Samuel Jimenez

If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water.

I try to spend a lot of time around the people I grew up with. It keeps me grounded. And in that, it’s a constant reminder that even if I’m not always exactly where I’m trying to be or get to that I’m a lot further from where I came from. It’s a coin flip where I come from. There’s so many of my childhood friends that are in prison, twacked out, or gone. And I’m still here… finding ways to grow. It ain’t always fun or easy but it’s what I’ve committed myself to because I understand that there were so many forks in the road that could’ve went the other way for me. So, to me and to my brothers who are still here and grinding for something: I’m proud of you fool. Just keep pushing it forward. Seen too much bad to not see the good. 🦅 ❤️ 💙

Rare sight Generally, it’s all business with me. The brand, the bar, the family… I’m a worker. Right or wrong, it’s how I’m bred. And in this moment of life where the focus has been on building and building and building, I’m becoming more and more grateful for the people, places and things that provide any level of release, joy and levity to my life. When the foundation is built on being the one that always shows up, the load can get heavy quick. So for everyone and everything that provides the small moments that put a smile like this on my face I just want to say thank you, fa’afetai, gracias. You mean the world to me. 💙 📸 @victoriacabello

31 Days of Pacific Island Content - Day 16 A lesson on respect Shout out to the local boy who handled business but I think one of the most important things the world could take from pacific island cultures is the emphasis on respect for people and all things. Because it’s taught in a very real way 😂😂 and if you don’t learn the first time you gonna keep learning. FAFO #pasifika #pacificislander #samoan #aapi #kanaka

31 Days of Pacific Island Content - Day 15 An interview with mom This is what took me so long and threw me off the original track. My mom is a quiet person. She doesn’t share much about herself but it was important to me to document the woman that has given me my perspective on our culture. I asked her: - what do you miss most about Samoa? - What do you remember most about your parents? - Why have you always taken care of other people? - What’s your favorite Samoan food? I’ll be back tomorrow for more! ✌🏽🇦🇸🇼🇸 #pasifika #pacificislander #samoan #aapi

31 Days of Pacific Island Content - Day 13 😂 and I ain’t even that big but to be fair, I was actually working the door #samoan #security #aapi

Mostly a joke 31 Days of Pacific Island Content - Day 10-11-12-13 Been honestly overwhelmed by the support the whole 31 Days of Pacific Island content has gotten between IG & TikTok on top of the rest of the social media work I have, I just needed to take a second to recalibrate and figure out some systems stuff cuz this content shit ain’t no joke of time and energy Back tomorrow with some content and gonna make up these last four days I’ve missed Love yall #pasifika #pacificislander #samoan #aapi

31 Days of Pacific Island Content - Day 9 The one who inspired this whole thing - manuia le aso o tina Went from being the baby to security My whole life I’ve watched my mom take care of everyone. Her parents, aunties, uncles, cousins… she’s sat at the bedside of so many as they took their last breaths. For her, the most important things have always been family and God and I’ve watch her be the example of that every day of my life dropping anything and everything to be a servant where needed. I would be a farce if a Samoan to not spend this weekend honoring the woman who makes me Samoan. Growing up in the diaspora is tricky when you navigate holding onto and learning cultural practices and values while still being outside and fully being part of a cultural that is so opposite of being Samoan. But having a mother who doesn’t speak much to teach but instead is an everyday example of what fa’a samoa is made it easier. I think the three things I inherited from my mom that people close to me would also say are true are: Fierce loyalty - she don’t play about who she loves and neither do I A giving heart - down to the last dollar, second or moment of energy, if someone else needs it then we’ll give it because I can get it back tomorrow Being the best looking one in the room - 😂😂😂 our beauty is natural but don’t mean can’t make sure people know it #aapi #pacificislander #polynesian #samoan #faasamoa

31 Days of Pacific Island Content - Day 8 A happy mothers day weekend to all the moms… manuia le aso o Tina Today’s chat is about family, community and growing up as a part of a large family and being looked over by so many. Mostly it’s a big shout out to all my aunties who helped my mom raise us in the Bay Area… y’all know I don’t mean to forget anyone and I just named a few. Samoan culture is very matriarchal and I grew up with a lot of amazing women who helped so manuia le aso o Tina to all of them. #aapi #pacificislander #polynesian #samoan #faasamoa

31 DAYS OF PACIFIC ISLAND CONTENT - DAY 7 I’m back but this time with some pacific island party music essentials. They ain’t deep cuts but instead introductions to pasifika music for those who might not be in the know. These 5 are guaranteed bangers. Kapena - Masese @kapenamusic Pati - Island Girls (ft. Fiji & Oshen) Na Drua - Be Your Man @na.drua Rebel Souljahz - Darling Angel @rebelsouljahz Fiji - Sweet Darling RIP @f1j1 Let me know what tracks are necessary for your pacific island parties! #pasifika #aapi #pacificislanders #polynesian

31 Days of Pacific Island Content - Day 6 Polynesian, Melanesian, Micronesian Bout time some of yall learned the difference Tap in with where you’re from #aapi #pacificislanders #micronesian #polynesian #melanesian

31 Days of Pacific Island Content - Day 5 Uncle Dwayne popped out last night and got the people talking so I figured I’d come on here and explain some cultural wear to the people. The ‘ie lavalava and the ‘ie faitaga are part of every day life in Samoa and that’s what Dwayne was trying to say. You can catch me at home in my ‘ie like 75% of the year. Wearing an ‘ie is way more comfortable than wearing pants 😂 We gotta give my guy a break sometimes cuz big uce really be trying to represent wherever he can but he obviously wasn’t raised around the culture. That’s ok with me because I need that grace too. What yall think? #aapi #pacificislanders #pasifika #samoan #faasamoa