IT'S CHRISTMAS AND IT'S TIME TO SHARE

This blog isn't about the entire family. It only focuses on one individual and her experience, so why not share it with the family?

I'm nursing now my sensitive, swollen nose after getting it pierced on Tuesday afternoon. So my nose is getting soaked in sea salt distilled lukewarm water in a cup twice a day and this is my experience. I got it done at a professional piercing studio called Ploymorph (The first studio in Australia that is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers - I did my homework on them). After countless hours of googling, looking at pictures and checking for health risks (Let me tell you that Piercing Guns are hazardous health wise!!) I was still not able to find a price on how much it actually cost. Why was I researching it in the first place you may ask? Here's how it started.




The other night I had dinner at Neni's house (Ma'ata Tevi's daughter. Ma'ata being first cousin's to Grandpa Solo and Grandma Tuki's Children). Neni is an excellent storyteller and could make you laugh for hours. So after sharing dinner and we were full from the sweet Connoisseur Cookies & Cream and Vienna Ice Cream that satisfied our palate's, we started talking about funny things that happened to us or friends. She told me about an experience of her friend getting her nose pierced at a Nail Salon, of course they specialise in nails, but offered a piercing service as well - as do so many places now a days. Her friend had her nose pierced by a piercing gun, and when the gun let loose for the earring to be pierce through her cartilage (Yes! There is a difference between the two jewelries), the gun got stuck! So as the beautician tried to remove the gun, her nose went with it and her friend yelped in pain asking them to stop. Anyway the basis of the story is, after it bleed her friend waited for the earring in her nose to heal after a few months of people asking her what was sticking out of her nose. Apparently it looked like she had a nail sticking out and it wasn't sitting properly on her nose. She took it out after it healed and it made me think twice about getting it done for $9.

On Tuesday the first thing I thought about was getting my nose pierced and decided I was going to get it done, of course after getting cold feet on Monday and my extensive research over the past week - nailed it. I was so nervous during my bus ride there that I blasted rock music for comfort. I finally reached my destination, but not before walking up and down the street, contemplating what I was actually doing. I was still put off by Neni's friend's experience. I told myself - "Suck it in Lil! Can't be as bad as taking hits on a paintball field". So I ascended slowly up the stairs and filled out the paperwork. I sat quietly on the black leather couches and noticed that there was a display cabinent of their different jewelry in the centre of the room. I decided to skim through the piles of Tattooing Magazines on the coffee table to take my mind off the process I was about to endevour.

"Lillias? Your up next, just make yourself comfortable." The friendly Polymorph Staff with numerous piercings on his face and tattooed arms, named Ben offered with a friendly smile. I offered a weak smile in return and sat awkwardly on the black leather chair that looked like the ones at the dentist. Only more modern and a lot more comfortable. I heard the snap of his surgical gloves and almost jumped out of the chair to run out.

Ben made me feel at ease talking casually and comforting my nervousness that was apparently obvious to him. He made a mark of where he would pierce my nose ring and asked if I was happy with it. I looked at him and said, "You're the Professional, what do you think?" He smiled again and told me that at the end of the day, all that mattered was what I thought. I nodded with confidence and said; "Let's do it!".

He explained what he was going to do and told me that we were going to practice some breathing exercises. I was to take a deep breath just before he pierced my nose and to exhale once the nose ring was through. He must of sensed my display false courage and told me that I could close my eyes. I don't think I could bear to see the needle being up close and personal and I thank the stars I did close my eyes during the process, because I felt two seconds of pain as the instrument pierced through my nose. This was also vividly accompanied by the sound of the sharp needle breaking into my skin and cartilage, which continues to play in my head even as I recall the memory of my experience. I felt something dangling through my nose at this stage and the memory of him fiddling with my nose as he inserted the nose ring.

Ben saw that two huge tears had escaped from my tightly closed eyes and while my eyes were still closed he said that he was going to get a tissue to wipe my tears. The guy was an absolute professional gentlemen as I felt him gently wipe the tears apparent on my face. I was kind of embarrassed that I had tears. But the sensation that shot through me was almost like spraying nasal spray up my nose with a bit of pain. Ben had awoken me from my pain and told me it was finished and asked me what I thought. I looked at it and fell in love with my new accessory. "I love it!" I told him smiling. Ben admitted he was glad and told me his name again and said that if I had any problems to call him or see him straight away. It was almost like going to the doctors, only they gave you accessories on your body when you leave.

Another worker at the counter explained what I needed to do to help with the healing process and told me it was $65. It was $10 for the piercing but the nose ring cost me $55. I groaned inwardly and paid. I walked down the stairs feeling happy and decided to go to Neni's house to show her my new piercing. I hopped on to the bus and blasted my rock music into my ears to comfort the knowledge of my splurge. I don't usually spend money on myself, but this is the first time I've actually enjoyed spending a little money this time (rather than on others). I was still trying to figure out why it was so expensive. I thought it could of been the way it was done and that this was a professional studio. So I pulled out the pamphlet they had given to me in a brown paper bag with my little bag of sea salt. The heading for the pamphlet was "Dangers of piercing guns and poor quality jewellery". I read the informative piece of paper and was shocked that the jewellery that is now nestled in my nose was 18k Solid Gold! I could imagine if I had decided on getting a second piercing that day - $110 splurged on a pair of nose/ear rings!! :)

JUST ONE CALL AWAY

So I placed toothpicks in my eyes as I tried not to doze to sleep while waiting for cousin to come online so we could Skype. Okay, the truth is I plugged my guitar to my amp, as if that wasn't loud enough at 3am this morning and mucked around. I even recorded myself playing with the sound recorder on my laptop and it sounded better early this morning then when I woke up at midday to listen to it again. So my chances of being a rock star has just been shot and now I have to think of a different career path for when I grow up.

Redirecting to what I was getting at in the first place. I wondered what it would be to have everyone Skype online all together at the same time? Obviously you'll have to come to a compromise that suits every ones time zone difference, but that shouldn't be too difficult? Even if we all Skyped for just half an hour? It would be totally awesome. We would literally be sitting in the virtual lounge over a cup of virtual tea or virtual beer, take your pick and conversing through technology for 30 minutes of 1140 minutes in that day. I'm sure it's possible (Lillias' face screws up in uncertainty), but even if we couldn't Skype - chatting online would be fun?

The other day I tried to picture how it will be in ten years time. Would we still be contact with each other? Would we recognise each other if we passed each other on a street in twenty years time? Will our children meet? How close will we be?

I don't want to loose contact. I love that we have Bebo, Facebook, Myspace, Xbox360 (for the die hard Halo freaks who use talking for free online to family as an excuse to play games - lol jokes), telephone/mobiles and skype. It's the only thing that's constantly rejuvenating our non-human contact relationship with each other. Personally I'm more of a face to face type person. I love to see and enjoy what's around me and share it immediately with others.

I wish we could all be together again. Not just that one night we had at Grandma's birthday, but really be together in one place and talk. If I knew then what I know and feel now, I would of spent that night differently. But that was then and this is now, so I'll just have to learn how I'll make it different in the future. To the family far and wide (that's even to my brother who I only see once every two weeks now). I do miss you all!

AMAZING WHAT YOU FIND WHEN YOU THROW OUT ALL THE JUNK

I was on a tireless mission Saturday morning, when I awoke to my mother's adamant cleaning attacks to the bathroom. I'd finally drifted to sleep at five that morning and now I was alert as if woken up violently by my Sargent for early morning drill exercises. I decided to put some music on. What no power? So I checked my television and there was no sign of life. I decided then to check the fridge in case we had a power shortage. Crap! The fridge isn't on! I walked out to see why my mother was attacking the bathroom at eleven in the morning and give her a report of our power failure, but found water gushing from beneath the door. I knocked on the door. "Mum! There's water coming out!". I had managed to opened the door slightly and was shocked to see water dripping from the top of the door. What's going on?!

My Sargent spoke. "Close the door!". I did what I was commanded and searched the house for a mop to soak up the water flowing from the door consistently. Five minutes later my mother emerged from the attacked base and saw a long green hose snaked in through the window. You didn't!, was my first thought. The Sargent had caused the power failure with her attack on the Base Royal Throne or known as bathroom to some. Her mission was accomplished, but at a price. I shook my head, but curbed my tongue and headed back to my base - Mole Hill of Junk.

I spent my entire Saturday rearranging my room that hadn't been changed in over two years. The amount of dust and junk I've collected over the two years was overwhelming. How is it possible that one person alone can fill one room with useless apparatus? My mission was finally complete at 4.36am Sunday morning, after eighteen hours of sifting through junk, paper, doubles of DVDs, Cd's I don't listen to, books that aren't worth keeping, I'm finally in a room that's not only very spacious, but free of debris and reflects my inner creativeness. Bias opinion of myself, but hey! Someone told me I should be less judgemental when it concerns myself.

Among my exhausting mission, I came across a pamphlet that was sent to me. The pamphlet was for events at Riverside Theatre in Parramatta. A comedian by the name of Kahlil Ashanti stood out from all the other performers pictures. It was probably the salute and the title of the show that caught my eye - "Basic Training". From what I've read about the comedian, he isn't just any comedian. He has an interesting story to tell.

BASIC TRAINING
Kahlil Ashanti presents his autobiographical one-man show, Basic Training, Chronicling his time in the military where he learned to serve his country using his talent as his weapon.

Does this sound interesting enough?
I'm hoping it does, I thought it would be a great event for the Sydney and New Castle Crew to go to. But I've gone a step further, considering it was in Sydney, I googled to see if he had a show in New Castle and I found it after so many unsuccessful attempts. Below are the details

Basic Training
Date: 20 June 2009

Venue: Civic Theatre, Hunter Street, Newcastle

Contact Details: Civic Ticketek on (02) 4929 1977 or at www.civicprecinctnewcastle.com.au Cost: Adult $40, Concession $36 Time: 8pm

Kahlil Ashanti returns to Australia having conquered the Edinburgh, Montreal, Vancouver and Melbourne Fringe Festivals with sold out seasons! Ashanti presents his autobiographical one-man show, Basic Training, chronicling his time in the military where he learned to serve his country using his talent as his weapon.

Unfortunately I'm planning to be in the States around this time, so I thought I'll research for you guys and save you the trouble. So either Ben or Boi can look this up, if you guys still haven't booked this before I leave, I'll organise it for you guys. It's a great family event to go to. You could do this as a Friday Night outing and then go paint balling at Hunter Valley on Saturday. I wish I was here to see it, but if you guys go, we could crack a few Coopers and talk about it when I get back. :)

READING MATERIAL - THE LAST TRUE STORY I'LL EVER TELL BY JOHN CRAWFORD

This book was actually passed on by our cousin Benjamin Woodbridge or Ben as most of us know call him. It was a Saturday Night and everyone had pretty much turned out the lights and we were sitting in his garage around the pool table. The only ball sitting on top of the velvet red pool table was a white ball and a cue. I was getting use to being defeated by the "Butcher" as Ben had called himself after a few Coopers, while Boi manage to win a couple of games. But the clear winner was Ben "The Butcher" Woodbridge.

We're beginning to feel the morning dew draft in the room from the door that we had left opened. The open door had captured the view of shadowed grass and the breaking of dawn, where the sky lit pastel navy blue mixed within tiny stars and black skies. Beyond the hills that were still visible in the early hours was Maitland. At this time beers weren't going down so well for Boi, I'd slowed to a halt, while Ben "The Butcher" was getting tired. I think it was either listening to the soundtrack theme song of Black Hawk Down or the theme song for the TV Series Over There, that nailed it. So to end the evening we sparked the BBQ and the boys were on a mission to find food. They came back with chicken fillets that they raided from Bec's Fridge and Ben cracked the first few eggs.

The three of us hovered over the BBQ as if it was life, meanwhile I was reading a book that Ben had suggest I read. The book was given to him by Miya and I quote what Ben told me that night, "It's the only book that I've read cover to cover". Now I've started reading it and it had me hooked from the preface. I've almost finished reading the book, only having time to read it on my way to and from work, which is ten minutes either way, twenty minutes a day. I guess the reason why I'm reading it this way, is to have the book a little longer, as I know I'm approaching the end of the story. If I'd read the entire Twilight Saga in less then a week, then this book would of been finished the night it was given.

The book is an account of man who joined the National Guards to pay for his tuition and on his honeymoon was called to active duty to Iraq. Great read and you almost smell the stench of where they camp, breath the sand of the sand storm and feel the frustration and fear that the rifle your holding is probably useless.

I've almost finished and it will be entrusted into Boi's care for him to read. I just hope he doesn't loose it or I'll hunt him down.

MIKO'S GOT TALENT

Finding out what the family has been up to is kind of hard. Most of the time we find out months later, though the funniest thing about being a Tongan though is that things or news we don't want others to know travels faster. I call this the Tongan Express.

Today I had the chance to quickly chat with our cousin Phyllis-Ruth Tohi (She's Uncle Vili's eldest daughter and Uncle Vili is Grandpa Solo & Grandma Tuki's second eldest son). I found out that her brother Stoney, had just graduated from University and is working in the Treasury. Mind you Stoney graduated in July and I just heard this in December, today to be exact.

But this post is really about Miko. He is Uncle Vili's fourth child out of the six children. The two youngest being twins, Chen Long Tohi and Mark Tohi (aka Mo'unga Tohi). Now these days Miko has been making "home video's on a budget" (as I quote from his youtube page) and what I've posted up is one of his short films. The editing is great and the twins are the actors in this short film. I'm amazed at what Miko has done, his still very young (I'm guessing he might be seventeen now? or eighteen? I should really find out - oops).
Anyway check out his work.

TOHI BABY BOOM - BABY AUSSIE WE AWAIT

As many of you may have read via email not long ago, that the news has been confirmed by the doctor that Miya and Mijal Tohi would be expecting their first child. My first thought was "Wow"! A new life created, a new life growing. That in nine months there will be a new edition to the Tohi family. My second thought was "Oh my gosh! My cousin Miya is going to have a son or daughter!" and I swear I was ready to jump up and down in the house and run out screaming into the back yard to an audience of five cats looking at me as if I've lost my mind.

I can only wait in anticipation for Baby Aussie to arrive. I think the first thing I want to see is when my cousin Miya holds his child for the first time, when he hears the words "Daddy" would surely melt his heart. What a beautiful moment that would be. But for now I'll just enjoy watching Miya making sure his wife is comfortable, making midnight errands for midnight craving fixes and massaging her back and feet when she aches.

Congratulations Miya and Mijal. Remember that I'm here for you both and love you so much and to Baby Aussie I can't wait to see you and hold you. :)

WELCOMING INTO THE WORLD MIA RAE WOODBRIDGE

So I went on the weekend to see the new edition to the family. A beautiful baby girl that goes by the name of Mia Rae Woodbridge. The proud parents, Benjamin Woodbridge & Rebecca Allan welcomed their second daughter last week and I was so glad that I made the trip to see her (along with Marven and Boi). Regardless of the five hour trip that we travelled, when normally it would take three hours by train or two hours by car, my only thought when I saw her peacefully sleeping, was that she was gorgeous. We even came to the conclusion that she sleeps like a Tongan and if you've ever had the chance to witness George aka Georgie Boi sleeping, you would know exactly what we mean (well minus the snoring that is).

I've also come to the realisation that we as cousins don't spend enough time with each other. Taking into consideration that we live far apart. Either in different Cities, States or Country for that matter. I wish it wasn't that way, but we could always make the effort. This occured to me more when Miya had moved to the States. The last year and half prior to him leaving, we had many mini trips either Ben coming down to Sydney or the Sydney cousins going up to New Castle for paintballing. My only regret and I know most of you would feel the same, is that we should of been doing this a long time ago. So thank you Miya, for drawing the family a little closer to our New Castle Cousins or in your case your brother.

So I don't want to waste anymore time, we're all growing older (in my case anyway) and a few of us have started a family, but let's make some time when we can. I know we can't do much with those that live in different States or Countries, but we could plan for something every four years? As for the Sydney crew and New Castle crew, I think we should do something together at the end of every month or two months and it could range from paintballing, to fishing trips, camping trips or just movie nights. In my next blog I'll post up the dates and potential events, if Ben can confirm that this is okay would be great and if you have work, we can always work around it.

So thank you Mia Rae, yourself and your namesake have something in common I suppose. You both draw us all a little closer. :)