JAMIE! JAMIE! JAMIE!

YOU GUYS!  Guess what TOTALLY AWESOME sister of mine is turning 21 today?!!!!!  Ok ok ok...I only have one sister but still....she is the most "STELLAR" chick in the world....I may be a little biased but I seriously love her TO DEATH & think she's the funniest person alive!  I decided to dedicated an entire post to Jamie Su'a!!!  Since she's turning 21 I'm gonna name 21 things that I love about her!  For some of you who don't know Jamie you are seriously missing out!  If you ever get a chance to get to know her...DO NOT HESITATE!  Let the countdown begin.....

21. Gees, where do I begin?  I'll start at the beginning...literally...she's my YOUNGER sister and only a personality like Jamie could follow my tough act! 

20.  She's the smartest person I know...in all aspects.  She's brain smart, if she was on Jeopardy she would win.  I hate/love watching Jeopardy with her b/c she gets all the answers (even the ones my Mom & Auntie Shanna can't get) before I even have time to mull it over in my mind.  She is media smart....she knows what is going on in Hollywood as well as....uh.....not Hollywood....I seriously don't know how she has so much brain space.

19.  She will do ANYTHING for anyone to help them.  Seriously you guys...when I look for excuses she's right there helping and doing whatever she needs to do to help people...even if she's tired....or annoyed.
18.  She's the sweetest girl!  I could never ask for a sweeter, kind-er sister.  She's so tender-hearted.  Ugh...I don't know if I can get through this post w/o crying.....10 min break

17.  Ok...back in action....we are DIE-HARD *Nsync fans....for those of you who are hating on us right now...back it up....slow your roll...you don't wanna mess with this!  James and I have gotten into several concerts of theirs for FREE99....well...one of them was a Backstreet Boys Concert, whom I consider a poor man's *Nsync...but the nevertheless...*Nsync brought us closer together, and when everyone was hatin' on me she stood by me and was right there to show all the "haters" up by singing and dancing every word to "bye bye bye, it's tearing up my heart, giddy up, i want you back"...etc, etc.   We would stay up til ALL hours of the night and wait for their Disney Concert to come on tv just so we could watch them....we would have to argue with our mom to stay up later so we could watch it....2 against 1 always has the advantage...right on Jame!  Stick together!

16.  We are the freakin BEST tag team ever!!!  We work it and twerk it (& I don't mean that in a clubbin' dance move way..I mean we can turn it on and turn it off  from Oakland to Sactown...the Bay Area and back down!) When we join forces.....our power is limitless!  Side Note: Don't ever let us play on the same team in a game....you will have NO CHANCE of winning....I'm serious...none.

15.  Domestically we are a good team....I can make our house shine like the top of the Chrysler building....and she can mow the lawn like she owns her own Landscaping business....the girl's got talent folks...do NOT underestimate her mowing abilities!

14.  When nobody would listen to me about how great the soap opera "Passions" was...SHE stuck with me and got hooked on it too.  We would leave school (Copper Hills High....go grizz) to come home and watch it....we converted a few....not many...but a few.
13.  She LOVES her family.  This girl goes completely out of her way for her fam bam....immediate AND extended!

12.  Girl can COOK!  Who needs a personal chef if Jamie is around?  Seriously you guys....I don't know how she does it but she's by far one of the best cooks I know...besides you mom and dad (you're a cook mom...so are you dad!)

11. She has a certain pizazz on the piano that nobody else can duplicate.  She's one of a kind.

10. It's like she can almost read my mind.....so crazy!

9.  She can quote movie lines in her everday conversation....and make it sound good.  This is not a talent to be taken lightly folks.....

8.  She has pretty much the cutest hand writing I've ever seen.....along with a variety of different fonts and sizes.

7.  She is a hard worker. 

6.  Only Jamie can invent "contradictory dancing" excute it to a "T" and make my sides hurt from watching it!

5.  Jamie is the ONLY person I know whose car has a "FUNK" system....one of a kind people....one of a kind!

4.  Her facebook status updates are the most clever updates in the world....sorry guys....she wins hands down.
3.  She has an amazing eye for classic-trashy-can't-pull-yourself-away television.
2. She can invent/create/put together...crafts/martha stewart-ish meets rachel ray-ish/home economic-ness things...for instance...quilts, purses, necklaces, clothes, accessories,scrapbooks,baby books, and everything else "do-it-yourself" under the sun...(she would be the one to do it) is not only incredible to watch, but fantatic to reap the fruits of her labor...we totally get hooked up!
1. Drum-roll please.......if there were a contest for the wittiest, most cleverest (grammatical error intended), most ingenious girl, she would win.  It's as plain and simple as that.  I know a lot of you might be in the running for that...but when it comes right down to it (& it's not just cause she's my sister) Jamesie would command & conquer all.  Jamie's humor is not only intelligently skillful, but it's quick, hilarious, and enjoyable. 
Getting down to brass tax....she's an absolute necessity to our family & I would NEVER want to live without her.  Happy Birthdizzle Jamie....we all love you so so much!  In the words of  Cookie Googleman...."You don't forget the best!" - Best in Show

Brrr! It's cold in here!

"You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water" Rabindranath Tagore. I am a "doer" I think I always have been. If I want to do something I will simply do it...not talk about it....I say this not to boast or find favor within myself but to illustrate how much FUN it can be! A few years ago I was driving up Provo Canyon and saw a sign "Float Trips"...I investigated...having rather a curious nature I tried it out....so much fun! This year I suggested to a group of friends that we should float down the Provo river! We got a good group together and had it out with the River....countless bruises and scratches later we have another Adventure to go into the books. It was such a hit we did it several times this summer...each time we went new people came...not only a fun acitivity but a great way to make new friends! The water is a deathly 40 degrees Farenheit for some people proved much too cold...some stood on the banks of the river and poked fun at those trying to catch their breath once they hit the water....those people were soon brought to humilty when it came time for them to enter the water. The object of the game is to stay in the middle of the river, or else.....if you don't you'll take it up with the rocks, branches, logs, fish, and shrubbery of the river banks (thus the bruises and scratches). Here's the secret...don't fight it...if you run into the bank of the river or a rock or a log etc...just let it happen...it will correct itself...I tried to tell everyone that over and over...but no one listened...I have gone down this river a plethora of times and I've walked away scotch free...hmmmm coincidence? NOPE...sheer genius and intellect! Adventure 2-Cha-ching...success!

I love this pic (above) you can see Whitney, Mary, & Lisa fighting with the trees!  lol!

Pretty Pretty Princess?

Pretty pretty Princess right? That's what you all think when you see or think of me right? NO MORE! I have traded in my tiara and pink-ness for a more rough and tough lifestyle. That's right Bear Grylls (of Man vs Wild) you have some competition...and her name is Jenilyn Su'a. As the summer started off I didn't have a job and I wasn't a student. Some of you may look at my situation and think "Wow, what a loser." HOWEVER! I have had the BEST summer of my life...well..almost the best summer of my life......no...this HAS been the BEST summer. One Day I was ansy...I needed to get out. I planned a hike:Stewart Falls.
Hiking Checklist:
*good shoes-check
*water-check (but i didn't bring enough...I was SOOOO thirsty..definite dehydration)
*granola bars-check(you never know when you're gonna need a mid-path snack)
*people who are in the same shape as you so if you need to stop and take a rest you're not the only one (smart right? bet you didn't think of it)-check
*IPOD (an absolute necessity)-check
*the football players/volleyball players/soccer players/rugby players/track guys/baseball players/ANY freaking sport in the world-check (remind me to leave them home next time)
For those of you who have NEVER hiked the Stewart Falls Hike let me break it down for you....it starts off uphill for the first million years of your life....once you get past the first part....it's pretty much smooth sailing (pretty much)...however, the views are breath-taking, the air is clean and the exercise is exhillarating. Once we got up to the falls one of the boys made the comment (brace yourselves girls) "Next time we're running the whole way" *weirdest look on my face i'm sure* Uh...yeah what a great idea (those were the words coming out of my mouth but not the words in my mind). Overall, the hike was great and I would def do it again....Adventure 1=Success!




If you look really close you can see us (me & Pauli) sitting on the mtn. having a conversation. This gives you an idea of how awesome the falls really are!

Didn't Know....

Last Sunday or should I say Monday (b/c it was midnight on Sunday which is technically Monday) I finally rounded up a crew to play night games (some people think night games are for little kids...I do not). It was dark...no light, crisp cool air, and great hiding spots which make for a perfect set up. After a while of hiding it was my turn to seek (piece of cake right?)...I'm very good at outwitting the opponent...I mean my acting skills to fake them out are seriously crazy!!! I was done counting...and I was in pursuit of Pauli (fast cat like reflexes but no match to mine) barefoot...it's easier to run that way...and you get a lot more speed. I was chasing him and just as I reached out to claim my victory *POP* I heard it pop as if someone were holding it up to my ear...I couldn't be bothered with it so I continued to gain my victory, but then.......the pain set in...I was unable to use my foot...ouch ouch ouch ouch....breathe breathe was all that came to mind. Everyone around me could see something was wrong (I don't give up that easy I'm soooooo competitive...a weakness and a strength which is a whole other blog topic)....what's wrong Jen what's wrong are you ok? Yeah I'm good I'm so good don't even worry...I couldn't show I was in pain that would indicate weakness! I continued to play as if nothing happened (deep down dying inside...it hurt so much) not thinking that if I continued to play on an injured foot it could make it worse. We eneded shortly after...I was happy to go home and nuture my foot....the next morning I woke up and to my surprise my foot was worthless....I crippled myself. I spent the day "relaxing"....on the couch watching tv (BORRRRRING!) When my dad came home for lunch I was so excited b/c I was so thirsty! I couldn't even get up to get water! I didn't know how much I depended on BOTH of my feet. Dr. Manti Su'a diagnosed the injury as a "snapped longitudinal arch" which will eventually get better with time. It's been over a week...it still hurts....sniffle...tear. Looking on the bright side...I'm so grateful to have feet that work. I'll remember that this Thanksgiving when we name what we're grateful for at the dinner table.

How does she do it?

Sometimes I wish I was witty, funny, and a better writer. I feel like I have nothing to write about, but there is SO much going on in my life. Why is that? I would rather write about good things than complain about what's going on with me you know? However, I'm gonna go out on a limb...I'm gonna completely put myself at there through this post b/c I really want to express how incredible my mom is. This year (starting in January) has not been the absolute best year of my life. I recognize that I have truly been blessed however, it's been a test for me. I have gone from daily breakdowns to weekly breakdowns which is def an accomplishment. All the while my mother has been there to pick up the pieces, put them back together and somehow put a smile on my face....how does she do that? I have no idea what I did/doing/will do to deserve her, but I fully accept and love that I was blessed to have her as my mother. I know that those of you who are reading this are thinking to yourselves how much you appreciate, love, and are grateful for your mothers too. More power to us! I don't think our mothers get enough recognition, and that in itself is sad to me. They are one of the most influential people in our lives, yet sometimes I feel I take her for granted and I apologize. Mom, I love you and I'm so eternally grateful for your strength, your support, your keen intellect, and your wonderful heart. When I grow up, I want to be exactly, to the "T" like you.

Kiwi Continuation

There are hardly words to describe the way we feel when we do something for the first time. Words such as "awesome, breathtaking, unreal, beautiful, fantastic, and amazing" are just too understated for me to use. So how do I describe my experiences?

In New Zealand there are heart-stopping views pretty much wherever you look. This is atop a mountain...hill rather at sunset. Have you ever noticed how sunsets are the perfect backdrop for any occasion?

Once upon a time there was a hill with a single tree that stood upon it we knew it as "One Tree Hill" a famous band called U2 named one of their albums after it. A few years ago some idiot chopped down the ONE tree that stood on "One Tree Hill" thus making it...no tree hill...the ONE trademark that separated this hill and gave it individuality no longer existed. Now there's a monument in tribute to the country's heritage and ancestry. This is ONE of the views from that hill.

One sunset evening...mind you I wanted to go during the day so we could see the view, but as it is "Samoan time" is set for whenever...meaning...no structure or guilt (if you miss an appointment) no sense of time exists...we decided to go on a hike up Mangere Mtn. with the sun setting (in all it's stunning glory) we walked up the mtn at our leisure (not really...we had a drill srgt. telling me to pick up the pace before the sun went down) enjoying the brisk evening air and the thrilling foliage of Mangere's finest mtn. this is a parital view from half way up.

When I left for NZ I had no intentions of being in another wedding line (3 times a bridesmaid never a bride sort of thing). As it was I was honored to be part of the Krone-Siaki Wedding line...my cousin Shirley and I had a great time...IN THE RAIN...and the humidity!

Each of the bridesmaids wore a different color dress (all the same in make...different in color) Liz (pink), Myself (green), & Toe (blue) were very happy to take our seat in the stretch hummer limo....we roll deep! Hahahaha!

Only Child Syndrome

I am the oldest of four kids. My whole life I've always wanted to be an only child. Maybe b/c I USED TO (past tense)love attention. Well ladies and gentlemen, I finally got my wish. As some of you may know both my brothers live in Provo...away from the nest (which is currently in West Jordan)which is about 45 minutes away, my younger and prettier sister flew across the pond to visit the ever-famous, ever-attractive country/continent we know as Europe. Which leaves me in a too-big-for-three-people house with my parents. As I reflected on my term as an only child I realized..."it is NOT all it's cracked up to be." Think about it. Question: When your parents need something done...who do they ask? Answer: the only child. Jenilyn please do the dishes, Jenilyn please fold the clothes, Jenilyn please cook dinner, Jenilyn please vaccum the house, Jenilyn please get me some water, Jenilyn please weed the ENTIRE back yard before the sun comes out, Jenilyn please do the grocery shopping (a task that I actually enjoy...but don't tell...it will ruin the effect)...I am so sick of the name "Jenilyn" I'm thinking of changing it! Well...not really but it adds drama to the story so I'll keep it. When I was in 4th grade (I still remember this vividly) we read a book called "The Wishgiver" the moral of the story (I won't bore you with the particulars) was to be careful what you wish for, and that ladies and gentlemen, that in a nutshell is the moral of this blog...be careful what you wish for....for you may in fact get it. Jamie, please come home!