Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! We have made it to NZ albeit in Samoan time (yes plane was delayed - actually it wasn't even on the tarmac when it was meant to depart!)

We came along with everyone else complete with Umu box and jandalls!

I have eaten strawberries and apricots and nectarines already lol!

We loved the flight on Air NZ as it was such a treat. Lovely food, entertainment and drinks!

Got to Auckland Airport and got to check in electronically using the chip in our passports (we didn't even know there was a chip in there!!) No customs agents involved just put your passport in the machine, keep still and look at the camera then the gates open and let you in. Amazing. Very high tech for those of us from the one hick town of Apia!

Anyway have a great one all. Be safe and be seen!

Campbell Live Samoa Christmas Special

Talofa all

If you missed the NZ TV3 Campbell Live Samoa Christmas special which was filmed with the children in Lalomanu who survived the tsunami then you can find it here

USP Alafua Graduation

Talofa all

Yesterday was Graduation for us here at USP Alafua. A happy and sad time. Much to be celebrated for those Graduating but also sad they will be leaving us, Samoa and friends made here (not to mention the netball team!)

It was a hot day. Very very hot! 35+ degrees in a big hall with little fans and no air con. Thought I might be the passed out Palagi on the stage it was so hot! Luckily I had my fan with me so could keep some air moving.

The library girls were all there either ushering or singing in the choir. Elenoa was also singing and they all looked great in their matching puletasi's.

The hall was packed with people. It was nice to see some of the students I know Graduating. We took a few photos after .....

Rock da Boat

Last Friday night a couple of friends and I decided it was time for a Christmas party here in Samoa! We bought tickets and went on Rock da Boat for 3 hours of cruising around the Apia harbour (yes that is as far as we went!), tunes from DJ Cory from the 98.1 radio station and of course a few drinks. Unfortunately we were the only 3 on the boat that were not part of the SCOPA netball girls hens night or sitting quietly watching the Dubai 7’s inside!! A good time was had by all though. We were joined in the last hour by one of the SCOPA Faafafine’s who certainly entertained us and made our night. Here are a couple of photos….

Table Runner

Here is my latest project. Made with scraps of material including that from my beautiful girls who danced for USP Open Day. One of them is graduating on the 15th December and so this is her gift from me to remind her of Samoa. She also played in the netball team. I hope she likes it!!

2nd Worst Hair Cut Experience EVA!

Hi all

After making an appointment with a recommended hair dresser here in Samoa I waited for 2 weeks for her to return from the States and was really looking forward to my trim before heading home to see you all at Christmas.

This was my experience however.....

I arrived at the salon. It is not a huge place. 3 cutters chairs and 2 basins plus they have managed to fit one of those foot baths in and have a new beautician (who was incidentally doing toe nails and sticking sparkly jewels on!!)

I took a pew. The place seemed over crowded but as is normal in Samoa the person with the appointment seems to come with a number of hangers on who watch and talk!!! I could see the hair dresser I made the appointment with was very busy putting someones hair up. Looked like some special occassion was happening that night. I figured she was running late and would be a while so engrossed myself in a magazine (wow a magazine. These are few and far between in Samoa and VERY expensive to buy). I was enjoying the gossip when I was interrupted by a Fijian Faafafine with short afro hair (there is a reason I'm telling you this) and blue eye shadow!! He/She asked me to come to the basin.

I trotted over and took a very uncomfortable seat and waited patiently. A few minutes later I was duely informed that there was no water!! Oh well no hair wash today then.

Next I was shown to a seat and the Faafafine sprayed my hair down with the squirty bottle. After a very rough comb of the hair I figured I was as ready as I was going to be for the hairdresser. She however looked very busy with her job at hand........

Low and behold the Faafafine whipped out his scissors and started to cut my hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't know what to do. Should I say something? Should I not? In my head I thought that maybe I should give the benefit of the doubt as maybe he was some fantastic cutter with awards or something???????????????

Unfortunately I was to be sorely disappointed! With some reference to my split ends (an expert in palagi hair obviously!) my appointment was over in a flash with a bare minimum cut off my hair and some funny angles to show for it. Much "product" later and I emerged from the salon with hair like concrete looking ridiculous. Mind you one of the other patrons thought it looked nice (or do they pay her to sit there and say that?!!)

Oh well now I've sorted it out myself (fixed up the funny angles) and given it a wash things look ......... well as they did before I went to the hairdresser actually. So I probably won't be going there again. Might try Double D's the Aggie's hair salon next time as I'm sure to receive some palagi treatment there and after all I suppose that is what I'm expecting!!

Christmas Show

Last week we got invited to the Robert Louis Stevenson Primary School Christmas performance. We know 3 of the teachers there. Adam was a bit dubious about this event so I had to ply him with dinner beforehand. Surprisingly he managed to still be awake at the end of the show! I loved it. The kids were all doing their Samoan performances celebrating traditional Samoa. They looked lovely in their traditional wear. I was impressed with what the teachers had done to get them all into uniform. The dancing and singing was great. It's always nice to take in a bit of culture. This has been the only Christmas thing we have been to so far and might be the last. We will see. No Christmas parties planned for us here. No one can afford it which is sad. Check out these photos....

The Cashew

Hello All

Check this out. It is a Cashew!! Adam picked it off the tree at Samoa College the other day. Isn't it cool. First time I have seen one. Apparently you can eat the fruit (the red bit) but the nut is in the stem (the green bit) which you have to roast so you an crack it open and get it out. 1 nut per fruit. No wonder they are soooooooooooo expensive. It tasted just like a real one!!