The Year of the B(ack)LOG

Its been a year and there has been all manner of good intentions of uploading something before this but alas, such is not the case.  We had a few ideas for what we would upload and as the kids LOVE DRAWING and ART we thought we would try some COMIX and ARTWORK by the kids with a MOVIE or two thrown in... We hope you like...

MUNKEE

Hello again, family and friends all over the world!! I hope you're all doing well and've had fun throughout the year 2014!! (Whoo!) 

Yeah! We's cool! Anyway! I'm just gonna give a take on how I think this years gone, and in all truthiness (new word!) I think it went AWESOMELY. I started at my new school (Tereora College) and I was fortunate enough to not only make a heap ton of new friends, but to also get a chance to pounce on the many opportunities the year gave me. (Well, maybe not 'pounce' since we all know I'm too lazy for that, but you get what I mean!) 

One of those opportunities was the chance to go to NZ for debating, so of course there's no way I'd let that slip! And it wasn't just fun and games, but a great learning and hands on experience for speaking and debating in front of public, not to mention finding ways to mind control your audience so they would agree that your argument was best and you deserve to win! (Natch! Jus' kidding! Still….) 
COOKIE Comix

Unfortunately, the year wasn't just constantly amazing. There were the negatives that nobody likes and always get people down, but hey, that's just how life works I guess. And we're fortunate enough to always have people around us that will help us when we're down and out of the count, right? 

Whoo, being so serious is weird, but necessary!! I still consider the year awesome, but if it were put into percentages I'd probably put it at a 98% due to negativity! Once again, I hope all the family is doing well and having an amazing time with whatever they're doing, and if not than I shall find you and give you lots of muffins!! XD 

Loving you all in every crazy yet cuddly way I know,

Morganne. (AKA: MUNKEE!!) 

TERE

Moviemaking

My horror-movie Blood and Steel was easily one of the funnest things I've ever done.

My media studies project was to make an instructional video, and my response to that was; "#@$&% that, I'm making a full-on horror movie!"

I did make the instructional video like I was suppose to, but that wasn't as fun though.

This movie gave me ideas for another horror short, and all I'll tell you now is that it's called Hands.

Super-Special-Awesome-Epic-Apocalyptic Children's Card Games of Ultimate Destiny

The idea for this came when Te Tuhi was thinking aloud one day; "Why don't we ever play Yugioh during interval?" That idea stuck and so we dug up our old decks and ever since, we've ben playing regular games of Yugioh every interval and break to kill the time. Its gotten to the point that we even add-in dramatic orchestral music to make our duels cooler (or more ridiculous depending on your opinion on card games).

The Christmasnator

For this year's Xmas decorating, everyone else was too lazy to do anything, so it fell to me to save Christmas! Digging up the tree and decorations from the darkest depths of the hell-hole that is the storage room, I battled my way through the foul denizens that lurked in the shadows between boxes such as the DREADED AND LOATHED DUST BUNNIES! I also ran into a couple of giant Wolf Spiders but those weren't too bad. And after I gallantly dug the decorations up, guess who gets to set-up the tree, wrap the lights around it, hang up the garlands, and dig out the extensions cords by himself?

ALINA

This year was quite busy pour moi, but that's just because I spent most of it at work! Not the most gripping conversation piece for everybody, but I haven't got much other material to go on. If there's one thing that's true, it's that the learning doesn't stop when you leave school. The funny thing is that when I was in Canada, I didn't have much real work experience, because babysitting and/or working for your parents just doesn't count. I guess by the time I was at an age where I was interested in getting a real job, it conflicted with the whole get-ready-to-move timetable. 

One of the first things I learned moving here is that it's much easier to find a job in Raro than it ever would be in Canada. Honestly, I think it's because the bar is set a bit low. I've only been working for three years, but this coming year I'm about to start my seventh job (not counting the babysitting!); I have a habit of working two at a time, or three...

Sometimes I think it's to make up for the lost time. Anyway, I'm sure most of us can agree that the workplace is much more educational than the classroom; for one thing, there's a lot more interesting trivia than what you pick up in school; also, whatever skills you learn on the job you know you can keep with you and apply to "real life"; you discover more colourful characters at work, and on a deeper level, you learn that in spite of what your primary teachers tell you, most of the grown-ups and/or fellows in charge don't have a better idea of what they're doing than you do. 

But if there's one lesson that I should have picked up sooner, it's that no matter how much time you spend at work, your job is just your job-- it isn't your life. Goodness knows that everybody's been trying to get it through my thick head for some time, but I finally get it now. Hard work is the most dependable way to get where you want to go, but if work becomes your top priority, then you should probably stop for a second and think again about where you're going. If you're in a rut and burning out, are you really going forward?

CONNOR

Its been a year of getting "sorted".  I got work with Ledcor up on the Kearl Lake Project.  My big focus this year has been to get employed and do my schooling for my pipe-fitting apprenticeship.  Well, needless to say that happened and it was full steam ahead in the first half of the year.

Got myself booked in for school then hit it hard... It was fun?!?!!? I guess.  I got the result I wanted though... First year of the apprenticeship is behind me now we're looking at year two.  BRING IT ON!!

What else did I do?  Got a good amount of work under my belt before school.  Got a little sick of Edmonton so ended up moving down to Calgary.  I had my tickets booked for Rarotonga long in advance so that was all good!
Being home at the end of the year was the best part of my whole year... after I got there, a month just seemed to slip by too quickly... (sigh)


TANIA

So, it has been a while since our last update.  A year with Ina being at home.  I rather erroneously thought that with two parents at home, the pace of our life would ease back and be a bit cruisy.  This was a HUGE false assumption. 

I have been busy at MCI.  My fleet is rather an eclectic mix of vessels and this does not look like it’s going to change anytime soon.  I was corresponding with an owner in Norway who has now registered.  There is now a small commercial yacht that does Arctic tours, flying the Cook Island flag.  Another upcoming registration is a whale research vessel that is based in Australia that goes down to Antarctica.  Additions have been 3 off-shore vessels in the Persian Gulf, a commercial yacht in the Antarctic and a cargo ship in the Gulf of Mexico as well as off-shore vessels in Singapore.  Amazing!

Earlier in the year, I worked for a few Friday evenings as a bar tender.  Ina was playing with the band at Boogies and as I was going every Friday to listen, the owners asked if I would be interested in working on the bar.  My Scottish ancestry must have kicked in as it made more sense to me to be paid to listen to Ina than paying for a couple of drinks to listen to him.  I dropped in on him with friends a couple of times after he started gigging at the Nautilus.

For extra-curricular activities, I have been involved in a variety of things.  There was a corporate triathalon in February and I joined a team from the Ministry of Education.  I did some of the swimming (200m twice) and had a great time meeting new people.  The business house golf tournament finished in February and started up again in November.  Ina and I also did some golfing on Monday afternoons until his schedule changed.  I participated as a volunteer again this year at Vaka Eiva where they made me “Head of Registration/Race Day paperwork”.  Apparently my Virgo traits of organisation are somewhat valued which is why I was given that role.    

One of my goals has been to do the “Boiler swim” which is part of Vaka Eiva.  I haven’t competed in the “Boiler Swim”, but I have swum out to the Boiler and back several times for training purposes so I feel I’m 85% there.  Finally, I have started teaching piano again.  My only student is a co-worker and it is a lot of fun as she practices and does her homework!

Well, I think I have rambled on enough for this.  Do I still want to live in the Cook Islands? YES.  Do I miss everyone? YES.  Even though my emailing and FB contact are non-existent, I do think of you all often and I am working on a plan for a visit up to Canada.  Ka kite for now!

Connors Tivaevae

It’s been an eventful year, some good times and some bad times… starting with a new job doing something I haven’t done before, challenging to say the least!… lost a couple of good people this year too…but to quote my little munkee!  “hey, that's just how life works I guess!”

Started the year as a Trades Tutor at Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (C.I.T.T.I.) which involved going back to school and pulling my hair out, a lot… still have most of it though so all good…Going to be busy next year trying to turn out some qualified electricians…

Did the usual gigging thing, played at Boogies Bar for a while, site of the old Banana Court… one of the last remaining old school South Pacific Beach Bars… then ended the year at the Nautilus, the newest resort on Raro…

Tai George, my younger sister and Morgannes Godmother, came over for a visit.  Awesome times as we hadn’t hooked up in a while and although we had our differences in the past, we re-connected like we had when we were kids… We talked a lot about what she was doing and she had a lot of helpful insights for our children.  We parted making plans for our next get-together but sadly, she passed away from a stroke a week after she left the island… 

A month before her visit, my Brotha from another Mutha lost his eldest boy to suicide so all in all not a good start to the year but hey, life must go on…

But they will not be forgotten…

The last half of the year was work, work, work… Tutoring and gigging.  I don’t know if living here in Paradise makes that easier or harder… it certainly isn’t any colder!  All I can say is that this year has been a bit of an eye-opener for me.

I think the biggest thing has been the change in my lifestyle… I’ve spent a lot of years away from family gutting it out in the “Oil Patch”… working for a better life.  I think I’m starting to realize a “better life” is what I’m doing right now… I’ve been home for a year and every morning without fail, my little munkee ask’s me “did you sleep well?” So I say, “Yep… I did”. 

I never heard that in the Oil Patch...

I get to see my wife every night, I get to sit here in my big arm-chair blogging and watching my youngest daughter just hanging out in the lounge… My eldest daughter tells me about her evening at work… we talk, I throw in my 2 bits worth.  She gets grumpy and I just lay back and try to let it roll off me like water off a ducks back… I should be thankful that I am here, now… to be a part of it… and I am.  I worry about my son but that’s what fathers do… I try to give him advice and wonder to myself if what I’m saying is the right thing then realize, at least I’m here to say it!!

2015 will be another year and who knows what it will bring?  All I am thinking is that where I am now is where I should be… so I guess that’s my new year’s resolution.  To be where I should be.

Meri Kiritimeti e te Mataiti Ou

This Christmas, a lot of effort went into making presents instead of buying... here are some "prezzies"... and some random movies from Connors 21st

RETURN OF THE ARI'I

(Editors note: Ari'i is my middle name and means King)


The final part of our trilogy finds the fellowship having parted ways, the events of "TWO-MEKE" having led to their inevitable conclusion...  Read on...

CAPTAIN MORGANNE

Hello again family!! I hope you’ve all been doing well in your little corners of the world, and I also hope that the weather isn’t too hot or cold wherever you are. (AKA, N.Z and Canada.) Anyways, my next blog will be spanning from after Connor’s Birthday to Christmas, so let the memory searching commence!!

Halloween.... Ahh,

October. The month of costumes, spookiness, and scary stuff. Also the month of lots of cooking and cleaning apparently. 

I remember it started when mum had this great idea to host this little Halloween party for her friend’s kids. We all thought that was a really cool idea, and I was soon buzzing with excitement at the thought of it. Then Halloween swung around and I think we were all wondering why we were doing it. 

Mum insisted that me and Tere had to go to school that day despite the fact that we needed to decorate the house and get refreshments ready, and when we got home everything just kinda grew into some huge chaotic... THING. I was sent to decorate, Tere was busy making drinks for one of the activities, and Alina and mum were scrambling around in the kitchen to get all the refreshments ready. This resulted in lots of running, yelling, confusion, and stabbing old nets. And then, moments after we had finished getting everything ready, our first guests came and we weren’t even in costume. This resulted in more confusion that fortunately didn’t last for very long. 

Despite the mess of the kitchen and the fact we knew we’d have to clean everything the next day, the four of us had a blast with our friends, and I think I might have amused some of them when I ran round and round one of the girls (Liana) with a roll of toilet paper in a vain attempt to make a mummy. 

Anyways! November was fairly uneventful, (as in I can’t remember anything super big happening,) but I think that was the month our vaka chose a new Ariki. It was really cool, and I thought it was pretty sweet that I got to attend such an event, but I was seated at the very back, and I remember a lot of people were standing up to get a better view at what was going on and such, so I didn’t really see most of it. A-heh. I also remember that my school got to perform a pe’e for the new Ariki, and I was a little nervous at first but I think I got the hang of it at the end. I’m not quite sure yet...

That was a fun month.... Anyways, next is December, right? My favourite month. :D

..... Uhh... I remember.... A prize giving! There was a prize giving at the end of the year for the students, and for the oddest of reasons I had somehow made it 2^nd overall for my year. I’m not complaining, mind, it’s just that we all kind looked at me and wondered how exactly that happened.  

Uh, anywho, that is enough of school! I shall now move on to the happiest time of the year...... CHRISTMAS!! (Be happy!) AND..... I don’t remember much of that either. I definitely remember the day we picked up Dad and Connor from the airport, and that in its self was one of the best gifts they got us. We got to spend the entire day with them, (I think it was a school day, which is why it was so cool,) and I’m pretty sure we’ve never had—nope that’s a lie. We’ve have plenty of fun many times before. Heh heh.

The rest of the week went by pretty fast, and I remember spending a lot of time with Connor during the first 2 weeks of holidays. The first week, sadly, went by fairly quickly, but the second week was memorable because of..... (drum roll please,) ...... CHRISTMAS!!! (Yes I will be saying that world in big letters every time, thank you.) We’d finally gotten to decorate the tree together for the first time in a few years, I think, and we all had a lot of fun while mum and dad watched us. We then spent the rest of the week in a rush to finish CHRISTMAS!! Shopping, but we’d gotten all our presents just in time for the morning. 

On Christmas Eve, we all opened one gift after spending some time making up ridiculous stories and I had enjoyed mine IMMENSELY. Alina had gotten the 1^st season of Firefly, Tere had gotten the 19^th season in Top Gear, but I had gotten the latest Ratchet and Clank game!! My reaction was hilarious according to the others, and I was soon wishing for CHRISTMAS!! To roll round so we could all open our gifts like one big happy family. Which it did. 

Present opening was a blast as usual, and I loved all my gifts equally and with great happiness. Dad, Mum and Connor had gotten everything I asked for, (a roll of canvas, carving tools, and a book series,) while Alina and Tere had gotten me even more! (An awesome picture of the four of us in a truck, and two ridiculously awesome signs!) 

We had a lot of fun, and right now I wish I could turn back the clock and just relive the moment..... Oh well....

Well, that’s what’s been happening over here with us, and I sincerely hope that all of you have had a truly AWESOME CHRISTMAS!!! And that I will see you all really soon. Lot’s of love from us down here! 

Meri Kiritimiti!! 

TERE

Well now, after the 21st. Just what do I remember, hmmmmm...

Well between the 21st and the end of the school year is a big void, and to be honest, I've been trying to forget the end of year exams. However, I remember those, so I may as well mention them.

While they weren't too hard, they were still a real pain. The best example of this was a math question. All it showed was a circle, nothing else. And the question was: Calculate the angle of Angle CBA. The question in my head; WHERE THE $@#%&@$^!^$!@&$@+%*@ IS CBA?!?!

After that, exams were a cakewalk. I say that because all I had left was the Drama exam (and yes, there is a way to have a Drama exam). It was real easy, after all, all I had to do was draw, and write down over-dramatic lines. Those who know me well will know that this was rather easy for me.

Now, after that, my buddy Te Tuhi went on a trip to NZ for the whole of the summer. Before he left though, we all showed up at his place, and gave him an RTS send-off. While Nick was busy killing aliens in 1998 game graphics, I was able to give Te Tuhi his Christmas present from me. And with that, he then departed for the Land of the Long White Cloud.

After that, it was on to Christmas, which I remember very little due to the fact that we didn't decorate until what, 8 days till Christmas? 9? The only way I remember what goes on during the Yuletide, depends on how long the tree's been up for, and that gives me a window of just under two weeks.  Connor and Dad also came home for the holidays, and for Dad, he was staying here in the Cooks for good. for Connor, it was another year up North.

I remember Christmas Eve, mostly because of the chain-story. We'd go around in a circle, and everyone had to tell a short blurb in a Christmas story. Well, it involving the Georges, it didn't take long for it to get plain ridiculous. To put it in perspective, we had Yoda in a fight against Darth Scrooge and the 3 Possessed Spirits of Christmas, Santa being revealed to be a Russian Mobster disguised as St. Nick and his sleigh being shot down by a Roman Candle and he crash-landed on a man who was actually a machine sent back from the future to destroy Christmas, the Christmasnator, and he gets in a fight with Rambo Claus, and Connor McCloud teams up with the Stig to save Christmas alongside Yoda.

Crazy and utterly insane? Yes it is.

After that, we told the annual 'Night Before Christmas.' Now how could that go wrong? Well, it crash and burned like Santa's sleigh when it was hit by that Roman Candle. As it so happened, NONE OF US REMEMBERED THE STORY AND THE BOOKS ABOUT IT WERE PACKED IN STORAGE. So another Christmas event drawn into our web of insanity.

Which reminds me, also on Christmas Eve, I invented a new drinking game! Take a shot every time you're hungry! 

In an effort to maintain the Christmas spirit, we then did the traditional opening-a-present-on-Christmas-Eve, but of course, we opened them at 10 to Midnight. Not long after that, it was Christmas Day, and we all went to bed.

How could Christmas Day be drawn into this web of insanity? Well, WE OPENED PRESENTS AT 10 IN THE MORNING!!! Everyone knows that you're supposed to open them before the sun is up! What was going on?! MMAAAAAAAAADNEEESSS!!!

so, what I got was 2 Man Cave signs, a War Novel, William Shakespeare's Star Wars, and of course, a Warhammer 40K Chaos Space Marine Battleforce, Chaos Raptors, and the Chaos half of the Dark Vengeance set (Minus the Hellburte though).

ALINA

The last stretch of the year was short, but if it had promised to be busy and packed did it ever keep to its word. The past couple of months have been, to put it shortly, hectic. Clearly Halloween parties for children ages seven and under aren't chaotic enough, because the month of November kick-started that shock to the system.

SALTWATER CAFE. RAROTONGA

Saltwater Cafe had burned to the ground. There had already been a cycle of arson going around, namely schools, small businesses, and even local homes since last year. The area of fire had been mainly to the west side of the island, targeting places in town, Nikao, and Arorangi; given that the cafe was based at the southernmost point in Titikaveka, 'out of bounds' so to say, we were all surprised and now even more uneasy about the arsonist. This attack left a devastating blow on not just one but two thriving businesses, as the cafe was actually property of the Turoa Bakery, one of Raro's two suppliers of bread and other baked goods. Without Turoa, several restaurant and hospitality services were affected, not to mention grocery stores. A study into the fire showed that the bakery was likely the target (for reasons unknown), and the adjoining Saltwater Cafe was simply unfortunate collateral damage. We were all upset of course, but the good news for me was that I still had another job, so I would be able to keep myself afloat. I was worried about the others, because for the rest of the team this job was sort of all they had. What were they to do now it was gone?

I didn't have time to worry, though; one of my mates had landed me a job at the Crown Beach Resort and Spa, which is in our neighbourhood. All my work experience had been in hospitality, so I wasn't worried, but this was my first resort job… and it will be my last! 
In all fairness, the staff that I usually worked with were good people, I liked them a lot, but I didn't much care for the job. I like work that is consistent, interpersonal, and keeps me busy, and Crown was everything but. The bonus, however, was the staff discount. Crown is five-star, and on island wages it would be tough luck trying to afford even a meal, but on our discount anything was plausible. It was now December, which meant two things: Christmas, and our parents' wedding anniversary. I was going to take advantage of my discount, and present only the coolest gift ever, which was a weekend at the resort. Go Alina go! I scored them one of the nicer rooms too, and I think I can safely assume that Mum and Dad were pleased. They even let us kids visit them for an afternoon :) worth that headache of a job. 'Twas a nice way to finish.

We wrapped up the year with a mighty fine Christmas of few presents and vast eateries. I think the true gifts were wrapped up in our tummies, yum yum! Anytime with the six of us home will be a good time, and even though Connor has flown back home again already, here's looking forward to another crazy year to come…. because really, can this family ever go quietly?

CONNOR

Well it's that time again ladies and beasties. The time of the blog where yours truly rambles inconsequently about the goings on and much to do's about… well, yours truly. So let's bypass the expected pleasantries and discuss the tacks of brass:

Christmas! That Yule time celebration of peace, gift wrappery, familial bonding and embarrassment, and the birth of Jesus our lord and saviour. For a George family, Christmas brings all this and a great deal more to our table. So much more, in fact, that our Christmas day dinner table is stuffed with delicacies, good cheer, and all other sorts of metaphor.

Simply said, Christmas was excellent. Still reeling somewhat from that rumpus that was the 21st, Christmas was more of a return to form. Shared simply between our family of six, I dabbled in a great deal of procrastination, house cleaning, last-second Christmas shopping, sibling shenaniganery, and Christmas goody making. Our poor fridge was bristling at the seams with an ambitious abundance of food. Nanaimo bars, fudge, homemade ice cream and eggnog, fresh fruit smoothies, butter tarts, ginger bread, sugar cookies, turkey, stuffing and stuffing and stuffing, and an overflow of nuts and condiments. So to make a short story long, we had a larder fit for a king and his court, and we darn near ate his Royal Highness out of house and home.

My focus on food-type objects is not without cause. Food is something alike that sticky, gooey substance that binds the family during Christmas time in our house. We share jokes over baking, stories over supper, gossip between drinks, and familiarity between mouthfuls of supper, lunch, brunch, and tea. Theres a special something to a hand made, home made meal, and the anarchy in the kitchen that takes place before and after it, and its something that, interestingly enough, I look back on the most regarding my visit with the family.

Well, it could be that I'm hungry while I'm writing this, but that's hardly the point eh

Rather, my point is, I got up to a great deal more than just baking and cleaning. There was visiting, travelling, beach combing and beach bumming, and the exchange of gifts come that holy morning. But for me, what I take most from this visit are those moments in the kitchen prepping or cleaning, or at the table or the counter snacking and eating. And not for the sheer sake of there being food to consume, but rather the little moments of familial companionship that follows with it.

My siblings, no doubt, could document you great detail about our comings, goings, and in-betweenings. I in fact have no doubt they already have in this blog and you may or may not have read it before me. And all the better for them and me, because honestly, that's not what I wanted to take the time to talk about, because I want to take this time to acknowledge that a visit isn't always about everything you did and everyone you saw, but rather how that time was spent doing either. Well, I spent a lot of time about the kitchen and any number of errands related to it. And I reiterate, I look back to those most frequently, because that was time spent with family, and it was time enjoyed with a companionable familiarity that only being amongst close family can bring.

So I hope and wish to all reading that they too can look back to those little moments in the year where there was no splendiferous occasion that took place, nor one was needed to recognize the simple joys of spending small moments with people you can love and care for unconditionally. Because those are those most taken for granted, when they should be held most precious. Moments are to be cherished, no matter how small.

With that, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year

Yule tide cheer all around

TEMAEU

There was still a lot of visiting to do after the 21^st itself.  I spent an afternoon with Aunty Ngarui and Mum at the Hidden Gardens in Titikaveka.  Ngaio and I had a rather long bike ride around the Island, with many, many stops for talking and rehydrating.  Dad, Uncle Johnson and Uncle Joe had hired bikes the day before so the challenge was laid down by them.  If they could pedal their way around the island, surely we could to.  The next day, our cousin Celia’s girls, Ngarui and Phoenix, rode around the Island.  That night, after the farewell dinner at Betela, the three generations told their epic stories to two impartial judges, Mum and Aunty Ngarui, to see who was the best.  Turns out, we were all equally winners, (although, really, it was Ngaio and I!)

By the 14^th everyone was gone but Mum and Dad.  They flew over to Atiu for a couple of nights and then stayed with us when they got back.  It was so good to catch up and spend time with them.  On Saturday (21st), Dad and I spent an afternoon together and then I spent Sunday afternoon with Mum.  They flew to NZ the following day.

Things slowly got back to normal after that. During the last week of September, there was a Round Raro Relay Race and the day before, MCI decided to enter a team.  There were 10 of us and we had different sections to complete.  I had a lovely 3.2 kms.  I DO NOT run, do not have any running shoes and still did it.  I ended up power walking a lot of it.  We were the last team to finish.  By the time we got to where the finish line was, the speeches and prizes were over and people were packing up to leave.  It was determined that if we do it next year, everyone will do 1 km at a time, as that was achievable, and we would actually do some training, at least 2 weeks before!

October 

So, the tenth month of the year was spent in recovery mode.  Tere and Morganne had exams and assignments to do, Alina was busy was work as was I.  About mid-October there was a disturbance in  Sunday morning  sanctuary; for me, there was  something very therapeutic about going to a cafe, being served my coffee without having to specify how I wanted it and then selecting whatever I wanted, be it pancakes or fried rice.  I believe that Alina also really enjoyed working there because of Mel and Sue and the whole staff and the “family” environment that they created.

I’m not sure if I was trying to get over the loss of Saltwater Cafe or if I was feeling  more settled, but I thought we should host a Halloween party.  Being in Raro, I left it until the day before, (as one does), and then we spent the night getting things ready.  Because pumpkins where somewhat uncommon, we did jack o’lanterns  of pawpaw, (papaya), and a watermelon. Side note: for anyone in a tropical climate,  a watermelon is the best!  Morganne and Tere decorated our carport with shredded mosquito netting and potions.  Our guests were the children of my co-workers and friends.  Tere was Professor Snape and looked after the “Potions” lab (aka drinks).  He was absolutely awesome and had the kids asking for potions a few days later.  Alina made an appearance as Laura Croft, (she looked fantastic) and Morganne was a gangstah.  Our menu was Halloween appropriate: Witches fingers, Toxic slime, Worms n’ Dirt, Devilled Eggs, etc.  There was a guest appearance by me as a librarian.  I know.... shocking! 

November
Vaka Eiva 2013

We worked and studied and then at the end of the month was our full on time.  I volunteered for Vaka  Eiva 2013.  This was a 6 day paddling event.  Last year I volunteered for 2 days.  This year I thought I’d go full on and do the full 6 days.  The first day was absolute chaos.  I was the recipient of a field promotion:  I was in charge of looking after the registration desk.  I ended up putting in 10 – 12 hour days and in spite of the craziness, enjoyed most of it.  There was one day in which I did only half a day.  I was planning on participating in the Boiler Swim,  (750 m).  This was also the day in which it would be easiest to register Morganne at her school for next year, Tereora College.  I ended up falling asleep and Morganne woke me up in time to take her to Tereora.  By the time we were finished there, it was too late for me to do the Boiler Swim.  Ahhhhh well..... there’s always next year.  It was a rather chaotic week but I will definitely putting in my leave for next year as well: so many people, so many memories!

December

It was an awesome Christmas.  The end..... Well, maybe a few details.  Connor and Ina were both home which was fantastic.  We had beach time, food time, (first turkey since we left Canada), and family time, ( most important).  We were also treated to an early Anniversary present from my #1 daughter Alina, a weekend in a 5 start resort with its own private pool!  What more could I ask for at this time of year?  Ina is home for the foreseeable future which is the absolute bomb and bring on 2014!!

Well, this brings me to the end of my part in the Trilogy.  It is pretty full on down here but I am still loving it.  I think of all of our friends and family often and am so sorry that I do not email or FB at all.  I find it really hard to look at a computer at home as I spend so much time on one at work.  This is not a good excuse and again, my apologies.  My thoughts are with you all.  

INA

Sept to Dec was spent at work in Canada so typically, I don't really say too much about that…  I don't like to dwell on work because it is, after all just that… WORK… in the last two years, it has kept me away from my family for 3 months at a time.  Have to say I was a grumpy old fart most of the time because of that but thats no excuse... so, I do my job… but I don't enjoy being away from my family.

Except that this time, I had decided that I would not be returning to Canada next year… just too far away from whats important.

Well. that got me thinking that its also about work mates, colleagues… and the times you spend together on the job.  I learnt the trade under Dave Shaw, my closest friend in Canada.  After that, the company I worked for was LEDCOR Industrial, I first worked with them up in the North West Territories in 1998 and my Foreman was Wayne O'Neil… funnily enough, my last job was Kearl Oil Sands Project and my Construction Manager was Wayne!… known him quite a few years and worked on quite a few jobs with him…  There are a few others over the years but they know who they are…

I've spent enough time with Ledcor that I started out as an up-and-comer… then ended up mentoring some of the up-and-comers…  I remember during KT-DEP, one of their funniest lines was, as they were crouched over the computer trying to solve a knotty turnover issue, "Um… Ina, I think we need an adult over here!!!"  That one would always crack me up…

Henry TAVIONI

I also got a hankering for a new guitar, I got an idea for a guitar that would tell my story, years from now, if you looked at it, it would tell you who I was… or at least I hoped it would.  The guitar is for my wife… I just get to play it.  I contacted a Luthier, JON MATWIV in Edmonton.  He had done work on my Strat and asked him to build me a custom guitar… no problems!  I took the body to the Cook Islands in Sept and had it carved by my cousins HENRY & MIKE TAVIONI.  The carvings are from my culture/heritage and represent those that have passed that I want to remember, and those values that I have tried to live my life by… its a bit of a mix as it has JIMI HENRIX in there alongside traditional motifs from here in the COOK ISLANDS, but every thing on that guitar has a story behind it… I'm hoping that some day, when my kids are grand-parents… they will pull it out and tell their grandkids the story of that guitar.

Jon MATWIV

So that was pretty much Sept to beginning of Dec for me… trying to pass on what I know to those that'll need it, building a guitar… then it was time to leave…

Got home Dec 9th, the flame-trees were blooming… walked out of arrivals and saw my youngest daughter running towards me… then right past me to my son Connor!

All good… those two have always been pretty close…

Then, our eldest daughter, pays for a weekend at CROWN BEACH RESORT & SPA, a 5 star resort as an anniversary present for my wife and I… Holy Private Pool Batman!!!  felt pretty pampered!…

Then there was Christmas morning breakfast!  Again feeling pampered… after all, Christmas has been, and always will be FAMILY TIME… 

So, here we are at the end of the year… as for CANADA, I will miss the comradeship of work mates the most, as well as CANADA it self… what an amazing place!

I have no idea where I will be next year or what will happen… all I know is that I am where I should be and thats enough for me...

I hope Christmas has been a wonderful family time for all, and may the New Year bring all your wishes to you...

TWO-MEKE

( TUMEKE is a word from the language of the native Mâori people of New Zealand. Literally translated to English it means "too much".  In the 20th century in New Zealand it came to be used as an exclamation of excitement, in a similar vein to the term "awesome".  "Tumeke" is now commonly used by youth of both the indigenous Mâori people and European immigrants.     "How are you feeling today?"      "Tumeke!"...   excerpt from the Urban Dictionary ).

The Fellowship grows...

The second part of the trilogy finds the “Fellowship of the Coconuts” having returned to the Great White North to continue their search...
Little knowing that soon, they would be joined by fellow seekers…  We pick-up the story back in the village…

Read on…

CAPTAIN MORGANNE

Hey family!!  Hope all of you guys are doing well in your own corners of the world!! Umm, I have a vague idea from when I last updated to what month I got up too, so I'll start with May to be safe…. Though there isn't really much to tell since I remember nothing. I do remember Having Minona over 3 times that month, but not much else. I think we also went on a hike that month too, but it might of been some other month…..
Mmm, going on to June….. Uh, don't remember anything from that month either except school, more school, school again, and Minona over while Kolina was in America. July was pretty much the same too. 

Te Ninja Onu

Ahh, I think in August it was the same routine, but I think we had a term break… no that was September…. After the party.

You now what, I'm gonna skip all the boring, very boring, trying-to-remember-what-the-heck-happened-during-those-months, so going on to September!! Month of celebrations!!! 

As you can guess, (since pretty much everyone was there,) the birthday was AWESOME!!!! And I'm not saying that just because Conner's my big teddy-bear. (Mwahahaha Conna!! Your not-so-secret secret is out!!! >:D) 

It started when Dad and Conner returned in August, (Yay!!) and we spent a week annoying them (well, I was,) and just being happy in general. Then our cousins from both sides of the family came and our "little" celebration grew to a full out party!!! Kind of…. Not really… It was only near Conner's 21st that we truly partied. Me and Tere were supposed to be going to school during the week everyone had arrived, but we didn't and spent almost all of our time with you guys, even staying with you at the hall and using Jacob and Alina as a teddy-bear. :D We spent a lot of our time swimming and playing rugby, if I remember correctly, and we even did a road rally!! I kind of got lost during the second challenge, and lost my shoe... A-heh. 

The rest of the road rally was pretty fun, but our team's little statue, (I can't spell the proper term,) didn't go that well and team Green didn't win. (Aww!! ;D) 
The birthday itself was pretty awesome, and I wanted to see more of it but me and Alina were outside because we had to hide our costumes from Conner. It didn't stop you guys from sneaking outside momentarily though. :D 

I was a little nervous at first when I was doing the item, but soon I was enjoying myself and Alina and I even got money!! ( I love you guys!!)  
The rest of the party was absolute awesomeness, (forgive my grammar) and one O my favourite parts was watching the others perform their items and present their gifts to Connor. I also enjoyed the speeches, and I have to admit that my one was pretty made up. (nervous laugh) 

I'm sad to say that after the night of the party, things got a little sad because everyone had started leaving. (Aww.) I wished you'd all stayed a bit longer, but I understand that you probably wanted to go back home. 
After you cuzzies left, our little family immediately noticed how quiet everything got, and we all missed you dearly. Still, there will be other visits, and I seriously can't wait to see you all again. 
Lot's of Luv from the worlds GREATEST SPEECH MAKER, 

Morganne. ;)

TERE

Well, May to September, a real turbulent time from what I recall, which is considerably more then my last post.

Around mid May, I introduced my mates to the world of Starcraft, and let me tell you when I say, that it quickly caught on like a house on fire that's been drenched in gasoline and filled with gunpowder. Those 2 devoured it to the point that they had mastered the game in the space of about 2 weeks, and after that, Starcraft became the only game that they played.

Some time around this point in the year, I went aboard the Picton Castle, a ship built in the style of the 1700's ships. What could possibly go wrong? The answer came to me in the form of what was most likely exorcised pants. There was one specific pair of pants I had, that every time I put them on, everything went wrong in the space of 3 seconds (Put it this way, the 1st time I put them on, I had very bad bowel movements for a week, 2nd time, I was surrounded by triggerfish.) Third time, the night was just long and tedious, and I was tense and paranoid the whole time. That sort of ruined the whole "relax-onboard-the-ship" idea. Fortunately, I was finally allowed to get rid of those %@#$& pants. 

Another event I recall was from school, my drama class's play production of Caucasian Chalk Circle. It was a very intricate, and very entertaining piece, and overall it was one of the better memories of this part of the year. An added zing to the play, was that out of all the characters in the play, mine were the only ones with accents (First I did an Eastern European nobleman, then an irate Irishmen, brain-damaged English soldier, followed by an angry semi-comatose American, and finally the Irish again.) I can't remember a funner night that involved work onstage in my life.

Also afterwards, Nick went on a trip to Ireland, and I intended to see him off at the airport, but when I got there, he either;
A: Already boarded.
B: Was stuck in the Men's room the whole time.
C: Transformed himself into a Chinese media businessman who supposedly was running an illegal trafficking operation concerning Aztec relics.

 It was most likely "A" though... Yep, pretty sure it was "A"

Anyways, I spent about 2 hours doing nothing, and after that, I decided to catch the bus home from town. When I got there though, guess who I see? That's right, it was CHRISTIAN BALE!! 

No actually, it was Alina. As we all know, she works at Kai Pizza, and on that particular day, it's current location intersected with my walk. Naturally, I decided to go visit. That ended up in me washing dishes for them, and the hot water pipe then released scalding water on me (it wasn't that large a spray, but hey, IT WAS BOILING WATER!! I COULD'VE RECEIVED VERY MINOR SKIN BURNS THAT MOST LIKELY WOULDN'T HAVE CAUSED ANY LASTING DAMAGE!!!)

What the!?!?

Life was somewhat boring after that. All I did was play Starcraft with Te Tuhi. Actually, 'play' is a strong word. It should really be, "getting-my-@$$-handed-to-me-by-a-rookie". But hey, he was learning at a ridiculous rate, and he would be challenging Koreans in a few months. That made the Nuclear bombardments, artillery barrages demolishing my resources, and invading armies blasting me clean off the map worthwhile. 
What else was sufficiently entertaining that happened in this time to be posted on this blog, hmmmm.... 


I vaguely recalled something from September, something about Connor? I know that the number 21 was involved somehow, and something about 30+ relatives coming over? I know that something happened.... oh wait, now I remember, it was September 8th! Now I remember why it was so important! It was Charlie Trotter's birthday!

Inuksuk building for ROAD RALLY

No, it was Connor's 21st  (But Charlie Trotter actually was born on September 8th), and that was one helluva blast. We had relatives from Dad's and Mum's sides of the family, and for the older members, it was seeing each other for the first time in years, but for the younger generations, it was a chance to meet new people, and to make new friends. 

I can't remember such a time of euphoria, there was so much, you could practically taste it. Everyone got along with each other, and all of us had a good time. It was during this time that I drew my infamous I Spy page. Why is it infamous? Because everyone one found it a real pain in the @$$ to complete. Everyone's who's tried had a migraine afterwards, and to be honest, it was hilarious to watch people trying to solve it, and get so close to it, but then get so far to the point they go "GYYYAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!" and then storm outside the room. 

Then of course, there was the actual birthday. September 8th. Aside from maybe Christmas 2008, I can't remember such bonding. I also can't remember such laughing, for our grandparents decided to recite 21 stories of Connor, and they were very entertaining (I think I asked Connor at one point, "Do you actually remember doing any of this?"). The other family members of course presented there own piece, and all of them were very good. 

Near the end, anyone who wanted to say something to everyone could say so. I remember a line I stated that night; "I thought to myself, 'What could possibly go wrong?' Thanks to Connor, I found out." 

The 21st. I can't remember having more fun than these golden days...

ALINA

It was starting to quiet down by this time, and I was going mad. My days off work at Kai Pizza were idle again, and my days on work were becoming inconsistent and unpredictable, as things do with a struggling mobile business. I salvaged my remaining sanity and took initiative, and began looking for other work. 

I found two more jobs about the same time, in May: one was at the airport, at a little cafe in the Departure Lounge (I was on breakfast shifts, which starts at five or six in the morning), Reefside Rarotonga; the other was waitressing at another cafe, Mum's personal favourite (and mine), the Saltwater Cafe. 

It took some shuffling and juggling between the three, but suddenly I was working every day, for at least six hours, and on some days I was working two jobs. My spare time was for sleep, except for over the weekends, when I had more shifts and they were longer. It was challenging, and it was paying, and I stuck with it for about a month. 
Ultimately, though, I went mad again, but for the opposite reason: I was exhausting myself. I decided to drop Reefside, because I was on minimum wage and hours (NZ$6.50/hr, maximum of eight hours a week), and factoring uniform, security and airport ID costs, I ended up paying more for the job than earning from it. A difficult decision, I'm sure, but I did profit from the extra sleep :) and it made little difference, because I was still working seven days, I just had more time to focus on the other two jobs.

        It was around this time that our boss Nikki Hill had returned from an overseas stay in New Zealand, and with a flick of her magic pizza fairy wand she rocked Kai Pizza back on its feet. Gone were the days of "excuse me, have you seen my job? i seem to have misplaced it," or "don't mind me, I'm just waiting for my work to show up on time." The days of last-minute relievers, frantic errands and stock calls, and empty hours were no more. And so did cease the days of confusion and delay, and so on. It was definitely exciting at times, but you learn to not put your wages on adventure. I wasn't sure how much longer I was going to last with the business, but Nikki managed to turn it back around to the flexible-yet-organised system I had originally signed up for. Happy days are here again! Our team had dwindled down to our prep lady Metua, the colourful Jaikib, the fabulous John, me, who's just the coolest ha ha, and Captain Nikki, who was optimistically driving our little truck toward big plans :)

      Saltwater Cafe was a small, individual business; once I joined the team, it had a maximum of seven staff, and three of the them were the family owners, Sue, Stephen, and their daughter Melissa. We were small, but we ran well; it was organised, friendly, educational, and steady, not to mention the best wages I'd come across in Raro. I learned a great deal about hospitality, both in customer service and social skills from Sue and Mel at the front, but also about cooking and kitchen tips from Cina, our wonderful wonderful cook (having put that, I better be in your good books for sure now Cina! hee hee!) I also enjoyed the family atmosphere; being up front, I usually worked with the mother-daughter team of Sue and Mel, and then stepfather Sir Stephen on Sundays (say that ten times fast), but my favourite weekly entertainment was at the back, The Tyson and Cina Show, starring Tyson the kitchen hand and Cina the cook, featuring Ura the helpful on Sundays (oh the poor thing! hee hee!) Because I was on the floor most often, I often missed the highlights of their bickering and conjured drama, but I don't think I've gone a week without laughing. Saltwater Cafe is, without question, the best job I've had, and likely the best one I will have at this rate, for a long time to come. The dining is dangerously delightful, the people are perfectly pleasurable, and my alliteration is altogether a bit antidisestablishmentarianism (my vocab is running out). I always would recommend the hell out of Saltwater to family and friends, but even more so because this time I would literally profit from it! It was increasingly important for our family to know the what's-what when it came to going out and about the island, because pretty soon a great deal of them would be here...

        Connor's turning 21! Ermagarrrsh, he is so old now, and now we must celebrate it? We certainly pulled out all the stops on this one; there was family to fly over, accommodations to settle, food to prepare, airports to shuttle to, items to choreograph, costumes to tailor, beds to make, children to entertain, parents to hide from children, cakes to bake, beaches to visit, driving licenses to test for, and takeaways to order.

This is just the dummed-down version of one the most fantastic weeks anybody in the George family can expect to experience. It was exciting to have so much family from all over the Pacific suddenly together in the same village. You could have breakfast with your cousins from Kiwiland, walk across the road to greet your Canadian grandparents, then continue to the pub and drink with your Aussie-bums. 
The simplicity was delicious, and it was unusual yet gratifying to see everybody, from both sides of the family, get along so well. I honestly don't think a week or two was long enough, but that's about how much we could afford. 

Drat everybody having jobs and schools to go back to-- couldn't you all just live here?! 
Of the times that Connor's come home to visit, this was the best one. Amid all the running around to get stuff done, Connor told me that he was glad to properly catch up with some rellies, for the first time in years actually. Nothing like our impromptu reunions to remind us that, really, we are freakin' awesome, and we've got the coolest family there is ha ha.


        My mates from work were disappointed that they didn't get to meet as much of my family as they would have liked (hey, I was too), but nobody went unnoticed: everybody agreed that our own Kai Pizzas were the best pizzas around (post that on Trip Advisor!), and a fair share of my mum's family made their visits to Saltwater Cafe. We joked around that we had enough family members to book out the entire restaurant… and then we were sorely tempted to try it. Oh, how expensive that would have been. Save it for when we are fabulously wealthy, I suppose. After all, the cafe's not going anywhere in a hurry, right?

CONNOR

And so begins another installment of: Rambling With Connor, the part of the blog where Connor provides generic anecdotes about past going-ons and such-like thingamadoos.

Bridging the gap between the previous blog up until the coming of Fall this year, all that occupied that interim was a smattering of unexciting work stories. A hydro test here, a handful of punchlists there, a helping of crude humor and a small number of critical lifts can concisely summarize the majority of my activities as an apprenticed pipefitter. So to spare your ears - or perhaps more accurately your eyes, as you can't actually read with your ears- I'll skim over the meat and potatoes of the topic and skip straight to dessert:..

 The 21st.

Well, strictly speaking, I guess it was my 21st. But, eh, details. Anyway, my parents were rather insistent that I return home for a celebration of some sort, and I readily obliged. Any excuse to arrive in a tropical paradise for a month of familial shenanigans and hearty food sits well with me. So,it was in this fashion I found myself once again on the humble, and rather beautiful, island of Rarotonga, once again riling up trouble where there ought not be with any one of my three siblings, and generally having a good laugh. 

Merriment was to be counterbalanced with a copious helping of rampant frazzlement, as me and the immediate family found ourselves operating as an ad-hoc 24 hour shuttle service for the arriving extended family. And extended family, my good readers, we have aplenty. Uncle Tere, Aunty Naama, Aunty Tara, Uncle Joe, Uncle John, Aunty Ngarui, Uncle Joseph, Aunty Celia, cousins Jacob, Shaaman, Tarena - (inhales) - Maria, Madhu, Stephen, Enua, Jessica, Ngarui, Phoenix, Tiaho, and more! 

For a limited time only (while food supplies last)! To make a short story long, we had an abundance of blood relations running amok the island, and it was enough that not even a number of oblivious tourist-type bystanders were not spared.
Now, it would stand to reason that at this juncture I would discuss all that the family and I got up to. Alas, I'll be opting out of the majority of it. Because quite simply, there is just so much to type, and so little space to discuss it all in. So I implore you to forgive this rudimentary summary.
A substantial amount of time was dedicated to the beach, either in sobriety or... in a slightly pickled state. Kayaking, reef diving, lollygagging, snorkeling, coconut tossing, goggle swiping, sun bathing, sun burning, beachside rugby, and take aways made for a memorable number of visits to the lagoons. In the manner of more organized merry-making, Mum arranged for the present cousins a Road Rally of sorts. Details may be referred to in Alina's upcoming cinematic documentary of the event. 

And as for the 21st itself? 

The single-most memorable family reunion I've ever enjoyed. 

Papa Mike Tavioni

I was presented with a hand crafted spear by my Uncle Mike as a coming-of-age gift, a Toy Story cake by my siblings and cousins, a phenomenal dance performance by my sisters, a spectacular tivaevae by my aunties, a dozen other presents besides, and an opportunity to put my Mum on the spot. Heheheheh. Don't criticize me too much now, she got three awards and a box of Advil out of it for her troubles.

Proud Mum

Well, anyway, I've exposited a tremendous amount, and I will be wrapping this up in a conclusive-like manner to prevent myself from expositing further. So I bid all a good day, and expect I will see you all in a timely fashion next time on Rambling With Connor. 

Next Blog: The Rambling With Connor Christmas Special!

Temaeu

So, the busyness continued from April to September with it peaking at the beginning of September for Connor’s 21st.  Some of the things of note prior the 21st were:

• Attending the wedding reception for Dan Moreland, Dan being the Captain of the Picton Castle.
• Going to the first Film Raro and watching the short films, all of which were filmed and produced on Rarotonga.
• Going on to another of the vessels in my fleet, Lady Moana, which is a cargo / passenger vessel that operates in the Cook Islands.  One of the girls I work with, Maria Guadalupe Harreguy, was doing a follow-up survey and suggested I come along so I can see some of the things that are looked for when annual surveys are done.
• Celebrating a good friend’s birthday at Tamarind House.  When Hillary Clinton was attending the 2012 Pacific Forum, this was the dining establishment she frequented the most.
• I worked Saturday mornings from 22nd June to 23rd August at a little hut, The Flying Fish, which sells a wide variety of things.  The owner of the hut is also the head librarian at the library I volunteer at, and I also worked there last year for 6 weeks.
• My Daelim semi-automatic bike was stolen from our carport a week after I paid it off.  I had unfortunately left the keys in it and someone took advantage of that.  I have since found out that  Daelim’s are one of the most commonly stolen models.  Three months later and still no news.
• Designing and sewing a small tivaevae inspired tapestry, (still to be completed).  Alina and Morganne put in many, many hours of sewing on this.
• Going to see the Laughing Samoans, live.  They are a comedic duo from N.Z.  who I find really funny.  The kids came as well so it was another family night out at the National Auditorium.

Ina arrived on 22nd August and the final preparations for the 21st started.  Connor arrived on the 26th, much to his siblings’ (and Mum’s), delight.

Connor’s 21st was an amazing event in that we were fortunate enough to have 32 guests  attend from overseas.  There were 3 from Canada, 12 from the Davis whanau in N.Z.,  11 from the George anau in N.Z. and 4 from Australia.  Connor’s god-mother, Letitia  Ardern and her husband also came over from N.Z.  There was also about an equal number of local friends and family, so a fair size coming of age party for Mr Connor.
With so many overseas guests coming, there was much arranging needed for accommodation and transportation.  Ina has explained a little about that...

Because there were two sides of the family that had not spent time together, I organized a Round Raro Road Rally.  Ngaio was roped in to be the photographer and filmographer of this event, our cousin Celia was the score keeper and my brother-in-law, Shailesh was the lucky chauffeur.  We had hired a 15 seater van and used this to haul all the kids around.  Ngaio and I were on a bike and Alina drove Celia.  Lucky, lucky Shailesh was with 12 young people.  It ended up taking us 6 hours to get around Raro and complete 13 various challenges.  When we got back to Betela Hall, the two teams had to do two different presentations and then there was the award ceremony.  Each competitor on the winning team received a trophy, which had lovingly been created by Aunty Ngarui, Uncle Joe, Uncle Johnson, Mum, Dad, Ngaio and I.  

The day before the 21st was spent rushing around completing last minute jobs and baking.  Saturday morning, Alina used her artistic skills to great effect and we decorated Connor’s cake.  She did a fantastic job and thank goodness to the foresight of my sister and buying me the BIG box of fondant.  Most of it ended up being used.

Connor had requested that his 21st be held by a beach and I was able to rent another hall in Arorangi, that is on the beach in Rutaki.  We also hired the local youth to do the catering for the 21st and they provided a wonderful meal.  Tere, Ina and a good friend, Mii Taokia, were the band.  Mii’s wife, Karlene, also provided all the salads and fruit platters.  The cousins had decorated the hall the day before and a friend from Aroa Beachside Inn, Rangi Kelly, added the “Island” touch with greenery.  The theme for the decorating was “Toy Story goes Tropo”.  I’m not sure if it worked, but all the colours were complimentary at least.

There were many, many speeches and items and it was a wonderful time.  Morganne and Alina performed a dance to a song that was performed by Te Manu boys, back in the day.  Connor surprised us all with a Rarotongan Academy Award ceremony for me.  My 3 Oscars sit on my desk at work.  Tere, (our Tere), gave one of the best speeches of the evening.  That was mind-blowing as he was so eloquent and easy to understand.  Alina spoke well and Morganne giggled her way through her speech, with everyone giggling along and laughing with her.  One of the other requests that Connor had was that there was to be no alcohol at his 21st.  This made the speeches even more special as no one needed artificial support to stand up and speak from the heart.  After everything was cleaned up, it was kick back time back at our place.  That finished about 8 am and then Ina, Connor and I went to church as Connor had assured various church elders on two different occasions that he would attend.  It seemed like a very long service that morning.  

There was still a lot of visiting to do after the 21st itself.  I spent an afternoon with Aunty Ngarui and Mum at the Hidden Gardens in Titikaveka.  Ngaio and I had a rather long bike ride around the Island, with many, many stops for talking and rehydrating.  Dad, Uncle Johnson and Uncle Joe had hired bikes the day before so the challenge was laid down by them.  If they could pedal their way around the island, surely we could to.  The next day, our cousin Celia’s girls, Ngarui and Phoenix, rode around the Island.  That night, after the farewell dinner at Betela, the three generations told their epic stories to two impartial judges, Mum and Aunty Ngarui, to see who was the best.  Turns out, we were all equally winners, (although, really, it was Ngaio and I!)

Well, this brings me to the end of the 21st.  It is pretty full on down here but I am still loving it.  I think of all of our friends and family often and am so sorry that I do not email of FB at all.  I find it really hard to look at a computer at home as I spend so much time on one at work.  This is not a good excuse and again, my apologies.  

My thoughts are with you all...  Ka kite for now.

Ina

After the visit home, I flew back to Canada in May where we were busy with Completions/Turnover for the KT-DEP Project at Kearl Lake North of Fort McMurray.  
June came and went, July was our “anniversary”… Tania and I have been married for 22 years but we first met 25 years ago on July 22.  Not much to say about August except it was time for me to head back to Raro.  During the past year we had been planning for Connors 21st which was actually the 1st week in Sept but I’m going to include it here…

The Polynesian Culture basically developed from small groups of people isolated on islands, having to work together for survival and the good of the community.  This is why the “KOPU TANGATA” or extended family is so important and family ties are strong.
When a 21st birthday is pending, its an occasion for the Kopu Tangata and we usually have a big celebration for it… especially if it’s the eldest child.  They can range up to 400-500 guests when all is said and done so, it can be a pretty hectic and crazy time…  (Not us though thank God!)  There are all sorts of food, presentations and speeches but as with most “Island Do’s”, it’s a golden opportunity for us to come together and meet each other again, reminisce and share… 

We were lucky as we ended up having a less than 80 guests although still enough to make for a hectic and crazy time.   They came from Canada, New Zealand and Australia so we tried to keep the logistics as simple as possible for everyone.
Accommodations for most were MARAE style!  A Marae is a meeting place/house and the area immediately around it which can also be used to provide a communal living space for visiting groups.  Back in the day, it was a sacred place where important communal activities took place.  It is without doubt, the cheapest way to go and for Tania’s NZ family and mine, the style they are most used to.  
We put everyone up with the BETELA TAPERE (a local area within the greater village of ARORANGI) at the old meeting house.  It has shower stalls and kitchen facilities.  They also provided foamies, pillows and bedding, and we supplied the all-important orientation information!

• Directions to the beach (walk across the road)
• Directions to the local Bars (walk across the road but stop before the beach)
• Directions to the Stores (walk along the road, any direction take your pick)
• Public transport (stand on road and wave at first bus you see, there are only two routes really depending on which side of the road your on, one’s called “CLOCKWISE” the other is called “ANTI-CLOCKWISE” its not the same bus, proud to say we have at least 2 buses!!)

The families were given a TUROU (welcoming and a dinner) by the group from BETELA and given the freedom of the TAPERE.  The situation is win/win all around as we get cheap accommodation for most of our guests and all monies go towards the up-keep of the meeting house and funding community initiatives.  We were happy to know our monies went towards fundraising for the local GIRL GUIDES trip overseas to NZ / AUS

With Marae style, the biggest concern is always how everyone would get along together!  Most of my family, had never met Temaeu’s family before so Temaeu & I had our fingers crossed as it can be stressful… We know the bonds that tie us together, but those bonds had never been tested, so it was with a little nervousness, we left our guests alone.  


As it turned out, we had little to fear because as sometimes happens, the children took the lead in the following days.  Each looking out for the other so that parents could take a break on the beach or “dog-piling” each other at unexpected times.   Temaeu also organized a “Road Rally” which involved an activity hunt around the entire island involving everyone which was a huge success.   All this and more contributed to the kinship everyone felt so that by the time it came to the parting of ways, there were some sad faces due to the new mates they were leaving, and hurried plans for “hooking up” in NZ…  There were so many little moments that contributed towards the whole event that I hope the stories before this have given you a feel for what a wonderful time it was.

For me, it was basically one long crazy drawn out blur but was absolutely one of the best times with family that I've ever had the privilege of experiencing…  Temaeu & I are truly thankful for everyone who made the effort to be there and those who helped us pull it all together... Dave & Letitia Ardern and Mi'i & Karlene Taokia come to mind...

One of the highlights was watching Tere (my son) get up and deliver an off-the-cuff speech that blew everyone away!!  He can be quiet and introverted but he delivered the speech like a professional   

Another huge highlight and the one I enjoyed the most was when my daughters performed a traditional “URA” or dance for their brother.  They had spent some months practicing under the guidance of ELAINE TUREPU-GUKISAVA, one of Temaeu’s work-friends who had also won “Dancer of the Year” in the past so they were in very good hands.  

They were born & raised in Canada with zero experience of this part of their ancestry.  One of the reasons for moving here, was so that my children might learn some of their culture and it was obvious to me that in the past two years, my daughters have embraced their Cook Island heritage firmly and it showed in their performance…

I’ve always believed in the old adage; 

“How do you know where you’re going, if you don’t know where you come from?”   

As parents we try to give our children the best life has to offer...  and to prepare them so that when the time comes, they have the tools and knowledge to chart their own course in life...

In the end it’s a journey they travel on their own and we can only hope to show them life's possibilities with the paths that others have traveled, and the choices made...  

and to give safe harbour if they need respite from life’s storms... and I think,  most importantly... 

If they should lose their way, to remind them of who they are and where they come from…


See y'all at Christmas...

...and Thank You All for making Connors 21st a memorable one!