Congrats cousin Lokeni!

Although it's the holiday season, and while everyone's putting up their Christmas lights, decorating their trees and doing a little bit of holiday shopping-->our family is proud to celebrate a great accomplishment by one of my first cousins as he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Humanities (?). Our family is so proud of him because this uncle of ours and his family struggled to survive here in America.

My uncle Leota came out in 1991 by himself to find a better future for him and his family. 1992, he sent for the rest of his family and I mean, Uncle Leota started his searching in Los Angeles, then he went up to San Bernardino, Portland, Oregon and finally decided to settle in Washington. Uncle Leota is a hard-worker and such a provider for his family. They've come a long way and now they are on top of their game. He's a foreman for his job, Aunty Vi is a bus driver, Diana's got a beautiful daughter and is working herself, Lokeni just graduated from a University with a Degree, Liki's moving on up working and living with his girlfriend. By the way, my cousins LIki & Lokeni got scholarships to school out in Vancouver, WA while in high school which is a school for the Deaf. Yeah and last but not least my baby cousin Warren, is a bomb @$$ football player for Rainier Beach High School. all in all, my family in Washington is blessed.

Not only that but Uncle Leota is a lay minister for the First Samoan Congregational Christian Church in Seattle! He's the strong supporter there and is a great servant there with his family. He's the faifeau's most reliable person there. I know Uncle is sooo into the church up there only because he knows he's helping his brother in L.A(My dad) with that church in Seattle!

Back to my dear cousin Keni!! So I found out that My cousin had his graduation in D.C and didn't let any of us know about it, so he graduated on his own. That just killed me! That's why I'm making the effort to go up there when my uncle called. Like I explained above, they came a long way and for him to finish his school just overjoys our whole family! So consider me there Keni!

Nothing makes me more happier than seeing people from back home (Samoa) who can't really reap all the benefits, but make use of whatever it is they're given. For instance, my cousin is deaf , yet used all the resources from the State to educate his mind and further it to a higher level of education. For that I'm proud of him and proud of my uncle aunty for supporting that. It isn't easy for Samoan parents to go along with decisions so extreme like that. To be away from home at such a young age. Mayunnnn, that's tough!!! so God is good and continues to see over my family!

But here in America people usually look down on us folks from the WEST, but I'm so happy that our people strive and motivate themselves to be the best at whatever it is they can get at. With my cousin and my uncle's family, they've overcome all obstacles to be where they're at now! That's all that people told me when I was going to schoool, "Rema, you were born in Samoa and u still have a green card...LOL...but you need to use America for all the opportunities they're giving you." So yeah thanks America for us green-card holders' education! lmao. <--Whatever! Thank God for everything!!!

I really would've wished that all my cousins on my dad's side could've made it out to Keni's party or maybe just Aunty Moelagi or Uncle Satu'u, but things are so hectic with our reunion out there next month that i know it's almost impossible. Nevertheless, we're all here for him and through our prayers and support, everything will be all right!

So again, congratulations Lokeni and we love you very much! We pray that you continue to use your knowledge to help excel the family and to better your future.

Love u always: Your Tiatia Family outta COMPTON!!!

*How Do I Love Thee? Let me Count The Ways...*

Before I even go on, I just want to say that I believe that God puts everyone where He wants them to be. Everything he does, should never be questioned but understood! God is good all the Time and all the Time God is good! Those are what my beliefs are in the particular situation that I am in now!

Friday morning, December 1st, I committed to someone whom I feel has been a long awaited love of my life. We've been exchanging words for so long yet have never been able to sit down and acquaint ourselves. He is one who comforts me (as my Dad had been in the hospital), makes me smile and laugh, understands my role in our EFKS church and continues to bring the best out of me. I've found all these qualities in this man whom I am spending every day with. True, I enjoy being pampered and babied, but I've found out quickly that he's not one to be a push-over when I get too much!! For that I love him more. Yes, guys I love the man! I love him because he loves me and just makes me happy. Happy to a sense where we can discuss anything and everything. He completes my sentences and agrees with everything I have to say. Its' hard to find someone who is willing to talk to you about church and your parents, but He does. All in all, I am blessed to be with him and I don't care what anyone has to say! I know this man will love me with all my flaws and goods as I will him. Call it what you want, I may be rushing into this but I love this guy and during my down times, he's put that smile on my face!!! Thank you Babeeh!

Things happen for a reason and you meet all the wrong ones before you meet that RIGHT one! With all due respect to my exes, that holds to be so true! I love u H.P! I'm so thankful that you're in my life!

To my HP: If I should ever give you a hard time or act up (so to speak), know it is because I don't know how to react to all the happiness I've come across with you! I look forward to every time I'm with you! I love you and am grateful to the Lord you are mine!

**Ok I know that was sappy, but it's the truth!**

*Germs & Love is in the Air*

Well, my daddy's sick! He came back from Samoa and had the case of Dengue Fever. He's so weak and he gave us a scare on Sunday when he almost collapsed doing the faamanatuga. So we rushed him to the nearest hospital which happened to be one of the most ghetto ones in the neighborhood, but you know Samoan men and their stubborness, wanted to go tot he closest one. Anyways, my sister Peka and I walked into the room he was lying in and he had his gown, laying there, sound asleep and all the IV's and tubes in his arms and chest, WE STARTED wailing and crying like he was about to die. My poor daddy just ke'id and told us to shuddup!~ lmao. It was scary just the thought of my dad in the hospital.. ERRH!! Especially when I hate hospitals!


Then one by one, the visitors started showing up. Faifeaus, their church members, our family members, and then my loving church. As sad as my sister and I were, we were so comforted that all these people were there to show us love, show dad love and that they wanted him to get better!
My dad is such a great man and he's helped so many. He may have a high title in the church but he's always humble and is down to earth. He's instilled in me so much strength and faith that I wil always be grateful. He's believed in me when everyone else didn't. From that I am who I am today. I am loving, caring and humble with a twist of fearless humor! I love my Dad and I'm sooo close to him. It's true that the Father/Daughter bond will never go away. I believe that with my Dad. I always say, that as long as my Daddy is alive I won't ever need another man. So if my boyfriend decides to up and leave me, trust me, I don't have the time to BOO-HOOO about it!




I can't sleep at night and I pray that my Daddy will be better again! It's truly not his time I know. But mannnn, this is the scariest sight I've seen my daddy!~~ LOVE YOU DAD!!! Get well soon!