GOING OUT WITH A BANG

Okay so everyone says Sacramento, CA is so boring...but for me, I LOVE IT HERE! No it's not because of old downtown, beautiful grass, farms, etc lol, it's because of my BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!


The past two days I've been hanging out with my lil cousins- unfortunately all my girl cousins who are my age are out on their missions (I mean that's a good thing right?:) ) Yesterday, started out watching the YW practice their tauolunga and practice their "Doing the most" faces. lol. Then we went to Hometown...mm mm good! Stuffed and Satisfied is what happened:)  

Don't look into my eyes, it's dangerous!;)

Last night I went with the "evil" click to the Liahona ward dance. It was okay...I mean, I got to do what I love, DANCE! And I met up with a lot of old faces, family of course! Afterwards we went to Cetos...aka Betos. lol. So fun just to hang out, make fun of each other (KIORAAAA, "Nevermind I'll find someone like yooooouuu, "Como la flor" ..) etc. How about I was dying to make a music video but I was singing aaall my myself- embarrassing! I DON'T CARE. Anything to make my family laugh and have a good time haha. Like seriously, there are only a few people that can crack me up, most of them being my family on my mum's side. 

Liberty, Lata, Lu (three L's for LOSERS with LOVE! hush, Moni lol)

Now we are getting ready for the REAL New Year's Dance....I said to my bro today, "I'm so freaking excited to see everyone" and He goes, "Well no one wants to see you!" everyone laughed. Rude! If it ain't love or the gospel that makes me the HAPPIEST, it's with my fambam. 

OUT WITH THE BAD RESULTS OF 2011, IN WITH A GOOD START 2012...

THIS IS THEE YEAR....WOOOHOOO EXCITED FOR MYSELF

Everyday blessings*

So a couple days ago I was going through a rough spot in my life...some may guess a heartbreak, a loss, a rejection, a failure, etc... some may guess right, some may guess wrong lol. I started looking for guidance through friends, family, scriptures, prayers...I was confused because it happened unexpectedly. I thought that I did everything I could to keep this blessing but unfortunately it wasn't enough. I started feeling lonely, unaccomplished, worthless (and all the other thoughts that Satan can torture a person with).


BUT, I STARTED TO COUNT MY MANY BLESSINGS.


My BFF told me to grab a piece of paper and write at least 100 blessings that I have in my life. I actually read that in one of the ensign issues...so I got busy...ok, to be honest I didn't get to 100 but I GOT THE IDEA. A lot of the times we fail to realize the everyday blessings we have. From the running water, to the roof over our heads, to working vehicles, to people in our lives, etc. 


It's so funny because even after that specific change in my life, things went to normal after a few days. It's as if nothing ever happened. (Trying to figure out if that's a good or bad thing lol) I STILL have the people I love, I'm STILL healthy (well, getting sick), and I'm still considered blessed in a lot of ways. So with this blog, I have a few suggestions if you ever feel down:


1. Write 100 blessings you already have (believe it or not, you have more!)
2. KNOW YOU ARE WORTH SO MUCH! (Because you really are, love yourself!)
3. PRAY & READ YOUR SCRIPTURES (you may think, okay that is like the typical answer you'd give in church but SERIOUSLY, it helps with #2)
4. Talk to someone (don't tell the whole world but if you need to cry and let it out, doooo it, it's healthy)
5. Stay busy (Get up, get out, get going)
6. Work out (I haven't done this for this time around but I have before, it works)
7. Do what you love (I love dancing, thanks ATOP I'm excited for tonight's practice and thanks sis Tessi Toluta'u for dancing opportunities)
8. Explore your other options (whether it's traveling, trying new restaurants, dating, new style, etc)
9. Spend time with kids (Ok, well this I just love, but I think kids also make you feel like you're the coolest person around)
10. Write Missionaries (I LOVE GETTING EMAILS FROM THEM, THANKS Sister Pulu, Sister Kafu, Sister Vaki, Sister Tupou, Sister Heimuli, Elder Heimuli, Elder Masiva,  and Elder Lao)

ALL IN ALL, remember that you are a son or daughter of God! He thinks the WORLD (and more) of you! I know this for myself.... If someone or something makes you feel less than that, don't waste your time on them. For me, I know that this bump in my life is only because the road leads to the "mountain." I can't wait for that moment...and when I'm there, I'll look back on the bumps, the curves, and the uneven pavement and stand on that mountain in the big beautiful white building and say, "Wow, I did it!"  

Christmas*

During this past week I was reminded of the REAL meaning of Christmas...a day to celebrate the birth and life of Jesus Christ here on earth. But this year, it was a lil different for me...


I thought alot about Mary and her strength as a mother to the Savior of the world. How big of a responsibility she had to nurture Jesus Christ. What types of things prepared such a woman? It didn't start when the angel appeared and told them that she would be carrying the Savior, it started way before that. I believe that everyone has a specific calling on earth and for ALL women, it is to be mothers (if not mothers, show motherly kindness to all God's children).


I had attended a missionary farewell yesterday (Sister Nancy Otukolo) and something she testified to was the strength of her mother. I, too, admire the attributes of this very woman, Linda. For the past few years I have been best friends with her daughters and I have seen her faithfully live through trials and 'never did she doubt God and question His love for her family.' SHE IS AN AMAAAZING WOMAN and I love her for who she is and how she has reared her children.

My mother is a similar character...my mum's name pretty much explains who she is: Tuimoeofa, which means, faith and love. Growing up, I would be so annoyed with the advice she'd give me because alot of those times, they weren't aligned with what I wanted to hear. But now that I am a grown woman, I've learned that she has been through similar things before me. So I've taken her time and teachings much more seriously than I have before. I mean, I'm not going to lie, there are STILL things we disagree on, but I know she is just looking out for my best interest. My mum is a woman of integrity, faith, diligence, love, etc. For my 5 brothers and I, hands down to her for putting up with us. Love mi madre:)


I was just talking to another mother this morning, Sinai Patetefa...I was praising her for how good of a mother she is to her kids. How willing they are to talk to her as if she were their sister. "Lei, they don't tell me everything but I tell them to do so even if I like it or not, etc..." I admire Nai so much because she has ten billion kids (lol jk, 6 beautiful kids) and the way she rears them is just amazing to me. My bf and I always talk about how she always dresses her kids up when they go places, the older ones could talk to her as if they were cool but definitely respect her as a mother, committed to their activities (school, church or extra-curricular), etc. I believe that the "anga" or way of a child comes a lot from the parenting and Nai has done a great job! Hope my kids are as sweet as them and not some little brats....yikes! lol.


I've been seeing a lot of young mothers lately, most of being my friends. At the farewell I reunited with the twins- Lynn and Jenn who both have one kid and Jenn has another on the way. SO FREAKIN CUTE!:) I kept telling Jenn, "Oh I wish that was my belly!" LOL. Through recent cases of seeing young mothers, I think to myself, "why am I not a mother yet? I am so jealous of all my friends who are married and have kids already? What's wrong with me?" Okay, many of you might be saying, "Oh trust, you can wait! Have fun while you can! You have tons of time!" But seriously, if there is any calling in the world that I long to have and know I have to prepare for, it is to be a mother. Oh how I long for that day...hahaha, dramatic much? I know....


I guess the Lord has other callings for me to achieve before then...the whole "Miss Tonga" calling has been amazing, and yes I do consider it a blessing. Everything that is placed before me, I always acknowledge God for it. I take it as Him using me through this title as an instrument to share my testimony, be an example, and serve a particular group of people. Maybe this is a step in preparing to be a mother? Or a wife? Or a window to see different ways of motherhood...I have seen mothers in the islands and I've taken notes... many of them are working mothers. 3 main women that I admire are Tafolosa, Clare, and Siangana. The interesting thing about their business is that it is owned by women and they have a common ground that their children always come first. I just love this! So whatever experiences I get through this title,  I know that I must take it as it adds on to the growth and shaping of a better character. 

THERE ARE TONS OF MOTHERS WHO SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR STRENGTH! IF YOU ARE ONE, THANK YOU AND KEEP IT UP! 

Anyways, all in all- Christmas is always a beautiful holiday! This holiday, not only was significant for the life of our Savior, but also the sacrifices of our mothers and the preparations of motherhood for women (hopefully for me, it's in the near future lol).

OFA LAHI ATU!

New Kid on the Block*

Greetings all bloggers!

So it is the first time I've ever written on here so please bare with me for I am not as good as all of you out there:) I decided to start one of these because I don't have a Facebook, nor do I have bebo, orrr twitter, orrr myspace. I guess it's a space to say whatever is on my mind and what's going on in my life- not that anyone is interested LOL.

Have you ever wore those name tags that say, "Hello My Name Is..." ? Well, I'm Liberty Hinalei 'Ataua Fatongiahe'a Fililava Afeaki. LEi for short**  I am the eldest and only daughter of Soane & Tui (Tupou) Afeaki. I have 5 brothers: Lisala, Foueti, Misitana, Semisi, and AJ. Can I just say, I LOVE MY FAMILY! Alot of times at home, I don't express it towards them but I don't know what I would do without them. Seriously:)

I was born and raised (partially) in Sacramento, CA and now I'm here in Salt Lake City, UT. "Are you Mormon?" YES, I AM!! :) So privileged to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's been a tremendous blessing to know of the gospel and if you have any questions, FEEL FREE TO ASK! :)

It's coming to the end of the year, and boy I can say SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED!! Opportunities & disappointments, but always- LESSONS LEARNED & EXPERIENCES GAINED!

2011, I was looking forward to the year in hopes that God will bless me with a better outcome (since the previous wasn't as great as I hoped it would be).  To begin the year, I was fortunate enough to be crowned as Miss Tonga Utah. At the same time, I was a full-time student at the University of Utah and working at Marriott Springhill Hotel. I learned that just because we lose something, doesn't mean God has forgotten us. It means he wants to bless us in other ways:)

Miss Tonga Utah led me to join the Miss Utah pageant....that was such a great experience! I got to know alot of girls all over Utah and roomed with one of the greatest girls ever- Jazzlyn Nelson! I felt so bad because when I had entered, she had a gift waiting for me on my bed and I had nothing to give in return. So I had hoped that at least my company or personality made up for it- we had tons of fun!! Although I was not placed or won any awards, I was truly grateful for the opportunity to showcase our Polynesian heritage through appearance, talent, and attitude. Hopefully I repped for our peeps;) lol.

Growing up, I've always wanted to join Miss Heilala- this is a national pageant held in Tonga where any girl of Tongan descent is welcomed to join. This was the time to finally accomplish that dream! Even though this year only consisted of 5 girls participating in the pageant, it was challenging. I felt real challenged in the knowledge of my culture and current events in Tonga. Being an overseas contestant might be more difficult than for those who live in Tonga....I say this from experience. Although I would LOVE to say I know EVERYTHING about Tonga in culture, language, and identity- I'm sure critiques may say otherwise. But, that couldn't stop me! I KNEW AND KNOW I AM TONGAN AND I HAVE PRIDE IN THAT...I have the desire to understand and execute my Tonganess amongst society whether it's here in America or in Tonga or anywhere. The theme of the pageant was, "Our people, our future" It is up to the people, Tongans, to preserve our culture, language, identity, etc for the future. Our generation now, we have a responsibility to take the oratories, traditions, etc onto the next generation. I LOVED THE THEME! With that said, I was blessed to be crowned Miss Tonga 2011-2012

You think it stops there? Oh gosh, it is a blessing....I was sent to represent Tonga in the Miss South Pacific Pageant earlier this month. That has been the bestest experience of pageants I've ever had!! I was so happy to have met girls from all over the South Pacific- and yes, we are a unique and profound group of jewels:) Miss Fiji Alisi R. was crowned Miss South Pacific. I loved her!! And I also loved the other girls- Kawena, Miss Hawaii, Sarah, Miss PNG, Uirangi, Miss Cook Islands, Olevia, Miss Samoa, Skyline, Miss American Samoa, Simaema, Miss Solomon Islands, Siniva, Miss Tokelau, and Joyanna, Miss SP 2010-2011! From the rides on the bus, to eating, to sing alongs, to late night swims, to photo shoots, etc...we had a blast!! At least I did. Even though I was not crowned Miss SP, I came in as 2nd Runner up, Miss Personality, and Miss Tourism Award. Love my country!!

Okay so that's it in a nut-shell...for now! lol. There is a big part(s) I'm missing here but I'm too tired to continue on....will update later peepz. Til then, LIVE LAUGH AND LOVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! Don't let a dull moment pass you by because I sure as heck won't;)

LOVE YOU ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT:)