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!!!