Life in the Major key1 Comment

๐Ÿค๐Ÿ•Š

moanaleilua

Aunty Salafai, even though you’ve been promoted to Paradise, you’re still bringing everyone together. You’d be so proud of us, working to each of our individual strengths, with our powers combined things are running so smoothly, there is so much peace and of course heaps of laughs too! Despite the circumstances, what I’ve loved is reuniting with my Mums side and especially meeting new family I’ve known of but never realised we were related. My Uncles Aunties, cousins, nieces and nephews have been amazing, were ALL IN for you Aunty! The last of my Grandmothers siblings to depart earthside, so … Continue reading ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ•Š

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๐Ÿค๐Ÿ•Š AUNTY SALAFAI

moanaleilua

My heart broke on Monday morning when we received the news from home, a real heaviness came over me, that I haven’t felt since Dad went to Paradise. When I called last Tuesday, I wasn’t to know that would be the last time I’d hear your voice in the background. God needed you more, so called you home. I’ve been overwhelmed at Gods provision and grace these last few days. No words can express how much ALOFA I have for my work aiga at RUPA & Melbourne Rebels, my tribe in Naarm, my beautiful sisterhood in Aotearoa, my cup is … Continue reading ๐Ÿค๐Ÿ•Š AUNTY SALAFAI

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Day 16/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

moanaleilua

Late last year, I was blessed with a copy of Wayfinding Leadership by Dr Cherie Spiller, Hoturoa Barclay Kerr and John Panoho (shout out to Bishop Danny Gautusa). Dr Spillers TEDx provides a taster on the book which looks at Indigenous Leadership and expounds on Wayfinding Leadership. “The gift of the wayfinder’s journey is not arrival at a destination; it is who we become along the way as we fulfil our potential” I am constantly looking at ways to refine my leadership skills, and despite the many years of service in various sectors, what I’ve landed on is that leadership … Continue reading Day 16/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

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Day 15/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

moanaleilua

I haven’t had the bandwidth to jot down nothing more than a paragraph, as its been a rough 72 hours. Yet within the turmoil and heartache, there is a peace knowing that my beautiful G’Aunty Salafai is no longer in pain๐Ÿค๐Ÿ•Š We were so blessed to have 2 Nana’s from my Mums lineage, Grandma Vaelua in Falevao Samoa and G’Aunty Salafai in Avondale, Tamฤki Makaurau (Auckland). I remember the trips that G’Aunty Salafai and Uncle Numera would make to Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) when we were kids, we always knew they would have sweet treats for us. The pelฤ“ (card) nights with … Continue reading Day 15/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

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Day 13/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

moanaleilua

I have no words today, tears have flowed like a river, heart is aching, my G’Aunt Salafaiuatasi has left us earthside to be with our Lord๐Ÿค๐Ÿ•Š A hymn by Horatio Spafford will replace my lack of penmanship/wordsmithing tonight: When peace like a river attendeth my way When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul) It is well, it is well with my soul A pei se vaitafe Le fifilemu Pe lutia nei … Continue reading Day 13/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

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Day 12/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

moanaleilua

Before our weekly Sunday Session began, I was able to have a bit of quiet time while looking out at the Moana, she was calm and serene this morning. My Great Aunt and family in Aotearoa were on my heart, and when the only thing you can do is pray, that is what you do. Prayer for me has changed over the years, from rote learning for white sunday services, to mumbling something bilingual during family devotions, prayer then becoming more transactional too, eg if You do this for me, I will ‘promise’ etc’ whatta๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿพโ€โ™€๏ธ. I am so thankful that … Continue reading Day 12/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

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Day 11/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

moanaleilua

Our family matriarch has been on my heart and mind, I’m not much of a poet, for her, I will try: SALAFAIUATASI Salafaiuatasi, the backbone that keeps us aligned Her vision to live beyond Falevao so her aiga can thrive Upon the Tofua she set sail towards the land of the long white cloud Salafaiuatasi, a woman who took no bullshit from anyone She never minced her words, strength became her, love exuded from her Service at her core, to her aiga, to her beloved Samoa Salafaiuatasi, the seamstress, the milliner, the baker, the fofล The hostess with the mostest, … Continue reading Day 11/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

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Day 10/30 #Livehard #Phase1

moanaleilua

Always love learning new things about my culture, and one of those things is a certain tatau (tattoo) that has resurfaced through the tufuga (Master Tattooist) Liaifaiva and that is the Punialo as it pertains to females. What I mean by resurfaced, it’s the first time I’ve come across it๐Ÿค˜๐Ÿพ As per Liaifaiva post, the meaning is as follows: ‘Puni: to cover or protect; Alo: children/abdomen’ As someone who adorns the measina (treasure) or markings of our ancestors in the malu (protect/shelter) the punialo intrigues me. The placement, the meaning, the femininity of it all, hand on heart I think … Continue reading Day 10/30 #Livehard #Phase1

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Day 9/30 #LiveHard #Phase1

moanaleilua

What’s LOVE got to do with it. Unsure why love is on the brain ( thanks Rhianna), but I’ve been thinking a fair bit about what is in store for me in the area of alofa or eros in this case. I had a conversation with a few friends last weekend about it, a beautiful married couple, who encouraged me to no end about trying online dating. I have tried it in the past, but its sooooooo hard ( woe is me), I’m kind of an old fashioned gal, you know the old school way of being pursued and asked … Continue reading Day 9/30 #LiveHard #Phase1