Happy Days...

A couple of weeks later and I've still got more to write about. Guess we're getting into that busy time.

Firstly, Ms. Alina Grace. On Wednesday, 7th November, Tereora College had their senior prize giving awards. These are prizes that are given to top students in sports, academics, arts and services for years 11,12, and 13. Alina's Cook Island academic record really started in February of this year as she started so late last year. She was awarded 1st prize in year 12 art. All of us who know Alina, know she's got a strong interest and love of drawing but year 12 Art was so much more than that.  She had to submit a portfolio of paintings and she hadn't done any painting since she was 11 years old and in grade 6. It was quite the achievement. Alina reckons she was awarded 1st not because she was the best artist, but because she attended classes regularly and worked very hard. She was also awarded a certificate for placing 3rd in Media Studies and tying for 3rd in Computers, both of which are year 13 courses. She has 3 exams to write before the end of the month and then in January we will get her results. Provided she is awarded all her credits, she will have her University Entrance qualifications, (which would be like grade 12). Ina and I are so proud of how well she's done. I told Alina that seeing her up on the stage made all the fighting and yelling at home so worth while. I am so fortunate to have this beautiful, intelligent and talented young woman as my daughter.

Alina and Patricia "Patty" Taea  

       Moving on to Mr. T. He too is having quite the year. The National Maths Competition was held on the 24th October at the National Auditorium. Tere was a member of the second year 9 team from Tereora College. The teams of 4 have 20 minutes to answer  20 questions with nothing but pencil and paper. Tere's team started very strongly and then stalled on a question. They ended up placing 5th out of 12 teams. This is the second year that Tere has participated in the competition. He also won the year 9 Speech competition at Tereora.  This is amazing as he is the one who spent a summer in speech therapy camp and a year in speech therapy.  Tere's most remarkable achievement this year is being an active member of a sports team. He is on the Under-19's National Development Cricket team. They have practice most lunch hours at school and play every Saturday in the men's division. Their coach, Alistair, has been chosen as a member of of the C.I. National Cricket team. I don't  think they've actually won any games but they get out there and have a go. Tere's co-ordination has improved greatly and in turn, that has boosted his self confidence. Their coach had an impromptu BBQ after one of their games and when Tere eventually made it home, he was just buzzing. He reckoned that it was his best night ever and it's great to hang out with a bunch of guys who share similar interests. I am so happy for him that he has that "testosterone" time as I know it hasn't been easy living as the only male with his mum and 2 sisters. It makes Ina's and Connor's trips home this December even more special for Tere. Finally, he's no longer out numbered!! Tere is slowly coming out of his shell, is walking taller and with much more self assurance. Who would have thought that cricket would do so much?  He was actually presented with a team jersey from Titikaveka Titans as someone who's overcome being bullied. I am doubly blessed to have Teremataiapo as my son as he quietly goes about surprising us with his accomplishments.

The Team from left to right (by nickname); Tony, The Muscle, Leather, (The 3 after Leather dropped out), then Baby Tank, Sailor, and the Captain.

Alistair, The Muscle, and our one-time fielder Stretch.

Morganne attends Arorangi Primary School which is located near a beach. Earlier this year, it was determined that the passage through the reef would be broadened, a jetty would be built as well as an area for market stalls to be set up. The reason behind this was it would create a secondary location for cruise sips to anchor and ferry passengers ashore. Morganne was not too enamoured of the idea of tourist activity around her school. Friday, 2nd of November was the official opening of the jetty. As part of the student body, Morganne was asked to bring an ei (or lei) and a coconut. I asked a co-worker to make the ei and paid for a bag of flowers. I also bought a coconut, which was a nu, or a drinking coconut. This was the wrong kind of coconut as they wanted coconuts for eating. It did get used to help quench the thirst of the boys who were busy husking coconuts. Morganne was also a part of the pe'e, welcoming item, performed by the students of Arorangi school. The community of Arorangi got together and put on a massive feast. After the 'official' part was completed and the jetty declared open, the kids hit the water. There were food stalls set up for that night and Morganne and I went down to get some dinner and so she could show me the jetty. Since the opening, 10 days ago, Morganne has been at the jetty 8 times. We call her the jetty girl. She loves the jetty. It's the best thing ever and now she's got her "jetty" friends and is quite active. She has also taken Tere and Alina to the jetty and they too have fallen under the spell of "The Jetty." It's especially great now that the days are getting hotter and more humid. 

There is a bit of current, but at the moment, it's nothing like the current in the Cowichan River. All three are competent swimmers and sensible enough that I'm not too worried about them being down there. 

Morganne also competed in the National Maths Competition. Her team was the highest placed team from Arorangi school, but they placed about midway in a field of 16.  Having the liveliness, the spontaneous affection and just having the "Morganneness" around makes me truly blessed.

          I'm also blessed with Connor. He is a young man who's moved back into Edmonton, found himself a job and an apprenticeship, and set himself up in his own place. He's got a plan and is moving towards the goals he's set himself. What more could a mum want for her son?!! We are so looking forward to Christmas, I know he's going to wind us all up and stir things up but surprisingly, I think we've missed that. 

          Ina arrived home yesterday, fantastic! We'll have some time to get ourselves sorted before Connor arrives. Here's what he had to say about what's he's been up to. 

Well, I flew back into Raro yesterday and its great to be home!  Spent a few months working up in Canada at Kearl Lake project.  No big news there, just work.  Finished up work in mid Nov then made a side trip to Vancouver Island to see my Parent-in-laws and one of my best mates Dave Shaw who is recovering from a stroke.  We were all really worried when it happened but you wouldn't know to look at him now, thats for sure.  It was great seeing him and his family again.

Dave Shaw & I

After that I went down to New Zealand to challenge the NZ Electrical Regulations exam and do a Practical Assessment.  I need to do this so I can become a registered electrician in New Zealand.  It was a one week short course to prep for the exam followed by a week long practical assessment.  Some parts were a little intense as there was a lot of material to get through.  The good news is I was signed off on the practical assessment.   I feel I did everything I think I needed to do, to achieve the result I want so now it's a waiting game to see what my exam results will be. I stayed with my sister Naama in Otara and as always, it was good catching up with family.  Anyways, it was finish up the Practical Assessment by Friday noon and catch a plane the next morning.

We came in from the east side towards Black Rock... Ikurangi & Maungatea there to greet me and the flame trees are in bloom so its coming into Christmas time again.  The end of spring is upon us so all the colours of Summer are here.  It was good to see my family waiting for me with an 'ei for me (handmade by Temaeu).
On the day I get home, I always go to see my brother Atirai and lay the 'ei there  While we were on the way there, Dad flew overhead... every time I return or leave, he has been there.

Always good to be back in the Ipukarea again...

Temaeu again and my final little blurb is about a tree that grows in our neighbour's yard. A lot of its' branches overhang the separating fence and there would be much muttering from everyone as we'd rake all the leaves it drops. We are feeling much less negative towards it as we found out it's a lychee tree. We have never had lychees before, I just thought of  them as canned "Asian" fruit. They are da BOMB!!! Morganne and Alina have made themselves very popular by taking ice-cream buckets of lychees to school. They are our new favourite fruit. It looks like once they're done, the mangos in the tree next to it will be ready, (and yet more bananas.) At least we don't have to worry about buying any fruit at the moment.

Well, I wasn't expecting this to be quite so long but maybe it will make up for the sparseness of entries for the past few months.

Ka kite ano.          

Another day in Paradise...?

Kia orana, kia orana, kia orana.

It has been a little while since I've posted anything so this going to be a bit wordy. Thank goodness Alina & Tere have had news to post.

When I was at work the other night and in the brief quiet moments, I  had time to reflect on how much things have changed for us since Oct. 2011. Last year, the six of us were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our container and cheering madly for the All Blacks.
This year, Ina is back in Ft. Mac area and won't be home for another six weeks.
Connor is working as a apprentice pipe fitter in Edmonton and is in the process  of setting up his own apartment.
Last year, Alina, Tere and Morganne were in school but not really doing anything other than getting use to uniforms and a system of schooling.
This year, Alina is very close to graduating...
Tere is finishing his first year in college, (in the "brainy" class,) and playing cricket...
Morganne has performed in a pe'e and learned more of her Cook Island maoritanga...
Last year, I was a "stay at home" mum and now I work full time; 40% in the office and 60% in the bar and kitchen...

Working at Aroa Beachside Inn and The Shipwreck Bar has given me the opportunity to experience a few amazing moments. They have been:

1. Watching a humpback whale beach nine times just off the reef while setting up for Saturday night BBQ.
2. Making dinner for Temuera Morrison  a.k.a. Jake the Mus, "Once Were Warriors"  and Jango Fett, "Star Wars" and burning his garlic bread.
3. Meeting people related to people I know, Ardre Foote and one of my cousins, Pae Davis.
4. Seeing the green flash as the sun sets (so it isn't just in Pirates of the Caribbean.)
5. Watching another humpback breach just as the sun sets behind it.

 

There is also the sense of belonging as I'm driving along and waving or nodding to people that recognize me. It's even more so when I can go into one of my favourite breakfast places and Ake knows what I want.

I don't have any regrets about uprooting our family and transplanting us on a tiny island in the South Pacific. I definitely miss our friends and family in both Canada and NZ but I believe that our bonds are strong enough to stand the test of absence.

We are coming into spring and it's starting to warm up again. The mozzies are making a comeback and Alina's poor legs are looking the worse for them. We've taken the blankets off the beds, washed and put them away for the next winter. Yes, we had blankets on the beds. There were nights when I'd get home from work, absolutely frozen because I'd been working at the bar in 18 celsius without sleeves on. I think I'm acclimatizing now! Tere took to wearing his long leather jacket around home (and anywhere else he could). Morganne still wears track pants and hoodies when she gets home from school. Those two are just crazy. Tere and Morganne went to town for an afternoon during their term break wearing their long pants, hooodies and coat. One of Tere's teachers saw him and couldn't believe what he was wearing so it was a hot day, They also miss the cold and snow. I obviously didn't make them shovel enough of it when we lived there.

We went from this…

                                                                                                                         

to this. 

Someone please send us back to a Canadian Winter for a vacation!

That basically sums up our recent exploits.

The Misfits (Or Killers. Not quite sure yet.)

Well, it's official now. I'm a member of a Cricket team. And so far, I'm NOT the worst player in the history of the universe. 

However, we've only played one match…

        How I got into it though, was not in any conventional way. At first, I was to be the team statistician/accountant, but the coach pulled me into our first game, and I just went with it.

Anyways, the team and I actually haven't done that much. We're suppose to play every Saturday, but the weather hasn't been ideal cricket weather. Aside from that, I'm not doing that bad. My usual fielding position is Gully. And when I bat, the chances of me hitting the ball is about 31%. Although that's low, I'm still not the worst batter apparently.  

For some weird reason, every time I field, the ball always seems to move away from me. I also have a nickname now, and it's "Leather" (I had no say in choosing it.)

The uniform too, is actually pretty nice. It's a dark yellow jersey and black pants. The jersey is a shade of yellow that's actually pretty cool. I'm not entirely sure what the team name is, at first it was "The Misfits" but then it was "The Killers" I don't think we've officially decided on a name yet. Either that, or the coach was messing with our minds. 

One problem is the fact that the vehicle we use is half a van (Seriously.) It looks like a fat Smart Car. And that has to drive 10 people around the island over and over again. While being stuffed with cricket gear. If it was legal, and if we had several bungee cords, I would've tied myself to the roof. When we all get out of it, it looks like one of those tiny clown cars that has 26 clowns walk out of the boot. It's hilarious, and painful at the same time. And it doesn't help that I'm almost 6ft tall. 

To be honest here, I've never had this much fun in sports before.

I help Olympians with their homework

2012, year of the London Summer Olympics! Normally the George family is quite the avid participant in Olympic television spectating-- every TV set would be set on a different Olympic channel, and sporting events were like background music to homework, chores, and suppertime. We were into it! It was some disappointment this year to discover that our TV couldn't get a decent signal, and we had to rely on the newspaper to try to keep up with the scores. It really isn't the same, and from the sounds of things it looks like we really missed out on some mean stuff this year. I was especially miffed at our lack of information, because this year the Olympics had a much more personal connection to the class of 2012 at Tereora.

Team Cook Islands' two sprinters, Patricia Taea and Patrick Tuara (or Patty and Patty), are both senior students at Tereora College. Patrick, in fact, is in my maths class; Patricia is in a few of my classes, and one of the new mates I made when I came to TC last year. We're all immensely proud of our Olympic classmates, and were more than happy to support their campaign in London. Who wouldn't want to be able to say that they were familiar with Olympians? I feel pretty darn special myself, because as said in the title, I can say that I've helped Olympians with their schoolwork.

My time at TC won't be very long, so I feel lucky that I was able to leave some sort of impression there, tiny as it is. The little rep I've established is the one who helps popular or famous people with their schoolwork; my help-list is stacked with student councillors, prefects, and athletes. Patrick even came to me one time asking for help with a maths assessment (maths, of all topics! My worst subject! Wow!), and, on account of sports interfering with school attendance, Patricia needs all the help she can get to catch up with her academics. I do my best :) I told one of my mates that my plan is that when these people are successful and even more famous, they'll remember little Alina George who helped them succeed in school.... hahaha yeah I wish! Still, my mate said that it's great that I can help these fellas, and it certainly makes me feel good. This year isn't looking too bad so far..... if only we could have caught the Olympics!  

Home again, and a leave-taking...

Where does the time go?!!  This was supposed to be the posting for May and itís already the end of June.

There were more changes in the George household in May and I guess we are still trying to get used to them.  Connor flew up to Canada at the end of April.  He spent a night with my sister Ngaio in Vancouver area and then headed onto Edmonton.  Spent a night with my sister Sharleen and then he and Ina headed over to Scotland for four nights.  Needless to say, by the time he got to Edinburgh he was a wee bit tired.  I will let Ina provide the details and photos of that trip.  

Connor is now staying in Edmonton with a friend and just started work at a mod yard in Sherwood Park.  He is going to be apprenticing as a pipe fitter so won't be coming home any time soon.  He spent almost a month with the Edwards family, (my sister and family), in St Albert for which we are all appreciative and grateful for.  Originally he was supposed to go up to Fort McMurray and work on one of the Ledcor projects there but got tired of waiting for the call so he went out and got things sorted himself.  Guess we did something right.  It is much quieter without him here and I think Alina is enjoying being the oldest.  We do miss him and I believe his little sister, Morganne, probably misses him the most.  Looking forward to seeing him again which we are hoping will be at Christmas.  We will just have to wait and see how that pans out.

Ina arrived home at the end of May and is working hard on his new vocation, a beach bum.  Unfortunately for him, there is so much going on he hasn't had as much time to hone this new skill.  He has been hard out practicing guitar as he is currently playing with a band once a week.  He is also Morganne's chauffeur, which she loves.  No more walking or riding her bike and she gets to go on Connor's mean looking bike.  There have been a few odd jobs around home and then doing the errands that I would normally do.  The weather has also been uncooperative but today is a beautiful sunny day and after this, the two of us are hitting the beach.  Who cares that it ís a cool 23C?!  We can handle it, along with all the tourists from N.Z.
I am now working almost 40 hours a week at a lovely spot called, Aroa Beachside Inn.
I applied for the office position that was advertised and after starting work, found out there was so much more than sitting in front of a computer.  I also get to:
* tend bar at the Shipwreck Hut.  I can now add cocktail making to my curriculum vitae, 
* help in the kitchen on Bar B Q nights 
* housekeeping as needed.  
There has been mention of me learning how to dance for the Bar B Q nights but I have not yet been convinced.  The staff is friendly and the location really can't be beat.  So, if anyone is looking at a great place to get away to...

Shipwreck Hut, rated #3 on CNN's Worlds-50-best-beach-bars website

I'm still volunteering once a week at the Cook Islands Museum and Library and I also volunteer every other week at Arorangi Primary School's library.  My years of volunteering at Overlanders Elementary library have left me with the urge to regularly be in a library as a volunteer.  The big difference is the assortment of creatures I have found as I clean the shelves over here.  I have found silverfish, cockroaches, a small ants' nest, spiders and empty tamarind shells left by rats.  I also found some skink eggs which were a great conversation starter for a bit.

We also had our sister-in-law, Trish, spend a couple of weeks with us in May.  The weather mainly cooperated and I believe she had a wonderful time over here.  She had other friends living here so spent her time between both households.  When Trish left, she was planning her next trip over so it must have been a good holiday.
The kids are doing reasonably well.  There have been a few skin issues but those are well on the way to clearing up.  We figure that we must be acclimatizing as there have been a couple of mornings when the temperature was a mere 16C and it felt quite cool.  The blankets have come out of storage as we were finding it to be chilly at night.  The paper made mention of when it's that cold that we should just stay inside with a nice hot cup of tea and a good book.  I had to laugh as that ís what the papers would say in Edmonton, when it was -40C!!!  Guess it is all relative.

Winter in Raro...

There is a group of artists, (fine arts, music arts, carvers, etc), who are putting an arts council together.  They are looking at asking for government funding to cover various projects, one of them being an arts school.  I have been attending the weekly meetings when possible and Ina was even nominated as one of the council members.  Voting was last Thursday and although he didn't make it, he didn't miss out by that much.  It was quite funny as we were asked to bring either a plate of food or a drink.  Ina cooked chicken pieces in a sauce, (as I was at work), and we took that.  There was a rotisserie chicken, some roast chicken and taro and some buns.  There were also about 6 bottles of wine, a bottle of rum and a bottle each of juice and water.  Hmmmmmm.....wonder what the priority was?  Now that there is an elected council, things should move along faster.  I am really looking forward to what is going to happen and quite glad to be part of the group.

I haven't been to vaka for about a month due to various reasons but should be starting back this week and will be increasing my time on the water from once a week to twice a week.  I haven't been doing as much bike riding or walking so need to do something to get more active again.  The reason for the decrease in bike riding is that I'm now the owner of a new Daelim Ace 110 Racing semi-automatic motorcycle.  That sounds fancier than it really is.  It's bright red, has a red basket on the front and sounds like a sewing machine.  Alina has no desire to borrow it and I've been informed by Tere and Morganne that it is not that comfortable to ride as a passenger.  I think it's a bit of a granny bike myself, but it's got more room for carrying groceries in, which is why I got it.  It is also pretty good on petrol and is quite zippy, in spite of the sewing machine sound.  It has a Honda motor but is assembled in Korea.  The second day I had it, Ina had to take it back to the shop as the starter button had broken.  Other than that, it does the job.

Bikie Mama, off to work at Aroa Beachside...

Well, I think that pretty much bring everyone up to speed with the George family doings from my side.  Will try and get something put together by the end of June.  Ka kite.


Meanwhile, back in Canada...

Well, its been a while so this is a two month update…

May was a good month for me.  I was heading home later in May and Connor came up to Canada to pursue work opportunities.  He and I had planned to go to Scotland at the beginning of May for some "unfinished business"

Last year Temaeu & I had visited as a kind of "2nd Honeymoon".  I had found out prior to the visit that there was an artifact in Edinburgh that originated from my fathers home island, Atiu.  It was a large Kumete (feast bowl).  Last year when we visited, they were renovating the Grand Gallery where it was displayed and the exhibits had been stored away so we couldn't see it, so I had promised myself I would return to see it.

The story goes that the Kumete was gifted by Ngamaru Rongotini Povaru of Atiu to a Tahitian queen and taken to Tahiti.  The Kumete made its way to Scotland through one of her descendants who had married a Scotsman.  It seemed appropriate that it ended up being Connor & I that went to see it.  Connor is named for our ancestor Tauraariki - Tangapatoro, who was Paramount chief of Atiu when Captain Cook "discovered" Atiu and the islands that bear his name.  Ngamaru Rongtini Povaru is descended from Akaina Ariki, the elder brother of Tangapatoro.  The story of Akainas killing and Tangapatoro's subsequent terrible revenge are well known among the Atiuan's of today.

The Feast Bowl

I have to admit that when Temaeu first planned the trip to Scotland, she had planned on going with her friend.  I always seemed to be working and usually I am not a great tourist… I thought she would have a great time and I had always said I need a reason to go somewhere.  Typically for me, that reason always seems to be work related.  

Later, it turned out her friend couldn't go.  I said I'd go as I didn't want her to be disappointed.  A week or two later while researching genealogy on the internet, I stumble across a website about the Kumete.  I realize that its in Edinburgh where we would be visiting in a few weeks!  All of a sudden I have a "reason" to go there.  Then I find out the Grand Gallery is being renovated and we couldn't see the Kumete while Temaeu and I were there.  Just a  "reason" to return…  NEK MINIT, here we are, Connor and I, checking out a piece of our history that ended up half a world away from where it started.  

Looking back, I feel very fortunate in having had two very memorable trips in the space of a year, one with my wife and one with my eldest son with the Kumete as a backdrop for both… and truth be told, Edinburgh is one hell of a city…

One thing I know for sure, things happen for a reason... the only thing is that those reasons may not be immediately obvious.

Connor and I also squeezed in visits to Edinburgh Castle, Rosslyn Chapel, the Royal Mile, Mary Kings close and some truly historical Pubs like the White Hart Inn in Grassmarket , frequented by the body-snatchers Burke and Hare and bombed by a Zeppelin during W.W.1… 

Needless to say, it  proved to be a great Father & Son trip.

After Edinburgh, I headed back to the Oil Patch for one more shift.  When I got out, I had one night in Edmonton, then flew out the next day.  I said my good-byes to Connor... that was a little hard but its his time now... time to make his mark on the world.   Then, home to the Ipukarea (Ancestral Homeland).  That was a long trip by way of Vancouver, Los Angeles, then a 12 hour stopover in New Zealand.

June has been spent beach-bumming, gigging and easing back in to the Island life, 

Beach-bumming is very complex to explain.  Its more of a calling than an occupation... one small part I have mastered consists of sitting on a brain coral head in the lagoon, watching the outgoing tide uncover my belly while the Angel fish exfoliate my feet.  I don't know why but every time I go out, a small school of fish show up and they seem to love nibbling on the loose skin on my heels.  Why they do that is one of the great mysteries of beach-bumming that may be revealed to me in the future if I should prove worthy...

Beach-bumming... it takes practice and true commitment...

As for gigging, while I was still in Canada, a friend, Rere had contacted Temaeu at Aroa Beachside and asked if I would be interested in filling in for him on Guitar while he went to NZ.  He has a regular gig at another beach bar called Trader Jacks.  We've known each other for years and I hadn't gigged in over 20 years so thought, "what the hell!, should be fun"… and it was… and still is.  When Rere got back, he asked me to stay on as 2nd guitar so now I'm rockin' out every Friday night at Trader Jacks…

Trader Jacks... sometimes known as "Trader Zacs" hee hee

Island life… hmmm, up until I moved to Alberta, I had always lived within a half hour of the sea…  in the islands, you live within sight and ear-shot of the sea.  Its always there… when your cruisin'  on your bike, or at night when your sitting out on your verandah and the sea is a little high, you can hear the surf breaking on the shore.  There is something about the sea that washes away the immediate, takes you out of yourself and makes you want to just look upon her restless face and listen to her soft sigh…  She is our Great Mother and for me, a big part of Island Life.

Nikao Sunset... on the way home from town...

Anyways, thats about it… Here it is July 1st and it's been almost a year since we landed here.  We've certainly settled right in and feel like locals now.  Temaeu and the kids are getting pretty good at the ancient Cook Island art of eyebrow communication... e.g. lifting the eyebrows slightly accompanied by a slight raise of the chin and a smile means "Hey, howzit going??", utilized mainly between motorbike riders and pedestrians.

Other things are going along slower than expected but I believe everything comes in its own time...

At the moment, everyone is sitting 'round reminiscing about past Canada Day's, most being memorable except for one minor disaster involving a crowded LRT, pepper spray, a forced evacuation and a twisted ankle!... we also started talking about what we miss about Canada…

Temaeu:  Friends and Family… and Timmy's,  Alina: Chemainus, Tere: a White Christmas, Morganne: Snow, Me: Connor…

'Nuff said… Happy Canada Day everyone.

To Tatou Ora (Our Life)

Temaeu put together this months blog. My contribution this month is the title and a few lines at the end!  Read on...

Morganne's Cultural Performance

The evening of 4 April, 2012 was to become an evening of great importance to the George household.  This was the evening that all 13 schools, primary and secondary, on Rarotonga would provide a cultural group to perform for 7 to 10 minutes.

  

Some of the schools are big enough that students could sign up for the culture group.  Morganne's school is not that big, so the whole school had to perform:  all 160 or so students.  The theme was "words of wisdom"... Roe Porokiroki.  

The village that we live in, Arorangi, is known for it's pe'e which, I believe, is a war chant.  As Morganne attends Arorangi Primary, this is what the older students were learning.  The younger students learnt a drum dance, which they did with great enthusiasm.
We found out about this event after we got back from N.Z.  Morganne came home from school one day, quite distraught, and part of it was from trying to learn the pe'e.  She did learn it and was getting more comfortable when she came home with a list of things we needed to take to a costume making afternoon on Saturday, March 31.  
This is what the list contained: 

• 50 rau iti leaves, 
• 20 kikau leaves, 
• 5 palm branches, (the larger ones), 
• a costume needle,
• black or green thread and scissors.  

I was quite familiar with kikau by now because of Morganne's other projects.  We had the palms growing in our yard so that wasn't a problem.  A costume needle and the thread, well, just stop off and pick that up in town but, what the heck were rau iti leaves and where were we going to get those from?!!  I was volunteering @ Arorangi Primary and so was shown what rau iti were but we didn't have any in our yard.  What to do??  The morning of the 31st dawned and as I was walking up the hill from the bus stop, I noticed a big pile of kikau branches by the side of the road.  The village of Arorangi was going through a beautification process and lots of branches and trees were being cut down.  That took care of the kikau on the list, which meant I didn't have to knock on our neighbour's door for that.  Still didn't know what to do about the rau iti.  When I got home, I told Morganne about the kikau and off we went to get the 20 she needed.  As we were walking home, we met another neighbour and she was wondering what we were up to.  I told her about the costume making afternoon and mentioned how we were looking for rau iti.  Fortunately for us, she had a big plant and cut off quite a few branches for us to use.  Yay great neighbours!!!

As our motorbike had a flat tire, Morganne and I got to walk the 2 km to church hall, carrying all our treasures with us.  Once we got there, it didn't take long to be shown what to do.  First we had to "bone" the rau iti leaves, which meant taking the central vein out from the bottom part of the leaf.  The leaf would then be braided into a skirt, along with the other 49.  Morganne was very good at boning her leaves and didn't shred them.  I went through a few before I finally got the hang of it.  Using one's teeth really was easier than fingernails or scissors.  After all the leaves were boned, they had to be torn to the correct length for the skirt.  The pieces being torn off would be used for the bodice.  Then, it was time to make the skirt.  Firstly, a braid was started out of raffia and after there was enough for a tie, the leaves were added in, one at a time.  I thought I knew what I was doing and merrily braided away.  When I was about 2/3 done, the woman in charge caught sight of the skirt and said that it was all wrong and to undo it.  Then she showed me, again, how she wanted the leaves to look and I started again.  Second time was the charm and thank goodness for "Aunty" Doreen's patience and help.  

We ran out of leaves that we had taken with us, so we got to take the skirt home to finish off there.  Next was the bodice, but it was so much easier than the skirt as this time I knew what I was doing.  We also ran out of leaves for that so that was also finished at home on Sunday.  It took us 3 hours to almost complete two things.  "Aunty" Doreen said that she and her daughter, one of Morganne's mates, would make the necklace and that someone else was taking all the palms to make the head pieces.  We were told to take the finished costume down to their family store to be kept in the cool room until the 4th April.

There were lots of practices and rehearsals at the school during Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Morganne actually came home early on Wednesday so they could rest up and eat before their evening performance.  She was to be at the hall by 4 pm to start getting dressed.  Down we went and I had been thinking that I'd just leave her and then see her at the National Auditorium.  I ended up staying and helped her get dressed.  By the time we got to her hair, poor Morganne had had enough.  

She was quite overwhelmed by everything and really, really, really didn't like how her hair was supposed to be.  There were tears and lots of muttering.  Yay again to "Aunty" Doreen for stepping in and helping to settle Morganne.  

I went home to get Alina and after Alina reminded Morganne how bad her first costume was at Eastglen, Morganne was feeling much better.  She went out and got her "makeup" on, which was a stencil of a sun on her cheek and shoulder.  Morganne looked so great and I was just so excited to see our baby in a traditional Cook Island costume.  Fortunately for our little tomboy, they were doing a pe'e and so didn't have to wear a coconut bikini with a short skirt or a halter top and skirt.  Most of her was covered up, just how she likes it.

Alina and I went to the Auditorium to watch the other performances.  We could have stayed and gone on the bus with the school, but I had bought tickets and I wanted to see what the other schools did.  It was well worth it.  All the performances were fantastic but we did enjoy Arorangi's the best.  Hmmmmm…… wonder why?  Morganne did well and blended right in. Her favourite part was when they did the haka and it really showed.  Kia kaha!!

Arorangi Primary's performance (read more...)

Here is a word from the girl herself:

Well, It's been a while but I do remember what the main event was, and that was me having a melt down. ( >_< embarrassed ) So while half of the school was trying to figure out WHY I was crying my head off, I wasn't getting any better. Only a few of the kids knew why I was crying, (which was stage fright) and was embarrassed beyond my comfort zone. The good news is that I did manage the rest of the day without crying, the bad news is my pride and dignity were wounded and STILL mending as we speak. 

So that's the exciting event, so BYE!!!!



Morganne & friends volunteering (read the article here...)

Parent Associations and Schools

While we lived in Edmonton, I was an active member of the parent association at the children's elementary school. During the seven years I was a member, we noticed a marked decline in parents showing up for the monthly meetings and willing to be part of the association. The member holding the treasurer position was still volunteering to do so, long after his youngest child had left that school and even after she graduated from high school!!!  The association tried so many different methods of getting parents involved and kept telling people that the biggest commitment was once a month for an hour, two hours at the most.  This was not even a proper meeting but more of an information sharing session between the parents, the principal and teachers.  There was only one meeting a year and still parents wouldn't commit.  It was very frustrating and I couldn't understand how out of a student body of approximately 250, we were struggling to get 5 parents a month!!! I am hopeful that things have improved but am not sure that they have.  I did not attend the meetings at the junior high schools or high schools that our kids went on to, but judging from the newsletters, attendance there was not any better.

March 28th, I finally attended a parent meeting at Tereora College.  The meeting had been mentioned in the national newspaper a few days prior with a reminder on the day.  There are approximately 700 students attending the College, so I was expecting a fairly decent turn out, especially with the mentions in the paper.  There may have been 30 parents and a lot of the previous year's executive were re-elected.  The new principal they have at Tereora is quite excited about some of the changes he is planning and what the College will be able to offer to their students and he needs the parents to support him.  It was so disheartening to see parental apathy is just as apparent over here as it is in Edmonton.  There were even two articles in the paper regarding this poor parent turn out.

I strongly believe that if our children are going to do well in school, we, as parents, need to be involved.  If one chooses to not attend the meetings, then the opportunity to voice ideas, opinions, etc. is lost.  We are our children's strongest role models and this is one of those times that we need to stand up and be counted. It's just as important as going to vote on election day. If we don't, the apathy will grow and smother us.

Oe Vaka

This is one of the coolest team sports ever!!  Six people get in an outrigger canoe and paddle.  Last November, we were able to watch a few of the Vaka Eiva races, which is an annual event in Rarotonga.  Teams from all over, Canada, U.S., N.Z. and Oz, come and compete.  There 

are many different races and different distances.  I think the most gruelling one was the race around the island of Rarotonga.  The teams are on the ocean side of the reef, so are not only paddling like mad to beat the others, but are also making sure they don't end up on the reef.  I enjoyed watching and just thought it would be so much fun to give it a go.

Vaka Eiva 2011

After we got back from N.Z., I met a friend of Ina's sister, Tai, at the Saturday morning market.  She is one of the "Vaka people" and mentioned that they were starting a novice class on Wednesday afternoons.  I missed the first three Wednesdays, due to various school events, but finally made it on the 11th April.  It was well worth the wait.

In 2009, when Ina and I came over to Raro after his dad's tangi, we also went to Atiu where his father was born to claim some family land for our house. Before we left, Ina stopped at his fathers grave to ask for his guidance.  On the second day there, Ina and I were at one of the beaches (Taungaroro - background pic to this blog). 
A black kotuku (heron) flew by, then a few minutes later, a pair of kotuku flew back across the beach, one was white and one was black.  Ina said, when he saw them fly by, his first thought was of his parents and took this as a sign from his father we were doing the right thing.  After that day, we saw a black kotuku every day on Atiu and then a few times on Raro. Since then, we have always thought of the black kotuku as Ina's Dad and the white one as Ina's Mum.
When Ina returns to Raro or on the day he leaves, he goes for a swim at Aroa Beach.  On New Years Eve when he was there last, a black kotuku flew straight at him, then over his head as if to say, "don't worry about your family, we'll be waiting for your safe return"



Vaka launch site at Muri
Legends speak of Vaka leaving from here to settle
New Zealand over 1000 years ago.

On the 11th, as I was driving to Muri on the motorbike, I saw a black kotuku.  That seemed like a fairly auspicious beginning.  I stopped in Matavera to pick up my friend, Karlene, and off we went to Muri.  Our first challenge was finding the right spot.  We went down one drive, only to have it end at a private property.  We went back to the sailing club, parked there and asked if anyone knew where the vaka training was.  They thought it was either there or down by the rugby club.  As we had 20 minutes to spare, we started walking along the beach in the direction we thought it was.  
There, just ahead of us was the black kotuku.  When we got close to it, it flew a bit further down the beach.  
Again, as we approached, it flew a little bit further down.  We kept walking and then looked at the time.  We had 5 minutes left and we still hadn't found the right place.  
We left the kotuku, which was just a bit ahead of us, jogged back to the bike and I checked my cell phone.  The directions had been texted to us, so off we went.  
When we walked down to the correct beach, we realized that was where the kotuku had been waiting!!

Temaeu's Grandmother told her to always paddle her own canoe.

One of the coaches arrived and a few other people showed up, so it was time to learn about Oe Vaka.  Firstly, bail out all the rain water.  Next, get the vaka down to the water.  We were told a few of the house rules, shown how to hold the paddle and in we got.  There were 3 of us who had never done any paddling, two women who had and the coach.  As we were paddling towards one of the little motu, (islets), a small school of fish jumped out of the water.  I thought they were maroro (flying-fish) but wasn't sure.  We spent about 45 minutes learning how to paddle in time, change from one side of the vaka to the other, etc.  When we got back, the other coach was there so we went out and did a few drills with her.  I think we were paddling for over an hour and I loved every minute of it.  Just being out on the water, seeing the fish jump, (another school did it as we were doing our drills), listening to the rhythm of both paddles and waves, gasping in lungfuls of clean air; it was so exhilarating.  I can completely understand the appeal of Oe Vaka.  I'm not sure that I want to compete at Vaka Eiva but I do know that I have found a new sport that I think I will enjoy for many, many years.

 

Photo by:Clark Miller

As I was taking Karlene home, a pair of kotuku flew by, one white and one black.  Thank you, Mum and Dad.  It was truly a beautiful experience.


There's just one more thing... when I returned to Canada, Temaeu's Mother told me she had bought some raffle tickets earlier for all her grandchildren in the hopes one of them might win something.  It turns out Morganne was the lucky winner!

Her prize?... a signed Robert Bateman print of a Kotuku...



'Nuff said...