanking our boy "Dr Viliami Uasike Latu"

Congratulations to our brother and collegue Vili or may I say Dr Viliami Uasike Latu. Our little Island community is extremely proud of what this son of the Pacific has achieved. He is the very first person to graduate with a Doctorate degree from our University.
The parent University Ritsumeikan in Kyoto is about 150 or so years old our one Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific Uni was only established in the year 2000.
The Graduate School opened in April 2003 and we were the first ones (yay I'm part of history...yeah rite) there was only 11 of us undertaking Masters then, 2 doing their MBA's and 3 in the Ph.D program Vili, and two other Japanese students Ai Sasaki and Toru??. Ai had her baby in 2004 and took a year off for maternity leave. Toru had to go back to work don't know much beyond that. So Vili had to tough it out by himself.

With no clear guidance and very limited financial help for research and the likes (yes yes we are APU's very own guinea pigs but are ok with it) Vili with the help of his supervisor Prof Mani, persevered and now has successfully completed the program. He is an inspiration to us all and God willing we hope and pray we can emulate his success.
Vili's final hurdle (last requirement) was his oral defence yesterday. After 3 gruelling hours he emerged exhausted but victorious.
The benchmark has been set, the path has been walked .. So for the rest of us we need to put our heads down, push on and follow his footsteps. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and if an expression of elation is anything to go by..the one on Vili's face is enough to convince us all.

I can only imagine how happy he must be, and his happy mood was so contagious for a while I forgot about the sad cloud that has been hovering over me since I learned of the passing of my friend Raponi. For a time all was right with the world again.
I want to be able to experience this feeling. I pray that come February 2008 tentative date for my Oral Defence I can do my family, country most of all my Heavenly Father proud.
Malolo,Vili, Elsa and Felise @ Utaudo celebrating our boy's success.
Congratulations Again to Dr Viliami Uasike Latu of Tonga. Also to his supervisor,family and friends back home in the islands.
God Bless you bro. Will miss you when u return home but await your return for your graduation in September. We will be there to witness the official recognition of your proud achievement. A first for APU! The "P" (Pacific) always comes after the "A" (Asia) but this time thanks to you it has coveted first place.

"Malo le finau!"
Ofa atu.

My Deepest Condolences.

Today I came across some tragic news whilst reading a friends Blog. The kind that you wish was not true. The kind that requires you to sit down and rethink certain things about your life especially in regards to the time that we have or don't for that matter. It reinforces the notion of just how precious are the times we spend with loved ones whether they be family or friends. The body of a friend of mine was found yesterday back home in Samoa floating in the sea in Savaii. There is speculation of foul play. I do not have all the details yet but it is enough for me to know that he is gone. That his life has been snuffed out like a candle. If suspicion holds true that his life came to a unfortunate end at the hands of a heartless killer/s who then disposed of his body in the sea. How little is their regard for life and obviously no thought for the people to whom this once vibrant life belonged to : such as his parents, family, and especially his poor wife who is also a dear friend of mine. If the autopsy proves it to be an accident it still doesn't take one iota of pain away from a life taken too soon or a relationship torn asunder by the cruelty of death. Raponi and Charlene are friends of mine from UPY. I have known Char much longer than I have Raponi coz we had been classmates and friends since Samoa College but when they got married almost a decade later it made things even better. My head is still swimming and I am telling myself that maybe if I squint my eyes hard enough when I go back to Nydia's blog his name will not be there but this sinking feeling in my stomache is telling me that it is true.I think of Char and how she may have reacted to the dreadful news and was so overwhelmed with the scene in my head that for a few minutes my vision was blurred!I tried putting myself in her place and just couldn't, I can not even begin to fathom what she is going through. The immense sorrow, devastating pain.. the emptiness... the million thoughts and questions racing through her mind. How one, single thoughtless act has taken away the spark from her eyes . Unable to keep her world from crashing and stop the tears that come unbidden. How she must be struggling with the WHY Question that no one has the answers to or one that can satisfy as it won't bring him back!How was one supposed to know that a trip over to the Big Island would mean Good bye forever!How many more years had they envisioned together, maybe even children down the line. Dreams and hopes for the future snatched away by a thief (murderer/s) in the night. Robbed of a happy and long life together, deprived of more intimate moments with her husband. Thinking about Charlene's loss is heartbreaking.Though it does not necessarily make it easier or less painful when we lose someone to old age or illness we are at least comforted by the knowledge that we at least had the time and opportunity to say our good byes and be with them as much as we could but when their life is cut short by an accident or by someone else's savagery it is extremely difficult to accept! Char my friend, may God give you comfort and strength to weather this difficult storm.
To Raponi's parents, family Asau & Vaimoso.

May God's love and grace be upon all of you through this difficult time.

Hey boy,

How time wraps itself around our lives so seamlessly that it feels, as if it were just yesterday that we were in class together, talkin' about what we were gonna be and what we wanted from life. How bright the whole world looked back then, at the old UPY campus in Malifa where we contemplated our futures. How you came to be known as Flash for reasons that never cease to put a smile on my face. How proud you were to point out the special places in Savaii to us ignorant Upolu kids during our Arts Fieldtrip. So full of life, so much to give and live for.

How did it end so tragically my friend? I don't think anyone saw this coming but I know you will be sorely missed by all who have come to call you friend. Those who were captivated by your infectious smile and sense of humor. But there is one who will miss you above all, that special someone who has built her world around your love. Whose life became entwined with yours with the promise of tomorrow but now has to go on alone, your loving Char. Though it seems so unfair that death has robbed you of your life together I believe wherever u are there her love will be, as yours will remain with her forever. I will miss you my friend and it will be hard coming home knowing that you will not be around but Thank You for the great memories I will cherish them for all time.

So long "Flash."..May you find rest and peace in the arms of our Heavenly Father. You will always be remembered.

Reminds me of my poor husband...

and the poor man will never hear the end of it. I know that sometimes one is not in control as these things kind of have a mind of their own but for richard's sake excuse urself afterwards..lol

God Hears Prayer God Answers Prayer.

God always answers prayer.
When the idea is not right God says "No"
No ~ when the idea is not the best.
No ~ when the idea is absolutely wrong
No ~ when though it may help you it could create problems for someone else.

When the time is not right God says "Slow"
What a catastrophe it would be, if God answered every prayer at the snap of your fingers.
Do you know what would happen?
God would become your servant, and not your master.
Suddenly God would be working for you instead of you working for God.

Remember: God's delays are not God's denials. God's timing is perfect. Patience is what we need in prayer.

When you are not right God says "Grow"
The selfish person has to grow in unselfishness.
The cautious person must grow courage.
The timid person must grow in confidence.
The dominating person must grow in sensitivity.
The critical person must grow in tolerance.
The negative person must grow in positive attitudes.
The pleasure seeking person must grow in compassion for suffering people.

When everything is alright God says "Go"
Then miracles happen:
A hopeless alcoholic is set free.
A drug addict finds release.
A doubter becomes as a child in his belief.
Diseased tissue responds to treatment and healing begins.
The door to your dream suddenly swings open and there stands God saying "Go"

Dr Robert Shuller.

To Tickle Your FuNnY BoNe!

If a picture is worth a thousand words then how many laughs is that??


Dare to be different make a Statement with ur Wedding Cake!



"Oh No You Don't!!... You n I are getting married even if I have to drag ur sorry @$$ shouting and screaming all da way to the altar!!"






Ask any mother and she will tell you how she can never forget the first time she felt her baby move. I don't know if this is trick photography or not but if this is real this mother not only felt the life inside her the little guy or girl made sure he/she was also seen. .."yep the I was here footprint! "..











"Crikey this is so difficult should never have gone to that ... love ur fellow creatures... sermon on Sunday. Howz a guy supposed to enjoy his meal when it just gave you a HuG!!"











"Hey lady u got milk my momma ran out?" Hope you won't mind I'll just help myself.. aight!!"













The latest in Swim Wear.. The No Tanner out now in a Flea Market near You!

"Have a great weekend!!"

JenJen Celebrates Another Year of Life

As I am writing this I realized that today is one of those fancy numerical days that can be written as 06/06/06 kewl ne..




It was our Jen Jen's Birthday last Friday and we got her a cake but we couldn't keep it a suprise as we did not know where the light switch was. Found out later that the lights for the place where we usually have our meals is turned on directly from the Security Office. So because of that there was no place to hide our cake and Jen walked in while we were trying to light the candles ..lol..but it was still
Lisa presenting Jenny with her cake and Elsa just has to be where the action is. There was a lot of food so we kept the cake for breakfast the next morning. Well we had to give the birthday girl a taste of her cake so about 11pm that nite we helped ourselves to a couple of slices ..lol.
We were just really happy that Jenny was able to spend this birthday with us. To top it off she was able to bring our brother Faafetai "Peter" Feliuai from Kyuragi.

This here is our very own

with her Birthday Cake.
Jenny and her Volleyball Boyz after a game with Nana and Martina's team. Jen graced us with her beautiful voice again @ night sang a lovely duet with our brother Tai. It was just so da bomb, then another number with Linny. Such great talent.
I don't know the plans the Lord has for this young lady but I pray that she will always use her singing ability to magnify and glorify her Heavenly Father because she is so gifted. Her singing just goes straight to the heart. Jenny would be so in her element as a pastors wife but like I've mentioned before only God knows what's in store for JenJen but whatever it is I know she will be more than up for the task.
Saturday 3rd June. We returned home from Camp. Ata, Jenny, Sho and Yoshida sensei helped shuttle everyone back home. Many Thanks to you all. We had a really lovely time. No one got sick or injured, we had a wonderful time worshipping and praising the Lord together.
Though a bit drained from the Camp Lisa with a little help from Malolo & Nana prepared for Jenny's Party. I was so I conked out and woke up around 6pm.
Mitch n Mike got Jenny another cake. Kylie n the Indian twins Isha and Cher?!, Lahela and the others provided wonderful company. Lisa and Nori drove all the way up which made it even more special.
It was a wonderful night and I hope Jen Jen enjoyed her little party.
Oh and she walked in on us trying to light up the candles on her cake AGAIN!! Jenny, the prayer of hearts is that God will continue to lead, guide and walk with you on your life's journey. That he will give you strength for each day as well as good and faithful friends to make the journey a memorable experience.

Though you are far from home and away from your parents we hope that in some way your substitute one was able to show you just how much you are loved.
Still working on how to get the rest of the photos up on Bebo but hope these will do for now.
God Bless you dear.
Birthday Present/Verse: Psalm 91:14-16.
"Because he loves me" says the Lord ," I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."