Sunday, February 24, 2013

Tolerance is key!

Greetings all,
 
photo credit - derwentsidehomes.co.uk
It's been a busy, busy month and my apologies for my delayed posts. So much has happened. Hope all is well wherever you are. Thanks for following me Moment to Moment on my journey and welcome to all of the new and returning visitors from the USA, Malaysia, Ukraine, St. Lucia, Germany, UK and Trinidad and Tobago.
 
It's hard to understand the human psyche and the motivation behind the actions of others but tolerance is key to any healthy relationship. People often say to tolerant people: "You have patience of Job!" Well I wish I was on the receiving end of such a comment for once! Tolerance is not my forte but it's something I am very aware of and it's a work in progress.
 
"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Newton was a smart man! Physics: Strange but true. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself and take an introspective look when you receive a not so positive reaction from others. Perhaps you are doing something wrong but then again, there are lots of negative and irrational people in this world that do things for no given reason! Then other times, like my parents often remind me, you don't know what that other person is going through...they may be under pressure themselves or going through an ordeal of their own.
 
So yes! When in doubt, remember that tolerance is key to survival. What steps can you take to practise this more:
  • Take a time out and count to 10
  • Reasoning
  • Instrospection
  • Prayer
  • Psychology
  • Discussion
 
Tomorrow's the start of a brand new week! Say goodbye to yesterday's challenges and make a new start. Whatever you're going through, remember this too shall pass. Sooo keep the faith, put God first, suck it up, psyche yourself up, pace yourself, laugh and Remember to Make it Count!
 
Cheers!~

Gratitude

Gratitude is the key to the survival of the human race. It doesn't mean that I scratch your back to get something in return but rather it is a necessity for the order of the world. World leaders, CEOs, the man on the street, all need it in order to get ahead with the business of the day. Above all the non-material things in life are the most important things to be grateful for. Sight, touch, hearing, taste and movement...the people in our lives, our talents and abilities and ...the beautiful universe in which we live are the reasons for our happiness without us even realizing it. Do you ever notice that when you temporarily lose the ability to use one of these senses (eg. the ability to smell after having a cold etc) and you regain the use of it, how grateful we are!? Life is a beautiful gift...never ever forget it. Many others are not as fortunate. Give thanks for life with your whole heart, your whole soul and your whole mind. There is a power greater than us all: JC xo 
 

Monday, February 11, 2013

We in 'D Mas'!!!

photo credit - trinidadcarnivals.com-
brianmcfarlene-santicification 2012
Carnival is here! Where else in the world can one experience this splendour? Although I must admit that I am not a big 'mas aficianado I do appreciate our culture greatly. I think it came to me in a dream while fighting sleep somewhere in the wee hours of this morning after the struggle to watch both Dimanche Gras', the Grammy Awards and stay up for J'ouvet that Trinidad & Tobago is truly a talented and blessed land!
 

Besides the ingenious approach we have to partying also known as feting...we came up with what is called "all-inclusive fetes" which is an all-you-can-eat and drink party with live soca bands and festivities...[a warning though that with this kind of delight...you have to condition your pocket to also pay the price but some would say it's worth the experience even if you can only afford one or two of the good and more popular fetes]. Leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday there is also Panorama or pan it is commonly called....we have pan-semis which is much like a who's who event especially if you can afford Pan on the greens (also all-inclusive) and panorama finals which is the Saturday before Carnival Monday and Tuesday. But if you truly can't get enough of the sweet instrument you can also catch your favourite steel pan bands in the pan yards nightly as they practice for the big stage.
 
 
Where else in the world can you experience ex-tempo which is a sort of rap or rhyme but very melodious of course with a trinbagonian twist. It is a 'sound off' composed on the spot between competitors to have the wittiest and catchiest beat and composition. How about Calypso and Soca competitions also known as Calypso and Soca Monarch!? The difference however is that the former usually caters to the older crowd as it is songs composed with a message and sung at a slower pace (kiaso) whereas Soca Monarch is divided into Groovy [melodious soca] and Power Soca Monarch which is a faster uptempo beat where participants compete for the best lyrical, melodious and crowd pleasing performance! Thousands turn out to view these performances usually waiting up until the wee hours of the morning to see who wins the 2 million dollar title. It is usually broadcasted live over local tv and those who can't listen in person camp out around their television sets at home with friends and family to witness the live event and be part of the excitement.
photo credit - trindiego tt carnival (dame lorraine)
 
Of course the kids can't be left out...there's Kiddies Carnival and Ole mas, the latter which is a tribute to old school mas with all the traditional Carnival characters such as sailors, blue devils, jab molassie, Dame Lorraine etc
 
 
Who can forget Dimanche Gras where we have a little bit of the old and new and pretty elaborate costumes on the Big stage! It rivals anything else I've ever seen.
 
 
Of course we have J''ouvert morning which follows from Dimanche Gras every Monday morning where everyone can "spread their hands and leggo" (Blaxx) or let loose with mud and paint with a portrayal of contemporary issues as we poke fun at popular figures and have a fun time.
 
 
Last but not least it all explodes Carnival Monday and Tuesday into a crescendo of colour, sound and dance in a 2 day street parade of pretty mas - beads, feathers, head pieces, costumes as many masqueraders portray a theme from around the world usually with a historical twist. It's the time of year that many people look foward to so as to let go of all of their inhibitions and "free up" to release all of their stress and tension from the year gone by. There's also Monday night mas and las' lap on Tuesday night. If you're on the sister isle, you can also partake of mas' and j'ouvert as Tobago also has everything in Trinidad but just on a smaller scale. Then afterwards you can relax on the picturesque beaches and soak in the lovely sun, sea and sand. Following this there are results of the Road March competition (most played song on the road at various judging points) and King and Queen of Carnival in the small medium and large bands categories! There you have it Trinidad and Tobago Carnival....now you see why we call it "The Greatest Show on Earth!!!" Once you experience it, you will always keep coming back for more!!
 
 
See you next time!
 
 
Cheers!~

Friday, February 1, 2013

Happy February!

Greetings,

Seems like time is just flying already. One month of the year 2013 has already ended. January 31st found me all sorts of busy so I could not share with you. Of course it was my duty to wish you all a wonderful February. For my home country of Trinidad and Tobago the twin-island Republic prepares to celebrate the Greatest Show on Earth - Carnival on February 11th and 12th! Weeks leading up to the two day street parade there are lots of fetes (or parties), panorama (steelpan shows) and calyspo shows. Then it all crescendoes into a kaleidoscope of colour, gaiety, creativity with costumes, music and dance.

I can't believe an entire month has passed by already. New job, new location, new friends, colleagues and experiences. I am definitely loving the change. Good things come to those who wait...and to those who pray. I sit on lush green terrain surrounded by blue waters everywhere. You can't get better than that. As I walk down the stairs to my office on a daily basis I marvel at the view overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It's just wonderful and refreshing. I can't believe I was missing this all my life. Can't imagine anything else at this point. The warmth of the people are also so refreshing. I haven't had any complaints thus far and I hope it can stay this way forever. The ambience is also very conducive to creativity and the ideas are just flowing from all corners. Plan to catch up on my (book) writing over the Carnival break...everyone I meet seems to be asking when the second book is coming...even back home my mom tells me her friends and even my priest is asking so I guess I need to get cracking already huh!

Tomorrow I go exploring the island on my OWN! Grocery shopping and such. I heard there is a really cool deli store here and of course fresh fish! May pop in the mall as well or even take in a movie on Sunday although I have lots of dvds at home. Of course the housework never ends. I now empathize with my mother and friends. Finally got my microwave  today---don't know how I survived without it. Got my TV last week which was a gift from my sis and got it connected last weekend....the Direct TV guy did not show up today so hopefully next week I'll be in the game. Ah! things are coming together!

The deadlines are coming in fast and furious at work but enjoying every minute of it. Things are well. And to think I almost passed this up because I was fearful of the unknown. But I must admit that I expected to feel some hint of nostaligia or missing home but I haven't once since I am here. Weird. I guess I must really be growing up or this is long overdue:D

The lesson I share as a result of this is never knock it till you try it. Don't let one disappointment get in the way of you taking a chance and following your dream. Don't let other people's experience or opinions prevent you from living your life and following or finding your dream. Don't be afraid of change. Change is good and necessary for future growth. It's the next step to our development to reach where we need to go in our life. And the only thing constant in life is CHANGE. So if you find that your change hasn't yet come, perhaps you need to change your perspective or attitude to get to that next step....DO IT! You won't regret it and you would thank your old self for taking that chance to evolve into the new and improved YOU!

For February:

Be Bold
Let Go
Release your fears
Listen to your heart
Have faith
And...
Go with GOD!

The future awaits...

Have a great weekend!

Cheers!