SURVIVEIN' TRINIDAD

Sunday Lunch-ing :)

2011-04-03T18:50:00.001-04:00

I'm back at it again. This time I had a little help though :D

Sunday lunch: A weekly excuse to satisfy your inner glutton, all in the name of culture and tradition lol.

Never underestimate the therapeutic powers of cooking :D

Life, etc.

2011-03-31T16:12:00.001-04:00

I'd love to start this post with a grand ole "I'M BACK!", but the truth is I didn't go anywhere. Unlike my other moments of work, travel and procrastination-induced delinquency, the reason behind my lack of blogging was a conscious need for time to sort my thoughts....As it turns out, when you have a big head like I do, it takes more time to find your thoughts in order to sort them...

I wanted to share something. I felt I HAD to share it....but I wasn't mentally ready. I thought that time would "heal all pain" and make things easier....yet here I sit, no more comfortable than I was a month ago.

Life is such a funny thing. The last post I did was about an experience my younger brother had...and that was actually "HA HA" funny. This post is about an experience my younger sister had...and it's the kind of "funny" you use when you really want to say that something just makes you question your beliefs and look at life in a whoooollleee new light.

In the early hours of February 2nd, my sister awoke to find a man with a knife standing a few feet from her in her apartment. She'd fallen asleep watching TV in her living room and I guess he made a noise (or maybe it was Divine Intervention) as he was burglarizing the house, and she woke up.

The thing about my sis is that she's as equally brave as she is a coward. She often blames me for her cowardice as one of my childhood passions was scaring the shit out of her. Whenever I spent holidays with them, I'd actually wait around corners and jump out at her because it gave me great (sadistic) pleasure to hear her earth shattering screams....Don't judge me :)

As it turns out, those earth shattering screams probably saved her life that morning because the intruder got so startled when she jumped up and started screaming that he ran and dove through a window, injuring himself in the process. The police were called in and from my sis' account, they were extremely thorough; dusting everywhere for prints, taking notes and doing a search of the area. When they eventually left, it was to go to the scene of ANOTHER break-in that took place earlier that morning. I guess the dude was on a roll.

Now I've never been one to take life for granted. I am a FIRM believer in living life to the fullest, and to me, part of that means appreciating the people I'm blessed with. HOWEVER, that incident has given me an even deeper appreciation for my family and friends because it was a sobering reminder that things can literally change in an instant.

At the police station, one of the officers taking her statement actually told my sister how lucky she was. You might be thinking, "Lucky?!", but trust me, when you live to see another day as opposed to having the police tell your family members that they just found you dead; raped and murdered...YOU'RE LUCKY and BLESSED!

We moved my sis out the very same day....she's back with the rest of the family and in no hurry (understandably so) to live on her own again. I wish I could say the police caught the guy, but I honestly have no idea.

I know this could have happened anywhere, but as I've said time and time again, it sometimes seems that in T&T we're just waiting for crime to come too close for comfort. There's no concept of the ripple effect when it comes to criminals; it's just them and their target. The moment that asshole brought his knife he decided, without even knowing it, that he'd make my nephew an orphan if he had to....and that ENRAGES me!!!

I'm thankful. I'm angry. I'm confused. I'm thankful.

When I had just moved back home, I could answer the "Why did you come back?" question in a heartbeat. These days I stutter. I know why I came back...the reason hasn't changed. I just have to hope that no one ever asks me the one question I'm still having some trouble with......."Why do you stay?"

Thanks for reading...

♬ That's Him In The Corner...♬

2011-01-14T11:54:00.000-04:00

HAPPY FRIDAY GOOD PEOPLE!!! I hope your 2011 is going well so far :)

After checking my sidebar and seeing that I managed an abysmal 49 posts for the entire 2010, I've resolved to be better at taking care of my blog and giving her the attention she deserves. Godspeed to me :D

Anyway, I just had to share this story my younger brother just told me lol. He's at the ID card office right now and a man in Muslim garb joins the people waiting to be serviced.

As with any service-oriented government office in Trinidad, the wait can be painfully long. So they're all sitting there waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

The Muslim gentleman finally gets through and he's so happy that he shouts, "THANK YOU JESUS!"......He then catches himself, looks around and says, "Allah hu akbar", at which point the entire room bursts into laughter LOLOLOL.

Ladies and gentlemen, in case you missed it, THAT is what Trinidad & Tobago office service can do to you!!!! You sit around waiting for soooooo long that you actually forget what religion you follow lmao.

The man was a bit ashamed afterwards, but hey, we get you, bro. We've all experienced levels of frustration with government services that only Jesus could understand....so don't feel too bad lol.

Ah yes! Sweet T&T! Where you go into a government office and lose your religion lol.

Thanks for reading ;D

HAPPY 2011 EVERYONE!!!

2011-01-01T10:55:00.000-04:00

I may have missed the Christmas greetings, but I couldn't let New Year's Day go by without sending best wishes to my Blogger family. To you and yours I say "HAPPY NEW YEAR" and send my sincerest wishes for a prosperous 2011.

I'm not sure what your 2010 was like, but I am sure that whether you loved, hated or felt indifferent towards 2010, the new year brings the opportunity for a fresh start. I had a great 2010 and honestly, I'm not one of those people who wait until the new year to change what doesn't work for them....but I do understand that something about ending one year and beginning a new one symbolizes renewal and hope for a lot of people....soooooo BIG UP YUHSELF FUH 2011!!!

THANK YOU, to everyone who took the time to read, comment, send an email or just keep in touch. Thanks also to the other bloggers for providing me with laughs, relevant information, stimulating "conversation", new ways of seeing things and encouragement to keep writing.

I'm really excited to see what 2011 has in store....and I hope you guys stick with me for the journey :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! ;D

Tis The Season For Brain Farts?

2010-12-16T13:46:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had so much you wanted to write about that you didn't know where to begin? Have you ever felt so baffled by the things taking place around you that you're stunned into silence despite wanting to say A LOT!? If this is your present state of mind, it probably means that you're in Trinidad, so all I can say is: WELCOME TO MY WORLD!

I've actually been experiencing an overload of WTF moments brought on by this sudden prevalence of willy nilly decision making à la Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism, Winston 'Gypsy' Peters and Port of Spain Mayor, Louis Lee Sing. Somewhere in the back of my head I keep expecting Ashton Kutcher to come running out, laughing and tell me that I'm on an episode of Punk'd....because this ish CANNOT be for real!

Before I go in hard on the two individuals who are apparently competing for the 'Beh Beh of the Year' Award, I would like to take this moment to shout out all my friends and family members who did NOT buy me a ticket to come up for Thanksgiving. I love you guys!

To show that I hold no hard feelings about having to miss my favorite US holiday AGAIN, I've decided to dedicate the following photos to my oh-so-dear-to-my-heart-loved-ones abroad :)...As we know, Christmas time is here again and there's NOTHING on this earth like a real Trini Christmas. So just to give you guys a taste of what you've been missing....

Pastelles ;)

Church Christmas Dinner....YUMMY ;)

That's just the tip of the 'Christmas in Trinidad' iceberg. You're welcome :D. And yes, I could have bought my own ticket, but it's called ThanksGIVING. That means that next year I expect you guys to GIVE me a ticket so that I can GIVE you the honor of my presence....LOL.

Anyway, back to Beh Beh 1 and Beh Beh 2. Since this post cannot go on forever and I have much to say, I will dedicate separate posts to these two lovely gentlemen who have inspired me to break my "Stop getting worked up over and blogging about political incompetence" rule.

STAY TUNED!

Know Your Position!

2010-12-01T16:18:00.000-04:00

World AIDS Day is here again and there are numerous worldwide initiatives to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to encourage people to be tested.

One such initiative, (RED)™, has partnered with several businesses on a campaign to make 2015 the year of the AIDS free generation.

Last year nearly ½ million babies were born with HIV. By 2015, that number could be zero. A possibility we can make a reality.

That is definitely a possibility worth working to make a reality and I'll be on board for that fight!

I'm happy to say that there is no shortage of HIV/AIDS testing facilities here and anyone wanting to know their HIV/AIDS status can do so for FREE today at the many HIV/AIDS educational fairs which are currently taking place nationwide.

If you miss the opportunity to be tested today, you can visit a health center or Family Planning Association near you. Testing is free at health centers, but costs $70.00TTD at the Family Planning Association.

Here's a list of facilities that provide Same-Day Rapid Testing for HIV/AIDS courtesy www.ttconnect.gov:

Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago

79 Oxford Street

Port of Spain

Trinidad
Tel. (868) 623-4764

Fax. (868) 625-2256
Email: fpattrep@ttfpa.org

Opening hours: 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

George Street Health Centre

George Street

Port of Spain

Trinidad

Tel. (868) 623-5155

Opening hours: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Success/Laventille Health Centre

Espinet Street

Laventille

Trinidad

Tel: (868) 623-6434

Opening hours: 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Arima Health Facility

Queen Mary Avenue

Arima

Trinidad

Tel: (868) 667-0207

Opening hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

Delayed HIV testing is available at all Health Centres and the QPCC.

Queen's Park Counselling Centre

5 Queen's Park East

Port of Spain

Tel. (868) 624-8663, 625-1643, 625-3944

Opening hours: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

There really is no reason to be clueless about your HIV/AIDS status. You owe it to your partner, your future kids and most of all, you owe it to YOURSELF. So please, take the time out of your busy schedule and get tested. YOU'RE WORTH IT!!!

If At First You Don't Succeed....

2010-11-19T15:02:00.000-04:00

FAIL...

AND FAIL AGAIN...?

One of my friends passes those two signs every day on her way to work. Knowing how much I looooove to see bad spelling *sarcasm* she sent me those photos lol.

Now, I'm tempted to admire the sign-maker's persistence, and the fact that (s)he seems to have some understanding (however minimal) of the existence and rules of phonics....BUUUUUUUUT, how does one overlook his/her inability to figure out which version of the word 'here' is the right one? Or that very unique spelling of the word 'absolutely'? He/she changed the spelling of both words and STILL got it wrong! On the bright side tho, the corrections at least show that the writer knew something was off.....and that there are different ways to spell the word 'here' :)

I can't tell you how many adults still don't know the difference between 'their', 'they're' and 'there'....'it's' and 'its'....oh, and let's not forget the EVER-CHALLENGING 'your' vs 'you're'....It's certainly a battle many adults continue to fight, so I won't be too hard on ole sign-maker here :)

What I will do is probably make a sign and have my friend hang it on the gate as a Christmas gift lol. Who am I kidding?...That sign is staying right there lol. Bad spelling or not, the point is clear:

NO VENDING ON DE PEOPLE PROPERTY!

If you play harden, ignore the sign and go vending, durn't bee soprides eef de peepole caul poleece four yoo!

On a serious note though, if you know an adult who could use a little reading and writing assistance, feel free to direct them to the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA).

WASA, We Have A Problem!!!

2010-11-18T17:39:00.001-04:00

Well it took me two whole weeks to find my way out of that forest and all I can say is NEVER ME AGAIN! Parents, for the love of God, please have your kids baptized before they die!

There I was, standing on the edge of the Northern Range, minding my own business, when a group of douens kidnapped me, dragged me into the forest.....and had their way with me for over a week. Fortunately for me, a douen's idea of 'having its way' with someone involves tea parties, pitching marbles and fishing....so it wasn't all bad....except that all that pitching has given me a wicked case of carpal tunnel syndrome :(

Ridiculous story? OF COURSE IT IS! But the way I see it, if people can believe that those Moruga school children were demon possessed, and that the present administration really only just found out about the activities of the S.I.A, and that crime has gone down....they can certainly believe that I've neglected my blog for two weeks because I was kidnapped by some folklore characters!...

Anyhowsy, that preamble was just that....preamble :)...My real issue today is with our beloved Water and Sewerage Authority. I filled a pot with tap water, changed my mind about cooking, covered the pot and came back later to find this:

¿QUE DIABLOS?

Excuse me, but am I back in the forest with the douens, using river water to cook????! WTF IS THAT??!!!

Let me also remind WASA that I live in St. James, a city with numerous restaurants. If that's the quality of water coming out of my taps, I have to wonder what's going into the food these restaurants are selling!

Boil the water before use you say? SURE! But boiling water kills bacteria. It doesn't get rid of dirt....and what you see there is dirt.....DUTT as some people say!

It's one thing to see dirty water when repair work is being done on nearby pipes and water mains, but sediments in the water on a daily basis? NO GRACIAS! I'll get my minerals and vitamins through Seven Seas capsules thank you very much!

I have a Brita jug I use for drinking water, but I have honestly neglected to get one of those Pur filters for faucets. I will take the sight of that "What's really in your water?" as my cue to expedite my purchase of a Pur filter.

Dare I say that years from now research may link this poor water quality to the rampant stupidity now plaguing our nation?! We'll just have to wait and see.....Don't sue me WASA. It's just a theory...an assumption at best....a hypothesis even...

Thanks for reading :)

Just Because :)

2010-10-26T11:16:00.000-04:00

The Just Because Foundation presents the H.O.P.E (Have Only Positive Expectations) concert on Sunday 31st October, 2010 at 6pm at Queen's Hall, St. Anns.

The Just Because Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization whose aims include providing support for parents and families whose kids are afflicted with cancer, and increasing public awareness of childhood cancers.

The H.O.P.E concert celebrates children living with cancer and pays tribute to parents, caregivers, mentors, counselors and all others who continue to work to raise awareness of childhood cancers.

For tickets and additional information on the Just Because Foundation, visit their website at www.thejustbecausefoundation.com or call 1-868-393-1523 OR 1-868-299-4523.

SPREAD THE WORD! SUPPORT THE CAUSE!

Excuuuuse Me, Employer Confidential??!!!!

2010-10-15T19:07:00.001-04:00

I often browse Caribbean Jobs to see what's out there and to get an idea of what the job market is like, what employers are looking for in potential employees, the kind of traits particular jobs require, etc.

Today I came across a vacancy that made me wonder if employers here have any idea that we are in the year 2010...and further more, that there's an Equal Opportunity Act and Equal Opportunity Commission, which is very up and running, in Trinidad and Tobago!

***Please click to enlarge.

Here's the link to the full ad:
http://www.caribbeanjobs.com/Trainee-Administrative-Assistant-Job-24639.aspx

In case you missed the source of my concern, I'll do a breakdown :)

1) It is ILLEGAL to discriminate on the grounds of a person's sex.

So Employer Confidential, yuh start bad with that "SHE must be".....ESPECIALLY since it's a Trainee Administrative Assistant position and the rest of the job description gives NO indication that the job cannot be adequately performed by a male. Maybe the company subscribes to the "men can't multi-task" train of thought, but I highly doubt that's a defense that can stand up before a Tribunal.

2) Attractive??? Seriously??!!!

Employer Confidential, are you really going to turn away someone who possesses the required qualifications and character traits because "SHE" isn't "attractive" enough?!.....And what criteria will be used to determine whether or not "SHE" is attractive?! Her skin color? Her hair type? The size of her bumpa? The size of her breasts? Who her parents are?.....RIDICULOUS!

3) WE IN AH MESS!

That someone actually read the copy for that ad and either did not recognize (or care) that it contained discriminatory elements is sad and also telling of the fact that in many aspects we still DO NOT HAVE A CLUE when it comes to matters of discrimination.

Evidence of the above is actually very easy to find daily in some of our classifieds.

You're probably thinking, "But people have a right to rent to whoever they want"...and that's true. HOWEVER, according to the EOA, the minute sex, race, disability, marital status, origin/geographic origin, ethnicity, or religion becomes the factor upon which whoever they want/don't want is chosen/not chosen, discrimination has occurred....and that's the bottom line!

Unfortunately, the scope of the EOC does not extend to ads placed in the newspapers or online. In the case of the job vacancy, a guy would actually have to apply for the job and be turned away on account of being male before any complaint can be lodged and action taken against this conveniently (and wisely) unidentified company.

Until the law evolves to close the loopholes I'll just have to accept that I will continue to see, hear about and be disturbed by the (unpunished) acts of discrimination that are all too commonplace in Sweet T&T...

Glad I'm Indoors :)

2010-10-05T18:02:00.000-04:00

You know it's time to hurry home, close your windows and curl up with a good book when:

The rainy season is definitely making its presence known tonight. Godspeed Port of Spain! Secure your rooftops...

WILL YOU EAT IT!?

2010-09-25T09:58:00.000-04:00

OLD SCHOOL SESAME STREET ALERT!!!! Remember this?

When I found that video on youtube I nearly died laughing. GOOD STUFF! I could NEVER understand why the chick was so greedy....or why the guy was so scornful...What's wrong with spaghetti and meatballs???! LOL

Anyway, a friend of mine sent me a link to these ACTUAL food items. I dunno about anyone else, but I won't be lining up to try:

OR (this one I found at the grocery)

Now, I've been told that the frozen bake and shark is actually pretty good so maybe all is not lost there, but there is NO WAY I am buying or far less drinking "Christmas Ham Flavored Soda"!!! That is just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! LMAO

If you decide to try (or have tried) any of the above items, feel free to share your review (of the food.....not of the time you spent over the toilet retching your guts out because you actually drank ham flavored soda LOL).

The Scary Thing

2010-09-20T09:41:00.001-04:00

Inspired by events of 17.09.2010.

The scary thing is that you can be on your way to class

enjoying the comfort of your I-pod

only to be jerked back to reality

by the sight of a man slumped over on the side of the bus route.

The scary thing is that you can see several people standing a few feet away

talking casually.....paying no mind to a scenario that clearly shouts:

SOMETHING IS WRONG!

The scary thing is that ONE anomaly; a young lady, cared enough to go find a security guard.

The scary thing is that you can see this young lady shake the slumped figure

tug his sleeve

call out to him

....to no avail.

The scary thing is that as you try to assess the situation
your maxi starts to pull off

because believe it or not,

all of this took place in less than a minute.

The scary thing is that you first feel rising anger

at the thought of people chatting idly

while someone lays dead or dying

not five feet from where they stand.

The scary thing is

the really scary thing is your anger gives way to understanding

because you live in a country where it's perfectly common

to see someone passed out in the street.

The scary thing is that you know the bystanders probably wrote the man off

as another one of our country's many drunks

who didn't know or didn't care

that their last drink would send them over the edge.

The scary thing is that our children are now so used to seeing homeless people

drunks...vagrants...pipers

that one day, they'll neglect someone who may be in need of help

and dismiss that person as another of society's lost causes.

The scary thing is that I'll probably never know what happened to that man.

The scarier thing...........is that he won't be the last.

ennekaycee

20.09.2010

AH COOK!!! :D:D:D

2010-09-13T23:06:00.000-04:00

Well the absurdity of how much I spend on food each week finally dawned on me! Not the kind of dawn you brush off as soon as you see an ad for TGI Fridays that reminds you of how much you love their Jack Daniel burgers....the kind that makes you accept that you need to get off your lazy behind and go buy some real groceries.

*In case anyone is interested, TGIF has a special on all Jack Daniel items....RIBS GALORE :D:D:D* Wait! What am I saying?!! Carnival and 31 are fast approaching and I have goals. What I meant to say was: STAY AWAY FROM JUNK!!!...............but on your cheat day, remember that TGIF has a special on all JD items ;)

So yes! Armed with my new found resolve to get back on track with my cooking and healthier eating habits, I went to Tru Valu on Saturday and bought some groceries.......*A STANDING OVATION?!!? FOR ME?? YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE!*

The last time I can recall cooking was around Christmas. That isn't to say I haven't cooked since Christmas. It's just that cooking for an entire 2 days can be VERY traumatic the first time one does it. So that memory is seared into my brain.......NEVER AGAIN! I don't know how people do that every year, but I reaaaaaal good. Straight Crix for my guests come December 25th, 2010!

I'm actually a very good cook and I do love cooking. The thing is I'm better at my other hobby....which is basically being too lazy to cook on a regular basis lol. I surprised myself today though. Maybe it was the months since tasting something I cooked myself, but the meal was more delicious than I remember my food being.

So there it is. My attempt at fresh steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes and sautéed shrimps. Too bad I only made enough for lunch....Looking at these photos is making me hungry again....

Just Keep Swimming :)

2010-09-05T23:34:00.000-04:00

“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be" - Marcel Pagnol

Believe it or not, after 3 years and 40 days of being back home, I am STILL not completely unpacked. Some may blame this on abject laziness, but I prefer to blame Patrick Manning since that seems to be the order of the day :)

While rummaging through my tubs and boxes for school supplies, I came across a journal I was asked to keep as part of my teacher training program. I started reading and honestly......tears came to my eyes. These weren't just tears of nostalgia though. The more I think about it, the more I realize that they were kinda tears of joy.

When you get a glimpse into the hopelessness you've felt along the path to your dreams, you can't help but feel proud and THANKFUL that you're actually around to fight another day :)........I read some of those journal entries and wanted to go back 4 years and hug my damn self LOL......they were that pitiful.

It's amazing how we can turn around and miss the very moments we were trying so desperately to escape. Time and time again we've heard our elders talk about problems being stepping stones and yadda yadda yadda......and time and time again we realize that like it or not, they are very right! The thing is, when you're going through the "valley" it's hard to believe that the mountaintop is anywhere within your reach.

Yet here I am!....Not quite at the top of the mountain, but definitely so close to my goals that I can almost taste them :)

Some days I wish I could go back to DC and enjoy being a student, instead of spending so much time worrying about money. I wish I visited more states. I wish I was fearless....instead of an international student who was a fish out of water in so many ways. Most of all, I wish I take these regrets and let them motivate me to enjoy each day of being back here, so that if/when I ever leave again, I'll have no regrets. I'll know that I appreciated being back here and didn't take these moments for granted.

Tonight I was reminded of something. Good or bad. Broke or paid. Surrounded by friends or lonely as hell. Hopeless or full of faith. THIS IS LIFE.....MY LIFE! I don't believe in reincarnation, so I have to make my one shot count ;)

JUST KEEP SWIMMING!

Is Your Vehicle "MAN" Enough?? LOL

2010-08-18T14:32:00.000-04:00

I love having my camera handy. I get to capture so many random moments and things....like this:

62 Seconds of Zen

2010-08-17T23:51:00.000-04:00

While sitting poolside at The Crane Resort I actually found myself distracted from my reading....because of how quiet it was. I can't tell you the last time the only sounds I was exposed to were SOOTHING ambient noises. It was startling, but welcomed.

Knowing that my moment of Zen would not last forever, I decided to record it for those days when I needed to be back poolside with not a care in the world. Relaxation techniques often recommend visualizing serene settings where you can let go of all your cares. The thing is, visualization works best when you're not trying to conjure up an image and you already have a "happy place" stored in your mind.

If you don't have a happy place, you are most welcome to use mine. For those days when you feel like being "anywhere, but here" I offer you 62 seconds of Zen :)

I bet you now feel either (1) A bit more relaxed....(2) A sudden urgent need to wee wee....or (3) No different from before, which would mean you're either not stressed or way beyond any help 62 seconds of Zen can provide.

Whatever the case, FIND A HAPPY PLACE! :D

Re-Discovering BIM :)

2010-08-14T21:08:00.000-04:00

Wuh gine on? Wunnuh miss me?! No?! Arrite den!....Since I definitely cannot write this entire post in Bajan, I'll resume the Queen's English...or my version thereof lol.

I would like to thank the many, many, many, MANY of you who did NOT show up at the airport with "Welcome Home Ennekaycee" signs. You guys keep me grounded and remind me that contrary to my belief, the world does NOT revolve around me........bastards!!! LOL LOL LOL.

I already miss Barbados soooooooo much, but I must say it feels good to be back at home....with my Internet....and working BlackBerry. For an entire week my BB was nothing more than a glorified phone book....a paperweight....and a source of agony, since for reasons unknown to me, I could not pick up a network in BIM. The lack of connectivity worked to my benefit though because I was cut off from the things that may have taken away from my vacation being a vacation.

If you've never been to Barbados, you NEED to put it on your list of places to visit. That is one gorgeous island with so much to offer. The photos in this post aren't even a drop in the bucket of what you'll experience when you visit BIM. The people, the food, the sightseeing, the ambiance.....WOW!

This was my first visit since 2006 and I've decided that as long as circumstances permit, I will make a yearly trip to see the friends who have now become family. I've lost touch with my family in Barbados (couldn't even tell you what they look like, since I was a child when I first visited), but the people I stayed with are the amazing family members of one of the close friends I made while studying abroad....It always amazes me how connections are formed :)

Anyway, on to the photos. Unfortunately, I don't have pics of the Grand Kadooment parade because the Bajan weatherman and our weatherman have one thing in common.....they don't seem to be able to accurately predict the weather lol. We were told to expect showers all day, yet it didn't rain at all until long after the parade was over. Since I wasn't prepared to get my new camera wet, I left it at home :(

DAY 1: I jumped (vs the Trini "played") with Baje International and although the goody bag was lacking, the road vibe was ON POINT!!! This was my first Crop Over and I had a great time. Certainly a different experience from T&T Carnival, but not at all in a bad way.

DAY 2: What better way to cool down than on a catamaran cruise right? My friends and I spent the day soaking in some more sunshine, snorkeling, swimming with sea turtles (which was A-MAZING!!!), sailing across the seas and enjoying great music and food on Cool Runnings. Those guys were the absolute best and they offer you A LOT for $85USD.

As if the food on the cruise wasn't delicious enough, I was invited to a BBQ later that evening that had my taste buds in heaven. I really wouldn't mind a job as a professional eater lol....Only good food tho! No sampling of dishes from people who "trying ah ting"...

And hear nuh! Bajans could really cook flying fish yuh know! Dey really say teef ting does taste de best LMAO!!!

DAY 3: My friend works at The Crane Resort and arranged a day pass for me. BEST DAY EVER!!! I'd planned to go down to the beach and swim, but the poolside was so relaxing that I spent the entire day catching up on my reading and trading the clutter in my head for the sounds of waves and birds and the feeling of cool breeze on my skin.

For lunch I ordered the shrimp quesadillas from the nearby Cutters of Barbados. Definitely the biggest quesadillas I've ever had and they were well-prepared and very tasty.

DAY 4: SHOPPING!!! Regardless of where in the world you are, shopping is always a necessity. Right ladies? :D...We went into Bridgetown and did some shopping at Cave Shepherd (excellent for duty free shopping) and some other stores. I also got to do a bit of sightseeing.

I certainly did not pass up on the opportunity to ~~gloat~~ point out to my friend the NUMEROUS items on sale which were manufactured in SWEET T&T!! lol

DAY 5: I was scheduled to leave early on Saturday morning so I tried to squeeze in as much as I could on my final day. Unfortunately, squeezing in stuff meant that I broke my eating routine...something I absolutely try to avoid because of the consequences. Instead of partying at Brewster's Road and the Friday night 'Pork Lime', I spent my final night indoors, nursing a migraine :(.

The food at Bubba's was great. The servings are large so bird bellies be warned! I took home most of my order. The food is also a bit pricey, even by BIM standards. The cole slaw and fries pictured were $10BD EACH. Had I paid proper attention to that before ordering, blinded by hunger, I would have left them right there because as delicious as the cole slaw was....it is NEVER as serious as $30TTD/$5USD per plate!

So there you have it!...I hope you enjoyed your vicarious trip to Barbados. I certainly enjoyed the few days of escape :)

Thanks for reading ;D

Failure To Launch

2010-07-30T11:04:00.001-04:00

After all my excitement and counting down the days to TRIBE's band launch, I left the event wondering if it actually happened or if I was dreaming. Everything was a blur.......and NOT because I overdid the cranberry on the rocks, but because the costume presentation was over before I knew it.

Like most people who attended the launch, I went to get a firsthand look at the costumes. However, the models (and I use that term very, very, very loosely because many of them did not model the costumes) were so busy racing across the stage that they didn't give patrons a chance to take proper photos or even get a decent look at the costumes. At certain points the entire presentation seemed rushed and unrehearsed.

The "This is a band launch" memo apparently never made it to the DJ because his playlist had members of the audience complaining that there wasn't enough soca. I get that he was trying to mix it up, but his recipe should have called for 3 parts soca, 1 part dancehall/alternative/pop...and not vice versa.

I don't know about anyone else, but I have NEVER uttered the words, "BOY!! Come Carnival Monday & Tuesday I cyar wait to wine down to "Limb by Limb" by Cutty Ranks and "Mr. Bombastic" by Shaggy! And oh goooouuudd!!! Dey better play dat Gyptian "Hold Yuh" when we crossing de stage!!!"...*eye roll*...So you Mr. DJ, get 4 out of 5 'womp wommmpppps' from me for that mess you played on Saturday.

After last year's launch I knew my costume choices and it was only a matter of going to the mas camp to confirm. After Saturday, I HAVE to go to the mas camp to decide, because I really didn't get a proper look and at this point I feel that I'm more in love with photos than the actual costumes....and any discriminating masquerader can tell you that seeing a costume up close can make or break your love affair with it....So I patiently await the "no later than Tuesday" opening of the mas camp.

I did manage to get some good shots of the costumes and those are the photos that are kinda helping the decision making process thus far. My friends and family are already way ahead of me with their decisions so I'm playing catch up.

Here are some of the photos from the launch. The full album can be found HERE.

PERSIAN GOLD FRONTLINE & REGULAR

XI'AN WARRIORS INDIVIDUAL, FRONTLINE & MALE

*I have to say it again: SANDRA....HORDATT....FOR....PRESIDENT! She took a chance and WON! No feathers! No beads! ACE COSTUME!!! A slap in the face of those who think there are no more creative designers in bikini mas. I am willing to bet that next year's regional and international Carnivals will have many a replica.*

IROQUOIS FRONTLINE, MALE & REGULAR

AMAZONS INDIVIDUAL

MASSAI TRIBAL WARRIOR

MAYAN EAGLE MALE INDIVIDUAL

CYLON MALE INDIVIDUAL AKA OPTIMUS CRIME :S

TITANS INDIVIDUAL, MALE & REGULAR

CALYPSO

This costume was specially designed for Miss T&T Universe, LaToya Woods to wear during the costume segment of the Ms. Universe pageant. She is gorgeous. The costume is gorgeous. BUENA SUERTE!!

I'm liking costumes from both TRIBE and BLISS, but as I keep telling the people who ask me, what I like and what I would play in are different stories. Only time...and a trip to the mas camp will tell :)

So that's my wannabe review lol. I'm off to run some last minute errands before my trip....I gine BIM and wukkup fuh Crop Over lol lol. YES!!!! *high-fives self* I mastered the Bajan accent!! LOL

Thanks for reading ;D

Somebody Suffering More Than You!

2010-07-23T23:33:00.005-04:00

♬Never ever worry, don't mind how things looking hard. Never ever worry, don't mind how you suffering bad. Never ever worry, what I’m saying is true. Always consider somebody suffering more than you♬

LORD PRETENDER

HAPPY FRIDAY...or as we say in Latin, "Happy TRIBE's Band Launch Eve"!!! :D.....I see you sitting at your computer with a smug look on your face, laughing and telling yourself I'm crazy for just making that up. But it's cool.....I'll still let you read my blog! lol

Fridays make me VERY happy. I live for the weekend. Today makes me even happier because I'm one week closer to going on vacation....OHHH YEAAA! ;) <<-------*need some actual smileys....this does NOT cut it*

You know what else makes me happy? Listening to people share their inspirational stories about life. Something magical takes place when I'm reading about other people's life experiences. I recently discovered a website where people share heartwarming tales from their everyday existence....This website is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Here are a few of the stories shared this week:

"Today, I was cutting the grass on my riding mower. I spent a good 3 hours working on it. When I finished, I got off and went to take a look. It looked the same as when I started. I then realized that I hadn't lowered the mower part. I spent 3 hours just driving around. FML".......Inspiration to hire a gardener.

"Today, I finally decided to try out my son's Wii Fit. The board broke when I stood on it. FML"......Inspiration to stick to an exercise regime.

"Today, while lifeguarding, I saw someone in the wave-pool who appeared to be drowning. So, I jumped in to attempt to save him. Turns out he wasn't drowning, he only had one arm. He yelled at me. FML".....Inspiration to focus on myself and not try to save the world.

"Today, while driving through town, I was distracted by a pretty girl walking on the nearby pavement and accidentally rear-ended the car in front of me. Not only did the pretty girl witness the crash and give a statement, it turned out she was a very feminine man. FML"........Inspiration to wear a seatbelt and pay attention to Adam's apples.

"Today, I ate at a friend's house. Her 5-year-old son, who was at the table with us, looked at me and said quietly to me, "You're ugly!" My friend told him off briefly and then the boy began to cry, shouting, "But she isn't pretty!" FML".....Inspiration to remind my nephew that contrary to popular belief, honesty is NOT always the best policy.

Ahhhhhh yes :).....There's nothing like a peek into someone else's crappy day to remind you that there's always a reason to smile. You just have to know where to look.

www.fmylife.com......Trust me on this one lol :)

What I Just Heard :s

2010-07-21T19:31:00.001-04:00

So here I am, sitting around waiting for the news to start when a news brief comes across and the presenter says, "The decomposed, badly decapitated bodies of a mother and baby have been found."

Now, as disturbing as the headline is, the first thing that popped into my head and subsequently escaped my lips was, "Is there a GOOD way to decapitate a body?!?!?".....I mean, I'm not trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I SERIOUSLY do not get our "journalists" sometimes!!!

Who is writing these headlines?! Is a decapitation ever a good thing?! It almost sounds as if they're saying the murderer didn't do a good enough job with the decapitation! COME ON MAN....BETTER DAN DAT!!! Think before you write! Proofread your shit! Get a fresh pair of eyes to take a read for you.....Journalism 101.

Maybe the actual headline was, "The badly decomposed, decapitated bodies...." and the veteran presenter just messed up while trying to read the teleprompter. I doubt that's it, but I'll tell myself that's the reason because at least then I can convince myself that there's still hope for our journalists....

END OF RANT!

EDITED TO ADD: They just did a recap of the news headlines and the presenter said, "The badly decomposed, decapitated bodies...."......Doesn't make the story any less heartbreaking, but it lessens the degree of insensitivity in the reporting. Maybe there is hope yet.....for our journalists at least. I'm not so sure that there's hope for the animal(s) who murdered the lady and her baby :(

Finding My Happiness :)

2010-07-18T23:35:00.000-04:00

The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited.

~Ueshiba Morihei, The Art Of Peace~

With only 6 days left to the launch of TRIBE's Carnival 2011 presentation, "The Way of the Warrior", I am feeling uncharacteristically excited about the event. I'm usually very hyped about all things Carnival, but this is strange even for me. I absolutely cannot wait to see those costumes.

I think the source of my excitement is three-fold. 1) I had a great time at last year's launch. 2) This year my crew is even bigger. 3) The costume that will become my obsession for the next 7 months may be closer than I think!! *maniacal laughter* lol.

The above reasons aside, I'm also excited because I've started giving myself short term targets...things to look forward to...and the band launch is one of them. The past month has been so stressful (this word doesn't even seem to suffice) that I packed up and took a trip just to be out of the country and away from all the BS....AND I HAD THE BEST TIME!!! :D (pics soon come).

Of course, you can only escape from irritating situations for so long, and part of being an adult (UGHH!!) is finding coping mechanisms so that you manage those situations in a manner that would help you retain your 'jail free' status lol. That said, I decided to give myself things to look forward to because the way I see it, if I'm focused on things that make me happy, I won't be overly focused on the things that make me wish I could get a miraculous call telling me that I won my own island complete with everything I never even knew I needed ;)

So TRIBE's band launch is the next quick-win for me. T-Minus 6 days to discovering if "The Way of the Warrior" is a way worth following :)

Have a great Monday guys and remember to find your happiness. Thanks for reading ;D

Everything Is Skull.....Skull & More Skull!

2010-07-11T00:42:00.002-04:00

Skullduggery: The Dance of Deceit jump started my Carnival 2011 season last Sunday.

The launch featured performances by David Rudder & Charlie's Roots and 3 Canal, and of course the star attractions of the show - the Carnival costumes!

From the getgo, and by getgo I refer to the teasers, sneak peeks and general hype that was building around the band, Skullduggery promised to be something different....AND THAT IT WAS!!!

I don't think there is anyone who can truthfully say that they've seen anything like the costumes Skullduggery have to offer before. For some, that's a great thing....and for others it leads to mixed feelings.

The thing is (in my "I may not have played mas for 40 years, but I've been around it enough to understand a bit about the business" opinion) Skullduggery gave people something they didn't expect, and as a result, a lot of people don't know what to make of them.

The bikini mas lovers always know where their loyalties lie. They will appreciate other forms of mas or 'marse' as we sometimes say, but at the end of the day they are very content with their 'pretty mas' and will happily wait to see the offerings of TRIBE (and now BLISS), Island People, Spice, Pulse 8, Harts, etc.

For those who were eagerly awaiting an alternative to the bikini, beads and feathers....and an alternative to MacFarlane, Skullduggery poses a challenge. That challenge comes not necessarily because of any flaw on the part of the designer, but in my opinion, because even 'marse' is now familiar to us....and Skullduggery isn't 'marse' as we know it.

We know a bikini, beads and feathers costume and we certainly know a MacFarlane costume when we see it. So if your mind was programmed to believe the equation that MacFarlane = MARSE, I could certainly understand the confusion taking place in your head as you looked upon 'barbed wire' carriages, newspaper clippings, basket headpieces and the other unexpected elements making up some of the Skullduggery costumes.

Some of the costumes remind me of stories my father still tells me about playing mas in a flour sack he got from the shop and had his grandmother sew into something he could use in the band. The Skullduggery costumes don't look like flour sacks...don't misread me lol.....but they have an 'earthy' quality that's reminiscent of the kind of mas people had to MAKE using whatever materials were available to them....the kind of mas that existed before the introduction of mass produced materials which could be made in China and then shipped to Trinidad......I like that rawness!

I think my sis summed it up perfectly when she said, "The costumes aren't for me, but I can appreciate them and I am sure there are people who will love them".....AMEN SISTA!!! As I said even before the launch, I appreciate mas in its many forms, but I know the types of costumes I go for and as much as I liked the overall presentation...I didn't see a costume I LOOOVVVEEEED.

I need that 'me eye, me eye google' Cookie Monster type feeling when I see a costume, and I didn't get that from any of the costumes at the launch. Nevertheless, I expect the band to have a very successful year and I can't wait to see the costumes on the road :D:D:D

Below are a few pics from the launch. Some great reviews were written by Afro Chic, Saucy, Carnival Jumbie, and Mas Assassin, so take a read if you haven't already.

BAA-JOHN FEMALE

BACCHANAL WOMAN

JAGABAT

MAL YEUX

TWO FACE

Vie-Ke-Vie

WARA-HOON

SOUCOUYANT

Additional closeup photos can be found HERE. For more information on costume prices and registration you can visit the band's website @ www.skullduggerymas.com

Something Wicked This Way Comes.....Are you ready for Carnival 2K11? I AM! ;)

My #1 Man Forever & Always :D

2010-07-09T01:41:00.000-04:00

Soooooo, first things first: This once a week posting business is not going to cut it! THERE! I beat you to it lol......The sad thing is that I actually have a lot of stuff to write about. I'm just experiencing some major system overload these days that usually results in me staring at the Blogger Dashboard and thinking to myself, "You really need to do a post".....MEH! I promise to do better...

I'm not usually very intimate with my posts. I share about my past and things that I may be feeling every now and again, but believe it or not, I'm still adjusting to the idea that I give perfect strangers insight into my life. I'm not really bothered by it, but whenever I post, I'm always conscious of the fact that there are lots and LOTS of crazies on the Internet.

One of the good (and bad) things about the Internet is that the things we put out can be found long after we've forgotten about them. For the purposes of this post, I think it's a good thing because I hope that long after I stop blogging the message will be around :)

My nephew turned 3 years old last Tuesday and I couldn't stop thinking about how much I needed him to know that I love him. Sure I tell him and he tells me, but I am positive that he does not fully grasp what we mean when we say we love him. I hope that maybe someday, when he truly understands what it means to be loved, he'll come across this post (hopefully I'm around to show him) and he'll know how much of a blessing he is to our family.....to me.

One of the reasons I moved back home was that I wanted to be there to support my sis in raising my niece/nephew. Apart from the thrill of being an aunty, I think my decision was influenced by the fact that I always felt a degree of protectiveness when it came to my sister. That protectiveness kicked into overdrive the more I thought about her trying to raise a child on her own...(my nephew's father was murdered right around the time my sis discovered that she was pregnant)....As much as I knew my mother and other siblings would be around to support, I felt that I also needed to be back here.

On my worst day, thinking about my nephew brings a smile to my face. For a guy with only 3 years under his belt he definitely has a lot of personality and he's provided me with some great memories and even greater life lessons. From antics to politics....he is in EVERYTHING....I was babysitting him a few weekends ago when he abruptly stopped and asked me, "Whey de Manning going back?", referring to the television ad. I had to explain to him that Manning was NOT going back regardless of what that ad said LMAO.

This is one of the first pics I got while I was still in the US :D:D:D

The GIGANTIC eyes that would greet me when I woke up. There were many mornings when I pretended to be asleep so you'd leave me alone.....Note to you dude: Playing at 4am does not work for MOST adults!!! lol.

BIRTHDAY BOY!!! 1 year old :)

Can't pick up chicks without a ride maaaaan lol...TWO TEETH MASSIVE!!!! hahahaha.

Never EVER trust a toddler who's out of your sight AND quiet....

First trip to Tobago aka Bawl Fest 1-4...."Ah fraid de plane"...."Ah fraid de boat"...."Ah fraid de sea"......"Ah fraid de plane"....

Finally able to pedal FORWARD and ride your first bike (Christmas 2009 gift). Please observe the ONE brake on the bike. Know what happened to the other??? THAT'S RIGHT! You broke it!!!*shakes fist menacingly* lol.

It's hard to believe that one person can have such a great impact on my life. I am definitely thankful for you and I'll do my best to stick around and be there to see you through the majority of this journey called life.....but if for some reason I'm not around when you get older, I hope you find this post and remember your old aunty and see just how much you mean to her.....Te amo Auntyboy! :)

When Good Habits Go Bad....

2010-06-24T23:57:00.000-04:00

I LOVE BOOKS!!! Always have. Always will. I was one child who never hesitated to pick up and read anything I could get my hands on. I've always imagined having a library in my house; shelves upon shelves of books that I could just curl up with and escape to whatever world the authors decided to create.

Sometimes I think I love books more than I love reading because to this day my bookshelves are filled with novels I haven't even started reading and yet still, the book purchasing continues.

Living in the US absolutely facilitated my book buying fetish. I lived about a 10-minute walk from Border's and I would buy books every other Friday. There were always these "Buy 2, get 1 free" specials so my book collection just grew and grew. I still seriously go through periods of mourning the loss of my beloved bookstore.

For some reason that still evades me, I find shopping for books very therapeutic....more therapeutic than the release I get when I finally escape into a good book. On my down days, I would browse the store and leave with as many as 6 or more new books, which I guess is a lot considering that most people I know don't even buy 3 books for the year.

Fast forward from having access to cheap books to a few weeks ago when it really, really hit me that buying books was probably no longer a feasible way of dealing with stressful days. I had realized a while back that I would have to cut down on the book buying in Trinidad because books cost TOO MUCH MORE here than they do in the US. I usually do my book shopping on Amazon, but that day I really needed a fix so I went to Nigel R. Khan....my favorite bookstore here :)

My bill for the pitiful collection above was $234.80....more than I spend on transportation to and from work FOR THE MONTH!!! I'm not complaining though because I did feel better after the shopping and each item purchased definitely has some degree of long term usefulness.

If anything, I feel disappointed that I have to put aside yet another little something I could hold on to to help get me through a bad day. Why does it cost less to get drunk and make an ass of myself than it costs to buy a decent book that would certainly benefit me more than some bottles of beer?!?!...*No offense to the people who prefer beer to books :)*

I've been to several bookstores and most of the cheap books are the ones written for children....and even some of those are expensive. I know everything can't be cheap, but can you really blame someone who earns a small income for not reading enough when books cost upwards of $60.00??! Thank goodness for libraries right?!!

I'm considering purchasing a Kindle, but that would still mean that I don't get to enjoy the experience of spending hours surrounded by books and giving in to their pleas of, "BUY ME....BUY ME......BUY ME!!!".

SIGH! Sometimes the little things are really what you miss the most...

Welcome to Macqueripe Bay

2010-06-16T08:03:00.004-04:00

Well I've finally gotten around to posting the pics from my visit to Macqueripe Bay....better late than never as the saying goes ;).....If it had been years since I visited Toco, it had to have been decades since I visited Macqueripe.....2 decades to be precise. Don't go lumping me in with the fogies and thinking I've been around since the Titanic sank. I'M STILL YOUNG DAMMIT!!!......Sigh. No, I'm not.....I turned 30 a few weeks ago....THE HORROR!!!!

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut, I look great for my age, so I'll bask in that fact!! :D:D:D....SEE!!! I'm happy again....BACK TO THE POST lol.

I must say kudos to the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) for a job well done. Macqueripe is GREATLY improved and nothing like it was when I frequented with my now deceased Uncle, who would take me to different beaches on weekends. It seems that the bay is a very popular Sunday hangout for families as there was a steady stream of parents coming in with their kids.

There weren't as many eating spots as you'd find at Maracas, but there were a couple of booths selling food and of course, you have to pass KFC to get to Macqueripe ;).....You can always carry your own food too for that authentic "Family lime by the beach" feel.

My nephew (not the coward of Maracas fame...another one) was a real trooper and at just over a year, displayed a love for the water worthy of an aunt who did her lifeguard training and who is a certified water baby ;).....I'm so proud! lol

Anyway, enough babbling!!! Here are the photos:

A mini history lesson on the bay greets visitors before they make their descent.

View of the bay from the top of the pathway.

The "diving board" of the adventurous ones.

Random shot...Never leave home without your stunnas ;)

Another random shot. I was practicing my photography.

B-MOBILE! T&T's #1 Mobile Network!!!...I getting BBMs ANYWHERE!!! lol

Foliage :D

More shots of the upgrade.

The rain clouds gathering. Looks like we decided to leave at the right time.

You know you're in Trinidad when?......You can't go a place without seeing a stray dog!

So there you have it folks! I hope you enjoyed Macqueripe Bay and add it to your list of places to visit. It's a nice alternative for those days when you're not in the mood for the crowds you usually find at the more popular beaches.

Thanks for reading ;D

And So It Begins :)

2010-06-13T08:18:00.001-04:00

WORLD CUP 2010 IS HERE!!! *HAPPY DANCE*......I've been in football heaven over the past few days. It's hard to believe that I really hated football at a point....but what other choice did I have?!

My older brother was advantageous!!! He knew I couldn't play football and everything was "Come fuh de beats". I could NEVER get the damn ball and that just aggravated the shit out of me!!! So I hated football!!!.....But I have since semi-forgiven him for his indiscretions and thanks in part to my father's hilarious commentary, I now subscribe to the religion that is FOOTBALL!!! :D

Anyhoo! I'm really just coming up for air to let you guys know that I'm alive and well....and in possession of my ticket to the first band launch of the Carnival 2011 season :D:D:D. Time really waits on no one! Less than 5 months ago we were parading through the streets of POS and now preparations are already under way for us to do it all again....SHIBBY!!!!

SKULLDUGGERY is a new band on the Carnival scene and they are promising a change from the bikini, beads and feathers that now dominate Carnival. Costume designs are a collaborative effort of veteran mas man Peter Samuel and Florida-based designer, Sonya Sanchez-Arias. The band launch takes place on July 4th at the Anchorage, Chaguaramas and will feature musical performances by David Rudder & Charlie's Roots and 3 Canal......CAN'T WAIT!!!

I personally love the bikini, beads and feathers so I'm not fooling myself or anyone else into thinking that I'll suddenly decide to go for theatrics when it comes to my Carnival costume. I do however love to see creativity in its many forms, and judging from the sneak previews fans have been given on the band's Facebook Fan Page, we can expect a lot of creativity from Skullduggery.

The launch will also give me the chance to sharpen my photography skills and try out the new camera I ordered.......SWEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!! LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!!!! :D:D:D

Oh and by the way......VIVENT LES BLEUS!!! VIVA ARGENTINA!!!!......Come fuh de beats!!! lol

Types of Coworkers

2010-05-29T19:36:00.000-04:00

Every time I THINK about doing a post on the events of this past week my brain starts feeling overloaded. Just trying to decide where I should begin has caused me to lose some brain cells so rather than force myself to write about said events, I've decided to allow myself a bit of laughter.

Sooooo, while I get my thoughts (and post) together I'll share an email I received this week. I'm pretty sure we all know at least 3 of these coworkers :)

LOL. What type of coworker are you? :)

Your Vote! Your Rights!

2010-05-24T08:01:00.001-04:00

Well the day is here! After much campaigning, mudslinging, he said-she said and the usual antics that accompany the General Elections in Trinidad, it is time for the citizenry to get out and let our voices be heard.

By all reports so far, the process has been going smoothly across the country. People are coming out in their numbers and some have been waiting at polling stations from as early as 5:30am. Reports also state that there are lots of young people coming out to vote as well so YAAAAAY!!! :D:D:D

I hope things stay that way as the day progresses. The build up to this election was certainly marred by acts of vandalism by idiots who clearly don't understand that when it comes to elections, the finger is more powerful than the sword!

For those of you who intend to vote, here are some excerpts from the "Representation of the People Act" regarding time off for voting in the General Elections. I came across these excerpts at work and I was glad to see that the Elections and Boundaries Commission placed a notice in the papers so that members of the public would know their rights.

Section 36 (2):
“Every employer shall on polling day allow every elector in his employ the prescribed period for voting and no employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration of any such elector or impose upon or exact from him any penalty by reason of his absence during that period.”

Election Rule 28:
“Every employer shall permit each elector in his employment to be absent from his work on polling day during the hours of the poll for two (2) hours in addition to the normal midday meal hour.

SO NOW YOU KNOW! :)

During this election season, I saw, heard and read a lot that made me realize that many Trinis are for the most part just pretending to believe in unity....pretending that they can put country before race....pretending that above anything else they are citizens of Trinidad & Tobago. It's saddening that so many still have hearts that are hardened and darkened by racism and hatred....but I guess that's why we need the people who will vote because they understand that some things are bigger than race and social status.

Let's get out there and exercise our civic duty, but more than that, let's remember that whatever happens we are all still Trinbagonians and there is life after elections. We all have to share this space, live together, work together and cooperate if T&T is to progress......so the racist remarks and the blatant disrespect of a person's right to support ANY PARTY they wish need to stop.

OK! Enough blogging! Time for me to go dip my finger in the ink....TOODLES ;D

Bringing Tobago to You :)

2010-05-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

SUNDAY LUNCH is a phenomenon known to many of us who grew up in the Caribbean and a tradition that is still observed in some form or another by families across the world.

As students, some of my friends and I would get together on Sundays when finances permitted and cook a big Sunday lunch......HOLD ON! A little voice in my head is telling me that I just shared a false memory...Let me recompute......................AH YES!

As students, my roommate and I would do ALL the cooking and everyone else would come over and eat Sunday lunch....MUCH MORE ACCURATE! lol......The guests were always invited though, so even though their hands were swinging, we appreciated the company and the taste of home.

Food really does bring people together. There's something about sharing a meal that makes you feel like family.....especially when you're a broke college student who has been living off Ramen soup for weeks.....BUT I DIGRESS!

As much as I love cooking, I'll be the first to admit that it can be the most tiring of chores. Some days I just want to get to the eating......without doing the cooking. As luck would have it, I found a little place that serves up some excellent Sunday cuisine :)

Ole Creole aka Tobago Creole is a small restaurant located on Western Main Road, St. James. If you know Western Main Rd....which you probably do because all cool people know St. James....and read my blog *cough*.....just picture KFC in St. James and it's right across the street, next to the mosque. *sidebar* I know what you're thinking....and my directions don't suck. You just have a problem visualizing stuff!! GET HELP! *end sidebar* LOL

The food is excellent and they even sell Tobago-style curry crab and dumplin'.....MMM MMMMM! Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.

The menu items include steamed veggies, callaloo, vegetable rice, provisions, macaroni pie, potato salad, grilled fish, soups, and a whole lot more. Everything I've tasted to date has been very good so if you ever visit, there'll be no shortage of tasty dishes from which you can choose :)

I'm not sure about the hours of operation, but I've been there around 2pm on weekends and there was still food.....That information is absolutely unhelpful but it's the best I could do lmao. They also provide catering services so if you're interested you can call them @ 622-4735.

One thing you should know though! They weigh the food....YUP! So don't go jumpin out yuhself/getting carried away/overdoing it and asking for macaroni pie, potato salad, macaroni salad, rice, stew chicken and peas....Number 1: That is NOT a balanced meal.....and Number 2: Your bill will total LOTS OF DOLLARS!!!

I learnt my lesson with weighed food very quickly when I worked at the IMF. It took me less than a week to fall in love with anything that would not be weighed or would total less that $10 if weighed.....So my dear people, order what you wish, but keep in mind that the scale will have the final say.

I just got an invitation to Macqueripe Beach so I am O....U....T ! Peace out homies....HAPPY SUNDAY!!!! :D:D:D

Rock Out With Your Uterus Out!!!

2010-05-09T22:41:00.004-04:00

With all the up and down today I almost forgot to do a Mother's Day post :(....Please pardon my lateness. By my clock I still have an hour and some to go which means it's STILL Mother's Day, soooooooooo:

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!! :D:D:D:D

I'd like to send special greetings to my two mothers, my aunts and to my sisters and friends, Niki, Keisha, Vanessa, Marielle, Ava, Avionne, Candice, Rheiza, Royetta, Afro Chic, Angelina, Crisha, Barbara, Patty, Elizabeth, Jeanine, Natasha, Anika, Melonie, Alanna, Ressa, Danielle.....WOW! Y'all been busy huh? I didn't realize I had all these mummies in my life lol...There are lots more, but I can feel the brain cells dying the harder I try to think so forgive me if I don't call everyone by name.

You ladies are todally awesome for leasing your uterus for all those months and I respect you for what you do EVERY DAY. It's a job I do not feel ready for, but rest assured that when the time comes, you all will be some of the first people I call........as I narrow down the list of possible surrogates ;)

*Don't roll your eyes Candice. I already told you that I like my uterus empty so don't act like you don't know the business!!! LOL*

ANYHOO!!!! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU BEAUTIFUL LADIES. Much love and respect to all of you :)

In Other Words On My Behalf.......

2010-05-04T23:37:00.004-04:00

I sometimes think of youtube as a very strange planet with strange inhabitants who love sharing strange experiences with even stranger people who have an affinity for watching strange things.....I LIKE BEING ON THAT PLANET....It's one of the few places where I feel normal :)

Every now and again though, I come across something that's way beyond even my scope and tolerance for the bizarre. Case in point, these 3 videos. Although I can sort of excuse the third guy because he is extremely inebriated, I have NO EXPLANATION for the gentleman in the first two videos.

If you can make sense of him more power to you lol.

IN OTHER WORDS

What on EARTH is he talking about?!?! And he has the nerve to say that he's breaking it down for the interviewer....IN OTHER WORDS.

ON MY BEHALF

They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place so I have to believe that this interviewer purposely set out to find this man again. A part of me is hoping he's an actor because if he isn't.....DAMN!!!

I guess it's nice that he's so enthusiastic and willing to share his opinion??? ***Question marks indicate my uncertainty and weak attempt to find a silver lining in this very dark cloud.

What does "accidentintality" mean? Since when do "well" and "done" have a past tense? Is "5 plus" an actual time taught in St. Vincent? Why does he insist on randomly throwing "On my behalf" into his sentences? Is it "evacuation" if you're only leaving for work and will be back home later?....SO MANY QUESTIONS...

GEOGRAPHY LESSON???

I just love that dude finds a correlation between drugs in St. Vincent and Russia, Bin Laden, Africa, children and mountains. THAT'S DEEP!!!

So there you have it folks: Further evidence that education is a necessary evil!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go read the dictionary. My vocabulary and ability to form coherent sentences are under threat because of repeatedly watching these videos lol.

Dormez-vous bien. Au revoir ;)

The People In My Neighborhood

2010-05-01T08:18:00.008-04:00

<<<------------------LMAO!!! I came across this image on www.grinningplanet.com after doing a Google image search for a drunkard. I'm laughing because the subject of this post actually looks A LOT like this cartoon.....red cap and all. WHAT GOOD FORTUNE! lol

I had been sitting in my living room, camera at the ready, for many nights just hoping to hear this guy pass by so I could record him. I needed to show you guys.....because telling you could never convey the story as effectively.

Josey Wales, as everyone calls him, passes up the street almost every night around 9 and causes a disturbance until he gets home....wherever that is. The thing is, he's only belligerent when he's drunk. When he doesn't drink you don't even hear a peep out of him. Thankfully (I guess), he doesn't bother people......only the neighborhood dogs. The problem is that at 9pm, the cacophony of dogs barking for 5-15 minutes IS an issue....ESPECIALLY WHEN A NEW EPISODE OF CSI IS GOING ON!!!!...........*cough*

Anyhoooo, after nights of waiting, my patience was finally rewarded and I was able to capture the outlaw on video. It's a bit dark, but the essence of the video is in the audio lol. Messieurs-Dames, I present to you: JOSEY WALES!

LOL! Imagine hearing that for 5-15 minutes almost every night. I won't lie! I actually listen out to hear when Josey's coming up the street because I find him a bit hilarious. Of all the things to shout in a drunken stupor!?!?!

I thought that maybe the man just loves that Clint Eastwood movie, The Outlaw Josey Wales....that in his drunken state he imagines himself to be the farmer turned renegade lol. As rumor would have it, he was allegedly robbed by someone who calls himself....wait for it....Josey Wales. SO APPARENTLY, the cowboy crawl and shouting are his attempts to challenge his "rival" to a showdown....HILARIOUS. Whatever the real story, Josey is quite entertaining and harmless....unless you're a neighborhood dog trying to get some sleep lol.

Some of Josey's famous quotes include: "Hush yuh mudda c***"...."When yuh come tuh shoot, SHOOT...DOH TALK!"....and "AAYYYEEE!". The latter I had never heard before until I was standing on Victoria Avenue and someone in a car shouted "AAYYYEEE" in my direction. I looked over and who could I see driving a car but Josey Wales?!! He didn't wave....didn't smile....didn't say anything else. He just looked forward and drove off.

I am POSITIVE that he does not know what I look like so for all I know, he was just shouting at some random woman standing on the pavement.....lol....Madness is really gladness oui!

Up until that moment I was thinking that Josey was just a normal guy who turns into a dog-cussing, wannabe cowboy when he drinks. Now I'm about 70% sure that he's getting high off a lot more than life...

I recently learnt that Josey drives a taxi in Belmont. Guess whose taxi I will N...E...V...E...R travel in!?!?...

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

2010-04-22T06:36:00.000-04:00

Below are 25 tips to Go Green according to www.squidoo.com. You can click the links (where applicable) for more information on the topic....We have one Earth people, LET'S TAKE BETTER CARE OF HER!!!

Change to Fluorescent Bulbs - If every house in the United States changed all of the light bulbs in their house, that would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the streets.
Don't Rinse - Skip rinsing your plates before putting them into the dishwasher. On average you will save 15 gallons of water per load. Plus, you will save time.
Hang Outside to Dry - Get a clothes line or rack to dry your clothes. Your clothes will last longer and you will save money
Turn off computers at night - Don't just put them to sleep. You will save an average of 4 cents a day which adds up to $14.60 a year.
Use Both Sides of Paper - If you have a printer with a double sided print option, use it. You will save half of the amount of paper you would have normally used. Then when you're done bring it to the recycle bin.
Get rid of baths - Don't take baths, take showers. You will on average save about half the amount of water that you would if you were taking a bath.
Don't get bottled water - Instead of bottled water get a reusable container to carry water. Also you can get a filter to make your home tap taste more like bottled water. It is definitely more cost efficient.
Turn the water off when you brush - Your parents have said this before, now I say it. You will save 4 gallons of water doing this alone.
Shorten your shower - Every minute you cut from your shower is roughly 5 gallons of water. The less time your shower takes, the lower your impact on the environment.
Recycle Glass - If you do not recycle this, it will take a million years to decompose.
Don't Pre-Heat the Oven - Unless needed, just turn the oven on after you put the dish in it. Also, to see if it's finished just look through the glass instead of opening it.
Use Warm or Cold Setting on Washer - Instead of the hot cycle, use the warm or cold setting. This will save a lot of energy a year.
Turn Down your Thermostat - Every degree lower in the winter or higher in the summer you put it is a 10% decrease on your energy bill.
Turn off your lights - An easy one. Turn off your lights when you are not using them. The benefits are obvious.
Get rid of junk mail - There are many services that can help you get rid of junk mail. That will lead to a lot less trees being cut down to take up room in your mailbox.
Use Matches instead of lighters - Lighters are usually considered disposable so they will most likely end up in land fills. You can use the cardboard matches which are much more eco-friendly because they are made of recycled material.
Don't get a paper phone book - Instead of getting a paper phone book, use an online directory instead.
Give things away - Take things that you are not going to wear or use and give it to a charity or someone who will use it.
Go to a car wash - Going to a car wash is a lot more water efficient then washing your car at home.
Stop paper bank statements - Why waste paper getting your bank statement mailed to you when you can just check it out online?
Buy Rechargeable Batteries - Even though it will take a good investment to buy these you will find yourself gaining it back in no time.
Pay your Bills Online - If every house in the US did this then we would save 18 million trees every year.
Get a reusable bag - You can't recycle plastic bags, instead get yourself a reusable bag so that you won't have to worry about carrying your necessities.
Do Errands in Bulk - Make a list of the things you have to do, and see if you can fit a couple of those things together in one ride.
Inflate your Tires - If your tires are inflated at all times your car will run more miles on less gas.
Wrap Presents Creatively - Without going out to get wrapping paper you can use newspaper, an old map, or anything else. It would look a whole lot more creative.
Plant a Tree - It's good for the air, can keep you cool, and can increase your property value.
Buy Local Produce - Consider how much energy it takes for produce from China or any other country to come.

I can happily say that I already employ some of these methods (Trinis have been hanging clothes on lines since the dawn of mankind lol)....HOWEVER! I am definitely guilty of leaving my laptop in sleep mode instead of turning it off when I go out or go to bed. NO MORE! Captain Planet would be ashamed of me :(

Please let us all do our parts. A little will certainly go a long way if we all make a conscious effort to take better care of the environment. REMEMBER: THE POWER IS YOURS!!!!! ;D

ANNIVERSARY TIME!!! :D

2010-04-22T06:09:00.001-04:00

It's been a great 1st year and I'm looking forward to the new features and segments I plan on adding as I work to make the blog more useful to readers at home and abroad.

Thanks for reading ;D

North Coastin' :D

2010-04-12T23:43:00.003-04:00

When you live on an island, sometimes the best way to spend a public holiday is lazing at the beach. One of my friends suggested that we spend Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Liberation Day at Toco and since it had been more than 7 years since I visited the far north of the island, I was game for the adventure. The drive was extremely long...about 6 hours altogether...but it was certainly worth it. Never underestimate the power of a change of scenery ;)

Toco is really different!....I dunno what's going on in the North Coast, but could someone clue me in as to what's the big deal with honey? At almost every corner there was someone selling bottles of honey. I mean, I like honey, but it was kinda random....to us city folk lol.

Anyhoo, I had a great day at Toco and it was a wonderful precursor to my mini Easter vacay in Tobago (pics to come). Below is a slideshow of some photos I took during the Toco trip. You can check out the closeups HERE.

Celebrating Freedom

2010-03-30T09:17:00.001-04:00

HONK If You Failed Your Regs!

2010-03-25T23:44:00.000-04:00

No matter how many times I encounter it, I never get used to the absolute ignorance of and disregard for the law displayed by so many of my country people!

Sometimes I think people do it on purpose....for shock value....for attention...for a reaction. I cannot (or is it do not?) want to believe that grown men and woman are actually that DAFT!

This afternoon, while in a taxi on my way home, I was given a not at all subtle reminder that I need to hasten those plans to purchase my own vehicle. I honestly don't think I can...or should travel for much longer....especially if I intend to keep my sanity, myself out of jail....and my life!

If you're familiar with Port of Spain, you may remember that there's a zebra crossing at the corner of Knox and Abercromby Streets (between the Red House and Woodford Square). As we approached this zebra crossing, I noticed that the vehicle to the right and front of my taxi was at a standstill. That was the only thing I had a chance to notice....before I saw the schoolgirl....

The next thing I heard was some serious screeching of brakes.....The next thing I felt was my head jerking forward as the taxi stopped abruptly....The next thing I thought was "Thank goodness this car was not going any faster because that girl would be dead!"....The taxi literally stopped about 5 inches from the "almost statistic".

I was still soaking in what had just happened (and the girl was almost to the other side of the street) when the female passenger next to me put her head out the window and proceeded to shout, "WELL CROSS DE ROAD LIKE YUH HAVE SOME LIFE NAH LADY!!!"

As if that wasn't bad enough, as the car was pulling off she continued, "You taking your time to cross the f*cking road!".....Can you believe that shit!!!? WELL THAT WAS IT FOR ME!

ME: You saw that she was on a people crossing right?!?!
IGNORAMUS: *pause*....5 seconds later.....She see de car coming. If yuh see a car coming, well speed up"
ME: *in a tone of sarcasm that I mastered at the age of 7*....YES! Speed up! Because that's what the regs say!!! When you are on a zebra crossing you should speed up right?!
IGNORAMUS: ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP!!!!

I don't know if to feel mad or sorry for that woman!!! Even the driver knew he was wrong and he shut his ass up for the entire trip as well, but this fool decided to open her mouth and be the spokesperson for "Why do people who don't know shit always know it the loudest?!".

Lady, if you ever happen to come across this post, here are a few things you should keep in mind:

Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act: 17. (1) The driver of a vehicle shall not cause the vehicle or any part thereof to stop within the limits of a “Zebra” crossing unless either he is prevented from proceeding by circumstances beyond his control or it is necessary for him to do so in order to avoid an accident.

Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act: 19. (2) Every pedestrian on a “Zebra” crossing has precedence over any vehicle and the driver of the vehicle shall accord such precedence to the pedestrian where the pedestrian came onto the “Zebra” crossing prior to the vehicle.

Those are extracts from the Laws of T&T.....GET FAMILIAR LADY!!!

Have we grown so accustomed to lawlessness that we can no longer tell right from wrong? I cannot fathom any reason for thinking that a driver has the right to zoom across a zebra crossing, whether or not someone is attempting to cross. I also cannot fathom being a grown woman and sticking my head out of a taxi to curse a child....and one in a school uniform at that!!!

Some days I really wonder what the hell I'm doing back here...

Things That Make You Go....WTH?!?

2010-03-24T21:22:00.003-04:00

Some people say, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade". I say, "When life hands you lemons, find the person who life handed chataignes and laugh at them because they just got a handful of flatulence!" :D.....I'll let you let that soak in....not the flatulence....the depth of my wise words lol.

My point is this: If you can't laugh at other people's misfortunes, what CAN you laugh at?....Life is complicated enough as it is so sometimes you have no choice but to be thankful that you are not "that guy". Still don't believe me? Check out these videos from www.failblog.org via youtube.

WTH?! I seriously ~~thought~~ ~~hoped~~ prayed that this was not an actual product, but alas, there's a website where you can place your order.

Lemons into lemonade?: Even on my worst day I can still tell myself that at least I'm not so pathetic that I have to order fake arms with a voice recording so I can comfort myself....If you own one of these, it might be about that time to join match.com or e-harmony....I'm just saying lol.

Lemons into lemonade?: I DIDN'T HAVE TO EAT THAT MESS!!!

Lemons into lemonade?: I'm not her....nuff said lol.

Lemons into lemonade?: Caspian is fully house broken and would never do such a thing :D:D:D:D

Lemons into lemonade?: HURRRAAAYYY!!! My two year old nephew's art made it on a Mexican TV news show...WOOT WOOOOT!!!

I bet you feel better about your life already....I know I do lol ;)

De Five Star General

2010-03-21T10:07:00.001-04:00

Did I ever tell you guys about the 9+ hours I waited before getting my computerized birth certificate? Yessiree! I got to Registration House on South Quay before 7am and never left until after 4pm. I waited in line.....and then under a tent.....and then in another line before finally making my way inside to submit my documents.

Once inside, I joined one of several lines and there were about 2 people in front of me when the clerk announced that I would be her last customer for the day. It was around 3:10pm at this point (FYI: Government offices operate from 8am-4:15pm Mon-Thurs and 8am-4pm on Fridays....but let's not act like we dunno govahment wukkers! Maybe she was leaving on legit matters...Who knows?).....Whatever she had to do for the 2 people in front of me apparently took her more time than her busy schedule could allow because as I was walking up to her, homegirl started packing up and told me that she was closed...A simple, "I'm sorry, but I really have to leave and cannot attend to you as promised" would have annoyed me, but sufficed. Instead of that, I got a "Well you stand up dey and wait!"......

Not the smartest decision she ever made :).....I was kindly introducing this ~~bitch~~, lovely child of Jesus to my thoughts on her conduct when one of her coworkers stepped in and offered to assist me. That young lady was actually quite pleasant and helpful so maybe there's still hope for some of these wukkers.

It was a little before 4pm by this time so I was really tired, but happy that it was finally over.....OR SO I THOUGHT. Apparently, once you didn't get through (hand in your forms, etc.) before midday, your certificate would not be ready until the following day so yuh girl had to go back AGAIN! This time though I only needed to collect so the wait was not as long.

*It is alleged that one can now obtain a computerized birth certificate in a few minutes, but I don't know anyone who has gone for one so I can neither confirm nor deny.*

Believe it or not lol, the above is a preamble to my actual post.....I got so worked up when I thought about the BS that I couldn't cut the story short....My actual post is about the pointless birth certificate that these people had the nerve to print for my father.

When I finally collected my birth certificate, I was further annoyed to see that my father was listed as *****....FIVE STAR....like an effin' Mead notebook. Wha de hell is *****?! It couldn't mean that I had no father because as nice as she is, my mother is no Virgin Mary, therefore immaculate conception my birth was not! She is also incapable of asexual reproduction therefore she could not have had me on her own.....And one last thing....I LIVED WITH THE MAN!!! His name was on all those forms I had to fill out in order to get that craptastic birth certificate in the first place. So how and why they neglected to put his name on the certificate is beyond me.

AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE!!!

Through a friend of my cousin, Pops was able to collect his computerized birth certificate without all the hassle I endured. He showed it to me the other night and lo and behold.....The man's real name is:

WELL YES! Thank goodness for the good people at the Ministry of Legal Affairs because I would never have known that for all these years my father has been going by a false name!!!...Thank you soooooo much....STEUPS.

To the good people at the Registrar General's Office, please stop wasting time, money AND PAPER by printing these useless birth certificates! I am positive that my father is not the only person who has been issued this piece of scrap paper. Can he use it to obtain his passport? Can he use it to obtain a new ID card? Can he use it for any transaction which requires the computerized birth certificate?!! HE CANNOT!!! He now has to get sworn statements from people who know him, find a Commissioner of Affidavits and swear to being who he is, and then go BACK to Registration House to apply for a birth certificate with his name on it...

RUBBISH!!!.....That's all I can say about that.

"D" Is For Goat!!! :D

2010-03-13T19:52:00.001-04:00

WARNING: If you are nursing a serious case of 'curry tabanca', this post is NOT FOR YOU. If the sight of mouth-watering curry sends you into a violent frenzy because you have not sampled mouth-watering curry in weeks/months/years, this post is NOT FOR YOU....Consider yourself warned lol.

It is my most humble and unbiased (yeah right) belief that local curry is one of THE BEST DISHES ON THE PLANET!!! I have to say local because I've sampled dishes from several other countries, including India, and they honestly weren't as delicious....tasty yes, but there's something about the unique way we use curry here that brings out the extra flavor in a dish :)

Of the many roti shops I've been to, my hands down favorite is Dopson's Roti Shop, which is located on Maraval Road, Port of Spain. Dopson's offers what I consider a perfect combination of texture, taste, flavor, portion....and of course, price. I know that the idea of a "good price" is relative, but things tend to be more expensive in the West so I consider $27TTD/$5USD a good price for a box of chicken buss-up shut....especially because one box counts as two portions for my small-bellied self lol.

What I like most about the buss-up shut from Dopson's is that I can eat it and STILL FUNCTION. When I worked in Champs Fleurs, my coworkers and I would sometimes go to San Juan for Ali's Roti....Now, Ali's is another of my favorite roti shops, but personally, I find their buss-up shut a bit too heavy for my stomach. I used to work until 6pm and I once had to fight off sleep for FIVE HOURS after eating a buss-up shut from Ali's....Not a good look, especially because "I'm resting my eyes" only works for about 15 minutes at best lmao.

Dopson's menu ranges from aloo pies to sada roti to dhalpuri to various types of buss-up shut. *SIDEBAR* If you have absolutely NO IDEA what any of those dishes are you reaaalllly need to brush up on your knowledge of Trinbagonian cuisine LOL. *END SIDEBAR*....Their curried goat (that sounds so tourist....no Trinidadian says "curried" anything, do we?)....DE CURRY GOAT DOES TASTE REAAAAL GOOD!!!....It does :D

DAMMIT!!! I started this post this morning, but had to leave for a 5K. Now I'm watching these pictures and my stomach is griping like hell....AND DOPSON'S IS CLOSED.....THE HOORRRROOOOORRRR!!! *shakes fist menacingly*...SIGH :(

Anyway, if you ever have cause to go to Woodbrook I would recommend a trip to Dopson's Roti Shop....I promise you won't be disappointed :). Try to avoid going between 11am-1pm though because it gets ridiculously crowded during the lunch rush.

Dopson's caters for Divali and other special occasions as well so if you like, you can give them a call @ 1-868-628-6141.....This is some serious free advertising here man lol, but I really think they deserve it so BIG UP DOPSON'S ROTI SHOP!!! :D:D:D

For a list of other roti shops and restaurants specializing in East Indian Cuisine visit www.tntisland.com. If you know of any other good roti shops please share because I luuurrrvvveeeee me some curry ;D

Edited to add: The great illustration and slogan for the Dopson's Roti Shop poster were done by Leizelle Guinness of Lonsdale, Saatchi and Saatchi. Check out their website for some closeups of their award-winning work ;)

Portrait Of A Murderer

2010-03-07T10:39:00.001-04:00

Yesterday morning I was called to the scene of a brutal double-homicide. Not the kind of double-homicide that requires SAUTT, lots of people in white jumpers, and one or two incompetent police officers who may have well stayed home because the only way they're going to solve the murder is through an "anonymous tip" anyway. No! This double-homicide took place in my own yard....and left me wondering where I went wrong.

What's worse than the sight of two bloody victims? How about the sight of a hapless mother walking back and forth in vain....searching for some sign of life in the bodies of her two children :(

The perpetrator sat around surveying his kill with the utmost pride....perfectly oblivious to and unaffected by the heinous act he had just committed. Indeed, he almost looked as if he expected to be awarded some ribbon of excellence for charitable contributions to society.

THE VICTIMS

I'm not an expert in birdology* but these are clearly babies. WHAT KIND OF MONSTER WOULD DO THIS?!?!?!

It appears that one took the brunt of the attack. Maybe the offender got tired by the time he got to the second victim. Maybe Victim #2 saw what was done to Victim #1, had a heart attack.....and died from fright. Either way, these lives were taken too soon.....♬ Like a comet....hum, hum, hum, hum, huuuuuum....Gone too soooooon ♬

*The actual term is ornithology...in case you care ;)

COLLATERAL DAMAGE :(

I NEVER actually believed that I could feel sorry for a bird, but after watching this mom fly and walk around my garden for hours yesterday I have to admit that I experienced some tenderness in the throat region. Poor thing was just walking around the dead bodies and even after they were removed she kept searching in the garden for them. She even came back this morning....although I personally believe that she was just surveying the terrain because she's rounding up a squad to exact some revenge lol.

THE MURDEROUS SON OF A BITCH!!!

This, ladies and gentlemen, is my dog Caspian. He started off as "Prince Caspian", but due to conduct unbecoming of any prince he was stripped of his title months ago and demoted to simply "Caspian". This dog has been scraping by on his looks since the day he arrived, but his stock has certainly plummeted with this last malicious act.

Like any true serial killer, his crimes are escalating. It started with a dead lizard (placed strategically in front of my door as if to say "LOOK AH BRING SUMTIN' NICE FUH YUH!!!"). He then developed a taste for wild meat and killed the neighbor's hamster....whose only crime was being stupid enough to run away from his owner and hide in my yard. R.I.P Chip/Dale....Wait! Chip & Dale were chipmunks weren't they? Ah well...Who cares?....All rodents look alike!

If he could, I am positive that this brute would also kill my two turtles. He has actually tried on at least two occasions, but 1) He cannot get into the turtle habitat because it's blocked off....and 2) Even when the turtles escaped, he could not bite through their shells so he was left angry and frustrated....YAAAAY!! Score one for Castor and Pollux :D:D:D

These latest kills bring Caspy's body count to four. I'm contemplating taking him to a tattoo shop and having them put four tear drops under his eyes because he's a murderer and clearly he has a penchant for blood....especially when the blood comes from anything that's smaller than him!!! This is a dog that runs from laundry baskets, fig leaves, footballs, strollers and ANYTHING that's bigger than him....yet he's killing baby birds?!?!? DAMN BULLY!!!

I don't know if it's possible to have a dog committed, but if it is, he is definitely one for the dog nut pound! I should have suspected that something was a little off with him from the first time I woke up to his unceasing barking....went to see what the problem was....and discovered him growling and barking at------->>>A PIECE OF COBWEB!!!!........*Insert "Are you effing kidding me?!" facial expression here*

Does anyone have a number for the Dog Whisperer??? Does he do international house calls???....SIGH!!!

Taking Nothing For Granted ;)

2010-03-02T19:55:00.000-04:00

If I could I would stop and smell the roses....but I have no roses lol. So instead, I'll stop and appreciate the sunrises and sunsets. After all, it's the little things that can help you make it through a crappy day and put a smile on your face when you're tempted to believe that Trinidad & Tobago offers nothing to smile about.

Taken at the Waterfront after the Carnival 2010 official launch ceremony.

Being stuck in traffic SUCKS...But why stress when this is your view? :)

Never saw this before. Me likey :)

Cloudy sunset as seen through my living room window.

The sun rises, bringing with it a new day and another chance for a better you...a better me....a better T&T?

I STILL ♥♥♥♥♥ MY COUNTRY :D

MY BEST CARNIVAL YET!!! :D

2010-02-27T12:57:00.002-04:00

*YAWN*....*STRETCH*....*GRUMBLE*....What day is it?!?! I feel like I've been asleep forever. I tell ya! This Post-Carnival Depression is not a joke. I don't feel like doing a damn thing. It's hard to believe that two weeks ago I had more stamina than a track and field athlete on steroids. Now it's just......BLAH!

I am pleased to announce however that 10 fetes, 5 guests, 1 J'ouvert, 2 days on the road and 1 busted ankle later......I AM ALIVE AND HAPPY!!! :D:D:D. I am putting Carnival 2011 on notice from now because it has A LOT to live up to since my Carnival 2010 was G R E A T!!!

I'm sure I mentioned before that the Carnival festivities are among the highlights of my life since moving back home. As such, I had been anxiously awaiting the start of that glorious 2010 season since Ash Wednesday 2009. I honestly love the build up to Carnival as much as I love the event itself. The speculation about possible themes, the band launches, the mas camp visits for closeup photos, the costume critiques, the pan yard visits....DE BACCHANNAL...are all essential elements of my Carnival experience.

COSTUME

I had pretty much fallen in love with my costume at first sight at TRIBE's launch. It was a toss up between "Threads of Morocco" and "Mystery of Loulan", an equally beautifully designed costume. After a bit of mental back and forth I could think of nothing but that TOM Frontline costume and so the decision was made :D.

REGISTRATION
I was able to register in my FIRST CHOICE SECTION of TRIBE's 2010 presentation, "The Secret of Silk" despite the fiasco that took place on registration day. I am still finding it hard to believe that the band was pretty much sold out in about 20 minutes. Many of my friends either did not get into their section of choice....or did not get into the band at all. I actually had time to re-enter my credit card and sizing information after an error had voided my transaction the first time....and I still got my section of choice. Perhaps it was my destiny to rock that "Threads of Morocco" Frontline costume lol ;)

TWIDDLING MY THUMBS
The downside to being efficient with Carnival preparations is that you end up with a lot of free time on your hands when others are still searching for Monday wear, makeup artists, accessories, boots, etc. I was completely finished with my Carnival preparations before Christmas so I had nothing to do but drive myself crazy counting down till D-DAY!....Note to self: Do NOT complete Carnival 2011 preparations until February 2011.

DOING MY COSTUME JUSTICE
I fully intended to rawk the fawk out of my costume on Carnival Tuesday and I knew that to achieve this I would need to enlist the help of some creative geniuses...enter Boots by Afro Chic and Bags By Mimi. I first had my footwear customized by Afro Chic in 2008 and I was so blown away that customized footwear is now a staple of my Carnival costume!!! This year (as my American high school students would say lol): SHE....KILT....IT!!!! I don't think AC knows the groupie love I showered on her behind the scenes lmao. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED my boots. THANK YOU AC!!!!

Anyone who can turn this:

INTO THIS:

IS AH BOSS.....TALK DUN!!!!

I am not one of those women who can go out without a bag, and that goes for on the road as well. I feel naked if I don't have a bag and since I had no intention of dragging around that TRIBE goody bag, I decided from early on to order a bag to match my costume. As a treat for my girlies I decided to pimp them out as well and we all got Bags by Mimi to go with our costumes.....BEST DECISION EVER!!! I pretty much fit my kitchen sink into my bags on both days and nothing fell out....nothing was lost....not a gem fell off those bags.....not a thread came out of place. MIMI! You WILL be seeing me again for 2011 ;)

THE BIG DAYS!

I really can't decide which day was more fun for me. I guess I'll say Tuesday because I absolutely LOVED wearing that costume and I didn't want to take it off. My TRIBE 2010 experience was waaaaaaaaay better than my 2008 experience with the band. One thing I've learnt with TRIBE is that it's always wiser to have costume pieces that extend UP as opposed to OUT. I've read a lot of complaints about the size of the band and the lack of space, but I literally had space to spread my wings....and spread them I did :D. The security for our section was on point and VERY HELPFUL. At one point while waiting to cross the stage the heat was really unbearable and I guess I looked like I was about to pass out because a member of the security team took me to a shaded area, helped with my headpiece and even helped me get some bottled water after the drinks trucks had left.

The masqueraders in my section were also fabulous. There were no attempts by backline masqueraders to usurp the position of the frontlines or individuals LOL. Many of the FLs opted to leave their large headpieces at home so our section was pretty much a display of Isis wings. The male and female individuals looked great and they were courteous enough to let the frontlines have our moment as well. I definitely did not feel like I was competing for space at any point and my friends and I explored from the front to the back of the band during the course of both days.

***ON SECOND THOUGHT, the very narrow Pole Carew Street was a real jam session, as were certain parts of Ariapita Avenue when everyone and their mother's uncle's barber's handyman decided that they wanted an up close and personal encounter with JW & BLAZE!!! JEESAAASSS!!! That was really some mess! :S

SANDRA HORDATT FOR PRESIDENT!!!
*GROUPIE LOVE*!!!! Hahahahaha. Seriously though, I really could not go through this post and not mention our WONDERFUL section designer. Putting my love for the costume aside, I really have to say thank you to Ms. Hordatt who did more than any designer has ever done for me in my stint as a masquerader. In addition to the surprise Monday wear and extra goodies we received when we collected our costumes, Ms. Hordatt arranged for her frontline masqueraders to have our makeup done by the very talented, Sarah Baggoo. My makeup looked great, lasted ALL DAY and was less expensive than the makeup artist I was originally considering. I think it's safe to say that I got my money's worth and then some :D:D:D

LA PIECE DE RESISTANCE!!!

All my hard work was rewarded. I MADE THE TRIBE MAGAZINE :D:D:D:D

LMAAAAAAOOOOOOOOO!!!! Take my word for it! Those are MY plumes you see behind the Individual. I had been hiding behind her a lot....HEY HEY!!! Stop judging me ok!!! Just because you didn't make the magazine doesn't mean you should hate on my 15 minutes of fame LOL LOL LOL.

OK! So that ladies and gentlemen is my very long recount of my Carnival 2010 experience. I sincerely thank you for enduring to the end lol. The countdown to C2K11 has already started and until then, I'll be medicating and trying my best to function. If you're also suffering from Post-Carnival Depression I would gladly recommend some:

THANKS FOR READING ;D

STAY TUNED

2010-02-25T21:57:00.000-04:00

Editing photos is really more draining and time consuming than people could possibly know!!! I fully intended to write my Carnival 2010 review tonight, but my energy is now gone :(....Such is the life of a budding ole fogie lol.

STAY TUNED THOUGH!!! The review is on the way ;)

Kinda Hard To Believe :)

2010-02-12T13:00:00.000-04:00

I recorded this video at 6am last Tuesday.

That level of quiet may be normal to some people, but if you're familiar with those buildings in the background you'll understand my amazement at waking up and actually being able to hear birds lol.

I grew up and still live in Trinidad's infamous "City That Never Sleeps", and in my two plus decades on this earth I cannot remember having ever heard such silence in St. James!!! I just had to record that moment....and I'm happy I did because by 6am a couple days later I was back to waking up to the sounds of music blasting from the police barracks.

I can hear some of you saying "De police feteing at 6am?!" lol....NO! They play the loud music as a way of acclimatizing the horses to the noisiness of Kiddies Carnival and all the other parades where horses are used to patrol the route. A few years ago I awoke EVERY MORNING to the sound of the police band practicing "Somebody pussycat get away".....That song was HIGHLY annoying in its instrumental version and if I never hear it again it will be too soon!

It's really hard to believe that the city in my video is the same city that is already abuzz with tourists and people from all across the country....and the same city that in three days will be the mecca for Carnival 2010 madness!

I am bracing myself for the next few days...Between the traffic, the influx of people, the spectators, the masqueraders, the drunkards and all other characters, IT IS GOING TO GET PRETTY CRAZY!!!

SAY A PRAYER FOR ME LOL!!!

DC FOR HAITI

2010-02-04T06:37:00.003-04:00

Regardless of how far away you live, I am sure the news of Haiti's devastating earthquake has reached you. Although weeks have passed the trauma continues to be real for many people who are left homeless, scared, scarred and searching for family members.

In the midst of this disaster people have been stepping up everywhere to contribute in some way or the other to the rebuilding of Haiti, and though that process will continue long after some of us are gone, it's important that we do our part while we're here.

DC Caribbean Promoters for Haiti is one of many organizations coming forward to assist with the relief efforts for Haiti. This organization is the collective effort of several DC Caribbean promoters, including Basement Knokers Entertainment, one of the companies behind TRIBE Ignite DC.

Here is the press release:

DC Promoters Respond to Haiti Crisis

Washington, DC, January 26, 2010: Basement Knokers Entertainment is proud to be a part of the DC Caribbean Promoters for Haiti (DCPH) alliance. DCPH represents area promoters who have formed a coalition to maximize their contribution to the Haiti recovery and reconstruction effort. As the unprecedented scope of Haiti’s devastation becomes more apparent every day, your support and generosity are desperately needed. The group has an immediate goal to raise $30,000 in 30 days. DCPH will contribute all monies raised by making donations to Yele Haiti, CARE International, and Medical Teams International. Our collective contribution will help these organizations provide the people of Haiti with necessary supplies and services including food, water, temporary shelter, and medical attention.

Our goal will be achieved primarily through an aggressive online campaign through our website at www.thedcph.org and a series of public events held throughout the Washington, DC, area. In addition, members of the DCPH will be working closely with the Howard University Haitian Students Association as well as the Haitian Embassy to keep fully informed on the situation at ground zero.

The groups currently involved in DCPH include: Arious Entertainment; Bakanal Inc.; Basement Knokers; Caribbean Vibes Radio; Caribeat Events; CaribUnited LLC.; Carnival Bandleaders Association; Crown Bakery; DC Caribbean Carnival Inc.; DC Caribbean Connection; EastCoast Caribbean Events; Exquisite Audio Production ; Fevah Entertainment; Fevah Entertainment; Garage Boyz Inc.; Gresham Entertainment; I&I Productions; Ice Carnival; Image Band; Klimaxx Entertainment; Knockboyz Inc.; Mixx Productions; MyXradio.com; Peppy Entertainment & Promotions; Pumpstation Entertainment & Productions LLC; and SekouFlex Entertainment.

Basement Knokers Entertainment extends its deepest condolences to the people of Haiti and our thoughts and prayers go out to the many families that have been affected by this incredible tragedy. It is our hope that our community can come together at this time; and with our contribution, as well as that of the global community, our fellow brothers and sisters in Haiti can begin the long road to recovery.

We encourage you to contribute now by visiting our website at

www.thedcph.org

and share this information with your family and friends.

If you live in the DC/MD/VA area look out for more information on these upcoming events and please make a contribution to Haiti. However little it may seem, someone will appreciate it.

One Good Bouf Is All It Takes LOL

2010-01-30T22:45:00.000-04:00

Irony of ironies. I've become one of those bloggers I used to grumble about! I hated logging on to people's blogs only to find that they hadn't been updated. I always felt that since I was dedicated to reading, the least they could do was be dedicated to giving me stuff to read...Rather bold I know, but it's in my genetics as a Trini to be boldfaced so deal with it LMAO.

I would like to thank those readers who took the time to email and send me messages letting me know that I was slacking lol. I honestly appreciate your support for my blog :D....To those readers, I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE....and take this opportunity to blame adulthood lol. I find adulthood rather overrated.....I just need to put that out there.

PARENTS....TEACHERS....RELIGIOUS LEADERS...Would you guys pleeeaaassseee stop lying to kids and telling them to work hard because it pays off when they get "big"?!?! IT DOESN'T PAY OFF YOU LIARS!! Hahahahaha.....We work hard in primary school (elementary school for you Yanks lol) just so we get into "good" secondary schools. THEN we work hard in secondary school so we get accepted into A'Levels. THEN we work hard at A'Levels (harder for the likes of us who were INSANE enough to do A'Level Spanish, French AND Literature) so that we get accepted into "good" universities.....THEN we work hard for three to four years so we get "good" jobs...or accepted into "good" Masters programs....IT'S A NEVER ENDING CYCLE OF PROMISED "GOODNESS" I TELL YA!!!

OK then.....Now that that moment of mental illness is over I can proceed :D:D:D

I've decided that tonight I'll try my hand at reviewing fetes.....I've gone to four all-inclusive fetes so far....I only paid for ONE so if you're a bandit who is somehow literate enough to read and follow the blog I beg you, do not assume I am rich and worth robbing/kidnapping lol....I just know people who know people :).....I already did a write-up on "Soka in Moka" so I'll focus on the other three fetes. Here goes:

Outta de Blue XI aka QRC All-inclusive: Reaaaaalllll tootoo that was salvaged by Dil-e-Nadan and Kes The Band....*sidebar* I just realized that "Nadan" is a palindrome....sweeeet :) *end sidebar*

Old Hilarians (Bishop's) All-Inclusive: AND I JIZZED IN MY PANTS!!!! Dis fete was soooooooooooooo bess!!!! I will be attending from now until whenever they decide to stop having this fete.

C.I.C (St. Mary's) All-inclusive: DEAR GOD!!! How is it even possible to want back your money when you got into a fete for free?!?!?!...ARRGGHHHHHH!!! Someone owes me 3 hours of my life.....and the taste buds I lost when I tried those disgusting, undercooked ribs!!! TWAAH!!!

....WOW!!! If I had known this reviewing business was this easy I would have done it years ago :D:D:D....I've uploaded an album of photos from the fetes so far. Check it out HERE if you like.

Here are some video clips to help with the vicarious living :)

Dil-e-Nadan @ Outta De Blue XI. Their perform completely revived this fete!!! THANK YOU D.E.N

Nadia Batson asked for a man to come up on stage and wine with her....Like the rest of us, she was confused after this one lol.

Finally, Shurwayne Winchester & Y.O.U. @ St. Mary's All-Inclusive. Apparently SW has decided that his old routines work just as well and there's no need to reinvent himself. I really love his music, but this entire performance was no where near his usual standard.

I hope you're enjoying the vicarious feteing so far ;)....Until I blog again (which I promise will be before next week lol), I bid you adieu. Thanks for reading ;D

Recession Christmas :-(

2010-01-17T22:52:00.002-04:00

This recession is really getting out of hand. Things are tough from Port-of-Spain to.....Bethlehem?! Poor Baby Jesus...All the men in his life seem to have collapsed and died from hunger.

IT AIN'T RIGHT!!!!

Carnival Safety Tips!!!

2010-01-10T12:51:00.000-04:00

For many of us Carnival can be a time to release our stress, let go of all our cares, create memories with our friends, get our 15 minutes of fame as we cross the stage, fete till we drop, show off that body we've been working to tone and sculpt for months, or simply get away from it all. For others, it's a time to capitalize on the vulnerability of unsuspecting folks as they let their guard down and partake in the Carnival revelry.

While your fete essentials may include cellphone, makeup, liming posse and vex money, someone else's essentials may include a knife, an icepick, a partner in crime, or an escape vehicle....SAD, BUT TRUE!!! With this knowledge in mind it's IMPERATIVE that we all put safety first during this Carnival season.

Below are some extremely helpful tips I found on the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service's website.

TTPS Carnival Safety Tips

When attending parties and other activities you are reminded that you should:
	Wear minimal jewelry.
	Travel in groups to and from activities.
	Not carry around or display large amounts of money.
	Not have wallets and change purses visible.
	Not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended.
	Prearrange transport arrangements and designate an alcohol free driver.

Parents and guardians are reminded that their children should:
	All wear identification cards bearing their name, name of parent/guardian, address and telephone number.
	Not be left unsupervised at home.
	Not be left in the charge of strangers.
	Not use public conveniences unless an adult accompanies them.
	Not accept food or drink from strangers.
	Not be taken to fetes, calypso tents and other adult shows.

When leaving your households you are reminded that you should:
	Ensure that you secure your premises.
	Secure all ladders and other implements in a locked room.
	Not leave keys in mailboxes or under door mats.
	Notify the police if you are going to be away for long periods.
	Have a friend or relative check the household to remove newspapers, milk and other deliveries.
	Teach your children to lock the doors when they enter.
	Ensure that the property is illuminated at night.
	Be observant when returning home, especially at night.

Holders of licensed firearms are reminded that they should:
	Ensure that their firearm is properly secured at home.
	Not display firearms in public.
	Not draw their firearm unless they are in a life-threatening situation.
	Lodge their firearm at a police station before leaving the country.
	Remember that their firearm is a lethal weapon and they should not become intoxicated when carrying it.

When driving to fetes and other activities you are reminded that you should:
	Ensure that your vehicle is properly secured.
	Use paid car parks whenever possible.
	Not overcrowd vehicles.
	Not drink and drive.
	Lock doors when vehicle is in motion.
	Notify the police whenever you observe any strange activities around vehicles.
	Obey traffic signs re: parking.
	Not leave vehicle unattended with keys in the ignition.
	Not leave your vehicle unattended with engine running.
	Not leave valuable items exposed in your vehicle.
	Be cautious of persons loitering near traffic lights.
	Have your keys in hand when you approach your vehicle.
	Be vigilant at all times when returning home especially at night and if you are travelling alone.

Remember it is an offence to:
	Go through a RED LIGHT even at nights.
	Travel in open trays of pick up vans and trucks.

Visitors to Trinidad and Tobago are reminded that they should:
	Carry some form of identification on their person when attending activities.
	Take public transportation with "H" being the first letter on the number plate.
	Verify the cost of transportation before boarding hired vehicles.
	Avoid dark and lonely areas, ie walking through the Queen's Park Savannah at night.
	Not accept lifts from strangers.
	Not carry around or display large amounts of cash.
	Secure wallets and purses especially in crowded areas.
	Find a police officer if they need assistance.

It's all well and good to get caught up in the festivities and have a great time, but we all have loved ones who worry about us every time we leave home and count down the minutes until we walk through the front door or call to let them know that we've made it home safely. As such, we MUST put safety first because believe it or not lol....there IS life after Carnival ;D

What Do They Stand For?

2010-01-07T23:17:00.001-04:00

Before I get caught up in all the Carnival hype I really wanted to do this post. The question has been on my mind for a few months now, but I didn't get the chance to do a post on it because the last quarter of 2009 was ridiculously busy for me. The "they" in my question refers to our political parties and to some extent to our independent senators as well.

Understand that I am not trying to be facetious in asking this question. This is not a 'who should we vote for and why' question. I'm not referring to political manifestos or issues of race and class. I ask this question as it relates to Vision 2020 and the way we deal with sensitive topics in our society. I ask it as it relates mainly to the position our politicians hold regarding the issues of abortion and homosexuality.

"What do they stand for?" I had put forth this question to several of my friends and honestly speaking, no one knew the answer.....I myself do not know the answer and as such, I am asking for some enlightenment from you readers.

When I lived in DC, there was hardly a neighborhood through which one could walk without seeing the gay pride/rainbow flag displayed. Indeed, it was through living in DC that I even came to know the symbolism of the flag. Gay households would have the flag on display through their windows as a symbol of pride in their lifestyle and in who they are.

We all know that even today in the "land of freedom" homosexuals in many states are still fighting a battle for their rights. We also know that a major reason they continue to fight this battle is because of the standpoint of the Republican Party and its followers. Even with a non-expert knowledge of US politics you probably know that abortion and gay marriages are STRONGLY OPPOSED by the Republican Party.

Now, whether you agree with the point of view of the Republican Party or not is not my concern. The point I am making is that like it or not, you at least KNOW the p.o.v of the Democratic and Republican Parties as it relates to the referenced topics. I cannot say the same for PNM, UNC, COP, NJAC, LVL or any political party in T&T......Can you?! If you answer 'yes', please share it with me.

It honestly bothers me that the major talking points for the parties here include their intentions to fix roads, build schools/hospitals and supply pipe-borne water to all. These are all necessary, don't get me wrong, but what else is important to them? What matters to them beyond infrastructure? What are their views on those issues affecting the moral fabric of our society?

Are they paving roads so that our gays have smooth surfaces to run on when they have to escape like bats outta hell because someone is beating the shit outta them for being "batty men"?! Are they supplying pipe-borne water to all to wash away the tears of the many women who still have to go to back yard "doctors" to get rid of unwanted pregnancies?! I NEED TO KNOW!!!

Are we really going into 2020 with laws on the books banning homosexuals from entering the country? (I read that one in a book on laws about homosexuality around the world and almost fell out my chair).....Does Vision 2020 include a revision of the law that says a woman can be imprisoned for up to 4 years for having an abortion, except if her life/health is threatened?!

Even as I type this post I am referencing my copy of the Laws of T&T. Imagine our "Equal Opportunity Act" which prohibits certain types of discrimination states that "“sex” does not include sexual preference or orientation"....HUUUHHHH?!?! Now I understand that the Act cannot include sexual preference because homosexuality is still illegal here, but can you understand the issue I am having?

Are we really going to have all these centers and waterfronts and fancy buildings and summits, and in the same breath have a Minister of Community Development, Culture and GENDER AFFAIRS who avoids the issue of gay rights like the plagues of Egypt?! *SHUDDERS*....Sidebar - I really hate Newsday, but strangely enough they came to my rescue and provided me with a link to the article I needed. Thank you Newsday...

Before I get myself too worked up at 10:30PM I will close off here. I would really appreciate if you share any information you've come across that would help me (and many others I am sure) gain some sort of understanding as to where the minds of our political parties are regarding abortion and homosexuality. I do believe in the "knowledge is power" philosophy so please share.

Thanks for reading ;)

ODE TO A BESS FETE!!!

2010-01-07T13:40:00.000-04:00

First things first! I logged into my blog one day to find that my template was nowhere to be found....What's up with that?!?!....My OCD does not allow for unexpected changes!!! I NEED TO BE IN CONTROL DAMMIT lmao.

After doing some Googling and browsing the Blogger 'Help' pages I found out that my original template no longer exists at the source from which it is downloaded every time someone visits the blog. As a result, there was nothing but empty space where my template should have been and I had to download this new one.

I actually love the new template....in spite of the fact that this Asian/Italian/Whatever race she is chick looks NOTHING like me lol. I love the layout and green is my favorite color so I'll stick with it for now :)....Anyway, manos a la obra.....on to my post.

DE TING STTTTTTTTAAAAAAAAAARRRRTTTT!!!! :D:D:D:D:D. After months of anticipation, ringing out my friends' ears with Carnival discussions, stalking Saucy's blog for information, visiting mas camps and all that jazz, the season that was meant to be is here again. Carnival 2010 has officially started and I could not be happier.

I jump started my C2K10 with my first ever visit to Trinity College's 'Soka in Moka' All-Inclusive Fete. I had always heard that this was THE FETE to start the Carnival season, but I honestly had no intentions of partying so early in the year. One "I'll put your name on the list" later and I was picking out my outfit lol....It's amazing what a little 'freeness' can do ;). Free entry aka saving $500 aside, this fete was *in my best surfer dude impersonation* TODALLY AWESOME DUUUDE!!! I would seriously pay to attend this fete next year...IT WAS THAT GREAT!!!

I'm not much of a fete reviewer, but Afro Chic has done an especially accurate and extremely hilarious review of the fete. I'm better at telling a story with visuals so here are some video clips to help you live vicariously ;D

***Kes the Band had something in store for everyone. They performed old hits, new songs and even threw in some pop with a performance of their hit "Stalker" and "I Gotta Feeling" by Black Eyed Peas.

***The secret to soca success? Make up a catchy word and then take that made up word and use it in a power soca with enough vibe to mash up any fete and rival anything Iwer, Faye-Ann or Bunji could come up with. PALANCIN WHEN WE ON DE ROOOOAAAADDD!!!

***Why, oh why do people who should stay unnoticed in the crowd insist on going up on stage whenever performers ask for volunteers lol?! I apologize for the shakiness...that's me cracking the hell up at this dude lmao.

I'll tell you one thing about fogies tho....THEY KNOW HOW TO PARTY!!! I swear 55 is the new 30! A lot of offices probably smelt like Bengay on Monday, but hey, those 'mature folks' had a great time and that's all that matters lol. Nuff respect to all de fogies out there....When I grow up I wanna be just like you ;D

I cannot stress how great a fete this was. The organizers definitely get 2 thumbs up and 4 happy dances from me (one day I'll post a video of me doing my happy dance). Next stop on the C2K10 fete train?? Stay tuned to find out ;)

For now I'm off to the pharmacy for some vitamins. I'll be damned if Carnival finds me bedridden because I caught some nasty bug!!! AU REVOIR MES AMIS...A BIENTÔT. And as always, thanks for reading :D:D:D

OUT WITH THE OLD.....

2010-01-01T23:58:00.001-04:00

Boxing Day Is The New Christmas ;)

2009-12-26T10:27:00.000-04:00

So I've surfaced to sneak in a few minutes of blogging just to wish you guys Season's Greetings. To say that the past few weeks have been hectic would be a gross understatement. Between home renovations, three events to coordinate at work and life in general, I barely had time to sleep...far less blog. ANYWAY, I'm happy to say that all of my projects were a huge success and I can finally see some semblance of normalcy returning to my routine.

I have so much to catch up on, but all in due course. Let me just say that life in Trinidad is ANYTHING but uneventful lol. Stay tuned for details ;)

Alright hunnies, I'm off again for now. I'm having some guests over and it's time to get the ball rolling on lunch before time runs out and I'm forced to serve bread and butter LOL.......HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!!! :D

Money, Money, Money, Monaaayy

2009-11-29T23:41:00.000-04:00

As anyone who pays attention to what's going on in T&T will know, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) took place over the last few days. CHOGM takes place every two years, and is a meeting of Commonwealth nations to discuss those issues of concern to them/us.

Honestly, I did not pay much attention to what was taking place this weekend outside of watching a segment of the opening ceremony and some highlights on the news. I had no interest in the encore performance of the circus that came to town during the 5th Summit of the Americas so I stayed away. I do however promise to catch up in the interest of staying informed :)

On to my post :D. In order to commemorate 60 years of the Commonwealth a new $100 bill was released. There was an ad running in the newspaper for about two weeks, but a lot of people still seem to be out of the loop when it comes to this latest development. If people here don't know about it, I imagine that a lot of foreign based Trinis don't either.

Soooo, before you embarrass yourself publicly by shouting out "DIS MONEY FAKE!!! WHEY ALYUH GET DIS?! AH GO CALL DE POOLEECE!", when someone gives you one of the new $100 bills, take a look at the photos below and get acquainted with your new money lol.

Commemorative bill - FRONT

Commemorative bill - BACK

Love it? Like it? Hate it? Could care less lol?.....The back reminds me a bit of Eastern Caribbean currency...that's as much of an opinion as I have on it.

Consider yourself updated :D.....TOODLES! ;D

HAPPY MONDAY!!!!!

2009-11-23T07:38:00.003-04:00

Fish broth??.....Chicken soup???.....Lipton tea???......No darlings, that's a container of the water that's currently flowing out of my pipes. There is NO BETTER WAY to start your work week than by being late because you have to wait for the water in your taps to clear up. I ♥♥♥♥♥♥ WASA!!!

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT WHEN YOUR WORK WEEK STARTS LIKE THIS?!?! ;D

♬ Feel Reborn In Grenada ♬

2009-11-15T10:30:00.005-04:00

As promised, voici les photos de ma visite à Grenada!!! :D.....I can't stress enough just how much fun this trip was.....and I was only there for the weekend and didn't get to do half of the activities planned. Just imagine how great my next visit will be......JIIIIZZZZZZ!!! :D:D:D:D

Grenada really is worth the visit if you're in the mood for a weekend getaway or impromptu mini-vacation. The entire trip (airfare and accommodation) cost me less than $2500TTD (roughly $400USD), which meant that I didn't have to break my piggy bank to have a great time ;D

So dear readers, without further ado, here are the photos. You can also view them up close in my Picasa album.

Clockwise L-R: The line of passengers waiting to board the smallest plane I've ever been on. The flight attendant briefing us on what to do if said small plane has a malfunction. A quick stop at St. George's University to meet a friend. Students playing dodge ball on the court...apparently the big Friday night lime.

We went to "The Owl" one of the few places that were still open after we checked in (around 10PM). You can tell by the first photo that the place was really swinging lol. The food was great...but that ketch ass plate of wedge fries needed a hug.

Now I'm back at the resort which was ABSOLUTELY BEE-YOO-TEE-FUL!!! The room was very spacious and included a lounge area, dinner table and kitchenette. The room opened up to a view of the pool and the Caribbean Sea....the perfect way to start the day :D. The buildings of St. George's University also graced the landscape.

The package included a delicious continental breakfast at the resort's relaxing and inviting bay side restaurant.

After brekkie it was time for some exploring. The infinity pool was a bit finite, but I enjoyed it all the same lol ;)

Next stop....SHOPPING and a trip to the very gorgeous Grand Anse Beach. Shopping in Grenada is a bit expensive, especially when it comes to food because you basically pay the TT price, but in EC (Eastern Caribbean) dollars. Since the conversion rate is 1ECD = 2.51TTD, you end up paying more than double what the item would cost you in T&T.....

Arawak artifacts at the resort and sunset as seen from the plane on the trip back home. I'm still trying to figure out why LIAT took us to Tobago (which was NOT on the return ticket schedule) and then to Barbados for a flight destined for Trinidad.....I guess you can do that kinda stuff when you have a monopoly.

LIAT...bleh!!! I did have a safe flight and my baggage wasn't left behind so I guess I should be thankful. And finally, the lights of Trinidad signaling the official end of my mini-vacay....sniff, sniff.

I do hope you enjoyed the trip to Grenada :D. I've more or less chosen my next stop, but I'm still deciding on the other destinations on my island-hopping tour . If you have any suggestions of places to visit and accommodation I am all ears.

Until we blog again.......toodles ;D

Annnnd We're Back!!!! :D

2009-11-15T00:08:00.002-04:00

Soooooo, guess where I went last weekend?......NOOOO! Not "to hell" for telling that woman that staring at me would only serve to further shatter her already fragile sense of self-worth!!! I WENT TO GRENADA SILLY!!! :D:D:D:D

I've always wanted (and planned) to tour the Caribbean, but living abroad meant that my vacation time was mainly spent on trips home to see my friends and family. Now that I'm back, I can actually use my vacation time and (long) weekends to get away.....and TRUST ME! When you live here, the urge to get away can sometimes become overwhelming.

It's ironic that at one point I couldn't wait to visit T&T and now that I live here again I'm always thinking about getting away. I guess the difference then was that whenever I got fed up of being home I could comfort myself with knowing that I was heading back to the US. Now that I'm back "for good", I sometimes feel trapped because there's no "only 3 more weeks" countdown to comfort me.....Thank God I wasn't deported and my visa is still valid lmao.

Anyway, I was really in the mood for something different. I didn't know where I wanted to go or when, but I knew I wanted and needed to go somewhere. A few hours of fiddling around on websites led me to airfare and accommodation that were too good to pass up, and so my destination was confirmed....Grenada it would be!

This was my first trip to the Spice Isle and I had such a wonderful time that I am already planning a trip back. I didn't get to do a lot of the stuff I had planned (snorkeling, diving, sailing, etc.) because I was only there for the weekend and preparation for snorkeling and diving required at least a day of training :(....Despite that disappointment I was able to capitalize on food, shopping and multiple trips to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever visited.

If you love traveling I would suggest that you put Grenada on your list of places to visit, and while you're at it, add True Blue Bay Resort & Villas to your list of places to stay while there. If the rates don't make you fall in love with True Blue, the location, ambiance and staff definitely will.

Visiting Grenada was just what I needed to get me going again :D. I feel rejuvenated and my love for traveling has been rekindled. I have also gained a new appreciation for living in T&T. I never really paid much attention to the "Trinidad is one of the most developed Caribbean islands" claim, but I now understand why so many CARICOM nationals rush to settle here.

My appreciation for our advancements notwithstanding, I do sometimes wish that T&T would return to that 'island paradise' mindset that we now only really experience during Christmas and Carnival; that 'hakuna matata' state of mind that keeps us calm even while stuck in traffic and reminds us that smiling really isn't as difficult as we think it is....I'll keep hope alive :)

Photos from the trip are on the way :)

Missing Person.....Please Circulate

2009-11-06T11:23:00.006-04:00

I received the following flyer via email from a coworker. Please copy and circulate the image because a little can go a long way. You may not have information, but someone else may see it and be in a position to offer some assistance to the family, friends and police officers searching for this missing young lady.

Please don't just dismiss her as a possible runaway or sigh, mumble at the state of things in T&T, and then go about your merry way. We need to start looking out for each other again if we really want to make positive changes in our country.

If you have any information on Andriana Phangyou please contact the numbers listed in the flyer. She may not be in danger, but if she is, the need to find her is even more urgent.

Asshole On Board.......

2009-10-28T23:14:00.001-04:00

"The worst-tempered people I've ever met were the people who knew they were wrong" - Wilson Mizner, Playwright.

Y'all, I apologize for the erratic posts. I'm usually a lot more consistent with my blogging, but these days some dumb stuff has been happening and I don't feel like writing about dumb stuff....so I just don't write. I PROMISE that some happy, inspiring posts are on the way ;)

Tonight though I just had to share an experience I had this afternoon. I was in a taxi on my way to the post office to collect the last of my Carnival supplies when I was reminded that to some extent, I did in fact step back into the Dark Ages when I moved back home. (And YES!!! I said "Last"....as in Carnival is now OFFICIALLY sorted out for me....Monday wear....boots....accessories....all major necessities have been purchased.....YAAYYY ME!!!...now back to the actual post lol).....

So there I am, listening to my Ipod and just anxious to get to my destination when the taxi driver attempts to overtake a huge delivery truck by driving in the left lane. Those of you who are familiar with our driving laws will know that the left lane is NOT for overtaking. To make matters worse, we were on Edward Street, a one-way, narrow road. Needless to say, the truck driver did not see our taxi since his side mirrors were much higher than the average car.....and the driver probably wasn't expecting anyone to try to overtake on his left.

Our taxi almost ran onto the pavement when the driver swerved to avoid hitting the truck, which had begun to pull into the left lane.....IT GETS WORSE.....Taxi driver dude then decided to channel his inner NASCAR driver and pulled a 90 degree turn in the middle of the street; cutting off the truck and the line of cars behind it. He then proceeded to jump out and initiate a 2-minute cuss out with the truck driver.

I am actually now wondering why the hell I stayed in that taxi? I must be losing my good senses because I usually don't tolerate that kinda bullshit, uneducated behavior...HMPH! Minus points for me...

Anyway, as I stared in disbelief at the ranting and raving taxi driver, I remember thinking "Is this how people get murdered?"......"Is this how people go from regular Joes and Janes to state witnesses in murder cases?"....The entire thing was so SURREAL and mainly because it was absolutely unnecessary. Taxi driver guy was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! And rather than thank his lucky stars that an accident didn't occur or apologize to his passengers, he proceeded to put us all in further jeopardy with his wannabe stunt man antics.

Thankfully, the truck driver kept his cool (for the most part) and stayed in his vehicle, thereby diffusing a volatile situation. I do not doubt for a minute that things would have gotten physical had he done otherwise....such was the wrath of taxi driver Anus.

Situations like the above remind me that mentally, many Trinbagonians are still in the Dark Ages. All the advances in the world, all the high rise buildings, all the unlimited Blackberry messaging, all the free wireless Internet with new sign up, will continue to profit us nothing if we don't get our minds right. We CANNOT move forward when we still actually think and act as if violence is the answer.

Political parties can promise to put an end to crime from now until kingdom come. As long as there are people like taxi driver Anus around, we have cause to worry because being THAT bad-tempered can only result in a few possibilities......and none of them are positive.

The Blame Game...

2009-10-18T22:44:00.000-04:00

ALAS! My plan was to relax tonight, watch some Cold Case on CBS, mentally prepare myself for the work week, and enjoy a night of blissful sleep. Excessive thinking and trying to understand human nature was really nowhere on my agenda, but hey...life happens.

I was killing some time until the show started when a friend brought up the ongoing travesty of the living conditions of the Chinese laborers. Now, unless you've been completely neglecting the news lately, you'll know that in the past few days the slavery-esque treatment of these workers has been at the forefront of almost every discussion...and rightfully so.

I was reading people's feedback and there was one prevalent phrase over and over...and over: "DE GOVERNMENT". Now maybe I have some deep-seated subconscious love for the Government of Trinidad & Tobago that I am yet to embrace. Maybe I pretend to be anti-'these foolish politicians in T&T' when I secretly have their posters up in my living room. Maybe I've taken up knitting just so I can make myself a "Yo ♥ PNM" sweater for Christmas...Who knows?

Whatever my reasons, I feel compelled to speak up...or rather write up...against this "Is de Govahment fault" mentality that seems to be overruling people's common sense on this extremely distressing issue....and in general.

There's a mindset in T&T that the Government is omnipotent and omniscient. When I say "Government" I don't mean the PNM, NAR or UNC. I'm referring to whatever party is in power at a particular time. It is very commonplace to hear people talk about "The Government" as if it's this abstract, all-seeing, all-knowing entity.

As I always maintain, people are free to subscribe to whatever philosophies suit them. My problem with this "Is De Govahment" mindset is that it often allows for the real culprits to go undetected. I know someone, somewhere is sitting in shock at the mere suggestion that the Government is not ALWAYS the real culprit. Believe me when I say that there are greater evils than the Government.

Since the announcement of the proposed Property Tax Reform, reports have been coming in from UWI students stating that landlords have already increased rent even though correspondence from the Ministry of Finance clearly states that the new system is scheduled to begin on January 1st, 2010. One irate individual submitted a letter to the editor stating that the government (no one in particular...just the government) was to blame for proposing the tax reform in the first place.

Maybe it's just me, but that train of thought is absolutely ridiculous!!! How do you overlook the fact that a landlord raises the rent in the middle of an already signed contract and decide to blame the government for a bill that hasn't even passed yet and therefore CANNOT legally be acted upon?!!!...This is just one example of many that I cannot share because I need to stay on point.

These are my questions:

Where is the outrage at the Beijing Liujian Construction Corporation TT Ltd.??? - This company is the entity that provided the contracts the Chinese workers signed. This is the company responsible for paying these workers on time and ensuring that their living and working conditions comply with the laws of the land. This is the company that brought these gentlemen to Trinidad & Tobago to work. In all this mess, we are yet to hear from ONE representative of BLCC, yet no one seems to have noticed this! WHERE ARE THEY???!!!!

Where is the outrage at the Chinese Embassy??? - Do ambassadors/consuls have diplomatic immunity against public outrage? Are they exempt from feeling the brunt of our disgust? Somebody let me know!! We are upset at "De Govahment", yet it doesn't enrage us that the Chinese Embassy turned their own citizens away, telling them that it was a dispute between workers and a company and therefore they (the Embassy) could not get involved??? WAKE UP T&T!!!

Is it that people are only pretending to be concerned, while not actually observing all the players in this game? Are we employing our usual superficial disgust that allows us to throw these workers in the "Let the Government do something about that" pile?? While we are busy laying this violation of human rights at the feet of the Government, BLCC officials are nowhere in sight, and they are not being compelled to answer for what is undoubtedly their wrongdoing....I haven't heard anything from them. Have you?

If a private company offers me a fully loaded contract (housing, travel allowance, etc.) to work in Germany and I get there only to realize that my living conditions are sub-standard, who is in the wrong? The German government or the company that contracted me?...Common sense before book sense people!

I am not saying that our Government does not have work to do. QUITE THE OPPOSITE. Now that this situation has come to light something MUST be done. There is now NO EXCUSE for these men to live another day (legal procedures notwithstanding) under those conditions. If BLCC's actions are in violation of our labor laws then they need to lose that contract, incur some penalties....SOMETHING!!!

Whatever happens has to happen soon. Lawyers need to get to brushing up on their knowledge of contract and labor laws because this 2009 edition of the slave trade is NOT A GOOD LOOK!!!!

हैप्पी दिवाली - HAPPY DIVALI

2009-10-17T13:11:00.004-04:00

Today is Divali in T&T. Also known as the "Festival of Lights", Divali is a celebration of the triumph of light over darkness within each person. It is one of the major public holidays here in that a vast majority of the population does something (however big or small) in observance of the occasion.

Yesterday at work, we were invited to dress in traditional East Indian wear (which I did for the first time ever...and enjoyed), and Divali treats (kurma, coconut barfi, peehra, and gulab jamoon) were distributed to all staff. There are several cultural activities taking place even as I type and later tonight people will gather in their respective communities to light deyas and watch fireworks.

What I love about Divali is that its message applies to everyone regardless of religious affiliation. The present state of our country is evidence enough that we need to push the message of CHOOSING light over darkness in our daily lives.

I hope that in the middle of all the eating, people take the time to meditate on why we even celebrate Divali in the first place. Maybe if we start focusing on the real message (instead of just celebrating the fact that we have another public holiday and a reason to storm people's houses and eat out their food) we can change our country for the better.....and let some light up in this ever expanding darkness.

SHUBH DIVALI!!! ;)

Some Like It Hot....

2009-10-06T23:44:00.005-04:00

During my teenage years I practiced yoga every day. The sessions were often the highlight of my daily schedule and they're probably the reason I stayed sane (regardless of who says otherwise) throughout O'Levels ;D.

Once I moved to the US and started college, my routine changed and out went the daily yoga sessions.....and in came the chaos. Thankfully, badminton and swimming came to my rescue and helped me to maintain some type of exercise regime.

A few months ago I restarted my yoga sessions, but didn't fully commit to a daily routine. I guess it was because I never completely got back into that groove of NEEDING exercise to help me get through my day. I would do cardio and a lap (or two when I had the stamina) around the Queen's Park Savannah twice a week...but that was it.

WELLLL, a few weeks ago I began experiencing a very familiar and UNCOMFORTABLE sensation across my shoulders, neck and back. I am one of those individuals who store tension in the aforementioned regions, and trust me when I tell you that it is NOT A GOOD FEELING. Not wanting to wait for someone to touch me and have to ask if I was going up for Ms. Body Building Universe with my hard shoulders, I decided to get back on the de-stressing train.

ENTER MOKSHA YOGA TRINIDAD!!! I had seen their ad in the newspapers a while back and made a mental note to try them out. A quick Google search led me to their website www.mokshayogatrinidad.com and I was on my way ;D.

I had my first class yesterday and it was FANTASTIC. I forgot just how relaxing yoga can be. I did the 1 hour session and I'm thankful I didn't play superwoman and do the 90min. session because I promise you that I went temporarily deaf at least 3 times as a result of trying some of those poses........I AM DEAD SERIOUS.

Temporary deafness aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the yoga session.....so much so that I bought myself a mat (and carrier) to ensure that I stick with yoga whether at home or at Moksha Yoga.

Moksha Hot Yoga is pretty much what the name implies; yoga practiced in a hot/heated room. The heat helps to relax the muscles and brings greater relief. According to their website, "The series works to stretch, strengthen and tone the muscles while detoxifying the body and calming the mind."

A SECTION OF ONE OF THE HEATED YOGA STUDIOS.

Moksha Yoga Trinidad is located at 103 Tragarete Road (next to IF House). They currently have a promotion running where you pay $30 for your first session and take "any number of yoga classes within the next seven (7) consecutive days from the date of purchase...for FREE!!!"

The website has lots of additional information for anyone interested in trying a class. Below are some photos I took after my session....and before I went home and slept like a baby ;)

YOGA MATS ON SALE. MATS ARE AVAILABLE FOR RENT @ $5TT.

USEFUL YOGA ITEMS ON SALE

PART OF THE CHANGING ROOM.

WARMING UP FOR CAPOEIRA...KARATE, SALSA DANCING & OTHER CLASSES ARE ALSO OFFERED.

My plan for now is to stick to yoga and squeeze in some laps around the QPS on alternate days. I'm hoping that Yoga + Running + Proper diet = Healthy Me.........and noteworthy Carnival body lol. I'll let you know how it goes.......Nitey Nite ;D

The Lighter Side Of Employment ;)

2009-10-03T23:39:00.006-04:00

I LOVE MY JOB :D....It feels great to be able to truthfully say that. I know that a lot of people don't like, far less love, their jobs, and in this time of economic uncertainty many people don't have jobs to love, like or hate. For that reason, I am thankful for my job...even during those WTH moments I've been experiencing of late lol.

Yesterday, I worked at a strategic planning retreat, which took place at the Crews Inn Hotel and Yachting Centre (yesss, back to my TRIBE launch spot). The retreat was pretty interesting, but a little too long. One of my college professors used to say, "The mind can stand no more than the behind", and I couldn't agree any more. When people start fidgeting it's time to wrap it up lol.

Since my camera and I are best buddies, we go almost everywhere together. I was glad that I decided to take Cybie with me (Sony Cybershot.....yeah it's lame, but so what? It's my camera and I can call him whatever I want!!! lol) because I got some pretty decent shots ;)

This guy/gal was having lunch in some nearby bushes. Capturing iguanas is illegal at Crews Inn.....as some poor chap found out when he was arrested some time aback lol...I mean...tsk tsk ;)

Another iguana decided to soak in the sun....What is that bubble thing by the cheek??? EWWW!

The bathrooms were really tidy and smelt great...not just clean, great ;)

LOOK! A seating area.....In case there's a line? Or you're not quite ready to go yet?....

And now my favorite part.....THE FOOD!!!! :D:D:D:D....We start with a Vegetable Minestrone.

Followed by some Rice Pilaf, Herb encrusted Chicken in Mushroom Sauce, Potato and Leek Gratin, Fish something in something sauce and another bun (because it was delicious).

And last, but by no means least....DESSERT *angelic harps and chorus*

*SWOON* I couldn't love my belly any more if I tried ;)......Of course I couldn't go all the way to Chaguaramas and not get a Grilled Shrimp Caesar Salad!!!.....I told y'all it was the best salad I'd ever had. The second time around was just as nice......MMMMmmmmmm :D

If delicious meals, great ambiance and stimulating discussion are required to get the job done, then I say BRING ON THE WORK!!!........GOOD TIMES :D:D:D.

Showing My Age ;)

2009-09-29T22:32:00.002-04:00

"Why are these stored on my computer?". That was the name of a Facebook album I once created lol. This album featured images from my favorite childhood TV shows and the comments left under those photos make me laugh even now as I remember some of the things that were said.

When my lappie crashed, I resorted to using my old desktop on which those pics were stored and I came across them again......and cracked up as if it was the first time I'd ever seen the pics.

I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned that I am VERY EASILY ENTERTAINED. I will laugh at something for months and it'll never get old.....at least not until something funnier comes along lol. I dunno, but things are just really funny sometimes :D. Anyhoo, I am a proud child of the 80's and as such, I have no shame in sharing the following with you.

I apologize in advance for any loss of brain cells, feelings of embarrassment when you remember that you actually rushed home to watch some of these shows, or any other discomfort that may occur as a result of viewing these pictures ;)

HEY ABBOOOOTTTTTTTT ;)

Eyes of the hawk....the hawk....the hawk lmao.

De Original Smurffberry Pie Maker lol

HI! I'm Kermit the Gorf hahahaha

I used to pretend that Michael Knight was my dad. Who wouldn't want a dad with a cool watch and a talking car??? :D

PAW PAW BEARS!!!!

This was my friend Candy's FAVORITE show of all time. Right Cands? :D

$100 if you remember She-Ra's real name.....Remember does not = Googled and found it!!! lol

Sunday morning TV lineup maaaaan ;)

AND LAST BUT NOT BEAST.....I MEAN LEAST....I PRESENT TO YOU:----------->>>>VINCENT lmao.

Ah yes!!! The 80's were definitely a period of heavy drug usage. Anyone who says otherwise never saw these shows lol.

I hope you enjoyed our little trip down memory lane. I'm off to try to regenerate some brain cells....growing up watching TV in the 80's has taken its toll lol ;D

Shameless Is The New Brave ;)

2009-09-24T19:22:00.010-04:00

STEP ASIDE "KARRY YUH KEY" PARTICIPANTS....THERE'S A NEW BREED OF SHAMELESS FAME SEEKERS IN TOWN!!! Just when Rozelle Phillips threatened to restore my faith in the ability of my country people to NOT publicly embarrass themselves on television, along came these contestants on "Bmobile Dance Off" to harness the reins of my futile hopes and bring me back to reality.

"Bmobile Dance Off" is a local version of "So You Think You Can Dance". The show is pretty much an amateur dance contest where contestants compete for bragging rights, a grand prize of $100,000TTD, and of course, the chance to fulfill their dream of becoming professional dancers.

Now there are some talented participants on the show, but as with all reality TV talent shows, you have to kiss many, many, many, MANY frogs before finding the prince, so to speak. I cannot figure out WHAT made the following people even audition for the show, but I am thankful that they did....ENJOY ;)

Observe the 'gun finger' LOL.

This dude (Sunil) actually has a Facebook Fan Page........Feel free to join the 7 fans and show your support for Sunil ;)

This is what happened when Sunil auditioned again.....I guess you can forget about joining the fan page lol.

I'm not even sure what's going on here...

If laughter is the best medicine, these folks are the physicians that can heal the world LOL. Laughter aside, the show is worth a watch as there are several talented acts currently competing for a spot in the finals. "Bmobile Dance Off" airs every Monday @ 8PM on C (Channel 6....not TV6...Channel 6 lol).

Do YOU have the moves? ;D

Eid Mubarak عيد مبارك‎

2009-09-21T22:11:00.001-04:00

Eid Mubarak (Happy Eid) to the members of the Muslim community ;). For those of you who don't know, today we are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr here in T&T. This religious holiday marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Islam is one of the many religions practiced freely here in T&T. Although as a child I never fully understood the essence of what it meant to be a "cosmopolitan nation", it's something I have really grown to appreciate, respect and love about my twin-island republic. I think my appreciation has grown because we now live in a time where people are once again openly persecuted for their religious beliefs.

I think that we're so used to this "oneness" here that we really do take for granted what it means to be a part of a neighborhood in which Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Shouter Baptists, Orishas, etc. all live together comfortably. That is something that is TOTALLY UNHEARD OF in some countries.

So today I'd like to say thank you to the Muslim community for their contribution to our diverse culture. I'd like to say thank you to my neighbors for showing me that tolerance can surpass any religion or race. I'd like to say thank you to my community for ensuring that I grew up with an understanding of the many elements that make me a TRINI ;)

EID MUBARAK T&T!!! ;D

SALVAJE!!! D'Krewe Carnival 2010

2009-09-19T10:23:00.005-04:00

HURRRAAAAYYYY!!!! My lappie's back and I'm so happy :D:D:D:D. I must say though that I feel very naked with none of my old photos, videos or documents at my disposal :(. I have definitely learnt my lesson. From now on EVERYTHING will be backed up on my external hard drive.

Anyhoo, how is everyone? I hope you good people out in Bloggerland had a great week. Here in Trinidad we have yet ANOTHER long weekend (I'll give you a moment to stop your grumbling lol). As if the long weekend isn't enough, we have a 3-day work week because there's ANOTHER holiday on Thursday (Republic Day)....Ain't life in T&T grand?!!!! :D

*Sidebar* I am absolutely LOVING this new Blogger format!!! WOW! It's so easy to use and the layout is much more user friendly and interactive than it was before. If you haven't switched to the new format, give it a try :D *End Sidebar* lol.

Soooo, on Thursday I made it to D'Krewe's Mas Camp and I absolutely fell in loooovvvvee with what I saw. Can I just say that D'Krewe is really representing for those who don't want the yards of cloth, but still want the feel of that traditional, theatrical genre of mas!!? THEIR CARNIVAL 2010 PRESENTATION IS ON POINT!! They have costumes for everyone from the bikini mas lover to the 'Mama Dis Is Mas' crew.

Entitled "SALVAJE", which means savage or untamed, this presentation is just that! My favorite section hands down is "KINDRED SPIRIT" *swoons*...The costume is so detailed, unique and intricate. I'm in love. It has a Minshall-esque vibe about it and yet still it's a costume that I cannot say I've ever seen before.

KINDRED SPIRIT FRONTLINE

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOU'LL SEE THE STITCHING ON THE COSTUME. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS DONE BY HAND. WOW! THAT'S A LOT OF SEWING LOL.

My second favorite costume is "COMANCHEROS". I have always wanted to play traditional Indian Mas and I think this costume is beautiful. I heart a huge headpiece so this costume is right up my alley ;)

COMANCHEROS LARGE HEADPIECE OPTION

If you're the kind of masquerader who prefers coverage, D'Krewe has something just for you. "DESERT" offers a bit of sexy while leaving something to the imagination.

DESERT FEMALE

DESERT MALE

For more closeup photos from D'Krewe's Mas Camp you can click HERE!

Ok so I'm off to start mentally prepping myself for the Ministry of Health's 5K which takes place today at 4pm at the Queen's Park Savannah. Registration is FREE, FREE, FREE and starts at 1pm. There will also be free blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol testing, as well as other giveaways.

If I never blog again it's because I passed out after the 5K and never recovered!!! PRAY FOR ME hahahaha. Toodles!!!

SOCA WARRIORS TO DE END!!!

2009-09-10T22:30:00.012-04:00

Soooo, it's been over a week since my last post. I don't think I've ever gone that long without posting since I started my blog :(. I miss blogging, but it's become somewhat of a task (as opposed to being its usual fun self) since the demise of my lappie's hard drive 2 Sundays ago.

It was a day like all the others. I didn't see it coming. My laptop worked fine the night before, but by morning the blue screen of death greeted me with the notice that "no operating system was detected" on my computer. That notice, coupled with a clicking sound from the hard drive itself pretty much heralded the end of that era lol. I'm laughing, but it's not funny. I really do miss my lappie :(

Thankfully, I don't have to replace my entire laptop since it was only the hard drive that conked out. I bought a new hard drive and since my best bud is a techie, he's gonna install all the software for me. Another techie friend is trying to salvage what he can from the old hard drive, so fingers crossed that I at least get my photos back.....I LOVE GEEKS!!! :D

I'm currently using a desktop I've had since 2005...Yeaaahhhhh! Wrap your mind around that one and you'll understand why blogging has now become such a task LOL. I'm thankful for it tho because at least it keeps me connected to the outside world while I'm at home.

SO ANYWAY...ON TO MY POST! Anyone who's read my earliest posts would know how I feel about the Soca Warriors. I LOVE THEM!!! I think about 3 of my posts were dedicated to the Soca Warriors when I had just started blogging.

My love for my national football team drives me to support them and attend all of their home games once I can. In case you don't know, the Soca Warriors are now officially out of the World Cup 2010 runnings, having gone down in a 1-0 defeat against the USA last night.

My issue tonight is not with the team, the coaches, Jack Warner, TTFF, Santa Claus or any other entity out there. My issue is with my country people and our attitude towards what is "OURS".

After the Soca Warriors lost to Honduras on Saturday, I saw and heard some things that really opened my eyes to just how LITTLE Trinidadians really grasp the concept of "OURS". One person stated that she hoped NO ONE would go to Wednesday's (yesterday's) game and that the stadium would be empty. Others went as far as to say that supporting the team any further would be a waste of money since they no longer had a chance at going to South Africa.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record I will say yet again that I always remind myself that people are entitled to their opinions. What I cannot understand is why the idea of supporting a team for NO OTHER REASON than the fact that it is OUR TEAM seems so 'out there' to Trinidadians...

Why do the Soca Warriors only deserve our support when there's a chance that they'll make it to the World Cup?!! What is so difficult about supporting your national team because it is YOUR NATIONAL TEAM?!!!

I get the people who didn't want to pay the $300 (I eventually got my ticket for $200). I get the people who aren't football fans (to some extent), I get the people who never planned to go to the game, but were gonna support from home. What I DON'T get is the "I was going to de game, but dem fellas ain't going no way again so me ain't wasting my time on dem" attitude.....This is OUR national team. Am I alone in thinking they need our support regardless of their World Cup chances?!

I love my Alma Mater, but Lord knows....dem fellas used to get reaaal licks!!! A comedian once joked that our (American) football team was such a mess that he heard we got beaten by DeVry lmaoooooo....For those of you who missed the punchline, DeVry is an online university lol.

In spite of their losing streak, people would pack out the stadium during home games to see our football team play. It didn't matter that they weren't going to the finals...It was OUR team and that was enough. I have even seen British fans pack out stadia for teams I have NEVER heard of and that NEVER won any kind of title. The fans support because of a love for the game and because it is their home team.

Why then do Trinidadians always operate on this bandwagonist mentality? It really upsets me. El Salvador and T&T were both on 5 points before their respective games...smack at the bottom of the standings. The El Salvadoreans packed out their stadium to support their team and they eventually beat Costa Rica 1-0...Coincidence? I think not because any athlete can testify to the role supporters play in keeping them motivated.

Although there were a couple thousand people present (all huddled together), this is what the majority of our stadium looked like....Remember the Hasely Crawford Stadium can hold over 20,000 people.

Imagine being a player and you walk on to the field and see that.....SMH! I used to run Track & Field and thank goodness my family never bailed on me when I stopped winning. Maybe that's why it's hard for me to understand the local mindset. Maybe I've given up on trying to understand Trinidadians *shrug*.

World Cup 2010 or not, I will be at the other home games supporting MY team. I love my football....de lime does be sweeeet...and most of all, I love my country.....most of the time......60-80% of the time depending on the day LOL.

OK off to bed for me....Nitey nite and thanks for reading ;D

NEWSDAY!!! Alyuh Reaaaaaal FAIL!!!!!

2009-08-31T15:34:00.002-04:00

I'm sure I've mentioned before that I studied and have work experience in Journalism and Public Relations. As such, I'm always wary and critical of some of the things I see on television and in the newspapers here. I'm often amazed by the images and stories media houses publish under the guise of reporting.

The Newsday is no doubt my LEAST favorite newspaper and that's mainly because their brand of Journalism often centers more on sensationalism than on reporting. One of the FIRST things we are taught as journalists is that our first responsibility is to the victims....Notice I said "victims" and not "general public".

Whenever the occasion arises that a story contains sensitive subject matter, our first responsibility is to be mindful of and show consideration for any victims involved. This is one of the main reasons why names of rape victims are not published. There is a need to protect the person's privacy and show a degree of sensitivity to their pain.

It would appear that certain members of Newsday's editorial and reporting staff were never informed of this need to be sensitive to victims or their family members. I was tempted to post the photo in question, but instead, I will post a link to the photo and have readers see for themselves.

The photo is on the front page of today's Newsday and shows the dead body of little Nevi Vionna sprawled out on the grass. The little angel, who would have turned one today, was killed in a car crash yesterday.

I just wanted to put it out there so that people aren't too shocked if/when they decide to click the following LINK.

Personally, I could care less what point Newsday was trying to make by posting that image!!! It was insensitive, sensationalist and IT IS NOT JOURNALISM!!!! Can you even begin to imagine how you would feel as a relative of this child??? I cannot imagine what would happen to me if I picked up a newspaper and saw the image of my 2-year-old nephew lying dead on the grass.

What has angered me even more is that such "reporting" is common practice for this lame excuse for a newspaper!!! A few years back there was the photo of a decapitated man's head...REALLY??! It wasn't enough to just say that the man was decapitated??? Did his family members really need the image of his severed head stuck in their minds forever??!!!

I sent a lovely email to the Newsday letting them know exactly what I think of their brilliant take on Journalism and reporting. I wish I could say that I believe my letter will make a difference, but I doubt it will. I will comfort myself with knowing that I at least spoke up, as did some other friends who were equally upset when they saw the article online.

The media are supposed to be the gatekeepers. The question now becomes, "Who will guard the gatekeepers?"....MATT (Media Association of Trinidad & Tobago) is a mess right now so I don't see any sanctions being placed on Newsday. I don't even think there are sanctions for this type of irresponsible reporting. As far as I know, there's no legal recourse for this family....no "Emotional Distress" lawsuit they can file....So what happens now?

I guess we just sit around and wait for Newsday to eff up and publish the dead image of "someone who matters" or one of their family members......ABSOLUTE BULLSH!T!!!

HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY T&T!!!

2009-08-31T13:48:00.004-04:00

At midnight on August 30th, 1962, the British Flag was lowered and the red, white and black of Trinidad & Tobago's National Flag hoisted for the first time. On August 31st, 1962, Trinidad & Tobago officially became an independent nation :D.

Without doubt, we have VERY far to go as a nation. However, on this our 47th Anniversary of Independence, I cannot help but feel a sense of pride at how far we have come and how blessed I am to be a citizen of a nation that can boast of a rich and diverse culture, beautiful flora and fauna, some of the most gorgeous, creative and talented people the world has ever seen, and a resilience that keeps us going when others would give up.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL TRINBAGONIANS WORLDWIDE!!!!

Carnival Haters 101

2009-08-26T22:10:00.006-04:00

CARNIVAL 2K10 IS IN THE AIR!!! The band launches have started. Costumes have been unveiled. The excitement is already building. The atmosphere is charged and ripe.....for haters.

I don't know what it is about Carnival, but there has to be some kind of chemical reaction that takes place in people's minds when they think about "THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH". I have never before experienced the degree of madness I have been privy to since Spice's Band Launch...

Since I'm always one to try to find the humor in a situation, I decided to compile a listing of the different types of "Carnival Haters" and solutions for dealing with them lol. In no particular order, I present to you "THE CARNIVAL HATERS" :D.

1) THE FINANCIAL ADVISOR HATER - This individual is always quick to inform you of all the "better things you could be doing with your money". He often believes that Carnival is a waste of time and money and no amount of trying to explain to him why you choose to spend thousands of dollars on a costume will ever prove effective. It never occurs to this hater that you've been saving since Ash Wednesday for your costume or (at the risk of sounding like a snob) that you DO in fact make enough money so that parting with a few thousands will not distress your bank account that much!

SOLUTION: If you ever encounter this hater, look him straight in the eyes and ask him to print out a copy of his resume and send it to Unit Trust, Charles Schwab, Liberty Mutual or any other company that employs individuals who love to get involved in other people's finances!

2) THE LOGICAL HATER - I like to refer to this person as "The Thinker" because she always thinks she knows more than everyone else. This is the hater who has "thought through" the futility of spending thousands of dollars for 2 days of revelry. She will break down the price of materials, manpower, accessories, and any other Carnival-related expenses, all in an effort to prove that Carnival is not worth it. Trying to explain to her that the memories, time spent with friends, the complete release, etc. all make it worth it, will be as pointless as trying to train a bat to count backwards in French.

SOLUTION: This hater is a stubborn nut to crack so no amount of reasoning with her will change her mind. However, you can simply ask her if she's ever taken a plane to NY. If she answers yes, ask her how much she paid for her flight. When she answers that it cost her more than $3000TTD, gently point out that she spent over $3000TTD for roughly 5 hours.......and walk off :)

3) THE FRIENDSHIP JEOPARDIZING HATER - Quite possibly the most disturbed of all the Carnival haters, this hater goes as far as to ill-speak her friends to any and everyone who is willing to listen. And why? Because they got the costume she wanted, decided to play in another section/band than the one she wanted, chose to follow another crew that she isn't really a part of, and/or any other "this really isn't worth getting upset over" reason that you can think of. It rarely occurs to this person that in the grand scheme of things *GASP* Carnival is really not that serious!

SOLUTION: Enjoy your Carnival and let fools be fools. Anyone who seriously gets upset over crap like that either has an overinflated ego or some serious control issues. Either way, you don't need that person around you come Carnival Monday & Tuesday. Additionally, friendships are about respect and anyone who gets upset with you for choosing that costume you've fallen in love with does not respect your right to decide where to invest your hard-earned cash.

4) THE SOUR GRAPES HATER - One of my favorites lol!!! This hater goes into a rampage about how elitist certain bands are whenever he doesn't get in. He will be vociferous in his disgust for the band's registration policies and practices, and even go as far as to start lambasting the people who got into the band. Indeed, he will hate the band just as passionately as he loved it before he saw that "SOLD OUT" notice plastered above all his costumes of choice lmao!!!

SOLUTION: Simply point this individual in the direction of some grapes (another band). It probably won't work because he didn't want those other grapes in the first place, but once he realizes that you're not interested in his whining he'll shut up.....eventually.

5) THE IRRATIONAL HATER - Siigghhh! This hater is renowned for using the most non-sensical arguments ever. "Bikini Mas is not mas" and "Carnival does cause crime" being two of his more popular gems. He believes that the majority of people who play in certain bands, eg. TRIBE, simply want to be part of the "in crowd" or part of the hype. He never stops to consider that Bikini Mas caters to a certain group of masqueraders or that compared to other days of the year, Carnival Monday and Tuesday are quite crime free...

SOLUTION: If you have some extra time and feel like schooling a fool, you can point out that every band has its own hype. Island People has the "road vibe" hype, Pulse 8 has the "dey does handle meh right up" hype (direct quote from a former coworker lol), Harts has the "50 years and still going strong so we must know what we're doing" hype, Trini Revellers and D'Krewe have the "balance between sexy and traditional mas" hype, and MacFarlane has the "MAMA, DIS IS MAS!" hype. No one, and that's an emphatic NO ONE, sets out to play in a buss band. Every person looks for a band with a reputation for offering whatever that individual wants in a mas band. So leave people be and let them play in whatever band they want...for whatever reasons they want!!!

There are a lot of other haters, but the ones above are those that regularly visit their hatred upon my existence so I had to give them a shout out lol....SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE HATERS Y'ALL!!! Hahahaha.

What about you? Have you encountered any Carnival haters yet? For your sake I hope not lol. It's only August and at this rate I might have to smack a fool because my patience and sense of humor may not hold out until February....

Thanks for reading. And remember, whenever you spot a hater, JUST SMILE AND WAVE!!! ;D