Tepa+'Lisi'

=Tepa 'Lisi'=

Geography of Western Samoa Podcast
media type="custom" key="8200002"

Geography/Biography
Miss Lisi, as known by friends, was born in Apia, Western Samoa. Western Samoa is located in the South Pacific Ocean, and part of Australia-Oceania. It lies about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. When researching Samoa, I learned that it is slightly smaller than Rhode Island. She came to America at the age of 3, where she lived in Honolulu, Hawaii. She moved here because her father got a scholarship at a university in Honolulu. She later moved to Ohio, where it is apparent that she has never seen snow before. There were also other states she lived in such as California and Minnesota.

Creative Writing Piece
**__Together__** Jordan Londergan

I come from split isle. They come from joined mainland. I come from heart and soul They come from mind and muscle.

We feel eternal heat. They feel melted frost. We feel the warmth of family. They feel the sting of isolation.

Our differences may separate us. They may tear us.

Or they may join us As brothers and sisters.

Together we love, Whether it mother Or spouse.

Together we run, Whether it be for life Or for fun.

Together we fight, Whether for our brothers Or for vengeance.

Together we bleed, Whether for our homes Or for ourselves.

Whatever the case We are the people of this world.

**__Transient__** Jordan Londergan

To come into a world of transient frost To come into a world of transient love

How strange this pallid fluff How strange this grass that’s white How strange the sting I feel

It’s like having a thousand tiny jellyfish Flutter all about It only lasts a second But a worse pain A worse pain hits my heart

This pain is unrelenting It scars my very emotion It is like venom The only antidote To see my brothers

I do not want to feel this not this pain It is no longer transient It is forever me

**__Brethren__** Jordan Londergan

Some will cheat and some will lie Some will even kill Some will pray and say their thanks Some will even humble

I want to help to make things right I make a change A difference

Are they my brethren? I am different I have a different past We are all people on this Earth

I say yes You are my brethren My brothers and sisters I say yes

Stop your petty crimes Just stop Make a difference Just stop

We need a new life For all of us We will make this new life We are a community

Just face it You are my brethren And we will rise Crime will fall When we unite

Transcript
Londergan: Can you please spell your first and last name for me?

Reynolds: Yes, Tepa Reynolds.

Londergan: Where were you born? What city and country, please?

Reynolds: I was born in Apia. Apia is located in Western Samoa. [Smiles and looks away]

Londergan: If you can, please tell me what countries you have lived in.

Reynolds: It’s been a while, [sighs] just Samoa and America, I think [grins].

Londergan: So, how old were you when you came to the United States?

Reynolds: I was probably about three, I think.

Londergan: So, you would have had to come with someone, right?

Reynolds: Yes, I came with my parents. My father had just gotten a scholarship at a university in Hawaii.

Londergan: Can you tell me the name of the university?

Reynolds: I don’t really remember. I think it was at the University of Hawaii. Not sure. I know it was in Honolulu.

Londergan: Did you face any struggles in America?

Reynolds: The biggest struggle that I faced was missing my brothers back in Samoa. [Looks out window]

Londergan: From what you have heard about America, was it accurate.

Reynolds: I would say no, because back in Samoa we perceive all Americans as rich, from T.V. and movies and things like that. That’s obviously not the case.

Londergan: [Laughs] How was your transition?

Reynolds: The biggest, most drastic transition was moving from Hawaii to Ohio.

Londergan: Why was it so drastic?

Reynolds: Because I hate snow! [Laughs]

Londergan: [Laughs] Me too! [Laughs] So, how was your reaction to life in the U.S.?

Reynolds: It was a little of a culture shock to see so many beautiful environments.

Londergan: What port of entry did you come into the U.S. by?

Reynolds: I uhh… came by plane I think.

Londergan: Can you please tell me what you have done with your life as a U.S. citizen and what you plan to do with your life?

Reynolds: At first, I didn’t really see the importance of being a U.S. citizen until I moved to a neighborhood with a high crime rate.

Londergan: If I may interrupt, what was the crime?

Reynolds: Adult Entertainment

Londergan: Please proceed with your story.

Reynolds: Okay, lets see. I was able to work because I had a green card. I became a citizen on April 13, 2006 so I could protect people from crime. I eventually would like to run for office.

Londergan: If you still lived in Samoa, what would be your main goal?

Reynolds: Probably helping kids with Bible studies.

Londergan: Can you tell me anything about Samoan art?

Reynolds: It is like Japan’s art. Samoan art is really in tune with nature.

Londergan: Can you teach me a little of your language?

Reynolds: Yes, Talofa means Hello. And Tofa means Goodbye.

Londergan: Thank you for your time and Tofa.

Analysis
Some immigrants come with their families. That’s exactly what Tepa did. She came when she was three even though her life in Western Samoa was prosperous. She now works for the U.S. government. Some immigrants are harshly discriminated against, but because of her rich culture, questions about her citizenship were never usually brought up. She does prefer life in America to the life she had in Samoa, mainly because she does not have to share a home with her parents and her grandparents her whole life. She is proud to be part of a melting pot.