Thank you ACE - New Zealand

Wooohooo, today I had Orientation for college - I am officially (for the second time in my lifetime lol) a College Student, I never mentioned it earlier because it didnt really sink in that I was going back to college until I completed Orientation today.  I've always wanted to go back to school to complete college but only if I could find something I really enjoyed and could possibly be my passion - unlike some people, I still havent found my passion - someday (maybe during this semester) I will find this passion or at least move towards it, till then I'll just have to do my best and learn something new along the way. 

A couple of years ago I had the chance to start college again while we were living in California, unfortunately the discounted fee of $25 per class was only valid to CA residence of 2yrs or more, we had just moved to California so we didnt qualify and because of my temporary status with my Green Card I didnt think I would qualify for Financial Aid or any Student Loan - well 2vyears after that we were making the move to Utah so it worked out after all,  and since moving to Utah, completing college had dropped off my To-Do list, until one day hubby and I were talking and he said something about me going back to school - (sidenote:  the fact that my husband brought this up in the first place is one thing, but what amazes me is he brought it up after he had been laid off and been unsuccesful at finding work in almost 2mths - thank you Lord for using my husband, thank you for my husband)...  So I truly believed that this was the time for me to do this. I started thinking about what I wanted to study - and after changing my mind almost 500x - I did my research on which Uni would be best for me, I called around and emailed requests and together we went through countless brochures and booklets  and looked at the pros and cons of each school.  Finally we decided on a Uni that was more for Adult Professionals - so I can still work and study part time. So in the process of getting my application in and applying for Financial Aid, I started to bug hubby about him going back to school too and doing some study of his own... lol well after a long and heated (mostly on my side) discussion about him not being a pilot, fire-fighter or whatever other life threatening job that could possibly take him away from me for long extended periods - we decided it was better if we just started with me first hehehe Baby Steps.  

The only thing that held me back was a little thing called a "transcript" - since this was not my first time as a college student, I was asked to obtain my transcript from my last college - ACE - this is a fairly easy task, the problem was - the last time I was in college... I was reallyyy in college, I lived the boozer college student life, I drank the college spirit - I literally could not remember whole days, months or even what classes I took and I knew my transcipt would be, if anything, just a slap in the face and a reminder of days long forgotten (BUT FORGIVEN)  

Well, I got my transcript back, and it was extremely horrible and just proof of how naughty (and reckless) I was back then, but it was enough to humble me and to hit home the realization that his time I had to do this right and with commitment.  Isnt God AMAZING how he uses little things like college transcripts to remind you not to go back down that same destructive path.  And needless to say, as bad as my transcript was - it was enough to give me enough credits to start this year as a sophmore - YAY!!! THANK YOU ACE!!

Sooo... today it began, I have my books & my class schedule and tomorrow I'm stationary shopping - Im soo excited about all the possibilities that will open up and scared of those same possibilities all at the same time - something I now realise I didnt feel either of when I first started college all those years ago.

Im soo very thankful that we serve a God of Second Chances and New Beginnings.  Thank you Lord Jesus, go before me Father God and light my way - a Million thank yous.  I love you x

Workplace Humor

This month I was made Employee of the Month at my work.  It was both an honor and a shock, firstly because I didnt even know that we had an Employee of the Month award, apparently its a new thing at work and I was the first person to get it and secondly, I felt that there are soo many other deserving colleagues who could easily have gotten it.  I am truly thankful to those who chose me for this award and humbled to know that I am looked upon by my colleagues with respect of this achievement. 

A couple of funny stories follow from my getting such an achievement. I seem to be getting quite a bit of slack from my colleagues now if I mess up.  Firstly, I now have the duty of writing up workschedules and at the bottom of the March schedules I jokingly wrote ~No one allowed to be sick ~ As Murphy's Law would have it, on the very first day of March, who should call in sick?.. none other than Yours truly HAHAHAHA.  Ironcally, on that day in Feb when I posted the March Schedule on the Notice board, a colleagues had commented that the schedule should actually read everyone but myself wasnt allowed to get sick, to which I rather confidently retalliated... "Umm Whatever, I never call in sick!!! so there" and I'll be damned if it wasnt her that I was scheduled to work with that fateful 1st day of March.  Lesson learnt : Never make cheeky remarks when writing work schedules. Lol

And just yesterday, yet another colleague returned an incomplete folder to me, advising a form was missing - thats ok its easily forgotten and easily corrected, and he was on his jolly way in no time.  Not even 5mins later, the same colleague was back with yet another folder and another missing form - not able to blame anyone else since I was the only person working the front desk, I apologised again and completed the folder and form, but another 5mins later - that same colleague returned with a 3rd folder.  I looked up, slumped my shoulders and said "What now?"  to which he replied,  "Do I really need to show you how to do your job?"... followed by... "I need to tell you that since receiving Employee of the Month, your work standards has been lacking quite a bit"  hahahaha his teasing continued with laughter from my other (supportive hmmm) colleagues with threats of a recount, and demotion until the 3rd folder had been corrected.  About 30mins later, he returned and gave me the form I had completed and another form exactly the same without my rushed handwriting, and said "Here, I dont need this form, I had one already, I just wanted to see you squirm" and ran away laughing.  Lesson learnt:  Mess up once, Shame on me, Mess up twice... Shame on me again, Mess up 3x... I asked for it!! lol

I am soo thankful to be blessed with, not just a job in these economically unstable times, but a job with truly amazing down to earth and fun people, yes we all have our imperfections but when you look for the worst in people, you'll no doubt find it, thankfully I work with people that openly say "I love you" and truly care about your wellbeing and just enjoy working.  I pray everyone gets to work with people as amazing as I do, and to experience what working with a GREAT attitude is.  My mother always taught me to give everything I do - 110%, and do it with genuine character and love - that is my Work Standard.  Thank you Mum, and Thank you Lord for blessing me with ALL that I have. 

Its 0409am. I couldnt sleep, so I figured I would update my blog, and now with peace in my heart I'm heading off to bed hehe.  God Bless and Goodnite err I mean Good morning.

Where are you Spring?

Did someone forget to tell the weather that it is officially Spring?  The first official day (Sat 20th March) and the day thereafter were amongst the most beautiful days I had ever seen since the beginning of October... unfortunately, thats where those beautiful days ended.  Tonight we're expecting snow and continuing on through to the weekend... WHAT???

Who am I to tell the weather what I want it to do? But it would be soo nice if Spring was spring and not just a late winter hehe.  Its days like those 1st two days of Spring that I remember being home in NZ and the countless things we used to do together with the whole family, go for walks, spring clean (ugh) and play at the park... or sneak away just by myself to the airport lookout and watch the planes come in and leave - thinking about Ben and how far away he was and then missing him even more.  Now I stand outside my porch and watch the planes fly over and think about one day getting back on that plane to visit home... I'm still undecided about whether we're going to move back there or not.  For now, we'll wait on the Lord, all I do know is that Im seriously homesick and believe it or not, I think my husband feels the same way too hehehe.  Maybe I can still make a Kiwi outta him.  Neway, for now Im gonna leave this blog with a prayer to my Father Above to send back those beautiful spring days, to bless those around us - our families and friends and to see into our hearts and supply according to his Will.  Have a Beautiful day and God's Love and Glory be upon you and your families x 

I wonder why?

A conversation with a very good friend recently lead to our blogs and lack of updates - it became apparent to both of us that we hadnt been as diligent to our blogs as we once were with our Diaries as teenagers.  I remember getting a new diary every year and using every single page, I had a lot to say back then, both on paper and in person, this has all changed somehow... what happened? 

Have I had enough of people asking what accent I have that I refuse to talk now?,  or Have I surrounded myself with enough depressed & drama-filled people to suck the life out of me? Or maybe enduring my first White Winter in Utah has given me a very bad case of Winter Blues?  ... Or (and I think this is the winner...) Maybe Im Homesick? Whatever it is, it ends here. I will update as often as I can possibly update.......

..... but right now Ive got work to do BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Morningside for Life.  I miss New Zealand.

March Madness

Ive lived in America for almost 4yrs now - of which we've lived in 3 different states lol - so Ive often heard the term "March Madness" being thrown around when it came to College Sports but never knew what it was or pertained to - well thanks to hubby I have now been enlightened and yes... Its of no importance to me whatsoever hehehe.

So Im going to blog about my own March Madness... In my family March is very important - its the second most birthdays in our family (NZ wise), October is the Foremost important (cause its my birthday lol) and since marrying Ben, it turns out March  (and funnily ... October) are also important dates with May topping out as the most birthdays. 

With that, its a Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday to Sister Shirl (3rd), Brother Eli (22nd), Nephew Siah (24), Cuzn's Lance (8th), Uso (16th), Nessa (23rd) and Ikester (26th) and most importantly Granma Mau (20th).

Because of the latter, hubby travelled to AZ to celebrate Granma Mau's 80th, with a pit-stop in Vegas to spend some time with his brothers and sisters and their kids... I had to work so I stayed behind, Id like to say I was strong and managed but I was bored and missed hubby terribly.  Since I moved to America it has always been me leaving and never vice versa, this change was not very well met - but I dealt with it.  And He returned to me with stories of fun, family parties and emergencies.. it seems with the high that was Granma's 80th, when it came time to say their goodbyes it was all too much for Gamma, and they had to rush her to ER.  Many returned home after seeing her at the hospital, and we've been prayerful since then.  All Glory to God, she (as of today) is no longer in the ICU.  She still has to stay at the hospital and the girls in AZ have organized a schedule so she is never alone - WHAT AN AWESOME FAMILY!! 

Ben with his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephew at ER visiting Grandma the day after her 80th birthday.

We keep you in prayers Granma, and I send a prayer up for all the family members, mine and hubby's, who are ailing in poor health or hurting joints.  Father God, your Healing Hands touch them and give them comfort.  I love you and thank you for Granma's 80yrs and for your Loving touch over our families.  

Thank you abundantly for being with me night and day while Ben was away - and keeping him safe on his travels.  LORD, YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR ME!

Above Left: P. Family Boys/  Above Right:  P Family Girls

Above Left:  Ben with his brothers Nee & Ray/  Above Right: Ben with his cuzn's & nephews

Apologies..

I just watched this video on Youtube; 10 Things You Need to Know about Samoa and I felt compelled to write and apologise to the poor guy who uploaded the video because of all the rude comments left on his page.  So I wrote and apologised to him for having to read what some small-minded idiots claiming so-called pride in their country had to say by posting replies with trash-talk & profanity - profanity which ironically isn't accepted in Samoa either, so not only are they small-minded idiots but they are disgraceful Samoans as well.  Im especially disgusted at how easily the swearing comes to kids now, Im not claiming "angelic divinity" of any sort by the way - Ive been down that road but it just seems to me that with the technology available today to our kids, their use of ...err colourful vocab seems to start a lot younger than normal - am I wrong?
Unfortunately, nowadays, when you can hide behind a computer and say whatever trash pops into your head... the negative seems to come through much louder than the positive. I was glad to see that some Samoans did come through and say they enjoyed it, and I too enjoyed it. We always claim to be victims when another culture does not understand us, but yet get offended when they make the effort to understand, and isn't if funny how we can poke fun and even say some very offensive stuff to each other as long as its within our own culture, but if someone of another race tries to do the same thing - its OFFENSIVE and we end up doing some kind of Protest March for it.  Hmm...

Do we not teach our older kids to lead their younger siblings by example?  Aren't we, as parents, teachers, older members of the families & communities, suppose to lead by that same example?  So why is it that we get all loud and defensive when someone tries to embrace our culture and learn something from us - Greedy much?  I realise this doesnt just pertain to this particular video but to all cultures on earth, a friend of mine posted a very cool saying as their Facebook Update today - I want to share it with you because I think it matches what Ive been blogging about.

To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right. Confucius 

Heavenly Father, please help us set our hearts right, our families in order, our nation and world in peace.  In that order and by your Grace & Power, Amen.  Be Blessed x

Over it...

I refuse to listen to another person claiming they know the world is ending in 2012 (not because of the movie but because the world is getting crazier and people more desperate).... Give me strength!!

Do you really think that just because you misused your credit cards and got loans out that werent really needed because you wanted this and that and Yes before the economic crisis you were able to easily get those things, but now that the loan sharks are bitting at your heels and you dont have the money to pay them or the bank back, that the world is coming to an end and that people are more desperate? I think its here that the question of Wants vs Needs comes into play, those in denial however will claim otherwise... my solution?  Live by your Means and Be Grateful for what you've been blessed with.  Just because you dont get your Wants because your Needs are of more importance, that does not mean the world is ending.... or that people are getting desperate purely because of the outcome of your financial situation.

An economic crisis is needed every now and then to humble those with heads that have gotten just a tad bit enlarged and needing grounding. HAHAHAHA God sure does have a sense of humor! God Bless xo

2010: Goliath vs David

This blog entry will be more of a prayer than it will be an entry.  A prayer that I know God will answer.. in His time.  Biologically considering, and with those two words I know God already knows my heart and my heart's desire.  Thank you Jesus for loving us regardless, with blessing me with a wonderful husband and loving family - near and far, bless them in all that they need and all they require. 
The beginning of 2010 has been somewhat bitter-sweet, we've met Goliath head on in some matters of the heart - despite these moments, hubby and I have kept the faith of David and seen through it with God's love and blessings - with God all things are possible.

God you are soo Good.

A new angel in the family

Once again, God has blessed us with the addition of another beautiful angel to our growing extended family - our new nephew, Matthew Miller was born on September 11, 2009 weighing in at a whopping 9lbs and 14oz, kudos to my beautiful sister in law for her strength and thankfulness to God for blessing her with that strength.  We have yet to meet our new nephew, but were are looking forward to seeing him in the near future - he will know his favourite aunty (cough cough lol).

We continue to pray that God will bless us soon with our very own addition, but we know that all things happen in His time - and that whatever He has planned for us we truly hope and pray that we will be content with it and in Him.  Sometimes its difficult to push our human nature aside and try not to get hurt at the fact that we are getting older and still havent been blessed with our own child/ren, but lately when these feelings come to mind I am reminded of Abraham & Sarah and the promise they were given for a nation of plenty, as many as there are stars in the sky - and especially of Sarahs silent giggle at the mention that she at 99yrs will bore a child, but as God's word is forever true - it happened as He said so.  Which got me to thinking that if God could bless Abraham & Sarah with a child at the ripe age of 99yrs - then at 31yrs old, I have absolutely, without a doubt nothing to worry about.. because I know this is true - God knows our inner hearts and true feelings, He knew us before we were created in our mothers womb, and He wrote our life's plan.  He will bless us when its the right time, all we have to do is be patient, and serve Him in everyway we can.  I leave you with this song of praise, i le suafa o Iesu, Soifua (in Jesus name, farewell)

I love You Lord

and I lift my voice

To worship You

O my soul, rejoice!

Take joy, my King

in what you hear

Let it be a sweet, sweet sound

in Your ear.

God Bless you All.

September Update

Ok so its been 4weeks since we arrived in Utah, and we are loving the new challenges placed before... in truth, there really isnt as much challenges here as we've had in the last 2 states we've lived in, but on all accounts we are blessed to be where we are at this time.  And despite some worries, we love it here.

Ben and I are now working, I have been working for all of one week, and Ben has been working for 2weeks, finding work soo fast and in this economy AND in a new state is just one of the many blessings that God has shown us, among the other blessings is having a place to stay and food in our tummy - thanks to my awesome Uncle and Aunty and the whole  family.  We do miss having our own place but we know that God will go before us and we will be well on the way of having our own place and eventually owning our own house in His time.  In the meantime, we will remain patient and wait on the Lord.

As for my job, I love it... the people are great, and most of the people we've met have been sooo friendly, my job reminds me a lot of being back in NZ with Jackie and the team, and the amount of NZers and Australians here just makes me that much less homesick.  Other than that, we still miss our friends and families in the FL, AZ and CA states and esp back in NZ and Aust but we are very blessed to be where we are at this time.  Thank you Lord for your never-ending love and blessings us both during our transition.