ANZAC day in Tonga



ANZAC day was a lovely experience with some curious american missionaries who asked lots of good questions, many of which i knew nothing about!  haha.  and the other people we went with were Australian, but I don't hold that against them.  

For the uninitiated this is the day of remembrance for people who died fighting in wars.  it began after world war I where NZ and Australian soldiers fought together in Turkey.  there were around 90 Tongans present fighting with us and many from the other islands as well.  that is why ANZAC day is celebrated here as well.

We accidentally sat with the VIPs and it wasn't until the end when the sun was up that I saw that we had red carpet under us and we were sitting on red velvet chairs with King Tupou 6th insignia on them!   we just arrived and they led us to a chair - no question about who we were or anything.  
It was hosted by the NZ High Commission this year and the pakeha woman who represented them and spoke, turned out to be part Māori and I gave myself a slap on the hand for assuming she wouldn't have any whakapapa, and the woman who was the MC did a grand job of announcing everything in Tongan, english and Māori - well, Maori where all the Rs were turned into Ls - it was cute.  I think i have told you before they ahve no R in tongan, and we have no L in Māori... but they have Kumala - the vegetable, Le'o means speak, and lots of others I can't remember right now.  

they other biggest difference was they laid (one at a time with an announcement and a formal walk forward for a different presenter) at least 15 wreaths.  they were SOOOOOO beautiful, made from the gorgeous flowers they must grow here (though I have not seen many growing!).  and then 2 people at the end laid cellophane covered gaudy heart and cross shaped wreaths made of plastic or silk flowers.  No disrespect whatsoever to those people (im guessing those wreaths would have been much cheaper than the fresh ones)  but the jarring contrast between the beauty of nature and the pathetic attempt of 'men' to replicate them, jumped out at me.  

The world (and the adversary) try really hard to replicate the truth and the real joy we have in the gospel, but he never really comes close.  please don't be fooled!  allow the spirit to show you the truth!  Ask God, and listen for the feelings that will come as a response so you know what is true and real and what is a sad attempt at a counterfeit.  there you go!  spirituality!  hahaha.
Today I began attending a new ward - here on Campus.  I asked President Tui'one last week if he minded if I switched wards, because I really wanted to be more involved and you just can't be really involved by only attending the 3 hour block on sunday.  And without a car, it was just about impossible (or at least a giant pain in the butt) to visit any members, or go to any other meetings midweek.  I hope that my new ward will give me the opportunity to contribute more!  

We talked today about the new changes to Ministering, and i was really impressed by the positivity and excitement shared by the elder Priesthood holders.  i am optimistic that this will be an amazing change in the way we love one another in the gospel.

Interesting tonga facts:
  • i don't know if it is everyone by many have difficulty saying TH, and i have to literally hold myself back from laughing every time I hear them in serious conversations talking about the YOOFF!  (you got that right?  youth...)
  • looks like im running out of facts... 
Here are some photos:
just one I liked from a walk to the temple today

and my arty side is peeking out occasionally
this is what they call the Fair.  Ive told you about it before and yesterday I went for the 2nd time  there were way more stalls than my first visit abut they are the same - each stall has a wide variety of goods - notice the large root vegetable in the forgeround right next to nail polishe and surrounded by clothes hanging up
in this one notice the milk powder (TOP20) then placenta soap (mm hmmm)  and toiletries and makeup and then at the far end a giant jar of best foods mayo... and of course the clothes hanging at the back
this one had electronics

this one seriously looked like someone had just packed a van full of stuff from an op shop (thrift store) in NZ and brought it over!
Saturday morning we participated in the ANZ fun run.  well we walked the 5 kms.  and I didn't really do any of the zumba that they did before the run started at 6.30am...  I just wanted the tshirt!  haha

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Some photos to share

Image
So here are some gifts Korean style.  I actually don't know when this would be given, but see these gift boxes everywhere.  Yes, gift boxed fruit, spam, fish and meat.  I am speechless.  Did you see those prices?  Look at these very cute but hugely overpriced kids things.... Backpacks often have square tops and therefore zip open better than the round topped variety.  But how cute are these backpacks and caps?  These were like over W50000 in Hyundai department store.  Same price for the caps.  Pity because I would love to get Will, Matthew and ??? one each. Ok last photos today.  Cakes.  Koreans love their specialty cakes.   There are multiple dessert cafés and coffee shops everywhere although these photos are from the expensive food court on the basement floor of Hyundai again. But Starbucks and Patis Baguette bakery along with baskin Robbins and al. The cafés sell th...
... the rest is here

The truth about hours.

I've been her 4 1/2 weeks now and some things have made themselves clear. Although my contract says no more than 30teaching hours a week, Monday to Friday with 6 vacation days a year, 3 in winter and 3 in summer.  And in the interview I was told around 3.00-9.00pm as much as possible. I haven't taught 6 hours a day on a regular basis but I see the other teachers with AT LEAST 6 a day.  The 3-9 is pretty accurate though often there are classes at 9 and even 10.  And you need to be there at least 30 mins before.  BUT then there are summer and winter 'intensives' or summer/winter school when the public schools are on holidays, which is what I came just in time for.  And during that time you may have your first class at 10 or 11 and then all the Same afternoon/evening classes as mentioned above.  And this goes on for around 4 weeks.  AND there is Saturday work - we rotate so at the moment once every 3rd Saturday.  But if the new teacher arrive...
... the rest is here

I think ive been here 2 months!

Image
Hey ive been here 2 months and no one has come to visit me yet!!!! whats that all about?  hahaha.  I guess when the temple closes you'll all have another reason to come.   Conference weekend!  so exciting!  as I write this I have not watched any full sessions (its only saturday)  but I have watched the talks with all the announcements!  i'm excited to watch more - in my favourite way - conference marathon!  as soon as I get up on sunday morning I put the sat morning session on loud.  I love hearing the voices of our leaders filling my home.  and then I watch one session after another.  I like to be able to stop and rewind and reply the parts I didn't quite catch or that felt important to me.  I like to pause to go to the bathroom or get food, and not miss any.  I love it! (update:  watched all 5 sessions and LOVED them!  I can' even tell you which were my favourites, there were so many!   ...
... the rest is here