EXTENDING A HEARTFELT THANKS

To all of you who had graced us with your presence during Phoenix Brave's Baby Shower last July 4th, in behalf of my husband, I thank all of you.

To Chief Malama, who had started the evening with a prayer, faafetai tele lava. Along with the Samoan boys, I am truly grateful of the "Fa'afetai i le Atua" (Church song meaning, "Thank You God") song that you have shared to us that evening. The BBQ and UMU were such a delight. There's nothing more rewarding to Hogan and I than seeing your presence with your families in welcoming our own Phoeninx Brave.

To Kuki, Hogan's sister, you flew all the way from Taiwan just to show your support and just to show how happy you are for us. I'm glad you were here for those busy 4 days to help out. You always shower us with blessing too. For that, thank you. Frankie and Angela, you helped a lot with the food and in going back and forth just to get the items needed for the entire evening. Thank you very much for that.

To Ate Aima, Ate Naths, Kuya Egay and Kuya Alvin, your extended efforts never fail to show us that your love will always be there. May our friendship stand thru time and thank you for being so helpful, thoughtful and excited for us. I truly appreciate Zaia's drawings and decors. It's undeniably a keepsake. The same goes with Jane for lending me her vases and Cathy for helping me out in sticking letters up to the poster and many more. All of you are angels spurting out just at the very moment I need you all.

I would like to send out a shout out too to Stevenie and Jacky for helping me in booking the venue. The party wouldn't be as successful if not for your help. Annemette, Phoebe and Alina too, you have talked to the Central Park personnels to be able to extend the function room for an hour. Fun wasn't put to a halt because of your huge help. Thank you Jarvey for the beautiful and delicious cake and cake pops, Ate Naths for the cutely arranged mallow pops and Ate Aima for the mini preggies cup cakes; Lhelai for helping out in arranging the venue, Rizalyn for just being available for whatever's needed to be done. Sharon and Candy for extending a helping hand too and Ling for merely asking how you could help plus the wonderful photos. You were there so early. To Ate Janice Gatmaitan for cooking the puto and the fabulous Sapin-Sapin, and to Ate Joey who had brought them all the way to the party, a billion thanks and kisses to you. Bobby, you've made the payment reach Ate Janice thru Ate Joey and it made it all easy so salute to you too. Love you.

To those who had helped out in grilling the barbecue, I am truly grateful for I know it's not an easy job. What's also not easy was for the little kids to sit by the stairs of the bus just to share their time to us. Silver and Renee, thank you for coming. I also know it was Ryo's birthday that day so Ms. Emi Hagiwara, I hope you both had a great time.

I would like to also like to specially mention my husband for making this event possible and wanting to get involved in everything. Hosting, barbecueing, opening of the gifts, entertaining the guests and just being there for me, making it all STRESS-FREE. I love you and like what we talked about, this is one of our markers that the much awaited day is about to come. We'll get thru and I'll be strong for you and Brave.

To the rest of you who had given us these fabulous gifts, it left us crying and asking God what we did to deserve this much love from you all. All these presents leave us more than complete. Even prepared for the near future and growth of Brave. Praise God for all of these blessings and mostly, your heartfelt wishes, words of wisdom and love in the cards that went along with these gifts. Our registry was almost ticked complete. We even have more than one of the necessities we have pondered on. We pray that all of your hearts would be blessed a thousand fold for loving us and Brave this much. There are some who weren't able to make it and just kept on showering more and more of their gifts still, thank you and the little girl will see you all soon.

All the bath products we have collected...

 

Thanks for helping us with the stocking
up of the much needed diapers.
Congratulations to the winner: Ling Lai!!!



"Thank you for the gift that I will soon see,

Mom said it's great, and you picked it just for me.

Mom is writing this blog post for you all because I am yet to arrive.

And even if I do, i won't be able to write well until I'm five."

 

- From Mommy, Daddy & Me

Baby BRAVE's registry

Hello there! Due to insistent public demand for a registry, I have made my own list of preferences as no registry is perfect enough due to limited products that they offer. This is again just some ideas of what we will be needing. Just leave a comment below if you're getting it so as not to have double purchases.

AGAIN, NO PRESSURE IN GETTING THESE STUFF FOR US. This is plainly to give ideas to the people who were requesting for the registry so that they would not be confused of what to give so that it could be efficiently used in the long run.



Piyo Piyo Baby Food Processor

1. BABY FOOD PROCESSOR - This was advised by a lot of mothers online because of its neat packaging and versatile usage. The lids are changeable depending on what you feel like making for the baby. This is for the very near future when the baby starts to get introduced with solid foods. My favorite feature for this product is its suction ring at the base. It helps maintain the container stable eventhough babies could struggle during first time feedings while they are learning to use the feeding spoon. (Click on the caption as to where to find it online and for a more detailed description.)

Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier

2. HUMIDIFIER -

So many moms had encouraged me that a good 24-hour humidifier is a must for the sensitive newborns. We are living in a hotel flat that may have little ventilation. Ventilation may be too limited that it relies greatly on the air conditioning system plus the vents of the kitchen and of the comfort room. That being said, it tends to give us chapped lips, dry throat and leaves our skin dry as well. Humidifiers may help out in preventing these and also in alleviating common colds and flu. I am into prevention as it is better than cure so it would really be helpful if we could get a good one as this. Of course, if you have greater suggestion that you may be using at the present with your own kiddos, let me know. By far, I'm satisfied in how the description of this product goes and that it had won an award for its effectivity and efficiency.

3. SWADDLE BLANKETS - This may be easy for the babies to grow from but this is a sure way to warm up Phoenix Brave since once she comes out, winter is just around the corner. As I've known from blogger moms, 3 would be advisable as the newborn babies may easily, soil, wet or salivate on one that's wrapped around them. If the other one is in the laundry, at least you got a spare as the other one is currently wrapped around your baby.

3-Pack Swaddle Me Blanket
Baby Swaddling Sleep Bag Infant Wrap Cotton
SwaddleMe

4. LAUNDRY/DETERGENT SOAP that's safe for the baby's gentle skin.

Caring for the baby's clothes is important as you want everything in contact with your baby to be soft, sanitary, clean and soothing. Babyganics Detergent keeps you on the safe side while these are checked on the list. Baby's Choice in Tin Shui Wai offers this one. This ensures baby's comfort even after leaving your arms as she gets laid on the bed to sleep. For more details, just click on the caption.

Babyganics 3x Laundry Detergent in Lavender flavor.

5. Breastmilk is best for babies and the only way we could feel comfortable in doing this in public would be with a help of a nursing cover. I am optimistic that I would be able to nurse Baby Brave sans the worries of disturbing other people. We aim to feed her according to her needs and we find that this would be beneficial as far as access to and availability of the milk is concerned.

NEW Aqua and Navy Stripes Hold Me Close Nursing Scarf,
Nursing Cover, Infinity Nursing Scarf

Cotton Candy Seamless Nursing Bra

6. NURSING BRA

With the same purpose in mind but without any experience since I am expecting my first baby, please do help me with the best nursing bra that I should invest on. I just saw this seamless one and thought that I'd be needing comfort from all of the nursing bras I'd be purchasing.

It is a very fulfilling task for a mom to be able to nurse her baby smoothly. Though I also am reading some of the discomforts that go with it and am aware that it may end up the way you didn't imagine it would. I choose to be optimistic though.

So If you have a comment regarding your experience with Breastfeeding and which intimates are best to buy, please don't hesitate to share. Leave it under this post because maybe there's a brand, style, cut that is most beneficial to this task, considering Asian size.

The Original Sophie the Teether also emits a sound
as the babies press on it making it stimulating on their
senses at the same time.

7. TEETHERS

At one point, my baby will grow her teeth and so many moms had warned me of the stress this could induce to a child. Besides the fact that they can't speak for themselves, they are just but helpless as they go thru this stage. Number 1 remedy would be the actual teethers that should be washable and non-toxic as the baby has direct access to it via non-other than the most common route of acquiring bacteria, the MOUTH.

They said, it's advisable to buy the one that contains different texture and shape to enhance teething and a teether that can be refrigerated (with liquid gel inside) could help soothe the gums too as they go restless when those incisors start to erupt.

8. SEDATIVE FOR BABIES

It may get to a point that teething is too unbearable for the kids to be able to get a good night's sleep and it may also cause diarrhoea to some. As I read and reviewed numerous of mother's expectations, standards and preferences, this one right here is the safest to use and is mostly made of organic ingredients. Here is a picture of both the front and back packaging for easy checking.

Homeolab USA Kids Relief Teething

9. HEALTHCARE KIT:

As a beginner to this so called "motherhood", it's important to be equipped of proper grooming and healthcare materials. One of the essentials that we may be needing: "the" KIT!!!! Complete with the bulb syringe, nail clipper for newborns, digital thermometer, aspirator and many more, this may also be called a survival kit. And from the term "survival", this may really come handy with its versatile compartments as additional pocket for wipes and diaper plus the milk bottle are included. For more of the detailed description and with the other colors that you could choose from, click on the caption.

Safety First Welcome Baby Nursery Kit

10. "Breastfeeding maybe tough on moms who have sensitive nipples and are first timers. In the long run, feeding the baby through your mammary glands may leave your nipples sore and cracked." - So I was warned. To prevent this from happening, I should be ready for a remedy once first signs start to get felt. They said this is a good product because it's safe to use for babies. But please, if you know of a better one, please leave your suggestions by commenting below.

Lanolin cream for cracked and sore nipples due to breastfeeding.

11. Not only mamas could have something cracked. Babies' bums that may always be exposed to a soaked diaper could also be cracked and may develop some rash too. So my mommy friends also suggested to have a diaper rash ointment at hand when redness is spotted upon removal of the diaper.

Ointment for Diaper Rash and Irritated Skin

12. It is truly difficult to bathe a newborn. The name of the game is SAFETY. Besides checking the temperature, the baby should be ensured that nothing would harm its delicate body, most especially the neck/head part. I find these bathing pillow tubs very reliable and easy to dry. Bath products and a squirming baby could equal a great dangerous threat. But this keeps the head elevated, padded from the tub and comfortable for baby. Bather tubs with a net are also better options than the plain ones. So, hope to be able to land the safest one.

Leachco Safer Bather Infant Bath Pad

Leachco Bath N' Bumper Cushioned Bath Tub - Blue Fish

13. BATHING MATERIALS/BATHING PRODUCTS:

To ensure natural wellness by maintaining good hygiene, we also find it necessary to have a good supply of bathing materials. Baby's skin ain't the same as ours to begin with so, these are products that are worldly used and Johnson's and Johnson's had always been a trusted brand. They have a gift set already. But I want to show the entire line of products included in the set so that you could pair up with somebody in getting it or you could set each product to each person in a group to come up with the set. It's cheaper and fun to put together. These are available in most supermarkets and health care product stores.

14. ELECTRIC DOUBLE BREAST PUMP

My maternity leave lasts for 2 months and will be going back to work as soon as that's over. In an attempt to continue breastfeeding sans an unsuccessful start, this will truly help Brave to be able to get hold of mommy's milk even though I keep a day job. As mothers suggest most of the time, it is better to invest on a good quality electric breast pump than a manual one. This is one of Amazon.com's best-selling ones but I'm pretty sure, there are some that are a lot cheaper, a lot lighter and as efficient so, let me hear out some suggestions.

Medela Pump in Style Advanced Back Pack

15. NEWBORN FOOTWEAR

It's not necessary to buy newborns shoes because they grow so fast past the size. So we figured, socks are much better to have a stock of. Brave will be born of a Filipino mom, and of a Samoan dad in August. That being said, as she grows 3 months come Winter time, she might have a foot similar of a 6 month old baby. Hahaha! So, probably a soft bootie could do her good to warm her feet without the risk of straining it because it's too small already.

Robeez Baby-Girls Newborn 6-pack Bear 

Ribbed Cuff Socks for Girls (4 pairs)

Zutano Newborn Unisex-Baby Fleece Bootie

That's mostly the things that we still lack of. I may have forgotten some or I may not know that there are other necessities and essentials out there that I don't have an idea about. Just do leave a comment below the blog post if you will get it for us so as not to have double purchases. Bless all your hearts that intend to give us presents though your presence is a gift itself in welcoming our baby.

Related posts:

1. YOU LIVE IN YOUR CHILDREN - A short video on how our children look up to us.

2. HOGAN AND KYTE NUPTIAL - Our union last year that gave way to Brave.

3. DAY 15 - A new camera to capture moments with Brave. #100happydaysproject

9 Months Pregnant and Still Dancing!!!!

They say, men are stronger than women in so many ways.

But as far as carrying a baby for 9 months is concerned

and then giving birth to a child, rearing and nurturing it as it grows,

physical strength in favor of the male species

may have found its greatest challenge. 

I am now on my last trimester of pregnancy and due to my growing belly, some of my activities had been limited. But to be able to be bestowed of a gift to rear a child into coming forth in this world leaves me grateful. To some, this may be a hindrance, an obstacle and a huge responsibility that they choose not to put themselves into such commitment. Since this natural phenomenon is beyond anybody's concept of pain threshold and this is the ultimate leap anybody could ever do, many opt not to have a child. But Mary Helen Bowers, a renowned ballet dancer, proves that having a baby doesn't mean you have to neglect yourself nor having a baby puts limits to your life as she gracefully continues to do what she does best....

DANCING

ALL THE WAY THRU 9 MONTHS OF PREGNANCY!

Mary Helen Bowers stretching out with her bump
as documented in Instagram

Baby Center, the site that I get monthly newsletter from for what to expect every week with my own pregnancy emphasizes on the benefits of exercise during pregnancy as follows:

1. It boosts your energy.

It's not an easy task to nurture a growing baby. But exercising helps you in keeping up with the physical demand pregnancy induces from your usual self. Exercise helps you maximize your body's potential as it adjusts to hormonal changes, waddling gait and indifference to bodily posture.

2. It helps you to sleep better.

You have to listen to your body when it heeds for rest. But when you're pregnant, your thoughts run wild over silly things. What the baby will be needing when it comes, if you're going to be successful in breastfeeding or how the expenses will go about as a new member of the family is about to arrive. Those could be little distractions that can make you insomniac, true story! But there's a way to battle insomnia and that is thru exercise. Your body gets to utilize the food it takes in during the day and therefore gets to utilize the energy that you've gained from the food. Your body then automatically succumbs to a period of rest to attain balance and homeostasis.

3. It reduces discomforts of pregnancy.

This is most applicable to first-time moms like me because you are still gaging on what changes may occur and are occuring on your body. Take note that every pregnancy is different. What you may perceive as something new may be treated a little way different by another expecting mom. For me, everything seemed new. One of the discomforts that exercise have helped me get relieved from was edema. Yes, those raddish cankles (called as such because no indent separates the calf from the ankles, almost looking like raddishes - that's just how straight and fat they are as shared by my friend) could be major turn-offs! They attacked me on my 8th month but good thing, elevation and regular exercise facilitated bloodflow. Both helped in combatting the effect of blood pooling, most especially in the lower extremities when you engage in prolonged sitting and standing. Good bloodflow also helps in preventing water retention. And exercise helps a lot in making your heart pumping. As you exercise, your body excretes water and leaves your body asking for replenishment. When replenished well and satisfactorily, your body won't perceive the need to hold on to excess fluids. Extreme weight gain may also be prevented as food gets utilized effectively. Just watch out for signs that you maybe doing extreme exercise. Usually, when you have to catch your breath so much that you can't talk right after is a sign you are taking it too far.

4. It helps your body to prepare for childbirth.

As your body engages into childbirth, it will increase your blood pressure, heart rate and expect that you may totally rely on instinct. But a useful form of exercise that may benefit you thru childbirth would be your breathing exercises and the Kegel's exercise. Kegel's prepares your perineal muscles and birth canal ready for the expansion as the baby's head passes thru it. Stretches done in preparation for holding positions in dancing, most especially when doing ballet, are a very good help for the perineal muscles too. Hips are opened up and its external rotation allows the baby's head to easily engage towards the inlet as the right time comes. Breathing exercise is a fundamental catalyst as you are asked to push in rhythm with your contractions. As the pain progresses over time, you are constantly reminded to concentrate on your breathing to allow recovery in between these contractions.

5. It reduces the stress and lifts your spirits.

Due to pregnancy, changes that may occur are both temporary (weight gain) and permanent (stretch marks). Seeing this may somehow affect your self-esteem at one point. But keeping yourself active while expecting is a good way to prepare yourself in getting back to shape after giving birth. Your body is used to that energetic vibe that it will search the light feeling exercising gives you right after a good build up of sweat. This feel-good-mood is brought about by the endorphins which are also known as the happy hormones. Its energy boosting properties makes you feel good about yourself.

6. It improves your self-image.

In relation to number 5, once stress is out of the way, you see yourself in a special way and you see the beauty of carrying a bundle of joy in your tummy. Exercising somehow makes you realise that you are yourself... plus more. As the endorphins serve you right, you also gain a lot from the good blood flow induced by being active. Oxygen is duly transported all over your body facilitating skin replenishment that gives you an instant glow. Because you are going beyond your body's limits, choosing to be active while pregnant, you feel empowered and fulfilled. Pregnancy is a blessing denied to many. And as I look at my own growing belly, I can't help but feel grateful that I am about to accomplish the essence of being a woman, and that is to bring forth this child into this world, worthy of a purpose.

7. It may help you get your body back after childbirth.

An additional 40% to 50% to the normal blood volume runs thru a pregnant woman's body making the heart work more. With that much blood getting pumped at every heartbeat, the heart copes and increases its size by 12% making you breathless upon exertion. The heart is composed of cardiac muscles and like any muscle, it gets stronger and bigger when being worked up. I have emphasized that once your body gets accustomed to a routine, it will adapt to it effortlessly in the long run. As you engage in exercising during pregnancy, it prevents you from slacking and getting lazy helping out the cardiac muscles of the heart working efficiently. This goes the same with the group muscles that make up your extremities. Although your will plays a big role to how you move, doing exercise regularly makes it possible for your body to adapt to the dreaded task subconsciously. It may suck the first time but if you don't miss at all, "not exercising"  may feel like not brushing your teeth. You will look for it subconsciously.

Mary Helen Bowers still executing an arabesque maintaining balance
effortlessly even with a pregnant belly.

In connection to Helen Bowers intention to stay fit, she also serves as an inspiration to expecting moms like me. I am a dancer too and I admit it isn't easy. I am no ballerina but I do jazz and hip hop and I dance in the parade for 6 years (in the happiest place in Hong Kong) and all of those require a lot of jumps and well, it is pretty much physically demanding. The moves are not for pregnant women I assure you. So, there was a huge change in my routine from dancing full out outdoors everyday to a sedentary lifestyle. But settling for stretching, yoga and swimming were very helpful. When I came across this beautiful mama, it dawned on me that plies, a la seconde stretches and tendu's are not that bad to do. It actually prevents cramps of the calves for ruining a good night's sleep most especially when you do it right before you go to bed.

A la seconde stretch (on the floor)

Mary Helen Bowers embraces her body as she gets accustomed to the changes pregnancy had brought forth. She was the trainer behind Natalie Portman's success winning the best actress portraying "The Black Swan". Countless Victoria's Secret models also run to Mary Helen Bowers for fitness training right after giving birth for well-toned body in a way of dance. She is the founder and creator of Ballet Beautiful. She is now a mom and from the experience of carrying her baby to giving birth, she encourages mothers, most especially the soon-to-be's, to celebrate their bodies by choosing to be aware and involved in all the changes as it progresses during the entire pregnancy.

There's no other person who knows your body more than you do. Listen to it and enhance its capacity by strengthening it and keeping it healthy. Now who says mama can't swag?

Related posts:
1. WHO'S GOT SWAG - Check out how these dancers express themselves doing what they do best.
2. HIP-POP OR HIP-HOP - The new kind of swag.
3. SUMMER IS HERE - Not sure about how to kick off your Summer?

SAMANTHA ROSE SCOTT FEAUSI

"My father is my biggest influence for me to pursue rugby.

He always believed that women should have a place in the game,

and helped the women's rugby profile in Hong Kong."

SAMANTHA ROSE SCOTT FEAUSI 

is no ordinary woman.

She tackles, dives on the field to score a try

and shows the world that RUGBY ain't just for men!






Sam lives by these words:
"Always do the best that you can,
in all the ways you can, to all the people you can."

I have supported my husband as he joined several rugby clubs here in Hong Kong and that means, I have witnessed him get down and get dirty. My knowledge of the sport is not that much but one thing's clear to me, the excitement that it brings to the audience is magnified with the intensity of how a player would die to score a try. It is a scary sport and I am in awe with those women who can actually meet the standards to be called a "rugger".




That's basically what it's all about.

So this time, in the name of woman empowerment combined with proving that dreams do come true, let me introduce a good friend of mine who had made it happen in a land where culture says pink and dolls are for girls and blue and trucks are for boys.

SAMANTHA AS SHE GREW UP




Sam with her dad

Sam, as she is commonly called, was born in Hong Kong of a father who's half Tongan and the other half of New Zealand roots. On the other hand, her mom is half Filipino and half Turkish. With all of these strong blood lines, the calling for Sam in becoming a promising Rugby Player started as early as when she was 14 years old.



Seeing her father, brother and cousin get fond of the sport, she developed a special connection to it as she literally grew up in a Rugby environment where the boys were involved in mini-Rugby leagues. They also ended up playing for a club called Valley RFC here in Hong Kong. She gets to tag along but she would just sit back and watch, supporting her family from the benches. When the Valley opened the path in 1994 to interested women, Sam stood up, went to training and started her career in Rugby.

She went to South Island, Hong Kong for secondary schooling and had studied

in University of Waikato, New Zealand and University of Hong Kong to finish school. Because of such time spent in New Zealand, the New Zealand Blacks had become her favourite Rugby team. She considers that Rugby had helped her make it thru college by being able to exercise the importance of team work, camaraderie, perseverance, flexibility and patience. Up until now, she imparts these values to her students as she teaches primary school at the present.  

 

HOW SHE SEES RUGBY AS PART OF HER LIFE

For Sam, the sport had taught her a lot in life. She finds any team sports, in fact, a ground where you could learn how to work together. Respect for each of the team player's capacity, knowledge of the role that they have to stand up for and the passion in making it happen are the key factors to win. But she knew that all of these would be meaningless if they don't choose to work along and if they don't trust each other. 

Hong Kong 7's Women's Team of 2012
They may have cute smiles but they are scrum queens.

Her family is Sam's best team where they allow Sam to be her true self as she embraces Rugby and excels in it. They respect her decision in choosing to be extraordinary with where her passion leads her to. That way, she is able to achieve a lot. 

Asian Games 2010
Sam rummaging against 3 Thai women

Some of Sam's awards besides the prestigious Player of the Year 2013 are the following:

WOMEN'S MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - RFC Valley

WOMEN'S MOST VALUABLE PERSON - RFC Valley

WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR - HK LEAGUE - Hong Kong Rugby Footbal Union

INTERNATIONAL 15'S WOMEN'S PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Hong Kong Rugby Football Union

In addition, her team (RFC Valley) holds 4 consecutive 15' Grand Championship wins and are 15's Women's League Winners for 4 consecutive times as well.

Sam undoubtedly gives her all once she's set to a goal. She makes a motivation out of the fear that she feels in dealing with failure. She hates disappointing others and this serves as her trampoline in achieving grand results. Rugby influenced her life so much in a way that as she gets thru play by play alongside her teammates, she finds life's lessons similar to the lessons that she needs to survive in every game. Dedication, hard work, and respect. According to this powerful athlete, she owes her success and achievements to the people around her who believed and supported all the way on and off field. Her coaches who had taught her of what she knows, the team mates that had assisted her in scoring tries and her family and friends who had never judged her of considering Rugby as the sport dearest to her.

But there's no greater achievement than finding your better half who's as passionate as you are, doing the same thing and being the one who pushes you to the top when you are on the verge of giving up. Her husband, Wesley Feausi keeps up with the bruises, black eyes and complaints of feeling sore and had never ever made her feel inferior or that she should give Rugby up. She acknowledges him in a sense that without him, no success and achievements are worth remembering without his support.

There are challenges in between where they had to meet up in an important Championship final match as Wesley coaches the team that (South China Causeway Bay Phoenix) had to play against Sam's team (Tradition Valley Black Ladies) at one point. But the Valley Ladies were unstoppable in tackling their way to winning the cup.



There's no stopping the Valley ladies.
Sam not letting anybody get in her way.

At the end of the day, a congratulatory massage awaits by Wesley and they continue being courageous in doing what they do best - remaining as beasts on the field.

In all its glory, there is also a price to pay. I asked Sam of the greatest blow she had encountered playing Rugby and she named "injuries" as the greatest threat there ever was to her career. She had a knee injury that required surgery. She was devastated when she heard that the healing process needed 2 years and that she wouldn't be able to play after reaching the height of her career. Little did she know that it was a blessing in disguise. Eventually, it became an opportunity for her to coach and learn a new set of skills. Now, she can coach and play at the same time. She remained focused in upgrading herself positively, getting reinforced from the negative experience coming back vibrant and refreshed.

Her plan towards the future is to go back to her playing days well recuperated to serve the RFC Valley still and to contribute to as much goals the team had set, not only in winning but also in developing other talented ladies. She believes that whatever achievement you gain, you should always stay humble enought to look back from where and how you began. On that note, she would make an effort to gain the necessary skills on a coaching level to be able to support the RFC Valley Team into its advancement. Guiding girls in pursuing their dream of being a scrum queen makes an appeal to her and she is more than glad to share what the sport had taught her.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE:

I have met Sam during an annual celebration of the Samoan Independence Day here in Hong Kong and it was an honor to get to know the sweet gal in her. She and her husband had become good friends and sometimes it makes me hard to distinguish that this actual lady is as fierce as any other men when playing Rugby because of her natural grace and charm. Both our husbands are Samoans and we both own a Filipino heritage. Here are some of Sam's favorites that you may find the same as yours. She may be an extraordinary gal but that doesn't mean there's no tinge of the fun, spontaneous woman inside.

1. FAVORITE HOBBY: Travelling

2. FAVORITE COLOR: Navy Blue

3. FAVORITE SPORT (besides RUGBY): Volleyball

4. FAVORITE FOOD: Roast Lamb

5. FAVORITE SPORTS GOOD/GEAR: anything Adidas

6. FAVORITE RUGBY TEAM OF ALL TIME: All Blacks

7. FAVORITE QUOTE:

"If we all take an eye for an eye, the whole world will be blind" - Ghandi

8. FAVORITE PLACE: Tekapo, New Zealand

9. FAVORITE BOOK: Lost Symbol – Dan Brown

10. FAVORITE MOVIE: Fifth Element

For all of the Rugby fans/students/aspiring women rugby athletes/girls and women alike, Sam shares this advice:  

"Set yourself goals, and do all you can to achieve those goals.

Never think you are the best at what you do.

Stay humble and always be willing to learn and take advice.

When you have achieved what you wanted,

don’t forget where you started and give back."

Related posts:

1. ARIEL REONAL - A Filipino making it to Ms. Saigon

2. ELA LISONDRA - A Filipino making her debut as a theatre performer in the West End.

3. HOMEBAKERS TURNED ENTREPRENEURS - Check these ladies and their cakes.