…Secular States cannot be biased to one religion especially in an increasingly diverse population. Therefore we can’t or shouldn’t use our own personal morals and impose it on everyone else.

And thirdly, as I mentioned above, same-sex couples being married doesn’t hurt anyone, unless you have your own prejudices or bigoted views. If Aunties Tom and Dom from down the road decided to get married/have a Civil Union, how does that change anything for you? Do they suddenly smell really bad? Do they impinge on your right to walk down the road? Do they hurt your eyesight now they are in union of some kind?

…from NiuZila

I had only been watching the show sporadically, but last night’s finale was exhilarating! For those not familiar with the contestants, the most controversial and polarising finalist was Russell Hantz - an oil company owner and self-confessed millionaire. He is the man! He masterminded his way to the finals, whether by making various alliances, making promises, breaking promises, lying, manipulating his team, tough playing in challenges, and finding immunity idols with no clues! He is probably the best Survivor contestant in the history of the show.

…from NiuZila

The nimble fingers dance across the board with hands showing wear and tear of a hardworking life, a dedication to working the family plantation, building the family home, the hand of a bible holding childhood, disciplinary cuts of a hand upon a child - once strong and useful to the Aiga these hands are reduced to the competition of a quick thinking mind and the reasoning of veteran conscience that dictates the outcome of this simple game.

To the naked eye of an outsider, the old men playing Mu is an equivalent of a bunch of alcoholics, but if you look deeper it is more than just a game that these souls play to fade away the lazy hot Samoan afternoon, but a last element of competition to show superiority and being a man in this culture of hierarchy and duty bound soldiers of a village, family, country.

…from Screaming Tree

When your in love with someone, you do all your lovey dovey cutesy couple things, wierd - for some reasons Samoans here in Samoa just don’t do that.

Its Taboo.

Kids walk to school with thier friends and hold hands, girls can hold another girls hand, a boy can hold another boys hand - but a girl and boy holding hands is kaukalaikiki (considered cheeky) LOL

So unless we are either pro-gay and lesbian, it is instilled in our culture that holding hands with your girlfriend or boyfriend is just something ‘you do not do’ (even if your married!)

…from Screaming Tree

It wasn’t long before Kas began writing his own rhymes and lyrics. Friends remember him as a quiet kid who didn’t go anywhere without a pen and notebook. Then, barely into his teens, he began winning rap competitions, forming music groups and taking off on tours.

What must have been an exciting adventure for someone so young was tempered by a rocky, often painful personal life.

For a while, he was raised by an abusive uncle: “… you learn to be mentally strong when you’re young; you just tell yourself when you grow up you ain’t going to be like that loser.”

Then, when he was 13, Kas returned from a tour to an empty house and a note that said his family had gone to Samoa for a funeral - his mother had died…

…profiled by Hamo Geek Girl

Almost everyone in my family plays Bingo. I’m SDA, born and raised and we don’t play bingo. But you’ll find a lot of Seventh Day Adventists at the bingo halls “dopping” their cards haha

Bingo nights are pretty much for the whole family, whether you play or not. If you’re a bingo player, then you’re in the hall two hours before the caller calls out the first number lol. If you don’t play bingo, then you’re in the parking lot, socializing with the other folks who don’t play bingo.

You’ll find a concession stand at the bingo hall so don’t think you’ll starve there lol. They sell food, snacks and drinks. I have an Aunt who plays EVERY night at the Ili’ili Church, the nights their bingo hall is open. And she takes her own snacks, food and drinks. She says thats her luck. Her things. Ok, whatever you say, Aunty.

…in the words of Leila

I can tell you his whole life story. His goals, and dreams. His accomplishments, wishes and favorite sayings. I can tell you what his loves were, who his loves were, and how much of a God fearing man he was. I can tell you how he could throw anything together and it would be the best breakfast, lunch, or dinner ever. I can tell you all of that, and so, so much more. He was my best man, my best friend, my comforter, my clown, my “knock it off or I’ll knock you out” man haha, my father.

He wanted so much out of life, and lived it to the fullest. He worked hard to put food on the table, and making sure there was a roof over our heads that didn’t leak. He loved to laugh, and smiled often. Everyone in the village referred to him as Mr. Sam, Rasta, or Sir. It was weird hearing people say Sir to him. *shrugs* Everyone said that my father was too strict, too over protective. But what loving father isn’t? He wasn’t a man of words..not very many that is. He was more of an “action” kind of guy. He made sure things went through, first for his family, then for the rest. He loved his work, but loved us more.

…in the words of Leila