The FLYING KIWI’S - Epislte #6

Kia Ora whānau,

Well, either you’ve given up on me and our EPISTLES or you’re all being VERY PATIENT with me… I’m opting for the first.. :D

Ok, here we go….

Monday 7^th April, 2014

So, these were our final moments in NYC and to tell you the truth it felt like much longer then just under a week.  Mum and I got to do so much in the time we were there, and only missed out on a couple of things that I really wanted to do (biking in Central Park; go up the Empire State building; Walk the Brooklyn bridge) but they’re minor compared to what we did get to do in NYC. 

These are my TOP 10 moments in New York City in order:

10. Going to Salsa club SOLO – because YOLO, had to do it!

9.  The 50 year old man and the Egyptian giving me their numbers – that was a great way to start a holiday.. LoL!  Haven’t got any numbers since then though… LoL!

8.  New Yorker Hotel, Manhattan & Hotel Vetiver, Queens (post-upgrade) our accommodation in New York.  Mum and I felt aroha for Queens, it feels like it gets a bad rap – we compare it to Otara.  Unless you’ve been there and lived there you can’t judge it!  LOVED the UPGRADE too.

7.  Manhattan temple & Central Park – just because it was FREEZING and we didn’t get to bike around Central Park, I still got there – and the temple coz it makes the 11^th temple that I’ve visited J

6.  Dentist Visit in New York – I mean, I can count on one hand (maybe 2 hands) the number of people I know from Āotearoa who have gone to NYC – I only know ONE who has had to visit the dentist whilst there… ME!  Awesome… LoL!

5.  TIMES SQUARE – hello whole life seeing it on movies!  Nekk minit – walking down it with Mum – sitting and taking it all in.. OFF THE HOOK!!

4.  Watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ on BROADWAY – although I thought the movie was WAY better, the songs that I love were great!

3.  Staten Island Ferry and seeing with my two Māori eyes – the Lady herself – Aunty Statue of Liberty – WOW!  Just couldn’t believe I was there with Mum.. AWESOME!! 

2.  Ground Zero – it was breath-taking and extremely SAD.  I think of the memorial and it incorporating water, because in a lot of countries water is healing – I like that and when we were there I really thought ‘Never thought I’d get here’…

1.  Getting to go to New York city WITH my AMAZING Mum and experiencing ALL of NYC together – though slow at some times, ALWAYS amazing!

Mums top 10 - in No particular order:

1. Touching Ground and later that night.. the pillow of her bed

2.  Getting prescription glasses in Manhattan for $99!  What a bargain!

3.  Conquering the New York City subway - steps and stairs, whatever was in my way ‘I came, I saw, I conquered’

4.  Watching ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ on broadway - Cool!  "I did have a couple of three looong blinks - but was awake for most of the second half"

5.  Shopping in Chinatown, the vendors on the road - just shopping in general really!

6.  Eating in Little Italy, New York city - the pizza and pasta! Yum!

7.  Going to Times Square - watching the display of the blingy colored lights

8.  Ground Zero - pā mai te aroha, tangi ana te ngākau mo rātou i katohia e te ringa o aitua, moe mai, moe mai rā!

9.  Seeing the lady herself and all her majesty to and from the Staten Island ferry

10.  Having this awesome experience with my Dorty.

So, after another late night mum and I woke a little later then planned and packed to leave our lovely BIGGER ROOM – and missed out on breakfast coz we weren’t quite ready to leave at our appointed time.  I looked out at our NY skyline once more and said goodbye – it’s sort of like worth the straight 30hour flights and stops the first time.  If I ever make it back to NYC it’ll be with breaks of ‘days’ in other places in between – FOR SURE!

Anyway, we were all packed and went to the lobby to wait for our taxi to arrive – he was getting a little late and I was getting nervous with the wait, the hotel guy put our bags on the trolley and took them out for us, I was like ‘You ain’t getting a tip, if you wanted a tip you should’ve come to our room to get our bags’ – but the taxi driver arrived and was really friendly and talked with us the whole way – it was lovely driving through Queens coz of course I’m thinking about ‘The Nanny named Fran’ who was from Flushing, Queens.  In any case, I’ve watched WAY too much TV in my lifetime.  LoL!  We got to the airport in plenty of time – I went to get a trolley WHAT THE $5??? OH WELL! Get a trolley, load it up, walk about 10 mts to the check in desk and bag drop off that was just OUTSIDE the terminal on the footpath – DANG IT… waste of blimin $5… 

Our first flight on SOUTHWEST - it wasn’t too bad really…  

The check in guy at the counter was of course – HISPANIC and asked for our names, I go ‘Una’ and ‘Paremo’ and he starts going ‘Una, Dos, Tres, Quantro, Cinco’… funny man!  Southwest got a trolley for Mum and so we got to ‘fast pass’ all of the queues and people and stuff, that’s always fun when travelling with Mum.

Playing her role VERY well and getting us to the front of the line everywhere!  Thanks Mama! 

The Green canvas type bag is ours - yeah - it was too heavy and started to rip… SHAME!!

So, the first leg of the flight.. LaGuardia to Denver was FINE – I slept like a baby the whole 3hrs 45mins – the in-flight snacks and drinks were hōha and often interrupted this sleep – nevertheless, I had the best and probably ‘longest’ sleep I’d had all week.. LoL!  Once we arrived to Denver, you know Mum and I went straight to the souvenirs – bought up a storm like we’d been in Denver, Colorado for a week! LoL.. went for a kai then all lined up and loaded into the plane – OF COURSE you all know what happened next as described on my FB status:

The Southwest guy starting to check 143 passengers ID to find the random

Uh, so we're all seated on our flight from Denver to Salt Lake City ready to leave... Nekk minit: there's someone on this plane that shouldnt be... So, someone who should be doesnt have a seat! No ones owning up to it, so the flight attendants are going down the aisle doing a roll call with everyone and their ID's... Lol! What a memory! Toni La'ulu - thanks for the recommendation.. Southwest rocks! Lol...

BEAUTIFUL views outside Mums window… Gorgeous!

So, what happened in the end is this POOR lady – the travel agency had booked and confirmed her flight with Southwest, then cancelled it without letting her know – so we all actually believed that we were legally on the flight – that poor lady, it was cool that no one ‘booed’ her when she left the plane.  But, I swear (not really) that Southwest are the funniest ever… While making the safety announcements:

Provo, Utah (‘Y’) Missionary memories - saw the temple and MTC… 

Flight attendant: 

“In the front seat of your pocket are the emergency information, if you haven’t read it yet, you’re not going to.. It’s law that I have to tell you about it”.

“Incase our flight turns into the Love Boat your life vests are under your chair, pull it over your big head…”

After landing in SLC

“Now, could all of you seated on the right side of the plane look out your window and wave.  So, Delta knows what a full flight looks like”..  FUNNY!!

Mum with her ‘NEW’ from MANHATTAN reading glasses - VERY CHIC!!!

Our stop in Denver - needed to have a good meal - Southwest kai was good… great, if you’re a bird..

So, of course when we got on our plane to Salt Lake city - the funny experience of over-booking happened, that poor lady!  And we were on our way!  I was able to text Camilla of our delays so they knew what was happening to us.  Well, we finally got to Salt Lake safely and didn’t know who would be at the airport to pick us up… AND, how awesome was it to see ALL of UNCLE BOWIE’s children and MOKOPUNA there to get us… How loved did we feel?  the answer is HEAPS!  Lamar, Alyssa and Koa; Camilla; Tori, Sam and Calia - it was really humbling to see ALL of them there to come and get me and Mum… DUMB, just realized looking through the pictures that I didn’t get one with them all at the airport with us - will have to get one before we leave here on Saturday morning.

Miss Calia - clung to mum right away, calling her Aunty - LOVE!!

Mr Koa - was a little reserved at first - what a looker!

The Cuz and I (Camilla Philips).. at Dee's

 We went back to Uncle Bowie’s whare (in picture below) he was back from work and ready for dinner - we all went to Chuch-A-Rama’s it was yummy and just all being together was pretty awesome!  Getting to know the moko’s and re-aquanting ourselves with our cuzzies - felt blessed.  While Mum and I enjoyed our own company in New York, we were ready to have other personalities amongst our own - and who else but whānau to fill it up.  It was nice to be able to kōrero with each other and catch-up on our lives.  I guess that’s why this UTAH leg of the blog is taking so long to get to you all.. In NYC it was just me and mum - so as soon as we got back to the hotel, I was on the lappy doing the blog.  But, here being surrounded by whānau, when we’re not at home we’re with whānau and when we come home its… that’s right KŌRERO TIME… So, both our days and nights are full of whānau - how awesome!!

After that, we went home and all the cuzzies went to their whare - I went with Camilla to the institute building for volleyball, it was cool to be around so many members.  Afterwards we went to Dee’s for supper - we had the Monte Cristo sandwich - and man it was good!

The Monte Cristo hanawiti - YUMMO!! (and not a pinecone in sight) LoL!

The 2 of us again.. what an awesome night!

We went to Dee’s with a few of Milla’s Tongan cousins - it was fun!  Until they decided to be funny at get cheeky at me with the accent and all.. Don’t worry Aotearoa-ians.. I stood up for us quick smart.. It was funny:

1 Conversation

“Yeah, I served my mission in South Korea.  So, I speak 3 languages now, Māori, English and Korean”

One of her cousins - “Wait, you speak Māori Māori?”… I reply “How many types of Māori is there?” He goes “Well, there’s hoori Māori and te reo Māori!”.. WOW!!  Gave him a verbal slap quick smart.. HAHAHAHAHA!!!

2 Conversation

“My sister is CRAZY for Korean dramas” (snap chats to her me speaking Korean)

“Um, my sister is coming over to meet you”.. WHAT! LoL.. blink blink.. she comes and the first thing I say “You should go over to teach English in Korea, it’s really good aye”..

She does the #blinkblink “Sorry, I didn’t understand a word that you just said”…

GOOD TIMES!!!  Shucks and basically, that was Monday.

TUESDAY 8th April, 2014

We got up relatively early to do some laundry which was cool as we had a whole week of dirty clothes waiting for a bath and a sauna - clean clothes are cool!  Then we headed off to town, we had a busy day planned.

Camilla and I heading out for our first day in Utah - AWESOME!!

We had before leaving New Zealand, planned to meet up with Aunty Francis and Aunty Virginia while they were here too.  So, we planned it for the day we were to meet up with and have lunch with the SHEPHERDS - bless them, they’re still FABULOUS!!  For those of you who are NOT from Masterton this LOVELY couple spent their ENTIRE mission in Masterton not so long ago - we miss them dearly and I’m SOOOO glad that we got to spend a couple of hours with them over kai.

Me and Brother (Aka Elder) Shepherd - LOVE !

 They took us to the Joseph Smith memorial for lunch at ‘The Garden’ - it was LOVELY!  Just spending time with them and talking with them about Masterton ward and the people the love back home - it was so lovely to see them and feel of their continued love for our hometown and the people they met and loved there.  

Me, Brother & Sister Shepherd, Aunty Frances and Mum - Camilla taking the photo..

The Palmers - sister to the ones in Manhattan temple we met.

After lunch, Milla took us to this AMAZING sale of sportswear!!! Like ACTUAL OFFICIAL clothing, hats etc for like $5, 3 for $10, $20, $25!! It was CRAZY COOL!  Not ashamed to say that I very much spent OVER my limit for that day!  It was cool though coz if you spent over a certain limit they gave you tickets to the LA Lakers vs Utah Jazz game - only problem - it’s on Monday 14th while we’re in VEGAS - we got the tickets anyway and gave them to the whānau.. MEAN Māori MEAN!  Lamar and his whānau met up with us at the store, they didn’t buy nearly as much this time around - they’d already been there before.  MEAN shopping!!

Memorial for President Brigham Young receiving revelation that Utah was the place where the saints would safely dwell.

After that, mum and I wanted to go to the monument ‘THIS IS THE PLACE’ both of us at different times had been to ‘Temple Square’ - so, we both wanted to do something we both hadn’t done - Lamar and his family had things to do, so Milla took us up… HOW AMAZING!!

Isaiah’s prophecy stated and fulfilled in Utah - specifically the Salt Lake temple - MEAN! 

Mum and I at the memorial.

 The funniest part though, was that me and Mum walked straight into the visitors center ‘SHOP’ first before going to the memorial - both realizing that if the store closed the monument will still be there, but if we go to the monument and miss out on the shop - that’s it.. PRIORITIES.. HAHAHA!

A depiction of the Pioneers coming into the Utah Valley

I mean, both mum and I agree - we flew from NY state to Utah state in roughly 5 hours - as we were flying over that area, we were well aware that it was the same direction and place the pioneers had come through - but with much harsher conditions and sacrifices made.  It was so humbling to know that once they had faced - their final struggle was coming through the mountains to the valley.  HUMBLING!

This is only part of the trek the pioneers hiked - all across America - Amazing faith AND works.

So, we were able to go and walk around some of the memorial area - behind the visitors center there is a village - replicated from old school days - we didn’t go there as I think you had to pay and we were running a little late to meet up with Uncle Edwin - who was picking us up (and of course was running a little late too - PERFECT)

Part of the area of ‘This is the place’ area - LOVELY!!

I’m just really grateful for President Brigham Young - he was chosen and called of God to lead after Joseph Smith - and that would’ve been DIFFICULT to take that on board - he lead the people the rest of the way and received confirmation that ‘THIS IS THE PLACE’ - Utah would be the resting place of the Pioneers and members.  Really cool!

Afterwards, we rushed home to make sure we got home in time for Uncle Edwin - we did, he came to get us and we went out for dinner… JAPANESE again.. YUMMO!  Just realized again that we don’t have a nice pic with Uncle Edwin.. AUE!

The Lollipop Sushi - no rice, 3 different types of fish... 

Rad (who is Ute) and Uncle Edwin

Again whānau, you see how we were surrounded by more whānau and thus had no time to write our BLOG until now…  It was really cool catching up and listening to the kōrero around the kai table.  LOVE IT!

After kai, Milla came to get me for KARAOKE… and would you believe it, there were only 4 of us there - Milla, me, her cousin with the sister who loves Korean drama’s and his date… LoL.. CRASHERS..!!  So, of course because there were only 4 customers in the shop - US.. we dominated!  LoL.. Uh, after two songs Pauli and his date left - so then Milla, myself and the DJ took OVER - it was O-V-E-R … so much fun!  That night I came home and started the BLOG - didn’t finish.. so I’m finishing it now… 

The DJ ‘Grace’ and I… FUN NIGHT!

Wednesday 9th April, 2014
So, after the late night and falling asleep on the floor - we had an early morning.  We went with Uncle Edwin to University of Utah to his presentation to students studying Occupational Therapy - he gave a presentation on how to work with the Native Americans in this area - then he gave me a few minutes to add how it is the same for Māori - under-represented in good statistics while dominating bad health etc. and how this all relates back to colonization, breaking of the treaty of Waitangi etc.  It was really cool to be a part of that presentation.

We drove through U of U’s campus and went back to Uncle Edwins mahi to wait for Curleen Pfeiffer to pick us up for our tipi haere on this very day.  Uncle went up to the office, mum and I decided to wait in the car - I was recording her top 10 NYC moments when we both fell asleep… HAHAHA!  A knock on the door 10minutes later and we were on our way…  First stop ‘The Trading Post’ - we were there for all of 10minutes and left - the prices have increased dramatically since I was there only 2 years ago… Nah, so we left and had lunch at CAFE RIO - Awesome!!!

Mum and Curleens lunch @ CAFE RIO!!

Curleen had a friend meet us to sell us some of her jewelry - both mum and I bought a piece - COOL!!  We then went to JCPenny - no fun.. went off to Ross Dress for Less - more fun and cool gears for cheaper!  Then, we went to Deseret Industry (hokohoko shop) where mum got herself a temple dress - went to the distribution center (needed Deseret book store instead).. off to Costco to get some kai - Mesquito seasoning too and other things… then off to dinner with Curleens whānau - it was their son Chris’ 21st yesterday and we all went to dinner together - NICE!!

The whole whānau and Mum..

Mike and Mum… 

Chris (bday boy) and Hinauri - yes, that’s a Māori name... 

Terry, ?, Michelle… (Sorry I forgot his name)

In any case it turns out Terry and I were in the MTC together - oh so many years ago!  I actually remember mum telling me now that she had a son in the MTC and we just met tonight and realized that it was us - that’s cool - we had a good time talking about mission life, companions etc… we had Chinese for dinner - REKA!!

After kai, all the kids went with Michelle home because of course we went to WALMART  - we went there to buy a GPS so we wouldn’t have to hire one… EXPENSIVE and we’ll need at least 3 GPS - for mainland, Waikiki and Hilo - turned out cheaper just to buy one.

The Pfeiffer’s brought mum and I back to Uncle Edwins and after they left Mum and Uncle were having an awesome kōrero mo ngā rā o mua!  It was cool to listen/fall asleep to.. and now this is over - we’re all up to date.. No teaching anyone to hongi yet.. LoL!

So, we are all doing well and mum and I are still having an AMAZING time here!!

Roll on tomorrow where we meet up with the cuz Quinny for lunch - ka rawe!

Arohanui whānau, friends and bored readers…

Mama Kiwi and Parns

Xoxoxoxoxoxo