2010 - A new beginning for blogging . . .

Me and my gorgeous nephew Reikorangi. Isn't he a honey . . .

After beginning the life of blogging with a bang while I was over at the last WIPCE conference it soon came to a stand-still when I was introduced to Facebook. I have decided that I want to start back on it again. I just hope this works out . . .

The challenges I have set for myself for 2010 include:

- Being here for my boys as they enter into their very first mainstream (hate that word) college after being educated in Māori medium since they began school;

- Helping my daughter finish her college years with success and setting her up for the next challenge in her life;

- Be here for my eldest son who is trying to transition into the life of independence (true independence that is); and

- Save enough bloody money to buy a house so I can stop filling someone else's pocket with our money.

If I can get to April and can see progress on these four challenges then I will be happy. Here's hoping anyway.

Google Wave

Check this out for a new way of working. These guys are unbelievable, they created the google maps programme and now this. Wicked for those who sit in front of a computer most of the day and work in a virtual office. Lets see how long it takes before it is real and my friends start using this as a way of working.

Angels and Demons

I went to watch this movie today hoping that some of the things that I had read in the book would be shown. Sadly this was not to be. Although I thought the story line was good because I had read the story first I have to say I was disappointed. I usually like watching Ron Howard directed movies but this was disappointing. Never mind I will still buy the DVD because some of the shots within the Vatican city were pretty impressive. Hope others who go to watch it and haven't read the book enjoy it more.

Happy Birthday Skye-Loren Abraham

Tautahi, Whare, Te Awa and I came up North to see my nephew, Koby-James, and attend my nieces', Skye-Loren, 5th birthday in Auckland. Although it was a crappy day all the kids still really enjoyed themselves. We went to a little place called the Ivy Cottage where all the little ones could dress-up as fairies and participate in a whole heap of games and activities based around being a fairy. Although some of the cousins were too old for the theme they were just happy to be together so all in all the day was awesome.

Ngā Tupuna Mātua

How unreal is this . . . how our world is changing . . .

Ānei ngā whakaahua o ōku nei tūpuna i te taha o tōku whaea. Ko Tirarau Kukupa te tangata e noho ana i te taha maui, ko ia tā mātou tūpuna matua i te whānau o Tangiteroria. Kei te noho ia i te kāinga o Tangiteroria i te wā o Hone Heke. He whānaunga tata rāua. Ko Tirarau hoki te ingoa o tā mātou nei whare tupuna.

Ko Te Ihi Tito, tōku tūpuna tuatoru, kei tōna taha. Ko ia te pāpā o tōku karani a Tapihana Tito, te pāpā o tōku whaea. He uri ia i te whenua o Iarini, te iwi Māori hoki.

Mai nga ra o mua . . .

Check out the photos of nana Kiritina, her sister and brother while they were at school in 1927.  She is the cool little girl at the beginning of the second row from the back with the shoulder length hair, her sister is the girl standing in the centre with the round white collar in the same row and her brother (in the first photo) is the only boy not looking at the camera when the photo was taken.  I must follow after him when it comes to following instructions.  Interesting though that they are all at the same Native School, all related and not allowed a photo together.  How things have changed.   

 How cool that someone has posted these on the internet to share with others.  Wonder how many people have found a photo of their grandparents, great grandparents etc in these shots.  

WICKED . . .

2009 Festival of the Elements

Another successful Festival of the Elements for Porirua.  Each year, in celebration of Waitangi Day, the Festival of the Elements is held at Te Rauparaha Park.  It's an opportunity for the multicultural communities of Porirua to celebrate a day together in commemoration of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Over the past few years Maori have raised concerns that although there is definately a need for a celebration such as this to happen the day itself doesn't highlight that this day is important because of the signing of the treaty.  I think the constant complaints must have been heard because:

1. The day began with mihimihi, karakia and waiata Maori;

2. The MC for the day often spoke about, and asked others, what they knew about the significants of the day;

3. Our Tino Rangatira flag flew from the centre of the park for the entire day without anyone being dragged off the park or arrested. 

What a start, but lets remember it is only a start.

The weather was awesome, the entertainment was great (some of them went on too long though), the whanau atmosphere was great, and as usual there was far too much food to buy.

Let's see what 2010 brings us . . .     

Mom, Mom, Mummy, Mummy

How many of us can relate to this type of conversation with our darling children???  All you want is ten minutes quiet time and this is what you have to deal with.

Although there are times when they drive you crazy this is one time I must admit I had to laugh at.  

Enjoy . . . 

Whakapapa a-Ipurangi

Check this site out guys if you are trying to find an easy way to record your whakapapa for future reference.  My brother-in-law talked to me about this site during the Christmas break at it sounded really cool so I asked him to send me the link so I could use it and share it with others.

Once you have created a site you can load in your details and the details of other whanau members.  While you are on the site you can search for other whanau members and make a link between your whakapapa layout and theirs.  You can also use it to find out things about your ancestory.

I have started loading my family's information in and it is amazing how much I didn't know, or can't remember about the little things to do with my whanau.  Never mind, gives me the opportunity to do some research I suppose.

You can also upload photos and send these to other whanau members as you wish.  Anyway have a look and write me a comment on what you thought.

www.genebase.com   CHECK IT OUT!

Welcome in 2009 . . .

What an awesome finish to 2008 and a positive start to 2009.

During our visit to Thames the kids had the opportunity to go fishing with their uncle Bernard on his boat. What an experience and what an awesome catch they came home with. The boys loved the opportunity of getting their photo taken with their catch but their sister, who also caught a good sized fish, didn't want to hold the fish that she caught because she felt guilty. She loves animals and all that so that would explain it. Tautahi caught the so called smallest fish at 8lb and as you can see from the photo he was struggling to hold it up for the photo shoot. It was great to see them so excited and proud of what they had achieved.

Now the challenge is too keep them interested in doing things like this . . .

What does Christmas mean in the 21st Century . . .?

I would love to have the opportunity to have this discussion with a group of year 7 & 8 students sometimes.  I think this age group is a good indicator of what is real for them because they are in the process of thinking for themselves and although they are still strongly influenced by what is practiced at home and what their peer groups are practicing they enjoy having the opportunity of discussing topics such as this.

Although parents would really like their children to enjoy Christmas as quality time to spend with the whanau is this what really matters to our children?  I had this discussion with my 3 youngest children, one who is 15, another 13 and the youngest 12.  

The 15 year old believes that it is all about spending time with the whanau but not at the expense of what they are involved in (with hers being waka ama at this time) so that means that we are all with whanau while she returns home early to go back to practice for the nationals that are coming up in the middle of January 2009. 

The 13 year old just wants to have a good time and isn't too fussed about where that is or who is involved in it but he does enjoy being with his cousins, older siblings, aunties and uncles.  If it gives him a chance to either go hunting or fishing then he is in and ready to go.  If it has anything to do with actually thinking about a plan then he would prefer to follow the leader (who is usually his younger brother).  

The youngest one, the 12 year old, although he enjoys getting the presents and all the rest that comes with Christmas, he just really wants everyone to get together and have fun with each other.  He said to me today that he thinks his dad and I should just give them all money from now on and they can buy themselves something on Boxing Day, during the sales, so I might just take him up on that. 

Personally, I think the giving is very much alive in our whanau but its keeping it in perspective that we need to revisit, so guess what I will be focussing more on in 2009 with my darlings.  

Holiday period has begun . . .

Let's recap 2008 . . . 

Whanau:

• LOVE being with my whanau everyday . . . even on the days that it gets a little challenging to be positive.  
• Unconditional love alive and kicking
• My kids continue to make me proud everyday . . . 
• Glad to be healthy and able to help others everyday
• Nellie Ann still doing some amazing things . . . and still happy
• Sean Michael finished college and preparing for university
• Te Awa really blossomed this year, wanted college to challenge her again so took it upon herself to move from Te Kura Maori to an English medium college and enjoyed everyday of school since then.  After two terms she was awarded a prize at their prize giving.  She is determined to take out all the main awards before she leaves too . . . good on her.
• Whare still loves drawing . . . and creating amazing art pieces.  Enjoying wharekura although it's still challenging for him
• Tautahi is still confident, started playing rugby and was offered a number of opportunities to trial out for the reps in his first year . . . not bad.  Wants school to challenge him a little more so will work on that happening in the new year.
• Lost an uncle I absolutely adored this year . . . what a dumb way to end the year.  Never mind, he had been sick for a long time and although he was as stubborn as a mule at least he is resting now.  Got the opportunity to go home and rekindle the fire again so that was good.  Saw my nana and papa, and too many uncles, aunties, and cousins in the urupa but they keep us connected to the whenua so that is always good.
• Found out I'm going to be an auntie again early 2009.  Mum and dad would have been so proud of all their mokopuna.

Work Achievements:

• Started the year as a Team Leader with 3 team members . . . ended it as a manager with 6 team members.  More people doesn't equal less work.
• Completed the consultation of our revised Maori medium curriculum and then launched a world leading indigenous curriculum with some amazing people . . . definately something worth remembering.  So priviledged . . .
• Got the opportunity to work with some amazing people yet again this year.
• Attended 2008 WIPCE conference in Melbourne with work mates.
• Got offered some interesting jobs and experiences.
• Got tired by the end of the year.

WHAT AWAITS US FOR 2009 . . .

Homeward Bound

Going home today YIHA!  I've really enjoyed being in the land of the Aborigine and Kangaroos but over living in an apartment, eating out and trying to find a new place to try everyday, and not seeing the whanau.

Got to the airport and it was a "MADHOUSE'.  Funny how the weather caves in and everyone hits the panic button.  Got to the airport early with the idea of checking in so that I could miss the back-log and spend more time in Duty Free to buy the last of the gifts and BANG . . . got there and the line was just about out the door - just for the Air New Zealand flight too.  The others were just as busy but I wasn't too worried about them.  Took me an hour to check in.  Man it's amazing how many people get to the airport and aren't prepared for checking-in but instead of letting others go in front while they sort themselves out, no, they stand at the counter and sort out their luggage (so they don't have to pay extra) or get this . . . look for their passport.  How bad is that!

Anyway, got through customs fine as - just about forgot to get out the talking sticks from one of the other bags so needed to do that so when I get home I don't do what I just complained about.  This lady was carrying two bottles of really expensive Port that she had bought too and this guy in customs had great joy in not only taking them from her but then throwing them into the red bin in front of her.  She shouldn't have lost her nut so much and then it may not have been such a big deal.  Not sure what she was on - there were signs all over the place telling everyone to take out the liquids etc out of their bags before moving through to customs and they still don't.  She lost her cool a bit but the oh well that's life.

Now just sitting waiting for the boarding call for our flight home.

Got into Auckland sweet as.  The trip home seemed a lot faster then when we went over but that could be because most of us on the flight were pleased to be coming home.  Got through customs fine.  Everything is always so more relaxed when you get through that part of any travel. 

Home sweet home!  Got home and was greeted at the airport by the kids.  Had some dinner together and then gave them their presents.  Everyone loved their gifts so that was good.  Now time to relax and prepare for the Christmas break.  One more week of work YES

Friday 12/12 - WIPCE Conference Melbourne

Well the conference is now over and it's time to pack up and head home.  Had today to relax, get the last of the shopping completed and pack the bags properly so that everything fitted.  As usual, I bought far to many clothes so needed the time to ensure I could fit the shopping in too.  

What an awesome place . . . Lots to do, lovely people who actually enjoy talking to strangers and who are really helpful and friendly.  Lots of cool shops for all ages, and heaps to go and look at and do all over the place.  The public transport is awesome and you can guarantee some mode of transport bringing you back to the CBD.  Big BLUE tick for Melbourne.