Beware of Reckless Consumption

Week at a Health Club

2007-02-28T14:48:00.000-08:00

ONE MAN'S STORY...
If you read this without laughing out loud, there is something wrongwith you. This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into aregular workout routine.

Dear Diary:For my fortieth birthday this year, my wife (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I am still in great shape since playing on my college football team 25 yearsago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservation with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26 yr. old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swimwear. My wife seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY:Started my day at 6 am. Tough to get out of bed, but it was well worthit when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. Shewas something of a Greek goddess -- with blonde hair, dancing eyes and adazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!!!!She took my pulse after 5 minutes on the treadmill. She was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attributed it to standing next to her in her Lycra aerobics outfit. I enjoyed watching the skilful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring, Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around.

This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

TUESDAY:I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air,and then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made itall worthwhile.

I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY:The only way I can brush my teeth is by lying on the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was okay as long as I didn't try tosteer or stop. Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered the other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for early in the morning, and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurts when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life.

She said some other shit too.

THURSDAY:Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes. Belinda took me to workout with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the men's room. She sent Lars to find me, then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.

FRIDAY:I hate that bitch Belinda more than any human being has ever hated anyother human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic little cheerleading bitch. If there were a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it. Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the *&%#(#&** barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

SATURDAY:Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

SUNDAY:I'm having the church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year, my wife (the other bitch), will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a vasectomy.

hmm...just when i was thinking about working out today, God sends me a sign :)

Quack, Quack, Quack??

2006-12-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a little joke to brighten up your day. Courtesy of all the farkin Israel Kamakawiwoole songs Ive had to listen to while Vinnie was here. LoL! Enjoy.....

So had these 3 ducks yeah....they got busted and had to go to court. The first one appears before the judge and the judge says, "Okay state your name and tell me how come you're here". First duck says, "Oh my name is Quack". Judge says, "K why you here foa?" (Dont mind da pidgin, dis one Hawaiian joke brah!) Quack says, "I got caught blowing bubbles in the pond". Judge sentenced him to 6 months.

Next duck comes along and the judge tells him, "K tell me your name and how come you stay". Second duck says, "Oh my name is Quack-Quack and I got busted blowing bubbles in the pond." Judge says, "Okay same ting as da oddah guy, you get 6 months too."

Third duck comes along and the judge says, "No tell me your name is Quack-Quack-Quack." Third duck says, "No. I'm Bubbles."

:) Good day to you my friends

Hawaiian Style Christmas Story

2006-12-11T18:10:00.000-08:00

Was da night beefo' Christmas, and all ova' da place,
Not even da geckos was showin' dea face.

Da stockings was hangin' on top da TV
(Cause no mo' fireplace in Hawai'i)

Da kids stay all crashed, my old man too.
They leave all da work for you-know-who.

So me, I stay pickin' up alla their toys,
When - boom! - outside get only big noise!

I run to da window, I open 'em up,
I stick out my head and I yell, "Eh! Whassup?!"

And then, I no can ba-lieve what I seen!
Was so unreal, you know what I mean?

This fat haole guy get his reindeers in my yard!
And reindeers not housebroken, you know, as' why hard!

But nemmind - this Christmas, so I cut 'em some slack.
Plus, had uku pile presents pokin' outta his sack!

So I wait 'till he pau tie up his reindeer,
Then I yell out da window, "Hui! Brah, ova hea!"

An' I tell 'em first thing, when I open da door,
"Eh, hemo your shoes! You going dirty my floor!"

After he take off his boots, he tell, "You know who I am?"
I go, "Ho! From the smell, must be Mr. Toe Jam!"

He make mempachi eyes and he go, "Ho, ho, ho!"
By now, I stay thinking this guy small kind lolo!

He look like my Tutu, but little less weight,
And his beard stay so white, mo' white than shark bait!

He stay all in red, specially his nose,
And get reindeer spit on top his nice clothes!

But him, he no care; he just smile at me,
And he start fo' put presents unda-neath da tree.

I tell 'em, "Eh, brah, no need make li'dat,
And watch where you step! You going ma-ke da cat!"

Then, out from his bag, he pull one brand new computah,
Choke video games, and one motorized scootah!

He try for fill up da Christmas socks too,
But had so much pukas, all da stuff went fall troo.

When he pau, I tell 'em, "Eh Santa, try wait!
I get plenty leftovahs, I go make you one plate!"

But he nevah like hang, he had so much fo' do;
Gotta make all them small kids' wishes come true.

So I wave 'em goodbye, and I flash 'em da shaka,
And I yell at him, "Mele Kalikimaka!"

When he hear that, he stop...and I telling you true,
He go, "Garans ball-barans! Merry Christmas to you!"

Quickie...

2006-11-17T15:05:00.000-08:00

I have thirty minutes before i have to get my muli to work and figure out what the fizzle I am gonna teach in my art class today. Mostly 5 year olds. I hate this class. Holiday crafts. Thanksgiving is comin up...I can make them make pilgrim hats and indian headbands and then teach them about the REAL thanksgiving where Columbus exploited the Native Americans and how he wasnt really the first to discover the Americas. But God Bless our Country!!

I have to chaperone the field trip tonight to Fun Factory (an arcade at the mall) and Ice Palace (skating rink). OH how fun.....you'll find me shopping and dragging some kids around with me so it looks like Im working. And if anybody ever so much as THINKS about calling me "mom".....it's ovah! Their ass be on time-out and not allowed to do shiet forever!

Dan's in D.C. Playing Rugby for the weekend. He's been getting some offers so far. We'll have to wait and see.

I feel fat.......what else is new?!?!

I can barely type with my French Acrylic nails. Stob yoa jealous! Im going to a wedding tomorrow. Two friends I went to high school with. The girl's family is old friends with my mom's family. Its gonna be a freakin high school reunion. BUt I still wanna see it. Do research for my Big Fat Samoan Wedding :P

Christmas is comin up.....I have no idea what to get Dan and my grandma. Everybody else gotta wait til I get a REAL job. I may have been working a lot...but you should see my bills! Grrrr.

My sister's family's house in Vaitele is almost done. Shes really excited. Im happy for her and her mom. Plus, Im hoping I get to meet up with her in Samunda to help her christen the place next year! PAAAARRRRRRRRR-TAY!

Random Question: If more than one goose is "geese", then how come more than one moose isnt "meese"? Hmmm....fink aboudid!

Okay....I'm out. Love, Peace and Chicken Grease!! Blog on!

Brain Matter

2006-10-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

Okay so starting yesterday, my boss at the Park is on temporary assignment for his boss who is at this very moment having brain surgery. By the way, if he's on temporary assignment, it means I act as temporary boss when hes not in the office! Hoh! Not glamourous or anything to be proud of, but hey....i like the sound of being the boss. LoL.

So back to the point....his boss is having brain surgery today and she expects to be back to work in 2 weeks. TWO WEEKS! If I were to even have a tooth pulled out, I would be out for a month. Homegurl is going to have her head cut open and she plans to be back in 2 weeks. And hows this? She has a benign non-cancerous tumor in her brain right in her right temple. Very unusual and it causes her ear to ring constantly so she's having it removed. The Surgeon told her he's never done that sort of procedure, NOBODY on the entire ISLAND of OAHU has ever done that procedure before! And homegurl still expects to be back to work in two weeks!

Pray for her please.

I watch too much friggin Grey's Anatomy.

Fink Aboud id!!

2006-10-17T15:00:00.000-07:00

For all those men who say, Why buy a cow when you can get the milk for free. Here's an update for you:
Now days, 80% of women are against marriage, WHY? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

Men are like....
1. Men are like Laxatives ......
They irritate the crap out of you.
2. Men are like Bananas .......
The older they get, the less firm they are.
3. Men are like Weather .......
Nothing can be done to change them.
4. Men are like Blenders ......
You need one, but you're not quite sure why.
5. Men are like Chocolate Bars ....
Sweet, smooth, & they usually head right for your hips.
6. Men are like Commercials .......
You can't believe a word they say.
7. Men are like Department Stores .....
Their clothes are always 1/2 off.
8. Men are like Government Bonds .....
They take soooooooo long to mature.
9. Men are like Mascara ....
They usually run at the first sign of emotion.
10. Men are like Popcorn ....
They satisfy you, but only for a little while.
11. Men are like Snowstorms ....
You never know when they're coming, how many inches you'll get or how long it will last.
12. Men are like Lava Lamps ....
Fun to look at, but not very bright.
13. Men are like Parking Spots ....
All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

Earthquake

2006-10-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

I know Im humungous, but I didnt cause the earthquake, I promise!!!

They say its the first big earthquake to hit the state in about 20 years. A whopping 6.6 on the Richter scale, this one put the entire state of Hawaii (all 7 islands) in crisis mode. I didnt even know it was an earthquake at first, only because I was driving back home from taking Dan to work. It was raining like crazy and there were already heaps of accidents on the road because of the rain...so I was driving miss daisy on the freeway at 45 mph! Hehehe. I was not crash another car and my mama was fuki moy ulu. No fank-it!

So on the way home, my radio dies out, my phone cant make or receive any calls, and Im like.....what tha?!?! Come to find out, all electricity on the entire island of Oahu is down. So Im like, SHIT YEAH! Does this mean I get the day off?!?! But since I cant make any phone calls to check, I have to get ready and go to work anyway, because if I dont show up and we miraculously have generators or somethin, my ass is totally fired. LoL. So I get there and tada! surprise surprise, no electricity in Kapolei either and no bloody generator. Everybody showed up to work, except the cooks! Hows that?! We would have an open restaurant in the middle of a crisis, and nobody to cook da food! Anybody for peanut butter and jelly sandwich with warm milk? That would be $12.95...there's inflation during crises, ya know!

So I get sent home "on-call" in case the electricity comes back on and we need to feed people after they already ran to stores to stock up on rice, spam, and toilet paper. In Hawaii, whenever a hurricane is comin or whatnot, those are the first to go! Cant survive without spam, rice and toilet paper! Ends up the electricity is out for 12 hours!!! From 7 in da morning to 6:30pm. So that meant no tv, computer, oven or stove, fans, anything! I spent the whole day playing scrabble, connect four, reading a book (that ive been trying to finish since may! hahaha loser, I know!) and talking to my family like we all actually like eachother. Haha. What did we do for food ya ask? Well, my grandma made some mean short ribs, teriyaki patties, and rice on da barbecue grill. She watches too much survivor!! Maybe we should send her on there and make her win us a million bucks. Nah....she would prolly be the first to get voted off the island. From trying to manipulate everyone. You know how old Samoan ladies are.....cunniving little women!! Hahahaha.

Anyway, that was my day. And now I feel like Im getting the flu. So Im taking the day off! Hoh! Hehehe. Thank God that nobody got hurt and our house is still in one big ol piece. Prayers go out to the people living on the Big Island where most of the damage occured.

See....I have a heart!!

Random thought....

2006-10-10T00:18:00.000-07:00

Before I met Dan I always told people there are 3 men in this world whom I would marry on the spot, no questions asked. Here they are....

The ROCK....

Why? Well DUH! Are you blind?!

Afatia Thompson....

Former UH Football Player, his new CD just got released, and he's F'n HOTT!

And it used to be Marques Tuiasosopo (Raiders Quarterback), but he sucks so he has to be bumped off the list and replaced by none other than
CHANNING TATUM.....

Major HOTTIE...and homeboy can DANCE!!!

But right now Im in love with
DAN ASUAO.....

He's my angel, my knight in shining armor, the one who puts up with my shit! LoL.

But to be honest, Id marry ANY of the above no questions asked! LoL. Let's just see who asks first, huh?! I wouldnt hold my breath!!!!

I'm bringin SEXY Back! Bahahahaha!!!

2006-10-09T23:04:00.000-07:00

OKay okay okay.....Im finally writing a post! I dont really know what to say, but it seems like my fans miss me. Yep, all 2 of you! And they happen to be my cousins which makes the situation a lot more pathetic than it seems. I mean c'mon....they have no choice but to love me :P Or ACT like it!!! Bahahahaha.

So lately I have done nothing with my life but work and make money. And I've become really good at avoiding real decision making situations. Like a wise person once said, "It's all about mind over matter....if you dont mind, it dont matter!" Was that Bhuddah? Confucious? Oh no, it was my cousin Nanny!! Haha! Nowadays my biggest concern is what to wear to work. Oh the drama!

I guess Im not really over being back home...and taking a semester leave of absence because my classes are retarded and I dont need them to graduate. But mostly because Im retarded and I need a break! Im gonna be a teacher people....I'll be stuck in school for the rest of moy loyfe! I need a break....and Im a fat gurl, so my heart cant handle this shit! LoL.

Anyway, my trip to Samunda was GREAT! It kicked ass! I had heaps of fun and I wish I was still there. I caught up with my FAVORITE cuzzies, met some family i never knew i had! and I met a lot of great people. The clubs were closed and that was a bummer, but that didnt stop us from having fun!!! And I also got to spend time with Dan's family which was really nice. I THINK they like me all right and I really like them, which looks like a good sign for the future! Hehe. He's really great with my family here so it was really important to me to spend time with them and get to know them and prove how much I love Dan. Cuz we're both Samoan and we both know if we marry eachother, we marry our families! Scuurrrry aye? Tell me bout it!

And so nowadays Im even MORE obssessed with wedding stuff. I can watch wedding specials and tv shows all day, its sickening! Like any other girl, I dream about my wedding day. But now its like I dream 24/7 and in color....with commentary! I am constantly watching 'Whose Wedding is it anyway?", "Platinum Weddings", "Celebrity Weddings", "Wedding Cake Challenge", and "Bridezilla"....the latter being my favorite of course, cuz ya know Imma be a BRIDEZILLA! And I like to laugh at other people's drama. Hahaha. Dont act like you dont! So i've come up with a few ideas for my wedding- to be held in Samunda of course!- unless Dan gives in and we get hitched by Elvis in Vegas or some crazy selfish shit like that. So im not gonna bore the shit out of you OR give away my plans, so we'll just leave it at that. But if you're my bridesmaid, just rest assured that I will not let you look tacky on my wedding day. And I will try my best to persuade Dan not to choose fugly friends for his line. Scouts honor!

OKay thats all I can really think of right now. Well, all that I can share with the public of course! Dan's sleeping and nobody's online....so Im off to wake him up cuz Im bored! Muahaha! Fa laia pai pai!

Samoa here I come!!

2006-07-29T00:46:00.000-07:00

Hee hee hee. Can you tell Im excited or what?! I have exactly 4 days left on this rock. Four days of grandma's nagging, picky customers, screaming little monkeys, crazy aunties, and everything else that gets on my nerves every single day of my mundane life. I am off to paradise where I can relaxe and not worry about anything. Well, knowing me I'll find something to worry about, but nothing related to my immediate family, work or school. hee hee hee.

I cant wait to see my family in Samoa. I get to spend some time with my little brothers and sister. I miss them so much. I miss my weekends of babysitting my little monkeys Tenari and Sam. I miss my cousins!! You know who you are! LoL. I cant wait to party with tia and nan. Spend the night gettin trashed and dancin our butts off. Or stay up late talkin story about guys and family and dreams, etc. etc. etc. I wanna meet my lil niece Gwen and baby nephew Aurick. I wanna see my aunties and uncles who remind me so much of my daddy. I'm so effin excited and I cant hide it! LoL. PLUS, I'll be meeting almost all of Dan's family as his official girlfriend and vice versa for him (as my official boyfriend DURR!) Talk about scurrrred!! Hahaha. Im nervous but Im still really excited to meet them. But extra emphasis on the NERVOUS part!! LoL.

But I'm still sad because I'll be away from Dan for two weeks. I know its only 2 weeks, but for a whole year now we've never been apart for more than a day. Of course we both get busy and sometimes only see eachother for an hour or so in a day, but at least we both know we're sleeping under the same roof each night. He says I shouldnt worry and I should just have fun and not think about him too much, but thats kinda hard after a year of living together. Plus, I wont be able to see my little monkey Shardae. As much as she gets on my nerves, she's still my lil monkeybums and practically my own kid. And I'll be missing her first birthday here in Hawaii. I guess I'll just have to make it up with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese, now wont I?? Hehehe.

Man....so much to do in FOUR days!!! Still got heaps of shopping to do. Hee hee hee. Thats the fun part of course! So anyway, I'll try to curb the enthusiasm for the next few days until I finally get to Samoa. Gotta keep it real for a while before I lose my sanity- however little I may have left!

Blog on my brothas and sistahs!

Torn Between Two Jobs

2006-07-08T22:07:00.000-07:00

For those of you who dont know (or cant tell by now) I am a poor ass student. LoL. I have two jobs and I bust my ass to make money while still being a full-time student. For what reason? About a million of them. Mostly because I think I am bi-polar due to my excessive spending and random explosions of violence. Ahar! I kid, I kid! I have credit cards and I am part-Chinese-- meaning; I have a dire need to save money and accumulate millions before I die. Hehehe. Im such a wisher.

Anyway, my first job is where I work at most of the time. Monday through Friday you can call me "Miss Dez" and find me at Ho'ae'ae Community Park teaching elementary students stupid fun stuff they can't learn at school- like arts & crafts, dance and creative drama. Trust me, the students and I learn TOGETHER. Most of the time is spent hitting kids in the head with rubber balls during Shambattle (a version of dodgeball) or getting beat by 10 year olds in basketball. Ahar ahar ahar. Anyway, I grew up at that park and have been there for four years. The pay is good, I basically dont have to think, the kids are great and my co-workers are farkin funny. What more can I ask?! Well....ugh....for like MORE hours maybe? Since its only a part-time position during the school year, I basically cant get more than 20 hours of work a week. It's enough to get the bills paid, but it aint enough to get mama a brand new bag if ya know what I mean. I totally BANK during the summer, but then all that money is applied to the basic neccessities of life-- bills, food, entertainment, clothing, accessories, gas money, shoes, nails, hair, etc. etc. etc. Definitely not enough for the fun stuff in life, like TRAVEL!!!

Henceforth, the second job. It's only on the weekends, I get to meet really cool people and my co-workers are so much fun to work with. Not to mention the really great tips. NO, Im not a stripper! Honey please, people would pay me to keep my clothes ON, okaaaay?! I'm a waitress at Hapa Grill. I've been there for a year now (after only expecting to stay a few months to make some extra money. LoL) It's not the most glamorous job, but I like it. And Im good at it. And I think its fun... most of the time. LoL. But the shitty thing about it is, I HAVE NO DAYS OFF!! I am tired as hell and I NEVERRRR get to do anything fun anymore. I dont know who I am. I used to be the freakin party hotline and I knew what was goin on every weekend. Nowadays, I'm lucky enough to know what movies are out in theaters this week. I bust my ass even more in school just to keep my grades up. Physically, its killin me and emotionally its draining. Because while my friends are graduating and partyin it up, Im worried about going into work early the next morning and how much money is in my savings so I can do the things I want and get the things I want. I get angry and jealous at people who have it easy and never have to earn the things they get and want; but then I realize that I would never have it any other way. My parents taught me that I have to work hard to earn a place in this world and the finer things in life. I have worked and held jobs since I was 13 years old. I take pride in the fact that Im putting myself through school and pay my own bills and buy my own things. I travel with my own money. I am officially a freakin grown up. And as shitty as it may be, I am damn proud of it!

Such a Sinner...

2006-05-26T01:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, I guess even after all the guilt-trips from my grandmother, my aunt and uncle from new zealand, and our parish priest...I decided to watch The Da Vinci Code since I loved the book. Plus, I wanted to see what the big deal was. There was already heated debate with the book alone, but now that a multi-million dollar movie was made catholics the world over decided to stand united against the so-called heresy committed against our Christian Lord.

In my opinion (whatever value that has to you :P)....movie was no big deal! Extremely entertaining, but nothing worth changing my faith for! In fact, I think the church needed this movie to be released. I think after watching the movie and understanding the concepts presented, it compels one to question their faith- not in a way to disregard it or turn against it, but to reflect on the meaning of their own devotion to religion. In layman's terms, the movie allows the Christian faith to weed out the true believers. Are Christians who are founded on the divinity of Jesus Christ so willing to drop everything they believed in for centuries because of a few opposing concepts? I for one refuse to allow everything I believed (and continue to believe in) for the past 22 years go directly down the toilet all because someone wrote a very entertaining book around myths and theories surrounding our faith. But I'm not saying its completely IMPOSSIBLE either!

History has been plagued by bias and prejudice since the dawn of man. What people have written or passed on from the past are only select pieces of what they wanted the future to remember. Stories have lost their authenticity and sometimes completely changed meaning over time. Look at American history. Textbooks are filled from cover to cover with the "accomplishments" of white men. Women have dubbed it HIS-STORY due to the sexist approach of ommitting the many achievements and endeavors women have contributed to society and the course of our history. African Americans and other minorities are only given short excerpts in our textbooks leading our youth to believe that they played no part in our past. Events of the past often look very different through the eyes of different people. So why can't these ideas and theories be true?

In our education classes at UH (see, I DO learn some stuff!), we are taught that the essence of education and our purpose as an educator is to present students with different perspectives so that they can make their own decisions about what they want to believe. We cannot simply tell them what to believe. Plus, it means more to people when they feel that they have been given the freedom and the ability to make educated decisions. Kinda like the whole monopoly thing in business- competition is liberating for consumers; they are given many products, services and providers to choose from and the freedom to choose where to spend their money. Why can't this apply to religion? The lead character summed it up quite well at the end- it all boils down to what you believe in.

Okay, maybe I got a little out of hand with the whole thing, but I think everyone else in the world did too. If the church really wanted to ban the movie, they wouldnt cause so much media and frenzy over it. By causing all the drama, they are only encouraging and feeding the curiosity of people like me. So in my opinion, put down your pitchforks and stop burning crosses! Take a moment to reflect on your religion. It might just make you a born-again Christian!

Three reasons a girl would go insane...

2006-05-26T01:18:00.000-07:00

My little cousins Faustina (5 years old), Shardae (3 years old) {pronounced SHA-DAY}, and Talialia'i (2 years old...and the biggest of them all!)

My house is never quiet.

And I am always tired.

Damn kids.

:)

Pacific Island Studies

2006-04-21T02:05:00.000-07:00

I guess the last two posts were just me being a cry baby :) So I figured since I cant sleep after that long ass nap I took this afternoon after school, Id write about some of the exciting new concepts Ive been studying in school.

Okay, so we all know that Im like 30 years from graduating with my B.Ed in Business Marketing Education. Even so, Ive started taking some courses for my Masters degree in Pacific Island Studies (wishful thinking, aye?). But after taking the Consumption in Oceania and the Contemporary Pacific classes, I know that this is an avenue of education that I want to pursue. Teaching has become my dream, and now the idea of teaching in the Pacific or about the Pacific has become my passion.

Having grown up as a "displaced" Samoan in the diaspora, my knowledge of the "Pacific" was limited to Hawaii and whatever my parents and elders told me about Samoa...not to mention whatever I had managed to learn at my many encounters with the Polynesian Cultural Center as tour guide and host. I never really opened my eyes to the many issues that plague our Pacific Island people throughout the region. Coups in the Solomons, Fiji and Papua New Guinea... poor health facilities... devastating legacies of colonialism... culture and language loss... these are just a few of the many problems that occur between our islands.

As a former marketing student, I have always been fascinated by consumption practices. I guess having been in marketing classes, working in retail and sales as well as food service, the amount of money I made depended on how well I could "sell" a product. I always looked at consumerism positively (well duh! telling people what they want to hear buys mama a new pair a shoes!) Yet this course explores the negative aspects of western consumption practices as it pertains to the Pacific. Island nations in Oceania cannot thrive nor support the western style of conspicuous consumption and selfish wasteful consumerism. Where instant gratification reigns supreme and debt is abundant, Americans earn enough to scrape through. We put ourselves through the daily 9 to 5 with hopes of good tax returns or christmas bonuses and the occasional raise so that we might be able to pay off that yacht we put on our Visa or Mastercard before we die. okay, okay....maybe not a yacht but you know what I mean! But what about people in the Pacific who learn to want and desire the same material things? In many cases, these products are not needed in daily life. Objects have become too easily imbued with meaning and given prestige for more than what they are really worth. People (and I mean ANY people- American and Pacific Islander alike) become infatuated and obssessed with brand names and ridiculously fetishize them. Its crazy! You wouldnt have to look far to see the impacts of these concepts in the Pacific.

Okay....maybe Im only writing this because I got my credit card bill today :(

Off to bed. Gotta work all day tomorrow.

My name is Desiree and I am addicted to reckless consumption.

...cant sleep...

2006-04-19T02:26:00.000-07:00

Well what do you know...11:24pm, what should be an end to a very UNproductive night, isnt the end quite yet. I cant sleep. I wish I had someone to talk to. I dont know who. But just anyone. I guess thats when this thing comes in handy. Lots of emotions goin thru me at the moment. Most of em not so good. Just need a good cry I guess. I dont want people in my house to know Im crying. Grandma will think me and Dan are fighting. Dan will get upset because he'll think its his fault when he doesnt think he's done anything wrong. And he hasnt. Im just sad. Cant a girl just be sad once in a while? Without having to justify every tear?

Times like these, I usually like to just sit outside and talk to my dad. Yeah I know...kinda crazy. But it would make me feel better. I could cry and talk really softly so nobody could hear. But I felt better thinking he was there listening. And in the end, I knew what he would say if he were really there. Somehow he would always find a way to make me smile. No matter how much it hurt. And he would make me feel stronger and courageous. Funny how a daddy can make a girl feel, huh? I wish there were somebody else like that now. I know a lot of people who would be willing to listen....but nobody I feel so comfortable with. Nobody who understands me so well.

What a coincidence....my cousin Nee is texting me. Ooh, and Nan is online. I guess I have an angel out there who knows I really needed someone to talk to :)

Too Little, Too Late

2006-04-18T22:32:00.000-07:00

Why do I put myself through all this torture?

3 weeks left in the semester. 6 projects, 4 finals, and a bunch of late essays. Holy Moses. Its gonna be a long three weeks for me. Plese keep me in your prayers. Also, dont hate me if you try to contact me and I do not reply. Because knowing me, I will be extremely busy with schoolwork, yet 60% of the time will be spent complaining about the schoolwork and resting from migraines. 10% of the time will be strictly THINKING about the task. 8% for execution of the project. and remaining 12% to be spent checking email, writing in here, and whatever nonsense I find important at the moment. Oh yeah, and did I mention Im stupid enough to have 2 jobs?! Why Lord?! Whyyyyyyy??????

Okay enough of that. I think I should go pedal my bike and work on my notes for my essay on Albert Wendt's "Sons for the return home". Yeah like....3 weeks overdue! Nah...you know I lie. The hubby just came home. LoL. PUGI!

So EMO!

2006-04-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

Yeah I heard a faafafige tell me that. Short for "So Emotional"! LoL.

Okay so Im up early this morning. Went to take Dan to work, had some breakfast and coffee and camping out on the comp to finish up this assignment for my IS 407 class before I head on out to school all the way at UH-Manoa. Its gonna be a long day for me. Four classes back to back. No breaks. From 10:30 to 4:30. Grrr....how I hate tuesdays and thursdays. Oh and as a warning to you, I just had some coffee so dont mind me if I seem to ramble on from subject to farkin subject without making any sense at all.

ANYWAY, back to the point. Instead of going straight into my assignment, I decide to check the web for whatever might spark my interest for a few minutes while I still try to wake up. I check my cousin Nan's blogspot and she's posted a new blog about our beloved grandmother who has passed a few years back. And then the waterworks go into full blast. I cant stop crying. I cant think straight. I dont want to leave my dreamworld of memories. I want to stay in the moment where Im back in Sinamoga on Aunty Paugata's porch sitting next to Mama and holding her hand. With my Daddy next to me. Talking about what Im gonna do for school. I dont want to leave. I can still feel her soft frail hands and I can hear my daddy's voice. I feel safe. Happy. Loved. I wish all time would just stop and I can go back to that moment. I would give my soul to be able to see them again. To have just one more moment.

They were both taken away so abruptly. I never had a chance to say goodbye. No more hugs. No more kisses. No more moments of love.

Rest in Peace Mama and Daddy. You are in my heart forever and always.

Back to reality now.....

what color are you?

2006-04-15T17:28:00.000-07:00

Some of my cousins took this quiz. Just thought Id see what its all about :) I guess you can say its pretty true. LoL.

Your true color is Brown!

What's Your True Color?
Brought to you by Tickle

You're brown, a credible, stable color that's reminiscent of fine wood, rich leather, and wistful melancholy. Most likely, you're a logical, practical person ruled more by your head than your heart. With your inquisitive mind and insatiable curiosity, you're probably a great problem solver. And you always gather all of the facts before coming to a timely, informed decision. Easily intrigued, you're constantly finding new ways to challenge your mind, whether it's by reading the newspaper, playing a trivia game, or composing a piece of music. Brown is an impartial, neutral color, which means you tend to see the difference between fact and opinion easily and are open to many points of view. Trustworthy and steady, you really are a brown at heart.

Hello

2006-04-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

My first blog....

Hmm...what to say, what to say. I guess I onyl signed up for this thing so I can comment on my cousin's pages. LoL. But now that I think about it, its a good way to vent about life's frustrations and bloat about little triumphs here and there.

So I guess I'll just talk about whatever comes to mind right now. At the moment, Im a little upset with my boyfriend. Its no big deal, but he made a comment that I really dont appreciate, so Im ignoring him at the moment. LoL. PLUS....his friends keep calling him every 5 minutes to come drink with them at a BBQ. Sorry bro...no way in hell Im driving you all the way over there to drink with your friends and eat meat on the last friday of Lent. I know Im beyond miracles as far as being "saved from the depths of the firey pits of hell"; but at least let me act like a good catholic girl on the last friday of Lent. LoL. AND, asking to use the car to go somewhere other than school or work is like sacrificing yourself to the sharks. My grandma is one tough bugger. LoL.

For those of you who are privileged enough NOT to know me, all I can say is be GLAD! I live a busy life and have no time for making new friends or hanging out. Unfortunately to say, my life has changed a lot in the past year or so. Im not the same REE that I used to be. I dont party hard, waste my money (well...not as much as I used to! I swear!), have time to just chill and hang out. Im still a fulltime University student (who will prolly NEVER graduate!) and I work two jobs, not to mention still help out at home and obey my grandmother (to a certain extent). I have a lot more responsibilities than someone my age should have. I wish I were still 5 years old! I live with my boyfriend, so thats the only time we get to spend with eachother. On my rare days off or at night when we're both tired as hell.

I have 2 sisters and 3 brothers. 2 nephews. And heaps and heaps of cousins, aunts and uncles and their kids and neighbors and friends and in-laws and co-workers and yada yada yada. Im Samoan. What do you expect? LoL. Nah but, I have a lot of friends and rellies that I hold dear to my heart and love them like brothers and sisters. Wow. Sounds like Im so loving, doesnt it? Yeah right. Just a bunch of words. LoL.

Anyway, this is my blogspot. I gotta go nap before I go to church. I need redemption and salvation, remember?? LoL. Take care people. And remember, these blogs contain simple thoughts and random arguments. So like the heading suggests, BEWARE OF RECKLESS CONSUMPTION!!!