Stake Youth Dance & Family Gathering (:

On Friday we had a stake youth dance that was actually supposed to be our "Valentines Dance". Me & Tj weren't quite sure if we wanted to go or not, but we ended up going anyways. There weren't a lot of people that went, but the music was wayy good. Here are some pictures from our AMAZING time together! lol



I was in the middle of a dance move.. hahaha



Do you LOVE my half self?? lol best pic I've EVER taken lol



hahaha.. uhm.. no comment lol

After me and some other friends hit up this party at Laser Assault. Pretty sure right when we got there EVERYONE was leaving. I saw people I hadn't seen for AGES. Joey is freakin HILARIOUS and wouldn't let go of me for what seemed like forever. Gawwhh i miss that kid! (: When we got to the dance floor it was just me, Sean, Amy, Sarah, Maile, and Laurel. Even though no one was there we still had a blast!

Sunday came and we fasted for my Aunt Sitela before she went in for surgery. To break our fast all the family members in Utah gathered at Seini's house for a big eating. We used to have eatings every first sunday of the month, but it died down for awhile. Hopefully we will still be able to continue them because I LOVE being around my family.

Seini bought this huge Mac Computer that is seriously the size of my families flat screen. And here are the pics we took on the cam! lol












Can you tell we were bored and just wanted to take some pics! lol Trying to get our minds away from being SUPER HUNGRY so we distracted ourselves by taking pics. Just me and my cousins Lupi, Maile, and Malia! Gotta luv 'em! (:

1st place, with a trip to Nashville, Tennesse.. FOR FREE!

I had the opportunity to compete for FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) in the Star Events Program. (info on what i did in blog below) We got to go the Layton from Tues-Thurs, and stayed in the Hilton Gardens Hotel. It was soo fun. On Tues we left right after school to Layton. We all went out for dinner at Golden Corral down the street, and we had free time left over. I called my friend who I hadn't seen for the longest and see if wanted to go out. So came and got me, and we just chilled in car til it was time to go back to the hotel.

The next day was the star events competition. I was DEATHLY nervous. I just BARELY finished my portfolio the morning of. My mind was ridiculously scatter brained, and I forgot so many things to bring. As I was sitting there waiting to go in front of the judges; I was talking to all my other competitors, and I knew I was going to do HORRIBLE. Their portfolios were AMAZING! There pictures were all cutely scrap booked, their papers were amazingly decorated, and their dividers were amazing too. And here I come with old dividers, my pictures were taped to plain white pieces of paper, and it just looked sooo plain compared to everyone else. At first I wanted to win 1st and go to Nationals, but after seeing their portfolio's I just wanted to get it all done and over with and just play.

I was second in line. The girl that went before me set the bar soo high. Her portfolio was amazing, and she just seemed like a very professional person. But I went into the room doing the best that I can. The read my binder 10 min. previous to my oral presentation. I knew my portfolio was NOTHING compared to all the other girls, so I had to win the judges over by my speech. I think they were won over by this..

"... Teaching is I believe, one of the most IMPORTANT career anyone can ever have. It is through teachers we know the basics of life. We wouldn't be able to read, write, or add, and subtract. Teachers help student's reach their full potential. And this is why I want to become a teacher. I want to be that person in someone's life who has made them who they are. I want to be able to help someone be all that they can be. I want to be that positive influence in a child's life... People asked me if I was scared or nervous before I went up in front of the class to teach them. The teacher warned me that first graders are not afraid to hold back in negative comments they have to say about the lesson. But I was neither nervous or scared. I was excited. I was anxious. The moment I stepped up in front of the students and started my lesson; I have never felt more comfortable. I knew that this job, this career, is something I was made to do. Teaching is something that is meant for me... There will be times where your hopes get low. You feel exhausted and become overwhelmed in so many things. You want to give up because things get hard. But then you remember why you became a teacher. You wanted to help students learn and grow. You wanted them to feel like they were on top of the world because they learned and did something right. You wanted to help them accomplish anything that they put their mind too. And then you know that everything you have done as a teacher is something well worth it."

When they called my name. "Receiving Gold in Senior Occupational from Mt. View High School, ALILIA LAVAKI." You wouldn't believe how shocked I was. It was funny because each category had to line up by the stage in recieve their award. And you have to understand that EVERYONE gets a medal. Some get bronze, silver or gold. But only the one with the highest score, the 1st place winner, gets to go to Nationals. So the category I was competing in, Teach and Train. Was the very last category. They announced everyone in my category, and were getting to move on. And here I am and three other people just standing there like uhh wait.. You didn't call us. So I was like oh great!! Did I really do that horrible that I don't even get a medal! So I'm standing up there looking like a fool while they have to pull out a computer to see where I placed. Then they were like oh yeah.. "Receiving Gold in Senior Occupational from Mt.View High School Alilia Lavaki." But I still didn't know I had won nationals yet. They hadn't announced it. Then they were like "for teach and Train first place going to nationals Alilia Lavaki." I was speechless. I didn't even think I did that great. But I guess it pays to be humble and know how to speak in public.

I CANT WAIT TO GO TO NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE. My school district pays for flight, hotel, and all registration for Nationals. All I have to worry about is spending money. THIS IS GOING TO BE FUN. (:

A teacher in the making (:

Last month I was able to go to Area competition for FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) Star Events. The judges gave me some critic Which I was able to take and use to make my event for Star Events Better. The event that I competed in was Teach & Train. I had to shadow a teacher (it could be any type of teacher. Piano, FACS teacher, or elem teacher) I chose Elementary teacher because that is what I want to be. I shadowed my 4th grade teacher who now teaches 1st grade. She is the reason why I want to become a teacher. She is amazing (: After I shadowed the teacher I was able to teach the class a lesson. I made a flyer that was passed out to the students that said.

Alilia Lavaki from Family Career and Community Leaders of America presents:

CULTURE DAY!

ha and a bunch of other random info.
Here are some pictures of how the day went (:



The lesson was on Culture, and I had a bunch of facts taped up on the board describing what Culture is.



The kids were great at participating and reading along w/what the diff. facts said.




This girl was SOOO cute willing to participate and try on some polynesian attire. In one of the pics she's shaking her head (but it looks like she is crying) because her mom is telling her that she should show them a hula that they practiced at home, but she was being shy.



The boys thought the necklaces were really cool (:



One of the facts was Culture is determined by what country you are from. I showed them a map of Tonga, and they were so cute. One of the girls were all, "Are you sure its there! You can't even see it!" ha they were so surprised on how small it is compared to America.



I'm sure this was EVERYONE'S favorite part. We had foods from different parts of the world. We had Latin foods, Japanese, Greek, French, Italian, Samoan, and German. It was great. I'm so glad that Mrs. Tingey helped with the food as well as one of them moms/teachers. The food looked amazing, and the students enjoyed it. (And this was ALL at the beginning of class when the students arrived so I was worried the wouldn't be hungry because they all had breakfast. But they ended up asking for seconds.)



I had asked on the flyer I made that if any student has anything from their culture to bring it to class. Even though only 2 people brought something to show I'm still glad someone did



I had each student while they were eating design their own mask. I was surprised at how much they loved and enjoyed it. They all wanted to wear it out to recess.

I can't express how grateful I am to Mrs. Tingey for allowing this all to happen on such a short notice!

I can't explain how much I have a passion to teach younger children. The joy and happiness I feel is indescribable. I know that being a teacher is something I know I am going to be, and career that is chosen for me. This is why I am here; to teach Heavenly Father's children. I don't know what else I would do if I don't become a teacher. I can't think of anything else better that I am good at. When I got up there to teach the children I wasn't nervous or scared. If anything, I felt so comfortable! I felt exicted and I knew that this is where I need to be. I am a future teacher in the making (:

M.C Hammer/Vanilla Ice/Love You Long Time Concert

So, I was hanging out with Hannah Lartey on Valentines day (I know, surprised because I wasn't with my boyfriend? haha syke it was a fun night filled with junk food, karaoke, and an intense dramatic movie. im surprised we didn't watch a chick flick) and she told me about Vanilla Ice and M.C Hammer coming out to Utah for a concert. I FREAKED out. I've always thought Vanilla Ice was sooo hot for a 40 year old man. haha Well I was SUPER stoked because I really wanted to go. We got our tickets the following week, and the next couple of weeks I was busy preparing my outfit because it was going to be 80's themed.

(picture of outfit coming soon... haha)

The night of the concert Hannah and I wer soooo excited we started getting ready as soon as I got back from school. Thanks to Chantel Hall for getting there SOO early we were one of the firsts ones in line.



We were able to get front row center! Here we are checkin out Love You Long Time during their sound check. And you can see the back of Kendall and my head. lol



If it wasn't for these two girls next to me being SOOO nice, we probably woudn't have been able to cut the line to be w/Chantel, and wouldn't have been able to get the front! They were soo cool and hilarious. They're moms were even greater! (:



Hannah's lookin at me weird because she told me I wasn't supposed to pose for the camera, but I did anyways! haha





I had to point out how close Hannah and I were to the front! Love You Long Time (my fav. powerpop/indie band from Utah was the opening act)






Vanilla Ice came out after Love You Long Time. I went CAHRAYZEE! lol just ask Hannah. I kept screaming I LOVE YOU VANILLA! The security guard in front of us was laughing. He came out and hit my hand, and I almost fainted! haha He did some of his old school songs like Go Ninja Go Ninja Go! and of course my fav ICE ICE BABY! Which I could rap the whole song for you! ha. And he did some of his rock stuff too. my fav. new one of his is Prozac.



After being invited on Stage by M.C Hammer, Vanilla Ice jumped off stage and stopped right in front of me to shake some hands. (: I love him! ha



M.C Hammer was next. I was surprised at the Hammer Pants we was wearing. They weren't that crazy like how he used to wear them. They looked more like loose trouser pants. But it was fun. He shook my hand (: lol He did some old school songs and some new ones, with teenage backup dancers including his son.



His backup dancers came to get audience members to join them on stage. But I was wayy to chicken to go up. I knew I probably couldn't get over the bar, and if I had gone up I wouldn't have had the opportunity to hug Vanilla! Hannah got to dance on stage w/them so it was great (:

It was wayy fun. People left a little early to try and get autographs from Vanilla Ice. The majority of the people on the floor were gons, So Hannah and I just danced out on the empty floor to some of M.C Hammer's new stuff. The concert ended at 1:00 in the morning, and As much as I would have liked an autograph from Vanilla the line was SUPER long, he probably would have left in the middle of the line, and I'm still under curfew! (: lol I'm glad I got to because it was AMAZING! THANKS HANNAH (:

MORE PICTURES TO COME!

Legalizing Marijuana similar to Civil Acts Movement? pshh.. NO!

So I got this random add from this dude who is trying to stage a protest for legalizing Marijuana. Why add me though? nothing on my page hints the fact that I would be remotely interested in Marijuana. In fact, there is NOTHIN on my page but random shizznatz about me. lol And found this exert on his blog.



My goal to gather one Million protesters in D.C. July 4th of 2009 for the worlds largest sit-in and protest of marijuana being illegal!!! Being as it is the worlds largest sit-in,... We want a million activists to gather and STAY in D.C. until the United States government legalizes marijuana. This massive act of civil disobedience will cause the United States government to react in one of three ways: They will ignore us (which is highly doubtful) or; They will remove us (probably by force which will most likely end in rioting and martyr our cause further like the civil rights riots of African Americans in the past) or; Legalize it. These are the only options we give our government if we can accomplish one million people in D.C. next year. So help spread the news, help spread the word, and those that believe in personal freedom and the right for everyone to choose for themselves, I ask for a dedication to be there and protest with us in non-violence. Thank you!

When I read this I was shocked how you could even compare legalizing marijuana to the Civil rights that African Americans protested against. The two do NOT even come CLOSE in camparison.



African Americans were fighting a MUCH BIGGER issue than smoking and getting high! They were fighting for equality. They were fighting to abolish racial discrimination. They were fighting against racial segregation. They were fighting against Increased economic oppression of blacks, Latinos, and Asians, denial of economic opportunities, and widespread employment discrimination. They were fighting for their lives, lives of their children, lives of their families, and lives of the future different families that come from different countries into the U.S looking for freedom and equality.

They all hoped for the same dream Martin Luther King Jr. Said in his "I have a Dream Speech."



I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

Don't compare something so brainless and ludicrous like legalizing marijuana so you can smoke your arse off, lose brain cells, and act like a dumb shiat, to a movement that changed MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of lives; my life. and yours.

If you made it this far, YOU ARE AMAZING (: lol

~*aLiLia KaLiNa*~

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