7/1/11
F.I.V.E
5/8/11
to be celebrated everyday...
5/4/11
To my street sweeper...
4/16/11
4/15/11
in loving memory...
This is truly a treat to read how he wrote to us... Please enjoy:
...Oute alofa atu ia outou uma ma ia manuia le sauni atu i aso fiafia,
7/29/10
milestones
H-diva turned 3yrs old!!! yay. *tear
and I have celebrated my 21st birthday for the 5th time :)
6/30/10
DIRE NEED OF AN UPGRADE
"Life is still dealing out hands that test our ability to succeed. Luckily - we play each hand together."
:)
hope all is well...
4/3/10
Easter Weekend - WARNING - a bit graphic
So this year's Easter Celebration has been very minimal for our household but it hasn't lessened our focus on what this weekend truly means to the Christian world.
Although the weekend itself is not over as we still have tomorrow (Sunday) to get through - not to mention it's General Conference time again :) - I just HAD to get on my blog and record something that has just rocked my world today.
It's been over two hours now since we left the house for the THIRD time today.
1st time: I went to run a personal errand *wink* - (clue: Shape Up The Nation)
2nd time: Took the girls to an Easter Egg Hunt and an Easter Egg Plunge (they dive for eggs in a kiddie pool at our local Rec Center - quite fun actually!)
and 3rd time: To take Sa to the Chapel for the Priesthood meeting that started at 6pm.
So anyway, while on our way - we immediately came to a halt on the road and nothing seemed clear as to why everyone in front of us just decided to STOP!
As we inched along, we realized that everyone was trying to merge quickly to the right hand lane - so we did likewise.
Soon - the two left lanes were clear in view and to our horror, there, in the middle of the road, lay a young woman - completely lifeless. A few people stood near her with shock on their faces but none showed any sign that they were in any way related to her or knew who she was.
Bumper to bumper we crept in silence, when finally the sirens of a fire engine and an ambulance race to the scene - snapping us out of our trance if for only a few seconds.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw something that lay about 10feet away from the body. At first glance, I thought it was a small dog or cat that may have been hit as well - - - but to my shock it was a bunch of HAIR! *shudders*
My eyes darted back to the body which was now parallel to our car as we inched forward some more. Can someone explain why you can't tear your eyes away from such horrific events?
I was pretty sure I wasn't going to easily forget what I had ALREADY seen thus far, but the more I looked on - I couldn't help but think of how sorry I felt (not only for her) but for her family and friends who were obviously nowhere in sight. *so gut wrenching I tell ya*
Her body was simply broken. She was either hit by more than one car or hit by a really fast one. Her clothes were torn where skidding on the road after impact had occurred leaving her bare skin exposed and once again 'simply broken'. She was bent and twisted at points that knew of no such angles and yet her head was hidden from view (possibly covered by someone that was involved).
Then cutting through my shock (again) was Coretta from the backseat saying, "Customer has an oweee...she needs to go to the Doctor, right Mommy?".
I had completely forgotten that our girls were with us up until that point - and I turned around and looked at her, then Heiress - and silently nodded.
Having been reeled back to my own world by the Coretta's innocent question - I was quickly reminded of how real accidents are; of how truly short life is; and of how unprepared I am to deal with sudden loss (given the situation) if I were put in such a position (heaven forbid).
Needless to say, we were soon driving away from the scene of the accident - although the images still haunted my thoughts. I was thinking about how if we had left even a few SECONDS earlier we would've in the middle of it all or would've been part of it's prevention. Who knows? All I know is, this random event has gotten me all rattled and wanting to check up on all my family and friends. So for those of you whom I've posted bizarre "I love you" posts on Facebook (with an "I might die soon" tone) - this is why. :)
I know how much I care about my family and friends but I probably don't share it often enough. So to all readers (family, friend, or random stranger) - please be safe on the roads, and know that we are thinking of all of you (like always) but with added significance during this Easter season :). I especially love to reflect upon the gratitude I feel for the ultimate Sacrifice this holiday commemorates because it is one that is full of love and compassion - - - both of which, I try each day to live and better yet see in others. Though it's all a work in progress. Just remember: Giving up is not an option.
And once again, stay safe and watch out for each other.
TTYL
3/27/10
our divas thank goodness the weekend is here! Just chillin' at home - cleaning up and doin' chores with the divas :).
Sa's at work. grrrrrr.
And we'll probably miss today's rugby game - which, by the way, is going to be at Dimple Dell - a whole lot closer than the previous games which were held in Provo!
Anyway - just loving the simple things in life right now.
enjoy your weekend! smooches from the divas:)
3/24/10
Good Morning!!
We got home at 8:25pm anyway - and that was after running around picking up the girls from Emily's and then picking up Sa from work... then heading to the "Samoan" park (as his teammates have deemed it) to drop him off to his rugby practice. Conveniently, there is a playground at this same park - right next to the parking lot - so the girls got a half hour of pure sliding fun before the cold breeze forced me to drag them back into the car.
We grabbed some drinks from a nearby BK - headed back picked up Sa and made an emergency bathroom stop on the way home because Coretta needed to go. Needless to say - she lied. She just wanted an ice cream cone from McDs and now after all that - I'm still wondering why I'm up so early.
Anyway - was back at work yesterday after having to stay home and cater to my sick divas. They were down with fevers and diarrhea. So not fun! It was mostly my fault because I had given them apple juice on Saturday and I have learned my lesson. Curses to Apple Juice!!!
I think I'm going to go get ready for work now. It's 6am.
My thought for the day is not an original. Neither is it something that I fully agree with but it is more of a quote from a co-worker during a discussion about the termination of a fellow co-worker in their department:
- I don't think this is an astounding thought by any measure, but it puts a lot of the superficial and shallow state of mind most, not all, people have these days into a simple nutshell.
TTYL!
3/22/10
talofa 2010 - 2 and a half months later!
So much has happened in our lives these past few months since my last post that it's going to be hard to sum it all up without missing a few details here and there.
FIRSTLY: RUGBY
Sa is now a registered player for a Salt Lake based rugby team called the Utah Islanders Rugby Club. (There are about 99.9% Samoans on the team but I guess they will soon try to "aggressively" pursue the recruitment of "more diversity" to stay true to their name).
So far they have only had 3 games: 1 win, 2 losses. They have a long way to go but have great motivation and potential to become a great team here. Did I mention they were only 1 of FOUR teams in their division here??.. haha.. - So Rugby is still catching on here - so in order to help it grow and get the community support - COME AND ENJOY FROM THE SIDELINES EVERY SATURDAY FOR THE NEXT 2 and a half MONTHS! -head on over to http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=UTAHRFU&t=c&s=htosports&p=schedule for more details. (Hopefully these guys' team schedule will be updated.)
We also headed out to Las Vegas during Valentine's weekend to watch the 2-day USA Sevens Tournament! Not to get into too many details, I'd just like to say it was FUN for me, FUN for the divas, and FUN for Sa. It was fun spending time with family and fun to witness Samoa win the Cup! Fast-forward 2months later - Samoa just won the Cup again at the Aussie Sevens that just took place this past weekend!
SECONDLY: the Divas
Right now we've worked out an arrangement with one of our close friends here who have agreed to help us with our girls - until our "plans have been followed through for them". In the meantime - Thank you Emily and Amani for your help. They've been in and out of "varying" situations as far as growth spurts, illnesses, and other "toddler-related" experiences as is normal for a terrible-twos' year old and a terrible-threes' year old... :)
Regardless, we love love love how these two are growing up so much and how they truly complete our home! Thanks Coretta for keeping your dad in check by reminding him Vanity is a sin! *wink* and Thanks Heiress for assisting your dad at the store when you go Grocery shopping together by pointing out only the things YOU & YOUR SISTER like to eat!! LOVE YOU TO BITS!
I have more updated pics of the divas on my FB page... If you're lucky enough to 1)FIND ME and then 2) have me notice your friend request promptly enough to accept it - then enjoy my favorite album of them appropriately named "lipstick jungle". :)
THIRDLY: bringing home the bacon
Work is still great! I have my moments with frustration due to my lack of concentration sometimes but I'm grateful that I have a job during these tough times. I found out from work that I have "decent" bowling skills averaging between 100 - 150 per game. I've lost some friends because they have decided to pursue other career paths at this time but all in all - I have acquired a great "liking" to the world of 'Accounting'. For those of you who have not known me before recently - I am a Chemistry *slash* Biology junkie. or rather I "was". Anyway - needless to say, that part of my life is on the back burner for now.
Sa, on the other hand - is enjoying (sometimes) the challenges he faces at his own job. I've seen him grow a lot as he gets more responsibilities and leadership duties added upon him. His work ethics and attitude towards his job reminds me of Beyonce's song 'Ego'
not so much the "ego" part - but more-so the "...he can back it up" part. :)
LASTLY: progression
If you have the opportunity (and a lonnnnng afternoon of doing nothing) - you will note that from my previous entries, I am a great fan and even stronger believer of the concept of "PROGRESS". I can honestly say, that once again - we are slowly but SURELY making it a priority in our lives. There have been hurdles on the way ...(a.k.a BILLS, and gas prices etc etc etc) but with faith and lots of work, we've truly been blessed each day.
Today's piece of advice from my mental store of personal quotes:
ttyl!!!
12/23/09
it's not always about the food. :)
It's not quite in the works right now either but is a definite 'potential' on my list of priorities for the moment.
But while I have miraculously found my way back to my blog and telling from my revolver map - I've had a few visits since my last post - (I do apologize again for the lack of updates) - I did want to take the time to personally and publicly thank all our friends and families that have gone through yet another year's coaster ride with us as we all strive to achieve goals, better ourselves and continue the steady progression towards success-(which can be measured in very different ways when considering where we stand in our personal lives).
Thanks for all the "good times", and good food *wink*, and for choosing to share them with us. :)
We can't wait for all the new adventures, trials, good times, snow plowing - what have you - OH! -and all the good 'food' that awaits us in 2010.
Stay safe!
P.S - Happy Birthday to my little brother Jimmy Jr. who turns 22yrs old today!!!
I bet they're going to have some awesome food for the party! :P
10/18/09
nearing the end of yet another year
Can you believe October '09 is almost over?
so much to do... so little time.
hope all of you (family, friends and the occasional random reader) - are enjoying life thus far!
until I can find my data cable for my camera to upload all the recent pics from EVERYWHERE I've taken.... ttyl!
10/2/09
'grief' - is an understatement.
images
images of loss
images of despairing families
images of sweet children-literally 'washed away'

images
images of yesterday
images of a never-ending tomorrow
images of sweet lives-literally 'washed away'

images
images of grief
images of smiles - now gone
images of samoa-my sweet-samoa-literally 'washed away

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-Our immediate families are safe. After a million (and one) attempts to call home, we were made sure of that. Many others were not so lucky. Please pray for those who have lost homes, parents, siblings and children in this deadly disaster.
9/20/09
family photo fun... ....bored much?
9/17/09
i've got mail!
L-R Standing: my Mama-Diva, family/ward/youth friend P. Tafua, my little sister-Diva, (infront of her)-my baby sister Diva, my sis-in-law Diva, my not-so-little-anymore baby brother.
L-R Front: family friend from the Ilalio household, family friend "Stu".
this certainly made my day... i hope you dont take for granted the simple things that "make your day".
8/17/09
EXTRA EXTRA - READ ALL ABOUT IT!!

I kind of threw it out there as an idea and was fortunate to find out that my supervisor had a NUMBER of books on cd and she kindly let me start on her Harry Potter series!
I had already read all 7 books years ago (LIKE WHO HASN'T!?!?)... but it is a great refresher and I can't wait to get started on something else or NEW.
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I've also been invited to join a book club started by Mrs. Sifo Taatiti - and already we are off to a GREAT START!!!...
If any of you have the time to or are just looking to find a good piece of literature to dive in to.... then I suggest reading "The Last Child", by John Hart.
I really liked it. And our 1st book club meeting to discuss it opened up so much more depth to the story than I imagined.
Our next reading selection is 'The Time Traveler's Wife" (i think) - and it corresponds with the release of it's cinematic version also titled after the novel. -and by the looks of it - I think I'm going to like the movie already!!!
Anyhow - please feel free to recommend some of the great books you've read so that I can start adding to my library at home!
Some personal favorites: 'The Pearl', by John Steinbeck; The Work And The Glory Series, by Gerald N. Lund; 'The 12th Night', William Shakespeare; The Twilight Saga, by Stephenie Meyer; and more to come!
Happy reading folks!
8/16/09
im SURROUNDED by it...as opposed to living FOR it.
-it's like an epidemic. People just can't seem to be free or rid of it. Furthermore it becomes an addiction for others. Like WITHOUT IT - they're left with pretty much "nothing" -or so they think.
-If I could define this word in my own terms: I'd use certain people as examples. People around me. People that I try hard to resist the temptation to shake SENSE into........physically.
-A world without it would be .... well... I really don't know. I'd be left with my family and close friends and all things "positive" - i assume?
-the most drama I've had recently ... is ... how upset I got when Sa left his big ol' hand print on our newly replaced windshield. But that's little league drama I guess. It ranks about as high as my divas' tantrums... which is not too high at all.
NOTE TO READERS AND FRIENDS OF THIS BLOG-(or those who might agree):
-Noone REALLY likes drama. If you "attract it" or are prone to it or you just can't help the situations you are in that "causes" it.... then you are undoubtedly a drama queen or king.
Do not be mistaken by others gestures of kindness towards you during your "peak" season.
It is out of pity and hope that some optimism will rub off on you.
On the other hand, take your outdated show on the road until you've GROWN UP enough to "hang with the mature folks".
Drama GETS OLD. Deal with it and move along. Make better choices and quit pencilling yourself and issues into OTHER PEOPLEs' schedules. No one ELSE should lose two hours of their lives only to conclude that you love the attention you draw to yourself.
NOTE TO SELF:
-rid yourself of drama-related people.
NOTE TO the "DRAMA-RELATED" of our society:
grow up - that's the first step. and if this hits home: I TELL IT LIKE IT IS.
p.s... this didn't sprout from anything that has happened related to my entry. I just happened to realize, as I sit at home surrounded by my family: Sa and our divas... that all is well with my life. And when I spend time with our close friends and family elsewhere, its like that as well. But it's when I step into the other areas of my life - that strong negative forces are just working to eat away at all the goodness that I've fed off of in the comfort of my home and with those I love.
I have an opinion on certain matters (depending on my mood). And this blog is one of the best ways to let it be heard.
7/19/09
another milestone!

7/2/09
RARE..... very RARE - indeed.

~Intermission: for some random news~
the king is dead. I don't think I can be categorized as one of his CRAZED fans but I did enjoy his music.
I've never been to any of his concerts or seen him in person but as a kid, I DID get to see an impersonator in Hawaii put on a performance at the PCC. He was ALMOST as good as the real deal. But then again I think I was 8YRS old then.... What did I know?
Meanwhiles, ......... I was just wondering..........Will the world of music dub ANOTHER "king" of whatever genre now?... Elvis - king of rock...MJ - king of pop..... Edward Cullen - king of all women's fantasies from ages 10-100yrs!!... HAHAHAHA...(but he doesn't count because he's not -er- "real")
but yerrrrr - I wonder if Michael Jackson read Twilight. If he did - he'd probably revamp Neverland and call it "Volterra" or "Forks" or...... better yet "Mike's Isle Esme!" .................... That would've been AWESOME!!!
ok.... enough.. RIP MJ
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secondly:
I made a trip to Lagoon with my girls and we had a BLAST!... (and by "blast", I mean 'I was so pooped after a long day of walking and getting on and off rides with these two that I was out like a lightbulb soon after we got home'). enjoy some of the pics:

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in other news:
we are VERY busy people these days. Sa and I both work long hours then he has rugby and now I'm gonna start going to a new book club with Sifo -(THANKS SIFO!!!)-and we're in a new ward where I've become the unofficial honorary Nursery Leader! -haha-
Being on the GO is always great but finding some down time like this to relax and chill at home with family is even better.
Enjoy your July 4th weekend everyone!














