Discovering Blaise
Feeling at home
Stacey Blaise Ceniza lives in a yellow room, and papers her walls with motivational quotes.
Her first question is, “Do I need to wear shoes?” I laugh, and tell her she doesn’t. So she stays barefoot.
My smile does not slip for the rest of our conversation.
This is the smoothest Unsung Aotearoa interview yet, and that is definitely not a result of my now slightly higher level of experience.
It’s because when Blaise is comfortable, everyone around her becomes comfortable too. Blaise’s sunniness warms up the room, makes me feel cozy, makes me feel at home.
Time flies. Our video is recorded in one take. Saving a few extra clips for “just in case” scenarios only takes up 15 minutes (if we include our laughing fits).
However, I do need to stay on track. So I soak in the snug feeling which comes from being in the same room as Blaise at her best, and continue with our journey of discovery.
The highlights of our chat:
What do you value most in a friendship?
The most valuable thing in a friendship, I think, is getting to know another person, and being known by them.
What is your most treasured memory?
When I was in year 5 or 6, we were just new in New Zealand. I stopped by YMCA and I saw that they had a gymnastics course thing. I was like, “I really want to do that!” But I didn’t think it would happen because we were just settling, and it was expensive, and we didn’t have much, and like we were not that well-off. Then, one day, my mum came home super excited and she surprised me that she had signed me up for gymnastics. I couldn’t believe that she did it. I still remember my first gymnastics class. My mum came with me and sat on the bleachers and I was just - in the moment I didn’t think about it too much but now when I look back I realize that those little things add up to what really matters.
If you knew that in one year you would die, what would you change about the way you live now?
I would try to let loose a little and be a little more daring in the little things. Like if I want to say something at dinner, then I would just say it. I would say, “I love you,” more often. If I miss someone, then I would just tell them, or if I’m really happy to be with someone then I would just let them know. Just say it and see what happens. I think it’s so vulnerable to say, “I love you,” or to show that you love someone else. So I guess I would be more daring by trying to be more vulnerable.
Blaise’s dream in progress:
At the moment, Blaise is working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Screen and Media Studies at Waikato University. She has also recently begun her journey towards fluency in Te Reo Māori.
Underneath it all, Blaise’s heart and course are set on understanding people deeply. She looks at her learning journey as a widening of horizons, a way to expand her ability to see and serve the humans she finds around her.
It’s a noble path to walk, and I think she’s already traveled farther along the way than she thinks she has.
For my part, I look forward to finding corners of the future lit by Blaise’s unique brand of warmth. If the world were more like Blaise’s yellow room, I think we’d all love it a bit better.