Boulevard of Bumps

For Smiley's 7th Birthday we went to a small island called Namua, we had it practically to ourselves! It was a kids dream come true.  There was a supervising adult Beachside accommodation A Samoan playset Skull Cakes The Boatman, taking us home It was a great start to Seven And as always the Lego god visited, even in Samoa.

For the last couple of months Smiley has posed questions for the family in the form of; What would be betterer?                        A lava flow in your back yard or a                                  waterfall?                        A pet dog or a pet cheetah?                        Or What would be worser?                        Being chased by a lion or a cheetah?                        Having your eye poked out or having                         your  whole head explode? Tonight is the last time he will be 6 and he is ...

50 years ago a treaty of friendship was signed between Samoa and New Zealand. To celebrate the New Zealand High Commission invited 6 Kiwi artists with Samoan Heritage to come and play. Thanks to my school connections I got to hang out with two very cool women who made art with the local kids and teachers. We have had a lot of fun and they didn't mind that I am not a New Zealander.   One of the key events was the opening of a Community Centre in Poutasi, a village devastated by the 2009 Tsunami.   The Prime Minister of New Zealand John Keys was there and beside me is his very relaxed minder Robbie, whose birthday it was that day.  An Exhibition of Fatu Feu'u's work opened the centre, that is Fatu with the Prime Minister above. After we went out the back to watch a local rugby game and witness the presentation of gifts for John Keys.  4 pigs, 3 quartered cows, umpteen fine mats, siapo (tapa) and many fish. ...