I found this lovely dress/skirt piece at the Newman Fortescue festival. I loved the vibrant colour, light material and $20 price tag....perfect for the summer weather.

Jailhouse rock

I had such an amazing experience travelling out to the Jigalong Community last weekend and I haven't really had time to reflect and post on it. I guess there is no better way to get your mind thinking than 14 hours on the open desert road.

I was asked to attend a funeral with a friend; whom I teach with as she is the daughter of a Pastor and they lived in the community for a few years. It wasn't just a normal "stay for a few years" type gig. Her Dad was so respected by the community members that they entrusted him with their "men's business" tools and knowledge.

What also happened is that they became "skin" to this community and its people. She has cousins, aunties and uncles and all of which look at her the same way.

The previous week she drove to Newman to pick me up and passed her Martu Daddy at the service station. She was informed that her "sister" had sadly passed away in prison.

And so we returned the week later in order for Dayle to pay her respects. I was excited as I hadn't seen my students in almost a month. I know you're not supposed to have favourites but everyone does and one of my special girls comes from that community so I was excited to see her.

I was called outside of the house to be greeted by Miss Joan and her mob (being all her grannies that she cares for) and it was such a nice feeling to be missed and met by these people again. We quickly started to exchange stories of funerals (we both had family funerals recently) and holidays and the high school trip to Sydney and as we walked to the shop I would hear "MISS CARMELLLLLL!" as more and more students were surprised to see a teacher in their home community. Best feeling ever really...... them running up to you for a hug..... and looking for the same reciprocation they extended towards me..... I had students run up to me that had only attended school for like 2 days and they wanted hugs, and kisses too.

As the weekend went on I became quite sad and how much prison is accepted and dare I say it, expected. What I mean by expected is that it boys (more so than girls)  kinda grow up, they commit (mostly) petty crimes and eventually end up in the big house and being there is not that out of the ordinary, and having your Dad or Mum there is not odd either and spending your teen years in juvie is kinda common.

My beautiful kids, they easily know more than 3 people who have been or are in jail, and some have parents and or immediate relatives in "lock up".......... I dunno I guess I'm really disturbed by it.... being a teacher you kinda aim to change or influence world views of the children so that they expect something better.....and it just got me thinking.... what can we do to make it a little better? what can we do to bring about a change where jail is not the norm.....the old people, they got up and spoke..... "this is not right, old people shouldn't be burying young people... its all mucked up and around the wrong way.......theres more to life than just drinking". It was as if they were pleading to the young ones to find a different way........

this person...... she died in jail.....her brother came to the funeral from jail in chains and when the kids were taking me around Jigalong they wanted a photo cause they were playing "lockup"........ this is what they see and know...... how are we going to change this? how am I going to change this?

Goodness..... kinda serious huh....

Much Luv,

Falala Mele

last week sometime

Top: Rockmans
Dress: Best and Less
Belt: Big W
Earrings: Diva
Bangles: City Chic

one school and two funerals

So first week back at school was SAAAALOOOOOWWW! For those of you who don't know me... although I think you all do :P I am a teacher for a grade 3,4 & 5 class out in the remote desert of Western Australia... and my students are all Aboriginal kids bar one.... so these kids come from fairly traditional communities and for anyone who has ever worked with Indigenous Australians; you know what happens during funeral time.

Come rain, hail or shine, it doesn't matter if it's your great great uncle's cousin who passed away, you must attend the funeral. So I return to my school with all but 6 students in my class. Wiluna has a funeral and so does Jigalong. Have you ever watched Rabbit Proof fence? Well my kids are from that country..... My housemate is not back either :( Stupid rain delayed the planes from Sydney.... but at least she gets extra time with the family....

So as for the clothes.... well.... out here I kinda don't get to dress up as much :( Its really country here and there really isn't many events or places to dress up for.... but I will still post up outfits that I wear around here.... one of my new girls said to me today "Miss it's like you come from New York or something"..... lol I WISH JELLYFISH!

This is what I wore today. It has been a favourite top of mine since I purchased it during the July holidays... I brought it from Big W when I was shopping with friends.... I think it may have been $30 or somewhere around that mark....... Hope you are all having fun dressing up or down; whatever the situation may be.... and a special shout out to my lovely friend Miss Magenta who is also in teacher clothes mode. Miss you all <3

Falala Mele

Eat Pray Love

Bonjour Friends!

How are you all? Well it has been a long week since my last post...actually its been over a week but I have been busy packing up and preparing for my inevitable return to the bush..... so here I am, back in the middle of nowhere in Western Australia and I am so happy to be back in my house :) My roommate is still enjoying all the bright lights and wonderful food that Sydney has to offer... so she won't be back until Thursday.... I loved being back home and being able to attend things... birthdays, movies, food and shopping....

Although not much shopping occurred (I was busy with family and all my duties as a niuean girl during a funeral) so most of my time home was spent driving back and forth to the airport, buying food, cooking and feeding family and friends and cleaning and crying with loved ones over the loss of my dear Uncle.

Emo much? try having your aunty telling you that she wants you to sing at the funeral..... "It doesn't matter if you cry, it doesn't matter if you can't sing properly... I want you to sing for your Uncle"...........

*DEEP BREATH*

So aside from all that.... I managed to find this sweet little top at big w for about $25 AUD.... oh and if I could have found the next size up it would have made the sweetest dress..... but I still love the colour, the lil detailing in the sleeves....it's lovely and light and I'm sure I will get a lot of good use out of it during the hot Australian summer.... So sad I missed out on the little black cherry dress :( DAMN IT!

So back to the eat pray love. I managed to catch the movie on the night before I flew out to Perth. The first part of the movie left us all feeling giddy at the sight of the beautiful italian buildings..... we tried repeating each Italian phrase as she was being tutored in the language and we longed to eat pasta, pizza, prosciutto and melon..... GAAAHHHH! Can I please be there right now? You see, my sister and cousin (who is basically my sister) are approximately a year off graduating. The plan is to move to London for approximately 6-12months to work and travel all around europe.... on my brief visit to london, paris and amsterdam... I basically fell in love with europe and wish to have a longer affair over there!! First stop after we arrive into London.... Italy :) as for the rest of the movie? Yeah I kinda wanted to rewind the first part and watch italy over again.... gotta love the "eat" part of the movie.....the pray and the love part kinda had me wanting to hit myself over the head so that I could snap out of my boredom.

So here a few pics of the outfit..... I really need to take time out for better pics... but I usually only have time for a quick few shots cause I am always running late... note to self.... take better pics of the outfit so people can see what Im wearing..... DONE... thats noted ;)

I hope you are all well.....

Many blessings coming from Karalundi,

Falala Mele

lucky 21

Jenny's birthday was wonderful.... Food, friends, family, entertainment and ofcourse a few dramas.... I mean what would a 21st be without a friend who takes off for a booty call or whatever it was with the birthday girls ID??????? or the early eviction from FEVER because a friends heart was shattered like the bottle she smashed on her way out??? Fun times with my beautiful girls....





Jennifer Latu, you are beautiful... I wish you many many many more happy birthdays to come......

 Jenny doing her traditional Tongan dance surrounded by family who place money on her oiled virgin skin

 

 guests- cica mele and lulu

After party @ FEVER wollongong

harpo :)

Fakalofa lahi atu!

Hows is the world doing tonight? Hope its all good in your hood. Since I am still on holidays (God Bless school holidays) I have been fortunate enough to catch up on some daytime television. Yes... I was watching Oprah.... and since the news of Oprah's trip down under...I guess everyone is a lil' more Oprah crazy than usual. This show was the one about friendship and best friends and it had a amazing story about Charlaine Vivian Stringer. If you have never heard of her, look her up.... it was just so nice to hear a positive story about someone doing good, overcoming adversity and helping others....we all need to do a lil more....give a lil more and help a lil more......

Oh and back on track (I do get side tracked).... here are a few pics from yesterday.......

Shirt: Kmart $15 (sale)

Vest: City Chic $15 (sale) :)

Tights: Kmart $10

Shoes:Kmart $8

Glasses: Cotton On $10

I never noticed how much Kmart stuff I had on......But it was a casual and comfy outfit.... we went shopping, movies and lunch.... fun day really.......

 we love timezone

Many Blessings,

Falala Mele