Live, love, laugh, & BREATHE!

 

-- Appreciate everything you have and soak it all in, there are other people who have it worst than you. 

Proud to be Tongan

Man oh man, I can't tell you enough how much of a fob I am at heart. I loooooooove listening to Tongan music and you'd be surprise the kind of Tongan jams I have on my laptop. Being that I've never been to Tonga in my life I know its a blessing how much I know about my culture. Nowadays, our generation is so Americanized we are starting to lose our Tongan culture ways. I fear at times how the future will look like if all of our parents, grandparents, and older relatives leave this earth. I pray our Tongan culture will never die and that our generation will step up and learn its ways. I know for a fact, I will take my own children to Tonga if I have to. Or maybe, I shall say I WILL when they are old enough to understand things. Ever since I can remember my parents always made it a priority to speak Tongan in our household growing up. Tongan was also my first language and I learn English when I started school. I was such a shy person, I admit I used to hate speaking in Tongan as a little kid in public but now I embrace my culture and don't even get embarrassed speaking it. My Dad always taught me to always remember where my roots came from. My Daddy was born & raised in Houma, Tongatapu. My Mom was born in Nomuka and raised in Navutoka. I love claiming where they're from because it is a part of me. In New Zealand, I first started learning how to ta'uolunga when I was in year 2 or (2nd grade). My teacher was Tongan and she taught us how to do a ta'uolunga to the song "Fotu'i 'e la'a" which is a royal tongan song so I've heard. And ever since then my Mom always took me to my aunty Malia Nive Palu in NZ to teach me how to dance. I can't tell you how upset I was being a kid and forced to learn a ta'uolunga. By the time I was 9 years old before we moved here to the US I had one week to learn 3 dances. ONE WEEK! When I put everything aside and told myself do it, it became easier. My aunt was surprised how good my memory is and even until Today I still remember the dances. That's when it came to my realization that Ta'uolunga was a talent. I danced throughout my life and competed in Ta'uolunga pagents. All of them I became first place. It was only fun knowing I got to win a big amout of cash but I was only a little kid so I would only get like 10%. LOL! I love being able to teach other girls how to dance and loooove seeing them enjoy dancing. I won't say I'm a pro, well maybe a little at speaking and writing. I mean, all my life I've spoken Tongan even today. Being Tongan has made a big impact in my life, from learning the meaning of faka'apa'apa (respect) and anga faka tonga (tongan ways). One thing I remember my Mom always taught me, "ako ke ke nima poto he ka iai ha aho teu mate ai, oku ke poto pe he me'a ke fai". I literally hate hearing those words but they are words of encouragement to my fakapikopiko (lazy) self. Anything from pelu (folding) koloas to helping out at funerals, etc. I have been getting better at it. Whenever we have family funerals my sister & I are always willing to help, you won't ever see us sit aside and not do anything. I'm glad my mom taught us that because people always thank my sister and I for having a great Mom to teach us those things. Being Tongan can be hard and complicated but I wouldn't want to have it any other way.

Me, Myself, & I

Can I say, I'm baaaaaaaack once again... I couldn't have resisted staying away too long from you homie! Kinda need to getaway from the real world. I need something to jot down my thoughts, ideas, and just plain & simple life momentos! I don't think I need to introduce myself but allow me again, my full name is Lisia Opeti. My pops thought tough about my future with all the long hard pronouncing Tongan names he made my life much easier with blessing me with just a simple first name. Simple yet special.. I'm the only person in my whole family named after my Grandpa's sister. All I know about her was she was such a wonderful woman. We can all say that about someone but she real life was a great person. I was born in the land of the long white clouds... aka the greatest country in the world, NEW ZEALAND! *ding ding ding* I myself am a native. Grew up in Auckland in the south side Otara. Sounding way to gangsta but can't lie it is the ghetto part of Auckland. My family and I migrated to the US of A when I was 9 years old. That was a major change in my life. Coming from a neighborhood full of Polynesians and Maori's to a whole different scenery of all kinds of people. Never in my life have I seen a Mexican or African American, always on TV but never in real life. I think that's when I first realized there was a lot of poverty in Oakland where I first lived. In New Zealand I never seen people stand around on corners or people sleeping outside as a kid. But now that I look back it only made me appreciate all that I have. The roof over my head, food on my table, water to shower, etc. Not all people are fortunate to have all these things and I'm blessed. I have been born of goodly parents, who have loved, cared, and nurtured me to be the woman I am today. I am the eldest of 5 and with the perks of being a boss lady it comes with major responsibilities and a being a 2nd mother to them when my Mom isn't home. I love my siblings more then life itself. I'd give anything just to keep them safe and happy. My dreams for the future is to finish school and work in the immigration field or anything that has to do with that. From my own personal experiences I know exactly how it feels to be an immigrant and the many opportunities turned down because of our status. Yet, I have so much faith that one day I'll be able to have a chance to work hard for my family and my people, and my community. Last but not least, I am an LDS member. My biggest blessing of all! Despite my imperfections I believe this gospel has paved me on the path that I'm on. I'd be a lost soul w/o it. Everyone in this world come from all different religious views but I am one out of 14 million lds members in this world. I can only say that what I believe in has been a big impact in my life. From standards to life lessons. Well, I guess this is a small piece of me you've read.. and this is only the beginning. 

WELCOME TO MY LIFE.... <3

Yours Sincerely,

Miss Opeti