A New You by BBJ Family Foundation

Last week I had the opportunity of a lifetime. I was able to attend  A New You retreat for women by the Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation at Brick Canvas . I cannot express how grateful I am to have had that opportunity. One of the first things Barbara wanted to make clear was that all those who were in attendance were not there by accident. We were all there because our Father in heaven had a clear message to share with each of us. I definitely learned mine.

I find it amazing though because we found out about Barbara (BBJ) at the IIPP at BYU-H. It was a program that taught soft business skills, the icing on the cake. I had the chance to speak with each speaker and ask them about their trials, successes and advice on being a mother/wife/businesswoman. I've always struggled with the thought of leaving my children at home and not being there. At the same time, I get crazy and cranky if I don't get out there and do something. I never realized there could be a median. I could find what fits for me and my own family and work from there! All the while BBJ told me about her A New You program in UTAH. Dang it! There was no way I could just fly to Utah for a retreat. And for 4 days? That's way too long away from my kids. Miraculously, we moved to Utah shortly after, and two months before the program, we moved into the same city. Last Monday my husband told me about it (and signed me up without me knowing) and I tried to get in on Tuesday. I was accepted and I found the babysitters/money/supplies I needed to make it last week! Everything seriously just fell into place and I know the Lord wanted me there.

I had a ton of Ah Ha! moments. Things just made sense and I felt like I was seeing so many different things clearly for the first time. The experience I will NEVER forget is cutting my hair. Just in case some of you don't know, I had very big, long, full hair. Curly it went about the middle of my back, straight it went down to my low back almost to my hips. And I loved my hair. I think it was my vanity, my pride, my mask. I had been wanting to cut it (pixie cut) for a long time. I think for about a year I have been contemplating this cut. When I realized this retreat came with a style and cut, I finally found my opportunity! But I didn't realize how emotional it would be. I was so stressed Friday morning because not only had I been telling everyone I was going to do it, I realized I seriously had to decided whether I was going to do it or not. When it came down to it, Nicole at Vivesque was so sweet and patient. She listened to my ideas, my fears, my hopes in this new haircut, and she also gave me practical advice as a hairstylist. After my amazing wash and pressure point face massage, she even printed me pictures as a reference. We decided to cut it to a bob and see if I liked that at all. I can't tell you how stunned I was as I watched my dread locks come off. I had workers, others who were doing their hair and other women from the group come and watch as my hair came off. I still couldn't decided and she let me call my mom, who didn't have an opinion because she said it didn't matter because I didn't brush my hair anyways. I called my sister who simply said DO IT! So I did. And I now blame her for my decision. Lol, I'm just kidding. But I did do it.

Friday morning/evening

I cut it all off. And I cannot express the support and love I felt from all those who attended, from my family, from Facebook/Instagram/Twitter, I just couldn't believe how many people liked my short hair. And so I cried and cried and cried, not necessarily because my hair was gone, but because I couldn't handle that much love. One sweet amazing friend of mine bought me the product they had put in my hair. I was planning on buying it, but she bought it for me and I just couldn't handle that. To make matters worse, the hair salon bought me slippers. Mine were worn, with holes in them and didn't fit. I had just about had it. I lost it and I cried and cried.

Why was this so important to me? Because I have always felt that I can't be beautiful, loved, cared for or the spotlight because people would see me as conceited, prideful, full of myself and a showoff. When in reality, it was empowering for ALL of us. My vulnerability, my "coming out of hiding under my hair", my journey to becoming a new HEILALA, my finding love for myself as myself not because of my hair or any other vain/prideful love, was something we all learned from. Others had beautiful transformations and I came to a realization that I was just full of myself. Not in a prideful way, but because I was so self-conscious that people were always looking at me that I seriously had to hide behind my hair. This new hair cut has forced me to come out of hiding, to be confident and find the self respect a woman needs to hold her head up high and stand tall. I haven't been able to do that, and I am seriously going to fake this hairstyle until I make it. Not because I feel fake, but because I just don't have the confidence, strength, self-love I need to hold my head up high yet. I will get there. Not because I'll keep lying to myself, but because I will NEVER forget the love, the support, the care, the lessons, the experience of becoming A New You.

The sweet BBJ

Barbara Barrington Jones,
I cannot express the gratitude and love I have for you and your team. You have put on a wonderful program that I know women have been empowered from for over a decade. Thank you for not quitting 10 years ago. I know the Lord did it for me and for every woman who has benefited from not only this program, but from all the programs you put on. Your team is amazing. They are so filled with love and light that each member feels their sincere desire to help, teach and love. You are filled with such a light that people are empowered by your being the best you possible. Thank you for teaching me that lesson. I love you!

If you have the chance to attend A New You, the IIPP in Hawaii, or Be the Best You, I encourage you to do it. Your life will be blessed. Not just by BBJ and her team, but by the many women who attend. The struggles I've listened to, the sorrow I've seen and the joy and love I have felt has put my life into a new perspective. To each of my beautiful sisters that were in A New You 2013, I cannot tell you thank you enough for touching my life and sharing a little part of yours with me. I love each of you and have learned so much from you. I know that I am a better person because I have been able to share this experience with you. Life is as beautiful as you make it, and I am determined to live mine exactly as the Lord has planned for me.

XOXO,
Lala

Friday morning. After washing, I just let it air dry.

Saturday hair do

My sweet counselor Kathy

One of my PEEPS Karin

in the middle of the cut

it's GONE!!

all my hair, with my size 8 slipper as a reference

the minifro before styling

Emotion Code Certification

I AM SO EXCITED!!! I haven't posted in a while, life has been crazy busy for us! It has been so fun!! (and stressful at the same time) But I am so excited to announce that I am completing my certification to become an Emotion Code Practitioner!!! I am so stoked!! I signed up last week, but things got a little mixed up. Now that we've sorted most of it out (I hope), I get to start working on people! So if you are interested in having some "energy work" done, shoot me an email, comment on this post, hit me up on FB/Twitter/IG/Snapchat and we can get started. And it doesn't even have to be you that I work on (I just need permission, I can't just do it without them knowing. That is just rude.) But if you have an animal/pet that seems a little odd, I can help them too!

I will also be posting up different experiences, comments or testimonials of people I will be working with (with their permission of course) so that if you aren't sure you can get an idea of what it's about. And so you know I'm not just crazy and doing random things. I will keep you updated and also blog about our normal life things as well. I was just too excited and had to post this!! For more info visit the Emotion Code website and or visit my last blog about the ECode (which is what I will be referring it to from now on). Have a fantastic rest of your week!!

Elder Latu

Words can't express how proud, grateful and humbled I am to have Ofa Latu as my brother. But I will try my best to express it through this blog post. (cuz I'm cool like that. Right fatso?)

Senior year?

Ofa Latu has been the most annoying, irritating, weird, strange, stink little brother to have walked this earth. (Except maybe Vini.) People do not understand the annoyance I had to deal with, with this boy. People will try and argue with me on how "annoying" their sibling is, but as soon as I'm done explaining, I simply rest my case with them replying with "dang that is annoying". He is the type that did ANYTHING to prove he was right. And I mean anything. He is the type that will convince you that you are wrong even if you really are right. And he will manipulate the conversation/story/fact to fit his opinion. He always has to have the last say. I seriously mean it. Under his breath, in a text, on a piece of paper that he throws at your face. Plus he is extremely talented. He runs extremely fast (so NO ONE ever got him), he always had to touch you last (even if it meant he brushed by you 6 hours later), and he always got his way (perks of being mommy's favorite. admit it MOM you and gramma's fave is the OFA ki LIAHONA child). And he was so goofy, regardless of if you were right/wrong/whatever, he would make you laugh and forget about it instantly, which is probably the most annoying thing of all for a person who is ALWAYS unhappy. (me)

Maui 2005

With that said, Fatso (Ofa) is also the most loving, caring, considerate and brave boys I've ever known. He always looked out for me. In Jr High he would let me hang out with him and his friends cuz I wasn't cool enough to really have my own. He watched out for me in high school, always made sure I ate, gave me his candy (that wasn't hidden or half eaten, and he ALWAYS had candy), let me make mistakes (even in front of him) and let me fall when I needed too (while laughing). Even after I got married, he watched my son every night with his girlfriend (Nini I will forever be in debt to you too), gave me money when I needed it (even though he was a poor high school/college student) and loved me regardless of my mistakes and flaws. He is everybody's favorite. (well him and Na'a are technically at a tie) Kids (not just mine) LOVE HIM. They flock to him like flies on doodoo (hahahahahaha) and they love his free spirit and jokes.

Semi-Finals Senior year

Without a doubt, I am so blessed to have your stink face in my life. You have always been there for me. Regardless of all the things we went through (and we've been through a lot), you always had a smile (teeth or no teeth), was sure that things would be alright and laughed the whole way. I love you for all you've done for me because I know that's just YOU. You're going to be a great missionary, not because I'm supposed to say that to all missionaries, but because you'll be able to bless others lives like you have blessed mine. I've written about you before, but I wanted to share again because you're simply one of the best brothers I've had so far... (no I don't think mom them will have another child, but when na'a and my other sisters get married that adds more brothers.) May God continue to watch over you and guide you in your journey. You're the best. I love you stink boy!! (Indiana you better be good to my brother!!)

Fatso and Monster graduation w/grandpa Hevaha

after game w/Gabriel

After game

one of the many lovely faces of fatso

XXI model

after states '07-'08

monkey boy

hitachi

after Sio's grad. don't ask, none of us know

cruisin the Point w/Rish and Vai

Kahuku Football game

Halloween w/Gissi

Jammin

New Years 2011

Family pictures 2011

Kahuku '05?

beating up Sione

youth dance Kahuku 2005

Maui Halloween 2005

Independence week

After the temple w/tia Lupita's family

We've had such a fun week!! We got to see Josh's tia Lupita's family before they left. Well we practically got to see most of his family this week and it has been a while. We got to go to the temple with Lupita and her boys before Aaron left to the MTC. My kids loved spending time with them and harassing their kids. (My three are CRAZYYY.) Independence day we went to the Freedom Days in Provo with Glenin and Annette. My kids looooooooved it. Although it was crazy busy Gissi got her face painted, Gabriel went on a fun ride, I went with both of them on the spiny ride (which I will NEVER do again) and they all got prizes at the end! I think it'd be fun to start a booth. I just need to find something to sell. Lol. But later we went to Olga's again and had a family dinner which Abuela, Mario, tia Elizabeth and Veronica came to join us and tia Lupita's family. And we got to end the night with our fabulous neighbors to watch some fireworks! (did you see that one chelle??) It's hard to write about all of it without going all over the place so I'll just post some pictures. Lol.

getting her face painted

Her cute butterfly!

(don't mind my screenshots. my phone wouldn't let me save it. lol)

sparkelers!

I am also very grateful to live in this beautiful country. I feel so privileged to be an AMERICAN! Although my roots came from the small (tiny) islands of Tonga, I will forever be an American. Born and raised in this country, with international roots has opened my eyes to the blessings and privileges most American's take for granted. I love indoor plumbing, A/C, heaters, all the technologies along with the right to speak my mind, cuz I am a girl, the right to marry who I want (yes Josh I'm grateful we're married :)) and to have as many kids as I want! (even though I think we're good for now. lol) I am grateful to those who prepared the way and sacrificed and still do sacrifice for our freedoms in this country. I pray that with God as our guide, we will be able to move forward with peace and love. Life is to short to not see the beauties all around! I hope you have had as great of a week as I have and it's not even over yet!! Happy birthday America! I love you!!

my complaint about the fireworks. LOL