Making my list and checking it twice!!

Today we decorated the venue for the launch...I must say it went great! Sherry and Beverly are the bestest:) See for yourself....this is the balcony.

Isn't Sherry talented?!

 

I feel more at ease that everything is falling into place. Now just for some finishing touches...then I'm set!

Decor - check!

Catering - check!

Refreshments - check!

Photography - check!

Confirmed guests - check! 

Prepared speech - check! (or maybe I'll wing it)

Books - check!

Hair and makeup - check, check, check!

Just a little delay with the baking and so but we can remedy that tomorrow as the fruit cake, punche de creme will be made and the plates to be got!

Good nite...:)

2+ more days to Book Launch!!!

Things have been coming along nicely...been trying to secure some reviews and promotions in the press...3 newspapers down, 1 more to go. Can't wait to send the photos of the launch next week! Haven't had time for the radio interviews...still on the fence about that...what do you think? Oh! and a magazine...forgot about that!

I'm taking the day off from work tomorrow to set up the venue etc...what a beautiful sight it's gonna be when we're through with the decorating. The excitement is building. Been sweating hard at the gym trying to look photo ready then one of the trainers broke the news to me that I can't lose weight in 5 days! His exact words were: "if you lose weight in a week then U need to train me!" lol. This after I picked up the pace (the fastest I ever went) and on incline too! Skipped the weights and just did cardio and abs but needless to say I was burnt out by the 3rd day...my word! Today I skipped the usual Wednesday grocery shopping and swung by to pick up my mom and take a much needed time-out. Then we got an early start on the Christmas grocery list. Night time shopping is cool. The supermarket was P-a-c-k-ed!! I guess a lot of people had the same idea. Even ran into a long time school mate. AND I also picked up some stuff for my launch. Here's what my list comprised of:

Trapiche (white wine)

Arbor Mist (merlot)

Non-alcoholic wine

Sorrel

Royal Oak rum, milk, eggs for punche de creme

Angostura bitters

Cantaloupe

Seedless grapes

Assorted cheeses

Olives

Toothpicks

Did I forget anything? Hmmm....festive paper plates and cutlery will be sourced at Price Mart tomorrow! 

Can't wait...can you??

2+days -----The count down is on...

Friday is our staff lime...so you know I will be doing selective eating!

Thursday -----> Set up....more book deliveries...then gym.

Stay tuned for my checklist tomorrow:)

Remember you can get your very own copy of my book Thinking out Loud at RIK Book stores locally or online at https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=11764998. 

Thanks much for your support!! Part proceeds go to charity.

Good nite world:)

Long Circular Mall

That's how we celebrate!!!

Hello world!

Lots of things have been happening this week. Here's how it went...On Monday I went to the venue of the book launch to look at the space with the decorator and photographer...it went pretty well. On Tuesday, RIK Bookstore agreed to carry my book in their 8 bookstore locations! YAY for me!! I was thrilled...I had to announce it to some of my colleagues at work during lunch:) They also want to arrange some radio and newspaper interviews. I said no to television for now since I have to get over that fear of live broadcasting:( I did my research and listened to the hosts on radio and I think I overcame my fear of that. I have always been afraid of "dead air but everyone tells me I have a "radio voice" and a good public speaker so I can't let my broadcasting course go to waste! I will go brave!! :-)

Parang the wrong house!

Well I can't report on any parang today because I overslept during the bad weather we've been having:S but there's always next week. [For my international readers parang is very catchy Spanish Christmas songs...check out my earlier posts for videos.] I'm looking forward to my annual church Christmas dinner this week at the Yatch Club....hopefully there'll be some parang there. Didn't even make it to the bookstore either because under my covers there was only room for thoughts of Zzzz and more zZZ. This weekend was quite restful and productive indeed. Just what I needed to clear my mind and refuel after a week fraught with exhaustion and ups and downs...(with the exception of a midweek escape from reality where I got my fill of sushi and margaritas for a friend's birthday:) 

Happy December 1st!!

Today we ushered in the first day of December and boy did we get here fast!!! Don't you remember January like it was just yesterday!? Wow....time certainly flies while you're having fun. And fun it was for me this year...I published my first book and many more milestones I am grateful for. The Lord has been showering his blessings upon me these past few years and for this I am elated, humbled and thankful. From time to time, we often complain about all and sundry...I know I am certainly guilty of that! There are things that I wish were different or more blessings I wish to receive but you know what? We are exactly where we need to be at any given moment. Right here in this moment...[yeah this one right now!] I am MOST grateful for life, the simple things that we take for granted like my sensory abilities, my health and I am equally grateful for the many gifts and talents that I possess, the people in my life...every single one that have been placed along my path....all the experiences I have had for they have shaped who I am today. We all need to be thankful and take a closer look at our lives and all the blessings we have for it is very easy to bemoan our situation or wish for one of those TV lives or something that someone else has, but you don't know that person's story and what they had to go through or are going through to enjoy that supposed "perfect life." All that glitters is certainly not gold.

You win some, you lose some

Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose ....but what is important is that you can put it all into perspective. Not to turn all cynical but in life I've realized that "not all that glitters is gold"...or "not every grin, is a smile." People come in all different disguises feigning authenticity but sometimes you just have to pick your battles and choose which of those acquaintances or "friendships" you want to keep close. Even with strangers. Someone once said that "You can please all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time."" For this reason I choose to please myself ALL of the time that way I don't ever lose. Once I'm not breaking any rules of nature or laws I'm good to go. As for fake people...what can I say? You win some, you lose some. There's nothing you can really do to prevent that. Live right and everything else shall follow.

With that said, on a brighter note...Christmas is in the air...I'll leave you with some more mall decor....I took this on my way to the gym last week...hope you enjoy!!

Sights and sounds of Christmas

These past 2 days I happened to be in the mall doing errands...and seeing that my gym is IN the mall I am there practically all the time. I couldn't help taking some candid pics of all the decorations. I know we ought not to get caught up in the flash and material part of the season, but once you remember and commemorate the true meaning which is the birth of our savior, no one said that you can't stop to notice and appreciate the sights and sounds for all it's worth. All the radio stations are playing parang and Christmas music now and the different neighbourhoods are starting to decorate with their festive lights, reindeer and snowmen in their front yards. What a beautiful time of year that this is!

Signed, Sealed and Delivered!!!

I am super happy ...my books were delivered to my office today. Even better I saved the Fed-ex guy a trip out of the city and myself the anticipation of having to wait til I got home tonight to see them. I sold my first 9 copies at the office and one to a business owner on the way home. My boss even bought some as Christmas presents:-) Our CEO also showed his support and may even carry it at our in house libraries. On the way home, I also dropped off a copy at the bookstore to proof. It feels good to be an entrepreneur!! Everyone seemed real pleased and proud. All my hard work has finally paid off. Tomorrow I have to deliver some more copies to my editor, photographer and close friends and associates. The excitement continues!! I could not have given myself a better Christmas gift.

Peace & Love.

XO

Christmas tree!

We put up our Christmas tree and outdoor lighting this week...

image © C. K. Correia

that special time is here once again and it also brings with it sentimental, happy feelings.

Luv it:)

Let's all join together to make it a collectively superb and spectacular Christmas ---one that we would remember for a long time!!

And remember to give thanks for all your blessings great & small.

Forgive me this was taken with my bb...for now.