Forever Ever ft. #thevisesios

My awesome friend Miss Jo has a quote tattooed on her arm from the movie 'The Crow' which says: Real love lasts forever.

If you were to wrap everything I believe in up, in one little sentence - that would be a good one.

So a few months ago, my neicey Eve married her sweetheart Jevahn on a day that will go down in our family history as one of the best days ever!

Theirs is pretty much every mormon girl's fairytale story. They were dating before he went to serve a mission in the (Zion) Australia Adelaide Mission for our church for 2 years. She waited for him. Hold on - she grieved for him a little bit - but once she pulled herself together, she got on with it and waited for him. Two years apart that made them stronger. He served well and returned with honour. Yay!

On his return (Oh, happy days) after a few months, they were engaged.

The wedding day was amaaazeballs!

So, Eve is the eldest daughter of my 2nd eldest sister Lagi.  Highlight of the day was being inside the Brisbane Temple and seeing them be sealed for time and all eternity. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka the mormons), that's what we believe - Families are forever or Real love lasts forever. So when you are married, it's not till death do you part but forever ever.

So we hung around for a few photos at the temple with all of our families there. Top points to everyone for really making the effort to dress for the occasion (got some grey hair shopping with the sisters that week). I think it's one of the few times all the girls have been in dresses/skirts since our parents made us wear them for family photos hahaha.

It was time to head to the reception - off we headed to the Rydges Southbank. Again, it was every island family's dream wedding because no one was stressed out about the food or was stuck in the kitchen. In saying that, I am quite useless in that department so I'm sure my siblings were more happy than me.  More photos please :)

Just before the reception, I also got the honour of winning selfie of the day with our golden child neicey Kilvina #winning!

The cake courtesy of Dana at Cut To The Cake was awesome and totally yummo!

There were a few items. Eve did a traditional samoan siva for both families. The Father/Daughter dance was a real tear fest, Jevahn threw a surprise item for Eve that got top points for audience participation, and of course the haka. The MCs and the DJ were on point!

Oh and my crazy family. Love love love them! I'm sure Dad was smiling from the heavens.

The Rydges said it was one of the happiest receptions they've had. Cheeehoooo!


It was such a great day!


But back to the beginning, for what this is all about. The beginning for this lovely and beautiful young couple. Where real love lasts forever......

..... because till death do you part is simply not enough.  Manuia!

Squished Boobies Day

Today I was man-handled by a small indian (asian not american) lady. 

In all honesty I was expecting it, because I had booked it in. Today I had a mammogram. 

After one of my loved ones had a health scare, it was time. I was pretty apprehensive about it, but sometimes you gotta (wo)man up and do it.  

I got my referral from the doctor for QLD Radiology, but ended up walking into BreastScreen QLD. Even though someone was right there, I still had to call into make an appointment (why do places do this?). The appointment was made with a lovely lady over the phone, who - all power to her, tried valiantly to pronounce my full samoan name. Giggles. 

The instructions were: 

• no deodorant
• no body power
• no perfume
• arrive 20 minutes before your appointment. 

I spoke to a few of my buddies about it, went on Doctor Google and still didn't know how it would feel. The best description was that my puppies would be squished like a pancake. Not as thin as a crepe and not as thick as a bread roll. This made me feel a bit uneasy because as an amply blessed polynesian woman, I couldn't imagine them getting to pancake stage. I was a bit scared there would be a bit of a 'pancake battle royale'. You know - (wo)man Vs machine kind of proportions.  I wasn't looking forward to it, but compared to pushing another human out of your body, I was certain it would be okay.

It's game day. I rock up to BreastScreen QLD and get security checked by the lovely small indian lady. I get ushered into the screening room and there are a few chairs in there and she directs me to my assigned seat. The machine isn't what I expected, but I didn't know what to expect. She shows me where my boob needs to go and starts to guide me in.  

"Ok wrap your arm against the machine, elbow out."

"Look away and then look up" She shuffles around me and there are foot pedals on the floor on either side of me. When she pushes it, the pancake-maker comes down. 

"Lift your arm up a bit more". I get embarrassed, because I followed the instructions and put on no deodorant, and resist. She walks around me, pulls up my arm by the fat and I despair as she lays my arm fat on the machine too. I nearly say, 'Sorry about smelling like a Delhi train' but stop myself before my mother's wit leaves my lips. It is also something my mate JB would say - and I instantly feel ashamed. He'd love that! 

Time for the other booby. I just stand there like a puppet and she does all the work. 

"Wrap your arm against the machine. Lean your head this way. Look up. Look away." She doesn't get the angle she wants and shuffles around me again. Grabs my arm fat again and takes  care of that. 

"Don't pull out. The machine won't get the right angle"

Whoa whoa lady, I ain't pulling anything anywhere. She guides me back into the machine before I stop her. "Um, that's not part of my boob" and we both look away from my upper stomach roll that she tried to put into the machine. Awkward. 

"Ok. Now, time for a side on view" Oh joy! 

It is sore, but bearable. Not sore enough for me to want to take any kind of pain killer. The discomfort is kind of like a pap smear, but on a different level. Kind of like Cocoa, Caro & Milo. All in the same ball park, but different.

The whole thing took 10 minutes which is pretty good. My results are posted to me in 10 days but I'm feeling okay. She didn't flinch or spend too long on one focus point, which was a little reassuring. She said she would've told me if there was something she was concerned about. 

If you haven't been for a mammogram and should  - hurry up! Early detection can save lives! 

PS: It hasn't put me off pancakes either dahahaha. 

Disclaimer: If you are someone with smallish boobies, your experience may be different. 


  

Amazing Racing: Under The Hyperdome

My current church calling means that I have stewardship over all the children within our congregational boundaries. At the moment it is around 100 children. And it's definitely all about the children.

However, sometimes we forget about the people who help do that. That part of my calling means that I also very blessed to serve alongside 20 adults. Taking care of the adults is just important as taking care of the children.

Last week we had an Amazing Race activity at the local mall. I had heaps of fun organising it and more fun watching them race around.

First up they had three tries trying to get through the 'Buzzer' without making it buzz. 










If you were unsuccessful, you had to get a jaffa out of pile of flour using only your mouth... 

Then it was off to the mall. Team Matthews started off terribly, and after coming first in the buzzer challenge, they took off to the mall without their clue, and had to come back. They came back and I stood on the side of the road and I thought I was in a scene of Fast & Furious as they came down the street. Their driver was clearly not happy! 

Their clues took from one end of the mall to the other. Literally. They played checkers, looked for a baby in Big W, did handstands or rollie pollies in the middle of the piaza, had to drink a large slushie in 2 minutes! Oh, and they had to walk around the mall with a smiling balloon tied to them the whole time. 

Ngapeka representing Team Nin-Southon with her handstand

They had to go to my neicey's store and sing the Australian Anthem to her. Thanks Shanell.

My most favourite clue was the re-enactment clue. Team Fuimaono won the best attempt award for their video effort. Credit to my nephew Dylan for his footage. 

Here's Team Matthews efforts. (Team Matthews ft. Lyrix) 

And when there's not bus around, you do a 'Titanic' re-enactment. 

Of course because I'm from #gigatownPorirua, the race wasn't enough. There was also a scavenger hunt that had to be completed. One of the items was to get a real flower. Team Taramai wins the 'Jack & the Beanstalk' award for those serious climbing skills. 

It was truly a case of The Hair & The Tortoise as Team Matthews came from behind to take out the win for the Amazing Race with Team Taramai, Team Nin-Southon & then Team Fuimaono. 

The Scavenger Hunt was won by Team Fuimaono, followed by Team Nin-Southon and Team Taramai. Team Matthews didn't even attempt the Scavenger Hunt, so with an empty envelope, they were a DNF (did not finish). 



Thanks to everyone that helped - family and friends. Looking forward to having heaps more fun with our Primary Board this year. 

The Kinda Ice Challenge

So I was nominated to do the Ice Challenge by my neice Deja (it will take a long time to forgive you dahahaha).

Normally you would post a video.. but I watched the video and that aint going to happen. 



It all started out pretty well - I shouted out to my nominees. Pretty confident. 

Then I sat down, put my feet in the ice water and oh my Lordy! 


The first tub of ice water got poured.....

.... and this sound escaped my lips which I had never heard before. It was like I was in the Mardi Gras parade and someone stole my peacock feathers before showtime. Speaking of peacocks, all of a sudden, I became a bird. My arms started flapping like I was going to take off into full flight. 

I tried to shake it off. Walked around and went to sit down again. 

And then I couldn't breathe. Literally. 

My heart was going to rip out of my chest and bounce around the car port to keep warm. 

It was time for the second tub. And that sound again. 

And no breath again, a brain freeze, and a racy heart (not the good one)

Then the thought ran through my head about how people should check with their doctors before doing this stuff. Oh yeah, I'm one of those people. 

It was time to walk away. This is not the way for me to go to the heavens, and getting a hiding in heaven from your father is not one of my eternal goals. Really. 

My support crew just looked at me, time to grab the towel and move on.  So that's why it's the Kinda Ice Challenge. 

So basically, I would rather go through childbirth than do that again. Like, seriously. Legit (as my teen would say). 






So, we donated what we could to Help Lindsay Beat His Brain Tumour
and encourage you all to do the same. 

That's what this is all about. Cancer sucks and we have to do what we can to help the researchers do their thing and stop it. 

Lindsay, I hope it helps a little and that one day you will be telling your great-grandchildren about your courageous story face to face, here on earth. 

Much love to the Carter family and all those other families battling to save their loved ones. 

Amen. 


PS: For a good ab work out - Watch my favourite Ice Challenge video Here 

Protecting Their Hearts: Beyond Resilience

WARNING: Some of my friends may recognise themselves described in this piece. No offense intended - apologies in advance. Of course no one is actually named.. but you know.. just getting that out of the way (with the utmost sincerity - truly!)... and I hope we continue to remain friends. Smiles!

Journal - 1988

I was 12 years old when I first began writing in a journal. As a Latter-Day Saint Young Women, it was the natural thing to do. Record your thoughts, feelings and just really write about your day. 

Even back then, one of the main reasons I wrote in a journal was so my children could get a gist of what it was like for me at their age. That somehow it would be a point of connection for us. 

My eldest daughter is going to be 15 yrs old soon. I cringe a bit about what she will think when she reads my adolescent words, but there are a few things I hope she learns.

She may find love letters from old boyfriends. She will read about the total elation over a first boyfirend, who was always a total gentleman. She will read about her mother's first real kiss. She will learn that fortunately her mother overcame some unhealthy (totally embarrassing) obsessions, and had some really complicated relationships. She may find old bubble gum sealed for the eternities (ewww) that was shared (yuck) with a boy. She will laugh out very loudly about old crushes.  She will learn that her mother's heart has been broken quite a few times. 

She will learn that there other reasons her mother loved seminary (EB, no telling!) 

She will learn the story behind favourite teen fragrances - Brute 33 and Kouros! 

She will learn that all of this experience lead to eventually her parents love story. 

She will be reminded of what we both know - and what she learned at an early age - that her mother is not perfect. 

She will learn that her mother learnt about true friendship. From a teen perspective, some of it can make for good drama. It's got the whole mix - close friends, betrayal, heartache (sob stories), clicks, teen pregnancy (not mine dahaha). She will recognise some of my Facebook friends who she's met once or twice in her lifetime, and when I tell her I've had those friends nearly all of my life. She'll be like WOW! That's ages. She will learn that true friendship is unconditional. 

She willl be reminded that her mother LOVES proving other people wrong. Where there were people who once thought she was not good enough, may think twice about that today. (NB: As a parent now, I totally get where they came from but back then it really sucked). 

Most of all she will learn about family. How our hearts broke when people we love were called to the heavens - including our beautiful baby neice and two beautiful baby nephews. How our lives changed when both my parents lost their beloved brothers. Between the lines, she will see how loved I have always felt by my family. 

I hope she learns that she can survive broken hearts. I hope it adds a chunk to her armour and that when there are moments she needs something, she can open my journals and as well as laughing at me, she will learn and it will bring us closer together all in the same time. 

Here's hoping anyway. 

LIVE, LAUGH, LEARN, LOVE: RELIEF SOCIETY

I miss Relief Society. 

This isn't a hint to my Bishopric that I want to be released, because I LLLOOOOOVVVVEEE Primary. I really do (REALLY). 

I haven't been to Relief Society for nearly 4 years now. My church callings have kept me in Young Women or Primary. Before that I actually served in Relief Society for a good 3 years. Go figure! 

I miss being able to sit there and just listen to the lesson. I miss being able to sit in a room full of women and feel encouraged by one another, feel like we are in the same boat, have the same struggles and that although it's not encouraged, feel that it's very normal to scream the house down sometimes or use what little spare time you have to either sleep or just totally blob out.  

I think other ladies who serve in Primary and YW may sometimes be feeling the exact same way. For me, this is why Visiting Teaching is so important. 

My Sundays are a blur. I am trying to help inspire, teach, encourage children 18months - 11 yrs old for the final 2 hours of church. All my focus is on that. It's on making sure the preparation I've done all week is coming to fruition. And if the spirit guides me to change it, then I've got my A-game on to be able to follow that inspriation and go with it. I'll wave to the Relief Society Secretary and as I'm doing rounds helping to knock on doors and prepare for the last hour, I am totally in the Primary Zone. I miss announcements, even if they are handed to me. Anything that is handed to me that doesn't relate to what I need to do in Primary that day is put in my bag and left there until I remember it was there the following Sunday when I've missed the Relief Society activity that I only realised happened because I saw photos on Facebook. D'oh! I'm not blaming anyone but myself. 

Visiting Teaching is important to me because at the moment, it is my connection with Relief Society. There are two sisters that have been assigned just for me. Two sisters that I can talk to about anything for ME. I don't have to talk to them about Primary but I probably would. If I'm comfortable enough, I can pour my heart out to them. I can share my struggles and my triumphs. They don't have to be my best friends but they can tell me about what's going on in Relief Society. What lessons touched them and why. Someone else to call 'friend'. 

They are my link to Relief Society. (Man, I need to be a better Visiting Teacher too!)

I was feeling particularly disconnected (I loathe that word) the weekend of our Stake Relief Society Celebrations "Live, Laugh, Learn & Love'. I volunteered to do a poster for the event and did the last minute thing and took it up to the chapel the night before. The chapel was decked out in true Relief Society style. My husband encouraged me to go and admittedly, I went reluctantly. I worked that Saturday morning, but managed to get in for lunch - learnt some juggling and was part of the instant choir. I was even part of the surprise 'flash mob' thingee during afternoon tea thanks to my sister. I absolutely loved it! The best part was when a group of men got up and sung "Walk Talk, You're a A Daughter of God" It was exactly what I needed and most powerful when hearing it from righteous men. Thank you! The day was great - I'm glad I went. 

I know I am serving where I am needed, and I am grateful for the privilege to serve in Primary. I know that the sisters in Young Women are grateful as well. Sometimes, we just miss Relief Society! 

My AIA Vitality Journey

AIA Vitality is a science-backed wellness program that provides a way for you to get fitter and healthier whilst getting some tangible rewards along the way. If you are already fit and healthy - you still get rewards for maintaining that lifestyle. 

The level of rewards you gets depends on the status that you achieve - Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum and include things like cheaper movies tickets, discounted flights, discounted fruit & veges and discounted insurance on certain benefits. The more you engage in the program, the more points you get to reach each Vitality Status. 

There are three components to this - Knowing your health, improving your health and enjoying the rewards. 



 Knowing your health can be a bit of an eye-opener/smack in the face kind of experience. You first do a Vitality Health Review where you're asked questions about your lifestyle and behaviour as well as what you think your clinical measure are like blood glucose, cholestorol levels etc are. You're asked about your eating and exercise habits to get a gauge on how you doing and what you can do to be better. You are givien your Vitality Age. Then you do your Vitality Health Check through Chemmart. It is based on facts that are there in black and white. You have to take your measurements - your weight, height, chest and waist measurements and you get your BMI (Body Mass Index), Your blood pressure, cholestorol and a random blood glucose test is taken. This is stuff that you just cannot hide away from.  Your Vitality Age is then adjusted to match the facts from these results. I am about to turn 40 in a few months and my Vitality Age when I started was 48. So yes, my body was 9 years older than what it should be. Which is great if you're a teen trying to get into a night club - but not so great if you're a wife and mother of three.

Improving your health is where the fun begins! You can challenge yourself and others and get points for that. You can set personalised goals and get points for reaching those. There are many things you can do to get points. Each person's journey is different. I've embraced the exercise - I love it. I use my Fitbit to record the number of steps I take every single day. I have my little Fitbit community of friends that provides great motivation for me and I knew I was competitive.. but seeing someone go past me on the Fitbit ladder drives me nuts and I become this mad woman, walking around the house in circles or getting on the treadmill at every chance I can get. My achilles heel is my eating. As a hearty polynesian woman, I absolutely love my food. Love, love, love it! What Vitality has done for me is it is slowly helping me to change my eating habits. I have changed from eating potato chips every single night to maybe one or two nights a week. My take away lunches have changed from KFC to Subway - although i do have a Hanaichi thing going on now. It is slowly changing, but it is changing. The fact that it's making me do a double take is a huge step for me. 

The thing I love about AIA Vitality is that I can see myself doing this for the rest of my life. It is definitely a marathon and not a sprint. It is designed with every intention for you to go the distance because it provides tools to help you get there. The rest is up to you. 

I can hear you saying 'Oh, it's one of those programs that takes you forever to reach the next level'. Well, I jumped on the AIA Vitality Express as part of the staff launch in November 2013. It has taken me only 4 months and I have just reached Gold Status (Yeeeeeeeee!). My Vitality Age has come down 6 years to 42!!  I haven't had to make Extreme Makeover - Home Edition porportionate changes, it has been little tweaks here and there. Seriously if I can do it - absolutely everyone can!

It would be remiss of me not to mention that if you are looking to get any financial product such as insurance, you should contact someone who is qualified to give you the personalised advice you deserve. I also should note that I am not getting any financial rewards for posting this - it is purely voluntary and I do it because I really believe in this. If you know me - you know that I don't do things for show and tell. 

I do enjoy the rewards at the moment of getting cheaper movie tickets and the opportunity to fly overseas with cheaper airfares is absolutely awesome. There are plenty of rewards you can get - check them out here. 

For me, the greatest reward of all is priceless - it's TIME. More time to be around, more time spent building behaviours with the kids that will have them around longer and more time being able to actually do things with them instead of not being able to fit on theme park rides, or having to get extension seat belts or just running around in the park with them. And if the unexpected happens - having the insurance there to take care of them when it's my time to hit the heavens, so they don't have to spend any time grieving over me financially.  Priceless. 

*** DISCLAIMER:*** 

I am an employee of AIA. The statements or opinions expressed on this site are my own 

and do not necessarily represent those of AIA.