" My Inspirations "
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:13. My parents brought me up through the church and our Samoan traditions. Growing up in the states surrounded by people of a different ethnicity wasn't easy especially when it came down to the point where I was literally the only Samoan kid in school. Elementary and Middle school was when I was questioned about my ethnicity the most. The other kids used to come up to ask me what ethnicity I was when my reply was "I'm Samoan," they always asked if being Samoan was the same thing as being Hawaiian. Although I said that my culture was different from Hawaiians everyone still associated me as an Hawaiian because it was something that they were familiar with.
Once High School started everything was different. I was surrounded by many students of the same background as myself. The Samoans seemed to have stuck to themselves, there were times where we associated with the other ethnicity's but most of the times everyone knew us as the Samoan Crew. Even though the students felt like equals when it came to the teachers it was a different story. My teachers always pulled me aside saying that my work is amazing and my attention span along with my presentations in class is great for a Samoan. They used to say that not many Samoans that attend their school pass or graduate because they joke around to much and rather be known as the class clowns.
I took those words home with me contemplating on what my teachers said, then once I got home I told my parents. They didn't have much of a reaction to what I told them because they were just glad that I was doing well. They told me, "... you may feel as if your teachers are talking down on you but always keep in mind that as long as you keep trying to make your dreams come true and do well in school that's all that matters because once you're old enough and you become successful you will be able to help set that standard for all of our people. Encouraging them that they too can do well in school even with people like that looking down on you, aua ke popole ma fa'amalosi mai pepe (don't worry about it and stay strong baby) you're almost there."
It were these words that stuck with me through out my years of high school and now university. So if I was asked who my inspiration is my answer would be, "my parents." I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for everything that my parents did for me, without them I probably would've gave up on my first year of high school. I owe my parents everything which is why I do my best and give my all in everything that I do. Even though my dad isn't here anymore and wouldn't be able to sit back with my mom once I'm able to take care of them I'm still doing my very best to make him proud as he watches and guides me from Heaven.
