Funding for Our 4th grade ROYALS

Now that I'm working as a full time teacher, I am able to be a part of these amazing programs to help organize and fund for the needs of my students. They are matching every $1 you donate now til September 7th to help us reach to our goal faster. Please take the time to share, click, and read this link... that's all I ask from you all to do Your time will truly benefit for our children and your donation will make a difference in their learning.
Mahalo
http://www.donorschoose.org/project/a-place-i-belong-and-can-call-home-is-m/1320721/?rf=email-system-2014-08-proposal_approve-teacher_2485612&challengeid=20462097&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=proposal_approve

You Choose Your Life!

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/how-pacific-islander-students-are-slipping-through-cracks-n144281

This article got me feeling all different types of ways?!?!

Not only did I experience working in the schools in California, but I did feel a sense of misplacement being the only Pacific Islander, yet special at the same time... I think with the migration of our people to foreign lands and America, we did sought out for a "better life," for our families, whether it be careers, education, finances, etc. it did come with sacrifice. Out of all the sacrifice, leaving home wasn't the greatest, it was standing alone as your own!

Its obvious in society that affiliation and association comes with cliques or groups. That everyone seems to be comfortable with their own class and kind. While the rare individuals, can live with anyone and everyone... these being the Samaritans and Saints. Survival doesn't just happen on an island, but in the world... to be comfortable its gonna be uncomfortable... Not seeing your own kind, being chosen last or not at all, explaining what you are, feel like being shunned and feel like your in "a pitch black dark whole..." That's how the "masi crumbles..." or "cookie crumbles," That's Life!!!

We either gonna stay and feel the darkness and complain about what's around us and how we should be treated better, because of all these rights, but the real changing is YOU! Don't make your parents lack of English and education, and numbers in their bank account be your downfall in asking educators and counselors how to get scholarships and get in to a college, or whatever pathway you choose in life. "I didn't know???" seems to be the excuse in our generations... But they did! These ages and times they are surrounded with so much support that we didn't have or parents and their parents didn't have growing up. Its easier for them today, because the one's yesterday made it better!

The last thing I'm doing here is preaching, but this is called living! I've lived these 34 years whining, complaining, blaming, winning, losing, starving, and all the good, bad, pretty, and ugly ways of life, because it was my agency, my choice! We are blessed and cursed with free agency, the right to choose... its just difficult to choose the right. If you can speak... ask, if you can see... direct yourself... if you can move... you know the rest... Our people and all people have the right to live in a life of many... Many _______. Your choice!
I told you this article got me feeling all kinds of ways, but it was seen and read with purpose... I can be the better today to make better days for tomorrow. Blessed Day choosers!

SEASONS CHANGE...

I was struggling to keep up with my part of the rent and bills in California. I was definitely the high percentage of unemployment and welfare, because Cali economy was knocking down this Single Brown Female to tapout! Yeah, I got a degree, moreso two degrees, but that didn't mean sh**zo! It was a doggy dog world and it happened to be California where I chose to live. Everyone around me was struggling... getting a full time job and steady income was on everybodys Wish List to Santa and their constant prayers every night. I was fortunate to have a nearby Church, family, and great friends to help with paying catch up, but I was never gonna ever catch up... So I humbled myself to return home to the Island of Opportunity, O'ahu, Hawai'i, saying good bye to some of my Luvs&Masterpieces, and writing the Finale to my Cali Season.

Immediately upon my return home, I was offered a position at my Alma Mater, Farrington High School, as a PTT (Part Time Teacher) for the Samoan Language Class, by my sister Evey's Bestie, Denise Ah Sue. No questions and ifs about it... I was finally going to be employed, and even more exciting returning to GOV soil teaching SAMOAN. But what was the cherry on top for me, is working close to my EveyPooh♡ I accepted the position in March 2013... and my GOV Season began...

GOVLOVE was everywhere and the power and energy on GOV soil was shamayzing!!! It was no wonder the energy was intense, because the Power Plant was, Theresa Schubert, Ropati Liua, Denise Ah Sue, Evelyn Utai, Aunty Iva Tiave, Lei Fa'amasino, and FHS Security... the POLYTEAM! They were nonstop serving their school and community... I was definitely needing to step up my game and work! Working with them truly pushed me to giving my best in serving others and building back up my confidence, that I somewhat lost during my Depression Era in Cali. Their prodigies of students and classes to Make a Difference and Make things Happen was an awe moment that I was privileged to witness. They truly kept the GOV SPIRIT alive with their COMMITMENT to GOVLOVE❤

Working beside Denise was a hallmark moment for me with her encouragement and motivation for me to connect to my Samoan culture and identity. Her depth of knowledge sparked my passion to learn more about my culture, therefore giving my all to my students. I will forever be grateful to her in what she has done for me♡

This generation aint no joke... lol... compared to my times... not so long ago They have so much colorful personalities, attitudes, behaviors, and language... yet they all have a heart. No matter what the age, a child just needs to know they're loved♥ I loved each and every one of my students and was excited to teach them, as well as learn from them. We've done so much, with just being in a classroom... and each day was an adventure... Fo Realz!

There were many peaks of teaching at Farrington...
1. FOOTBALL SEASON!!!
2. Supporting student athletes at their games
3. Partnership in bridging with the Life Skills Program teachers (Mr. Dwayne, Ms. Tara, Mr. K, Sanchez) EA's (Yago, Betty, Alj, Rob, Albert, Malu, Darnell, Joe, Shari and Kai), and students (tmtm).
4. Service projects
5. The yearly We Are Samoa Festivals (GOVSWASF)

SoBlessed to have worked this year with my family members near and far, which has helped us grow closer... especially El who sacrificed his days off to help out with my class, and most of all the talented Performing Arts Teacher and Instructor, Elia Mamea. Its always a privilige to have the greats work with us Uncle Taua, Uncle Poli and the Liua Aiga. Most importantly the most supportive Big Brothers, Makaio, Levale, Kevi, and Uncle Leroy, from the FHS Security. Can't forget the Powerhouse Front Office with Carol greeting me with a motivational smile and thought, and Kevin being the answer to everything! I am truly Blessed with this GOV SEASON.

16 months later... I'm writing my FINALE to this GOV SEASON. Seemed like a short episode, but it truly felt like I was on 5 Seasons filled with amazingness! Forgive me if I did not mention and give credit to some... I am truly grateful to you all. There's always a sequal to a great movie... you just never know what the Lord has planned.

I begin my sequel to my POPE SEASON this month, returning to where I first started my teaching career at Blanche Pope Elementary, teaching (31) 4th graders Full-Time (7:30am-4:00pm)... yikes! I am amongst a great Ohana and Team in Waimanalo and looking forward to another school year and Season of amazingness! Thank you Heavenly Father for placing me where I need to be and surrounding me with people that strengthens me. Let the cameras roll for another great SEASON in the Life of LilyMarleen... ACTION!!!

P.S. So many Seasons... got me needing a Makeover 

Ice Waterfall Challenge

There's been a flooding on the social network with Ice Water Challenges… it started as a Fundraiser for Cancer Awareness, then it was challenged across the Universe… all the way to me and my siblings here in Hawaii nei.

TBH (to be honest) I had mixed feelings with this Ice Water Challenge… which were many, like… 

- All these people doing them aint got no jobs to be spending money and time on these challenges
- When its the whole family doing the Ice Challenge whose giving to charities
- Does Cancer patients, survivors, and families and friends of lost loved ones see this as offensive or supportive
- Do people really donate?
- and is this Ice Water Challenge making a difference?

I was at the point already thinking and planning what to do if I were to be called out for the challenge. My thoughts… 

1. Am I going to accept… is it worth it? 

2. How much money am I going to spend? Is it enough to spend… what am I gonna sacrifice? 

3. How many buckets/coolers? How to do it big? 

4. Whats my reaction?

All these thoughts lost sight of the awareness of the challenge!  Finally I was called out and I decided I wasn't gonna take part of it. I ain't got the $$$Money!!! 24 hours passed and I still felt bothered by the challenge… As if my conscience was going through peer pressure, or driven to finish the game and win, like any athlete… maybe it was just me feeling I needed to seize the moment of opportunity to make a difference in sharing an awareness, not just about Cancer, but about Life.

Cancer Sucks! I've witnessed the pain it presents to loved ones with its incurable torture and admired many who beat it… and also had my experience with the doctor saying, "I need to run some tests to see if its cancerous…" the wait was unbearable, but my Faith was all in my Father in Heaven for He knows my plans. The results were in… non-cancerous. I went to Him in prayer with a humble heart, thanking Him. That is why I was inspired to take a different path of the Ice Water Challenge from the ice bags and the buckets… We were going on a Family ADVENTURE!!!

I was born and raised in Hawaii almost my whole life, and never was I aware of how much more beauty is surrounding us... thanks to technology and the Internet, we were able to research hikes around our area with waterfalls. Hamama Falls was not too far from our house, and it looked safe with its gravel trails... so we agreed that night that if skies were clear we were going to venture. Sunday arrived with our fortunate selves to arise and enjoy the hike we had planned. We started our journey and venture with a prayer to bless us with safety and enjoyment. Arriving at our destination, we were greeted with friendly neighbors in the area wishing us a fun hike. Definitely Welcoming! We ignored the regulation and state signs and continued with a cautious mind and an invigorating spirit to reach the waterfall. We were amazed and the different plants in the area... but the best part was the "onolicious" trees filled with ripe mountain apples, which we picked to fill our empty stomachs. We immediate arrived to the Ice Pond, half a mile in...

Hamama Falls Ice Pond

It was tempting just to rest and swim in the cool pond, yet we needed to keep our momentum going to our destination. Up the hill we went, working every muscle and hurting every bone that was dormant. Ouch! We kept inclining for a while and rested here and there, because we were not fit for these kind of ventures... LoL! Nevertheless, the silent encouragement and pressing forward determination kept us going... including hikers going the opposite direction saying, "Your almost there, just 2 more hills..." Next thing you know, irritation was sinking in, because it felt even longer with more that 2 hills... With our brother El leading the way and constantly checking on us, he finally had a big smile on his face at the top of the hill, as he looked down to us e said, "I see the waterfall... just one more hill..." I'm like Really?!?!! LoL... Everytime we are near to the finish line, there has to be one more obstacle... just to keep you out of breath with humility... can I get an Amen! That was definitely the case up that last hill... many deep breaths, then a great big exhale with complete admiration with our Heavenly Father's creations and His great love and strength to see us through. We were set to complete our Ice Waterfall Challenge and finished! We did it BIG alright!

When we called our challengers... it was more so for them to challenge themselves to an outdoor Adventure in honor and memory to the many who have fought, still fighting, survived, and lost their lives with cancer. If they could, they would have want us to enjoy life to the fullest in feeling the warmth of the sun, marinate in it's rays of goodness, swim in the cool waters that gives us life, taste the sweet fruits that surround us, and just have fun! We dedicate our hike to all the cancer fighters, survivors, those who've lost their lives, family and friends and loved ones affected by stupid cancer. Their will be a cure...

2014 GOVSWASF CELEBRATION at Secret Island

“Not everybody can be famous. But everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our GOVERNORS We Are Samoa Family had sacrificed a lot to prepare and participate with the We Are Samoa Festival, and served their school and community well! They definitely showed #KalihiStrong and were all great performing the Samoan arts. We didn't have much... yet we needed to Celebrate as a Family our great accomplishments. We decided to take our family to enjoy the outdoors at Secret Island on the East/Windward Side!

Kualoa Park had in store for us many activities that got everyone engaged, including facilities and equipment to keep others resting and chilling, while watching all the fun happen. We were able to share the Island with a Church Family Celebrating their Pastor's Birthday. They recognized the Great GOVSWASF and requested for a performance for their Pastor. Our family graciously shared their gifts and talents with the church family, which was a beautiful gift. Love how our kids always are obedient when in the service of others, this is their foundation of their greatness.

GOVSWASF Performs the Haka on the Beach
as a gift for the Pastor's Birthday

FAREGITONE HAKA

Preparations, Practices, and Perseverance!

FARRINGTON HIGH SCHOOL PCC WE ARE SAMOA 2014: The We Are Samoa Festival this year was no longer a competition, yet that did not stop us from preparing our GOVERNORS WE ARE SAMOA FAMILY (GOVSWASF) to giving their best! 

January: 1st Practices with Ms. Ah Sue

Spring No Break Practices with Uncle Taua

Spring Break Family Building Activities with Mr. Malele

Student Led Practices by Seniors and Alumni

With Work there NEEDS to be FUN... So talented Miss Evelyn directed our GOVSWASF in to making a Spring Break MTV. It was an impromptu and these teens (hamz) took it like a "WINNAH!" Neva da down when it came to the cameras!

GOVSWASF 2014 SPRING BREAK MTV

The GOVSWASF practiced an entire routine, but we were destined to go over the top when Elia Mamea joined our Aiga. With his expertise and talented gifts, we truly believed that this would be the year to top all years Farrington went to the We Are Samoa Festival. As Elia as our Instructor, and an overwhelming support group, who was gonna stop us now...

Last year's WASF had open the doors for many students to inquire and want to participate, therefore doubling the amount for this year's student participation count. With our timeline cut short to organize and plan fundraisers, we decided to seek assistance and support from the Farrington Alumni Community Foundation (FACF). Many GOVSWASF dedicated their time that evening to present and speak to the FACF. We were grateful that the FACF accepted our proposal and provided for the needs of our teens this year.  

GOVSWASF Presents their Proposal to FACF

We needed to inform the Community and ask them for their support with our participation in this year's We Are Samoa Festival, so Ms. Evelyn and Mr. Pati organized a Fiafia Night on Saturday April 12, 2014 in the evening to be held in the FHS Cafeteria. The GOVSWASF student were grouped into the 6 main Samoan Islands and assigned with colors. Each group was in charge of promoting the event, performance and taualuga, food menu, including bringing in the most supporters. We were amazed at the scenery of the cafeteria being flooded with the GOVSWASF families, friends, faculty, and the "Kalihi Strong" community. The students really demonstrated commitment and dedication in to really wanting to participate and be successful for this year's We Are Samoa Festival. Our one fundraiser enabled us to raise an amount more than the donation FACF presented us with... Totally Awesome!

While our GOVSWASF we hard at work with practices, fundraisers, and other preparations... We could not forget their need to SERVE OTHERS. We partnered up with the students of the Life Skills Program supporting them in their Special Olympics at Kaiser High School and SPED Prom in the FHS Cafeteria. It was a blessing to see all students of different colors, backgrounds, and abilities, come together as GOVS and just show LOVE!

It was time for us to finally meet the other high schools that will be performing at PCC for the We Are Samoa Festival. What better way to meet them then the annual FEALOFANI DAY! Students were eager to have fun... but the conditions of the weather were questionable for them to enjoy the activities outdoors. As soon as we arrived in Hau'ula, the rain stopped and the sun shadowed over their amazing and memorable FEALOFANI DAY!

Aint No Party without the "Uila Slide!"

GOVSWASF was constantly busy with activities, events, service projects, and balancing home responsibilities and school academics. It truly took a lot out of all of us, but we continued to persevere through many practices to prepare for the BIG DAY! Practices were everywhere on our GOV Soil...

• Amphitheater
• Cafeteria
• Pavilion
• Classrooms
• Hallways

 Throughout all the overwhelming help and support... I get sensitive and emotional secretly when our own family members give up their personal time to help our GOVSWASF. Dad could be resting up from his busy duties in Samoa and AmSamoa, yet he takes the time to help prepare our students. We are all indeed blessed with everyone's sacrifices and help in this experience... and a thank you wouldn't be enough to say for all that you do. GOVLOVE <3

Our GOVSWASF had the opportunity to represent the We Are Samoa Festival LIVE on KHON2 Morning News. We worked together with PCC in sharing with the public the traditions and values of the Samoan Culture. Our students represented KALIHI STRONG waking up the whole KALIHI in the morning to turn on their tv's... The morning news cast and staff really helped and prepared our GOVSWASF with their welcoming and ALOHA Spirits. It was fun-packed morning... with PCC filling our bellies after with an ONO breakfast. Wonderful experience and worth waking up early morning to do again...

KALIHI STRONG on KHON2 MORNING NEWS showcasing the We Are Samoa Festival and

 O'a Popo: Husking Coconuts

PCC Practice and BYUH-Tour

May 10, 2014 We Are Samoa Festival @ PCC

IT'S SHOW TIME... All I can say is we were ready! Dad said, you all have given your best, so just let GOD do the rest... 

Bob So'i as our Tulafale (Talking Chief)

Our Fa'aluma Leilani Aivao

Our Fierce Drummers, Musicians, and Singers

Makaio representing the Golden Years for Lalaga Ato

Our Taupou Cece Aumua and Manaia Pumba Williams

The entire community was so proud of our GOVS WE ARE SAMOA FAMILY! Hardwork and Dedication paid off, especially for the sacrifices each participant and supporter had to make, but it was all GOVLOVE♡ and Love for SAMOA♥ These experiences help us perpetuate our Samoan Culture and instill these treasures for our future to continue a Legacy... a Legacy of Performing Arts, Samoan Culture, and Kalihi Strong Pride! We would do all of this again in a heartbeat... Remember who you are and where you come from... #MitamitagaOKalihi #Faregitone♡♥♡

OUR UNFORGETTABLE PERFORMANCE by MoStreetProductions

GOVSWASF WE ARE SAMOA FESTIVAL 2014