Happy 1st February!!

photo credit -clipartof.com

Hoy is miercoles de febrero!

Wednesday...the first day of February 2012...and if you have breathe in your body then you have a lot to be thankful for. Sometimes we are so caught up in our world we forget what a blessing it is to be alive. Sometimes I myself am guilty of this, then every time I slow down long enough to commune with nature I realize how great I have it. Lots of things to be thankful for...like family and friends. [Even the loneliest person has 1 friend I'm sure!]. Employment [although wish I can trade in my day job for a full time writing gig with paid vacations in Hawai and Paris! heheh]

Right now...our nation is preparing for The Greatest Show on earth...which is Trinidad & Tobago Carnival...I would try to keep you in the loop of what's going on in these parts. If you can partake of the festivities ...it's definitely a "must-see" event from Panorama - steelpan, Soca Monarch, Chutney Soca Monarch, Brass Festival, Dimanche Gras, Parade of Bands on Carnival Monday & Tuesday and of course who can't forget the fetes leading up to the Big days...the all-inclusives [fetes] and the like with your fill of live bands, well-stocked bar, security and every cuisine under the sun.

On another note...how was your day?! Mine wasn't the greatest to be honest...things didn't exactly go as planned...but you know what? I made it through the day! That's a big accomplishment...lots of people aren't as lucky. Sometimes people would help you out of a difficult situation when you need a listening ear but not all times they can help you find a permanent solution to whatever challenge or difficulty you're facing. What we fail to realize is that the only permanent solution to our problem is to take it to the Lord in prayer which I did today and that gnawing feeling immediately dissipated like magic! But no magic there...that's the power of prayer.

I earnestly intend to get even closer to Him as the year goes by. Soon it will be lent and many of us would attempt to make a sacrifice (or do without something) during this period. In this way, we humble ourselves to draw closer to Him so as to receive His spiritual gifts that manifests itself most times in a tangible way in our lives. But I'm rushing the weeks...marvel in each moment and savour every memory because this time can never come again!

Peace

XO

Set a new record!!

¡Buenas noches mis amigos!

Las Cuevas Trinidad & Tobago © C. K.Correia

Yep that's the effect Spanish class has on me. My day just escalated on the scale of enjoyment after that class. The things a foreign language can do! Can't wait for Thursday (jueves)! 

So with Christmas just a fond memory...the New Year well under way....and here we stand at the last day of January...waiting at the door of February...my how time flies! I hope you made this month of January memorable. As we look forward to February...let's put our fears aside and embark on a new adventure to create new memories and break our previous record!

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!!

Hasta luego~

Make it count!!

Hello my lovelies:)

Peakes sunset image courtesy C. K. Correia

It's been a while. Just got home from a day out. Felt like I needed a time-out. After doing my errands, I decided to treat myself and I did a little bit of shopping. After that I stopped by a friend of mine who is always a good hostess:) I really need to be grateful for the little things more, for they make it all worthwhile. Yesterday morning I saw a rainbow as a I was driving to work and it always makes me smile...had to take a pic and put it up on bbm. How many things like this go unnoticed because we are too busy or too caught up in our "own little Idaho?" There are many things....while I was at the carwash the other day, I saw the most beautiful scenery outside the gas station near the ocean as some guys were playing football. Again, I put it up on messenger and in a matter of minutes persons were messaging me to find out where it was! One of my friends even went to check it out himself. Beautiful and majestic this universe is! We need to learn to appreciate it more for all it's worth!

Here are a few ways that I have learnt how:

• Discovering that there are many different languages, countries and cultures to explore e.g. taking a Spanish class, travelling to a new place or rediscovering an old one
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• Slowing down long enough time to smell the roses literally!!
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• Discovering the beauty or a different side of people
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• Learning to appreciate music
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• Discovering different ways to express your talents
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• Being thankful for the small mercies and luxuries you are blessed with: ability to express yourself freely/live in a free country, talk, sing, dance, walk, exercise, play, go to the beach, listen to music, drive

Rainbow QPS - image courtesy C. K. Correia

Last weekend of January already! Make it count people! And remember: there's always a rainbow after the storm once you walk in faith:-)
XO

Freedom: What's in a word?

One last thing before I hit my sheets...

google image

For many of you interested in quitting the rat race for your own dream job in the not too distant future, here's an entrepreneurial article that I wrote for a business consultancy blog:


Freedom: What's in a word?
Enterprise Hub http://www.enterprise-hub.com/page11.htm

Enterprise Hub - Blog

www.enterprise-hub.com

Check out this awesome review of my book: Thinking out Loud!

https://www.facebook.com/enterprisehubtt

For more info and/or business advice/training needs etc...you can check out the Enterprise Hub's website or facebook page.

Cheers!

Break Free!

photo credit - flikr.com

Ever thought you needed to do more? To surpass your previous limit you set for yourself? Soar above the ordinary...beyond your own expectations. Just do something spectacular, ground breaking and out of this world??! 

At I lay under my blanket yesterday evening (with all the rain we've been having in these parts) the thought drifted into my head and I thought and THOUGHT, brainstormed and prayed for an answer: a [creative] brain wave as my boss would say lol. I did not put too much thought into it but soon I will come up with the answer...would not rest until I do! I do not know exactly when I became this driven but it sometimes keep me awake at night (not really but I thought that statement had a dramatic appeal to it:)

I absolutely LOVE creating new things, coming up with new ideas and ways to do things differently...to get a stir and reaction out of people...something to get oohs and ahhs and wide eyes and dropped jaws:) Maybe it's my nature, someone once told me that I crave attention - wasn't really a compliment at the time, needless to say I used it to my advantage. Maybe being the last child in a family of five...it's something inherent in my nature...who knows. Hey my major wasn't psychology although I did do well at the few courses I took. I feel like I have soo much to say, to get off my chest...to share with the world. That's why at times I feel a bit stifled, not able to do this fully. As I said in my book, this blog is cathartic and it's a release for me to purge myself of all emotional build up throughout my journey... as we all do. I think everyone does it each in their own way. I love self-expression both verbal and written and I wish I had the time to devote more time to it....to just write and write and record/broadcast away! Time will tell. I guess I have to put aside a little time day by day until I achieve my goal and have another published book under my belt...ohhh how I long for the day!

Until then...my audio book is my next project. I have been getting requests for a translation into Spanish and kindle....but that will take some time. In the meantime....please feel free to peruse the preview and order yours today on amazon shipped to you anywhere in the world. Isn't technology amazing? http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Out-Loud-Carolyn-Correia/dp/1105184382/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326334445&sr=1-1 (US) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Out-Loud-Carolyn-Correia/dp/1105184382 (UK)

Thanks for your support. My blog readership is growing everyday. Please feel free to drop me a line so that I know what you're thinking. And to think my blog was first a very private blog only visible by a few close friends and family...now I feel so liberated to share my photos and videos unabashed...I'm viral! My! how I've come such a long way...all thanks to my co-worker Nigel:-) xo

Be blessed and have a great night and day tomorrow folks. See you in the manana!

Viewed my photos from the launch for the first time since December and took me back....might surprise you next time....Stay tuned!

Audience Reviews

Greetings!

Here are what one of my guests had to say about the author! Many of the persons present were instrumental to me compiling my book in the first instance...without their encouragement and support from inception, it would probably still be a pipe dream waiting to happen.

Could not capture all of my guests on tape....though everyone in the room spoke at the launch and said very lovely things...ENDLESS THANKS to everyone for making my first Book Launch such a memorable night.

Golden memories...that's one of the reasons why I am not going to do it all over again with a public launch...it just won't be the same. Somethings you just don't do twice.

Coco

Many Blessings to you:)

Hope you enjoy!
Feel free to post your comments

Celebrate all year through!!

Hello again...

I know the season is gone and this reading is a bit dated but Christmas should not be just a "once a year" feeling. It is a celebration and thanksgiving for all of our blessings for the year made possible through our Lord and Saviour. With this said, I thought it only fitting to share with you an excerpt from my book "Thinking out Loud" which is now available on amazon and lulu publishing:

http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Out-Loud-Carolyn-Correia/dp/1105184382/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326334445&sr=1-1 (US)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinking-Out-Loud-Carolyn-Correia/dp/1105184382 (UK)

https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=11764998 

Love you all...please feel free to post your comments.

Reading from my Book Launch hosted on December 17th 2011

¡Estad atentos!
[translation: Stay tuned]

Let go and Live your life!!

Hey folks...

Sorry about my absence this past week and last weekend....it's been a rough few days but the good news is that I'm back! Going through some life changing decisions on all fronts and trying to figure out what's my next step.

I have some more Good News!! Last weekend I was able to finally upload some of my videos from my Book Launch onto youtube!!! Woohoo!! I wanted to share them with you right then and there but there are a few bloopers and I wasn't sure if I wanted to let the world see this. Still undecided....what do you think? This is the first time you will be meeting me...Hope you won't judge me too harshly by it!

All things remaining the same...it was a fantastic event and the memories were golden!! Would not change a thing..except maybe if a couple of my other close friends could have been there: Reena, Nadia, Roxanne & Danna!! Luv you all and I hope you enjoy this as much as I do...and can share in the moment. XOXO

One thing I've learnt from this past week is that "after one time is two" as we say in trini. I'm learning about people more and more everyday....every year...and every season. When you think you know someone...something can happen to make you realize how genuine your interactions with them were. I'm not saying that I am a perfect person...by no means. 

As I said in the closing remarks of my book we are a work in progress and we're  never too big to learn from anyone...even a child. We all have flaws and idiosyncrasies - that's the whole purpose of life...to learn and grow and help each other along the way but when someone cannot accept that and look beyond their own imperfections and biases then something is terribly, terribly wrong and there's no point to continue alliances. 

Unless one party does something absolutely unforgivable and crossed the line of morals and justice and the situation/damage is deemed beyond repair then by all means...throw in the towel. But if the sole reason is pride and petty differences then perhaps a historical review has to be done of the interaction/friendship/relationship. 

What I always do is take a look back and make a judgement as to if this person was really genuine all along based on their reactions and interactions. Most times I have cause to do this, the outcome is sometimes not so surprising...because usually upon true reflection they are not that genuine. 

Anyway....enough of my ranting..."like a bridge over troubled water"...once again I had to make a decision about someone I thought was for me. In the end you are better off without people like that who are pretending to be in your favour. I've found it best to nip it in the bud, divorce yourself completely and cut your losses when you realize this. Don't ever make anyone feel that they are more important than you! #lifelessons.

Onto "happier, shinier" thoughts of upliftment and motivation. I'm compiling a list of all the things I want to accomplish this year...tangible and intangible. Can you come up with your own list? Can you give yourself a deadline as to when you want to achieve the tangible things within your control? Let's go!!

I believe in you...I believe in me...I believe in us!! "We can make it happen if we try." The sky is the limit to achieve ALL that we want to see happen materialize in our lives this year so give it your best try and Remember to Make it Count!!!

ps...I started my Spanish class this week....¡Me gusto mucho!! ¡No puedo esperar para hablar más español!

Hasta luego amigos~ 

TGIF!!!!

 ¡Ciao!

4000 hit marker!!

photo credit -orangerice.deviantart.com

Ya know ya got it bad...when you just got home from gym and all you can think about is your blog! [lol]. Not food...not washing your hair...but checking the stats on your blog:-)....Yup...so other than the weekend, the past few days weren't the best but I feel great knowing that someone other than me is tuning into my blog...:) Would like to announce that thanks to you my great audience...my blog Moment to Moment...has just crossed the 4000 hit marker!!! Woohoo:D

Everything would be just perfectomundo now if I can make a living writing full time...but until better can be done...Imma keep on pushing forward to realize that goal one step at a time. Got to see my cousin from the US yesterday and we had a great time catching up (luv ya Des). She finally got to see my book and loves it...that support feels great.

I meet with another bookstore tomorrow or Friday and I'm hoping they carry my book...can't wait to see the response it gets there. Many people have been commenting on my press promos and that's also great that the media has supported me in this effort to promote my book. Still thinking about radio....arghhhh....don't know why it fills me with such trepidation...but have to make a decision soon.

I'm also looking forward to my Spanish classes next week!! Finally signed up last November and got accepted to do it at the Venezuelan Embassy. Can't wait to habla mas espanol! Soon...soon....

Some other stuff is posing some anxiety but it's comforting to know that I have genuine friends who truly care that I can rely on. When all else fails...what's a girl to do but.....go shoe shopping!! Yup so that's what I did Friday evening after work. Also bought a few books and an audio book that day and earlier in the week. Already finished reading one of them. Thought I'd share with you...

This is my MUST READ list:

Jonathon Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach (reread this one after first reading it over 10 years ago---finished it in a day!!)

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho (half way thru)

These are on my waiting to read list:-

64 Lessons for a Life Without Limits - T.D. Jakes

Singin' & Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas - Maya Angelou

Check them out [& of course my own book Thinking out Loud Available here---->https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyContent=11764998] and tell me what you think!!

2 more days for the weekend:) 2012 is racing already:(

What I've learnt is to LIVE in the moment and revel in all it's splendour because tomorrow is promised to no one...the past is gone...so remember to learn the lessons and put it away...for this moment right here is YOURS, so claim it and Make it Count!!!

Now back to my soup-making etc [split pea btw yum]

 

Best to you & yours:)

XO