Family Fiafia in Manurewa!

What a splendiferous day!

There must have been almost 100 people out at Fa'asega's place yesterday. We arrived about 3pm, just as the family arrived back from their huge big group lunch at Happy Days. A karaoke machine was wheeled in, and the fun started :o) Our Samoan friends sure have beautiful voices. And heaps of the songs were Samoan songs, so it was lovely to hear the voices ringing out - just like being back on the motu (island)!

Everyone stood up and said which part of the family they are from, and it was great to see so many people there. I am sure that's not even half of them! Such a huge lot of descendants, all heartily proud of their lineage, heritage and country. That's one of the things I absolutely adore about our Samoan family ... their huge pride in who they are and where they come from :o)

As the evening went on, every family had to do an item, and that is what the fia fia was comprised of. There were adults singing and dancing to traditional Samoan songs, through to the young kids who dressed up as Michael Jackson and did some brilliant dancing to a montage of his greatest hits! Fantastic entertainment.

The Taufua Beach Fale contingent did three numbers, and with Ulalia, Pola, Mepa and Sieni dancing up the front, and Sio, Viali and Vai behind, it was almost like being back on the beach at Lalomanu. Bitter sweet to hear those same songs that we've sang along to and danced to so many times before. Kalofae.

My favourite item of the night though was Luse's 19 year old daughter Evander, who sang a song she had written about the tsunami, called "Sudden Sunsets". It was so beautiful, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who had a few tears. Her cousins Jordon and Gabriel accompanied her on guitar and did back up vocals, and it was an extremely WOW few minutes! Blessings and thanks to those talented three young people for sharing that with us all :o) If only now I could get Luse to record them performing and to put it on youtube ... how amazing it would be to be able to share it with all of you out there.

The committee did an amazing job of putting together the entire program that ran over the Christmas and New Year break, they worked really hard, as did the MC's, Sugar and Spice!! Well done and thanks to you all for allowing us to come and share it with you.

Last night was also our goodbye to Mepa and Tua, as they flew back to Samoa with Galo this morning. But they'll be back soon as Galo starts school on 02 February and Mepa starts Uni the last week in Feb. So lots of planning to do, and Mepa needs to get back here and find a new laptop!! lol

It was great to see Sili too, he looks very well and relaxed although I think he's missing Samoa, and Tai. Ake was in fine form, I have a great vid that I'll upload later! She is such a scamp! lol

Uncle Ben Taufua was there too, and I really enjoyed having a good talk to him about the building progress and how things are coming along over there. It's ages since I'd seen him. He says it's very hard work over there, but they are so determined to succeed and I have no doubt that they will do so! Ben will be travelling back and forwards as much as he can, to lend as much assistance as possible.

Next weekend we have another really special treat in store; me, Greg and Peter are going down to Raglan on Sunday with Fa'asega and the crew, to meet up with Diane, Brent, Andrew and many of the other kiwis who were staying at Taufua Beach Fales on the day of the tsunami, 29 September. It will be nice to meet up with them again, and for them also to spend some time with the Taufua family. I'm really looking forward to it, and  Fa'asega is too! She's really excited about the visit, and has even hired a van already to transport everyone down there.

Later today I'll get some photos up here and on Facebook of yesterday's fiafia. Just having a very cruisy day today --- I feel like I need it!

Alofa tele to all :o)