There's a massive shipping container parked outside my house. We're packing. It's really happening...we're moving back to Samoa. And as I shift through piles of junk, sorting the useful from the useless, the reality of what we're doing is slowly starting to sink in. Along with a bit of apprehension. Because even though moving home… Continue reading Return to Paradise: The Dread
Category: Samoa
When a Man Beats a Woman
The idolization of rugby players should never come at the cost of the women in their lives. We place these athletes on a pedestal and our adulation props up a sporting culture which seems inextricably linked with alcohol and violence. Our rugby players have helped 'put Samoa on the map' and there are those who… Continue reading When a Man Beats a Woman
Be Worthy
2013 PIPA Graduates. Photo - Letti Wickman. A Keynote Address given at the 2013 Graduation ceremony for the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts, Auckland. I’m delighted to be here with you young and restless graduates, and with your families and friends, as we celebrate your achievements. I stand in awe of you. Not just because… Continue reading Be Worthy
I want to stab someone.
So if you've read any of my books, or more than one of my blogs, or you have the misfortune to be friends with me on Facebook - then you know I have a soul-wedded affinity with Diet Coke. As in I drink too much of it and write too much about it. As in,… Continue reading I want to stab someone.
“Your sexual abuse is disgusting and has brought shame on our family.”
Three weeks ago I wrote an article about rape and sexual abuse in Samoa which was printed in the Samoa Observer, posted here on my blog and shared on various online sites. It was written in response to a national religious leader in Samoa and his comments on rape/abuse but it addressed widespread views held by many. In… Continue reading “Your sexual abuse is disgusting and has brought shame on our family.”
Why You Need to Film your most Painful Moments
I never filmed any of my baby deliveries. Not the twenty-two hour labor with suction, forceps and episiotomy – the one where I alternately begged to be put out of my misery and yelled at the Hot Man to go find a different doctor who would know what to do with my misery. Not the… Continue reading Why You Need to Film your most Painful Moments
Righteous Rape
The Samoa Observer interviewed the Chairman of the National Council of Churches and asked for his thoughts on the 'epidemic of rape and sexual abuse' in Samoa. His response was printed in the Sunday newspaper and can be read here: http://www.samoaobserver.ws/other/women/8044-bite-them-hard-church-chairman-urges-women While I think there was truth and helpful insight in some of his remarks, any… Continue reading Righteous Rape
Deep, Dark Secrets.
There's a number-tagging game happening on Facebook where you must reveal mysterious details about yourself. I got the #18 from Theresa Schubert (another superwoman mom of her own #Fab5) but because nobody cares about 18 deeply scintillating secrets about me, I’m going to do 18 #ThingsYouMayNotKnowAboutTheTelesaBooks instead. Nafanua had six children in her lifetime. One boy… Continue reading Deep, Dark Secrets.
Do Men Control the Malu?
Receiving a malu can be a deeply personal and empowering thing and I have great admiration for all those women who have undergone this ritual ceremony and bear their malu with pride. I don't have a malu. I am not an expert in Samoan cultural practises or the historical background of them - so this blog speaks… Continue reading Do Men Control the Malu?
The Mata-Lulu Model
This writing thing has given me the opportunity to have some pretty awesome experiences. Like get DietCoke drunk in E.L James hotel suite in Kansas City with a fabulous group of women writers. Ride to a book launch in Sydney, in style in sleek low-rider cars and have specialty cakes and donuts made #TelesaStyle. Go back… Continue reading The Mata-Lulu Model