RRAW : Manifesto

“Manifesto”

“All life demands struggle. Those who have them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.” – Pope Paul VI. I believe in the importance of perseverance because without going through trials and tribulations in order to reach a goal no one would really know what it is like to fully appreciate something. Many complain about the workload or the stress that comes along with the workload but do not realize that it is the hard work that makes or breaks people. Some fall behind due to the fact that they aren’t as committed to achieving their goals as they thought they were.  

In my own opinion I feel as if it is the struggles that we go through that helps us out the most to appreciate everything and also to grow more. Growing up in the states I didn’t have everything that I wanted or things that the other kids had but I did have everything that I needed. My parents both worked full time jobs; my dad worked the night shifts as my mom worked the day shifts so that way there was always someone there to watch me while the other one had to go to work. Even though I wasn’t able to get everything that I wanted I was always grateful for the things that my parents were able to get me because as I grew older I began to realize that they gave up everything and worked hard every night to provide for my needs. I’m thankful everyday for the sacrifices that they’ve made and appreciative to God for blessing me with such great parents.

Looking back to everything now I realize that every problem that my parents or I have faced back then is exactly what makes me who I am today. I know it wasn’t easy for my parents to give up on everything that they wanted to do so that they could take care of me but they followed through anyways and became the parents’ figures that I needed in my life. I always tell people that my dream is to become an artist so that I may be able to do what I love for a living but after contemplating on the subject I realized that my real dream was to do my best in school so I can get a solid job that would allow me to take care of my parents the way they took care of me. Becoming an artist would just be a bonus to making my dream come true, the most important thing to me is to have a stable job to take care of my mom and make my dad proud as he watches over us from Heaven.

RRAW : Statement of Intent

"Statement of Intent"

I want to use my blog as a place where I can show what I am interested in and how I am able to connect to the work that I post up. I also want to use my blog as a way of showing others the differences between living in the states compared to living in New Zealand. Demonstrating a perception of journey by showing how my work along with my writing progresses. 

RRAW : Inspiration Writing

" 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.

RRAW : 200 Word Free Write

"200 Word Free Write"

"People without the knowledge of their past history, orgin, and culture are like a tree without roots." - Marcus Garvey. Looking back at this photo I believe that in my mind it demonstrates the importance of culture. Although some may find that difficult to see in this photo I believe that it does portray that in a certain way. The elderly woman who sits alone with the quilt like object shows that she is still fully interested in the traditions of her culture. These days it seems as if everything is becoming modernized and due to that fact people begin to lose touch with the understanding of their culture. Instead of taking the time out to listen to the stories from the elders as they embrace on the traditions most of the younger generations don't show any interests into it unless it has something to do with tattoos, all of the well known traditions. I believe now traditions are becoming more of a trend for the younger generations then a blessing like how it seems to be for this elderly woman in the photo. I envy the older generations because they were able to learn about the culture first hand by their parents without any technology distracting them.