SIBLING LOVE

"Sister I know I don't tell you this enough but I will honestly die and kill someone for u. I love you especially cause your the one I'm most closest with. I am selfish and non family oriented person but recently realized my sisters are really who love me over all. But loveeeeee you!"

- William Bishop Montgomery

This txt today made me ball like a baby. My brothers and Sister make me so happy, I'm just so grateful. This is just another example of a thoughtful considerate act of love by one of my siblings towards me. How blessed am I? There is no greater relationship or support system than that of your siblings. We know one another's faults, truths, virtues, dreams, darkest secrets, desires, and how to just get on each others nerves. We are bonded for LIFE. Grateful for my siblings, and the relationship we have with one another. Only we (Selu, Michael, William, Me and Siaki) will understand each other and why we do the things we do. Humbled that we always have each others back through any circumstance. No matter the drama, we seem to clique on the same page and I am so grateful it's not ever between us, because we have too much love and respect for each other. We never want to hurt one another, but only want to uplift each other. Yes we may not agree with each other all the time and have our differences, but we keep it real and get over it.

My sister and I have the strongest bond and she is the most important person in my LIFE, without her there would be no life. We compliment each other, and are always learning from one another. She is so much more free spirited and trys to make things go smoothly and I'm much more strongheaded, and blunt if I have to be. She's taught me to be so much more open-minded and optimistic, pretty much everything I know about life :) Whenever we have a problem with each other we tell each other and thats all too it, no drama just pure love. Mike is the most humble of us all and goes out of his way to be there for family and to help anyone, not only his immediate family, but EVERYONE. I remember him always cleaning my room when I was in elementary and he in high school. He was just the best and still is :) Although he and I are not as close because he is older and married and out-of-state, we have so much love for each other. We understand each other and I always respect his decisions and take his advice to mind whenever he counsels with me on life. And then there comes the one and only FISHBATE :) My other half and rock throughout our school years. The older brother I taught to tie his shoes lol, who gave me a black eye in Elementary and whose always been the odd man out in our family. We have a love hate relationship I tell ya, fighting about every little thing.I admit its always me, I'm like a nagging wife to him lol but I just want the best for him I swear! I'm so real with him, I tell him all the time if I think he is being selfish and try to help him realize family is really all you have in the end and not to think only about himself. And he knows and makes time for family as much as he can, he has such a pure heart I strive to be like him :) I tell him what I think about his songs or what to change to make his songs sound better. I do it to help a brothah out lol, but honestly because I want him to be the BEST, the best in every aspect of life!  Siaki Palm is the Heart of our family and I already know he's gonna make it big in the future, not only in his education, sports and entertainment but in his life in general. I know he will do big things! All I know is he is a very unique human being, blessed with so much talent. He just lights up the room and entertains everyone. He is truly the biggest blessing to our family. He is so much younger than us and unfortunately wont grow up with a sibling close in age, but we tell him and he knows we LOVE HIM, and that our parents love him more than they love the rest of us lol.

Just had to share my feelings about my siblings. Truly grateful for all the love and support they give me. I love you Selu, Mikolotoni, Yami & Apu, although I may seem harsh or judgemental it's always with good intensions to hopefully help you improve and it's all out of love.


I would die for every single person in my family, even extended family members and even a pedestrian I've never met on the street, because I've lived a good life. I'm not afraid to die and will die knowing I lived a wonderful life, with an amazing family thats been with me 100%. I know Families are FOREVER. Our father in heaven lives and our savior as our brother sacrificed his own life for us. Like our savior I have so much love in my heart. I have a family who loves me very much and who I've lived a life loving and enjoying it with.

Words of comfort my sister shared with me when I had a bad dream about a death in our family:

" I looooove you. Bad dreams are temporary, happy dreams last FOREVER. One of my happiest memories was of our lil family in a green room full of mirrors. I now know the mirrors in that room symbolized ETERNITY. No bad dream can tear us apart because we are sealed to each other in God's temple forever and ever. I Love You & everytime I worry about you I remind myself we are blessed and that no matter what we are together in this life AND THE NEXT."- Selu Vanloo

I know, she always knows just what to say to comfort me, she's my AMAZING SISTER! eternity seems like it still isn't enough.

Happy Anniversary to my WONDERFUL Parents

My Mom's definitely my Dad's whole world. He always says that no matter what happens in this life, all he wants is to die before my mom because he doesn't want to live a day without her. Ya, I know my Dad surely loves her to death, even up till the death he will continue to love her and after. How blessed are we to have the Plan of Salvation so that loved ones, especially spouses can be together not only in this life, but for the Eternities!

Like Nephi, I was too born of goodly parents. This month marks their 28th Wedding Anniversary! September 5th, 1983 my Mommy and Daddy ELOPED lol, no literally though. They first met in Inglewood, CA in the 80's. Mom was the Tou'a at The Kalapu my Dad was at one night and since then, the rest is history! He went after her like a dog on a bone, even going to her house while other guys were there to court her and just waiting till the guys left (this short guy was shockingly intimidating!?) to talk to my momma. Yup she was a PIMP and my Dad was a "G" lol. Mom said she was so annoyed by him, and her first impression of him when she first saw him at the Kalapu was that he was so cocky and obnoctious, (He was literally hollerin at her the whole night) but she said she eventually just gave in because she felt sorry for him lol. His perseverence and pesistence surely did him some good.  Let's just say my Mom's family was not too fond of my Dad (because he was LDS and my mom was Methodist) and were not necessarily allowed to be together. Long story short, everyone knows my Dad, if he wants something oh is he going to get it and he got it, my Mommy! Although not sealed the first time, shortly after I was born our family was Sealed for Time and All Eternity. Likeila & Mele Funaki (Monalisa) Ika together for 28 years together have 5 children, and 3 grandbabies (so far).

I thank our Father in Heaven every day for my many blessings, but especially for MY parents. They're simply good people, and have helped so many. These 2 parents of mine have such high character and respect for not only one another and but of others and have instilled in me great teachings to take with me forever, about my culture, identity, charity, the importance of family and especially of LOVE. Together they have been the most amazing examples of 'TRUE LOVE' and have taught me so much about having a future with a spouse. I am especially grateful for my Dad, who introduced my Mom to the gospel and because of him and her I was born into the church and am so blessed to know of the Restored Gospel. I look for many of the qualities my dad aquires in men, like Beyonce's song 'Daddy': "I want my husband to be like my Daddy :)". He's always been the affectionate and emotional one, showing us that it's okay to cry or show feeling, my Mom on the other hand has always been so restricted and reserved (due to the way she was raised), and only my Dad understands why she's the way she is and always backs her up 110 % all the time. I also look up to my mom in so many ways, I want to be half as great a wife as she, and to make my husband happy like she does.

Together my mom and dad have overcome a lot. I've received direct and indirect (through watching them) advice on marriage. Mom has told me that marriage is one of the hardest things I will ever go through, and that the first 8 years + are a struggle for every couple and that no couple is perfect. Dad said that if it is perfect (like Selu always says it is), then theirs something wrong with that couple lol. They just go together so well, opposites indeed and only once can I remember a huge fight they had in front of us, when I was about 8 years old? And boy did my Dad learn his lesson, Mom slept with me and Selu and the boys were with Dad. He straight bought her a diamond ring, flowers and made it up to her, and Mom finally went back to their room after weeks lol. She's definitely taught my Dad how to treat her. The thing I love about them is they are so open and honest, and are so much in Love. Kinda too much that it kind of disgusts me yukkk, but I'd rather have it that way than any other way I guess? lol

All I gotta say is that I hope and pray to have a wonderful marriage such as my parents. True love is something some never find and I don't want to be that many few or I'll just have to kill myself lol. Oh and did I mention my Dad's the FAVORITE IN-LAW in thee ENTIRE Tuihalamaka Family (Mom's family). Yup, everyone eventually falls in love with that shorty. Boy am I glad they didn't listen, like Shania's Song: Your still the one, that's their SONG!lol. I love you Mommy and Daddy. Happy Anniversary :) and I'm wishing you many many more together in the future.

Yes i LOVE being a UTE ;)

I am a firm believer and will always be that Everything and i mean EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Growing up, I was such a hater on the U, it was all about the Y!  I was  a die-hard cougar fan (Ika Family RULES lol) Until I got a scholarship here, and had no other choice, it was destined that i come to the U. Since attending here since the Fall of 2009,  I can honestly say I wouldn't have had it any other way.  I've grown a sense of school pride and LOVE for this University. I've become the woman I am today because of the UofU and have met the greatest people who have changed my life forever :) I've become so much more open-minded because everyone here is different and just amazing.These people were placed in my life for a reason and I in theirs. Below are pictures of Wonderful Friends who have embedded a special place in my heart, they are always there to put a smile on my face and to do dumb stuff with just because?lol. I Love you Sayeh, Clarissa, Helen, Kaitlyn, Sam, and Feifei. Below are pictures from my Freshman year: The most FUN, HARD, AND character building year, Oh the MEMORIES! I mostly remember laughing constantly! We loved to take trips to Lunaberry, throwing snowballs at boys windows (very elementary i know lol) it was Sayeh's idea and her crushes, EAT, EAT, and EAT somemore (hence the reason why i gained the freshman 30 :(, have sleepovers, have lunch dates in the union and HC dinners stealing fruits for our dorms and getting caught lol. Love my Girls :)

 

Sophomore year I moved into My first Apartment! Living on my own has definitely been hard, but well-worth. I've learned not only alot about myself, and my strengths but of others and how to work and live with others. It's all about COMMUNICATION! My friends are so wonderful! So glad to have met them here at the U. These roomies are the best in the world. Couldn't have asked for better roomies and friends. And I can't forget our favorite Guest Mery, she's our Lil Sister who made our sophomore year HILARIOUS :) We all enjoy taking late night trips to LUNABERRY and Smiths on Trax, meeting crazy weird people who hit on us, Late Night BULGING,  attempting to excersize but never following thru for more than a week lol, sleeping-in during classes and staying awake and making music videos at night, procrastinating and crying for one another during boy problems (all sayeh's lol), having fun just being GIRLS making guacamole masks and doing our nails all purty and dancing in the mooonlight :)

 THE "CREW" : DJ, ME, Keano and Lahler :) These 3 are the most lovable people. Keano & Lala are overly spiritual lol & me and Deej are just COOL ; )  They've inspired me just through example. Especially the mother to us all, mother teresa i should call her Sister Maumau :) I am inspired to be as great  as them and thru their examples I have grown a deep desire to serve the lord as well. Sister Maumau and Elder Maumau are currently serving in Las Vegas, NV and Colorado Springs, CO.  Lala is almost done with his papers! Pretty soon I'll be the last to leave, but when I return all 4 of us will be Reunited RM's back at the U :) Love my "CREW"

and then there were  only 3, and now ONLY 2.

 

 I love attending U games (when the weather permits) **GO MUSS, especially the gymnastics! going on HC outings, getting FREE FOOD all over campus :) jus hanging with my girls and try my best to get involved with campus organizations and events because you'll never get these kind of experiences elsewhere. College is AMAZING! Since my 'switch' from a cougar to a UTE I am such a die-hard Ute fan, because I just can't find it in me to hate on my own school, who is PAYING for my schooling and blessing my life tremendously. It's been so much fun and awesome attending the U, i wouldn't have made another choice because I wouldn't have met my bestest friends who have helped me in so many ways and have blessed my life :) or have broadened my perspective on life. I've joined programs that have opened even more doors for my future, and have the most amazing professors who really care about me and have helped me succeed in many ways. I've met so many people whom i'd like to call friends, am close to but a few, pictured below are a few who I LOVE!

My favorite UTE my BIGDOGG ATHENA!

& her HOTT Mamma my SISTER KAL :) She's truly been a help throughout my whole college experience.i love you Kal!

I'm so grateful, the Lord's been so good to me :) I am who I am, a UTE ! Hate it or love it. Go UTES :)

simply grateful

a few days ago i had lunch with a wonderful friend who i hold near and dear to my heart, christina. this 70 year old friend of mine is so wise and joyful i am so grateful to have met her :) christina and i met during my first semester here as a freshman back in the fall of 2009. we were in the same acting class, which i took with another one of my good friends lala also so this class was just absolutely hilarious with them both in it. christina and i hit it off since then, we aren't the closest of friends, but we try to eat lunch weekly have recently started a book club just the two of us. i don't know what it is about me, but i tend to make a variety of friends who are so different then me, call me weird but i just 'click' with all sorts of people. anywho, christina is a friend whom i seek alot of advise from and love to just sit and listen to because she is just so full of good stuff, shes so sweet and understands me for who i am. the # 1 thing i love about her and all my friends is that they never judge, unrighteously. i make it a goal not to either. christina isn't just like any other 70 year old woman out there. she is single and is surely mingling, hadn't had any children, and is living all by herself and is the most independent 70 year old i know out there. oh and did i mention has a passion for fashion and is always stylin?lol yup she is super cute, i still need to raid her closet for some cute outfits! anywho, we have always talked about our lives and each time we have lunch i learn more and more about her life and hers about my boring life, hows this 70 year old gonna have a more exciting love life than me?lol. sad i know, im workin on it sheesh!lol, gotta wait till my penpals are back ;) she is going back for her third degree, she is very passionate about theatre now and i admire that she is going back to school on a scholarship and i admire her strenght. no matter her age she is still going after her dreams, she is a living example that it is never too late to go back to school!

 this particular lunch was quite sad because the night before (following the opening football game, which i went too, so much fun woot woot!we won) i had just found out about the death of a wonderful person who i had known and considered a wonderful person, Janelle Tongaonevai, (RIL) wife of Ron Tongaonevai who is also a student at the UfoU, Hilarious & likable guy, whom i KNOW just loved & adored his newly wedded wife. It was a devastating reality, and i had just seen Janelle at a BBQ at Kalo & Ulysses house that Sunday. She was hit by a drunk driver and killed instantly. Her sister was in her vehicle and is currently fighting for her life! I could not even imagine loosing a loved one, yet alone a spouse or MY SISTER! my heart goes out to Ron & The Davidson family, their whole world is just crushed :( drunk drivers don't even know how much damage they can do. (im not even gonna go there though, that'll be a whole other blog). Janelle was such a beautiful soul and although ive only hung out with her a couple times, i could see the light of christ in her eyes. Her and Ron were sealed for all time & eternity in the SLC temple just last Juy, so i have no worries that she and her love & her family will be reunited once again. Ive learned from that incident, that honestly life is to short. you just NEVER KNOW. im still in shock and find myself crying just thinking of how sad it is. i am truly grateful to be living, and grateful to have known Janelle. you don't know it Janelle but you were such a wonderful example and your legacy of love will live on :)


As christina and i continued talking over lunch about the whole accident and how tragic it was, we started talking about family. FAMILY <3. boy am i so grateful for mine :). christina has told me about her family, but not like this. christina has 2 sisters and 3 brothers. all of whom she is no longer close to. her and her father had a falling out just months before his passing and he took her off his will, wrote her off and the entire family turned on her, when he died of course she was sad it was her dad, you always fight with family but in the end you still are family and have love for each other. her family didn't forgive her, she was not welcomed to the funeral and since then the family had been very stand-offish towards her. she spends holidays alone, and truly misses her family :(. i cannot even fathom the feeling of being separated from MY family. i know my family has issues, whose doesn't?and that we fight and have drama, but in the end it always comes down to forgiveness and loving each others annoying habits once again. christina's family, although devout LDS members doesn't choose to become christ-like?i mean whats the whole purpose of going to church?hypocracy is what i see. when i heard christina tell me of how she called her sister to see if she could come to her nieces wedding and her sister say NO, that made me so sad:(. i bet it was some crazy drama, but believe me if in my family some crazy drama always goes down, with time it always seems to heal, and my heart hurts for christina. i realized this weekend that i have so much to be grateful for. not only for my wonderful family, and friends who are so amazing that i consider family such as my two best friends: Mele Finau Poteki & Sayeh Golafshani, who like christina continue to make me want to become a better person, but for MY LIFE overall. for being blessed with the knowledge of the gospel of jesus christ, for my education, for the air that i breathe, and for meeting wonderful people like christina who i know i can be there for, because i know that she needs me, needs family :) i make it a goal to be there for christina even more, to invite her to activities and to even spend a holiday or two with her because sometimes i may get sick of my family and may wanna break from them lol jp. it made me think of death, who would be there for christina when she dies?who is going to take care of her funeral arrangements, her finances? i am so grateful to have  a humoungously enormous family who will be there for me to support me through any occasion. i just can't stop thinking of how fortunate i am, and have no room to be ungrateful or complain. if nobody offers id be more than willing to be there for my christina because she was placed in my life for a reason and i know that everything happens for a reason, i am christina's family now and am so grateful i met her, she has helped me in more ways than she knows.